Roberto De La Vega Books

Love School By Roberto De La Vega

The two of us were exhausted from packing the past few weeks for the movers.  They had left first thing in the morning. We still needed to close up shop and load up the car with our things before we headed out. I was just tying down the last of it when Maria walked out with her suit case and then asked “Where should I put this?”  I looked over and then got back to tying down the luggage and said “Is there room in the back seat anywhere?”  She looked through the window and then said “Maybe” while opening the door.  A few things fell out and landed against the curb.  “Ah shit.”  “It’s okay, not a big deal.” She quickly hurried to pick up what fell and then she stuffed her suitcase behind everything that was already there. “I’m really sorry Parker but moving, it absolutely stresses me out.”  I stopped what I was doing I walked over to her and I grabbed her by both her arms and I just wrapped them around me and mine around her and I squeezed her tight.  Then I took a deep breath in and a deep exhale out. “There you feel any better?”  She had a smile on her face as did I and she said “Yeah, a little bit, thank you.”  “You’re welcome. Is that everything? Because I’m ready when ever you are.”  I did a thrice-over and I’m confident that I’m not leaving anything behind.”  “Haha a thrice-over?  You kill me with your made up words.” “I know it’s cute I just can’t help it.”  We both got into the little blue Volvo wagon and then I buckled up and started her.  07112011

“Do you have the map?”  I took my eyes off the road for a brief moment looking at her.  “Yeah it’s right here in the glove box.”  She opened it the pulled out the maps. “Good Bye Oklahoma City.” Maria said as she opened up one of the maps. “Okay I mapped it out and it looks like it’s going to take us about eight hours and seven minutes to get to Fremont, Nebraska.”  “So how about we split the driving in half?”  “Oh yeah of course!” “Sheila, Wesley and Lupe are already there.  They have been there all week.  By the time we get there it should be somewhere around 8:30 PM or so. The movers will be there by three and my guess is everything would be unloaded by the time we arrive.” “Did anyone plan anything for dinner? I know I’m going to be hungry by the then.”  “Yeah” Sheila said she would take care of that for us.”  07112011

I turned on the radio but down low and then Maria put her head back to take a nap.  Four hours had passed and we had just entered a small town called Salina, Kansas. I pulled over at the mini mart and Maria woke up.  “Hey.”  “Hey” she said rubbing her eyes.  “I’m going to get something to drink, and use the head. Can I get you anything?”  “Yeah I’ll take bottled water, thanks.”  I got out of the car and she came around so I handed off the keys to her and then went inside.  I used the bathroom and came back out after I got our drinks. I got in, buckled up then I set her water in her cup holder.  07112011

It was my turn to sit back and catch some rest.  I woke up to the car slowing down and realized we were there. I quickly sat up and took a deep breath.  “Okay just pull in there.”  I said pointing to the empty car port right beside the house.  The moving van was gone so I figured they had already come and gone.  The lights were on outside and inside the beautiful Old Victorian house. “She looks like she’s been around since the late 1800’s or early 1900’s.” Maria said.  “Yes she was built in 1868” I said.  She was an amazing piece of architecture.  The front porch ran from one side to the other facing both the South and the East.   What looked like a three story Queen Ann.  The outside was painted in white but the shutters were painted in forest green.  We got out of the car and Shelia, Parker and Lupe were all waiting out on the front porch for us to arrive.  “Hi there folks welcome!”  “Thank you.”  I walked up to her first and hugged and kissed her. “Shelia how long has it been?”  “Oh I’d say somewhere around ten years now.”  I backed up “That long? Really?”  “Yes, too long.”  Then I  hugged and kissed Lupe. “I’m Doctor Parker Freemont you must be Guadalupe Sanchez.”  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you because I’ve heard so many good things about you.”  “Oh likewise, for sure.”  I turned and looked at Wesley.  “Wesley Longhorn, doctor how are you?” We embraced while I shook his hand.  “I’m good nice to have you on board.”  “Come inside I made you something to eat.” Shelia walked us in and showed us to the dining room.  07112011

“Wow that was so amazing. Thank you.” I said.  “Okay I really want to get our important things out of the car, and then settle in for the evening.”  “Yeah everything else can wait until tomorrow.” I walked out first and then I held the screen door open for Maria.  She got her suitcase and I grabbed my two bags and then I locked up the car and went back inside.  “So which rooms are ours?”  “Oh follow me” Shelia said. We went up to the second floor and she pushed open on room and said “You two decide one is here and the other is right next door.  They are both the same size.”  I let Maria take the first one because her things were already in it and mine were in the second one.  “Thank you very much.”  07112011

I unpacked my luggage and put my clothes in the dressers.  The movers did a really good job of moving things in.  It looked like our things belonged here.  My room had its own bathroom and shower.  I brushed my teeth, and got into my pajamas, then I took my book with me and climbed into bed for the night.  I was reading for the first hour and after that I fell asleep.  07112011

The sun was shining though the window and hitting me right in the face and so I woke up.  I heard something but it wasn’t clear to me so I didn’t pay anymore attention to it. I got up took my shower, got dressed and went downstairs.   By the time I got to the kitchen I saw some folks were up.  “Good Morning.”

“oh good morning Doctor.”  She was a tiny little lady not more that about four foot nine.  My guess was she wasn’t more than about eighty pounds.  “Would you like some coffee?” “Yes please that would be great.”  I sat down and then she slid a paper in front of me and also served me my coffee.  “Thank you very much.”  “Oh it’s my pleasure.  I’m sorry I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Abby and I’m the head chef here.”  “How do you do Abby?  My name is Parker Freemont, but please call me Parker.” “You got it Doc!”  I looked at her and smiled. “Oh I mean Parker….hahaha…” 07112011

Another woman came in and she was wearing a uniform.  It looked like a maids outfit.  “Hello, I’m Ginger. Head of housekeeping.”  “Hi Ginger, I’m Parker.”  Then I heard Abby whisper “Doctor”.  This time a tall man walked in.  He looked rugged with blue jeans, a button up cowboy shirt and a cowboy hat.  He was wearing old cowboy boots and a huge belt and buckle.  “Howdy.”  He said while nodding and removing his hat.  He took the chair right across from me at the table and right away Abby got him some coffee.  “I’m Buck, and you are?”  “I’m Parker, good morning.”  “Ah, Parker.  Nice to finally meet you.  We all heard so much about you.”  I stopped reading the paper and set it down and then I took a long sip of my coffee.  I looked up at Buck and said “I sure hope it wasn’t all bad.”  He laughed with me and we just drank our coffee.  Maria came in and introduced herself to everyone then she sat down right next to me.  “Did you sleep well?”  Yes, superb. You?”  “Really well thanks.”  07112011

“This morning I made biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs and sausage links.”  Abby said as she served all the food to the table. Lupe, Shelia, and Wesley all came in and sat down at the table then said “Good morning.”  I said “Good Morning.”  I ate my breakfast and sipped my coffee, then I asked Wesley.  “So Wesley when are the students expected to arrive?”  “I’d say half will be here by Wednesday and the rest by Monday.”  “Oh good that gives us time to get our offices in order and review our case files.”  07112011

I excused myself from the table and went out to the car to unload all the rest of the things.  Just then Buck came out and he helped me.  Maria also came out after the first trip up and back and she helped too. I finished unpacking and putting all my things away in my room, then in my office.  I turned on the computer and checked the online connection then my e-mails and things.  There was a light knock on the door so I said “Come in.”  It was my colleague John Fillmore.  “Well  I’ll be a son of a gun.”  I stood up and reached out to shake his hand.  Our hands smacked before we squeezed them together.  “Thanks for coming out here on such short notice.  I really was hoping to bring you aboard on this mainly because you’re the best.”  “Are you simply saying that to keep me at the low pay grade?”  I laughed and he laughed then he sat down. “This school is a life long dream of mine that is finally turning into a reality. I have put my heart, sweat, blood and tears into it and I am hoping that this team is the best of everything we could ever ask for in order for this to work.”  “Listen John, I’m going to do my best to be sure that nobody is ever without love.”  “So when I’m not here you’re the boss man.  You run the show. You call me when you have a problem and you call me when you need more money.  I want you to feel comfortable asking me for anything.  I will be sending in my book keeper once a week to handle all the bills and incomes so you never have to worry about that. 07112011

“I’ve had a meeting with the staff and everyone is on the same page about who’s running the show when I’m out. So if you have time I would like to give you the grand tour.” “Oh yeah sure.”  We left my office and went outside to the second building on the property which looked like a brick apartment building.  It was surrounded by parking spaces.  “This is the dorm apartments.  There are 15 one bedroom 1 baths, and two 2 bedroom 1 bath units.”  “So 17 units total.” I said thinking out loud. “Yep. Here I will show you one of the one bedrooms and one of the two bedroom units.” They were very nice.  New carpet through out and nicely painted walls. The kitchens had apartment size dishwashers, stoves, ovens and refrigerators.  “The laundry facility is in the basement.  There’s enough for every tenant. I changed the coins to nickels from quarters so that they could do their laundry with out feeling like it’s breaking them.” After he showed me the dorm rooms we went to the classrooms.  They were in a separate building behind the dorms.  “Here we have music classes, and also a video and audio recording studio.  This next room is the dance, then theater, arts, and culinary school.  The next class we’re coming up to is wood shop.” We passed that and I just peeked inside.  “This is the theater department and over here is science, lab and chemistry.”  He showed me out of these classrooms and out of the building to another building “This is auto shop, body shop, and mechanics classes.”  We continued walking and then we came to the tennis courts outside with the swimming pool and basketball courts.  He pointed and said “Over there we will eventually build a baseball diamond if the students want it.”07112011

