Most of the children busied themselves with crafting while Sona watched on in case anyone needed assistance. Eventually everyone had a sock or were playing video games so Sona went over to her desk. She sat down and there was Ms. Lawson’s application sitting there. Sona looked at it briefly then opened her top desk drawer and placed it on top of the pile. Sona decided she would rather have the available spot vacant than have that kind of chaos and unpredictable behavior in her program. Lydia saw what she did and went to stand beside her. “So you’re going to reject her application?” Lydia asked. Sona nodded. “I think its best.” Lydia started to walk away. “Good” She said quietly.
Sona stood and the two walked to the corner of the room farthest away from the children so as not to be overheard. “Why did you say that?” Sona asked. Lydia bit her lip uncomfortably. “Ms. Lawson tried to have a teacher and an EA fired last year. She caused so much of a stink the teacher asked for a transfer which meant a much longer commute for her and the EA who was already under tremendous stress to begin with took a leave of absence.” Lydia chewed her thumbnail.
Shaley had stealthily moved closer and overheard most of their conversation. “Auntie I’m going to get Naomi to clear this place when she comes to get me on Saturday. I’m going to call her and make sure she brings her supplies.” Shaley said nonchalantly. Sona didn’t discourage Shaley when she thought something was necessary. “That’s fine” Sona said moving away from Lydia and Shaley to return to the other children. This whole situation was starting to make her feel uncomfortable and she actually felt chills roll across her skin. She had a feeling she hadn’t heard the last of Ms. Lawson. ~
Chapter Nineteen
Markie and Glenn sat at their table at the diner. “I hardly see you anymore so I thought I would come by and have lunch with you.” Markie said to her sister. It had been over a month since Glenn had arrived and Markie wanted to get the scoop. “It’s been really great Markie honestly. Except for the one episode and a few close calls I think I’ve done pretty well.” Glenn told Markie who reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. Glenn blushed and looked into her coffee mug.
Markie’s brows pinched together in the center of her forehead. “Alright what’s going on? You look like the cat that swallowed the canary.” Markie asked. “I met Georgio at the Legion the other night after work. It was nice.” Glenn said turning a deeper shade of red. Markie just raised her eyebrows and looked on questioningly. “It wasn’t a date or anything. Lydia and her boyfriend Beau were there. I just meant it was nice to be out with new friends and have some laughs… and no I wasn’t drinking.” Glenn smiled. “I’m glad you had a good time.” Markie said but studied her sister carefully. “I like Georgio, he’s sweet. I had a coke and we played pool. He invited me to go out with him on his sailboat sometime soon.” Glenn explained further. Glenn traced the rim of her coffee cup with her index finger. “It’s ok to have fun honey. It’s time.” Markie encouraged. “Ya, I think it is too!” Glenn agreed.
The bell at the front door of the diner chimed as Tullio stomped in smiling from ear to ear. “Uncle come sit with us! How’s the work at the old Cole place coming along?” Markie asked. Tullio sat down and gave Yvette his order. “I’m starving! The work is going good. I’ve been so happy getting back to work with wood Marquesa. It’s been a big job and I don’t want to do it again full time but the odd job would be nice.” Tullio explained. “I’ve been thinking.” He continued as he took a bite of his Club sandwich. Markie and Glenn looked at him questioningly.
Tullio carefully chewed and swallowed. “I came here to retire, help you out and enjoy myself. I work more than I ever did and so we’re thinking of selling the diner.” Tullio blurt out. Markie was about to take a bite of her sandwich and it hung there in midair. Glenn’s face blanched. Tullio drank his coffee in two gulps and wrapped the rest of his sandwich in a napkin and headed out the door waving as he went. Glenn and Markie looked at each other in shock and dismay. “Holy shit! That was a surprise.” Markie said when she was finally able to find the words.
