“You’re right,” said Michael. “Man, you really have to be careful here. I swear, when we were young, we didn’t have any of these problems.”
“I think we were so dumb and positive and full of adventure, we probably protected ourselves without even knowing,” mused Jonathan.
“Probably right,” said Michael, “let’s keep going.”
***
Ada Jo was first to see the group hanging around the Emergency Meeting Place. She also saw some figures down at the pond.
Well, it was now or never
, she thought.
“Mira,” she said, turning Mira away from the sight, “Are you ready to get your real life back?”
Mira looked at Ada Jo. She trusted her with all her might. Was she ready to figure out the truth? Yes, she was.
“Yes,” she said solemnly, “I am.” After all, she had learned so much through her travels with Ada Jo, and she knew something had happened, just like with Scruff—she decided to get Ada Jo’s opinion on this.
“Something happened to me, just like with Scruff, didn’t it” she asked, her eyes full of trust. “Only I haven’t popped back. Some of the things you’ve shown me helped me figure myself out a little so I’m older than when I started. Is that right?”
“Yes, sweetie,” said the four-year-old. “You’ve got it exactly right. But you realize this isn’t a game right?” Ada Jo took her walking stick and drew a line on the ground. “You’re up to here,” she said pointed at one side of the line. “If you want to know the truth, you have to cross, and there is no going back. Do you understand? It might not be pleasant. Are you ready for the truth?”
Ada Jo was frightening her.
What could be so bad that I’m frozen at fifteen?
***
Stu was with Ed and Lu, but feeling faint and queasy. He guessed it was the draw of energy from Ed/Trina. “Guys,” he said, “I think I need to go back to the real world, like pretty fast. I’m getting sick. I need to lie down and eat some real food. The attachment between Trina and me within Ed—well I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but right now, I’m about to fall down.”
Lu went to hug Stu. “Oh, Stu, thank you so much for what you’ve done. Of course you should go home and rest!”
Ed agreed. “Do you need help?” he asked.
“No, I can make it,” said Stu. He’d gotten out of bad jams before. This was nothing. “Tell the rest of the gang I’ll see them later.” He started concentrating on his real body. Within minutes he was gone from the astral and back in his apartment. He quickly lay down on the couch. Stu had a feeling he was about to miss everything exciting, but it couldn’t be helped. He gulped down a bag of peanuts on the table, and then fell into a deep sleep.
***
Ada Jo spoke quickly. She knew time was running out. She saw the other gang up front, figured that Michael and Jonathan would be following them, and catch up at any time. “Mira,” she said, “I am going to grow a little older, okay? I don’t want to scare you, but we are going to be with other people soon, and I need to be older. Is that okay with you?”
Mira was so used to this little girl in big shoes, she didn’t know what to say. “How old?”
“Just your age to start. Okay? But later I may need to get older.” She grabbed Mira’s hand. “But it’s still me. Understand? Just like it’s still you when you get older.”
Mira understood this intellectually but the idea still frightened her a bit. Ada Jo as she knew her was the only constant here. And they had become such good friends!
“It’ll be fine,” said Ada Jo. “I promise it will all work out in the end.”
“Okay,” said Mira with doubt. She twirled her hair around her finger. “Okay.”
***
“Michael!” yelled Jonathan with exasperation.
“I know,” said Michael in a tired voice.
The closer they got to the Emergency Meeting Place the more worry brambles appeared in their way. The men had to work their way through thick vines . Jonathan produced a hacksaw from thin air.
“Wow, you
have
been learning from Stu,” said Michael.
“No, not Stu,” answered Jonathan mysteriously. Before Michael could ask, he continued, “And I can’t divulge that information.”
“Man. Why am I in the dark about everything?” complained Michael.
“You won’t be for long,” said Jonathan. “Not much longer.”
“Why? You think Mira will be at the Emergency Meeting Place ?”
“Yeah,” said Jonathan. “She wasn’t before, but I think she will be now.”
Michael sighed with relief. Many of the worry brambles disappeared.
“That’s more like it.” Jonathan put away the hacksaw.by causing it to disappear. “But remember,” he cautioned. “We don’t know what state she’ll be in, so don’t go rushing in. Just lay back and observe until we can get our bearings about what’s going on.”