We walked back to my office and then sat back down.  “So the chain of command is me, then you and in your absence it’s Shelia. If she’s not around then it’s Wesley.  There’s no need to go down the protocol chains of command any lower than that.  The hired help knows what their jobs are and they also understand who they take orders from. I’m hoping that the crew and staff can get along and respect one another because if that doesn’t work it will break down everything were trying to build here. If at any time there’s a problem I would like you to handle it the way you see fit and only call me when your resources are expired.”  “Yes Sir.”  I said with a smile.  “Knock that off.”  “I’m just playing.” “I have to get back to my ranch and tend to my group there.  I will be here every other week so we can keep abreast of any and all issues outside the scope of what we just discussed.  You know more or less financial things etcetera…etcetera…etcetera.  We shook hands and I thanked him and we said our good byes. 07122011

I looked into some of the file cabinets in my office and I found an estate blue print of the property.  There was another building that John didn’t show me and I hadn’t seen or noticed while we were out.  It was labeled psych ward.  So I closed up the map and then went out of the building looking for it.  This building was the oldest and in the worst condition out of every other building on the lot.  I went through the key ring John left me and found the keys to open the doors.  As I walked in it was very cold inside.  The place was dark and dingy.  I turned on the lights, and looked around.  This must have been the lobby of some sort.  It had build in bench seats along the walls and a couple doors and a window.  I went and opened the first door and it was a bathroom.  I opened up the second door and this led to the offices behind the glass window.  I walked passed them and down the hall everything was tidy and organized. Just nobody seemed to have occupied the space in many years.  I looked into the opened doors that I passed and each room appeared to be individual examination rooms.  They were built like half a doctors office half a sitting room.  I was switching on lights as I walked down the long hall.  I came to the end of the hall and it split in two directions.  I decided to go left so I switched on that light and continued walking.  It was so cold and quiet inside I could see my breath when I exhaled. 07122011

“Talk about creep out, this place is exactly…..that.”  Just then I saw something run across the hallway from one room to the other, and it made me jump. I said under my breath “What the fuck is that?”  I started to get a little scared.  The curiosity was getting the best of my so even though my brain was telling me to turn around my feet wouldn’t let me.  They kept take one more step further and deeper down the hallway.  Closer to that one opened door where I knew I saw something just not sure what. I breathed in and said “Parker, don’t lose it man.”  I turned the corner and slowly walked into the room. Out from around the door a young girl ran up to me screaming to the top of her lungs then she clamped onto both my legs and she refused to let go.  What just happened to me scared the living shit out of me.  I’m not going to lie.  It was like something I saw in a horror movie.   I touched her and just as I did I could tell she was responding to my touch instantly.  I was thinking, why didn’t John tell me about this area?  How did she get here? Who's been taking care of her? I looked down at her and continued to think to myself who is she? How old is she? Where is her family?  I picked her up and just said “sssshhhh….ssshhhh…ssshhhh…….it’s going to be all right.” 07122011

I covered her up in a blanket that I grabbed off a table in passing and then we left that building and I took her into the house.  She was whimpering and breathing heavy.  By the time I got to the front porch Maria caught the screen door and held it open for me then she said “Whatcha ya got there?”  “A frightened little lost girl.”  The smile on her face disappeared and she said “Oh my.”  We both got her inside one of the vacant bedrooms and I laid her on the bed.  Shelia came in and took a look at the girl as she slid off the blanket.  It was the first time any of us really got to get a really good look.  She was pale, skinny, and had extremely long hair and finger nails. She was unresponsive, and she just sat atop the bed rocking back and forth squeezing the blanket between her arms.  “Do you think she’s autistic?”  Shelia asked.  “Yes, I believe she is” Maria stated. I pulled my cell out of my pocket and called John.  I left the room and went outside to talk to him.  As I was telling him what happened I could see her looking at me from inside the room.  She stopped rocking and she was just staring at me. 07122011

I finished talking to John and went back inside.  “John’s turning around and coming back to take a look at her.”  “It’s a good thing you caught him when you did” Shelia said.  “Yeah.  I hope there’s not any more people in that building.”  Just then Buck came in and asked me if I wanted him to go check things out.  “Yes please but have a few other people go with you it’s really creepy over there. Thanks Buck.”  “No problem.”  He left with Ginger and Abby. 07122011

“Could you all excuse us here I would like to have a moment with her alone.”  “Oh of course we’ll be just outside the door” Maria said.  “Hey, do you speak?” She just sat still as she could on the bed looking out the window.  I crouched down on the floor right beside her and then I said “My name is Parker. Can I get you anything?” She began to sway back and forth again and she never made direct eye contact with me.  I got up and went to the door and opened it then I asked the girls if they could bring in some food and something for her to drink.  I shut the door and went back to the same spot.  Crouching down at the beds end and looking up at her.   “Are you lost? Did you know that the name Perdita means lost?  Shakespeare made this name for a young heroine in The Winter’s tale. You see young baby Perdita was left to die because her father had mistakenly believed her to be another man’s child. She was found by a shepherd who named her because she was lost.  Can I call you Perdita?”  I noticed in her motions she was responding to my words and thinking about what I was saying to her. “Okay from now on you are Perdita. You’re no longer lost but you have been found.”  07122011

The ladies came back into the room with a plate of food and a drink for her.  They handed it to me and I carefully set it down beside her.  She grabbed the food and gobbled it up with both hands and then she took the drink and slammed that down too. I looked at the girls with disbelief.  I motioned to them while handing them the empties to refill them for us.  “Wow, you’re hungry.”  John came in and he said “Did she speak to you at all?”  “No not at all.  She just ate and drank. We’re naming her Perdita.”  “Oh okay that’s fitting.  Maria, and Shelia we need her to be made comfortable during her stay here.  I also want round the clock surveillance so I’ve called in three of my best nurses to do that for us.  They will be here with in the next few hours.  I suggest we put her up in the downstairs bedroom.”  He walked over to her and said “Honey, can you understand us?”  She never made eye contact with John but she did respond to him in a positive way with every question he asked. “I think she knows what we’re saying so we’ll have to call in a specialist to work with her for the next few months, at least until she can show some signs of communication.”  He left and went into his office to make some phone calls. 07122011

They came back with more food and then Guadalupe came in and sat right next to her.  The girl really took to her and became attentive to her every word.  “Hi my name is Lupe.  I am a D.O. here at Love School.  That means I’m a doctor.  I would like to take a look at you if it’s okay.” I left the room to allow them privacy while Shelia stayed just in case she needed assistance. I went to John’s office and he had just hung up the phone. “I can’t get a specialist out here on such short notice.”  “I think she’s responding to Lupe in a positive way. I get a strong feeling she trusts her.  Maybe she could take that responsibility.”  “Okay that’s fine.  I’ve got to head out now. Do you have everything under control?”  “Oh yeah, thanks for coming back.”  We shook hands and I walked him out to his car.  I went back in and then Bud and the others came in.  “We checked the whole place out and there’s nothing there.”  “Okay thanks.” 07122011

I went into the room that John mentioned downstairs and looked around for things I thought could hurt her and I removed them. I went back to the room where she was and I knocked on the door.  They said “Come in.”  We moved her to her own room and she fell asleep after she finished eating more. “She appears to be healthy outside of being a little under weight.  We should pick up some new clothes for her.”  “Could you do that for me?  Here’s a corporate card just buy her what you need.”07122011

I made some phone calls to the local doctors and librarians to inquire about who this girl could be.  I also went back to the offices of the building and researched the files to see if there was anything on her in there too.  I came up with nothing.  I went to sleep  that night feeling a little defeated and concerned for her safety and well being.  I had to convince myself that she was in good hands now and in time we should see some improvements.   I woke up early and the first thing I did was check in on her.  The first nurse was already on duty and had watched over her all night long.  The second one was waiting to switch and take over for the next eight hours.  I asked the first nurse to meet with me in my office.  “So how was she last night?”  She said “She slept all night but had some bad dreams at one point in the night but she never woke up from them.”  “Okay would you please do me a favor and document the times and possibly how long you think they might last.  An educated guess would be fine.  I’m going to put her into some special types of therapy sessions and I believe they will go away or she will stop having them as frequently.”  “Yes, Doctor, I can do that.”  “Thank you, see you tomorrow.”  “Good day.”  She left my office and I went back to the kitchen to get some coffee. 07122011

“Hi”  I said to Maria, Lupe and everyone else in the kitchen.  “Good morning.”  Lupe said “ I contacted the previous owners last night and they called me back this morning.  They said that they didn’t have any information on Perdita and that we should contact the hospital administrator.  I got the name and number here.”  She handed me a piece of paper with a name and number on it.  “Thank you Lupe.” 07122011

I took my coffee and went to my office and made the call.  The guy who answered was an older man and he seemed really nice.   “Would you like to come meet me and we could talk in person?” “Yeah sure what’s your address? Okay see you in a bit.”  Maria walked in “You want to go for a drive with me?”  “Yeah I’ll get my purse.” We got in the car and drove through town then up to the hills.  This man lived in a gated, private estate and so I pulled up then hit the buzzer and he opened the gate.  We parked out front and then knocked on the door.  “Hello I’m Parker Freemont and this is my associate Maria O’Neal.  I spoke to you…”  “Yes please come in.”  We were shown to the reception room, and asked to be seated.  The older gentlemen entered the room and he was older with white hair.  “Hello, I’m Professor Jonas Michaels, welcome.”  “Hello, I’m Parker Freemont and this is my associate Maria O’Neal.  I spoke to you on the phone.”  “Yes, the girl you are talking about is named Meredith Bartholomew.”  He handed me her file, I set it aside.  “She does have Autism and Asperger syndrome.  When we were treating her she disappeared and was never seen or heard from again.  She was just reported missing.  You see we worked with her and she began to have a very close relationship and bond with one of my physicians. He was making such good progress with her.  She opened up and was communicating and seemingly pretty close to being normal for a child of her age.  Then the doctor was diagnosed with Cancer and he died three months after he found out about it.  That devastated her and she become introverted and then separated herself from anyone and everyone who worked with her.  Before that happened she was the most loving and caring person you could ever want to meet.  She had this sparkle in her eyes and a gleam in her smile.”  “Oh my that’s so unfortunate. Well I won’t take up any more of your time.  This information will prove extremely helpful for us to give her the proper treatment.  Thanks again and it was a pleasure to meet you.”  “I thank you for finding her and I hope she gets the help she deserves.  Here allow me to show you out.”  he walked us to the door and we said our good byes.  “Please keep me a breast on her welfare would you?”  “Oh yes of course.”  07122011

