The Crystal's Curse

by Vicky de Leo

  “So, you had your own personal tour guide. I’m jealous.”

  “I guess I did. I just never thought of it that way. It’s your turn. Tell me about your family.”

  “I’m the oldest. I have three younger brothers. My dad is an architect and my mom’s a stay at home mom. I’ve lived in the same house in the same town in Arizona my whole life. I went to kindergarten with most of my friends. For me, Boston is an adventure.”

  “Now, I’m jealous.”

  “Why? The best thing that ever happened to me was coming here, being able to make friends who only know me the way I am today. People here don’t look at me and remember the girl with acne and braces on her teeth.”

  He took her hand and held it up looking at the fine sprinkling of freckles across porcelain skin. “I don’t believe you ever had acne.” Looking into her eyes, “and you’d be beautiful even with braces.”

  Sara blushed, saved from replying by Mrs. Stewart who brought in enormous slices of chocolate cake.

  After dinner, they both stopped into the kitchen to thank Mrs. Stewart. Sara offered to help clean up, but Mrs. Stewart refused.

  “You’ve outdone yourself. Thank you so much,” Joshua said giving Mrs. Stewart a hug.

  “Go on now, get out of my kitchen,” she said, but he could tell that she was pleased.

  Joshua led Sara to the music room. He sat down to the now perfectly tuned piano and began to play. He started with a medley of show tunes and then because his fingers seemed to fly over the notes, moved to the classics. Sara moved around the room looking at the pictures while she listened. Joshua reached over and took some yellowed sheets of music from a stack on top of the piano. He started playing a composition.

  She came and stood behind him with her hands resting gently on his shoulders, as he played. “What’s that? It’s beautiful. The beginning is joyous, but now it‘s kind of wistful”

  “It’s a composition that I found in this room. I don’t know who wrote it. It doesn’t have a title. I like it too.” He finished playing, turned around, and pulled her into his lap, running his hand gently over her hair.

  She put her arms around his neck, a slight smile on her face.

  He looked at her for a moment and then leaned in to kiss her. He pressed his lips gently against hers, holding her lightly as if she were made of glass.

  She kissed him back with more passion than he expected. When they parted, her breath ragged, she stood up and moved away, looking embarrassed.

  Confused, Joshua got up and stood behind her with his hands lightly on her shoulders. “I’m sorry; maybe I shouldn’t have done that.”

  She leaned her head back against him and sighed. “No, I wanted you to. I just liked it a little more than I expected to.”

  “I like the sound of that,” he said. Wrapping one arm around her waist, and brushing aside her hair with the other, he kissed her neck. When she turned around in his arms, he held her face in his hands, looked deeply into her eyes and kissed her again, this time with less restraint. He broke the kiss this time. Taking a deep breath, pressed his forehead to hers, and said, “I don’t want to, but I think maybe it’s time I took you home.”

  She just smiled and nodded.

  Chapter Nine

  As they were coming out of the music room arm in arm, Joseph was coming in the front door. Sara dropped her arm but Joshua kept his arm tightly around her waist while he introduced them.

  “Grandfather, this is my date, Sara Whiting. Sara this is my grandfather, Joseph Carson.”

  “It’s nice to meet you Miss Whiting. You wouldn’t happen to be related to Dr. Helen Whiting would you?”

  “Yes, she’s my grandmother. Do you know her?”

  “No, unfortunately we’ve never met, but I have heard of her. She’s won quite a few awards for her contributions to Neurology. The hospital is very proud to have her on staff.”

  “She’s exceptionally talented. I’m living with her while I attend college. Perhaps we can arrange for you to come over sometime and meet her.”

  “I’d like that very much. Goodnight Miss Whiting. It was a pleasure to meet you. Goodnight, Joshua.” Joseph excused himself and went into the study.

  Joshua took Sara home and walked her to the door. He gave her a lingering kiss goodnight on the doorstep and then waited until she went inside before driving off.

  It was only about 10 p.m. and so her grandmother was still up, sitting in her favorite chair and reading. She looked up when Sara entered. “Did you have a good time on your date, dear?” She noticed that Sara was flushed and slightly breathless.

