by Bryan Davis
Everyone stayed quiet for more than a minute, nibbling fries and sipping drinks from straws. Finally, Gabriel spoke up. “So, did Larry have any news?”
Ashley wiped a tear and began counting on her fingers. “First, there’s no news anywhere about the giants or Arramos, so it’s a good bet that Mardon’s hiding out with them somewhere plotting his next move. Second, there’s a lot of creepy things going on, weird hairy creatures stalking the streets, sort of like ape men who don’t die when they’re shot, and people who are supposed to be dead showing up at their old homes, even a couple of murderers who were executed decades ago.”
“Wow!” Walter picked up a soft drink cup and loudly slurped the last drops. “That sounds like a bad zombie movie.”
“Tell me about it!” Ashley pointed at a third finger. “Finally, Sir Patrick is coming to the States with Sir Barlow and his knights. If we can get back to West Virginia, he’ll meet us at Walter’s house. Otherwise, he’ll figure out a way to get out here.”
“Why is he coming?” Walter asked.
“Larry didn’t say, but knowing Sir Patrick, I’m sure he’ll be able to help us straighten out this mess.”
Gabriel stood up and adjusted his backpack. “We don’t have much experience separating Earth and Hades. Time to call in the pros.” He stretched and turned to Walter. “I need some sleep. You coming?”
“Yeah.” Walter said, rising from his chair. “I’m beat.”
“Wait!” Ashley reached out a hand. “Walter, can you walk Abigail and me to our room first?”
“Uh, sure. No problem.” Walter nodded at Gabriel. “You go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.”
After helping the ladies to their feet, Gabriel shuffled down the hall in one direction, while Walter and Abigail supported Ashley as she hobbled down the other.
When she stopped at her room, Ashley swiped the key card through the reader and opened the door. “You go on in,” she said to Abigail. “I want to talk to Walter for a minute.”
“Sure. Take your time.” Abigail smiled and disappeared into the room, closing the door behind her.
Ashley took one of Walter’s hands into hers and displayed the egg in her palm. A pained expression wrinkled her face. “I think I figured out what this thing is all about.” She pulled in her bottom lip and pressed her teeth down on it.
Walter caressed her hand with his thumb. “It’s okay. Take your time.”
“I think …” She closed her eyes and tried to steady her voice. “I think my father sacrificed his life for me. What I saw in the sky was him dying so that I could believe.” She opened her eyes and raised the egg higher. “This is his gift, a symbol of faith that I never really had. He opened the sky and showed me a heavenly Father. He painted a picture of God, a father who is willing to die to give me life.”
“But your grandfather explained all that to you. You told me that yourself.”
Ashley nodded. “My grandfather sang ‘Amazing Grace’ to me for years, but I never really listened. Now I finally understand that verse.”
“Which verse is that?”
“Do you mind if I sing it?” Ashley shifted her weight from foot to foot. “One of the last things my grandfather ever said to me was, ‘Maybe someday you’ll sing it with me, even if it’s in Heaven.’”
“So you want to sing it for him now?”
“Because …” Her jaw quivered. “Because I know he’s listening.”
Walter nodded at her. “Go ahead. I’d love to hear it.”
Ashley folded her hands and, tilting her head upward, whispered, “This is for you, Daddy.” After clearing her throat, she sang in a trembling voice.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
She sniffed and wiped her eye. “That’s the verse. That’s the one I finally understand.”
“I’m sure he loved hearing it.” Walter brushed away his own tear. “What made the difference?”
“I always knew what it felt like to be lost, but not to be found. And, worst of all, I had no clue how blind I was.” She lifted a finger and pressed it against Walter’s shoulder. “And you’re the one who helped me see it first.”
Walter stared at her finger. “Me? How?”
“When I saw you fighting that giant, I knew you were willing to die. I’ll never forget your love for Karen, Sapphira, and me for as long as I live.” She opened her hand and gazed at her crystal. “That’s the kind of love that’ll open anyone’s eyes.”
Walter trembled, but he quickly recovered. “Maybe you can wear the egg on a necklace, like some people wear a cross. Isn’t it a symbol of your faith?”
Ashley pressed it against her chest. “It’s more than that. As long as I keep my father’s gift close, I feel like I have a connection with him, like I know his heart and his thoughts.”
Walter nodded. “Then a necklace would be perfect. It would be touching you near your heart all the time.”
“True, but there’s more to it than that.” Ashley tapped a finger on her head. “You remember how I used to talk about people thinking I can read their minds?”
“Yeah. I remember.”
“Maybe it’s more real than I thought. Now that you and my father opened my eyes, I feel like I can see everything a lot more clearly, like I can even imagine what people are thinking.”
Walter closed his eyes. “Okay,” he said, grinning. “What am I thinking?”
“No, silly. It’s not like I can read the words in your mind. I see images in my head and feel emotions that help me know what people are worried about or happy about.”
Walter’s face slowly took on a serious expression. “Do you see any images now?”
“You want to test it? Right here?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“Okay. … I’ll try.” She closed her eyes and concentrated. After a few seconds, she raised a finger. “I see Karen … and that’s making you sad. … I see you standing next to her and holding Excalibur, and that makes you feel strong and brave but kind of useless since she died. And over to the side, I see …” She opened her eyes, now blurred by tears. “I see me, and that makes you feel …” She paused, biting her lip again.
“Go ahead.” Walter cleared his throat nervously. His voice grew soft and tender. “How do you, Ashley Stalworth, make me feel?”
She squeezed his hand. “Loved?”
“Yes.” He touched the crystalline egg. “Loved by my new sister, born today because of her father’s love.”
Ashley lifted her brow. “Just a sister? Nothing more?”
“I wouldn’t say just a sister.” He interlocked his fingers with hers. “You’re my partner. And we have a lot of scary stuff to do together before this is all over.”
Ashley smiled. “Together. That’s what’s important.” She raised their clasped hands. “As long as we’re together, I’m not afraid of anything.”
Other Books by Bryan Davis
