IT'S IN THE LEAVES

By Patricia Gruenwald

"Have you ever thought that you'd like to learn to read tea leaves like I do?" Stella asked her young daughter---the focus and fierce heart of the story---Tessa. While Tessa was young, her mother taught her to read tea leaves and to use her intuition. Readers are invited to witness how Tessa's extraordinary life unfolds in author Patricia Gruenw

• Language: English
• Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing
• Release date: Nov 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781685360498

Patricia Gruenwald

Patricia Gruenwald lives in a senior's mobile home park on the beautiful Vancouver Island in Canada. She has two grown children and one grandchild. When her husband died, she moved to San Diego where she stayed for twenty years.

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Copyright © 2021 by Patricia Gruenwald.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 1

When I was twelve years old, my mother asked me, Have you ever thought that you’d like to learn to read tea leaves like I do?

Yes, but I’m not old enough yet, am I?

I’m inclined to think so. You seem to have that certain insight that goes with it. You know, my mother was psychic, but it was taboo in those days to let anyone know. Her intuition was fantastic. I inherited some of that talent, and I think you have too.

Are you going to teach me now?

Do you want to learn?

Yes, I think so. Is it hard?

It isn’t a case of if it’s hard or easy, it’s just a natural intuition. I prefer to read leaves, and others do the tarot cards, and some even read playing cards. There are many ways to use your gift.

Why did you choose the tea leaves?

Well, I think it just seemed natural to me. I didn’t have to study to do it. Tea leaf reading originated in China many thousands of years ago. It always fascinated me, and I just started. I never got to talk it over with my mother because she died when I was thirteen.

If I were to look in your teacup, would I just try to make sense of it, or are there certain things that mean something?

Well, there is a book of symbols that are supposed to have certain meanings, but it depends; if your intuition is strong enough to draw your own conclusions, then you say what you feel. For instance, the shape of a dog means a good friend. But you may see it as a dog. Let me put it this way, you look into the cup and see the shape of a dog, but you don’t think it’s a friend, you think it’s a dog that needs help or something. Now that’s where your guides come in.

My what?

Come on, Tessa, you’ve often heard me talk of guides. They are in the spirit world, and they help us along our way of life. Sometimes when you just get the urge to do something and you don’t know why you feel that way, it’s usually your guides who are putting you in that situation so that you will learn something. The important thing is that you must consult them and listen to them.

Do they really talk to me in English? Can I hear them?

No, but you will know when they talk to you if you are quiet and listen. I know this is hard for you to understand, so you must be patient.

No, Mother, I do know when they are talking to me. Remember when I had my appendix out and I told you that Jesus sat on my bed and talked to me? He really did. You believed me then. Does that mean that he is one of my guides? Yes, it very well could be, but it’s not that likely he would be your foremost spiritual guide. You will have to ask your guides to reveal themselves to you. It is likely you will have more than one.

Mom, I don’t know if I’m ready for all this yet.

Well, I’ll tell you what. Think about it, and when you think you are ready we’ll discuss it further. But first, look in my cup and tell me what you think you see.

Okay, um, there is an arrow pointing to a tall building.

Yes, I can see that. What do you think it means?

I think it means there is a tall building that you must go into as soon as you can. It’s important for you to go there, and when you get inside you will see why. Does that sound stupid?

No, as a matter of fact I have to go into the tall building tomorrow to see the eye specialist about new glasses. See, you used your intuition, and it was right.

When you read ladies’ tea leaves, you always have them turn their cup upside down in the saucer and put their hands on the cup. Why do you do that?

So that their energy will come through to the leaves. Everything and everyone around us has energy. People also have an aura about them. As you get older you will be able to see that aura and let your energy mingle with theirs. Then you are ready to read the leaves.

After you read a few, you always say that you are tired and must rest a bit. Is it because your energy is drained?

"Yes, if the cup reveals that a person has a number of issues that need looking into, it does drain your energy. Your guides won’t let you use up all your energy. They will tell you that’s enough, and you won’t see anything in the cup after that.

That’s enough for tonight. We’ll talk again after dinner tomorrow and see if there is something you want to ask me. But for tonight, have you done your homework? It’s a school day tomorrow.

"Uh-huh, I did it after school before you came home from work. Can I watch TV?

What did you say?

Oops, may I watch TV?