  Sara sat down on the ottoman at her grandmother’s feet. “Yes, it was absolutely wonderful,” she said, frowning.

  “Then why do you look upset?”

  “Oh, Gran, what am I going to do? I moved here specifically to make sure that I wouldn’t be distracted from working hard. Then Joshua comes along and suddenly all I can think about is him. This is not a part of my plan. The other night when you told me about your first love, I wondered what that would feel like. I was sure that it would never happen to me.”

  Helen smiled. “Sara, you’ve always known what you wanted. You made a plan and you stuck to it. That’s admirable, but unfortunately, life doesn’t always cooperate. It sounds to me like you are feeling a little out of control of the situation.”

  “Exactly, how do I take back control?”

  “You don’t.”

  “What?”

  Helen leaned forward and laid a hand on Sara’s arm. “Let me give you some advice from an old lady. You can’t control life. You have to live it one day at a time. Many things are going to happen to you that you can neither predict or change. Get used to it. It’s good to make goals and strive hard to achieve them, but those plans have to be flexible. Falling in love is not one of the things you can plan. It just happens.” She leaned back. “You obviously like this Joshua a lot. Is he good enough for you?”

  Sara smiled. “Yes I think so. He is kind and gentle, very intelligent and he plays the piano. Did I mention really good looking?”

  Helen looked at her over the top of her reading glasses. “He doesn’t have dark hair and blue eyes, does he?”

  “As a matter of fact he does,” Sara said, grinning.

  Helen shook her head, laughing. “Oh, dear that’s a bad combination.” Then more seriously, “Take it one day at a time. You don’t know how you’ll feel in a couple of months.”

  “What if nothing changes? What if I really am in love? Would you have given up everything to follow your heart?”

  Helen looked thoughtful. “I don’t know. I never got the chance to make that decision, but I will tell you one thing. Even knowing all the pain I felt when he left, I would go back and do it all again. I would not give up one minute I spent with him. Those memories have kept me warm on many a cold night.”

  “Thanks Gran.” Sara reached up and gave her grandmother a hug.

  “Goodnight dear.”

  When Sara left the room, Helen’s mind stayed in the past.

  ***

  Joshua drove around for a long time before heading home, thinking about what a great day it had been. He had to keep telling himself that this was his car. He couldn’t believe he was actually dating a beautiful woman like Sara. He could still smell the scent of her hair and the way she felt in his arms. The only thing that marred the day was the dull headache that seemed to be a part of his life now. When the pain suddenly increased, the throbbing blurred his vision and forced him to go home and go to bed.

  Even after taking aspirin, it kept him awake most of the night. However, by morning, he felt better. Getting dressed, Joshua wondered whether the stone had anything to do with the headaches. Picking up the crystal as usual to put in his pocket, he rotated it in his hands trying to decide whether to take it or leave it at home. Suddenly the air around him constricted, pressing in on him on all sides. Everything in the room shimmered and began to fade. He flung out both hands to steady himse
lf. The stone slipped from his fingers. The pressure faded and the room returned to normal. He stood there wondering what had just happened. Maybe just a dizzy spell like when you get up too quickly, he thought.

  Still, Joshua was almost afraid to pick up the crystal. When he did, nothing happened. Still shaken, he tucked the crystal in a drawer, deciding to leave it at home to see if he felt any different. By lunchtime, he noticed that it was the first day that he hadn’t had a headache. However, that feeling of confidence had left as well. He noticed people looking at him for the first time. Did he look that different? He worried that Sara would notice. What if he really looked as different as he felt?

  * * *

  Sara hadn’t been able to keep her mind on the lecture. She would have to borrow someone else’s notes for the first time. Hers had large gaps when she wasn‘t listening, lost in reliving Joshua’s kisses, the feel of his arms around her and the way he looked at her. She thought about him all night and couldn’t wait to see him again. The intensity of her feelings scared her. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Joshua waiting for her outside the classroom, leaning against the wall. He wore Levis and a powder blue pullover that showed off his broad shoulders and flat abs. While she watched, several girls walked by and tried to catch his eye.

