“Kirra will take it from here,” Caroline said. “I’ll see you after the session.”
“Don’t be shy,” Kirra said. “Come forward, select a mat and stand on its edge. Let’s form a circle. We’ll begin by participating in a smudging ceremony, followed by a healing experience.”
“I’ve never participated in such an activity before,” Claire said, feeling uncertain.
“Everyone needs healing from time to time. Let me bring the spirit to you.”
Claire wasn’t sure if she wanted to participate, but Anne took her hand, smiling in a reassuring way, and together they approached their mats.
In the center of the room, sweet sage had been placed in a basket. They each took a small bundle and lit it. Swirling smoke mesmerized Claire more so than the earthy fragrance that filled the room. Kirra led them in the smudging ceremony: “You can relax now…”
An easy thing to say. Claire felt anything but relaxed.
“Breathe deeply.”
Claire breathed the pungent aroma of sage and perhaps the action, more so than the smell, encouraged a sense of calm.
“Circle your head with sage to clear your mind of negative thoughts. Close your eyes to pain and suffering, then open your eyes to a more positive view. Hear my voice, clear your hearing to ugly thoughts, to unkind thoughts, and hear anew with hope and love.”
Claire swirled the sage around her head, her chest and arms, trying to release her anxiety. She went through the motions, motions that didn’t gain peace.
“Breathe in,” Kirra said, “breathe deeply of the serenity and healing aroma of sage and sea air.”
Claire breathed deeply, her stress easing.
“You can relax now. Hear my voice. I’m with you. Breathe in through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Now stretch your arms above your head, extending your fingertips toward the sky. Reach, reach, reach…toward the ceiling.”
“Claire, your friends have asked if they may surround you with their love,” Kirra said. “Will you permit hands-on healing?”
What did Kirra intend? Claire didn’t understand. She was uncomfortable, uncertain, but she nodded, agreeing to the unfamiliar wellness practice.
“Sit on your mat, make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.”
While Kirra tried to impart calm, Claire couldn’t relax. Though she knelt on the mat as Kirra had requested, wondering what would happen next. One look at her friends and the earnestness in their expressions told her she need not worry.
They looked at her with love in their eyes while kneeling beside her. Sarah placed one hand on her head and the other on her shoulder. Had she done this before? Sarah was a nurse, a healer.
Anne placed one hand on her back and the other on her opposite shoulder. “I hope I’m doing this right.”
Laina placed both of her hands on Claire’s upper back. Kirra knelt in front of Claire, facing her, then embraced her forehead and her chest, just above her heart. A profound sense of peace overcame Claire as warmth suffused her everywhere. And then, sweet music…a song she’d never heard before:
“How could anyone ever tell you, you are anything less than beautiful,
How could anyone ever tell you, you are less than whole,
How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle,
How deeply you’re connected to my soul.1”
“Breathe. Try to relax,” she heard Kirra say. “Close your eyes, let peace surround you.”
Claire participated in the treatment, trusting her friends as they embraced her with physical touch, hands-on healing. Not having participated in such a wellness activity before, she didn’t understand the energy transfer. Heat radiated through her shoulders, enveloping her back and upper shoulders. Her forehead and her cheeks flushed with heat.
The music played on, singing a meditation prayer of beauty and wholeness. Was she beautiful? ‘How could anyone ever tell you, you’re anything less than beautiful.’ Claire would never describe herself in such a way, no matter how many times Peter had complimented her.
Peter…
Tears escaped, leaked from her eyes and slid down her cheeks, dropping onto her clothing. Claire didn’t wipe the emotion away, but let the sadness weep from the depths of her soul.
Though she listened to her friends breathing, they didn’t speak throughout the experience. They let her grieve and heal in her own way.
When the music ended and the reiki treatment came to an end, Anne, Sarah, and Laina stared at her with moisture in their eyes. Claire didn’t know how to respond. What should she say? She appreciated their compassion, their freedom to touch her in places others had never reached. It showed they cared.
“Thank you…” didn’t portray, not even by half, her gratitude for their support.
Chapter Six
Night had come. A fire blazed in the darkness, casting orange light on a circular impression of sand and stone. Claire watched the flames from a wooden camp chair, feeling more peaceful than she’d felt in days while clutching a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. Her friends had insisted she wrap herself in a blanket due to the cooler evening, and though it was summer, she welcomed the warmth.
They were quiet, and though the lack of conversation seemed out of place, Claire supposed each of them needed their solitude. Anne read a book while holding a flashlight. Sarah plugged into her smart device. Claire watched her friend tapping her fingers to a musical beat she could not hear. Laina stared at a black velvet sky adorned with sparkling stars, dreaming of who knew what. Their quiet dispositions gave Claire time to ponder the day’s activities of meditation, brunch, and an afternoon dip in the hot tub.
Yet it wasn’t catching up on each other’s life experiences that she thought about now. The reiki treatment had warmed her heart and made her grateful for her friends. How did you thank anyone for healing touch?
“Claire, wake up.”
She opened her eyes. “I wasn’t sleeping.”