Markie looked over at her sister and saw that all the color had drained from her face. “What’s the matter?” She asked. “I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut!” Glenn said swallowing hard. The two sisters sat quietly for several minutes absorbing the news. “Hey Glenn why don’t you buy the place? You’ve been having a great time making new friends and the place makes a decent profit. It might just be the perfect place to start a new life.” Markie made all the right arguments. Personally she would love it if Glenn moved to Burk’s Falls permanently but it also had to be right for Glenn. Glenn swallowed hard and shook her head. Markie was about to suggest managing the place but her thoughts were cut off by her sister’s words. “I can’t Markie, now can we please drop it?” Glenn snapped. Markie knew that tone and did as he sister asked. ~
Trish Lawson sat at her kitchen table having a smoke and drinking a coffee. Amy sat on the living room floor rocking back and forth staring into space humming. “Who does that little bitch think she is?” Trish said forcefully. “I need a place for my kids and she has the space. She has no right denying me. I’m going to call and get her freaking license pulled. That’s discrimination! I’m going to make her sorry she ever crossed me.” Trish’s tirade went on for several minutes. “I don’t want to go there.” Cathy said softly. “Why the hell not!? They have TV, video games and computers.” Trish took a long drag of her cigarette drawing the smoke deeply into her lungs.
Cathy shuffled from one foot to the other. “That girl sees ghosts.” Cathy said looking a little scared. “She doesn’t see any damn ghosts! That’s all bullshit to scam people.” Trish said as her boyfriend walked into the kitchen. He’d heard Trish ranting many times and he knew to stay out of it. She wasn’t going to stop until she punished someone. She could be a vindictive person at times blaming the world for any perceived slights real or imagined and he knew she could be very creative. “I don’t want to go there Mommy. That place is haunted.” Cathy said again. Trish squinted at her older daughter.
Trish stomped into the living room to retrieve her laptop. “I wonder what government agency oversees those programs.” Trish said smirking. “Trish, why don’t you just let it go for once? It’s not the right place and Cathy doesn’t want to go there… Move on!” Her boyfriend said taking a beer out of the refrigerator. It hissed as he opened it and he took a long swallow. Trish glared at him. He walked away knowing it was a waste of time and he might as well save his breath. ~
Glenn returned to work but had trouble concentrating. She was really starting to feel at home and now she felt like it had all gone to shit. She sat at the back table going over the receipts after closing as usual but still she was having trouble focusing. “These numbers are really good and can only get better with the summer season coming up.” She thought to herself. She sighed and tossed her pen down on the table. Why was she torturing herself? There was no way she could take on that much responsibility. Not now… maybe not ever. She packed up her gear, locked the receipts in the desk and headed out to her car.
It was a beautiful late spring evening and once again it was raining. It was the kind of soft spring rain that made the ground smell like worms. It was a feast for the Robins and brought forth new buds on the trees and encouraged the bulbs of all varieties to shoot up a rainbow of colors overnight. Glenn smiled to herself. This was the time of year she liked best and gave her hope of a new life and new beginnings. She tried very hard to stay in that energy rather than the alternative. ~
Glenn felt someone sit down on the edge of her bed. She felt like she had just fallen asleep but she forced her eyes open. Her mind felt sluggish as she sat half way up and rested on one elbow. Sitting at the bottom of her bed was Nurse Gordon as real and as solid as anyone. Glenn felt disoriented but not the least bit frightened. Nurse Gordon just sat and stared at her until she couldn’t take it any longer. “What?” Glenn said rubbing her eyes with the ball of her hand. “Why a
re you so scared to get on with your life?” Nurse Gordon asked. “What do you know? You don’t know anything.” Glenn mumbled. “I know you have an incredible opportunity staring you in the face and you just want to crawl back under your rock where it’s safe.” Nurse Gordon responded. “Pfft. You’re one to talk! Why are you still hanging around?” Glenn said but almost immediately felt terrible for saying something so cruel… even if it was to an apparition.
