Chapter 9
A Grand Exit
Geralty got up off the bench he had shared with Seymore and went into the library, sat down at the specimen table and to begin creating the perfect send off for Sarah. As he looked at the row of small neatly labeled catalogues of everything in the collection, he decided that he would begin a history of Seymore Place and he would add to it everyday. It would be his private contribution to the experiment. He would start his diary with his agreement with Seymore to collaborate on Sarah’s departure tribute. He took down a fresh notebook, took one of the pens from the holder and began his private journal of ES360 by designing a bon voyage for Sarah.
Seymore remained in the office with the freshly returned Mesa eager to hear her findings on the current condition of the extremities of ES360. Mesa was equally glad to tell him and would include all the information from all three of her trips.
She began, “The light, as you have suspected, has grown in strength and its purpose is very clear, don’t you think?” she didn’t wait long enough for him to question how she knew what he knew. “On the underside of the dome the funnel of light extends far out into the atmosphere beyond the base of the dome and is swirling with such force that it constantly grows and extends itself. It actually seems to tug at the dome’s foundations. After seeing the gigantic formation I am sure that we need to act very soon to send Sarah home because the light is eager to take off!”
And then she paused and said, “Which is going to be very hard to do. I know she wants to go, and the light certainly wants to take her back, but I will miss her. She’s just wonderful, brave, and bright and delightful company. Poor Fred is going to be very sad when she leaves. And Geralty may have the hardest time of all seeing her off. And then there’s you, Seymore. ”She stopped short of giving Seymore her diagnosis of his state of mind. Mesa didn’t feel quite that brave.
It was not possible for Mesa to be more emotional than that meaningful endorsement of Sarah and it was high praise to be so admired by the fragment of Mercury. She knew that the departure was going to be hard on Seymore though he may not realize that just yet. Seymore would be OK, but she knew that Geralty was likely to be very upset when he had to say goodbye to the warm and endearing earthgirl. But then some things had happened in her absence that would make everything easier for everyone, including Mesa
As Mesa and Seymore continued their review, Geralty spent a long time, longer than he expected, writing up his ideas for Sarah’s departure celebration. He carefully closed the journal he had started, gathered his notes and peaked into the study to make sure Sarah was still resting and then went through to the office. He took a place at the table with Seymore and Mesa and smiled sweetly under eyes that glittered with anticipation.
He said, “As you suggested Seymore, I have some notes on ideas about how we can create a wonderful way to celebrate the first time a light is returned to The Rim and let Sarah know how much we love and will miss her when she has gone home. ”He paused, hoping that Mesa would say nothing even though this was all news to her. Mesa, wisely, said nothing. But secretly she was thrilled to see Geralty take such initiative and saw this new assignment had enhanced his image and brightened his demeanor. She thought he was quite poised and enjoyed his new found confidence.
He went on, “I think that we each need to have an opportunity to express our affection and appreciation to Sarah privately; and I think Sarah would appreciate some privacy with each of us, including Fred. A few gestures of affection that we could all make when she leaves for the dome for the last time would be appropriate too. I would like to hug her or maybe salute, I’m not sure. Perhaps you two could choose what you want to do. I think holding hands is nice, and linking arms is good to. You get the idea. ”He looked for a reaction; none was evident, but his audience seemed to be with him so far.
“When Sarah is ready to leave, I think that you, Seymore, should carry Fred and go with Sarah to open the door in the study that leads out to the arched walkway and stay there as she goes down the path to go into the dome. I really think you’ll need to hold Fred tightly, Seymore, because I think he thinks he’s her cat now not yours. Sorry, but I really think so. ”He stopped again to see how this opinion was going to register. Both of his compatriots nodded indicating that he could be right about Fred.
“Before we begin to say goodbye, I think we should all gather in the library and ask Sarah if there is anything she needs or wants to know or wants to say to all of us about her stay here at Seymore Place. I’ll bet there’s plenty that she hasn’t asked or said and she deserves a chance to do that so she feels as complete as possible before she leaves. ”Mesa and Seymore continued to give Geralty their undivided attention. They were both impressed with the depth and richness of the young man’s understanding of the coming change.