We walked into the house and then Lupe asked “Well, what did you find out?”  “She relapsed when her doctor died of Cancer.”  “Oh wow, that’s intense.”  “Maria I know I probably should say this but I would like to hire the most handsome doctor in the state of Nebraska to come work with her.  He needs to be between the ages of 25-30.”  “I’ll get right on that.”  She left and went to her office. “Why can’t you work with her?  I saw how she was reacting to you.”  “I know but I think she only did that because I might somehow remind her of him.” Maria came back in and said “He’ll be here tonight.”  “Wow you’re good!” Lupe said.  “He’s my cousin. Brown hair, green eyes, brown skin the most gorgeous doctor out of UNMC.” 07122011

The couriers arrived with all the files of our students just in time for me to review and get to know them.   The afternoon came and went and now it was close to supper time.  There was a knock on the door so I went to go answer it because everyone was really busy.  I opened the door and it was Adrian.  “Hi Adrian, I haven’t seen you since you were a young man about this tall.  Look at you now!  You’re all grown up and wow so handsome!”  “Thank you Uncle Parker.” I hugged him and kissed him and then I showed him to his room.  While we were in his room I went over Perdita’s file with him.  “She sounds like a very interesting young woman.  When could I meet her?”   “Right now if you’re ready.” “I’m ready.”  We left his room and went to her room which was one of the two ground floor rooms.  His was the other one.  I knocked on the door and she was sitting in a chair facing the window and looking out to the horizon.  “Perdita?  This is Doctor O'Neal.  You can call him Adrian.”  She had been rocking back and forth when we first walked in but after she heard Adrian’s voice she stopped.  “Hi Perdita.  How are you doing today? I am here to work with you.  I want to help you feel happy.  You do know what it is like when you feel happy don’t you.”  She started to moan and make strange unfamiliar sounds. He pulled out this little hand puppet.  He had black skin with black hair.  He was wearing a white hospital gown.  “Hi Perdita my name is Mister Cumby. I’m also here to be your friend.”  She grabbed the puppet off his hand and just held him.  She began speaking to him in a low voice then she handed him back to Adrian. He looked at me with a smile and I winked at him then I left them alone so he could do his work. 07122011

I went back to my office to continue looking over the other student files. Maria knocked on the door then she came in.  “Hi is Adrian here?  I see someone’s care out front.”  “Yes he’s in with her.”  “Oh good. How did she take to him?”  “She lit up but tried not to let anyone know.”  “I knew he would break her barriers.  He’s got a special knack for that sort of thing.” “I’ve worked with a few Autistic children back home  and they’re all very different.  No two kids are ever alike to it’s difficult sometimes to know what’s the right types of treatments and what’s not.” “yes, I agree.”  “Please sit down, you can go over some of these student files with me.” 07122011

A few hours passed and Adrian came into my office.  “Hey Auntie!”  They kissed and hugged.  He sat down beside her in front of my desk.  “She spoke to me. She said my eyes were pretty.”  “You see, he’s a natural born Lady Killer” Maria said. “I would like to work with her half the time inside and the other half of the time outside if that’s okay with you two.”  I said “She’s your patient. You do what you think and know will help her to progress back to where she used to be. I‘m authorizing you to have full autonomy where she‘s concerned.”  “I noticed in her file it says she loves animals.  I was thinking perhaps we could allow her to pick one out that she would have a little responsibility over and this also might help her come out of her shell a little quicker.”  “Okay but I would suggest you take her to see a variety of animals so you could get a good idea of the types she really loves.”  “Maybe start her off with an Animal picture book first” Maria suggested. 07122011

“I’m hungry so excuse me I’m going to go eat.” Adrian hugged and kissed us both then left the office.  “I really have a good feeling about him.   Bringing him on board was a good call, great job!”  I was feeling so tired all of the sudden so I called it a day and went to bed early.  07122011

The birds where chirping outside my window early and so I woke up and showered then put on my relaxed fitting pants and a t-shirt and wondered downstairs.  It was somewhere around 5:00 AM.  In the living room was Adrian.  He was sipping coffee while sitting on the floor and watching the television. “Hey good morning.”  “Oh hi Uncle Parker.”  “What are you doing up so early?”  “I sleep early and rise early.”  “Oh, I’m going to get me some coffee I will be right back” I whispered.  I went into the kitchen and Abby was already up too and baking fresh pastries for the compound.  “Good Morning Sir.  Care for a chocolate éclair?” “Wow, this is amazing, you are amazing!”  “Thank you, Sir.”  “Please call me Parker.”  I left the kitchen with my éclair and another pastry for Adrian.  I sat down on the floor and handed him the small plate.  “Thanks, they smell fantastic.”  “Yes they do.”  In no time at all Perdita had slowly come out of her room and slipped in between Adrian and I.  She sat down and was holding a small stuffed bear, and a blanket.  I looked at Adrian and he just nodded his head as if to say “Yes it was me I gave them to her.”  She never said a word.  She just sat there and watched the television with us.  Abby came out with a small plate and on it was what looked like a jelly donut.  “Here you go honey your favorite Raspberry filled donut.”  Perdita was thrilled and she quickly set down her blanket and bear and picked up the plate.  She ate her donut so quickly, while she hummed a little tune.  Abby handed her a cup up milk to wash it down with.  07132011

I whispered to Adrian after Abby left. “Remind me to give her a raise!”  We both laughed as we ate our pastries and sipped our coffee. The nurse came out and sat in the chair to keep her eye on Perdita.  I said “You’re welcome to help yourself to some coffee and pastries in the kitchen if you’d like.”  “Oh thank you Parker.”  “You’re welcome.”  Maria came in and said “What are you all doing up so early?”  “I went to bed early so I woke up early.” I replied.  “What’s smelling so delicious?”  “Abby made fresh pastries.” Adrian said as they hugged and kissed.  Just then the strangest thing happened. Perdita got upset watching the two of them express affection towards one another that she didn’t get and so she kept saying “Where’s mine?” Over and over again until Maria apologized and gave her a hug and a kiss.  This was the first time any of us had heard her really talk as well as smile.  As thrilled as we were about what we all just witnessed what not one of us had ever realized or could have seen coming was that every morning had to start out that very same way from now on.  07132011

Perdita loved her routine.  She got up and watched TV with Adrian, Me and Maria, then when we all had to go to work she went to her room and got cleaned up for her day.  The mornings Adrian worked with her for a  few hours every day getting her to open up about communication. They talked about books, and pictures, movies and tv. She wasn’t 100 perfect but she was getting there.  She still couldn’t really handle large crowds or big noisy groups.  All loud noises bothered her immensely.  In the afternoon Abby would take her in her Home Economics class which was about 8 students and she seemed to really enjoy baking. The afternoon was spent outside exploring the gardens and sometimes playing in the jungle gym. 07132011

The guests had arrived a few weeks back.  They were just finally settling in and getting used to the place.  All together we had 30 students so far. We had the capacity to house over 100 but I was taking admissions slow and really screening the applicants. 07132011

There was one student that was court ordered to stay with us because of his anger issues.   The judge told me that this was his last hope.  He had been in and out of juvenile hall and after he turned 18 he was in the county jail for to serve some time there too.  His name is Marion Miller.  Black hair gray eyes a few tattoos. He came in on his Harley and he smokes like a chimney.  Every day since his arrival he and I have our special time to talk about his day and maybe what he could have done differently to avoid any trouble.  “I’m beginning to think I should change the name on my door to Dean of Students.”  “Look, I just don’t like nerdy little pests getting all up in my face with ten thousand questions.”  “That may be so but Jimmy is a good boy he’s just exceptionally curious. I tell you what. If you can find it in your heart to take in as your little brother, like big brothers of America and sponsor him I will not only give you a stipend and I will cover the activity costs when you bring me the receipts.  What do you say?” “I say, I need to think about this!” “Okay just let me know.”  He stood up from the chair abruptly and then stormed out.  07132011

I went on the computer and entered the minutes of our meeting.  Maria came into the office and then asked if I was busy.  “I’m just finishing up a report. What’s up?”  “We had two girls get into it this afternoon in Dance.  The instructor was so upset that she’s asked something be done with them.”  “What did she suggest?”  “She suggests they are separated before one of them kills the other.”  “That bad? Do they have previous history before they came here?” “No, they didn’t like one another from the first time they laid eyes on one another.”  “Okay, have them both meet with you and I say ten in the morning tomorrow.  I want to talk to them in the dance studio so we will need it free then.”  “Okay I will talk to the instructor and reserve the studio.” 07132011