Glenn’s face went slack and she reached out her hand to Nurse Gordon. “Don’t change the subject. What you need to do now is stop being a pansy and embrace life again.” Nurse Gordon said adamantly. Glenn sighed loudly and flopped back down on her pillow. “Go away!” She told Nurse Gordon but before she could take back her words she heard an audible pop like the sound of popping bubble gum. “Why don’t people just leave me alone?” Glenn said exasperated. She looked but Nurse Gordon was gone. ~
Shaley watched as Naomi cleansed the residual energy of the old Church and especially the basement recreation room that was being used for Sona’s program. She watched intently trying to memorize every nuance. She loved and trusted Naomi in some ways more than even her own family. She was able to talk to Naomi about spirits, her feelings and dreams and no matter how anxious she was feeling she always felt better after talking or just being in her energy.
Shaley waited for Naomi to take a break. “I’ve been telling Aunt Glenn about you and how much you’ve helped me. She gets anxious and has panic attacks. I was thinking she might feel better with a Reiki treatment.” Shaley suggested. Naomi continued to smudge the rec room. “I’m not a Reiki Master but if she is interested we certainly can give her a treatment.” Naomi said absently. Shaley watched on a little longer silently. “I’ll ask her and see what she says.” She said smiling. ~
Glenn woke up still feeling tired from the previous days shift. “Staying up half the night talking to a damn ghost doesn’t make for a restful nights’ sleep.” She thought to herself. Luckily she had taken the weekend off. This bombshell that Tullio had dropped on her was taking its toll. She went straight to the coffee maker and when Markie wished her good morning she just grunted. She took her coffee onto the back porch to drink in peace and quiet.
Shaley and Storm were running around the back meadow. The sound of her laughter permeated Glenn’s gloom and she couldn’t help smiling. Shaley spied her and made a bee line for the porch. She plopped down into the deck chair out of breath and her cheeks flushed. “Good morning Auntie! Isn’t it a glorious day?” Shaley said in a sing song manner. Glenn couldn’t help giggling herself. “Where did kids get their energy and love of life?” She thought. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea if more adults could feel that way… including herself. “Naomi’s coming over later. We’re going to practice Reiki if we can find a volunteer.” Shaley said smiling hopefully. “I don’t know Shay. I don’t really know that much about it.” Glenn said noncommittally. “Well here’s your chance to learn more.” Shaley joked.
Glenn scratched Storm’s head that he’d rested on her thigh. “I’ll come get you when she gets here and we’re all set up.” Shaley said before jumping down from the porch followed by Storm for another lap of the yard. “How the hell did that happen?” Glenn mumbled. She had to hand it to the kid. She was good. ~
Shaley unfolded Naomi’s portable treatment table. They had practiced Reiki treatments on each other many times. She had worked on herself, Storm and Ruby and the other students in her class but she hadn’t had much opportunity to use it on others. At 14 she was a little young to be attuned but after several discussions with her Reiki Master she finally agreed to attune her. Shaley had spent so much time with adults in the hospital she was a little more mature than most kids her age. She and Naomi also took another course that wasn’t an official Reiki course called Ethical Principles of Reiki which helped her understand when and where it was appropriate to use it.
Naomi prepared the room the way she liked it before nodding to Shaley that she was ready. Shaley ran across the parking lot to retrieve her Aunt. She was so enthusiastic Glenn didn’t even protest. The room smelled of Jasmine and the treatment table was set up by the window facing a wooded lot. The sound of Redwing Blackbirds could be heard twirtling their song in the distance. “Are you ready?” Naomi asked. Glenn shrugged. “I guess.” She said uncertainly. Naomi frowned and looked over at Shaley. “Why do I have a feeling you didn’t exactly agree to a Reiki treatment?” Naomi said looking suspiciously at Shaley.
Shaley had the good sense to look embarrassed, looking down trying not to make eye contact with her Teacher. “I told her we needed a volunteer…” She said. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Naomi asked Glenn. “I don’t know much about it but as long as it doesn’t hurt I think I’d like to try.” Glenn said looking at her niece. “You lie on this table and relax while we gently place our hands in different positions on your body. It’s totally non-invasive but it does have the potential of bringing up emotions that people have buried. Some people don’t feel anything, some feel a buzzing or tingling, some fall asleep, while others burst out laughing or crying. It really depends on the person. There are as many responses as there are people on the planet. I understand that you’ve recently had a break-up. Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Naomi asked again. Glenn nodded her head affirmatively. “Good! Let’s get started.” Naomi said smiling.