“Lastly, I think we should give Sarah something to take with her. I know we will have to be careful what it is. Anything tangible probably won’t make the trip and it could be really disturbing if she arrives back at the hospital with something that she obviously didn’t have when she left. And the light doesn’t seem to like strange things; at least that’s my personal experience. But I thought we might give her a short, easy to remember song. ”He carefully looked up and went on, “And maybe a little dance to go with it. ”He put down his notes on Mesa’s elegant table, sat back in his chair and asked for opinions.
After a short interval, Seymore said, “You’ve done well, Geralty, and I can’t find anything in your plan that I would change. Is there anything you would like to add, Mesa?” Before she could answer, he quietly added, “She really is leaving very soon, isn’t she?” He looked down and both Mesa and Geralty were acutely aware that he was doing his best to cope with what was heartfelt sadness.
Mesa softly answered Seymore, “Yes, Seymore, she is. We need to remember that it is what we all want and anything else would defeat the entire purpose we are dedicated to fulfill. I don’t imagine that we will ever again have the opportunity to know or share such a fine relationship with another white light traveler, but we can be very grateful that we did get to cherish and help Sarah. She has been courageous and generous and made it easier for us to create something of enormous value. It’s truly wonderful”
She turned to Geralty and said, “I like your ideas very much. Have you had time to work on a song for Sarah? ”He said he hadn’t and Mesa said she would be glad to help, if he didn’t mind.
Geralty was surprised and elated that the magical Mercury fragment would want to create with him. She reached out and drew two small silver tin whistles from the desk and handed one to Geralty. He had never played an instrument, but as Mesa took hers and gentle blew into one end he did the same and together they began to experiment with ideas about lyrics and simple tunes.
Seymore was charmed and listened to their melodious efforts and suggestions for meaningful lyrics. Then he decided to check on Sarah and left the musical collaborators. He crossed the library and looked in to the study. Sarah continued to doze, arms folded around Fred held close under her chin. Fred opened one eye slightly without enthusiasm, closed it and Seymore left.
He turned back to the library and noticed that Geralty had apparently been using the specimen table as his desk and had left one of the journals out on the top. As he picked it up he noticed that it had no label on the spine so he opened it to check the contents so he could put it in the right place. But what he found was Geralty’s initial effort at starting a record of events at Seymore Place and again he thought how he had underestimated him. He didn’t read the journal entry but simply closed it and left it on the desk top. But he made a pledge to begin Geralty’s enlightenment as his potential protégé. He knew he could use the help, and that was, after all, why Mesa had brought him here, though he still didn’t know from where. It was time he asked.
He sat down at the handsome oak pedestal table and idly thumbed through one of the art folios and thought ab
out what needed to happen to complete Sarah’s journey home. His main task was finished as he was certain that Sarah would return to The Rim safely and be reunited with her physical body and the baby it protected. And Geralty’s plans for a meaningful ceremony were just right. But he still wasn’t sure that she would forget being here. And, frankly, a part of him wished she would remember, but he had a strong intuition that was not a good idea. What did he need to do and how could he be sure that she had forgotten about ES360?
He heard soft footfalls and looked up to see Sarah in the study door. He quickly motioned for her to join him. She lowered herself into on the elegantly carved chair and hesitantly asked, “Can I tell you something? ”Seymore looked deep into her eyes and said, “Anything!”
She clasped her hands on the table and looked down and then up at Seymore and replied, “I was sleeping, Seymore, something I haven’t done much since I’ve been here and more than that, I was dreaming. I was dreaming that I was home where I used to live and it was sunny and bright and I was really happy.” She paused and again looked down, “At least I thought I was happy until I realized that I was alone and couldn’t find anyone I loved. I went from room to room and searched and searched but I couldn’t fine anybody and then I started to forget their names and then I was all alone and back in the hospital and then I suddenly woke up. Now I feel scared. What if nothing is the same when I get back? What if bad things have happened to me or my baby or my boyfriend? What will become of me?”
Seymore was racking his brain to figure out what dreaming was .He had heard a few of the personalities in transition at Middle Mind mention dreams but they had never played a part in what he worked with so he had no idea what they were. His own memories of time at The Rim were fully integrated and details were merged with main events that had been resolved or continued in new forms. His recall of Rim events was just an overview without details and specifics.
