Free Entangled Summer by Michele Barrow-Belisle

sighed staring at the photo.
    “Her dreams.”

Chapter Fourteen

     
     
    You know, when you’ve been called crazy for most of your life, you get pretty good at recognizing the symptoms in other people. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, realizing I needed to get out of this woman’s office, now. Yet, I was frozen in place, listening to her brand of crazy that made mine sound, pretty mundane.
    I pressed my hands on the desk and leaned in. “I don’t get it. What do you mean her dreams ?” Was this some kind of cross speak? An obscure euphemism for, who knows what?
    Grace reached across the desk and grabbed both of my hands. “Nora. She’s trapped there. She made a choice, and she chose to stay. I want you to find something to stay here in this world for. Love. Your grandfather. This job. Your future. I don’t care what it is. But you must choose to remain here.”
    I shook my head tugging my hands free. Her grip tightened before she released me.
    “My daughter Celeste, dreamed of a man, one she believed she loved. He took her from this world. But she had a purpose here, and I believe you have a purpose as well, in this life. Don’t you want to be free from the demon haunting you?”
    “What is it with everyone and my higher purpose suddenly?” If I wasn’t so annoyed and disturbed, I’d add that Darcy was hardly a demon. But this didn’t seem the time, since apparently my counselor needed a counsellor of her own.
    “Maybe your higher purpose is to unlock the puzzle of your own mind Nora. Something is holding you captive. Wouldn't you like to be free from it?”
    “I don't know,” I sighed, the fight dissipating. Did freedom entail giving up my dreams entirely, because I wasn't sure that's what I wanted. I’d much rather have a different ending to them. And if I was honest, I wasn't ready to let my fictitious relationship with Darcy go. Not when it was as close to true love as I'd ever been. Sure I could see myself falling in love with Troy, but that was crazy and there was no way it was mutual. He was as no-strings as they came. He had to be. But lately I was beginning to wonder if Kenzie was right. Maybe my Darcy crush was holding me back.
    I nibbled my lip. “So how does this work exactly? Becoming free?”
    In this moment, with her eyes wild and wide and her hair untucked from its pristine bun, Grace looked less like the school counsellor and more like the mystic fortune-teller that gave readings at the county fair.
    “The energies are lining up to support this event.” Her pupils dilated as she spoke, which sent chills skittering down my spine.
    “Darcy will step from your dreams into your real waking life, to bring you back to his. And that is when you will need to make some firm decisions about your relationship with this man.”
    I stared at her then blinked. “You mean that metaphysically, not literally. Right?”
    She just watched me.
    Not this again. “You can't seriously believe he's actually going to appear here, in the flesh?”
    Again more silence.
    Well this was all the crazy I could handle for one day.
    I shoved back my chair. “I’m really sorry for your loss Miss Strange.” Boy was she well named. “But I don’t really think this,” I gestured back and forth from her to me, “is a very good idea. Clearly it’s too painful for you. So, I uh, think I better go.” I headed for the door.
    In a flash she was up and in front of me, blocking my path.
    “You made an agreement. A commitment. Leave now and you throw everything away,” she warned. The wild look in her eyes had returned. Chills chased up and down my spine as she refused to let me leave.
    “Grace. I have to go.” I narrowed my eyes. “Move out of my way.”
    “You’ll lose your job. You’ll lose your life. You’ll lose everything.” Her voice pitched higher, bordering on deranged manic.
    “I don’t care.” I shouted. “Now move. Please.” My hands balled at my sides, and my heart hammered at my chest.