Echos

By Martha Harris

Rose is a fourth generation psychic, though chose not to use her gifts growing up. When she meets Steil, a man as unique as his name, she realizes two things - she has fallen in love with him and she must hone her gifts - known and unknown - if she is to save their lives. Will she be able to realize the full potential of her gifts in time? Is so, will those gifts be enough?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Sep 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504365345

Martha Harris

Martha Harris was born and raised on the East Coast. She moved to the West Coast over 30 years ago where she raised her five children. Martha has been trained as a CNA on both coasts, went to college for a degree as a COTA and has worked in geriatrics and with the developmentally delayed populations.

Book preview

Chapter One

W hen you lose a loved one, they say, The first year is the hardest. Yes, it’s true. That’s when the one left behind experiences the birthday, holidays, a vacation, everything without the person they had lived for, they had been a part of for years, maybe almost a lifetime. Suddenly – there is no one to share these with. The habits they had acquired throughout the years, such as morning routines and evening rituals, weekends together, visiting with friends as a couple - all gone. You now share a bed with no one. The house is much larger, colder, emptier feeling.

They also say, Once you’ve survived the first year, you must go on. You must get on with your life. Who are they? They are your friends and your family. They are the people you leaned on, who supported you, who saw you through some of the darkest times of your life. They are also the people who don’t – can’t – truly understand, even if they have also lost a loved one – they aren’t you and they didn’t lose your loved one, they didn’t share the same lives. They mean well, they really do, but how do you get over someone in a year when you spent a lifetime with them, no matter how long or short that lifetime was? You can’t. So, while you are getting better, you smile and tell them you’re okay, you’re going on, and yes, you lie and say, I am fine.

That loss was literally a lifetime ago for Darcy. In that life, she was Darcy; in this life she is Rose Ann Chandler Garten. Since she was quite young, Rose had known that her purpose was to find Raif, her past-life husband, and reunite with him. A life she had had when she was Darcy. At one time she had thought she had found him in the form of Edward Garten. They had married, and for the most part, she had felt complete by the union. However, history repeated itself, as it has a habit of doing, and Edward died seven years into their marriage.

Rose, who preferred to go by her middle name, Ann, was born into a family of psychics. They had many gifts, such as talking with ghosts, talking to each other through the mind, moving objects, and using thoughts to convince people to do or not do something. Only the females were afflicted with this gene. That’s how she saw it – as an affliction, unlike how her Mother Amber, Grandmother Jasmine, and Great Grandmother Meg saw it. They all proclaimed it was a wonderful gift. Besides, her mission in life was to find Raif. Being psychic was something she didn’t need, and chose to ignore, no matter how difficult that was to do. She flat out refused to have anything to do with psychic powers and didn’t have time or the inclination to be bothered by spirits, ghosts, hearing peoples’ thoughts and knowing things about them. Besides, another person’s thoughts were none of her business. She wanted none of it. Until Edward died, that is. She believed that Edward had been Raif in a past life. That’s why she married him.

With Edward’ s passing, she was in a vulnerable state of mind; she was open, mentally and physically, for those gifts to become prominent in her life, almost without her realizing it. Although on some level, she began to be aware that she was using her gifts. She needed to find Edward again in order to be connected with Raif. One day she would do it.

In fact, her first communication with a spirit filled her with hope. If she could see and hear that spirit – one she didn’t even know – she could certainly contact Edward, or be contacted by him, and have that connection to Raif again. She spent more than a year trying – to the exclusion of nearly all else – to find and connect with Edward. She was a mess. For the most part, other than grocery shopping once a month, she didn’t leave the house. She tried everything, but the only ones to come forward were the spirits of blood relatives. She requested, asked, begged, and demanded their help in bringing Edward forward. They claimed they couldn’t – he had to do that on his own – when he was ready. If they refused to help, she refused to connect with them.

Then she began to open herself up more and more. She was soon bombarded with spirits and ghosts, all wanting her attention and help, which she gladly gave, hoping that if she waded through them, she would get to Edward. It consumed her. There were so many. Sometimes she realized she was connecting to evil spirits; she had to cleverly move them away.

