Niamh River

By Mali Berger

Niamh OShea River meets Anabelle Hill at Galways Hotel Meyrick on June 11, 2014. Their husbands, Adam and Sam, have disappeared from Connemara and Grand Traverse Bay, and Kiana Andersson from Stockholm arrives to help the frantic women solve a mystery that spans time and space in the two areas as well as on the Green Planet. Their anguish deepens when Francesca enters the fray in a 2007 flashback. She has written a manuscript detailing the lives of the two women seven years before they occur in up-to-the-minute happenings. How does Niamh River end up in New York City in 2016 writing similar books seven years hence in 2023 for the next travelers who gather at the 95 St and Broadway red brick building?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 26, 2009
• ISBN: 9781465322722

Mali Berger

The author of seven books, including three novels in the Irish Trilogy, Steenie OShea, Aines Story and Niamh River, that takes place in Galway, Ireland, Mali Berger has also published short stories, a memoir and a book for children. In addition, she writes bi-monthly articles for the Arizona Authors Association. Mali taught American Literature in Michigan and Chinese Universities as well as The Dalton School in Manhattan and presently balances life between New York City and Galway, Ireland with visits to Dublin. Her love for drama and the theater as well as bundles of books from Kennys Book Shop in Galway are mirrored in her stories.

Book preview

Chapter One

Niamh River (Neeve) knew she was coming. Expected her in February but something occurred to postpone the journey, an injury of some sort. Actually the first whisperings washed over her last November, just a hint, an intimate undertone suggesting she was coming to Galway at last as soon as February.

All spring she had been uneasy. Alert for new murmurs, careful not to miss anything. But all was quiet. June 11, 2014, yes, this was the day she was coming. She knew it to be true. All systems were on high alert.

Leaving her cottage on Aran Way at seven this morning, she quickly drove the few miles to Hotel Meyrick, glanced around the spacious lobby, stepped across the diamond shaped, marble floor and settled into one of the many comfortable chairs. Kiana would be here within the hour. Trembling a bit from the expected meeting, the long awaited event, Niamh recalled her mother, Steenie’s, advice. When the time is right the traveling woman will appear.

Well, the time was right, a little late in fact and… there she was coming through the revolving door, dark blond hair swinging long in motion and wide smile on her face. Niamh stood, the woman nodded and bee lined right to her, carry-on luggage in one hand and laptop case in the other.

You are Niamh River, I presume, Steenie O’Shea indicated you would be here to greet me from my journey. I’m Kiana Andersson from Stockholm. It’s nice to meet you.

Steenie and Maurice Meehan, my parents, passed over two years ago, so where did you meet mother? Niamh blurted out. I mean I’m so glad to meet you at last, but just when did you see my mother?

At the Stockholm Station.

And the Blue Planet?

Yes, now and then, Niamh, but they have moved on to other destinations.

So, I’ll not see them again? I’m so lost without Steenie and Maurie.

So you should be, Niamh, perhaps one day you will meet again. You resemble your mother, same deep blue eyes and light auburn hair, though Steenie’s hair was shorter and brighter red.

Niamh nodded, Yes, ’tis true, both in physical appearance and in spirit, we’re alike.

Kia glanced around the lobby. Has the American arrived yet? I’m supposed to meet the two of you.

Startled, Niamh thought this was the reason for the several months delay. I expected you in February. Were we waiting for the American?

Yes, there was a slight holdup, but she should be here by now. She flew in from Chicago yesterday. Hmm, I wonder…

Kia walked over to the registration desk. Has Anabelle Hill from Traverse City, Michigan arrived?

Distracted from the computer, the frazzled clerk glanced up at Kia’s question. Sighing, she clicked in a couple keys, Yes, room 423, shall I ring her?

Please… Bella, this is Kia Andersson. I’m in the lobby with Niamh River. Can you meet us in the coffee shop? Pardon? Yes, that would be fine. We’ll be up in a few minutes.

Returning to Niamh, Kia said, We’re headed to her room; she has refreshments for us.

Good. That’ll give us a chance to get acquainted. Are you expecting others to join us?

No, just the three of us this time.

They exited the elevator on the fourth floor and hurried down a wide corridor filled with paintings, to the corner room with door flung open by an excited woman who ushered them into the attractive space.

I’m Bella Hill, come in, come in, coffee, tea, juice and a variety of scones and soda breads are ready for you.

Good morning Bella, I’m Kia Andersson from Stockholm, and this is Niamh River from Galway. How was your flight?

Long. I had two flights, one from Traverse City to Chicago and a second Aer Lingus on schedule to Shannon Airport, then a shuttle to this hotel. The eight hour time change leaves me a little off balanced.

A couple days will take care of that. smiled, Niamh. I’m happy to meet you Bella. This is a very pretty room. Love that mirror bed and Georgian accents. You seem quite settled in.

