by S V Hurn
Dorathy leaned her head into her hand. “That is astounding information, it simply cannot be ignored. All through history we have heard of near-death experiences, but this sounds completely different. What you are telling me sounds much more detailed than a tunnel of light and floating over your body. This sounds more like some type of transcendence.”
Alex nodded excitedly and said, “Yes, and there is more to it. What they are describing sounds like they can travel through space-time, as if they are operating at a different level.”
Dorathy slammed her hand against the tabletop in a moment of excitement and laughter. “Yes,” she exclaimed. “Physicists, the grumpy bunch that we are, have been arguing over dark matter, wormholes and theorizing about bending space-time for two centuries!” Dorathy went on, “All matter operates at different frequencies or vibrations. When thinking in terms of Quantum Field Theory, the fundamental particles making up matter are treated as wave-like excitations of a quantum field. So perhaps the medium that they are traveling through is the quantum field. I would say that somehow they have acquired the frequency to travel through dimensions.”
Alex said, “But one would have to assume that they had traveled from our reality to a different reality. Their bodies lay frozen for decades, but the spirit had traveled on to the next level, another dimension--heaven, the spirit world, whatever you want to call it; they seem to have gone there. So, you’re saying, Dora, they have picked up and maintained a frequency that gives them the ability to travel back and forth, but only by the mind or spirit.”
Alex thought more about his newly revived patients and continued, “I think this may be the reason three of the seven have committed suicide, stating in notes or messages that they prefer not to be bound by the limitations of this state of being. Furthermore, what they describe as the other state of being is not spiritual in nature but solid, an actual place, another planet, perhaps in another dimension.”
Dorathy said, tilting her head to the side, “But you can’t prove it, can you?”
“No, we can’t.”
Dorathy leaned back in her chair and shook her head. “Well I, for one, believe what you’re telling me.” Then she said, “You sure know how to show a girl a good time.”
Alex looked around the restaurant and then down at his watch. “I think we closed the place down.”
“I’d say so.” Dorathy looked around. “It’s usually a good indication it’s time to go when they start vacuuming the floors.” Alex laughed in agreement and called for the check.
On the drive back to the hotel Alex asked Dorathy if she had made any firm plans for the weekend since she was scheduled to stay until Sunday. “Well,” she said, “I thought about going up to Sedona for a little hiking, would you like to join me?” She couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing him again tomorrow.
Alex replied with a very enthusiastic, “Yes.” If she hadn’t asked him to join her, he would have been deeply wounded.
They drove into the parking lot. Alex turned the ignition off and came around the car to open her door. Unsure where this was going to lead, she felt that she dare not ask him up, nor should she linger in the parking lot. Extending his arm to her, Alex said, “I’ll walk you to the lobby, have to make sure I deliver you safe and sound.”
Due to the lateness of the hour, the lobby was deserted. Dorathy said, “Thank you for a great and very enlightening evening. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation.”
“So did I. Dora, you are an incredible woman.”
Dorathy wanted so much to tell him that she was falling for him, but said instead, “Would you like to leave tomorrow, say 8:00 a.m.?”
“Sure, sounds great, I can drive if you’d like.” She was happy about that as Phoenix traffic was even worse than LA traffic.
Alex leaned in and hesitated for a moment but could not resist and stole a soft tender kiss, which she returned. They both wanted more but were compelled to refrain from taking it too far too quickly. Alex then caught her hand and kissed it, as well, before departing. Dorathy entered the elevator and as the door slid shut, she danced a little jig of happiness.
Dorathy had a restless night filled with thoughts of Alex: that he seemed to be the perfect man for her and where their relationship would lead. Dorathy had been alone for so long she became worried that somehow, she would not allow him into her world, that she would resist change to her lifestyle. On the other hand, she was desperately lonely and longed for true intimacy with that special person who would be her life partner. She suddenly felt sorrow that all her life had been spent with emptiness in her heart that only a man could fill. She hated to admit to herself that she needed a man, but there was no denying her longing to be loved, to be truly loved for all the good, and the bad.
Tossing and turning she thought about the people that had been revived, how they must adjust to this new world they had returned to and how horribly alone they must feel. And what Alex had said about their ability to somehow travel from this reality to the next. She was trying desperately to wrap her head around it. Just then a theory dawned on her. She switched on the night-stand light and wrote a few notes to share with him. She said, “Could it really be that simple?” She reached over and tuned out the light. “I have got to get some sleep.”
CHAPTER 5
She woke after just a few hours, a bit groggy. A quick shower, then she dressed, packed the things she needed for the day, and went downstairs for a bite to eat. Alex would arrive shortly, and she began to get excite; the mere thought of him started her blood pumping. She thought about their kiss last night, so soft, so sweet, and became weak in the knees. Dorathy wanted that passion in her life and wanted it to last the rest of her life. Her thoughts were clouded by excitement, but she had to ask herself, could Alex be that man, that one person that she longed for?