Then she went a little crazy.

Ann began to help everyone, past and present, whether they wanted or needed it, or appreciated her help. Her relatives, living and dead, warned her. She ignored them, and continued changing lives, imposing thoughts, mental pushes, giving out lottery numbers to those she deemed deserving, healing those with diseases and afflictions, without any regard to the natural order of things. The Powers That Be, who look over how gifts are used, warned her. She turned a deaf ear. In her own whirlwind, she was changing fate and the world, which can open a portal for evil to enter. Past and present relatives stepped back as the Powers That Be came forward and did something which had never been done since the beginning of time…they told her she would be stripped of her gifts.

This affected her deeply for several days; it was not because they had punished her, but how they had done it. She could care less what the Powers That Be, or anyone else, thought about her helping others in any way that she could and the dangers that might arise from it. To her way of thinking, this was the only way she could find Edward – to get him to come forward from the Other Side. It was worth the risks. What she did care about was that they had taken her only way of reaching him.

Nothing happens for nothing. Ann remembered those words of wisdom from her Great Grandmother Meg and smiled. Yes, this was probably meant to be for some reason. So, keeping from being angry and depressed, she decided what she had to do.

The Powers That Be had taken her gifts. Big deal! Helping others would bring Edward’s spirit to her. There was more than one way to do that. Apparently, using her gifts was the wrong way. Instead of helping those already on the Other Side, she would help others cross over to the Other Side. Then, through this work, she might connect with Edward. Ann would go back to work as a hospice nurse. She would try calling Kind Care, the agency she had worked with before Edward’s death.

Ann, her supervisor, Shirley was ecstatic to hear from her, explaining, I have several slips here. We are so backed up that I’ve had to refer people to other agencies. Only one day after calling Kind Care, to tell them she was available again, she started getting job opportunities.

I’ll be down shortly to go through them. I’m more excited about going back to work than I thought I would be!

I, for one, am very glad you’re back.

Ann had been excited to go back to work, to further her own agenda of finding Edward. However, now that she was actually starting, the prospect of working, in itself, was also exciting.

At the office, she chose three of the slips with potential client names closest to her own address. After chatting with her supervisor Shirley for a few minutes about the latest trends in health care, Ann headed out to buy more work clothes, which basically consisted of jeans, smocks, and sturdy close-toed shoes. After Edward had died, she went through that first year hardly eating; she had lost weight and had to replace most of her wardrobe. And now she needed to replace the work clothes. Finding the right clothes, both for her small stature, her auburn hair, and her mischievous green eyes was never easy. Clothes shopping always took a long time.

Once home, she fixed a light lunch, then called the three names on the slips of paper that she had chosen from the long list at the office. Of these three, two had found someone else, so she made an appointment with the third for that afternoon – a woman whose father, at the age of ninety-seven, didn’t have much longer to live. His body was worn out and giving out.

Ann dug her work bag out of the closet, checking to make sure everything was there and in working order. The list of items consisted of a stethoscope, blood pressure monitor, and a digital thermometer with the sterile one-use covers. She put a change of clothes in another bag, then went to her jewelry box, took out her certification pin and name tag. She changed clothes, put the pin and tag on her smock, took off her wedding ring so the diamond wouldn’t catch on anything or cut a client and put it in the jewelry box. She headed out for her interview with Charlene Gibbs and her father, George.

Fifteen minutes later, Ann was sitting at their kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee with an exhausted looking Charlene Gibbs. Once she had gone over Ann’s resume, Charlene explained about the work schedule, as well as the medical condition of her father. When the interview and questions were over, she was brought to the bedroom to meet George Gibbs, a frail wisp of his former robust self, Ann was sure. She greeted him, introducing herself, then asking him questions, both to hear about his health and to check his cognitive stability and mental status. He spoke slowly. Each word seemed to tire him.

Ann expected she would receive a call from Charlene at a later date, possibly by the end of the day, or first thing the next day. Instead, as she prepared to leave, Charlene stopped her.

