It seemed to go on for hours, and then suddenly, I awoke in the wild ‘60s adorned guest room. I felt like crawling out of my skin; I knew I had to speak to someone about this. Then, a conversation with Carole permeated my thoughts: Grey Owl could help me. And on that epiphany, I heard the words, I’ll be back tomorrow, Paige. Have no fear, we will talk then. I hoped it was Grey Owl speaking to me.
“Paige!” cried grandma from the kitchen. “Are you ever getting up today? Come and enjoy this delectable brunch Hanna’s prepared for us.”
Shaking off the dream, tortured by what I had seen, I was surprised I was ravenous. Thankful for the distraction of some sort of normalcy and for time with grandma, I jumped out of bed only to be reminded grandpa was still bedridden. I thought how selfish I had been lately, not checking in on him. However, things had become a bit...complicated.
We sat in silence, eating pancakes, sausages and hash brown potatoes. Under any other circumstances, it would have been uncomfortable, but this morning, I found it quite peaceful and serene. The clink of the fork on my plate resounded throughout the dining room and the clinking of the tea cups on the saucers almost made me giggle. I was happy to be alone with grandma and not have to think of spirits or ghosts for that matter. Abruptly, Hanna walked in and changed the mood.
“Helen, what are we going to do about Ted? One day he’s fine, and the next day, he’s back in bed.” Hanna glared at grandma and ignored my presence in the room.
“I had the doctor in to see him only yesterday, Hanna. You know that. He said it will take some time for Ted to recuperate from whatever spell he’s had. He’s gaining strength. What else do you want me to do about it?” Grandma scowled at Hanna.
Hanna responded in a softer tone, “Would you like me to check in on him today, so you and Paige can do something together?”
“Sounds like a good idea.” Grandma turned to me and asked, “When have you and I spent time together? Would you like to go shopping with me?” She politely dabbed her mouth with a linen napkin.
“I’d love to, grandma. Wait and I’ll go get changed.” I ran to my room and threw on jeans and a yellow and red plaid shirt that mom had given to me, for my birthday, the year before. Strangely, I was comforted in the shirt, though I personally did not think it reflected my taste at all. I was back in a flash, waiting anxiously to leave the manor.
“Call Dexter for me, will you, Hanna? Paige and I are going to take Molly for a spin.” Grandma had a smirk on her face. She looked poised in her grey pant suit and pink blouse.
“Are you sure, Molly?” Hanna asked and looked at grandma like she had lost her mind.
“I’m sure,” grandma retorted, then turned and winked at me. “Let’s go wait in the drive, Paige.”
I was excited to see what Molly was and knew I dare not ask. This was going to be a great day. The roar of an engine surprised me. Dexter looked hilarious as he drove up on a golden motorcycle and sidecar. I laughed as he sharply stopped at our feet and jumped off to hand us each a helmet. I had no idea grandma had this wild side to her.
“Okay, Paige. You trust me, right? This is going to be fun,” grandma declared. She opened the sidecar door, gesturing with her hands. “You have the pleasure of riding in here.”
I wondered what else there was to know about my grandparents.
As grandma strapped on the gold helmet, she yelled over her shoulder, “Perhaps, Paige, you would like to drive Molly. It’s your grandfather’s and my favourite way to travel in the spring to fall months.”
I did not reply, reserving my judgement until later. Dexter shot me a quizzical look and wished us a safe ride as we exited the estate along the cobblestone driveway, passing under the stone gate with the inscription ‘O’Brien Manor’. It felt invigorating as the cool, fall air whipped against my face. I wished I had my knock-off Ray-Ban sunglasses for the trip, but forgot about it as soon as we passed Peggy standing at her screen door, waving to us. I felt tremendously guilty not stopping and wondered why grandma seemed not to notice.
As we drove along the main street of Camlachie’s downtown, we passed several blocks of shops with eclectic themes including Bunsen Burner Cafe, Wally’s Wellness, filled with alternative health food choices, and women’s clothing stores, one of which was named Drusilla’s. I remembered Drusilla’s, because that was where my mom bought my plaid shirt. Note to self: don’t bother entering that store.
We drove into the pharmacy parking lot and grandma turned off the engine. “You can wait here if you like, Paige. I’ll be right back.”
Not much of a shopping spree together, I thought, nodding my head. I observed people milling about, some in couples, some on their own texting on cell phones, and many others walking their dogs. I had not noticed that before and remembered it was a small town. It was not far to venture home and look after their families and pets, unlike living in Toronto where distance or time constraints would often not allow it.
Grandma returned quicker than I expected and suggested lunch down by the waterfront. I was full from brunch but I was not going to complain. It was great to be away from the manor. All my troubles seemed to wash away. We sat at a booth, in a beach-themed restaurant named Magellan’s, after the explorer who sailed the oceans and proved the earth was not flat, but indeed round. It was an apropos setting considering my life lately and the need to distinguish the world of reality from illusion.
“So how are things going for you, Paige? Are you still enjoying it here? Miss your parents?” Grandma placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands. Her amber eyes twinkled, and not a red hair was out of place even though grandma had just adorned a helmet. I sensed she was in a feisty mood today.