He masked his lack of information with an evasion, “Tell me more about when you knew you were dreaming. ”She looked at him, frowned and then thought for a moment. “Well, when I first laid down on the day bed I was just resting and then for a while I sort of dozed and then I fell asleep and it seemed like a very long time since I slept. I guess the dream started after I had been sleeping really soundly and stopped when I suddenly woke up. Does that help?” Seymore said it did and now he remembered that dreams were a part of the long rest and renewal period that personalities at The Rim used regularly to restore energy and maintain continuous positions in time and space.
He then had an insight that would probably solve the potential problem of Sarah remembering ES360. He looked at her with affection and suggested, “I think that you have had a premonition of your trip home and have given yourself instruction to go home and reclaim your purpose for living at The Rim. To do that some of your past, probably most of what you remember about being here and even some of your previous relationships at The Rim will change or disappear completely. And, I think that’s probably right. You have been in a bad accident and in the hospital and have had an amazing adventure traveling far outside your regular environment. That’s a lot of change and naturally things will be different. ”Then he ventured, “In some way we don’t understand, the light may be communicating with you. The dream seems to say that you will return, and soon, and that things will be different and changed and that you will reach the hospital and reawaken to your renewed life. That would be a good result; pretty much exactly what you want.” He smiled for Sarah and hoped that she also could claim some hope from his version of her dream; and that the suggestion about what to forget would do the trick. It was a nice try.
As they sat together Seymore reached out to take Sarah’s hand. He looked at its pale, smooth skin and slender fingers and could hardy contain his emotions. He was deeply moved as he looked in her eyes and quietly said, “Sarah, thank you for coming here and know that I will hold you in my heart with love. ”They stood together and wrapped their arms around each other and sobbed.
They gradually regained their composure and both smiled as they heard the faint notes of the tin whistle players in the office. Sarah looked up at Seymore, smiled, and took his hand and walked with him across the library and into the office. Geralty and Mesa were carefully playing the latest version of what they now called Sarah’s Song. They stopped and smiled widely in unison making it obvious that they were having a wonderful time.
Sarah said, “Oh, play it again!” They immediately turned to each other, laughed and played the lilting eight note tune and then they all clapped in appreciation. Geralty told Sarah it was her song to take with her so she would feel safe. They told her there were words and a short step dance to match the music. Mesa said she would play the tune and Geralty would sing. He looked a little embarrassed but in a gentle soprano voice he sang:
I always know that I am loved
Sarah’s eyes welled with tears and she went over to where Geralty was standing for his solo and wrapped her arms around him, held him very closed and whispered, “I love you, Geralty” in his ear. He clung to her and silently cried into her shoulder and muttered “Oh, I love you so much! ”They rocked each other until they both felt their emotions ebb and then smiled and sat down together on the bench.
Mesa continued to play Sarah’s Song and Seymore took a place in a magic chair, and they all just sat for a long time surrounded by their love for each other and listening to the tin whistle’s gentle tune fill the air. Sarah spoke of her desires for her child and her earnest hope for a rapid recovery once she was back at The Rim. Seymore told everyone about his hopes and wishes for the success of the station and how much he appreciated what had already been done. Mesa made a special prediction that the station would one day be a star in the Support System in which they all served. She replayed the little tune several times and they all sang along. Presently, Mesa stopped playing and reached under the magic table to grasp Sarah’s hand and hold it with gentle kindness as they all drank in the moment as a wonderful expression of their affection and deep sense of accomplishment.
Seymore looked around the table and then said to Sarah, “You may never know the true measure of your gift when you brought us your light and your company. We are very grateful.
Then Sarah said, “I think I am about ready to leave for home. ”Her voice caught as she said it, but she knew it was true.
With that Seymore invited Geralty to go with him to find Fred. When they were gone, Mesa turned to Sarah and said, “It is very hard to accept that you are leaving. But I want you to know that your impression will always be on Seymore Place and that we will never forget you and send our love with you. I am glad you like the song and I will sing it too every time I think of you. Teach it to your baby.” She smiled, squeezed the small hand again and then suddenly leaned over and brushed a gentle kiss across Sarah’s cheek. Sarah put her fingers on the kiss and looked at Mesa with loving gratitude. Though Sarah would never know, it was the only time that a light traveler would be kissed by a Mercury fragment.
Seymore returned without Geralty or Fred and invited Sarah and Mesa to come with him to the library. When they were all present Seymore announced, “Geralty promised us a little step dance to go with Sarah’s Song and he’s going to teach it to us.” Sarah could see that Geralty was not used to being the star of the group so she went to stand next to him and took his hand. Fred sat on the round oak table and Seymore and Mesa prepared to watch and learn.
