As we sit in the living room waiting, Gram walks in. “I know you’ve all been trying to figure out what I’ve been doing, so I figured it was time to fill you in.” She takes a deep breath, slumping down on the arm of the couch. “I don’t believe what the doctor said. I don’t believe your pap is gone. If he were, I would feel it . . . and I don’t. When you share your life with someone for more than forty years, you become a part of each other. And I still feel his presence as if he were standing right here.” Gram points to the ground beside her.
She pauses, tears building in her eyes. “Does anyone in this room believe he’s gone? Honestly? Don’t be afraid to answer.” Gram scans our faces, looking for a sign she hadn’t noticed before.
We look around at each other, shaking our heads. But no one speaks up to say they think any differently than she does.
Is it possible she’s right?
“Okay. Just as I thought. I need you all to trust me. I plan to do all the work, but the only thing I’ll ask of you is to form a Prayer Circle while I recite an incantation.” She shakes her head in my direction. “And to put minds at ease, no. I don’t know a way to bring someone back to life.
“The whole purpose of this ritual is to wake your pap, as I believe he’s simply lost in a coma so deep the doctors only think he’s gone. I’ve heard this sort of thing happens all the time. If by chance I’m wrong—and the doctors are right—then obviously nothing will happen.
“But with every fiber of my being, I don’t believe your pap has left us. I would know if he had. But I need to know you all trust me and believe in what I’m planning to do. We have to unite as a family to generate the sort of magic that’s needed to perform this ritual. So the question is, can I count on you?” Grams attention goes to me. I’d normally put up a fight to participate in a spell—but how can I not try if there might be a chance?
Without hesitation, I stand up, the rest of my family following suit. “Yes, you can count on us,” we say together.
“Morgan, Chloe, are you sure? You’ll need to be one hundred percent committed to this.”
We both nod. I wouldn’t dream of not trying, and I guarantee Aunt Morgan feels the same.
Gram puts her hands together in front of her face, eyes overflowing. “Fabulous. This could definitely work.”
Aunt Morgan steps towards her. “Are you planning to invoke the spirit, or do you have something else in mind?”
Gram wipes the tears from her rosy cheeks. “Yes, dear, I do plan to invoke the spirit. But there’s also something else . . . something I heard about as a child, but never got confirmation on.” She stands with her head held high. “Let’s just say, according to our ancestors, we have an enormous amount of magic at our disposal. So I’d like to tap into it.”
“What do you mean?” Dru asks, moving closer to Gram.
“I really don’t want to say anything else, in case it doesn’t work. Just trust me, dear, okay?” She smiles, touching her hand to his cheek.
“So when do you plan to do this?” Dhelia blurts out.
“Tonight. After nightfall.”
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
Crap. They’re here with Pap.
I have to admit—after hearing what Gram had to say—I find myself filled with optimism for the first time since I found out he was sick. Even more surprising, I’m somewhat excited to see what she has planned.
Talk about a one-eighty.
Since I returned home, I haven’t seen my abilities as a curse the way I used to. Perhaps getting older—and being with my family again—has made me appreciate things. These past few days I’ve even found myself wishing I could tell Hunter. Granted, I know it’s way too early to share my secret. But it would feel great to share it with someone. My fear, however, is that Hunter would be so freaked out he’d never speak to us again. The way my father wished he’d been able to.
Hunter’s such a down-to-earth guy. The straight and narrow type. There’s no way he’d understand such an alternative lifestyle, which is why I know I need to end things before it ever gets that far.
But I can’t worry about that now.
After a long morning of waiting—and worrying—they push Pap’s bed in along with the ghastly machines. I can’t even imagine a world without this full-of-life man in it. My heart hurts just thinking about it. I wonder though, will Gram be twice as devastated if she tries to save him—and fails? She’s been so convinced he’d be okay, so it’s clear she hasn’t prepared for this. I’d say she’s been in denial. We all have. Who knows, maybe even more so now. Even if it turns out to be the case, having hope, even if it’s short-lived, still feels better than no hope at all. It’s the fuel that pushes people through tough times.
After twenty minutes of instructions from the EMT’s, Dru and Aidan wheel Pap’s bed back to the sunroom. Even though we have seven or eight hours to wait, Gram wants him there to perform a cleansing ritual. I have no clue what’s involved, but she’s determined to spend the day eliminating any negative energy that may have come from the hospital with him.
We follow them through the house, but once we make it to the illuminated bsunroom, Gram asks if she can be alone for the afternoon with him. Without question, we respect her wishes. Who could deny her this time alone with the man she loves. Especially if it’s the last she’ll ever have.