After dinner the girls went to their rooms to do their homework. Markie helped load the dishwasher in hopes that she and Sona could spend some time watching their favorite shows while cuddling. Sona and Markie settled in to watch Big Bang and then Bones. “I’m really proud of the girls for accepting Spencer so readily. I half expected Emma to be indifferent.” Markie commented. “They both have a strong foundation and I’m glad that we can say that we’ve played a part in it.” Sona said snuggling into the crook of Markie’s arm. She loved feeling safe and secure nestled into her loving embrace. ~
Shaley skipped through the meadow along the rivers’ edge. The delicate wild violets were in full bloom of white and purples. The smell of all the flowers made her think of spring. These were the memories she would take with her into adulthood and look fondly upon… these memories and her early years with her parents before she understood that sometimes very bad things happened to good people. The river was swift in the early spring after the thaw but it had settled down to its usual steady pace.
Shaley picked up a stalk of Queen Anne’s lace and examined its delicate structure reminding her of a snowflake. She smiled as she inhaled… It smelled like carrots. She glanced toward the tree line that separated their property from the Cemetery. There were more than the usual amount of visitors there this morning and she couldn’t help but wonder why.
Pippi rode her bike to the edge of town stopping briefly to allow traffic to pass before she crossed to the side of the street where her best friend Shaley lived. They had met at school a few years back and had become fast friends ever since. She peddled as fast as her legs would carry her. Her almost orange hair whipped around her neck like the flames of a bonfire licking the logs as they tried to catch fire. Pippi knew all about Shaley and her unique life but that just endeared her more to her Bestie. Pippi veered off the main road across the gravel shoulder and skidded to a stop in front of the old clapboard church adjacent to Shaley’s home. “Hi Emma! Where’s Shaley?” She hollered across the yard. “I think I saw her by the river.” Emma called back pointing to the back of The Rectory. “Thanks” Pippi said smiling and waving before breaking into a full out run. She didn’t want to waste one minute of time with her friend.
As she rounded the corner of the house she spied Shaley close to the waters’ edge. Shaley wore her favorite kitty shirt with bib-overalls that had been cut into shorts. Shaley’s eyes sparkled when she saw her friend. They ran into each others’ arms jumping exuberantly together in joy and friendship. Theirs was the kind of friendship that only exists when you were thirteen. “I’m so happy you’re here!” Shaley squealed. “I didn’t have to help my mom today so I rode here as fast as I could.” Pippi said breathlessly.
Some of her orange hair escaped her French braid and almost seemed to form a halo around her head when the sun shone through it. “Let’s go see if Aunt Sona has any treats for us. I’m starved!” Shaley said finally. Both girls were quite the little tomboys and enjoyed almost everything about being outdoors. They would start out the day clean and tidy but they never allowed a little dirt to get in the way of having fun. They bolted toward the house not wanting to waste any time together strolling.
Half way across the meadow Shaley slowed and then stopped to look at a woman in her mid-thirties standing in the old Cemetery. Pippi kept running momentarily until she realized that her best friend was no longer with her. She went back to where Shaley stood giving her a questioning glance before her gaze went to the woman. “What is it? Do you know her?” Pippi asked. “No” Shaley replied simply. Shaley furrowed her brows and changed direction to intercept the woman.
Pippi followed until they came to the hedge border that separated the two properties. They stood there briefly while Shaley contemplated. “What’s going on?” Pippi asked. She had seen Shaley’s intuitive abilities many times and had learned to just go with the flow. The woman stood at a headstone sculpted like a cherub flanked on either side by a kneeling lamb. The girls stood just far enough away not to be intrusive. The woman noticed them and wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand. Shaley knew the headstone well from her many hours playing in the Cemetery. It was the grave of a young girl who was nine years old when she passed away.
She remembered it specifically because that is the age she had been when she and her family had been in their car wreck. When the woman seemed to have pulled herself together Shaley slowly approached her while Pippi stayed back several feet. “Is that your daughter?” Shaley asked in a soft sweet voice. The woman only nodded trying not to let the tears fall that had welled up in her eyes once more. “I live in The Old Rectory. My name is Shaley.” She introduced herself. The woman finally looked at her. “My name is Michaela. I live across the lake.” The woman replied wiping her bloodshot eyes once more.