Geralty began, “This is a short, quick step dance with six steps and two finger snaps. Stamp and then step forward and back with this foot and be sure it meets the floor smartly, snap your fingers then do the same with the other foot and snap your fingers. Ok, everybody together.” The song fit the dance exactly, but it took four tries for the group to get the dance steps right and in unison and two more to get the stamps and snaps at the right places. But when they did they danced and danced and laughed and laughed. It was great fun and tru
ly unforgettable. Imagine a Mercury fragment, and small mental pattern, the administrator of Middle Mind and a sweet earthgirl dancing and singing around a cat on a table.
When they were finished with dancing and mutual congratulations on their terpsichordian talents, Seymore said, “There just one more part to our little program. ”He invited everyone to sit at the oak table, put Fred on his lap and turned to Sarah.
He said, “We all thought you might like an opportunity to say whatever you want or ask any questions you might have before you make your fantastic journey.” He paused and looked first at Sarah, then around the table and then down at Fred as he stroked his back and gently held him in place.
Sarah wasn’t quite sure if she had anything to say or ask and wasn’t prepared. She sat back and then said, “I know how I got here but I don’t understand how any of you got here or where you came from. Can you tell me?” No one said a word.
After an awkward pause, Seymore spoke up and said, “Sarah, we all come from places that are so different from ES360 that it would be hard to explain. But I can say that we all were charged with some part of the creation that is Seymore Place. In the places where we came from and even this place, there really is no where, they are more like planes of energy forms. The planes are meaningful and important, but, Sarah, none are as powerful or as rich as The Rim. All the places, the ones we came from and all the others and certainly this one, are in service to those who create at The Rim. That service is the entire purpose of the Support System in which we all serve. ”He stopped unsure of how to continue without saying too much or too little.
Then it came to him. “I believe that the nature of The Rim with its incredible creative powers is the main force that propels and returns the brilliant white lights like the one you are going to join for the journey back. We don’t yet know how that is accomplished. The creators at earth do though not consciously as near as we can tell. Does that make sense to you?” This insight was unexpected and he knew it was part of the puzzle of the creation of the lights.
Sarah said, “Actually, it does. But I have never ever imagined most of what I saw and experienced since I left my body in my hospital room and flew away from The Rim. I don’t quite see how The Rim could be more creative than the magic I have seen here.”
Then Seymore surprised himself again when he said, “With few exceptions everything that is at ES360 originated in the rich and fertile fields of energy that compose your earth; it is the only source of true originality. Some skills and concepts have been translated from The Rim, blended and condensed at other planes and platforms such as this one, but they sprung from the astonishing invention and inspiration that can only be found at The Rim where you live and create. You are one of the creators and have abilities and gifts that are our constant inspiration.”
Sarah didn’t know if she got an answer to her question or not, but she certainly got more than she expected and she decided to be happy with that. After a short interval she looked up and around the table at her wonderful companions and said, “I love you all very much and I know it is because of you that I am safe and can make my way back home. It is hard to accept that to be safe at home I have to leave you.” She looked at her companions with deep affection through watery eyes. “I’m ready now, are you?”
They all stood up together and looked around again as they knew this would be the last time they would be together. Seymore was holding Fred close to his chest and Sarah reached up and kissed one of his ears and stroked his lovely fur. His eyes were wide and it was obvious that he knew something important was about to happen.
Seymore gave the instructions for the last steps in the departure design, “Sarah, you and I and Fred are going to go to the door that leads to the arched walkway and Geralty and Mesa are going to watch from the big window in the office. I’m going to hold Fred so he can’t follow you; we are all sure he will want to. You can go to the light at your own pace. Is there anything else you would like for us to do?” She said no, there wasn’t, and turned to leave through door to the study and turned back for one last look. Geralty and Mesa gave her deep bows of respect and turned toward the office as she went on into the study with Fred and Seymore close behind.
She stood aside so Seymore could open the door, ran her hand down Fred’s long tail, smiled at Seymore who told her, “Remember: You’ll always know that you are loved.” He smiled and she walked through the door and started down the arched walkway.
Instantly long thick arms of light reached down the path and guided her ever so gently into the center of the light and she was gone.