“It’s all good, grandma. I’m happy to be living with you and grandpa. My new school is okay for final year. No worries.” I wondered what she was searching for in my answers.
“Great. And your grades? How are they?” grandma persisted.
“Fantastic. I’m enjoying physics and biology. Not calculus or chemistry so much. English is torture — we’re reading Shakespeare’s Hamlet.” I returned her gaze.
“Good, Paige. Did you know the school calls me each time you miss? I’ve covered for you.” She looked away, distracted, then continued, “Don’t worry, I trust you, Paige. I know it hasn’t been easy living with us.”
And then the conversation seemed to slip away from me, and I could not hear her voice anymore. I became aware of something encircling us like an energy. Time slowed and I heard the words, bring Helen to my house, Paige. I knew it was Peggy’s voice.
“Sorry, what was that, grandma?” And as she repeated her last sentiment, a long conversation about my future ensued. What did I want to do with my life? I could hardly think about such a thing with all that was going on at O’Brien Manor. I had to figure that out first, before I could consider any of our futures. Lunch arrived, staving off any further discussion as we enjoyed our greek salads.
While walking back to Molly, I asked grandma if she would mind stopping in at Peggy’s house. Grandma’s demeanour changed from light-heartedness to panic.
“What in heaven’s name do you want with Peggy, the local psycho…I mean psychic. She’s nuts, Paige. And how did you meet her?” She looked furious, with her furrowed brows and frown lines around her mouth. I could feel grandma’s hostility like someone had punched me in the stomach.
“Well...I was walking by one day and saw her at the gate and stopped to say hello.” I lied, not wanting to admit Peggy telepathically invited me to her blue cottage. How in the world would I explain that?
Grandma pointed her finger at me as she spoke. “Don’t listen to any of her nonsense, Paige. I mean it and I forbid it. That’s what got your mother into so much trouble when she was younger.”
“What trouble?” I asked, anxiously awaiting the answer.
“Never mind that now, Paige! Do not go to vis
it her anymore. And do not tell your grandfather that you’ve been there, let alone met her! Understand?”
Wow, a perfect day turned out to be one of my worst. Finally, I had someone like Peggy to help me, who led me to Carole, my only real friend in Camlachie. It stung as I listened to grandma trash my only true saviour, as I dealt with spirits and low energies. It reminded me how cruel and prejudiced people can be and stereotyping of those who are different from them. I felt raw and tremendously low. The words she chose — psycho and nuts did not help either. It stung to hear them — like a slap across my face.
I did not speak to grandma again and as we passed by Peggy’s house, I sent a message to her, sorry but grandma does not want to stop. Immediately, I heard her response, no worries, Paige, I thought she might do just that.
CHAPTER NINE
Earthbounds, Angels and Shapeshifters
In the following weeks, I was commandeered to do a pet project for grandma; re-arranging and organizing postcards she had collected on her travels through-out her lifetime. As pretty as they were, each one inscribed with facts of the geographical area they represented, I found it tremendously boring and inconvenient in my life. In fact, it was more painful than the sound of nails screeching slowly down a chalkboard. I could not seem to get away for a minute from O’Brien Manor since the discovery of Peggy’s friendship, other than to attend school. And all I could think about was how would I ever get the chance to meet Grey Owl or see Peggy again.
The days were uneventful with the exception of grandpa seeming to heal each day. That made me very happy and I felt like telling Hanna off for even thinking I had something to do with the decline of grandpa’s health. However, mom taught me the truism that people will think what they want but time reveals the truth. I saw this first hand when a neighbour of ours in Scarborough had accused mom of gossiping negatively behind her back — the busy body type, when, in fact, it was the neighbour opposite to us who was the culprit. In time, the truth spilled out at a neighbourhood party, as the gossiper, well, she just could not help herself. Since then, I was a believer and so was mom.
Halloween loomed and I laughed each time Hanna recited one of grandpa’s favourite childhood sayings: the sky is blue, the grass is green, may we please have our Halloween. She seemed so light-hearted about it all until early one morning. I overheard grandpa and Hanna talking in the kitchen about a Hunter’s moon with hushed voices. They spoke of Samhainn and preparations were to be done. Sam what? Halloween is child’s play. What is all the fuss about?
I boldly entered the kitchen and interjected, “Good morning, grandpa, Hanna. Great to see you up and about again today, grandpa.” I tried to lighten their moods.
The response was silence and an uninviting atmosphere. I grabbed an apple from the kitchen counter and happily exited the estate to wander through the gardens via the backyard patio. The wind picked up and the trees swayed rhythmically back and forth. It seemed like a civilized, energized day, until the back of my neck felt a cold hand brush across it. I spun around; no one was there. Then that same something knocked the apple from my hand and I stood still, shallowly breathing, trying to fathom what had surrounded me. I closed my eyes hoping it would disappear. Sensing an intrepid energy like raw wind whipping around me, I realized it would not leave me alone. It did not seem as if it was one of the good spirits from the light and I remembered what Peggy had said to me, say your protection prayers.