“All right,” said Michael. “But it won’t be easy.” He wanted to rush up and hug her and never let her go.
“Well just remember, she probably won’t remember you so you could just as easily scare her as help her.”
“Right,” said Michael with sadness in his voice.
“Don’t worry bro,” said Jonathan. “It will all work out in the end. I’m sure of it”
Michael did not feel very comforted by his younger brother,
but what other positive thought did he have to hang on to?
***
Ada Jo had grown to age fifteen. Mira was having a hard time getting used to her. Ada Jo still spoke the same but her face was so different.
“I guess people change a lot between four and fifteen,” Mira said.
“Yeah, all through their lives, sweetie;” said Ada Jo. “All through their lives.”
“Hmm,” Mira had the first inkling of a distasteful thought. Ada Jo ignored it.
“Now Mira,” said Ada Jo, more serious than Mira had ever seen her.
Is this what growing up did?
“The next hour is about you. Getting you well. Do you understand? All kinds of things might happen.”
Mira felt frightened again.
“But I will be here, and other people who love you will be around too, so there is no need to be scared. It is all for your benefit,” continued Ada Jo. “Do the words Emergency Meeting Spot mean anything to you?”
Mira searched her mind. “I dunno…maybe. I just don’t know!” she said, exasperated.
“Don’t worry about it,” said Ada Jo. “Don’t force anything. It has to come naturally, okay? If it comes naturally then it’s okay. Don’t get upset and force things.”
“Okay,” said Mira, trying to take these directions in with all her might.
“Well, we are going to meet some more people. These are good people. You may recognize them or you may not, but they all love you and are your friends. Do you understand? You regressed to an age where you forgot them. You are at an age now when you should remember them, but nothing is for certain. You used to play here with them as part of a gang of friends.”
“Really!” said Mira. “That sounds exciting!”
“My understanding is that it was, very much so,” said Ada Jo. “They are dying to see you again, but if at any time you get overwhelmed, you let me know and we’ll move away a little so you can calm down, okay?” Then she added, “There is only one thing I want you to remember during this.”
Mira mimicked, “Never, never—”
“Okay, two things,” Ada Jo continued. “Do not, under any circumstances, allow yourself to regress in age. Do you hear me? We have worked hard to get you to where you are, and there is not much time left.”
“Why?” asked Mira.
“Later,” said Ada Jo, dismissing her. There was no time to get into all the technical details.
“You can do it,” said Ada Jo. “No matter what you see, you need to focus on your current age—”
“Fifteen,” interrupted Mira.
“—consciously, no matter what your body or unconscious starts doing. Do you understand? This is of the utmost importance. If you regress, you won’t remember me anymore, or anything else. Tell me you understand the importance of this,” Ada Jo finished.
Having been lost in the dark forest and finally found her savior in her friend, Mira understood all too well what Ada Jo was getting at. “Yes! I will do everything in my power to stay this age. I
will
not
regress, no matter what. Besides,” she said, “I’ll have you by my side.”
Ada Jo looked at Mira and said evenly, “Yes, I’ll be there.”
Mira wasn’t sure of her tone, but brushed it off.
***
The girls made their way to the gang of four. Waiting there sat Lu, Onie, Zac, and Ed.
Mira seemed not to remember them but gave them a hug. She didn’t ask about Trina, and no one wanted to go into the details at this moment. At a look from Ada Jo, they could tell, everyone was walking on eggshells. It was hard to guess how things would go. Mira introduced Ada Jo to the gang. No one seemed surprised that there was another girl along. They had grown weary of surprises sometime back.
As they all gathered around Mira and Ada Jo, Ed hopped up on a hay bale. Mira looked at that gesture thoughtfully. Ada Jo wondered if she was starting to remember. She didn’t have long to wonder though, because in the middle of the group there appeared, out of nowhere, three-year-old Brandon. He started saying ‘Hi’ to the friends.
“Oh no!” said Ada Jo when she saw Brandon. “He must have come because we are all gathered here. I didn’t want to do this so soon...” she turned to Mira. “but now I don’t have a choice.” She grew again. This time into a pleasant looking woman of about thirty with dark hair tied back with a ribbon, wearing a flowered blouse and jeans with flats. It was the young Mrs. Ross. Everyone gasped.
