Destiny's Gate (13 page)

As we reached the attic stairs, mom stopped briefly and looked me in the eyes. “I know you’ve been through a lot on your own, but do not fear, your mom is here.” She laughed and pulled down the stairs. It was random she would say that so
flippantly.

As I scaled the stairs behind her, I felt tightness in my chest and then a wave of sweat; a small panic attack had reared its ugly head which I attributed to the memory of Bradford and his nephew and events from my last visit to this very room. As certain as I was that they had been cleared from the manor, there was always a slight chance it had all been in my
imagination.

Mom stood in the center of the attic and exclaimed, “I don’t remember it being so warm in here. My parents must have put the heat back on in the second story and it has found its way up here. Fantastic!” She circled around the room looking at her dolls before she spoke again. “I asked you up here, Paige, because I’ve been getting some very dark images of what’s been happening to you, especially over Halloween. Can you tell me about it?” Mom looked concerned, her brown eyes
dilated.

“I don’t know how to begin, mom. Grandpa and I have grown closer and Hanna as well, by default, since she knows about...our
gift.”

“Wait, Hanna knows? Since when?” She sat down at the dolls’ table that hugged the ground and I almost burst into a nervous
giggle.

“She’s always known, I guess. Hanna insisted that grandpa should be the one to tell me about our heritage and our supposed inherent gene — the one that the gift comes
from.”

“I really don’t know why Hanna’s involved at all,” mom said, exasperated, brushing off my remark about our gene pool. “I guess if she is helping…it must mean dad is growing weak. His energy must be waning. Well, enough of that. I’ll concern myself with dad later. I want to hear more about what has happened with you.” She smiled and gestured for me to
continue.

I spoke about the day grandma and I rode Molly, and grandma ignored Peggy as she waved as we passed by and then later ordered me not to see her again. Mom frowned. I skirted over the stories that involved Allan Brewer, the spirit wolves, and Dexter, since mom seemed more pensive than I would have expected. My parents would soon be leaving for Italy. I knew in my heart if I told her everything, mom would remain behind and that would not be the best for her. The healing rock did not seem to surprise mom which I found very peculiar. When I mentioned the man dressed in tribal head gear, she reacted briefly and then insisted I carry on. I could tell she was happy that Carole and I had become good friends. Mom knew of her family. And she seemed extremely delighted I had connected with Peggy. In fact, she encouraged me to continue to visit with Peggy and hang out with Carole. And I knew she was thinking of her childhood phrase,
you can never have too many
friends.

We heard some huffing and puffing below the attic floor. Mom put her index finger to her mouth signalling me to stay quiet. Next we heard someone struggling up the ladder and broke out into hysterics when grandpa beseeched, “Well, one of you, come and help me! I’m an old
man!”

I ran to grandpa’s assistance, and pulled him up and into the
room.

“I knew you two would be here, especially since we told you not to when you first arrived at the manor.” He laughed and continued, “That’s why Dexter moved temporarily into the guest house and was hard to find this fall. He worked steadily on fixing up the second story and the attic — did you notice the
heat?”

Mom sat back down and said, “Phew, I thought I was having hot flashes and I had entered menopause! I’m too young for that! Thanks for telling us,
Dad.”

“This seems to be the only place where your mother or Hanna won’t find us. And we definitely need to talk. You don’t mind, Lori?” He carefully sat on the floor next to mom’s doll chair and rested his hand on mom’s right
knee.

“Not at all, dad,” mom replied and leaned onto his
shoulder.

That tender moment between the two of them was one I would always treasure; grandpa, with a big, wide grin against his rusty complexion, white hair and beard, contrasted against mom’s auburn, curly hair and pale skin, smiling and so
happy.

“It’s time we talk openly about our psychic gifts. We’re all different so why don’t we start there?” Grandpa gestured towards mom to
begin.

Mom sat up straight, hesitated and then started, “I first knew I was gifted when I had what I assumed was a dream of you and mom talking about my hyperactivity and what you were going to do about
it.”

Grandpa raised his eyebrows as he motioned for mom to
continue.