Actually I flew in two days ago. I always experience excessive jet lag on long flights and needed a good night’s sleep before meeting with you. Yes, this room is very comfortable. She walked them to the windows. I especially love seeing the seagulls early morning and evening. Then pigeons and other small black birds nestle on these ledges. Since this room is so high up, the moving curtain of rain fascinates me. I’ve never seen rain move in that design.

Wonderful view of Eyre Square and local shops and pubs, added Niamh. Bet you hear the noisy university celebrators leaving the pubs at midnight, she grinned.

That’s when I close the shutters, agreed Anabelle.

Let’s get started, said Kia. "Shall we sit around the table, eat and talk together for a couple hours? I want to go through the vibrational energy stages first. As you know, the Blues see life in four stages: their childhood gang, educational Lemurians, working within their own country as Hosiahs and eventually branching out internationally as Camerones.

Niamh, where were you raised, how were you different, when did you first know you were receiving?

"I had the best childhood ever, Kia. When Steenie O’Shea and Maurie Meehan married, their double genes gifted my childhood with a sense of wonder and mystery. I was always encouraged to seek unusual play with my gang of four friends, ride the white horses, fly in the balloons and eat only what was alive. I refused all food that didn’t vibrate when touched by my hands. The Wild West coast of Ireland was my playground including the Burren, Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher and countless cliffs and caves.

Did I feel different from others? Receiving? My mother said I was her psychic child, and at an early age she encouraged me to follow dream images, intuitive messages not just in drawings but my actual life. I refused to be controlled, insisting on following my own dreams. Not that I was a bad kid just a difficult child to educate in proper channels. At present, I knew you were arriving on June 11, 2014, after a long delay, Kia. I expected you in February.

That was my fault, Niamh, Bella said, "The delay was due to foot surgery in January. Then it took a couple months before healing was complete. I was receiving messages to initiate this elective surgery to correct problems that had evolved from my years of running races. ‘Do it now,’ I kept hearing. So I did. I was raised in Michigan. Up-North. Grand Traverse Bay Area. Like you I had the freedom to explore nature. Lake Michigan, cherry orchards, sunflower farms, miles of uncharted fields, and the sky so filled with stars and planets that I used to think there wasn’t a single spot for a new one. I sailed and fished and swam through the days. I ate mostly fresh caught fish, salads, grains, and vegetables. I also refused to eat anything that didn’t vibrate with energy under my hands. My little gang was made up of boys and girls just like me. I don’t know how we found each other, but we were surely different from our classmates.

Receiving? Not sure. I knew that adults did not say what they thought and refused to obey them. I was a little, feminine Thoreau and wasn’t about to be controlled by anyone but myself. A voracious reader, I borrowed dozens of books from the library, read most, and educated myself. Both my parents were teachers: Mom in literature and Dad in science. I think they realized that I was okay, and they let me alone to discover my own way. Terribly grateful, I am, to them.

It’s always the same, replied Kia, freedom of thought, play and education, food vibration and lots of roaming through nature often in historic ruins. ’Tis a true sign of the Blues, more children arrive each day. How about your Lemuria years in college? Anything special about them?

I graduated from the University of Michigan, continued Bella. Knew I wanted to be a writer and focused totally on literature and authors and writing classes. I published my first little stories in my junior year. Then I taught high school to support myself while writing books. Special? Perhaps it’s that complete concentration or focused intention that Blues have within themselves to follow their dreams.

I agree, Bella, added Niamh. I graduated from Trinity in Dublin and focused totally on the environment as a peacekeeper. The west coast of Ireland and my love for Galway and family have brought me home. When I reached the Hosiah stage or working in my own country, I organized anti-war marches and spoke with numerous groups. I fought for Ireland’s freedom from British rule in Belfast and Derry. Taking the next Camerone step, I joined Josie Jordan and Narcoeta in Taos, New Mexico, USA, aiding their efforts to provide a safe environment for women and children from the archaics.

I’m dying to meet Josie Jordan. Heard about her my whole life, said Bella, admiring Niamh’s opportunity. Her dark eyes shone in anticipation as she clustered her long, wavy black hair back from her face.

Kia looked at Bella. How did your Hosiah and Camerone events evolve?

It was similar to Nimah’s. I was a friend of three children orphaned when their parents drowned in Grand Traverse Bay. Relatives took them to Dublin. When they returned to the Bay with their adoptive parents, I helped them develop the Elk Rapids Art Festival, a creative endeavor to gift the area with poetry, drama and sport activities. Later I wrote a book about the wildly successful time. Moving on to the next Camerone choice, I invited eight of my favorite high school girls to join an international book reading group. Surprised I was when they came Saturday after Saturday to read, study and discuss my favorite texts. I believe we learn how to write by reading.

So where do we go from here? Why are you both on fire to meet with me at this time?

To go to Stockholm and take the secret spaceship flight to the Blue Planet, the two young women said simultaneously.

