“Secondly, I have had a long and happy life. It is unnatural to prolong it beyond what seems reasonable. You don’t have to worry. I am not on death’s doorstep. I have many more years here on earth.”
“It would be selfish of you to deny me the natural order of my life and to burden me with the ownership of the crystal. It is your burden and your joy, there is no way you can surrender it. We made an agreement beyond the veil of illusion, before we accepted incarnation into this life. We agreed to assist, yet not coddle one another.
“I have taken on the role of teacher in this lifetime but we have had been many life times when you were the teacher. All knowledge is available. Teachings, books, rituals merely shake the memories loose so you may bring them into present time. You have a great deal of time and energy. There is no hurry. Everything is unfolding perfectly. We can’t retrace our steps, we can only go forward into the ever present now.”
Tears battled with an incredulous smile as Lilly took Jolene’s hands into hers. “I’ve been your teacher? How can it be? I feel so small compared to your enormous wisdom and power. If you say it is so, I believe you. I will try to be worthy of the teachings you share with me. I think losing my Aunt Pearl so suddenly when I was a child has scarred my heart. I worry about those I love disappearing. First my dad was gone, then Aunt Pearl disappeared. When Roland left I almost lost my mind. The thought of losing you is more than I can endure.”
Jolene squeezed her hand, “Take heart sweet Lilly, you are not about to lose me. Changing the subject she said, “In fact, I think it’s time you actively search for information about your Aunt Pearl. I also want to know what became of her. Did she pass away or was she threatened into leaving her home and breaking her connection with you?”
Lilly looked shocked, “Who would do such a thing? Why would my Aunt Pearl agree to such an arrangement? She may be dead, but I would like to know how and when and I’d also like to know where she is buried.”
Jolene nodded as she stood up, “Possibly James can lead you into a hypnotic trance to help you recall details of your time with her. There may be small things, clues you’ve forgotten. “
“I’m open to it,” Lilly said.
“Okay, it is settled, I’ll speak with James.”
Lilly smiled, nodded and stood to leave. She opened the kitchen door and Topaz scooted through her legs, announcing he was ready for his dinner. Lilly turned and said, “Thank you, Jolene,” as she headed to her apartment.
~
Lilly and Roland strolled by the river in the purple haze of twilight. They walked silently for a while and stood together looking over the dark waters. The moon rose and, still, neither of them had broached the subject of their future together. They watched the Cotton Blossom paddle boat leave its dock along the shore. With hundreds of lights bobbing and swaying the boat made its way out to the center of the river. From where they stood on the shore, they could hear the music from the calliope gradually fading as the paddle boat disappeared down the river. Lilly glanced at Roland, surprised to see tears on his face. “What is it, baby? Are you feeling sad tonight?”
Roland rubbed his hand over his face and quickly flashed her an embarrassed smile, “I’m feeling nostalgic for the city I haven’t left yet and I’m thinking about you and how much I will miss you.”
Lilly took his hand, “It will only be for a short while, a week, two the at most. The city will be here when you get back. I will be here too, if I don’t get myself abducted by another evil sorceress,” she said with a grim laugh.
“I’m glad you can laugh at your misadventure,” Roland said. “I’m not able to think of it as amusing. Frankly, I’m more concerned about the way Claude looks at you and the unwavering and unashamed way Lucky stares at you. Who knows? You may be involved in a menage a trois by the time I get back.”
Lilly stepped back and looked up into his face. For a moment he looked deadly serious then suddenly burst into the contagious laugh she loved.
“A threesome is not going to happen, you can rest easy,” she assured him. “However, the fellow who comes in for tarot readings five days a week, he may be a contender.”
It was Roland’s turn to be surprised, “What guy?”
Lilly laughed and said, “Gottcha.” Their light hearted banter continued as they headed out to meet Genna, Forest, Owen, Madeline, and Claude for Roland’s bon voyage dinner.
PART VI
Awakening
Chapter 45
Manuel Needed
James put his coffee mug carefully on the arm of the couch and looked at Lilly with his gentle eyes, “How are you doing, Lilly?”
“I’m okay. Planning the Spring Equinox ritual is fun. It’s giving me something to think about and look forward to. I miss Roland terribly, even though I know he will be back soon.”
James nodded, as he wrapped his hands around the warmth of his coffee cup. He turned to look at Lilly again, “And the crystal?”
Lilly shook her head as her mouth turned down slightly, “The fog within it seems to be clearing, although the violet light has not returned.”
Jolene leaned forward from her seat in the rocking chair, “Don’t worry Lilly, I know you can fix this. I believe the crystalline structure of the stone will respond to a certain set of energies and reset itself.”
“You mean there may be some sort of ritual I can do?”
Jolene shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know of any rituals. It may need time to recalibrate and