The woman went to a nearby bench and sat with her face in her hands. Shaley stood for a moment with her head cocked sideways as if listening to something. “It’s Roxanne’s birthday.” Shaley told Pippi. “Shaley let’s go!” Pippi said in a loud whisper shuffling her feet uncomfortably at the heart wrenching display of raw emotions. Shaley held up her first finger to Pippi indicating wait one minute. She then walked over to Michaela. “She isn’t here.” Shaley told her. “What the hell do you know?” Michaela said sharply. Shaley took a deep breath. “Both my parents were killed in a car accident when I was nine.” Shaley patiently explained.
The woman looked over at her like she’d never seen her before. “I’m sorry.” Michaela said earnestly. “You think you’re closer to her here but she’s always with you. She doesn’t want you to cry or stop living. She wants you to live for both of you.” Shaley said matter-of-factly. Michaela looked at her suspiciously. “You don’t know anything.” Michaela said in a small voice. “She knows things lady… things she shouldn’t know.” Pippi said. “Shaley!!!” A voice called from across the meadow in the direction of The Old Rectory. “I have to go.” Shaley said already making off toward the hedgerow. Pippi moved toward the woman. “Shaley talks to spirits. Ask anyone.” Pippi told her before running to follow her friend to her home.
Shaley stopped at the property threshold. “Ma’am she said for you not to worry about her being alone. She has Scooby with her.” Shaley said before disappearing through the hedgerow followed close behind by Pippi. “Hey wait!” Michaela said standing and taking a few steps forward before she realized it was too late. The young girls were already gone. Michaela went to the hedge and watched the young ones leap through the waist high weeds, grass and wild flowers. How could that strange girl know anything about Roxanne or their cat Scooby that had recently passed? The young girls were already gone. Michaela went to the hedge and watched the girls climb the steps to the old house. “What the hell just happened?” She thought.
Michaela went back to Roxie’s grave marker and removed the flower urn that when not used fit snugly into the base. She removed it and turned it right side up before affixing it securely in its holder. The beautiful bouquet she’d brought were exactly what Roxie loved. Michaela had dropped them unceremoniously on the ground when grief had unexpectedly overcome her. She retrieved them now and placed them in the vase. She looked around and found the spigot and plastic watering can and made her way over to fill it up.
After pouring the water into the vase to overflowing she sat on the ground cross legged next to Roxie’s headstone. All the things she’d wanted to share with Roxie, the tears and loneliness, all of it was gone. She had come to the Cemetery to mark an exceptionally difficult and private moment but now she didn’t feel any of those emotions. She only felt relief and gratitude. She was finally able to remember the good times they shared for the first time since Roxie’s death. ~
Chapter Four
Shaley and Pippi charged into the mudroom before entering the old style country kitchen. “Can we go swimming Aunt Sona?” Shaley asked much too loudly. “Not by yourselves… no!” Sona replied. “Awww” The girls responded in unison. “Swim swim.” Spencer sa
id coming from the parlor into the kitchen and joining the conversation. “I’m too busy now Shaley.” Sona said apologetically. “Besides you can’t swim if you’ve just eaten some of these delicious double chocolate cookies I just made. They’re still warm.” Sona smiled knowing sweet treats were always a good way to distract kids.
Shaley picked up as many as her little hands could hold and handed some to both Pippi and Spencer. She then proceeded to stuff a whole one into her own mouth which made Spencer giggle uncontrollably. Spencer moved to the back window to watch the river while the girls talked their teenage girl talk. “I think you freaked that lady out.” Pippi said between bites. “She’ll be ok.” Shaley responded. “What lady?” Sona asked. “The lady we met in the Cemetery. She was there to see her daughter on her birthday. I told her not to be sad.” Shaley explained before taking a long drink of her Almond milk.
Sona was about to inquire further but Spencer’s voice halted her questions. “Plane! Plane!” He said excitedly jumping up and down. Shaley and Pippi ran over to the window and sure enough there was a float plane coming in for a landing. Now that was something you didn’t see every day. It flew low right down the middle of the small river, taxied briefly to moor at a floating dock on the far side where the river was wider and deeper. “Wow!!” Spencer said awestruck. “That was so cool!” Shaley exclaimed. Sona just shook her head. She would never have guessed the Magnetewan River was suitable for landing a plane.