Fifteen-year-old Mira’s face turned red. “Don’t worry,” she said irritably, “I won’t regress. Just leave me alone.” She felt betrayed.
All this time, all that adventure, she thought she had made a friend for life, no matter what world, and it turned out to be Michael’s mother. Wait, Michael! Where was Michael? She was married to Michael whom she loved very much. She remembered!
The young version of Mrs. Ross had to attend to first matters first, though. She picked up Brandon, disappeared, and took him directly home.
***
“He just disappeared!” said Madison, visibly upset when Mrs. Ross walked down the stairs of the real-world Ross house. Madison didn’t even notice that Grandma looked, well, not exactly herself.
“It’s okay, honey. Find something that thoroughly engrosses him for the next hour okay?” She handed him to Madison. “I need him to stay here and not disappear. I have things to take care of.”
“Okay,” said Madison. “Hey, why do you look so y—” but Mrs. Ross had already scooted out the doorway, up the stairs, and into her bedroom where she quickly went back to the Emergency Meeting Place. Full body and all.
Madison was left with questions, and she bet she knew the answers. Whether they admitted it or not, this whole family was one other-world traveling bunch.
***
When young Mrs. Ross reappeared in the astral, the gang had split up. Lu and Ed were on a hay bale. Onie and Zac were off in one of the fields together. Mira sat down by the pond, alone.
Mrs. Ross walked toward Mira softly and sat down next to her. Mira didn’t acknowledge her presence.
Mrs. Ross took Mira’s hand, just like Ada Jo would have done, only this time it was Mrs. Ross…acting…human. Mira let her take it. This was as close as she had ever gotten to Mrs. Ross. It was hard to see her like this. Old-ish. She kept thinking of Ada Jo. Plus, she was still mad.
Mrs. Ross must have guessed what she was thinking. “Age is the great equalizer. Ada Jo was my nickname when I was young. I could turn back to Ada Jo if you want, but I was hoping that you and I could have a conversation like this, talking to me in time as I am now.” Her eyes searched Mira’s and held sadness in them. Mira felt like she was about to cry.
Then she thought about all that Mrs. Ross had done. She’d gone back to her childhood self, just for her. She’d taken her around the entire astral realm showing her all the dangers, and the joys and the surprises of it all. She had protected her and kept her safe. Mrs. Ross had done it all for Mira. To keep Mira safe. To make her well. To help her. And here she was, treating her like an enemy, like the same stern Mrs. Ross she’d never really known. Well, she now she knew her. She knew the real Mrs. Ross. Mira was overwhelmed with this insight.
“Of course we can talk like this,” she said, feeling terrible. “I’m so sorry I overreacted.”
“It was to be expected,” said Mrs. Ross. “By the way, why don’t you call me Ada? I know you and I haven’t exactly been close. There’s a reason for that. Michael and Jonathan learned why, these past few days but it’s time I told you, too. First,” Ada asked, still holding Mira’s hand, “do you remember the saying I taught you?”
Mira repeated “Never, never cross the Bridge of Forever”
“Do you know where that bridge is?” asked Ada.
“No,” said Mira, “I’ve never seen a bridge around here that was supernatural or anything.”
“Look,” said Ada, gently. She pointed toward the pond. She said again, “Look, but this time with your inner vision.”
Mira squinted but didn’t see anything but the pond. She tried again. Mrs. Ross gave her time. “Think about it with your eyes slightly unfocused,” she said.
Mira tried un-focusing her eyes for a minute. She started to see the outline of something. It was hard to make out.
Mrs. Ross watched her carefully. “This is something that happens when you get older, dear. Little children aren’t meant to see things, for their own protection.”
Mira stopped for a second. Was Mrs. Ross telling her she was older than fifteen? Her mind was a jumble.
Well of course she was! She had never been close to Mrs. Ross because she was married to Michael, her son. That made Mira
… Mira started to change in front of Mrs. Ross and the gang, who stood silent around them but farther back so as not to disturb what was going on.
At that moment, Michael and Jonathan finally made it to the Emergency Meeting Place. Michael wanted to run up to Mira but Jonathan held him back. The rest of the gang pulled them back even farther and began furiously whispering.