“I’m going to bring you to a full awaken state. You will remember everything, but you won’t feel the sorrow or anxiety of the events. You’ll awaken refreshed and unburdened.” Renda counted backwards, bringing Cory to a full awareness. Cory sat still for several moments, blinking his eyes, then he looked over to Dr. Taylor and a slow wide smile spread across his features.
“Holy freaking cow. Was that me? I mean, am I really Mary?” He asked softly, almost shyly.
“Yes, I think it is. It seems that Mary has a lot to say.”
“Why did we stop?” Cory asked, sitting forward in the lounger.
“Our time was drawing close and I think we need not rush this. For our next session, I will allocate more time. I really hadn’t expected this.” Dr. Taylor shrugged. Cory nodded.
“At least I know why redheaded white men make me nervous. Clark sounded like a real grade A bastard.”
“What ancestry do you claim? Your mother and father?”
“Well, my grandfather was originally from Puerto Rico, that’s my dad’s dad. My mom’s people are originally from Ireland, but I do know that we have native American ancestors. Also, there are some black as well, somewhere along the lines. We’re kind of a hodgepodge.” Cory shrugged.
Dr. Taylor looked at him, though Cory had gray eyes, his skin coloring was olive color. Some of his Hispanic or native American genetic markers were showing through. But he had lived a life as a Mongolian man as well as a Greek slave and a Spanish sailor. His consciousness had lived other lives. She shook her head mentally. It was quite remarkable.
“On our next session, we’ll see what happens.” Dr. Taylor said standing up. Her legs and back felt stiff. Cory got up as well and smiled once more. He seemed more at peace and Renda was glad. She thought that perhaps Cory was finding his center.
Cory went out into the bright sunlight. His eyes squinted hard and he lifted a hand to shield his eyes. He could feel the humid heat of Charleston around him. He looked around, it felt kind of weird. Ten minutes ago, he’d been Mary, sitting with her mother in a time were life was hard and brutal. Now, he was standing here, looking at the cars passing by. He grunted at the contradiction. He clearly remembered everything, but the emotional component had been taken. He knew that Mary had suffered greatly. A small piece of a puzzle had fallen into place. Why he feared some of the things he feared. Why there were some people who made him feel uncomfortable. Why some smells disturbed him.
The following week Cory arrived for his appointment. He had slept better over the week. The nightmares were becoming few and far between. He was also feeling less anxiety. Dr. Taylor smiled at him and he felt immediately at ease. She somehow reminded him of Liza. He went to the lounger and sat back, getting himself comfortable.
“How have you been feeling since our last session?” Dr. Taylor asked.
“A lot better. I feel a sense of calmness, I’m not as agitated or anxious.”
“That’s wonderful. It would seem that perhaps a lot of underlying anxiety had something to do with factors in Mary’s life.”
“I’m still not sure why it affects me, over two hundred years later and in another life and another body.” Cory said, biting his lower lip.
“I don’t either. But I was thinking about something. Some people have talents, gifts that there is no explanation for. Someone who can play the piano with little training and yet do it so well. A prodigy. An artist who can paint or draw amazing pictures without training, at a young age. Someone who is mechanically inclined. They can see and take apart and build things. I think perhaps we’ve all lived past lives. We gain knowledge on some level and that transfers from life to life with our soul.”
“I guess that makes sense. It’s just crazy though.” Cory shrugged.
“It is. And I’m sure a lot of people would say it’s all BS, but hearing Mary, I’m starting to believe it.” Dr. Taylor smiled.
“Me too.” Cory grinned.
“Alright, today, we’ll take our time, now that we know that Mary has a story to tell. I’ll record this as well. Are you ready Cory?”
“I sure am.”
“Wonderful, relax and take a deep breath. Relax your body and feel yourself going back.”
§
The mundaneness of life filled Mary’s days. Mary was growing taller by the day; her long supple form began to show hints of womanly curves. Ida worried about her daughter; Mary was now fourteen and drew the notice of many men, including Clark. She truly feared her daughter could end up as Clark’s victim, were she not careful to bind Mary’s breasts. Since Mary started her courses, Ida had carefully wrapped cloth around Mary’s flat chest. As Mary’s breasts grew, Ida tightened the binding.
“I know this don’t feel good daughter, but I need ta keep you hidden. We don’t need that snake, Clark, lookin’ at you.” Ida said as she tied the straps. Mary nodded but said nothing. Each morning, Ida wrapped her daughter and said a prayer. Matilda had done the same thing to Patina. Theo was back from school and was now helping out with the management of the farm. Ida had seen the glances Theo threw Patina’s way. Ida thought the pretty girls had it the worse, they became targets for men’s lusts.
Mary worked full time, up at the main house, taking over for Kelly, who had died last winter from a