Naomi still found herself being surprised by her protégé. Shaley was an old soul and mature beyond her years. Reiki treatments entailed standing focused and present for long periods of time. For someone so young Shaley had that ability. Naomi would have to talk to her about coercing people into getting treatments but that was something she could learn. Shortly after her first degree attunement Shaley told Naomi that not only had her dreams become more vivid but she felt as though she had remembered something she’d forgotten. It was a profound acknowledgement for one so young.
The hour treatment on Glenn went by the books for the most part until they came to the heart Chakra. Naomi stood at that position for some time until she felt a shift in the energy. Naomi opened her eyes and saw tears streaming down Glenn’s cheeks. Shaley noticed as well then looked over at her mentor. Naomi nodded while Shaley acknowledged the gesture and turned her face downward closing her eyes. When emotional releases occurred it was important to allow people to feel safe while they processed through the shift or release of energy.
The treatment over Shaley left the room momentarily sensing that Glenn needed time to pull herself together and maybe talk with Naomi privately for a few minutes. Naomi handed Glenn a tissue and left the box close by in case she needed more. “You did very well.” Naomi said. Glenn continued to sob at memories of her lost life. She faced the loss of her beloved restaurant and her failed relationship for maybe the first time while Naomi held a ball of protective energy around them.
Naomi went over and gave her a hug as Glenn melted into her arms like a child into her momma’s bosom. No words were exchanged as none were needed. Naomi had known loss in her own life and she was glad that she could be there to support Glenn. She’d grown very fond of her over the past months and understood why Tullio loved both Glenn and Markie so much.
Glenn finally pulled herself together. “I want you to take it easy for the rest of the day and if you want to talk to someone please give me a call.” Naomi handed Glenn her card. Shaley returned carrying bottles of spring water and handed them out. “Whenever you get body work it’s a good idea to keep hydrated.” Naomi casually mentioned to Glenn. Glenn accepted the water and took several long swallows. “Ok well thanks… I think.” Glenn said sarcastically gathering her things and headed toward the door.
Glenn stopped her progress at the door way and turned back to face Naomi. “I think I’d like to have more Reiki treatments. Is there any chance I can come by your place? I don’t mind paying.” Glenn asked Naomi. “Sure! Give me a call.” Naomi offered. Glenn nodded affirmatively and left. Glenn went straight
to her room for a nap after the emotional morning she’d just experienced. ~
Chapter Twenty
Trish Lawson packed a small duffle bag with all the things she would need, candles and lighter, chalk, her camera and cell phone and a few other odds and ends. “I’m going to show them they can’t fuck with me. Does that stuck up bitch think I just fell off a turnip truck? No one is going to want to send their kids to their damn program when I’m done.” Trish said as she stuffed her jacket into the pack.
Cathy walked into the living room. “Get dressed in those dark clothes I set out on your bed.” Trish ordered Cathy. “Why? It’s almost bed time.” Cathy argued. “Because you’re going with me, that’s why.” Trish spat. “Why can’t Joe go with you?” Cathy continued to protest. “Someone needs to stay here with Amy while I’m gone.” Trish’s voice rose in volume. “Just do what I tell you damnit!” She hissed. Cathy stomped into her room and slammed the door. “Why does she always defy me?” Trish said from between clenched teeth. ~
Shaley and Pippi loved playing in the old Church. Shaley had shown her best friend all the cool objects that still occupied its interior. Pippi stood in front of a painting in the vestibule. “I love the picture of the angels. They are so beautiful.” Pippi said dreamily. “I wonder what it would be like to fly with those wings.” Pippi thought out loud. “You don’t need wings to fly when you die… but they are beautiful.” Shaley replied. “Did I show you the closet I found in the back of the rec room in the basement? It’s so cool!” Shaley asked excitedly. “No! Show me!” Pippi replied as they ran down the back staircase past Markie’s new office.
The Crystal Visions: A Families Journey into the Paranormal Volume 2 Page 13