Sure, but don’t stay up too late. I have some calls to make.

Will you promise to talk about it again tomorrow night?

No, I won’t promise, but we will wait and see. I’ll see you in the morning.

She hugged me and went to her desk, which was located in her bedroom.

Stella was a beautiful woman, with long auburn hair and crystal clear blue eyes, except when she was wearing green, and then they had a tendency to turn a little green. She used to laugh when people called her a chameleon. She was only five foot five, but she appeared to look taller because of her posture. She seemed self-assured, but underneath it all she was a bit shy. She loved her siblings almost to a fault. I guess that was because she was the second youngest of eleven children.

She was a life insurance agent and made a good living at it. As a matter of fact, she excelled in it. She had won many citations for the work she had done. She was the type of agent that cared a great deal about her clients, and it showed. She sold a lot of policies that included a good pension plan. She used to say, Why pay for half a loaf when you can get a whole loaf for almost the same price?

Stella sat for some time in her chair and listened to her guides. Was she doing the right thing by teaching Tessa this soon? She didn’t want her baby girl to grow up too soon, but she also wanted her to learn this right away. She didn’t know why; she just knew that she had to start now.

I never mentioned it the next day or for about a week later. Mother wondered if I had no inclination or if I was just too young to go any further at this time. She thought how funny it was that her guides wanted me to start right away and yet I didn’t seem ready. She meditated about it, and the answer was that I was looking into every aspect of the spirit world I could find in the library. I was preparing myself so that I wouldn’t ask foolish questions.

Boy, does she ever take after me, thought Stella.

Stella studied everything from the Dead Sea Scrolls to the study of Buddha and, of course, the Bible. She always said she’d like to be a passenger on a space launching. At that time no man had walked on the moon. She just knew it would happen one day, and she really wanted to be a part of it. She questioned everything. She had learned that from her father who was a great believer in studying mankind in all its aspects.

He was a professor at a university in the east but came west to enlarge his perception of Canada as a whole. He owned the newspaper and had a jewelry store but ended up being the principal of the high school, in the small city of Regina, on the prairies. When asked what nationality he was, he would scoff and say, I’m of this world, on this planet, and we are all connected, so I don’t believe in nationality. My family has been in Canada for four generations, but that doesn’t mean anything other than this is the country my ancestors chose.

Stella lost her husband in WWII. She and her two girls, Joanna who was four years older than I, lived in an old house that belonged to Mom’s father. He lived with us before he died. My grandfather passed away when I was six. He loved to hear me sing When I Grow Too Old to Dream. While I was singing it to him in the hospital, he quietly slipped away to the other side.

Joanna showed no interest in Mother’s gift, and though she believed in karma, she didn’t share her thoughts with anyone including Mother. She was staying at a friend’s place where they were working on a school project. Joanna was an honor student. She was not as tall as I, but she was very good looking. Her hair was a soft brown, and she had blue eyes. They seemed sad at times, I guess because she was a loner. I was very blonde and also had Mother’s blue eyes. I guess our father’s eyes were blue too. The one thing about all of Mother’s family, including Joanna and me, is that we had long noses. They, we were told, were patrician; but to us they were just long.

I always had good report cards whereas Joanna had exceptionally good ones. I had many friends and enjoyed sports more than books. I guess that was why Mom was shocked that it would be me who inherited the gift.

Our home was a solid old house on a big lot. Grass covered the front yard in the center of which boasted a huge maple tree. Alyssum grew along both sides of the walk to the front porch. On either side of the steps were window boxes overflowing with colorful and different varieties of flowers. The door to the inside of the house was half Tiffany glass, giving the whole house a welcoming and pleasant glow.

The front room presented a gorgeous Venetian fireplace, the stones of which were imported from Italy. The hearth beaconed one to sit and watch the fire. Two piano windows were on either side of the fireplace so that the sun in the summer gave the room a cozy feeling. In the cold winters, they lit up the room. The couch and big chair were old-fashioned plush in a deep, deep blue. The oriental rug covering the hardwood floors blended with the furniture. The only modern piece was the TV.