How soon can you start, Ann?

How soon do you need me?

In the morning, if that’s possible. I really need to get back to work.

Well, yes, Ann answered in surprise, I guess I can start in the morning.

That would be wonderful! Thank you so much!

Ann hadn’t really expected to start immediately. Perhaps at the beginning of a new week – in a couple of days. What else did she have to do? As she drove home she reminded herself of Grandma’s quote, Nothing happens for nothing. Besides, the sooner she went to work helping people cross over, the better. She absently wondered how long it would be before she would find Edward, Raif in their past lives, and whom she would find again when she had fulfilled her quota of helping people pass to the Other Side, whatever the number was.

Ann felt good about working again. Not only was it the means to an end, but she was finally getting out of the house – something she hadn’t done a lot of in the past year, since Edward’s passing – obsessing, instead, about finding him as fast as possible, by any means possible.

In her ten years of caring for the dying, she knew the signs of when someone was close to the end of their time here on earth. From what she had seen of George Gibbs, he was very close. Barring a cold or the flu that would drop his defenses down, she gauged he had less than six months. It was her job, her moral duty, to make him as comfortable as possible in that time, and to ease him on to the Other Side when his time came.

Ann was greeted warmly by Charlene the next morning. Though still tired looking, she also looked very relieved to see her.

Good morning, Ann!

Good morning, Miss Gibbs. How is your father?

He’s in good spirits this morning. I think he’s been looking forward to seeing you today.

How long has he been awake?

An hour or so, I think. He’s had breakfast and has been to the bathroom, but that’s about it. I hate to just leave you like this, on your first day, but now that I am going back to work, as opposed to working from here while taking care of my father – Charlene took a breath I’ve got to go.

No problem. I think your father and I can manage.

My number, and a schedule of sorts, are on the kitchen counter. She opened the door. Oh, and a list of foods he likes.

Thank you. Have a great day at work, Charlene. Your father and I will be fine.

Charlene called to her father, letting him know Ann was there and that she was leaving.

As Ann entered George’s room, she was greeted with a weak smile. His eyes followed her as she unpacked her work bag, speaking to him at the same time.

Good morning, Mr. Gibbs. How did you sleep?

Very – well. You? His words were halting, as they had been the day before.

I slept well, thank you. She slipped the stethoscope on her neck. Let’s get your vitals out of the way before I get you ready for the day.

She took his pulse, checked his breathing and blood pressure, then his temperature, and recorded everything. After that, she helped him wash up before getting him dressed and transferred to his wheelchair, where she combed his hair and shaved him. Placing him by the window so he could look out, she changed the bed.

George opted to watch TV in the living room while Ann washed the sheets and did a little light housework. She wheeled him into the kitchen, chatting about small things while she prepared lunch. As he tired easily when he talked, she did the talking. She told him about her marriage to Edward. He seemed to enjoy listening, so she kept talking as she fed him. After about the third bite, he started laughing. She looked at him questioningly.

Who – are – you – feeding? You – or – me?

Ann chuckled. She hadn’t had any success in breaking herself of the habit of opening and closing her mouth with her clients as she fed them.

Laugh it up, Chuckles. She teased. She could tell that in his youth he was a handsome man. He still had a full head of hair, although all grey now, and a delightful smile.

She cleared the table, then prepared Mr. Gibbs for a nap. He had been up long enough so he looked a little droopy before lunch, then, combined with a full stomach, he seemed ready to fall asleep where he sat.

Before he fell asleep, Ann moved him to his bed and made him comfortable. She noticed that he kept watching her, and not for the first time. He had done this before when she was there for the interview.

Then, he quietly said, Angel.

No, Mr. Gibbs, my name is Ann.

He smiled and requested, George – please.

Okay, George it is, then. He took her hand, patting it.

My - angel. He clarified.

I have been accused of a lot of things, George, but never of being an angel! He closed his eyes. Sleep well, George.