This time, I said the following aloud, “Creator, please protect me with the white light, surround me with the white light, protected by the hand of Creator.” And as I said this, I felt the cold energy back away. I was thrilled. Peggy was right, the protection prayers really worked! Crossing myself, as if instructed to, I continued on, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, protect me in the path that I am following here today and bless me. Amen.” And on that final note, whatever it was, vanished.
Strolling along the pebbled path, lost in thought, I was not conscious of where I was going until I stood in front of the guest house. I looked up at the second story window and saw a figure staring down, watching me. Assuming it was Dexter, I threw open the heavy oak door and called his name. Desperately needing to speak to him, I continued down the hallway to the stairs and as I walked up them, it felt like I had walked through a freezing, stone, cold wall. Knowing I was in trouble, I methodically repeated the protection prayer whispering it to myself.
When I reached the top stair, I fixated on a long-legged man in a black robe and wide brimmed hat, standing at the end of the hallway. He had piercing yellow-green eyes and was visibly shocked when he noticed I could see him. His eyes widened. I felt immediately nauseated like someone had just punched me in the gut and understood I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. As if in slow-motion, he raised his wizened, skinny, right arm and pointed one long and crooked finger at me. I could not determine if he was threatening me or telling me to leave. However, that line of thinking quickly dissipated as he started to glide towards me as if on an escalator. Paralyzed with fear, and conscious it was beyond my control, I could barely breathe nor swallow. As he gradually moved past me, I was unable to turn my head to see where he had disappeared to. When it was all over, I collapsed onto the stairs, clammy and shaking. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks…perhaps Hanna and grandpa’s fears were real concerning the upcoming bewitching season!
Shadows danced across the bedroom walls. Half asleep, I sat up rubbing my eyes, wondering how I managed to end up in my parents’ bed. I must have fallen asleep until dawn. My eyes widened and I stared in disbelief as the shadows blossomed into an angel. She spread her wings and they grew and grew and grew. It was alarming. The angel came to life right out of the wall and hovered above me. She had an incredibly beautiful, radiant light surrounding her, with her enormous wings outstretched as wide as a peacock’s stance in ratio to its body; she smiled at me. A wonderful embrace enfolded me with a cloak of warmth and excited energy. It was surreal. In that moment, I knew all would be okay and that I am never alone. Evil can threaten me at any turn, but I have something that it or they don’t have — support from the Other Side and love in my heart so strong, it would overcome anything. I am not sure exactly how I knew that, and felt it could only be explained by the angel’s close proximity to me as if she pushed this reality into my mind. No words were spoken. And then she vanished. I knew something spiritually had just occurred and I wanted to hold onto it, however, something beckoned for my return to the manor. I had learned to listen to my gut.
I walked cautiously along the path and over the bridge listening to the brook babble quietly to itself until I overheard voices. I hid in the cedar trees and watched as Allan Brewer and a stocky man I had never seen before walked by, embroiled in their conversation. They stopped dead in their tracks. The man cocked his head to the side and started sniffing the air, like Allan had done on the day Dexter and I hid in the rose bushes. Allan started to sniff the air as well and I had a bizarre thought, are they sniffing my scent? I broke out into a cold sweat and then heard another set of footsteps on the other side of the trees I was hidden in. A young boy walked out dressed in shorts and nothing else. It was pretty cold outside for that to be his chosen wardrobe. The three whispered to each other and I strained to overhear them. They stopped talking and walked away in opposite directions from one another — through the forest, off the beaten path. I found this to be quite strange. I emerged from my hiding place and was stunned to see Allan standing there, waiting for me. He smiled. His eyes appeared a different colour from the first time I had met him at the dilapidated cottage, in fact, now they were a beautiful indigo; my favourite crayon as a child.
“How great to see you, Paige. I’ve been looking for you. How long were you hiding?” Allan asked.
He walked defiantly over to me and grabbed my hand not really expecting me to answer. It felt electrical when he touched me and I could not help but feel a forbidde
n attraction to him.
“Didn’t your mother teach you it’s rude to eavesdrop? I need you to be careful today, Paige. Have you ever heard tales of your ancestry involving Halloween?”
“Not really…I suppose as a kid,” I bluffed, not wanting to admit Hanna and grandpa were worried about the same thing. I also wondered where this conversation was headed.
“Well throughout the centuries, it has been a time when ancestral spirits come back to life, you know — the dead come back to haunt the living. Many believe it is a good sign when their ancestors return, to protect them, so to speak, and the living reward them with a feast. Sometimes, the evil spirits that walk this earth gain stronger energy from those good spirits arising. The veil between two worlds — the physical and spiritual grows thin. It is a time to be aware of your surroundings. You must be able to sense the good and the bad. Can you do that, Paige?” Allan drew closer until his face was directly in front of mine. I could feel his breath on my lips. My heart raced and I felt instantly flushed. Surely I cannot be attracted to Allan? I still could not determine if he was good or bad. “Paige, did you hear me? Can you?”
I hesitated before responding and then said, “How can I tell the difference between good or bad when I can’t even tell if you are...good or bad?” I stared into his eyes and felt a funny sensation; they seemed so familiar.
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