“So, Paige, they wanted me to see the doctor the next day — when I woke up, I concocted a story that I couldn’t go to school because of a stomach ache. I knew they were going to take me to Doctor Thornton and I didn’t like him. He was an older, insensitive man and did not know how to talk to girls. That morning, when they left my bedside with my supposed aching stomach, medical appointment thwarted, I overheard them again, talking in the hallway about calling Doctor Thornton to make an appointment for the next week. That’s when I discovered it wasn’t just a dream. I knew I had somehow overhead them in my sleep, or so I thought; it happened many times after that. It wasn’t until I came across an article in the school library — I think it was the librarian’s journal on parapsychology — I grasped that perhaps, I had an out-of-body experience in my sleep and that’s how I overheard their conversations.” Mom looked up at me and I smiled, nodding in agreement. “So you can do it as well,
Paige?”

I shifted back and forth on my feet and confessed, “I sure can! The first time I can recall — I travelled one night to Bradley Adam Parkman’s house and overheard Brad talking with his mom, you know Sarah, whom I’d never met before. They were talking about how frightened he was for all of us at the O’Brien estate. Sarah recounted a story from her childhood about her mother and a very scary interaction with a supposed ghost on the staircase while she was cleaning. I knew the next day by Brad’s behaviour that it was related to the conversation with his mom. I also had another experience recently on Halloween.” I paused to study grandpa, then continued, “Hanna and grandpa were talking about me by the Hallowfire. They were worried about
me.”

Grandpa’s chestnut brown eyes widened, again, and he responded, “You mean, when we were talking about whether or not you could handle the bewitching hour on All Hallows’ Eve? Well, I’ll be jiggered. We share this gift, one and all! I also have what’s called ‘second sight’ and see earthbound spirits and know how to protect myself from them. The two of you should know — I say — The Light of God surrounds me, the Love of God enfolds me, the Power of God protects me, the Presence of God watches over me. Wherever I am, God is...and all is well. It seems to do the
trick!”

“So you are our protector, Dad. Thank you for doing that, especially while I’m away. Paige needs your help.” Mom stood and brushed the hair off my face, planting a kiss on my
forehead.

“Without a doubt, I will continue to do so, Lori. Now, Paige, what about you? Remember you told me about the healing rock? Tell your
mother.”

Mom sat down on the little kiddie chair again and said, “Healing rock...oh, Paige mentioned that already,
Dad.”

Grandpa looked at me and nodded his head in encouragement to continue
on.

“I was guided by Grey Owl...and an older man — I only see his face. He has long, white braided hair and told me to touch the healing rock by the brook — it’s red, black, and white. Healing from what though, I really don’t
know.”

Mom grabbed my hand and said, “Healing your soul, perhaps? It sounds like many people and spirits are looking out for you, and that is a big relief for me. Here you are today, looking healthy and happy. We have so much to be grateful
for.”

Before anyone could respond, grandma shouted, “I was told this is a mother-daughter day. What are you doing up there Ted? And how did you get up there? Get down here right now and let Lori and Paige have their time
together.”

Grandpa whispered, “Uh oh. I’ll never hear the end of this. What was I thinking and how did she find
us?”

“I know very well that room was Lori’s hideaway,” grandma continued. “Who do you think gives it a wipe now and then so she’s not sitting amongst dust
bunnies?”

We all laughed as grandpa edged down the stairs. Mom held on tightly to his right arm and grandma stood at the bottom to brace against any
falls.

“That was a real nice visit. C’mon Helen, let’s get ourselves some tea.” They toddled off down the hallway, chattering away to one
another.

“Your grandma won’t be happy with grandpa. Hopefully they’ll let it go until we have to fly back. I am so happy we came home for your birthday. Is there anything else you want to share with me,
Paige?”

I held my breath,
is she ready to hear about the transition of lost souls and about Allan and Dexter? What could mom do to help me when she is leaving again so soon
? I responded, “Nope. Astral travel is pretty big.” I
winked.