  Great she thought, he looks terrific and I look like a drowned rat. Her hair refused to behave in the steady rain, so she had pulled it into a ponytail. The sides kept escaping. Running late, she’d grabbed the first clothes she could reach, old jeans, a baggy sweater, and an old raincoat she found hanging on a hook beside the door. Now looking down at herself, she felt like a bag lady. What if he took one look at her and decided he didn’t feel the same way about her?

  However, when she met him outside the classroom, he took her hand as usual and gave her a tentative smile. All through lunch, he kept looking at her. One time he leaned over to push a stray lock of hair back behind her ears. He must think I look awful. Maybe he’s sorry about last night and wondering how to dump me, she thought.

  Joshua watched Sara to see if her feelings had changed. He thought she looked even more beautiful today. She had a lock of hair that fell in her eyes. When he reached over and tucked it back behind her ear so he could look at her, she looked down and frowned. Was his touch so different today? He made up his mind. A headache seemed a small price to pay, if it meant holding on to Sara.

  Sara picked at her lunch and worried. She needed to know how he felt. It was Friday. She knew she could not live through the weekend not knowing. She’d waited all through lunch, hoping he’d mention another date. Now as they gathered their things to go back to glass, she made a decision. If she invited him to come over tonight and meet her grandmother, and he made an excuse, she would know.

  “Joshua, my grandmother should be home early today. I’d like you to come over and meet her.”

  Joshua hesitated. It was a good sign that she wanted to see him again, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. He wanted time to go home and get the crystal. He wondered how long it would take before the crystal would restore him. “What time?”

  He doesn’t seem too eager. However, he didn’t say no. Let’s see, I need time to do something with this hair and find something to wear that says sexy but not desperate. “How about seven?”

  “Okay.” That should give me enough time, he thought.

  ***

  Sara washed her hair and let it dry naturally into soft curls. Then she changed into a tan skirt and cream silk blouse. She decided that her three-inch stiletto heels would provide just the right amount of sex appeal. Her grandmother came in five minutes before seven o’clock and went to her bedroom to change out of her work clothes. Before Sara had a chance to tell her that Joshua was coming over, the doorbell rang.

  By seven o’clock Joshua’s headache was back, but he felt confident and sure of himself again. He arrived right on time. Silhouetted in the doorway, the light from behind shining on her, he thought Sara looked like an angel. She even smelled heavenly. He gave her a big smile.

  “Come in. My grandmother just got home. She’s upstairs changing. She should be down in a minute.”

  She led him into the front room. It wasn’t a large room, but it was cozy and comfortable. A sofa sat on one side of the fireplace. Two comfortable chairs separated by a small round end table faced the sofa. An old upright piano stood angled in one corner.

  He caught her and pulled her to him for a quick kiss.

  She responded warmly, smiled, and then asked, “Can I get you a drink while we’re waiting?”

  “Sure, a coke would be good.”

  When Sara went to the kitchen, Joshua wandered over to the piano. Seeing familiar sheet music displayed, he sat down at and played.

  Helen came down the stairs. “Sara, are you playing the piano?” Coming into the room, and seeing Joshua, she stopped and drew in a quick breath.

  Joshua looked up and smiled.

  Helen eyes widened. She put one hand to her throat gasping, and then collapsed in a heap on the floor.

  Joshua stood up shouting for Sara. He rushed to Helen’s side, and felt for a pulse. Since she was breathing and he couldn’t find any injuries, he gently picked her up, and set her on the sofa. Behind him, Sara hurried in.

  “What happened?” She asked, rushing to her grandmother side.

  “I don’t know. She walked in and collapsed. Should we call an ambulance?”

  Sara shook her head. “She’s breathing and she has a steady pulse. Let’s wait a minute and see if she comes around.” Patting Helen’s hand she said, “Grandma?”

  Helen began to stir. When she opened her eyes, Joshua was leaning over her. “Harry?”

  Sara moved in front of Joshua, and he backed away. “Grandma, are you all right?”