An archway led into a big dining room. The table was old mahogany with lion’s paws at the base of the legs. The old-fashioned buffet matched the table, and the china cabinet which was in a corner had short legs matching the other pieces. The buffet housed the best dishes, silverware, and linen tablecloths. The china cabinet contained dozens of the most beautiful, fine china teacups on the bottom three shelves, and the top two held numerous glasses of all sizes, and all were crystal. A big window at one end of the room looked out to an area shared by a cement patio, grass, and a huge vegetable garden. They were separated by a light wire fence adorned with sweet peas.

The kitchen was off the dining room and sported the usual chrome a Formica table and chair set. It was in the middle of the room, and the stove and fridge were old but electric, and they fit right in. There was a door to the basement which had a room that at one time held coal to feed the furnace. Of course it now was empty, and the furnace was oil burning. Off to one side was a washer and dryer (also a bit of modernity); and one wall contained shelves covered with jars of preserves, pickles, etc., thanks to the bountiful garden.

A room beside what used to be the coal bin was furnished with a bed, bedside table and lamp, and a comfy old chair. It wasn’t used much because the upstairs contained three bedrooms, and if company came we girls shared one room and left the others for guests.

Upstairs claimed a unique bathroom. It boasted a large tub with clawed feet and big enough for a grown person to lie flat in it. Of course it was porcelain. The sink was freestanding beside the commode. There was a medicine cabinet above the sink, but in the corner by the window stood an old armoire filled with towels and such. Beside it was a small vanity set with a chair so that Mother could make up her face in ease. Then of course, there were three bedrooms which were just ordinary. I called the house Wuthering Heights. I was too young to see its beauty, I just saw its age.

Mother just gave up waiting for me to seek more information about the leaves. She usually went with her guides, but she decided that she was a little premature with her teaching. However, one day after the evening meal, as usual we took out tea into the front room.

Mom, may I try to read your leaves tonight?

Do you think you are ready?

Yes, I have been studying at the library, and I’ve read a lot about it. I can even tell you that one of my guides’ name is Raphael. He said there is another one who will come to me when he’s finished his latest assignment.

Well, you’ve come a long way. I was waiting for you to ask me more, but I guess you found out on your own.

It’s not because I don’t want you to teach me, it’s just that I figured I’d get a little ahead so I’ll understand what you’re talking about.

Well, you sure are your mother’s daughter, aren’t you. Okay, I’ll just finish drinking this.

She put it upside down on her saucer and laid her hands on it.

When you are ready, let me know.

It seemed like quite awhile before I asked for the cup.

I looked at the cup for a long time. I really wanted to get this right. Then I started.

"You will hear from either a very close friend or relative whom you’ve not heard from in quite a long time. His news is neither bad nor good, but you will be concerned about it. There is no need to dwell on it however. I see where there will be an addition to your family tree. It’s not Joanna or me but one of your kin. You will be asked to take part in a concert or a large gathering of some sort, and you don’t want to do it, but you feel obligated to do so. It is in your best interest that you do as asked.

How am I doing?

First of all, your vocabulary is certainly not your everyday use of words. I can see where you are being helped by your guides because of it. When you get older, words will come easy for you. On the whole you did an excellent job.

Thanks, Mom. I really don’t know where the words came from, but I just said them without thinking. I was told to study the cup for as long as I need because I’m so new at this. You’re right, I didn’t hear voices, but I just seemed to know what to say.

Oh, some days you will be stunned with what you say. There are times when I even wonder, ‘Where did that come from?’ It can be a little frightening at times especially when you must tell someone something unpleasant. You won’t be asked to do that unless you have a solution to their problem. Your guides don’t leave you out in the cold, so to speak. But you will learn more and more as the years go by. In fact it may be quite some time before you will need to read again. So just keep studying and listening and meditating. I have a feeling that you will be in demand one day.

Do people do this for a living?

"Yes, and some are really great, but there are others who do not have the gift but do it just for the money and use only catch phrases to fool their clients. That is why you must always thank your guides and let the people know that you are saying a prayer before you read the cup. I usually have this mantra that I say, ‘White light of God, blue light of love’—then add your guides’ names—‘please help me. I cannot do this alone. Thank you for all you do for me.’

This is just to acknowledge that you don’t do this alone and that you love them for their help. When you call their name they will come.

Oh yes, I replied, I forgot to tell you, my other guide is Hermes. Isn’t that a strange name?

It is what it is.

Joanna came into the living room as I was reading, and she just sat quietly in the corner and listened. Mom and I never even noticed her.

