Sue added, “I think we all just need to take a few deep breaths. We need to just settle ourselves and meditate about it.”
“I agree,” Brenda said. “I’m not saying we’ll find an explanation for all of this, but surely we’ll be able to keep a positive perspective on it.”
“Do we include the kids?” Sam asked.
“Absolutely,” said Sue.
“Of course,” Brenda added.
“And Devon?” Sam raised her eyebrows.
“I’ll work on Devon,” Sue said. “Let’s just let him cool off for now.”
“Well, I think we got them all boxed up,” Brenda said as she carried another carton to the van. Sam opened the back door and hollered out to the children, who were watching a band of horses grazing nearby. “Hey, we need a few hands in here. This is the last load, I promise.”
Devon turned back toward his house just as Sue’s van pulled away. This couldn’t be happening, not to him. This was like something out of a science fiction movie. Why now? He thought of his daughter’s face as she held out the photo of his mother. He stopped and looked up at the blue sky with its puffs of cotton clouds.
“What’s going on here, Mom?” he yelled. “I have enough to deal with!”
A rabbit raced across his path and startled him. He watched as it disappeared behind a rock. Carrie and her visions, Milla and her dreams, Sam and Brenda and mysterious swatches of calico appearing from thin air. This is nuts, he thought, yet they seem perfectly calm…and now I’m talking to myself, he thought. What next?
Milla scribbled a note for her father and slipped it under a magnet on the refrigerator. “You think he’ll be okay with you coming with us?” Brenda asked, glancing about the room checking for any stray patches.
Milla grabbed her backpack. “He’ll be cool.” Sam and Carrie stepped into the living room, closing a door behind them.
“Are we good to go?” Brenda asked.
“All clear. We did a clean sweep,” Sam replied.
“No more fabric fairies,” Carrie grinned.
“Nope, just a bewildered ogre,” Milla sighed.
Chapter 70
“A shell spoke to you? You actually heard it speak?” Carrie asked.
Shannon was annoyed. “I said it did, okay. I’m not making it up!”
“A baby and a golden foal, are you sure?” asked Carrie. Milla put her book down and moved a little closer to the phone.
“Yes, yes!” Shannon exclaimed. “This is what I’m trying to tell you. And then a voice that said, We are one.”
“That’s exactly what the horse spirit said to me in my meditation,” replied Carrie.
Milla, straining to hear both sides of the conversation, was trying to keep things straight. “A golden foal? What golden foal?”
“What do you think it all means?” Shannon asked.
Carrie scratched her head. “I don’t have a clue. Shan, I’m still trying to figure out my own meditations and dreams.”
“Oh, man, now she’s finding talking shells?” Milla whispered.
“Shh,” Carrie said, covering the phone. “I’ll tell you in a minute.”
Milla rolled back a little too far and tumbled off the bed. She fell against the napping Flannel. The dog jumped up and trotted toward the door in search of a sunbeam where she could lay undisturbed.
Carrie held the phone close to her mouth. “I’ll think about it and call you back soon. I’m glad you got to hang out with my dad, though. Thanks for telling me.”
“No problem. Okay, well, you better figure out this mission soon so we can get started,” Shannon said.
“I will, and I’ll think more about your shell message and see how it fits. Bye.”
“Bye, bye.”
“Hey, girls, can you come down here, please?” Brenda hollered up the stairs.
“Now what?” Milla groaned as she and Carrie walked into the living room. It was crowded with Brenda, Devon, Sam, and Sue gathered together. Milla was startled when she saw her father and approached him tentatively. He waved her over and she sat next to him on the arm of the overstuffed chair. Aunt Sue patted her on the back and sat on a chair close by. Sam was sitting cross-legged on the floor, petting Flannel, while Brenda stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Carrie took a seat on the floor and looked at the group assembled in their tiny bungalow.
“We’ve decided that you girls are old enough to understand that we are all feeling a little mixed up right now and we thought it might be a good idea to do a meditation together,” Sue said.
