Page 96
Story: Trusting Skulls
“You need to move around. Any exercise is good for you. It’s a beautiful day, and we could both use a dose of sun.”
I lower myself into the chair beside her, her words drawing my attention to the ashen color of her skin.
“Rachel, why are you here? Go spend time with your family. I’ll find another therapist. Besides, I can’t do much right now anyway.”
She shields her eyes as she watches me fall into my seat.
“I need a purpose, and right now that’s you.” Her gaze catches on something, and she leans forward abruptly. She reaches out to touch the pendant resting on my chest. “It’s the dragonfly,” she whispers.
“Oh.” I lean away. “Brody’s friend gave this to me. It’s not the same one Kelsie has,” I tell her.
“Kelsie gave it to Elizabeth … she lost it,” Rachel tells me, easing my worry. I thought she might think I stole it.
“Oh, that’s too bad. The girl who gave it to me said she got it from someone who found it at the beach. They gave it to her. The lady told her it meant angels were near.”
Rachel smiles, relaxing in her chair. “Have you heard the story of the necklace?”
“No.”
She begins to relay a story so tragic, yet sweet, I can hardly believe it’s true. “So, Raffe started it all?”
“Yeah,” she sighs dreamily. “He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”
I nod my head, agreeing. “I’ve got to tell you, Raffe changed the way I look at things.”
Her head falls back as she stares lazily at the clouds. “He said the same thing about you.”
I let out a sound like a tire losing air.
“You don’t believe me?”
“Well, I don’t think you’re lying. More that he’s exaggerating.” I take the necklace off and hold it up to the sun, spinning it in the light.
She sits up straight. “You are here for a reason. I am here for a reason.”
“I get your reason for being here. I broke my foot, and you’re a healer. What’s my reason?”
Her crazy colored eyes swirl, reminding me so much of her brother’s. She smiles wide. “We’re here for the same reason … to help Raffe.”
I roll my eyes. “You do watch the news, don’t you? My life is an apocalyptic mess right now. My parents are moving us to Reno. I’ll never be able to face anyone in this town again.”
“Let’s make a bet.” She reaches out and snags the spinning dragonfly out of my hand, holding it in her closed fist. “Raffe was just a teenager when he bought the necklace for his friend Jenny. He told me the only way he could afford it was because there was a small scratch on the back, and he convinced the jeweler to sell it to him for half price.”
“There’s no way it’s the same one,” I tell her, not wanting her to be disappointed. I can clearly see how much she wants this to be the club’s lost dragonfly.
“Maybe not, but if it is …” She smiles wide.
I’ll admit this conversation does have me intrigued in a way I’ve never felt before. It’s strange how each member of the club seems to stir my soul. Rachel’s son and husband have both been nothing but kind and protective to me. I at least owe it to her to hear her out.
“And if it isn’t?”
“It is,” she says confidently.
Her palm slowly opens. She tilts her hand to flip it over, and we bump heads, trying to get a good look.
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “How is this even possible?”
“An angel is near,” she laughs, relaxing back in her seat. “We’re all links of love, baby.”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96 (Reading here)
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126