“As of today you’re on probation.  You fuck up once and I will kick your ass out of here and hand you your walking papers.”  “But….but….”  I stood up and began pacing “No buts….Do you think this school is a joke? Why do you think it’s called Love School? We are here to teach people how to love. How to express it, how to except it and how to harness it to drive them to become the best that they can possibly be.  I can’t work with negative, degenerative outcasts. I take that back, I can work with them providing they have the right mind set. You clearly don’t right now. I’m not your Dad, I’m not your family, I’m just a doctor who has a job to do. My job is simple, it’s to insure everyone’s safety and right to love free of judgments and convictions, whole heartedly.  I do not stand around and let terrible things happen right under my nose either.   You don’t like Jolene I get it.  Sometimes in life people don’t like other people.  While you are staying here though I have to ask that you refrain from violence, and keep your trashy mouth to yourself.”  I sad down and I just needed to calm myself down.  I was so mad.  The door opened and Lupe entered with Jolene.  “Thank you Lupe, Jolene please have a seat.” Lupe left and I continued talking. 07132011

“Jolene, you’re on a thirty day probation. If you do anything to step out of line I will toss your ass out of here so fast you’ll think you were transported to a different universe!  Now the two of you, have I made myself clear?”  “Yes Sir” Jolene replied.  Christina said “Yes!” “Tomorrow at ten you two have an appointment with me in the dance studio. Don’t be late! You’re excused.”  Lupe walked the girls back to their dorm rooms while I drank a cool soda, and tried to calm myself down. I didn’t like being so vicious to anyone but sometimes it’s necessary to get your point across and to force a positive change in people.
07132011

I decided to get out of the compound and go into town for a little bit.  I needed a few things anyway, like new dress shirts and a few new pairs of socks.  I pulled into town and then parked the car.  It was sometime around 4:00PM.  I locked the car and then went into a few shops to buy my things.  While I was walking back down the street I came across an older gentlemen.  He appeared to be down on his luck.  “Hey are you alright?”  I leaned down to take a better look at him.  He was white haired, unshaven and he smelled like he hadn’t seen the inside of a shower or a bath tub in a very long time.  He was falling and stumbling all over himself.  I picked him up off the ground and carried him to my car.  I put my clothes in the back and got an old blanket out and wrapped him up inside it then I set him in the car.  I drove back to the compound and he never said a word.  He hung his head down and just mumbles and moaned something.  I pulled into the driveway and then helped him out of the house.  We had a really nice apartment that was furnished and freshly carpeted and painted on the ground floor.  I carried him inside and then I called both Adrian and Marion to meet me at the apartment.  They both showed up and were surprised that this transient was in the building.  “Help me get him out of these clothes.” We each took turns removing an article of clothing and then I ran his bath water with extra soap and bubbles.  We lifted him up and carefully set him inside the tub and then I sat beside him washing him with sponge. “He’s about your size Adrian, you wouldn’t happen to have an old pair of sweats that you were thinking about giving to the good will do you?”  “As a matter of fact I went through all my old clothes and I have a bag waiting to be taken right inside my bedroom door.  Let me go get it.”  “Thanks!”  Marion knew what this guys was feeling.  He remembers being there once.  He boiled some water and made him some tea.  He also helped me wash him by shampooing his hair.  “Thanks Marian, I truly am grateful.”  “What are we going to do with him once he’s recovered and cleaned up?”  “I need a super for the apartments.  I had a vision he was the right guy for the job.” 07132011

“Tell me something Boss, How can you be sure that your vision about him is right?”  “It’s a gift I have about people.  I can sense things and see things about them that they have no idea I can see.  So far to date I’ve never ever been wrong.  They are always right on the money.” “That’s pretty impressive.  I wish I could do that.  It would help keep me out of trouble and hanging out with the wrong crowds.”  “I will teach you.  Everyone has the ability but not everyone pays much attention to it.”07132011

Did Abby drop off dinner for our guest?”  “Yes, she said Adrian requested it.”  I looked over at Adrian then I smiled and winked.  We pulled the drain on the tub and then stood the gentleman up so we all could dry him off.  He was mumbling something but none of us could make out what he was saying.  Adrian started to chuckle and that made Marian chuckle.  “You boys are silly.”  We got him dry then we put on his under clothes and his pajamas.  I helped him to the table where he had a hot meal and hot tea waiting for him.  I also had a single shot of chilled vodka, right beside it.  He sat down mumbling and his attention went right to the shot of chilled vodka.  He grabbed it and downed it then he slammed the shot glass back onto the table.  In seconds he was more aware and attentive.  I said “What’s your name friend?”  He coughed and just looked at all three of us and then looked at what he was wearing.  His eyes scoped out the whole entire apartment they were dark and squinted.  He had huge black rings around them.  I had used a brand new electric razor on him and so he was clean shaven and his hair was combed back. “So, do you remember your name?  Or are you going just ignore us?”  “Who in the hell are you and where am I?”  “I’m Doctor Freemont and this is my colleague Doctor O’Neal.  I pointed at Marion and said “This is Mister Miller. So how about you tell us your name?” “I’m Scott Gardner.”  He picked up the fork and began eating.  He was shoveling in the food so fast I thought for a moment he might choke on it.  He finished it and then he downed his tea.  Marion poured him some more.  I asked Marian to go outside the apartment with me so we could talk.  “I have a favor to ask of you, and I will completely understand if you say no.”  “Yeah, I will stay with him for a few days until he’s clean.”  “Thanks, I will make it up to you somehow.”  I patted him on the shoulder and then we went back inside.  Just then both Abby and Lupe walked in with bags filled with groceries.  They put then away into the refrigerator, took a good long look at our new guest and then left the apartment.   Marian had gone to his apartment and brought in new tooth paste, tooth brushes, combs, floss and mouth wash.  He put them away in the bathroom. We all went into the living room and turned on the tv, and watched a movie together. 07132011

Nothing much was said between the four of us.  We just sat quietly and watched the movie. As soon as the movie ended I considered that my queue to head out.  “Okay fellas I will see you tomorrow, so you have a good evening.”  Adrian said “Me too, got to run.  Good night.”  We both left the other two and headed back to the Victorian.  “Do you think Marian will be okay with him?”  “Oh I have no doubt, he’s a big and strong man who can take care of himself. 07132011

I went to my office and sat at the computer.  I typed in Scott Gardner in the search engine to see if anything significant would come up.  I scrolled down and then I found an article about a local town war hero who loses his entire family to a serial killer. By the time I finished the article I found myself crying.  The picture in the paper was of him.  He looked younger, handsome and better built then how we found him today.  I said to myself out loud.  “This broken man is going to be fixed and become the most respected and honored man known to this city.”  I made myself some sleep time tea and took it to bed with me. 07132011

I dreamed that night about his family being killed by the serial killer and him finding them all dead.  I jumped up in my bed and found myself yelling.  Adrian ran in and asked “Everything okay Uncle Parker?” I had a nightmare. He came to my bedside and sat beside me.  “What happened?”  “Well I did an online search about our mystery guest and a local newspaper article popped up.  It was him.  He as an honorable war hero and he came home to find his family brutally murdered.”  “Oh wow that’s horrible.”  “Tell me about it.  I just relived it in my dream.  It scared the hell out of me.”  “So that explains his misfortune and condition we found him in.”  “Yeah, but I have a good feeling that we can help him.”  I got up out of my bed and slipped on my robe and slippers then I said “While we’re up let’s go check up on them.”  “Okay I’m right behind you.” We went outside and down the stairs to the sidewalk and walked the pathway to the dorms building. I could see right away a light was on in his apartment.  I knocked on the door and then we went inside.  The guys were fast asleep sitting up in the chairs right where we left them.  First Adrian and I carried Scott to bed and put him in there.  Then we laid Marion out of the couch and covered him up with a few blankets and gave him a pillow.  I just looked at him and was thinking about how sweet he looked while he was sleeping there.  So innocent, unlike how he reminds you when he’s awake, he was just the opposite.  We left them to sleep and went back to my room. 07132011

“Okay I’m going back to bed. Will you be okay by yourself Uncle Parker?”  “Yes you silly get some sleep.”  We hugged and he left me.  I fell asleep and actually slept in a little bit later than usual.  I panicked and jumped into my robe and ran downstairs to catch our morning TV time with Perdita and Adrian.  “Hi sorry I over slept.”  “OH………It’s…..O-kaaaaaaay….Mister Parkeeeeeer” Perdita said.  “Thanks Perdita.”  We ate our pastries and then she was ready to go back to her room and get ready for school with the nurse. I went to my room and showered, shaved, dressed and then I went right to Scott’s apartment.  I knocked on the door and Marion opened it. “Good Morning Boss.”  I said “Good morning. I he up yet?”  “Yep, we just finished breakfast.  We’re drinking coffee now.”  I came inside shut the door and then carefully walked into the kitchen.  “Hello”  I said. “Good morning.”  ‘How do you feel?”  “I feel okay, thanks.” “Do you remember our introductions last night?”  “Vaguely yeah.”  “I have a proposition for you.  I would to know if you would consider coming to for me.  I need a Super for this building and if you take the job, then I will give you room and board for free as well as a small stipend to carry you over month to month.  Is that something you might be interested in doing?”  “I would like to think about it for a while.”  “Oh yeah of course take your time.”  “Okay I will take it.” “Just like that?”  “Yep, just like that.”  I pulled out a credit card and handed it to Marion. “Here you guys go shopping for clothes and bring me back the card when you’re finished.  I need all the receipts.”  07132011

Ten o’clock arrived and I was sitting in the dance studio in just a chair.  Beside me I had the sound system controls, with Lupe at my other side in her chair.  Both Jolene and Christina were standing there looking at themselves in the mirrored wall.  “Okay girls, when I start the music you two will ball room dance.  You do not stop until the music is turned off. Do you understand?”  “Yes Sir.”  I turned on a waltz and they girls faces one another and began dancing.  Before the song ended I changed it to another type of dance song. The girls were trying to keep up with the music as well as match the dance with the music.  In about 20 minutes the girls were smiling and laughing and just having a grand ole time. Lupe looked at me with a satisfied smile and I winked back at her.  “Okay that’s enough for today be back here the same time tomorrow. You may be excused.”  I informed Lupe to do this for the next few weeks until she felt comfortable about letting them go on their own. 07132011