First of all, how do you know about the space flights?

Just before they passed on, explained Niamh, Steenie and Maurice told me everything. I have Maurice’s diary of his Belfast years and his first flight with Des O’Donnell to the Blue Planet. Both he and his wife, Sheila, have passed over also. I know approximately where the Spaceport is located and must go to the Blue Planet as soon as possible. Stacey has been contacting me daily. I seem to have several planetary friends directing me on this journey.

Who is Stacey, asked Bella,

She directs the monthly full moon interplanetary meetings on the Blue Planet. She is also Steenie’s sister and my aunt. I need to go, it’s imperative. She is begging me to arrive. It may have something to do with my peacekeeper, environmental focus.

So Stacy is your sponsor. Good. How about you, Bella Hill? What’s your story? How do you know about the Blue Planet?

For months I’ve been receiving material from the Blue Man and the Blue Planet. He is getting closer and closer to earth, and I’m to write his story. Then transmit it.

How do you transmit? asked Kia.

Bella confessed that she didn’t know how to do it.

Neither I, added Niamh, at least not the whole process. This is what we learn on the Blue Planet, according to my messages.

Have either of you been to the United Nations groupings? inquired Kia.

Niamh shook her head no. But Bella said, Yes, I was in New York City over the holidays and hundreds of children arrived daily for introduction into their own Blues wisdom.

Let’s meditate and try to receive a message from the Blue Planet. See if we all are on the same channel, suggested Kia.

The three sank into their own space. Fifteen minutes later, Niamh River said, I see today’s, June 11, 2014, date plus a walk down to the beach at 10:15.

Bella agreed. Let’s go. It’s 9:30 already.

Niamh drove cross-town to a small cove on Galway Bay, secluded from the busy locks and tourist travel. The three made a circle in the sand, legs outstretched, feet touching, hands on laps, eyes closed and began breathing slowly and rhythmically in through the nose and gently blowing out through the mouth. Ten or so minutes later, they entered the alpha state through repetitive OM mantras. All was silent as each woman sank into a peak intensity of mindfulness. As they sat on coarse sand, patterned to smooth designs, water rushed in covering toes, warm sun beamed on relaxed bodies, wild seaweed and grasses smelled sweet, clouds passed swiftly through blue sky and gulls screeched around the women lost in deep meditation. Experienced clairvoyants merged with each other, their intentions sent to the Blue Planet, and they simply unified and waited.

Kia awakened first. Ah, Josie so you have come to us. The time is right? Place is right? Niamh and Bella are prepared?

Hello, Kia, whispered Josie, yes, all is ready for the next full moon flight. You will stay two weeks with your charges at Niamh’s cottage here in Galway, and then fly to Stockholm, Sweden. I will meet you and drive you to our home. Niamh and Bella will take the next space-ship to the Blue Planet.

Josie, oh my God, it’s Josie, cried Niamh, awakening from her musing. At last you are here for me. I’ve waited so long. She popped up to hug the clairvoyant.

Bella opened her eyes to the astounding vision in front of her.

It’s Josie, Bella, she’s here, actually here. Did you see her in the meditation? questioned the excited Niamh.

Stunned by the happening, Bella stood and simply stared. I saw a woman but didn’t know who she was. Now I see it is the famous Josie Jordan. Am I right?

Hello, Bella, yes, I’m Josie and if you still wish I have arranged a space flight to the Blue Planet as your messages have explained.

I wish the space flight more than anything else in the whole world, assured Anabelle Hill."

I’ve explained to Kiana, that the three of you will live together in Niamh’s cottage for two weeks and then fly to Stockholm, Sweden where I will meet you and drive you to my home to meet my husband, Peter. You may stay with us until the full moon space flight to the Blue Planet.

Thank you so much, Josie, I’ll treasure every moment of being with you, promised Niamh. Shall we all go to my Aran Way cottage now?

Smiling at Steenie and Maurie’s beloved child, Josie said, First, I want to hear about your meditations. What exactly did you see?"

After stating my intention to meet with Stacey, I was suddenly there with Stacey in front of me, welcoming me to the June 30, full moon gathering on the Blue Star. I felt massive energy and then saw an environmental disaster along the shores… I’m not sure where… but peacekeepers were involved with the clean up along with the environmentalists. Next, I saw you, Josie.

Bella, asked Josie. What do you remember?

I recall floating in a Cherokee-like vehicle and wondering why I didn’t feel out of place at an inter-planetary meeting. I was also very ashamed at the bazaar behavior of violent earthlings. Then I heard Niamh calling your name.

Welcome aboard, Bella and Niamh. You are both to be on the next spaceship take-off. But for now shall we head over to your cottage, Niamh?

Stop at the hotel for my luggage? pleaded Bella.

Chapter Two

Facing the sea, the yellow cottage with white shutters and dark thatched roof would be home for Niamh’s guests while in Galway. She