“Show me something?” he said.
“Yes, believe it or not I do have things to give.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to offend you,” Caleb said, trying to recall his words.
“Caleb, don’t worry about it. You have so much good in you; I don’t misunderstand your intentions. You are very kind and you have done so much for me. I just wanted to show you that I do appreciate you.”
“You’re important to me,” he said.
“And you are to me,” I replied. This made a smile stretch across Caleb’s face. “You contribute more than your physical strength to people’s lives. I can feel your strength. It is pure and powerful.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll show you,” I said, placing the pot between the two of us as we sat cross-legged, across from each other. “Give me your hand.” I said, holding my left hand out. He reached across and placed his hand in mine. When his hand touched mine, I smiled.
“What’s funny?” he asked with a sound of concern in his voice.
“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head a little, “I can feel it, the good in you, your faith. It’s quite beautiful. Don’t ever devalue your power,” I said, reaching for the plant and letting the tip of my finger touch a shriveled leaf. A green glow surrounded the plant. The shriveled leaves lit up bright green and were revived. Purple petals bloomed and opened up, vibrant and strong.
“How are you doing this?” Caleb said as he viewed the plant in astonishment, “I thought you couldn’t?”
“I’m not doing it. You are,” I said, looking at him as I pulled his power from him. I could feel the plant’s death washing through me with the tingle of an intense sunburn, “You see, even inches from death, things can be brought back to life. That’s what you’re helping me do. What you do matters and it can make all the difference.”
Caleb continued to watch in amazement, his eyes glistening.
“Now that is beautiful,” came Law’s voice from behind me.
I was startled at the sound of his voice and turned around.
“I was unaware of this aspect of your gift,” Law said, kneeling down, observing it closely.
“Yeah, it’s easy to access and can manifest with very little effort, sometimes no effort at all. The first time it happened, it was with a believer as well. An unusually powerful gift.”
“How does it feel?” asked Caleb.
“This? It actually stings a bit,” I replied.
“Huh. I guess I assumed it would feel good,” Caleb said.
“Nope, hurting people that’s where the pleasure comes in,” I said.
“Well, I’d call this progress,” Law said getting to his feet again, “Danielle, why don’t you join me inside for our session when you’re ready.”
“What about me?” Caleb asked.
“We’re not going to be doing any hands-on practice tonight, just talking, so you can take the night off,” Law said and exited the room.
“Wonder what we’re going to talk about,” I said.
“Hard to say,” Caleb responded.
“Well, I guess I better get going and get it over with.”
“Dani, thanks for doing this with me it means a lot,” Caleb said with a nod of his head.
“Of course,” I said, returning his nod and heading inside.
Chapter Fourteen
Trust
I made my way into the living area where we normally meet to find Law. He wasn’t in there, but I could hear a mild clatter of cups in the dining area. As I turned the corner, I saw that he had set out two cups of coffee as well as a variety of small snacks: crackers, cheese, grapes, and berries. I welcomed the idea of a snack after my work out with Jude.
“Please, come, join me. I thought a little something to ease the conversation would be helpful. We don’t always communicate so well,” Law said. I thought I picked up a hint of self-disappointment in his voice.
“Yeah, not always,” I said, grabbing my seat, picking a grape off the plate and eating it.
“Danielle, I just want to say that I think you are doing well here. I hope you will continue to make strides as you have already. I know it isn’t easy, but I think some more time with us would be great for you,” Law said.
“Yeah, I don’t really plan on going anywhere, at least not yet. I would like to go to my place sometime soon and get a few things. Some things that might be helpful- my journals, for example. They could definitely help in the training process.”
“I think with the proper precaution that is definitely doable,” Law replied.
“Awesome,” I said with a smile.
“I wanted to ask you about this,” Law said, sliding a small plastic bag with remnants of powder in it toward me.
“Ah,” I replied.
“Rebecca found this in your room when she was doing laundry,” he said.
“Yeah, I got it off someone I work with the other day,” I said.
“You know this is not allowed here?”
“I know,” I said, dropping my head, “It just helps. . .”
“It doesn’t help, it numbs. It numbs the things you are meant to feel,” Law replied.
“Sometimes I just feel too much,” I said.
“I can understand that, but this is not okay. I don’t ever want to see this in my house again. If I see it again, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave. There are people in this house who have been battling addiction for years and I will not have temptation exist in the one place I can control it.”
“Okay. It won’t happen again,” I said, feeling a wave of guilt course through me as I ran my hand through my hair.
“I believe you,” Law replied, “And if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. I know a lot of people and a lot of programs that can help you.”
“I might take you up on that,” I said, acknowledging my problem for the first time.
“You inquired about what I