I went to Scott’s apartment and the guys were modeling the clothes they just bought for themselves.  Marion gave me the credit cards and the receipts.  “Thanks Boss.” I sat down in the living room and I watched the guys model the clothes for me.  “Looking good fellas.” I reached into my pocket and I pulled out some tickets. “You guys interested in going to a local play with me tonight?  It’s a comedy.”  “Yes I do.” Marion replied right away.  “Sure what time?”  “We have to be there by 7:00 PM. So meet me at the car by 6:30 PM.”  07132011

The four of us were looking pretty sharp before we piled into the car.  It was Adrian, Scott, Maria and I. We pulled into the parking lot and then went inside.  It the lobby they were serving wine, and baked goods.  Everyone got a glass of wine and I picked up a chocolate chip cookie. I just kept an eye on Scott to see how he was doing.  A beautiful older woman walked up to him and they started talking.  I couldn’t hear what they were saying but I could really tell by the body language that they used to be intimate.  I grabbed Maria’s elbow and dragged her away from the snack table and then walked up right beside Scott.  “Hey Scott, aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?”  “How do you do?” She said extending her hand. “I’m Victoria Smithers.”  “The author?” Maria asked.  “Yes, she’s a famous author.  We grew up together.” Scott said quickly.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.  I am Doctor Fillmore and these are my colleagues, Doctor O’Neal, and Doctor O’Neal.”  “How do you do?” “Very well thank you.” Adrian said as he shook her hand.” “So very nice meeting you.” I said and we all left Scott with her and walked back to the snack table.   “I like her.” Maria said. “I have read all her books.” Adrian stated.  07132011

Scott walked over with Victoria and they both grabbed a cookie off the table and ate them never taking their eyes off one another.  The play opened and folks were being seated.  We all went in together.  I sat in the middle between Maria and Adrian.  Scott sat beside Adrian and then he invited Victoria to sit beside him.  Sometime in the middle of the play I witnessed the two of them holding hands.   07132011

The play ended and everyone stood up and clapped. We went back out into the lobby and talked about how good the play was.  Scott and Victoria said their good byes and Scott got her phone number from her.  We got into the car and he was so happy.  “Hey she’s really classy. I like her” I said.  “Yeah, we would have been together if I hadn’t met my wife when I did.”  I pulled into the driveway and parked the car.  Adrian asked Scott if he was going to be okay for the night and Scott said “Yeah sure, thanks.”  We said good night to him and went inside.  Abby was making supper, and so we sat at the dining room table and told her about the evening. 07142011

I heard a car drive up the driveway and so did Maria and Adrian.  We got up from the table as fast as we could and we all ran into the living room to look through the window.  It was a brand new Mercedes Benz. Abby ran in saying “What? What?  What’s going on?” The four of us were fighting for a space in the window with out looking too obvious.  The door opened and a leg came out and hit the road.  She got out of the car and shut the door.  It was her, Victoria.  “Oh My God! She’s making a booty call.” Adrian said.  Maria slapped his shoulder and gave him a disapproving look.  “What? I just call it as I see it.”  I started to chuckle.  “This is so cute isn’t it?’  “Yes, I’m excited for Scott.” ‘That lucky son of a bitch.” Abby said then after she realized she just said that out loud she said “Whoopsie.” I couldn’t stop laughing.  We went back to the dining room table and all if us and the whole crew ate supper together. 07142011

After supper I said goodnight and went to bed.  Come morning I got up had my morning ritual with Perdita and Adrian and then I went straight to work.  I had quit a  few more files to review for admittance. I called Maria in to help me go over them.  “Are you going to get an assistant or secretary?”  “I haven’t given it much thought. Why do you think I should?”  “Yes, I don’t mind helping sometimes but you need one.”  “Okay I will get right on that today.” I called a friend in town who ran a temporary agency.  She said they would send someone over in the afternoon.  07122011

Lupe came in to report that both Jolene and Christina were like best friends and that our plan worked.  Adrian came in and reported that Scott and Victoria were officially dating.  Abby came in and said “Lunch is prepared.”  I got up and went to the kitchen.  “Rueben sandwiches with potato wedge fries? Oh My Gawd I love this.”  I sat down and ate lunch with the bunch and then there was a knock on the door.  I got up and opened it and there stood this tall skinny young man wearing multi florescent striped pants and a pink button up shirt.  “Hi I’m Gabrial I was sent over by the temp agency.”  “Hi, I’m doctor Fillmore.” I reached my hand out and grabbed his to shake it.  It felt like I had a bean bag in my hand.  I shook it and he had an odd look on his face so I let go and said “Please won’t you come in?”  He pranced in and then looked around.  “We’re will I be working?”  I showed him to a desk just outside my office and then I asked “Have you eaten lunch yet?”  “Yes I had fruit salad, thanks.” He sat down and began typing on the computer. 07142011

I was still going through admittance files.  The ones I was accepting I put in one pile and the other ones that I was denying I gave to Gabrial to type up the letters of regrets, and then send them out.  Just before supper I gave Gabrial the rest of the day off and I thanked him for the great work.  At suppertime we all sat down as usual but this time Scott joined us too.  “Hey Scott , how is everything going?”  “It’s going really good thanks.  All the other units are painted, cleaned and ready to go.”  That’s good because I have about ten more members arriving tomorrow.  I’m anticipating the place will be filled by the end of the month.”  07152011

“Honey what’s wrong?”  “I been sick all night.  In the bathroom then in my bed.  Adrian says it’s In Florence Shaw.  I dunno what that is. I don‘t even know a Florence.”  “Oh it’s the flu, I’m sorry you are sick today. You just relax and it will go away.”  I kissed her forehead then I went up to my room to shower, get dressed and start my work day.  After the shower, I heard the door open and I was just getting out to dry off when Gabrial walked in.  “Good morning.”  “Good Morning, how are you?”  “I’m good thank you.”  He sat down on the bed with his note pad open.  I got dressed and we talked a little while I did.  “So, are you originally from around here?”  “No I moved here to be with my boyfriend, but after a year he dumped me for another friend of mine.”  “Oh I’m sorry to hear that.”  I finished dressing and putting on my shoes, then I asked “Did you eat yet?”  “No, not yet.”  “Oh, okay, how about having breakfast with me.”  “That sounds nice.”  We both walked into the kitchen and Abby was cooking up breakfast.  “Good Morning Abby.”  She said good morning but not like her usually cheery self.  “Are you feeling okay?”  “No I feel a little run down today.”  “Okay well how about after breakfast you take the rest of the day off.  I’m sure we will manage one day.”  “Thank you.”  She served breakfast and then left to rest.  We sat down to eat and I said “I sure hope everyone isn’t sick with this flu today.”  “Yeah me too.” 07162011

I cleaned up the kitchen with Gabrial and we went straight to work.  The new admissions came with their parents or close friends so we gave them a tour of the school and showed them to their dorm apartments. I noticed that Gabrial too a fancy to one of the young men who was accepted.   I put my arm around his shoulder and then whispered “Pretty cute huh?”  He was really embarrassed and I could tell he wasn’t sure how he should reply.  I knew from that moment on he was going to have a great friendship with him. 07162011

While we were walking back I explained to Gabrial that there was a building crew coming later this afternoon and they were going to build us an on site religious temple.  “It is going to provide religious sanctuary for those who practice religion and pray.”  “I’m not really a very religious person.”  “Well you could use it simply to meditate if you wanted to.” “Oh yeah I might be interested in that.”  “Yeah me too.” 07162011

The construction crew arrived and so they got to work on breaking ground.  Scott came out and asked me “Is this going to go on for a while?”  “Just for a few weeks I think. I’m sorry.” “Ah, it’s okay I will just have to ignore it.”  Half the staff by the end of the day had developed the flu.  The following day the other half including myself got it.  I stayed in bed while Gabrial tended to me.  “You don’t have to stay Gabe, you could take the rest of the day off.”  “It’s okay I’m already here.  Besides I really don’t have anything better to do.”  “Well thank you.  I hope you don’t get it.”  “I got the flu shot so I think I’ll be fine.”  07162011

Once I shook the flu and everyone else was better I suggested a flu shot for the entire staff.   Perdita wasn’t very cooperative when we tried to give her the shot.  She kicked and screamed and eventually fainted.  Gabrial and I carried her to her bedroom and carefully put her to bed.  I left her teddy bear and blanket next to her so she had them when she woke up. 07162011

The next day I was sitting in my office doing some work and Gabrial came into the office and said “Boss, there’s someone here to see you.  I asked “Who is it?”  “he never gave me his name he was just adamant to speak with you and see you.”  “Okay please show him in.”  The gentleman came in and he was an extremely old gentleman with a full white beard and mustache.  He looked like he had come out of the Renaissance times.  He said “Are you Parker Freemont?”  “Yes I am. How may I help you?”  I have been asked to give you this…”  He extended his hand and handed me a small wrapped box.  I took it and was completely confused and bewildered. I looked at the box in my hand and said “Thank you.”  Before I could ask who it was from the gentleman was gone.  I sat at the desk and opened the box, inside was a small card. It said This is a gift from me to you.  Never lose it, never remover it and never give it away. It is yours and yours alone. Take pride and ownership in it and blessed be.”  It was a bracelet.  Not like any I had ever seen before.  I placed it on my wrist and when I did it glowed a bright green.  Underneath the bracelet was a small card that said This is your Chakra bracelet.  It will at times read your aura as well as change others to suit you. Use it’s power for the good of life and love.  You will find eternal happiness within its power. 07172011