Pippi finished her cookies and wet her first finger to pick up the remaining crumbs on the paper towel Sona had given her. “Maybe we can go swimming on Saturday.” Pippi asked before licking the crumbs off her finger. “I’m going for my lessons with Naomi in the morning then we usually have a snack at the diner but after that I should be home. I’ll call you.” Shaley smiled warmly. Pippi looked at her and broke out laughing. “You have chocolate on your teeth.” Pippi informed her trying to suppress her laughter. Shaley covered her mouth and ran to the toaster to see her reflection. When she was finished she returned to her seat a little red in the face but smiling all the same.
Spencer shuffled over. “Dinew?” He asked. Shaley nodded her head in response. Spencer went over to Sona and patted her arm repeatedly. “Dinew… me?” He asked pointing to himself. Sona turned toward him with her brows furrowed. “Do you like the diner Spencer?” She asked him. “Ya Ya” He said excited. “Shaley’s going with her teacher on Saturday but maybe we all can go some time after school.” Sona offered. “Ya Ya.” Spencer said still excited. He went over to Shaley. “Me dinew too.” He told her. Shaley turned to him and smiled. “Aunt Markie’s Uncle owns the diner. We go there a lot. I always have the pie.” Shaley added with a wink. “Me too” Spencer agreed.
Shaley turned in the direction of the kitchen. “Aunt Sona could Pippi sleep over Saturday night?” She asked sweetly. Sona looked over at Pippi who was nodding her head vigorously and smiling broadly. “I don’t see why not… as long as your mom says its ok.” Sona concluded. The girls cheered and ran out of the room. Sona smiled and shook her head suspecting they were going to ask Pippi’s mother immediately. ~
The room was dark except for the eerie glow of the moon streaming through Shaley’s bedroom window. She was a light sleeper so every little sound seemed to awaken her. She’d finally descended into a deep sleep when she felt someone sit down on the end of her bed by her left foot. “Here we go again.” Shaley mumbled. She sat up rubbing her eyes to clear the film that had accumulated during her brief slumber. “Who is it?... Roxanne?” Shaley asked as her vision focused. “They call me Fizz.” The young girl said. “Well Fizz you can’t just go around waking me up every night. I’m falling asleep in class.” Shaley said peering over at the translucent figure.
Fizz looked down at her hands that she’d placed on her lap. “I want to talk and you’re the only one who talks back.” Fizz stated. “Ok Ok. Why do they call you Fizz?” Shaley asked politely. “When I was a baby my hair was curly and stood up on the top of my head. I looked like a bottle of pop that had been shaken.” Fizz looked up and smiled at Shaley. They sat quietly for a few seconds. “Why did you tell my mom I was always with her?” Fizz finally asked. “I just didn’t want her to be sad anymore.” Shaley replied. “She can’t remember me laughing and having fun. She only remembers the sad times. It’s hard to be with her when she’d sad.” Fizz said turning to look out the window. Shaley followed her gaze wondering what she saw.
The night was cool and clear and bright with a three quarter moon. What did an apparition see? “I need to get some sleep now Fizz... Goodnight.” Shaley said out loud scrunching down in her bed and covering herself with her comforter. The spirits didn’t know when an appropriate time for conversation was and Shaley was experiencing more and more interruptions in her every day routine. She needed to ask Naomi about that on Saturday she thought to herself. ~
Markie packed up her camera gear for the day. She’d spent the afternoon photographing the birds, flowers, trees and river. She was pleased with the day overall and was sure she’d been able to capture the essence of spring in this location. She hopped into her truck and headed for home. With any luck she would get there in time to help Sona with dinner. She pulled into the driveway and shut the truck off, gathered her gear and entered the residence through the side entrance closest to her home office where she deposited her equipment. She usually could smell dinner cooking from the hallway but today the mouthwatering aromas were absent.