“Your eyes were closed, and if you’re not present in this conversation, you’re not here with us.”
Anne pointed at herself, giving Claire the impression that Sarah and Laina agreed with Anne’s opinion. Claire sipped her hot chocolate. “You were reading, but never mind that, where’s the Baileys? This drink needs a boost of flavor.”
Anne reached for a bag. “It’s time for marshmallows. They go well with hot chocolate. Would you like some mallow with your Baileys?”
“That’s a flavor incentive I’ve yet to try. I’ve never had Baileys with anything other than coffee or hot chocolate.”
“It’s delicious. You have no idea what you’ve been missing. Come on, take a skewer.”
Claire rose from her chair to place a marshmallow on a skewer. Three friends approached the fire pit and began roasting. When their confections were toasted brown, they pulled off the skin and filled it with Baileys. Claire put hers inside her mouth, tasting. She giggled when Baileys dribbled onto her chin. “This is the sweetest, most decadent flavor I have ever tasted.”
“Would you like a second?” Anne asked.
“I can’t have one,” Laina replied, pouting. “You can have mine.”
Claire reached for a second marshmallow and placed it on her stick. “Why can’t you have it, you roasted it?”
“In a word, gelatin.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Claire reached for a third marshmallow, feeling guilty for having one when Laina couldn’t. “I’m having a third and I’m not drowning my sorrow alone.” She watched the flames licking at the creamy white.
Laina rose from her chair. “Although it goes against my principles, for you, I’ll try one. Only one.”
“Really?” Anne said, giggling. “The animal rights activist will eat from the frothy trough of distilled animal fat?”
Laina placed her hands on her hips, her expression souring. “If you put it like that…”
“I’m sorry for egging you on. Actually, these marshmallows are gelatin free, so you don’t have t
o worry.”
“Anne, you tease, are you fooling with me?”
Sarah grinned, then placed a marshmallow on a skewer and handed it to Laina. “Your dedication might be growing on us. This Baileys is vegan, too. It’s made with almond milk.”
“Oh. My. God,” Laina said, sampling her own slice of heaven. “I don’t know what I love more, this marshmallow drenched with Baileys, or my friends.”
Laina amused Claire. She was about to speak, but then saw Caroline approaching them. Their laughter stopped.
“Good evening, ladies. Have you had a good day?”
They all nodded.
“That’s great. I have a special treat planned for you this evening.”
“Oh?” Claire said, wondering what the surprise might be. “We’ve had too many treats already,” she said, noticing that the marshmallow bag was half-full.
“It’s not food.”
“What is it?”
“A night excursion to Daydream Island.”
“After all these years, it’s about time we went to that island,” Anne said. “Is this part of the new development?”
The conversation stopped and no one said a word. Claire heard a pop and a spark drifted off into the night. She wouldn’t admit it to her friends, but back in the day, Peter and her had taken a kayak to the island. The memory caused sadness.
Caroline cleared her throat. “Daydream Island is not part of our usual guest experience, but we wanted to expand. I thought you’d be the perfect group to give the island a try.”
“I don’t know,” Claire said, studying the dark ocean. “I don’t feel like getting into a boat at this late hour.”
Anne poked her shoulder. The friend who had touched her with tenderness earlier. “You’re not fun anymore. What’s happened to you, Claire, are you scared?”
“Certainly not.”
“Do you know how to swim?” Sarah asked, “just in case.”
“Yes, of course I know how to swim.”
Laina made a face. “We could skinny dip. Can you imagine it? Middle-aged women thrashing about in the water?”
Claire shook her head, laughing. “I don’t think so. It wouldn’t support your acting career if you were caught in a compromising situation.”
“Swimming would be safer near the shores of Daydream Island,” Laina replied.
“It sounds dreamy,” Sarah said, sighing. “Not the swimming naked part, but four friends cuddled in their sleeping bags, staring at the night sky, dreaming…”
Claire didn’t know why they were discussing this idea so late in the evening. “It sounds cold to me.”
Caroline interrupted them. “You’ll be sleeping inside a cabin with glass skylights. If you liked the gazebo, you’ll love the cabin.”
“It sounds amazing. Come on, Claire…” Anne said hopefully. “How often do you get a chance to look at the night sky from the safety of your bed?”
Claire stared at her friends’ expectant looks. “This means a lot to you. Doesn’t it?”
“More than you know,” Sarah replied.
“All right, let’s do it, let’s go to Daydream Island.”
“Yay, Kumbaya…” Anne, Sarah and Laina howled, clapping their hands. They jumped up from their chairs and danced around the fire.
Caroline said, “Your friends have taken the liberty of packing an overnight bag for you.”
“What? You agreed to this without discussing it with me?”
Anne shrugged. “We might have had an idea you’d agree. You like adventure, after all, or you used to.”
“That doesn’t excuse you for not telling me.”
Anne touched her shoulder again. “We know, you love adventure but hate surprises.”
“Ladies, if you’ll follow me, Graham is waiting. He’ll take you to Daydream Island.”