Carrie coughed, trying to stifle a giggle. Milla looked at her father and opened her mouth wide. “Don’t look at me,” he said, his arms crossed. “I’m not getting involved with any of this hocus pocus nonsense. I just agreed to sit here and close my eyes. That’s it—period. I don’t believe in any of this mumbo jumbo stuff, but if it’ll help keep those things out of my house, well, I say go for it!”
“I think it would actually be better to do it outdoors,” Sue said.
“I know a clearing out back that would be perfect,” Sam offered. “I meditate there myself sometimes.”
“Great. Lead the way,” Brenda said. The afternoon sun was beginning to cast shadows across the Calico Mountains as they walked single file along the path, each person quietly deep in thought. A red hawk circled high overhead, watching from above. A gray speckled stallion raised its head, sniffing the wind as his band of mares continued grazing. The little group reached the clearing and settled down on an outcropping of rocks.
Sue waited for everyone to find a comfortable seat before speaking. “I’m going to lead you through a short meditation, just like I do with my students. All we are doing is quieting our minds and finding harmony within ourselves to be able to face the uncertainties of this unexpected…umm….”
“Fabric attack,” Devon finished.
“Da-ad,” Milla said.
“It’s okay, Milla. We don’t really have an explanation for it so let’s just try and meditate,” Sue continued. “I want everyone to close his or her eyes and quietly use whatever method you’re familiar with to ask for protection before beginning the meditation. She waited a bit and then began again, “Now, let’s take some deep cleansing breaths and just relax.”
The group followed along listening to Sue’s directions and soon all of them were breathing slowly in total relaxation. “Now I want you to just float along in your special place of peace and let your mind dwell on this one thought…we are one.” Devon was sitting propped up against a rock with his hat pulled over his face. He peeked out from under it just to make sure there were no swatches of fabric falling from the sky, and seeing none, settled back again. The group sat in silence as the wind whistled around them. The sun hid behind a cloud momentarily and the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance. Sue waited for about fifteen minutes and then spoke again. “Take a few deep breaths and as you inhale, think of it as breathing in nature and all of its beauty and as you exhale think of breathing a part of you into it and think to yourself, We are all one. Breathe in to the count of six, and hold it in…now pausing to absorb this splendor…and then exhale to the count of six. Say your thanks to the universe in your own special way and open your eyes when you are ready.”
Devon yawned and stretched his legs. That was kinda nice, he thought. Not that I would ever be caught dead doing it. Milla opened her eyes and looked over at her father, surprised that he was still sitting with them. She thought for sure he would have snuck away as soon as everyone closed their eyes.
Carrie slowly opened her eyes and rolled her neck to loosen her muscles. Brenda stood and stretched her back, reaching her fingertips high up over her head. Sam rubbed her backside, wishing she had brought along her pillow.
“So,” Devon said, “now what?”
“We go back and get something to eat,” Brenda said. “Who’s hungry?”
“That’s it?” Devon asked. “Now it all goes away? Weren’t you supposed to dance in a circle or something?
Click your fingers and say a few more words?” They all started walking back up the path.
Carrie was in the lead, with Milla right behind her. The women had stopped to look at a plant, ignoring Devon as he stood waiting for a reply. I don’t think they put much effort into this, he thought. I wonder what I’ll wake up to tomorrow?
The clouds grew thicker and the rumbling thunder seemed to come closer; he shivered as he looked back at the mountains, the ones that were named Calico because of their multiple colors and hues that gave them the appearance of patchwork…the same patchwork that now adorned the photo of his smiling mother that was sitting on a dresser back home.
Chapter 71
Grandmom listened with eyes wide as Shannon told her all about what had happened at Milla’s house. She told her all about Carrie’s dreams and meditations and about the whisperings of the little shell she was now holding. She showed her a copy of the painting Milla had done and all about the transformation of the little purple suede frame.
Grandmom said nothing and waited, neglecting her cup of tea that was no longer steaming. She loved how easily Shannon spoke to her of the things that were on her mind.