She entered the kitchen to find Sona sitting at the counter sipping a coffee and thumbing through a magazine. She cleared her throat to alert Sona to her presence so as not to startle her. “Hello beautiful! What’s going on?” Markie enquired. “I promised the kids I would take them to the diner for supper tonight.” Sona said before accepting a moist kiss on the lips from Markie. “That sounds like a great idea. Can I join you? I haven’t seen Uncle Tullio in a while.” Markie said.
Shaley and Spencer both came into the room anxiously. “We’re ready Auntie.” Shaley informed the adults. “Isn’t Emma coming?” Sona asked. “She said she’s going to be video chatting with her trainer and doesn’t want to miss it.” Shaley said. “Well ok then. Is everybody ready?” Markie asked. “Ya Ya” Spencer replied excitedly. They all piled into Markie’s SUV and when she looked through her rearview mirror Spencer looked about ready to burst with sheer excitement. “Seatbelts on everyone!” She called out before putting the vehicle into gear.
The group marched into the diner which seemed unusually packed with patrons. Ever since the diner opened it had a steady clientele but today it seemed especially busy. An older man with thinning hair and a warm smile wearing an apron wrapped around his waist approached them. “Marquesa, my smart girl.” Uncle Tullio took Markie into his strong arms and hugged her tight giving her a kiss on each cheek. “Sona, Shaley welcome and who is this handsome young man?” He asked. “This is Spencer, our friend Jenna’s son.” Sona explained as Tullio gave her a warm hug.
Someone called from across the room for Uncle Tullio. He held up his finger indicating he would be right there. He guided them to the booth that was reserved for family and scurried off. He started to remove the dishes from a nearby table to prepare it for its next patrons when a crash from the kitchen sent him scurrying through the swinging doors to the back of the restaurant. Markie stood up and started to lend a hand busing tables while a waitress came by and took their order.
Markie continued to help out until the rest of the family had received and consumed their delicious meal. Spencer had been watching Markie intently the entire time and when his meal was complete he went to help her. Finally Markie and Spencer had caught up with all the stray dishes and had taken them to the back where Tullio loaded them into the industrial dishwasher. The two returned to the table just in time for dessert. Spencer and Shaley had ordered pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Tullio emerged from the back room with a smile plastered on his face. “Thank you so much Marquesa… and you to
o Spencer. You really helped us catch up with the crowd. Any time you need a job young man you come see me.” Tullio beamed looking directly at Spencer and pointing to his own chest dramatically. “Me! Me!” Spencer shouted with a dab of ice cream on his upper lip.
Shaley handed him a napkin and he absently wiped his mouth. “Slow down Spencer. We’ll have to talk to your mom about that. Maybe you can come here for your work placement for school.” Sona thought out loud. Spencers’ smile was contagious. Tullio took the lull in the diner traffic to sit down with his family for a few minutes to catch up. “Uncle you really need more help around here. I hate to see you working so hard… especially since you came up here to enjoy your retirement.” Markie stated bluntly. Tullio smiled. “Yes yes. I have the sign in the front window.” Tullio said pointing to the Help Wanted sign.
As Markie turned slightly to check the sign Naomi came in looking frazzled and slightly out of breath. She came right to their table and kissed Tullio warmly on the cheek. The railroad car diner had been their project together and they really did seem very happy together. “I’m sorry darling. One of my students had some personal issues they needed to discuss.” Naomi apologized slipping off her jacket and continuing into the back of the diner but not before smiling to the rest of the family. She returned with her long ebony hair pulled back in a ponytail and an apron around her own waist. She stopped briefly at the counter and made a couple of ice-cream floats before she was roped into working.
Naomi had many interests but her life’s work and her continued interest always revolved around her Spirituality and Shamanism. She felt that she could apply everything she knew to any situation. Whatever she did and whoever she came across in her lifes’ travels there always seemed to be an opportunity to practice the principles she’d learned from the Elders. On a personal level she knew that it didn’t matter what job she chose as long as she was happy. It needed to feed her heart, mind and soul but just as importantly she had to do it with integrity. Her students’, owning the diner and even her stained glass projects all gave her a level of fulfillment she was grateful for daily. ~
The Crystal Visions: A Families Journey into the Paranormal Volume 2 Page 3