  Trying to get up, Helen asked, “Sara, what happened?”

  Sara placed her hand on her shoulder and pushed her back. “Stay down. I think you fainted. Maybe we should get you to a doctor.”

  “No, I’m all right.” Helen insisted on getting up, so Sara helped her to a sitting position on the couch. Helen looked over at Joshua, who was now sitting on the chair across from her. Her quick intake of breath brought Sara hovering over her again. Starring at Joshua, Helen asked, “Who are you?”

  Sara sat down next to her grandmother. “Gran, this is Joshua, the young man I told you about. I’m sorry if he scared you. I didn’t have a chance to tell you I invited him over to meet you.”

  Helen studied the young man. The room was quiet. Her heartbeat sounded loud in her ears. She took a deep breath to calm herself and clear her head.

  Sara was patting her hand and looking worried.

  Joshua sat back in the chair and looked thoughtful. No one said anything for a few minutes. Finally, apparently reaching a decision, Joshua looked at Helen and said, “You knew my uncle, Harry Carson, didn’t you?”

  “You’re Harry Carson’s nephew?” Helen asked breathlessly.

  “Well, great nephew to be exact,” Joshua clarified. To Sara he explained, “Apparently I look just like my uncle Harry did when he disappeared 40 years ago. My grandfather was startled when he saw me recently as well.”

  Helen took a deep breath. She stared at him for another long moment before saying, “You look so much like him it’s uncanny. Now that I see you up close, I can see differences. Your nose is a little different, and his hair was wavy where yours is straight. Your voice is different too, no Bostonian accent, but the resemblance is still startling. You say he disappeared 40 years ago?” Helen asked.

  “That’s what my grandfather told me.”

  Sara, glad to see that her grandmother’s color was coming back, asked, “Are you sure you’re all right? “

  “Yes, dear I’m fine now. It was just a shock seeing him there playing the piano,” she replied.

  Sara began to understand. “Harry Carson was your first love, wasn’t he?”

  Helen looked at Sara for a long moment without saying anything, an
d then turned to Joshua. “I’m sorry about fainting like that. I’m not being a very good hostess, am I? Sara, did you offer Joshua a drink?”

  Sara studied her grandmother. She was still a little pale, but otherwise seemed normal. “I was in the kitchen getting them when you . . . came in. I’ll get them now. What can I get for you, Gran?”

  “Just some water will be fine, dear. Joshua, tell me about your family,” Helen said calmly as if nothing had happened.

  When Sara returned with the sodas for her and Joshua, and the water for her grandmother, Joshua was telling Helen about his mom and dad on the dig in Guatemala.

  “I believe Sara told me you were staying with your grandfather?” Helen prompted.

  “Yes, Joseph Carson, he’s President of the First National Bank of Boston. My family traveled a great deal, so I haven’t spent much time with him. I never even knew my grandfather had a brother until I came to live here. I hadn’t seen my grandfather for a couple of years and his reaction when he saw me was pretty much the same as yours.”

  “I’d like to meet him sometime.”

  Handing the water to her grandmother Sara added, “As a matter of fact, when I met him last night, he expressed a desire to meet you as well. He said he had heard about your work.”

  “You were playing the piano when I came in. Do you want to be a musician?” Helen asked.

  “I love music, but I haven’t made up my mind about a career choice yet.”

  “Play something for Gran, maybe that unnamed piece that you played for me last night.”

  Helen held up her hand to stop him. “Not tonight, dear. If you will excuse me, I really am tired. I think I’ll go up and lie down for a while. It was nice meeting you Joshua.”

  Sara rose with her and walked with her to the foot of the staircase.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Sara asked.

  “Yes, dear, you two enjoy your evening. I am fine. Just a little tired. It’s been a long week.”

  Helen made it slowly up the steps to her room. She sunk down on the bed, still trying to understand. Could Sara’s boyfriend really be Harry’s nephew? She still couldn’t get over the resemblance. If Joshua’s uncle was her Harry, then he had disappeared not just from her life, but from his family as well. Flooded by memories long kept at bay, she closed her eyes and let it all come back.