Discernment by Carrie Dalby

Author:Carrie Dalby [Dalby, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carrie Dalby Cox
Published: 2023-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Ten

When I left Barton Academy after a lovely picnic with Alvin, rather than riding the streetcar, I walked toward Rapier Avenue to expel my energy. I stopped at the house long enough to drop my basket on the front porch, then continued down the street.

Althea answered my rapid knock with wide eyes, then a smile.

“I thought the neighborhood was on fire with all that racket.”

Laughing, I took her hand. “I did it!”

“You know better than that, child.” She brushed off my touch and looked up and down the street before waving me over the threshold. “You can’t be friendly like that where neighbors might catch you.”

“I see your soul, not your skin, but I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

Althea put an arm around me to steer me to the kitchen. “Now what has you so excited, Deborah?”

While she brewed coffee, I told her about my feelings at the school and the solider in Alvin’s classroom.

“And he never came back?” she asked as she set the coffee and cookies on the table, taking the seat across from me.

“No, and I didn’t feel anything until Alvin walked me to the entrance, but I was able to mask my discomfort and didn’t get physically weak.”

“So now you think you can take on Eliza Melling?”

“I believe I could.”

“A lonely soldier is a lot different than a headstrong lover.”

“You make her sound ominous.” I stirred my coffee. “Sean is so kind, I don’t see how he could be in love with anyone who wasn’t the same.”

Althea laughed. “So you and Alvin are exactly alike, are you?”

Smiling, I shrugged. “No, but neither of us are dangerous.”

“Some might consider you exactly that with your gift.” Her dark eyes flashed with warning. “Sean Francis has the heart of an explorer. He likes to discover new people and challenges. Yes, he’s generous and loving, but he enjoys the acts for how they enrich his life. Take you, for example. You have something he wants.”

“What’s that?” I nibbled a shortbread cookie as I listened.

“Sean Francis felt the pull of an adventure when you shared your gift with him. He’s catering to you with books and information because he wants to keep you close so when you dip into the unknown he has a box seat as the performance plays out.”

“I can’t believe that.” The words were spoken automatically.

“Can’t you, child?” She drummed the table with her fingers. “You’ve animated him like I haven’t seen in years. He hasn’t cast his heart to you, but his whole soul. The possibilities of reaching the spirit world through you have him mesmerized. I fear he’ll push you too far, that you’ll stretch beyond your abilities to please him, and be damaged in the process.”

“That’s impossible. Except for feeling weak, which passes, I’ve never been physically touched by the phenomenon.”

Althea shook her head. “I know you’ve seen Eliza’s stubbornness and jealousy flare.”

“I can be just as stubborn. I’m the same age, and have energy to withstand her games.”

“But you have a pure heart, child.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.