After putting the sheets in the dryer, she started another load of clothes, then washed the lunch dishes. Neither was part of her job description, but she remembered working and going home to clean and cook after an exhausting day when her Edward was ill. So she thought she would do this for Charlene. She also remembered when Edward was well how much she appreciated when he cleaned and started supper for her when he got home first. She didn’t imagine Charlene would be any less appreciative. And, besides, if she didn’t do some light chores, she’d have at least a couple of hours with nothing to do, except sit around while waiting for George to wake up. She’d rather do something than just sit and watch TV. Then, Charlene called and asked how her father was doing. When Ann asked about preparing supper, and Charlene told her she could, Ann was thrilled. She enjoyed cooking.

George woke up soon after she spoke with Charlene. He indicated he wanted to watch TV and wanted Ann to sit and watch it with him. She wasn’t thrilled, especially in the middle of the day, but she sat with him for part of one show. Then, she told him that she would be fixing supper, and asked if he wanted to join her. He declined, opting to finish the soap opera that was on.

In the kitchen, Ann found what Charlene had taken out for the evening meal. She found everything else that was needed. Putting the meal together, she timed it so it would be done shortly after Charlene got home. She checked on George, and found him dozing in front of the TV. She woke him to see if he wanted to lay down, but he indicated he wanted to be in the kitchen with her so she brought him in and sat him at the table. They chatted awhile while Ann made the dessert. About thirty minutes later, the front door opened and Charlene called out a greeting; their meal was within minutes of being ready. Ann figured she would put the dessert in the oven right before she left.

It smells wonderful in here! Charlene announced as she entered the kitchen, kissing the top of her father’s head. How was your day, Dad?

He nodded, smiling in answer to his daughter’s question.

Your father and I make a great team in the kitchen. Ann popped the dessert in the oven and set the timer. Your meal is ready. Go ahead and get changed, if you are going to, and I’ll set the table.

While Charlene was changing, Ann set the table for two. Then she gathered her work bag, preparing to leave.

Charlene appeared in the dining room, and looking at the table in a surprised way, asked, Ann, aren’t you going to eat with us?

No, I have my meal ready to pop in the oven at home. You two enjoy your meal.

After going through the trouble of doing the cooking, I insist that you eat with us.

Ann looked at Charlene’s expectant expression, then George’s hopeful face. She agreed.

For the most part, that was how her days went while she was caring for George for the next six months. After that, he took a turn for the worse, becoming much weaker, unable to sit up, becoming bedridden. His appetite and ability to eat decreased dramatically. Most of the time he laid next to a comatose state, rousing only occasionally. Ann knew he spent that time on the Other Side, similar to near death experiences. She kept him as comfortable as possible, took his vitals and talked to him. She knew, even from the Other Side, he heard her.

Ann sensed when George was ready to cross over completely; she whispered in his ear to come back to them so Charlene could see he was there when she looked into his eyes. He did, giving Charlene enough time to tell him she loved him and to kiss his cheek. He smiled, squeezing her hand, then crossed over.

Ann stayed with Charlene for several hours after George’s body was removed, helping her through the grieving. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, Charlene collapsed in bed, and fell asleep. Ann left, feeling sad for Charlene. She was also sad at George’s passing, but she knew he was much happier where he was - happier and healthier.

Chapter Two

Ann allowed herself a couple of days before going back to Kind Care for another assignment. By Thursday, she had gotten another name and phone number - a Mr. Waters who needed help with his mother. She called him that evening. For all of his controlled demeanor, she heard a tinge of desperation in his deep voice. She set up an appointment for the next day at noon, per his request. As she hung up the phone, she couldn’t shake the feeling that his voice was familiar somehow. Putting that aside, she checked her medical paraphernalia, changed batteries, repacked the bag, chose her clothes for the next day, and went to bed.

In the morning, she ate a light breakfast, consisting of toast and coffee. She felt oddly nervous about the upcoming interview and decided it was because she hadn’t been able to place his voice. After a little light housework, she showered, dressed, and left a little early to make sure she wasn’t late. After all, he was meeting her during his lunch break. Apparently he was a busy man and she certainly didn’t want to waste his time waiting for her.

Ten minutes before