“Ah….” Claire cried out, “Okay, let’s go. Let’s sleep beneath the stars. Who am I to prevent an evening journey? Who knows what we’ll find on Daydream Island?”
* * *
Claire didn’t announce her fears, but she hoped she wouldn’t face further memories from her past.
Chapter Seven
Peter stood at the dock, his bag held in his hand, remembering Mary’s words: “We know this is an unusual request, but time away could be beneficial. Will you agree to an unconventional approach?”
Peter had stared at his in-laws, witnessing their hopeful expressions. He hadn’t wanted to say no any more than he wanted his marriage to end. But the thought of spending five days on Daydream Island with Claire could either cause a fight, earning him a world of hurt, or yes, possibly open the door for compromise.
There was a benefit to spending quality time with Claire on the island. Neither a bakery nor an accounting firm would interrupt their relationship.
Though he regretted interfering with Claire’s mindfulness retreat. Would she be angry with him, or with her friends, when she found out about this plan? Either way, it was too late for recriminations. In the end, he agreed to the counseling.
The motorboat left the dock and Peter listened to its motor as it cut across the bay, taking him away from Summer Landing toward the only woman he had ever loved.
Chapter Eight
When Claire woke up the next morning, her friends were gone. Although there were few noticeable sounds in the cabin, she didn’t concern herself with their absence while brewing coffee. Maybe they were sleeping. Possibly visiting on the outdoor patio. When the coffee was ready, she carried a mug to the patio, hoping to join them, but was surprised to find an unoccupied space and empty chairs.
She massaged her mug with her fingers. “Where is everyone?” she wondered aloud, seeing a second cabin perpendicular to her own.
Carrying her coffee, she went back inside the cabin to check the second bedroom. It was empty, too. The beds were made. No luggage had been left on the floor. She abandoned the cabin and walked along the boardwalk that led to the beach, but except for one noisy gull, the rocky shoreline seemed deserted. The sound of the ocean encouraged her to walk toward the sea, to roam close to the water’s edge, picking up the odd rock and shell. The wind blew cold, brushing against her cheeks.
What’s happening?
Claire returned to the cabin, realizing that not only were her friends missing, their belongings were gone as well. She sat at the table and retrieved her cell phone from her purse. She texted Anne:
“Where are you?”
No response.
She texted Sarah, and then Laina.
She watched the screen, waiting…hoping for a reply, but didn’t receive a response.
Maybe the reception was bad; maybe there wasn’t cell service on the island.
She rose upward with her mug in her hand and walked to the cabin door and peered outside. Where were her friends?
Her phone beeped. Claire glanced at the screen but didn’t recognize the number.
Your presence is requested at center court at noon. All will be explained. Wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes.
Confused, Claire placed her phone on the table. Who sent this? What did the cryptic message mean?
Chapter Nine
Claire went to the bedroom to change into more appropriate clothes. A simple woman, a pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt suited her while at retreat. She retrieved the carry bag from the floor and placed it on the bed. Opening it, she discovered an envelope with her name written on the paper, which lay on top of an unfamiliar coral t-shirt. She grasped the envelope, pulled a slip of paper from its sleeve, and began reading.
Claire,
We hope you’ll understand and won’t be disappointed in your friends. In consultation with the camp counsellor and your parents, we decided you need more than we can give. You mean a lot to us. Everything we’ve done, we’ve done for our friendship. Your happiness matters most. Don’t be angry. Embrace this opportunity.
Love Anne, Sarah, and Laina.
Claire let the letter drift to the floor, confused. Wh
at did this mean?
Claire took the t-shirt from the bag and held it in her hands, partial to the coral color. The printed quote emblazoned across a large white daisy gave an inspiring message: Let it be.
Removing her pajama top, she dressed in a white bra and the new top, then slipped into a well-worn pair of blue jeans. It was time to determine this meeting’s purpose.
When Claire arrived at the meeting spot, Caroline Dean awaited her guest. The camp director stood near a patio table in a garden space adorned with attractive flowers: garden pots of mixed florals; purple fountain grass, pink dahlias and various cosmos and green shrubbery. The presentation normally would have inspired inner peace. Yet the mystery surrounding this get-together made her uncomfortable.
Claire tried to smile, breathing a mix of sea air and floral scents. Caroline gave her a reassuring half-smile. If the look meant to offer comfort, the serious intent behind it only made Claire more nervous, giving rise to nerves and a queasy stomach. No doubt, her mother had instigated this.
“Good afternoon, Claire, I’m sure you have questions.”
“I don’t understand. Where are my friends? Why have they left me to deal with who knows what? What’s happening here?”
“You will understand in a moment, but in the meantime, please take a seat. Your husband will join you presently.”
Claire stepped forward, her face wrinkling in surprise. “Peter?”
“Yes, Peter, your husband.”
Confused, Claire sat on the chair near the table. Her mind reeled with anticipation. Peter, the man who had left her, would join her. Why? She studied the immediate area, searching for him. A door closed in the cabin opposite to her own. Peter soon walked toward her.
A Sea for Summer Page 4