I was sitting at my deck just starring at the bracelet.  Who was that strange man who gave this to me? Why did he chose to give it to me?  What makes this bracelet have powers?  All these questions were going through my head.  Just then Doctor John Fillmore came to the door and opened it.  “Hello Parker.”  “Hi Doctor Fillmore.”  I stood up and walked over to him and extended my hand to shake his.  Just then he grabbed my arm and pulled it up to look at my bracelet.  “Where on earth did you get this?”  “Some strange old man who looked like someone out of the Renaissance era came in handed me a gift box with it inside of it and then he mysteriously vanished.”  “Emrys!” The doctor exclaimed. “Who?”  “Oh nothing, never mind. It‘s very beautiful!”  07172011   

“Alright let’s go look at this construction site.”  We walked out of my office to the site.  There was a whole crew and a foreman and also the contractor out there.  “Good Morning folks.”  Dr. Fillmore said. The foreman walked up to talk to the doctor.  One of the construction guys was really angry and just cussing and swearing and throwing tools all over the place.  I walked up to him and placed my hand on his shoulder.  The bracelet lit up and glowed in a purple color.  He changed his attitude instantly, and turned around.  “Hello” he said.  “Hi” I said with a smile.  07172011                                                                                                                           

“Are you one of the doctors?”  “Yes, I’m the School Administrator Doctor Freemont.”  “I was thinking about going back to school.  How could I apply?”  “Just go to our administrative offices and fill out an application.”  “Cool thanks I think I will do that.”  “See you later” I said.  We finished our tour of the site and then Dr. Fillmore and I went out to lunch together.  While we were out we ran into Veronica and Scott. “Hey you two, how’s it going?”  “Hi Doc, great thanks” Scott replied.  “That's great.”  After lunch we went back to the school and I saw Dr. Fillmore off. “See you in a few weeks.”  “Yes, keep up the good work.”  07182011

That afternoon I had an orientation set up for the new students.  This batch we were accepting about 10 more.  Maria and Lupe helped out with the first hour and then Scott, and Marian helped me with the second hour.  I closed with Adrian and I showing everyone to their new dorm rooms.  “This group looks pretty interesting.”  “Interesting? How do you mean?”  “I mean it’s such a wide verity of personalities is all.”   “Oh yeah, I’m hoping to get a good selection of people together.”  07182011

It was what seemed like a very long day.  I finished my work and just wanted to go to bed. I got into my pajamas and then picked up a good book.  I fell asleep in my chair reading.  Adrian came in and said “Hey Uncle, you should go to bed.”  “Oh Hi Adrian, how are you?”  “I’m doing good, just heading off to bed and I thought I would stop in and see how you are doing.”  “I’m fine, just a bit exhausted.”  I climbed into bed and Adrian hugged and kissed me goodnight and then he left the room.  07182011

This morning was the first morning we were going to introduce Perdita to a young man around her age who has the same condition as her.  He was Autistic, with Asperger’s syndrome. His name was Danny.  Danny and Adrian came to my room first and waited for me to get ready and then the three of us went into the reception area to meet with Perdita.  We walked down to the bottom of the stairs and she was already enjoying her pastry that Abby baked her and her television show.  I had him sit beside her but far enough away that she wouldn’t feel threatened by him being in her space then I asked “Perdita, have you met Danny yet?”  “NOooooo!”  “Well Perdita this is Danny, and Danny this is my very good friend Perdita.”  At first they didn’t look at one another they just shook hands.  Then after a while they began speaking and Abby brought in all of us our requested favorite fresh pastries.  07182011

I told Adrian “I think this is our ticket out of here.”  He laughed and then we went to our own offices, and left the two of them alone with the nurse. I was sitting in my office and I got a phone call from Scott.  I hung up the phone and met him in the dorms.  There was a problem again with two of the new alumni.  This time it was two young men.  “They’re in these two apartments across the hall from one another.  I have been hearing that they have been arguing non stop since they both arrived.” I  knocked on the first door and the young man swung it open yelling at me.  “Oh sorry I thought you were somebody else.”  “Hi, could you please come with me?” Then I walked to the other door and he opened it and I said “Hi, follow me please.”  They both did but I could tell it was killing them to refrain from arguing with me witnessing.  I took them to the weight room and then I said.  “The first one to lift this weight twenty times with out any difficulties is the winner and then I will award them the final prize.”  Both of them tried lifting the weight even four times and they had difficulties.  I smiled at Scott then left them to work it out.  07192011

The construction of the prayer center and altar were completed and all the dorm rooms had been filled to their capacity. The was doing very well.  We were receiving national as well as international news coverage.   Love school was finally on the map and people were interested.  Maria and I went around from High School to Junior High School across the states to introduce the school to them.  The last school we went to was called William Whitman Senior High in Louisiana.   The seminar was a nice turn out , and a small group of kids came up to us, inquiring about the school.  “The fourteen of us are interested in attending your school.  How can we get enroll information?  “Oh here, just fill out these applications and mail them into this address.  The young man grabbed all the applications.  He left, and in no time he returned with all of them filled out.  “Here perhaps I could give these to you, there’s filled out now.”  I just looked at Maria in surprise.  “That’s amazingly fast.”  “We’re very fast studies.” The young man said then walked away.  That night in the hotel I went over all the applicants.  I could make room for these kids if I convert the old hospital, office building into dorm rooms.  I got on the phone and called the construction crew to begin construction on the building.  Each room was to be designed as bedrooms and then the current bathrooms would be enlarged and accommodate his and hers, toilets, urinals, showers, and bath tubs.  07202011

Upon the arrival back at the school, Scott came up to me asking about the construction of the institution.  I said “I’m going to take about 14 new students that I ran into at a High School seminar.  They are very enthusiastic and hoping to enroll as soon as possible.”  “Is that also going to be my responsibility as the Super?”  “Nope Gabrial and I will manage that one.”  I passed him to see how things looked inside. Once inside I could tell that things were looking really good. 07212011

The construction was complete and the students were due to arrive any minute.  I had fresh flowers place in a nice vase in each room to welcome them.  They came all at the same time in a shuttle bus and then quickly unpacked and headed to their rooms.  One of the new students named Frances came up to me “Hi Doc.  Thanks for accepting us into your school.  It is very important for us to attend.  I wanted to thank you personally.  I also have a favor to ask.”  “Sure what’s that?”  “Well, there’s another one of us that makes fifteen.  He sent in his application last week his name is Lancelot Dovay.”  “Ah yes he’s been admitted as of last Friday.  I sent him a letter of acceptance and he should be arriving sometime today.”  “He and I are dating and I was hoping that we could share dorm rooms.  Is that okay?”  “Of course it is. You guys are welcome to share rooms if you’d like.  That just makes more room for other students.”  I placed my hand on his shoulder and squeezed then I let go and went back to my office. 07212011

Gabrial and I went on about our work day.  It was all in all a quiet day.  Nothing out of the ordinary happened.  I had dinner with the other doctors and then went right to bed.  The next morning I wanted to check in on Perdita and Danny.  I got up and showered then dressed and snuck in on them watching tv, and eating their pastries with Adrian and the nurse. “HI HI HI HI!” Perdita jumped up and down repeating over and over again.  Danny got up and just swayed back and forth nervously.  I grabbed his shoulder and squeezed it and he began to relax.  “Good Morning Danny Boy.  Hi Perdita.  I’m here to join you for breakfast and tv.”  Perdita was so excited she kept reminding everyone that I was there.  07212011

After breakfast I asked Maria if she wanted to go with Gabrial and I to buy some school supplies.  She agreed so we went into town and then after we took care of that we wanted to spend the day in town. Gabrial said “Is it okay if I meet you back here when it’s time to go back?  I wanted to do some research at the local library.”  “Oh of course. Looks like it’s just you and me.” I turned and said to Maria.  “That’s okay I like our time together.” 07212011

“I know of a really nice little quiet place that we could go to for lunch.”  “I’m game for anything.”  She and I walked up the street to a building that looked like it might have been an old saloon. “In here.” She said and I followed her inside.  The downstairs looked like a books and trinket store.  My bracelet was getting energized with every step that I took inside the place.  “What is this place?”  “It’s a Wiccan supplies store. My cousin runs it.”  Just then a woman who looked identical to Maria walked up to us.  She looked at me and then smiled at the both of us.  “Welcome to my store. Hello Cuz.”  They hugged and kissed then Maria introduced us.  Lila this is Parker.  Parker this is my cousin Lila Pena.”  “So nice to meet you”  She said, then reached out for my hand.  I took hers and then kissed it, and said “The pleasure is mine.”  07212011

Please follow me.  There were candles set up all along the shelves as we walked by they magically lit.  I just looked at Maria.  She smiled and said “This is a treat.”  We went up stairs into a room that had a fully beaded doorway.  Lila pushed them out of our way and directed us into the room.  It was magnificent. There was a beautiful tree in the center of it, and surrounding that was wild flowers and natural plants along with a raised bed organic vegetable garden.  The tree bore a variety of fruits.  Apples, oranges, pears, plums, apricots, peaches, cherries, and so much more.  “Please pick what you like, everything is yours for the liking.”  “Thank you” Maria said.  Maria picked all kinds of vegetables, and I picked all sorts of fruits.  “How is this possible?”  “Lila has a green thumb.” Maria said laughingly. 07212011

The food was so natural and filled with flavor and vitamins.  After lunch I felt like I was a little child again with too much energy.  “What shall we do now?”  Maria and I were sitting on the floor next to the small short legged table, that held our lunch.  Lila came back and opened up a bottle of wine then sat down beside us.  “I made this wine.  Please try it and let me know what you think.”  I watched her pour the glasses, then I watched them sip it first.  I took mine in hand and then slowly sipped it.  “Wow, that’s really good.  Do you sell this?”  “I do, I can send a case home with you if you like.”  “I would really like that. Thank you.”   07212011

We sat and talked for the whole afternoon.  I really couldn’t believe how much the two of them looked like twins.  “Well, we should get back to the school. Thank you so much for everything Lila.  It was very nice to meet you.”  “Yes, I have heard so much about you over the years and it is very nice to finally meet you.”  We got up and hugged then walked down stairs and towards the door.  Just as I was walking out this jet black haired girl bumped into me and when I turned to say excuse me I realized that my bracelet was glowing black.