Wow, cried Joanna, "you are really good, little sister. Isn’t she, Mom?’

Yes, she is doing very well, answered Mother.

I’m glad she has the gift and not me. I understand the things that you taught me, but I never wanted to follow it up. I guess I’m not sure enough of myself.

My dear, you have the ability to do whatever you want to do and be whoever you want to be. You have a fine brain, and I’m sure when you find out what you want to do with your life, you’ll excel at it.

Thanks, Mom, I just didn’t want you to feel badly that I’m not interested in that subject. Although I do believe in guides and meditation and all that, I just don’t want to read leaves.

That is your prerogative.

Mom and I used to read for charities and the church socials. No one seemed to mind if I read sometimes with Mom beside me, but I would never do it alone.

There was a time when Joanna and I were younger, Mother would have a tea party. It was considered a privilege to be asked to pour the tea for the first hour. I don’t know how they chose who that person would be. The tea parties were held in someone’s home every month or so. The hostess never poured the tea. She was too busy making sure the small sandwiches and sweets were replenished and that everyone had a cup of tea. Mother would sometimes read leaves but never when she was the hostess. I guess you could say she was part of the entertainment.

However, when she had the parties, Joanna would play the piano, and I would sing while Mother did her replenishing. We hated doing it, but we didn’t know how to go about asking Mom if we could quit. I was very amazed when Joanna went along with my scheme. The next party Mother had, she asked us to entertain the ladies while she was in the kitchen. She nearly dropped the plates when she came out of the kitchen. Joanna was playing and I was singing from Queenie the Cutie of the Burlesque Show. I was singing, Take it off, take it off, cried a voice from the rear.

We knew we would be punished, but we were never asked to entertain again.

Chapter 2

That summer, the cottage at the lake beckoned; and of course, we succumbed to the call. Mom always took the summer off work. Being with us was more important than her job.

That summer was a bit different. On the campgrounds not far from the cottage, a group of Boy Scouts made camp. Of course, they went swimming every day; and Joanna, Mom, and I were sitting on our blanket when I started teasing Joanna that a couple of the scouts seemed interested in her. Joanna wasn’t used to the attention and felt foolish. When she would get up to go in for a dip, the boys would follow and tried to converse with her. I went in to help out. I talked to them and introduced Joanna, and they all gathered around and tried to outdo each other. I was getting a real kick out of it. I loved to tease Joanna; she was such a pushover, and Mom decided not to interfere. Joanna could use a boost to her self-esteem.

Finally, it was the scoutmaster who took control of the situation and called the boys in.

I don’t want to hear that you guys harassed a girl. I admit she’s a looker but mind your manners.

Sir, one of the scouts replied, if her mother says it’s okay, can we ask her to the dance in town?

I wasn’t aware you fellas would be interested in going dancing.

Well, sir, another scout said, if we all went there are sure to be other girls there too.

Okay. I’ll be coming with you of course, and if I find your behavior is unbecoming a scout, we will all come back to camp.

Joanna had never asked to go to town before, so when she asked if she could go to the dance, Mother was thrilled that she may be coming out of her shell.

Why don’t we all go. I know you may not want to, Tessa, but I think we should stick together. It should be fun. What do you say?

Will I have to dance? I asked.

"If you’re asked, of course.

"Let me tell you a story about one of my first dances. A gentleman came up to the girl sitting beside me and asked if she would dance with him. She replied in a haughty voice, ‘No, thank you. I’m particular about with whom I dance,’ and he replied, ‘Well, I’m not, that’s why I asked you,’ and he walked away.

I learned a lesson that day. It’s not easy for guys to ask girls to dance, and if there’s no reason otherwise, you are obliged to dance with him. Now if he’s been drinking or is obnoxious, then you can answer that you are sorry but you were just on your way to the restroom and perhaps you would dance with him later. That’s an easy way to let a boy down without being rude.

Wow! That was some comeback, wasn’t it, Mom, replied Joanna. I’ll remember that one. So are we all going?

I guess we Moffat women are going on the town tonight.

Joanna danced all night with different scouts, and I even danced with a couple. Mother danced with the scoutmaster, whose name was Joe Kingsly. While dancing he remarked, These boys are all from a small farming community, and they all go to the same school. They are a pretty close-knit bunch of fellas, but they have been so well behaved. It’s a pleasure to take them camping.