“And somehow we think it’s connected to me, too,” Shannon continued. “And I guess now that I think about it, probably you, too, Grandmom!”
“Me?” Grandmom put her hand over her heart. “How so?”
“You taught me how to stitch those little quilts right after Carrie started having those dreams. I was cutting and making patterns with fabric squares while they were appearing all over Carrie’s place and you’re the one who got me started.”
“Hmm, I see what you mean. Well, I guess I am a part of this, aren’t I? Are you sure someone isn’t just playing a joke on all of you?” she asked.
“Aw, you don’t believe us. I thought you of all people would understand.”
“No, no. I didn’t say I didn’t believe you; I’ve just never come across anything like it. I mean, I’ve heard of people having visions and I know that miracles happen all the time. But this…well, this seems so specific. What can it all mean?” She turned and stared out the window.
Shannon sank deeper into her favorite chair with its little arm covers that her grandmother embroidered. She breathed in the smell of the blueberry pie that was baking in the oven. Sitting here with Grandmom always made her feel safe and she wished school wasn’t starting in a few days.
“I know what we’ll do,” Grandmom announced, patting her knee. “Let’s write down all of our clues and look at them together.” She opened her desk drawer and as she pulled out a notebook and pen, a photo fell to the carpet. Shannon picked it up and was startled by what she saw. “Who’s this?”
“Hmm,” Grandmom said as she put on her glasses to study the photo. “Why, that’s your grandfather, of course. He died long before you were born. Haven’t you ever seen a photo of him? I’m sure your mother must have some around.”
“Who’s the little black dog sitting on his lap?” Shannon asked.
“Oh, that’s Zipper. He was such a dear little thing. He never left Harry’s side.” Grandmom held the photo up to the light. “Oh, how he loved that dog.”
“Did Grandpop always wear red suspenders?” Shannon asked, remembering the man that visited her in the hospital. The man her mom said was really only a dream.
“Why, yes, he did, honey. I can remember the fussing I used to do over those silly suspenders. I tried and tried to get him to wear a belt or at least a different color, but no—he loved those red suspenders.”
“Did he smell like you? I mean, did he smell like spice?” Shannon asked, recalling her visit with the kind man. Was he really in her dreams?
“Smell? Oh, do I smell like spice?” Grandmom asked. “Well, I’m not sure. I can’t remember him smelling like spice, but he’s been gone many years now, so I can’t remember.”
“Oh,” said Shannon. “Well…umm, he sounds really nice.”
“He was the best husband a woman would ever want, and, oh, how he spoiled your mother; he was such a good father.” She put the photo down and winked at Shannon. “Now, back to those clues—we have a mystery to solve.”
“Yeah, right!” said Shannon, “I’m not sure of the exact dates or anything. Should I call Carrie?”
“No, we don’t need anything like that right now. Let’s just jot things down and see where they lead.”
“Okay,” Shannon said. “Number one: Carrie has her first dream about mountains covered in fabric. Hmm, that was right before she moved so I’m going to write May next to it.”
Brian came in the back door carrying something high above his head trying to keep it away from Kelsie, who was jumping and yipping in excitement. “Hey, Grandmom, you got any turtle food?” he asked, hopping onto a stool and placing a large box turtle on the counter.
Grandmom shrieked, “What are you doing with that thing in my kitchen?”
“It’s hungry,” Brian replied as he watched the turtle’s head slowly peek out of its shell.
Grandmom wasn’t impressed. “Out, out! Outside with that creature!” she squawked.
“So you don’t have anything to feed it?” Brian repeated, holding the turtle in flying position while Kelsie danced around him. Grandmom squirted disinfectant on the counter and scrubbed it furiously with a towel. “I’ll look, I’ll look—now outside, and take off that helmet or you’ll get a heat rash!” she hollered.