I grabbed Maria by the arm so she would stop. “Excuse me.”  I said politely to her.  She turned and looked me up and down and then she said “Watch where you’re going ….you fucking asshole.”  I was shocked and just stood there while Maria tugged on my arm saying “let’s go.”  “Jerk!”  I was getting really mad.  Something inside me just set me off and I said “No, excuse me you rude little bitch!” She froze just then and I was expecting her to lunge towards me.  She looked so strange to me.  All of the sudden her aura changed along with the color of my bracelet.  Both she and the bracelet were exuberant in yellow.  Maria looked over at Lila who was walking towards us.  “Is everything okay here?”  “Yes, sorry just a little misunderstanding” the girls said.  I looked her over from head to toe.  She was wearing black army boots with skin tight leotards and a long sleeve men’s formal dinner shirt over that.  Her hair was cut in a way that I assumed was a new style because I had never seen it before.  I said “You have yourself a nice day sweetheart.”  Then we walked out.  07212011

“What the hell was that all about?” Maria asked me.  “I’m not sure. I think she suddenly had a change of heart.”  “Boy I’ll say. I thought you were going to slap her across the face.”  “I never do that.”  “I know but this time I thought you were.”  We walked back to the library and went inside to look for Gabrial.   I found him sitting at a table with another young man.  They seemed to be really friendly.  “Hi are you ready to head back?”  “Hi, I’m going to catch a ride back with my friend, is that okay?”  “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off.  I will sign you off for a full day.  Just have fun.”  “Thanks Doc.” Maria and I headed back to the school. 07212011

We got back to my office and Maria walked in behind me and shut the door.  She was carrying a brown paper bag that was crumpled up at the top.  “What’s in the bag?” “I had Lila pick up a little something for you while we were having lunch.”  She sat down at the chair on the other side of the desk and then reached inside the bag.  She pulled out a wooden stand and set it on the desk right below me. Then she reached in again and pulled out this large crystal ball. “This is a special gift from Lila and I  to you.  I figured it was a great way to keep your eye on everything that is going on in the  school.”  “Are you serious?”  I thought about it for a moment and realized that magical things had been happening around me ever since that strange old bearded man appeared and handed me this bracelet.  I grabbed the bracelet with my other hand and gripped it, concealing it.  “That bracelet is why you and that young woman had such a quick change of heart after your confrontation isn’t it?”  “Yes, it’s strange.”  “Well when you are able to see problems as they happen then perhaps between you and that bracelet you could keep law and order here at the school.” 07212011

I watched her set the crystal ball inside the stand.  It was clear at first and then it became cloudy.  The clouds were swirling inside of the ball, going in all directions, that was a gray color.  Then as the gray turned first red then blue the clouds began to clear up and I was able to see things inside of it.  It looked like it was the two students who I had go to the gym and lift weights to avoid fighting.  One was lifting weights while the other spotted.  All the sudden the sound connected and I could hear what they were saying to each other.  Parker walked in with a few of his friends, and the guys stopped to talk to them. “Hi guys do you mind if we share the gym with you right now?”  Parker asked, “Nope feel free.”  The boys all introduced themselves and then the vision disappeared back into the gray swirling clouds. 07212011

“That’s really cool. Thank you and Lila.”  I stood up and hugged her.  She said “I’m certain that it will really come in handy for you.”  She left me in the office alone and I decided to take the rest of the day off as well.  I went to my room and picked up a good book to read, then eventually fell asleep.  While I was sleeping I had a dream that there was this young woman who was following me around while I was shopping in town.  I would try to catch her and talk to her but every time she would disappear before I could.  “Who is that?”  Suddenly she appeared again and I ran up to her.  This time she didn’t disappear.  “Who are you and why are you following me?”  “I’m sorry I’m not meaning to creep you out. My name is Rori, and I was sent here to your dreams to give you any advice or guidance.  Also to keep my eye on you.”  “Great are you looking at me through your crystal ball too?”  “Yes, as a matter of fact I do.” 07212011

We both sat down at the bench on the curb.  “So who sent you?”  “Do you remember that older guy who gave you that bracelet?”  She pointed to it and I covered it up with my other hand.  “Yes.”  “He’s my relative, and he’s your relative too.  We’re distant cousins.  We have a long line of relatives.  They all extend from him.”  “How come I haven’t ever heard of this up until now?”  “We are trying to reconnect the missing family who have mysteriously fallen off the family tree. There’s as student at your school who is related to us too, his name is Frances.”  I realized who he was and recalled everything that I read in his file after it was transferred from his High School.  “This is so interesting and all but I still can’t understand any of it. 07212011

“I guess what I am realizing is that we’re all related in some way or another.  Weather or not it’s by blood or by spirit.” Rori said to me.  She began to go into great detail about her and then her Father, and his family.  She continued on about other family members and ended it with me and Frances. I was a little overwhelmed.  I woke up from the dream feeling unrested so I put on my robe and went to get a drink of water.  It’s then that I realized that I slept right through dinner.  I grabbed a snack and went back up the stairs.  I closed the door and Frances was standing at the end of the bed.  “Uh, you scared me! I never heard you come in.”  “That’s because I never did.  I magically appeared.”  I took off my robe and climbed into the bed, then Frances laid on the top of the bed beside me.  I just found out about you and I.  I woke up from a dream with Rori and she told me.”  “Yeah me too.”  “So do you have magic powers like us?”  “I don’t think so, just this bracelet.” 07212011

Just then Frances took my hand that was laying outside the covers and as he touched it the bracelet lit up. I could feel this power surge through out my body.  The power surge caused us to levitate above the bed.  As I rose the covers and sheets slid off.  We went to the top of the ceiling.   The sheets and blankets fell back to the bed, and then there was a huge jolt that split us up.  I fell to the floor against the wall and he fell back to the bed.  “Ouch, what was that?”  “I’m not sure but I think it was a power transference. Are you okay?  Frances jumped up and helped me to my feet, then he put my arm around him and put me back into the bed.  I took deep breaths, and just laid there.  He got back on the bed and lay down beside me.  “I’m sorry I hope I didn’t hurt you.”  “It’s okay, it just startled me, is all.”  The two of us fell asleep pretty quickly.  All I knew was that it was so difficult for me to keep my eyes open.  07212011

Gabrial tapped on the door and slowly walked in.  “Hey boss, are you getting up today?”  I woke up and realized the time.  I looked at Gabrial and then Frances.  I jumped out of bed and ran into the shower.  Frances woke up then sat up and said “Hi” to Gabe.  “I’m Frankie.”  “Hello, I’m Gabe. Nice to meet you.”  He smiled then left the room.  I came out of the shower and then got dressed.  Frances said “I would like to introduce you to the family if that’s okay.”  “Oh, yes that would be nice.” He took me by my hand and we disappeared.07212011

We appeared at a place that was so huge.  It was a French estate in the country.  The front had a cobblestone turn around drive way with a water fall of a naked male statue.  The front doors were massive and made out of heavy solid wood of some kind.  Francis walked up to the door and grabbed the knocker and knocked loudly five time.  The door slowly opened and I felt myself get goose bumps.  I felt like I was in some sort of  scary ghost movie.  In the doorway stood this handsome young man he had brown hair and blue eyes, and a really nice smile. “Hey Timothy, is everyone here?”  “Hey Cuz, yeah come on in.”  Another young man came up to us as we entered into the foyer.  “Who’s this?”  “Oh this is Parker . Doctor Parker Freemont this is Timothy Parker and Matthew Collins.  They’re our distant cousins.”  “Please to meet you.”  “Come in and meet everyone else.  Timothy took me by the hand and showed me out back to the garden. 07212011

I became overwhelmed with the amount of people who were here.  There was over one hundred.  Most were related to me.  I met Rori in person and then she introduced me to Doug and Ben, her parents.  They let me know that they were really good friends with my boss Doctor Fillmore.  “So one of the powers that we have is the ability to communicate through dreams.  It’s a family trait and I was wondering if you do that?”  Dog asked.  “I recently did with Rori, before we actually met.”  “You can communicate to the living or the diseased that way.  It will come in handy.”  07212011

“So you being a doctor, I suppose it would be a nice gift if you had the power to heal.”  Doug said while looking at Ben.  Ben was busy painting the garden, but he stopped what he was doing and he walked over to me and set his hand on my head where I was sitting.  I began to shake uncontrollably.  Frances stood up and moved away and all the folks around me stopped to see what was happening to me. As soon as it stopped I fainted.  I woke up in a strange, and huge room inside the gigantic French Mansion.  Rori came in and sat beside me on the bed.  “Are you okay?”  “Yes, but what happened?” “Ben gave you the power to heal. Watch”  She picked up a knife off of the cheese tray on the dresser and she used it to cut her arm open beside me.  I panicked and jumped out of bed trying to find something to stop the bleeding. She said “Okay just touch me and think about my arm, how it was before I cut it.  I quickly grabbed her arm and while hers was healing right before my very eyes I could feel the pain transfer from her to me. Only my arm never had the open wound.  Then the pain cleared up and her wound was completely gone.”  “Oh my God!”  I jumped back in disbelief and then grabbed her arm looking all around it.  “How is this possible?”  “It’s magic.  You have been gifted the ability to heal.  You need practice but over time it will be as easy as riding a bike.” 07212011