“Well, you have my cell number if you need me, or just think of me and call my name. I’ll eventually catch up with you. That’s part of my gift — I can speak telepathically, especially to you, my daughter. The bond between a mother and child is the greatest. Do you remember times at school in Scarborough when you were going to say something rude to a teacher, and a little voice told you not
to?”

I gasped, “That was
you?”

“Yes, I did not want you to get in trouble,” mom tucked her hair behind her
ear.

“Looking back, you were so right to do
that!”

“Well, we had better get back to the group. As your grandpa said, or
I’ll never hear the end of it from your grandmother
,” mom joked as she stood up and started down the attic stairs. Hesitating before leaving, I surveyed the room and was relieved there was no hint of Bradford or his nephew, no cold spot, no foreboding feeling, nothing at all. Perhaps I had cleared the manor
permanently.

Hanna diverted her eyes and appeared hurt as I entered the kitchen. She must have felt left out of the family meeting. It was the first time I thought I had betrayed her, and after all Hanna had done for my family over Halloween, and been through, including putting herself in harm’s way for all our
sakes.

I offered an empathetic smile and emphasized to Hanna, “It was so nice to have some time with my mom.” In return, I heard telepathically,
and your grandfather. I understand Paige
. Hanna began to briskly stir the scone
batter.

Hanna’s brunch consisted of sausage croquettes, poached eggs and hash brown potatoes followed by lemon scones, leaving my stomach feeling upset and bloated. Later that morning, grandma insisted on taking a walk with mom and I, leaving dad behind with grandpa. I wondered what they would chat about. We walked single file to the kitchen door when I excused myself and encouraged mom to go with grandma alone; after all, they needed mother-daughter time as well. As I bid them goodbye, I quietly slipped back to the dining room and overheard grandpa talking to dad about mom and me. Although I felt rather guilty eavesdropping, I wanted to hear what they had to
say.

“So, Kevin, I don’t know quite how to begin this conversation. Do you know
about...?”

“Do I know about...what’s happening here at the manor? Of course I do. You don’t really think Lori and I could be married as long as we have without my knowing about her gift? And I know Paige has it as well, from the time her nightmares started before we moved to the O’Brien Estate. They were so frightening she would wake up screaming and in a terrible sweat. Lori would run and fetch a towel to swab her forehead. That’s another reason why we moved here. Lori insisted on
it.”

“You mean...she felt this is a safe place for Paige to learn about her gift and heritage?” grandpa asked
softly.

“Yes. I agreed with Lori, and Paige seems to be adapting to living here quite well,” dad
added.

“Well, that clears up a lot of what I wanted to say. What a great family to have married into, eh?” Grandpa sounded
remorseful.

“I love my wife to the ends of the earth. I first knew of her gift when we were dating. Lori and I were at a cafe and she was staring out the window. An odd expression overcame her face and she spoke in a raspy voice about an elderly woman passing by the window, heading to a clothing store. She said that the woman was going to die within two days. Then she shook her head and snapped out of it and asked me to repeat what she had just said. Lori looked stunned as I said,
she is going to die within two days.
She told me that the woman was an old friend of hers and asked me what she should do with the information. I said it would be crazy to tell the woman and explained she might die from fright just knowing that
alone!”

“Good call, Kevin. When we get information from the Other Side, it’s not always something we can act upon. What happened...did she
die?”

“Yes, within forty-eight hours. She slipped in the bathroom and hit her head on the tub. Lori was devastated when she found out. There were two patients where this same sort of situation occurred. One was an older man who was a grandfather, and had his daughter and grandchildren come in to see me regularly, as well. Lori loved him — he taught her how to gage the weather patterns. John came in once a month to see me and he would sit with Lori in the waiting room, after his adjustment, and talk about the wind patterns and cloud coverage and the feeling of changes in the barometric pressure. Then one day he came in for his adjustment and when he left Lori ran into the bathroom and cried like I’d never heard her before, as a wounded animal might do. It sounded like she had been seriously injured. I asked what happened — she couldn’t talk for several minutes. Eventually she blurted out —
he’s going to die soon
! I found out two days later he had died within a day of her premonition. It took us time to get over it. We could not figure out why Lori had been given the gift of impending
death.”