It was just about eight o’clock as she paid her bill and headed into the lobby, where she caught sight of Alex sitting on one of the sofas. He saw her right away and stood. He was wearing khaki cargo shorts and a simple fitted blue T-shirt with hiking shoes. She felt as if she was walking on a cloud and ran towards him. He grabbed her and hugged her close, looked down into eyes while brushing her bangs to the side. “Are you ready my love?”
She smiled widely and said, “I am ready for whatever you have in store for us.”
Alex kept his arm around her waist and said, “Okay, let’s go on an adventure.”
They left the building arm in arm. Alex said, “I went to the liberty of packing everything we need for a sunset dinner. I thought we might stop at this little place on the creek for a light lunch before we head out for our hike.”
Dorathy was familiar with Sedona and knew the place well. “Oh, I love that restaurant, they have the best roasted salmon in a puff pastry.”
Alex laughed. “I love your appetite.”
For the next two hours in the car they talked about their hopes and dreams for the future, as the past was irrelevant. They spoke about life on this planet and how everything was changing so rapidly. Dorathy said, “I sometimes have a hard time keeping up with technology. Seems as if as soon as I have grown accustomed to a new engineering idea, something else comes along and I must learn it all over again. It can be very frustrating at times.”
Alex agreed with what she was saying and added, “Medical technology is ever changing and is moving forward in leaps and bounds, but the brain I have to say, although many discoveries have been made, is still one of those things where cracking its mysteries is still a long way away. Brain injuries are still usually very hard to reverse and difficult to treat.”
Dorathy just remembered what she had written down on that note pad in the middle of the night. “Oh, Alex,” she exclaimed, almost jumping out of her seat, “I have a theory for you. It came to me last night while I was desperately trying to sleep. Okay, you said that these individuals can go back and forth between this reality and the other—perhaps it’s like looking through a veil. Say, for a moment, that becaus
e they had spent so much time on the other side, they were able to adapt and somehow maintain a frequency from that side.
Alex asked, “Tell me again about frequencies.”
Dorathy continued, “All matter vibrates at a specific frequency. As an example, you know the door that separates the storage area and the offices at the back of your building?”
Alex followed along. “Yes, go on.”
“Say it’s a locked screen door, you can see through it, but you can’t walk through it.
Alex shook his head and said, “You lost me.”
Dorathy went on, “There is quantum teleportation, which is like transmitting the state of an atom or proton from point A to point B. What if the screen is all that separates the realities, like a thin veil or a ‘Brane’ and our spirits can travel through It, like we use the internet to send information? It’s limited to information, not matter, but suppose that somehow there were a way.
Alex thought for a moment about what she was saying. “What about ghosts? People have been seeing spirits all through history.”
Dorathy answered, “Maybe for that same reason some of us have the ability to see through the screen. I suppose that’s why psychics can make a good living at connecting with the dead. Now for a real mind bender,” she said, “try this on for size. You said that these people were describing the other side as an actual place. I think that could be quite possible. It could be another dimension, maybe a planet in another dimension or a whole other universe.” Now Dorathy was becoming really animated. “Say you were standing in the storage area and I’m in the office, and in order to get to me without dying you merely have to go out the door leading to the main entrance, go out to the parking lot, go around the back of the building and enter the office from the back parking lot, walk down the hall and there you are, standing beside me. Like a back door to heaven,” she said enthusiastically.
Alex was contemplating her theory. “So, you think there is a way to go to this place without having to die first? Interesting concept, I like it! I must wonder if humans can evolve to where we can leave the planet in search of the answers to where this alternate reality might exist. I suppose all we would need is the technology to travel there once we were able to figure out the coordinates.” Alex looked over at her. “I really do love the way your mind works.”
Dorathy loved how easy it was to talk to Alex. How she longed to have someone to communicate her every thought to, her every emotion, to have someone who listened and was genuinely interested in what she had to say. And for that to also be someone she was equally interested in. Alex seemed too good to be true, or was that just self- doubt creeping in to steal away her joy, to gnaw at her right to happiness?
They approached the restaurant and Alex reached over and held her hand as they walked through the parking lot. Dorathy felt like a teenage girl with a new boyfriend. It was a beautiful day with a light, warm breeze, birds chirping and the sound of a calm babbling creek just beyond the trees. A light fragrance of pine wafted toward them on the breeze. Memories of this place came rushing back to her. She and her ex-husband had come here for the day before Athena was born. She wondered for a moment where they had gone wrong, but quickly dismissed those thoughts. She was making new memories for herself with the incredible man standing beside her.
She noticed Alex looking at her and he said, “For a second there you looked a thousand miles away.”
She shook her head. “I’m just so happy to be here with you and I want to hold on to this moment for a lifetime.”
Alex smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “If you want, we can make a lifetime of memories together.”
Although Dorathy was not quite sure how to respond to his offer, she knew in her heart that he was the one, even after their short time together. He had to be the one, but she had to be logical and time would tell of course. Time was something she had, so she thought. She had to take it slow to make sure it was right. She looked up at Alex. “Yes, I would like that very much.”
Alex clutched her hand firmly, as he felt the same way. Just then the hostess came up and showed them to their table. It was the slow season in Arizona so there was hardly a soul around. They were seated at a wonderful spot right next to the creek. They enjoyed the scenery and each other while they ate a magnificent lunch and shared a great bottle of wine.