“I was wondering why every time I use a large amount of power or I experience a power surge then I fall asleep or pass out?”  “That’s normal, think of it like this first of all your power is like a battery, you use it up then you need rest to recharge.  Also the body is not used to all that power at once so it needs rest from the shock, I think.  Mentally naps are very good for you.  It keeps your thoughts fresh, clear and clean. Over time it will get easier and you will get better.  Practice, practice, practice….that’s what I always say.”  She took me out to the garden again where most everyone went home except for the family who lives here at the Manor. 07212011

Come dinner time I was sitting at this massive table with everyone.  “Welcome to our newest family member Doctor Parker Freemont. It’s good to have you here.” Doug toasted to me, then he whispered “Don’t you worry about the school in your absence Doctor Fillmore is there taking care of it.”  We all clinked our drinks and then I sipped the delicious champagne.  Dinner was served and then everyone cleared out and disappeared.  Frances grabbed me and took me through the garden before it got dark.  We wondered to the very end of the garden and came to a small wooded area.  He walked us through the wooded area and into an open fiend where there was a little old cottage at the beginning of the fields.  “This cabin is very special.  It was Doug’s Grandfather’s and well it’s charmed.”  We walked in and I could feel the energy inside of it. “We will be staying here, during our visit.”  The cottage had old antique furniture, and a little sitting room with a kitchen off to the side.  He gave me a tour and there was one full bathroom downstairs and a little library, reading room.  Then he showed me to the room upstairs and I took the room off to the left of the stairs and he took the room to the right. 07212011

I wasn’t ready for bed because of the late nap before dinner.  I went into the library and started reading the books in there.  The majority of them were all about magic and spells as well as rituals.  One of them I picked up was a book that seemed to be about an old French Family.  I picked it up and began reading it and as I got into it I began to realize that it was this family at this estate.  It mentioned the building of a giant luxury estate that was called Châteaux Bertrand.  I fell asleep in the chair and then Frances woke me up “Hey doc, go to bed.”  “Oh yeah thanks Frances.”  We went to bed and I didn’t really remember any of the dreams that I had that night.  All I knew was it was one of the best nights sleep that I had ever had in my entire life.  I woke up so refreshed and strong. Filled with life and energy. 07212011

In moments there was a knock at the door so I answered it in my pajamas and it was Doug.  “Hi, how are you?”  “I’m good thanks come in.”  “I was wondering if we could have a talk.”  “Of course, yes.”  He came in and sat down.  Just then some guy came in with trays of foods and drink.  We grabbed what we wanted off the tray and the server vanished as quickly as he appeared.  “There’s still so much that I wanted to show you but I really don’t think we have the time.  I was wondering if I could give you a knowledge transfer that way you will know everything that I do, and it will catch you up to speed.  Would that be alright?”  “is it safe?”  “Oh yeah it’s completely safe.  You watch vampire movies?  Or Star Trek? Mister Spock uses that power and so do vampires.”  “Oh right I know what that is.”  He walked over to me and rested one of his hands on my forehead. All this knowledge ran passed my memory.  After we finished I said “Wow that’s a lot to take in all at once.”  “Yes, it is.  Thanks and I will be back later this afternoon.”  He got up and showed himself out while I enjoyed the hot coffee and fresh pastries. 07212011

Frances came down stairs in his pajamas and the server appeared again with food and drinks for him.  “Good Morning.”  “Hi, good morning” he replied. “Did you sleep good?”  “Yes I slept fantastically, thanks.”  “Me too”  We both ate breakfast then we took our showers and got dressed and went back to the Châteaux.  As I walked beside Frances I realized how much we looked like family.  I began to think about the family resemblance with everyone I had met yesterday.  “It’s incredible how much all of us in the family resemble each other. Don’t you agree?”  “Yes, I was thinking about that last night.” We got back to the Mansion and it was so very quiet.  07212011

“We’re is everyone?” Frances asked. “I’m not sure.”  We checked the kitchen and the reception, then most of the master suits and we didn’t find anyone. “Well what should we do now?” “I think we should go back to the school.”  He grabbed my hand and we magically appeared in my office. Doctor Fillmore said “Welcome back guys.  The family had to go out for am emergency and so they wanted me to let you know how sorry that they were that they didn’t get to say good bye.  Things ran smoothly here so I will be heading out to my ranch. Take care and see you in a few weeks.  He let himself out and it was night again.  Both Francis and I weren’t tired so we just hung out in my room and played scrabble. 07212011

“You know if you ever get the chance to play any board games with Doug or the family, I would really think twice about it.”  “You’re family, what do you mean?”  “No I mean with them not me.  Because you get magically engulfed into the game and it becomes real.  You have to use magic to play and get out of it.  I felt it was nerve racking and not that much fun.”  “Thanks I will make a note of that. I miss the service there at Châteaux Bertrand.” With that Frances snapped his fingers and a server appeared with snacks and drinks for us.  “Oh thank you so much.”  Then he magically disappeared. 07212011

Our game was interrupted by an emergency.  Maria and Adrian ran in saying that Perdita had fallen out of bed and hit her head pretty hard on her end table.  I ran out with them to her room and I was irritated that the nurse wasn’t watching her.  I noticed her head was bleeding and she was having these miniature convulsions.  “Perdi, it’s okay I’m here now and you are going to be fine.”  I laid both my hands on her head and I began to heal her.  She didn’t wake up but the wound was completely gone, and so was the bump.  We put her back to bed and that’s when Danny came running in and screaming.  “Sssshhhh Danny it’s okay she’s fine, let’s get you back to your room.”  I escorted him back to his room and put him to bed.  I cast a little sleeping spell so he wouldn’t fret or worry all night long.  I returned to the bedroom and that’s when I decided to go to bed. Frances said good night and went to his dorm room.  07212011

I woke up and it was already noon.   I ran into the shower and then when I finished I found Gabe at the entrance with a towel.  “I took care of all your e-mails, fax, phone calls and skype so all you have left for the day should be a piece of cake.”  He left and I got dressed then ran downstairs to my office.  When I got there both Adrian and Maria were in the chairs beside the door.  “Hey sorry must be the time zone change.”  “We were wondering what you did to heal Perdita early this morning?”  I sat down in my chair behind my desk and I began to tell them everything that had happened to me over the past few days.  Then I told them about my family. They said “Okay that makes sense” then they left the office.  07212011

Sitting in my chair at my desk all seemed quiet and calm.  I had opened a little package that was with out a return address.  I looked inside and there was a note that read:  Wear this for your protection against any evil or wicked people who are trying to harm you.  I picked up the ring that was inside the box, and looked at it closely.  Just then a woman appeared out of no where and she grabbed me by my hair and put a very large sharp knife to my neck and then we vanished.  I had dropped the ring on the desk and it just twirled around in circles until it fell to its side. Frances walked in and realized something had happened, or was wrong. It was his intuition.  He walked over to the desk then he put on the ring.  He closed his eyes, bowed his head and said my name. “Parker.”  He appeared behind the strange woman who was still dragging me down a hallway of an old house and he attempted to hit her over the head. She threw me into the wall and then took a few swings of the knife at Frances. I ran over to her and grabbed her arm that had the knife in it to stop her from lunging at Frances.  My bracelet lit up and then we both turned a iridescent yellow, white then purple. Frances cast a spell to turn the knife into flowers. She sat on the floor and just wept.  Her sobbing was so heavy and loud.  “Please don’t cry.  Why were you trying to hurt me?” I asked.  Frances and I picked her up off of her feet and then we magically disappeared with her and then reappeared inside the school temple. There’s this evil man who has kidnapped my sister and he said if I didn’t do this to you he would kill her.  I didn’t know what else to do.  “I think I know some people who could help you, but you have to trust us.” Frances said.  “I will be right back.”  He vanished and I sat beside her.  “What’s your name?” “I’m Theresa.” “I guess you know my name, it’s nice to meet you.”  “I’m sorry I did what I did I really never wanted to hurt you.”  “All is forgiven.  The important thing is you’re safe, and now we have to get your sister back.” 07222011

Frances returned with two others.  A girl and a guy. “This is our cousins Toni and Troy.  They can help us.”  “Hello.” Toni said.  Troy asked “Do you know where your sister is?”  “Not anymore, they left the house they were in and now I don’t know where they are.”  Just then Troy threw down some dust on to the floor and this cloud of smoke rose up and consumed all of us. The explosion startled me, and when it cleared we were in a strange building.  “Follow me and stay close.”  He lead the was up the stairs and we passed door after door until we got to the final floor where there was a hallway and one single door.  “I will go in first, then you guys follow behind me but be ready for anything.”  I was feeling a little nervous. “This isn’t the kinds of things I’m used to you guys. I’m not comfortable with this at all” I said. “Sssshhh don’t worry”  Toni replied. 07222011

Frances slipped off the ring and handed it to me.  “This is yours not mine.”  I grabbed it and slid it on my finger. I got a strong sense of relief, because I had complete faith in the power of the ring.  I wasn’t a fighter, I am a doctor and I don’t harm people I heal them.  I didn’t want to be a part of any violence. Just as I was thinking about it, I could see my arms becoming transparent.  Each step we drew closer to the door I was becoming invisible.  “Hey look this ring is making me invisible.”  “That’s great, no hush!” Troy ordered. Troy carefully and slowly opened the door and then we all carefully entered.  The room was lightly furnished, and had dim lighting.  I tip toed in then closed the door behind me.  I walked around the corner and there was a girl with a mean looking man.  She was tied to the chair and gagged with a bandana.  I grabbed Frances and pulled him towards me.  He looked around the corner and that’s when the old man looked up, right at us.  I moved quickly behind the wall, while Frances took an energy ball right in the shoulder.  I healed him then pulled him out of the way.  Both Toni and Troy ran in and began magically battling the mean looking man while Theresa freed her sister with Frances. 07222011