Mary Kendall, A Ghost Story
Ready To Love
https://youtu.be/VllxDWt2k6E
Bekka greets Dr Pena apologizing for her work clothes. “I was working a job and didn't have time to go home and shower and change before the appointment.”
“That is quite all right. Please sit down and tell me how you have been since your last session.”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018917_45a2bd2103_o.jpgBekka hands her journal over to the doctor so she can look at her notes. So many positive emotions with the prevalent one being happy and the newest one is loved. She tells Dr Pena how well she has felt. She didn't experience any depression or uncontrolled anger episodes after her session two days ago. She relates her evening with Jamie and admitting to herself how much he means to her. “I couldn’t let him go off on that trip not knowing how much he means to me. I think he might be my soulmate. I know not all occult find their mates, but when we kissed it was like he became part of my soul and I became part of his. I think he has felt it since we met.”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018882_ef4a9f7fc0_o.jpg“How does that make you feel after all you have experienced?” Dr. Pena listens intently as Bekka talks.
“I have to admit I’m still a little scared. My parents were soulmates. They had a beautiful relationship. It wasn’t always perfect because they were complete opposites but the love was always there even when they had disagreements. Anyone around them could see that. Jamie has been very patient as well as persistent. He was literally on his way out the door to fly to Shang Simla when I held him back and kissed him. It was hard watching him go, but the trip could not be postponed."
"I want what my parents had and yeah, I’m still a little scared. I think it is more the normal fear when you know your life is about to get turned upside down and inside out." She grins at the doctor and follows up. "I don’t fear he would hurt me. I trust him. I find so much happiness and joy in his company. Jamie shows in many different ways how much he cares about me. He doesn't try to control me either. I hope his trip doesn't take too long. I know he will be busy helping with a situation when he returns. He said we would continue our conversation when he gets back."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145800280_394575eeaa_o.jpgDr Pena offers a few suggestions to help her with the fear and asks her to return in a week. “Of course, you can schedule sooner if you need me. Keep writing in your journal. It will help you focus on your emotions and not let them get out of hand.”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018862_8358f04c5d_o.jpgAfter a long flight and no sleep, Jamie arrives in Shang Simla. Peering out the window, it is too dark to see as the plane flies over the city landing at the airport. He takes a taxi to the hotel and gets a few hours of sleep before starting his day. He has a text from Bekka that makes him smile. He tries calling her back but has no signal. He will try once more in a little bit. He grabs a bike from the rack and following the instructions from the concierge he makes his way into town.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144696266_07f3c17afa_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018832_2ecf941b48_o.jpgJamie finds Lee Jun-fan at home and introduces himself. He explains his trip to not only talk with him but to find ingredients to make a potion to cure a curse.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018807_d7eaaf12ac_o.jpgLee listens to Jamie and interrupts. “Sounds like you have two long stories. Let's talk over breakfast.”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145800175_b06b80f526_o.jpgLee shows Jamie the market place and both eat a delicious breakfast at the small cafe. Jamie gets a mushroom omelet and Lee a raspberry scone. While eating, Jamie explains Mary’s story and what has been discovered to try and help her. Lee is particularly interested that Layla was called in to help. He has never met her, but knows her reputation.
“Was the oracle able to help with a prophecy?” he asks Jamie.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018757_c7d1d9a17b_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144919403_ef98743807_o.jpg“Well, she spoke to the Fates and as you know divine prophecies are vague, lyrical and not very helpful at times. She collapsed after, from the curse, so has been unable to assist further. She is the other reason I am here. To collect ingredients for the local healer to cure the curse."
"What type of curse?" Lee asks.
"An aging curse."
"Oh dear, that is not an easy one." he raises one brow in consternation.
"Emmaline seemed to think she could do it once the ingredients were obtained."
Lee nods his head. "I would like to hear more about the prophecy.
Jamie recites it to Lee from memory.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018747_b7020347e4_o.jpgLee does not like modern technology. He feels it interferes with his powers and abilities, so he borrows a scroll from the merchant and writes the prophecy down as Jamie recites it again.
“Are you sure this is correct?”
“Yes.” Jamie plays the original recording for Lee who listens carefully as he hears Layla’s voice from the phone.
Lee asks to replay it once more, listening carefully to Layla’s inflections as she recounts the prophecy.
“It is possible some modern tools are practical. It is most instructive hearing the original recitation." He looks thoughtful at Jamie's phone. "Please, visit the markets before searching the countryside for ingredients. Some may be available in the shops. I will be willing to help with the resurrection when the time comes. I will go home and meditate and study this prophecy and inform you of what I divine from it."
Jamie thanks him for his support and offer to help.
"Not a problem, this is why I trained so I could assist others."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145800070_1a75263205_o.jpgJamie visits the merchants as suggested by Lee. He purchases a few things from his list. He also finds a few local recipe books and buys copies for Damien, Mary and Bekka since they love cooking. He sees a beautiful kimono that he wants to buy for Bekka. He wonders if it is too early in their relationship to be buying clothing? He shrugs and buys it anyway.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145800035_1862a539c7_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145800025_1643551d56_o.jpgA specific fish must be caught and brought back, and one of the merchants gave Jamie directions to a fishing spot. It is an idyllic spot to merely sit and contemplate and think about life. He’s never been much for fishing, so this may take awhile.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145800005_3cf5629f68_o.jpgJamie is not having much luck with the fishing so he calls Rebecca again. It’s ringing! She answers right away. Her voice so far away and yet it makes his heart hammer in his chest as if she is standing in front of him. He wishes she was standing next to him. He wants to taste her sweet lips again. He realizes he better stop with that train of thought. They talk about everything and nothing, just enjoying hearing each other's voice.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144696021_7000a4611a_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018552_a9e1822490_o.jpgAfter hanging up the phone, he resumes fishing and immediately has a bite on his line. He reeled in the exact fish he needed. Bekka brought him luck! While holding it up he smells that fishy smell and remembers why he never got excited about fishing.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145799925_0029aefa2a_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145799850_aa3e01bff5_o.jpgAfter putting the fish away, Jamie is feeling extremely uncomfortable and hot in his sweater and heavy clothes from home. He goes back to the market place and purchases lighter weight clothing and continues his search in comfort. He discovers another rare gem and a rubble pile that had a broken ancient bowl and some strange seeds.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145476174_249f2b4623_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145476149_155220f110_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144919068_019b04b293_o.jpgJamie heard from several sources the red assassin bugs were easier to spot at night. So, he ate supper and slept a few hours. He called Rebecca before heading back out and wished her a good night. He knew with the time difference she would be asleep when he returned. They had a wonderful talk, and it made him wish he was an occult with long-distance teleportation abilities like vampires.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144919003_42dba07bdd_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018382_ab3b0828e9_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144695761_2bc951c1e1_o.jpgIt took him awhile to find the bugs and several bites later he decides he needs to exude a calming attitude while trying to capture these particularly mean bugs. He finally captured a few making sure to get a few extra since they are so rare.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144695741_46d8bcf99b_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144018352_3ddcb48d31_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145476019_54cd8c97dc_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144918973_4c2f97f727_o.jpg