That’s great, replied Stella. I did notice that they seemed to be compatible.

The whole evening was a big success. Joanna really came out of her shell, and I goofed with some of the guys, and we talked about hockey, baseball, and basketball. Everyone had a great time. It was late; but just before they were getting ready to go, a scout came up to Mother and said, Ma’am, my name is Bob Scofield. Would you give me permission to write to Joanna?

The poor boy’s face was red, and he stammered a bit.

If Joanna wants to correspond with you, I have no objection.

That was a summer we would all remember.

When school opened in the fall, a different Joanna emerged. Mother was so happy about it. She started to take Joanna shopping and taught her how to put on a little lipstick. Her daughter was becoming a beautiful person in looks and personality. She was no longer a loner. She and Bob wrote to each other often. Then came the time when Bob was off to university in Winnipeg studying to become a doctor. Joanna finished high school but didn’t want to go further.

With your good grades, Joanna, you can go to whatever university you want. How come you’re not interested?

Well, I decided to go to work and get some money ahead for when Bob finishes med school, we’ll be able to get married and settle down.

Is that all you want out of your life?

Bob is my life.

But you’re so young, Joanna, give yourself a chance.

I’ve already interviewed for a job at an automobile insurance agency. I think I may have a chance at it. Mom, you said we must choose our own path and that whatever we decide to do just to make sure we do our best. Do you remember that?

Yes, and I guess I’ll have to live with that. I still believe it, but I just wasn’t prepared for you to not be interested in further education.

Joanna was doing great at the insurance agency, and she loved her job. She was promoted three times in two years, so Mom and I were very proud of her.

One day, Joanna received a letter from Bob telling her that the old couple on a farm near his hometown had died. Evidently close together. They had no children, and Bob used to work the farm during the summer to help out. Well, it appeared that they left him the old house and some land.

Bob wasn’t a tall man, but he was stocky. He had a nice face and blue eyes too. He kept his hair in a brush cut all his life. He was easy to talk to and a very likeable man.

Although his parents were disappointed that he wouldn’t graduate as a doctor, he had decided that he wanted to be a farmer. What did Joanna think?

Joanna was very organized. She didn’t like the farm, but she loved Bob. We were overwhelmed that Joanna would even consider being a farmer’s wife. She hated to get dirty. She was so meticulous. The farm had no running water or electricity, and Mom thought that when Joanna saw the old house and all, she would try to talk Bob out of quitting university.

Stella and Marsha (Bob’s mother) tried to talk him out of it. He was an average student but a hard worker. However, Bob was adamant about his decision. Joanna had waited patiently for him to come to terms with it, and when he decided to leave school and farm, she went along with him.

Mother’s oldest brother and a bachelor gave Joanna away when she got married, and then he moved back into the old family home. We were all so pleased because Mother would always ask his advice when she needed a shoulder. He was always there for all of us, and we loved him dearly.

The first few years of marriage were very hard on both Joanna and Bob. Uncle Howard, Mom, and I would visit periodically; and Uncle Howard would give Bob money to have fun once in a while. They were determined to make a go of it, and they did. They had five children and eventually built a new house with running water and electricity. Joanna fit right in to rural life, which amazed everyone.

Unfortunately or fortunately whichever way you looked at it, I went through my ugly teens. First of all the girls in high school were forced to wear skirts in school. The winter was cold, so they would wear slacks to school and change into their skirts for class. I rebelled and refused to change. My argument was that the boys would stand at the bottom of the stairs and look up the girls’ skirts. Because of my disobedience I was suspended for a week. I went to school every morning and came home at my usual time. On Friday, Mother asked how my week went. When I replied, Oh, same old same old,

Mom informed me that the principal phoned and said I could come back to school. We had an interview with the principal on Monday.

It’s a shame, you know, Tessa, that you’ll never be the girl you could have been, he said.

My reaction was shock; and I leaned over his desk, held out my hand, and said, Do you want to bet?

He put out his hand and said, It’s a deal. You prove it to me.

Mother and I agreed that a boarding school would be the best way to go, so I enrolled in a Catholic girls’ school. I finished my high school there, and every time I got a good mark on a paper (which was frequently, even if I do say so myself), I would send it to Mr. Bob Fisher.

He retired and moved to the West Coast, and from that day until I graduated from university, I sent him all my papers.

He would write