Out of the blue, Alex asked, “Have you ever been to a psychic?”
“Yes, I have a couple of times. One time in the middle of nowhere I saw a shaman at a little place outside of Calgary.”
“You know Sedona is known for its mystical powers and its vortices. So, if you wanted to go for a quick reading before we head out I would be open to that. I know a little place right across the street.”
Dorathy said, “You know what, that actually sounds real fun. A little guidance might come in handy right about now.” She smiled at Alex.
He said with a bit of sudden panic, “Hopefully she doesn’t tell you to dump me on the spot.”
Dorathy laughed. “It would take a hell of a lot for me to do that to you—you would have to be very naughty for that to happen.”
Alex retorted, with a bit of a twinkle in his eye, “I will try to behave and refrain from being naughty . . . at least for the time being.”
Dorathy caught what he had just proposed and laughed loudly. “Baby, you can be naughty all you want . . . oh, oops, did I just say that out loud?” She was giggling. “I think the wine has gotten a hold of my inner voice!”
Alex let out a roar of laughter and said, “God, I love you, girl!”
Dorathy heard the words and they didn’t frighten her. She felt relieved that he was obviously feeling the same way as she was feeling about him. The thought of letting go and letting it happen was taunting her; love is right here in front of you, so take it. She knew if she were to feel it for the first time in her life, it would be for eternity. For it was a love she had never known, and she was tasting it now. As the words floated across the breeze, they echoed in her soul and landed in her heart. She was hanging by her fingertips and below waited the endless love ready for her to fall into. Closing her eyes for a moment she took a leap of faith and let herself go.
After lunch they walked across the street hand in hand; she was floating on a cloud. They walked through the door of the building that had a huge sign hanging outside, Psychic Readings and Reiki Healing. The storefront was filled with healing crystals and rocks, incense and oils, and books about the vortex, ancient alien theory and abductions. The walls were covered with old science fiction movie posters and the wall shelves were filled with props. The young woman behind the counter had multiple body and facial piercings, several colorful tattoos and wore her hair in hot pink and purple dreadlocks. She looked up and asked if she could be of any help.
Alex cleared his throat. “We were wondering if we could book a reading, right now if possible.”
She asked, “Do you want a separate reading or a couples reading?”
Alex and Dorathy both shrugged their shoulders and Dorathy said, “It might be best if we went separately so we could compare notes.”
The young gal smiled, piercings pulling at her skin. “Let me go upstairs and see if Victor and Caroline are around.”
While she went up to check on their availability, Alex and Dorathy looked around the store at all the memorabilia and books. Dorathy picked up a book on numerology, “Oh, Athena would love this, I think I’ll get it for her.”
While she was going through other books, Alex was sniffing the oil samples and said, “I think I found something I can use.” Dorathy turned to see what he had found, only to see the label on the bottle read, Male Pheromone 100% guaranteed to attract the opposite sex.
Dorathy laughed so hard she nearly snorted and exclaimed, “What, you want me to rip your clothes off and jump your bones right here in the aisle?”
Alex slumped in dejection, and said in a pathetic voice, “Maybe,” as he returned the bottle to the rack.
Dorathy gave him a sideways glance and a little smile that spoke volumes. “Silly man.” They heard the clatter of the colorful woman coming down the stairs to collect their money for the readings. “Please follow me upstairs and I’ll introduce you to Victor and Caroline.”
Once upstairs they decided that Dorathy would see Victor and Alex would have his reading with Caroline. They entered through separate doors into small offices, noting the décor was much the same as the storefront, but with the addition of burning candles and lava lamps. There were also black lights that enhanced the glowing effects of the life-sized creatures and space mobiles that were distributed amongst science fiction memorabilia. Alex had brought his sister here once before her tragic accident and had had a fascinating reading with someone who had worked here, but that was a long time ago.
Dorathy sat facing Victor. It was difficult to determine his age; he looked like he could have been anywhere between forty and sixty years old. He had the mannerism, quietness, and intellect of a much older person, but without outward signs of age—only a few strands of grey intermingled with his long dark curly hair and beard. Behind the round lenses of the glasses he wore were the eyes of wisdom that came with age, but without the wrinkles associated with it.
Victor spoke calmly and quietly as he took Dorathy’s hands in his. After a few moments with his eyes closed, he drew a breath and slowly let it out. “You have an adventurous spirit with a lust for life and anything life can throw at you. You are always up to challenges but will be up against a challenge that will seem incomprehensible. You will have no choice and will have to adapt.” After a few moments of silence, he said, “You have a daughter and she is the light of your life. She is older now and has her own life to live.” He stopped and with a sigh that reflected her sadness, he said, “You lack your one true love, but I see him, he’s out there waiting. He’s from far away. He will help you regain what you have lost. He will love you like no other man could possibly love you. Reluctantly at first, you will return his feelings.” Another moment passed and Victor said, “Your job is very fulfilling, and it will take you out to the stars.” He shook his head and said, “There will be a choice that you have already made, this choice will make your life difficult for you, but without it you will have no life.”