Grandmom looked in the refrigerator, trying to imagine what she could give the poor turtle that was now the object of Brian’s affection. Some wilted lettuce and a tomato that was over ripened seemed the perfect feast and she placed it an old dish she felt was suitable for a reptile.
“Okay,” Shannon said. “I think I have it all down.”
“Let’s take a look.” Grandmom spread the pages out on the dining room table. “Wow, you wrote a lot.”
“Well, some are just side notes like you taught me, stuff that popped into my head. You always say to pay attention to that.” Together they studied the notes while Brian took off his helmet and placed his new friend inside. Brian walked out back while petting the turtle, feeling the pattern of its shell. Kelsie was lying under the picnic table enjoying the shade, disappointed with the scrap of lettuce that had fallen.
“Do you see anything that makes sense to you?” Grandmom asked Shannon. “Is there a pattern here?”
“Well, I see lots of connections. Patches of fabric start appearing in Nevada before they moved there.
“Good point, so it started before all the dreams.”
“Yeah, then Carrie has several visions about Calico Mountains and horses at the same time as I’m learning how to sew quilts.”
“Let’s put a note beside that about your quilts helping children. It could be important.”
Shannon pointed to the timeline. “Then Carrie goes to camp and learns all about helping foals and then Milla has a dream about painting them.”
Grandmom wrinkled her brow. “Do the squares keep appearing during this time?”
“Oh, yes. Carrie’s mom finds them and the lady Sam who runs the B&B and even a woman who works there finds them.” She shuffled through the papers. “And this last clue is about me. I got a message from my shell that’s a repeat of the one Carrie received. It says, ‘We are one.’”
“But you forgot to put the part about the infant and the baby horse,” Grandmom reminded her.
“Baby and baby…. Is that what ‘We are one’ means?” Grandmom stared at the timeline, rubbing her chin. The back door slammed and Brian and Kelsie came running in.
“We’re hungry. When’s lunch?” “
“Can’t you see we’re busy doing something important?” Shannon said, shaking her head. “Besides, you’re always hungry.”
Grandmom stood up. “I think all of this can wait, honey; it’s like a bit of a puzzle actually. Sometimes when you have something that you can’t quite see you need to step away from it,” she said, head deep inside the ref
rigerator.
“How does walking away from it help? Carrie and I are trying to figure out our mission. I don’t want to eat lunch, I want to try to understand this now.” Shannon leaned over the table with her chin in her hands.
“All the best detectives know you have to let it sit and simmer,” said Grandmom, spreading bread out on the counter as if she were dealing cards. “You need to understand how your brain works. You feed it with fuel by eating and drinking. Then you just go about your business while it keeps working out your problems. See?” she said, handing Shannon and Brian their lunch. “We’re all unique and each of our brains works differently. That’s why it’s nice to have others help when you are trying to figure things out. Milk or iced tea?”
“Milk,” Brian said.
“Iced tea,” countered Shannon.
“See my point? We are all one of a kind.”
“So you’re saying that by walking away from the notes, I’m really still working it out and I just don’t know it?”
“Exactly, you hit the nail on the head,” Grandmom said as she sat down looking across to Brian. “Where’s your helmet?”
“It’s a turtle bed today,” he said.
“Yes, well, I should have known you two would take to each other,” Grandmom laughed.
“I think he’s a boy about my age,” Brian explained. Shannon and Grandmom exchanged looks and burst into laughter. They finished their lunch, changed into their swimsuits, and headed out to the pool.
“So, I hear you’re going to a barbecue tonight,” Grandmom said.
“Yeah, Lori’s parents invited us and I’m hoping she’ll be okay. She and I hardly talk anymore.”
“Why don’t you show her your clues tonight? Maybe it will help cheer her up. Sometimes when people get busy helping others they forget about their own troubles. That is, if you think she would be open to this sort of thing.”
“Well, I guess I could try. After all, she really does love horses. And you saw how beautiful her sewing is; I think she made about five quilts so far!” Shannon exclaimed.
Calico Horses and the Patchwork Trail Page 36