Misty (15 page)

The face reflected in the mirror was flawless. Jarringly beautiful. “Is that really me?” Enchanted by what she saw, she spoke in an awestruck voice that was barely above a whisper.

“It's the new and improved you,” Dr. Cavanaugh responded.

“I can't thank you enough, doctor,” Misty said as her eyes watered. “You and your future wife, Erin, are going to have two handsome sons,” she blurted, giving the surgeon an unsolicited reading. She'd seen his future numerous times when he touched her, and now felt the desire to share what she'd viewed with him. Although he'd been paid handsomely, she was so grateful to have her beauty restored that she wanted to give him something from the heart. Smiling, she looked at Dr. Cavanaugh, waiting for his reaction.

“I don't know anyone named Erin.” He shook his head, turned his nose up a little, somewhat annoyed by the prediction.

“You'll meet her soon. Your oldest boy is going to devote his
life to helping others, and your youngest is going to be a surgeon, like you.”

“I've heard rumors about your abilities, but I'm a man of science, and I don't believe in predestination or anything that can't be explained.”

“Neither did I before I was given the gift. Anyway, you'll become a believer when Erin accepts your ring and agrees to marry you.”

“I'll keep an eye out for this woman named Erin,” he replied with a good-natured laugh. Misty laughed, too, presenting a mouthful of chipped and broken teeth. Dr. Cavanaugh's forehead wrinkled in concern. “Your transformation won't be complete until we've done something about your smile. I can recommend a top-notch oral surgeon if you'd like.”

“Absolutely. I value your opinion, doc.”

“Dr. Nathanial Arden uses cutting-edge dental techniques that will give you a dazzling smile in no time at all.”

•  •  •

Under anesthesia, Misty found herself back in the blissful, picturesque, alternate reality she'd explored with Shane. And once again, worldly desires seemed childish and insignificant. In this reality, she had a clearer understanding of the real meaning of love, and she didn't want to leave.

“You have to go back,” Shane told her.

“I don't want to go back. I get greedy and materialistic when I'm back in physical form. The things that matter to me are so superficial. All I think about is beauty, money, and power.”

“You're definitely not grasping the lessons you were supposed to learn when you were sent back. You see things clearly when you're on this realm, but when you're back in physical form, you fall right back into old patterns of behavior. You have to change the way you perceive life.

“You're so smart, Shane. So wise and kind. You were completely different when you weren't in spiritual form.”

“I didn't know any better when I was in my physical body, but you know better. We had numerous discussions the last time you were here with me. If you recall, you agreed to rise above material yearnings, to embody the spirit of love. You were given a second chance, Misty, and with that opportunity came the ability to heal.”

“I've been giving a few readings, but I have to do that sparingly because people will drain me dry if I let them.”

“Why aren't you healing people? All you think about is yourself and your own well-being. You never give for the sake of love.”

“I do my part. I try to heal by telling people what I see. It's not my fault if bad news surfaces while I'm doing a reading.”

“I'm not talking about your gift of prophesy; I'm talking about your ability to physically heal the human body.”

“I don't have that ability. I can see past and future life events, but I can't heal anyone. If I could, don't you think I would have spared myself from suffering through two separate surgeries?”

“You were so busy focusing on superficial wants and desires, you failed to realize that your hands possess the power to heal.”

“My hands are deformed, Shane. I can't even open them fully. I'm going to have to go through another painful surgery to get them to function normally. Life is so much easier here; why can't I stay with you?”

“You're not ready and it's not your time.”

“No offense, but I don't understand how a messed-up person like you is existing on a higher realm. There wasn't anything spiritual and selfless about you when you were in human form. You were a womanizing ho, and you committed the vilest sin when you betrayed your twin brother and got with his wife. So, how come you get to stay here? What did you ever do in your life that was beneficial to others?”

“You're right; I wasn't a good person, and so I agreed to help you—to
be your mentor and guide. From the soul's perspective, I could see that your narcissistic tendencies would land you at death's door. When you were feeling sorry for yourself and contemplating suicide, I visited with you in dreams, trying to show you the beautiful life that awaited you after you finished your journey on earth. You misunderstood and thought I wanted you to join me here much sooner than you were supposed to. And that's why I was here waiting for you, gently coaxing you to go back.”

“And you succeeded. I went back, but I swear I don't want to go back again. Being here is so peaceful.”

“Life is not about having a smooth journey where everything goes your way. It's about meeting challenges and overcoming obstacles. You got a second chance to do better, so get over yourself, Misty. The world doesn't revolve around you. Help people—not for monetary gain, but for the pure joy of sharing the love that shines within.”

“I can do that here,” Misty said. “I can help another misguided soul the way you've helped me. I can't be an invalid again, Shane. Even though I got my looks back, it's horrible not being able to walk or even move my legs.”

“You can't stay here; you have to finish your soul's journey in the physical realm. And always remember that you have the ability to heal and ease the pain of others.”

“Agh!” Misty emitted painful, strangled sounds. Her gums, jaws, her entire mouth hurt unbearably.

“I know you're in pain, and I'm going to write a prescription for something that will make you feel better,” the oral surgeon said.

Whimpering, Misty nodded. In addition to the pain, she felt lightheaded and disoriented as though she had one foot in two different worlds. There was a deep sense of loss as she glimpsed a fading, indistinguishable shadow from the corner of her eye. She had the vague memory of a dream she'd had about Shane, but couldn't recall what she'd actually dreamt.

During the limo ride home that was the courtesy of Gavin Stallings, Misty's nurse asked the driver to stop at a pharmacy so she could get Misty's prescription filled. While Audrey was inside the pharmacy, Misty felt an annoying, tingling sensation rippling through her hands. It was similar to the sensation that people refer to as a hand or a foot falling asleep, but more severe, like a thousand pins pricking her palms and the top of her hands.

She rubbed her left hand with her right and watched in astonishment as the contracted hand straightened out. With widened eyes, she examined the fingers of her left hand, balled and unballed the fist that she'd previously been unable to move.

It was a miracle! Her left hand was cured.

By the time Audrey returned to the limo, Misty's right hand and both arms were fully functional. Bewildered but also curious to see what other body part she could heal, Misty ran a palm along her jawline, instantly eliminating the pain in her gums. Next, she placed her hands beneath her denim skirt and gently stroked the flesh of each damaged thigh. She gasped as she felt her lower limbs becoming revitalized. Checking to see if she'd been able to repair her legs, Misty stretched them out and then bent them at the knee.

I'll be damned; it feels like I could walk if I tried.

The driver opened the door for Audrey when she returned. She slid into the backseat, holding up a bottle of water. “I bought this in case you need to take a pain pill right away,” Audrey said with compassion in her eyes.

“Thanks, but I can wait,” Misty answered.

“Are you sure?”

“I'm positive.”

Audrey watched Misty curiously throughout the ride to Misty's apartment. When the limo glided into the parking lot, Misty sat
in the back, in a state of awe as the driver and her nurse fiddled around in the back of the limo, retrieving her wheelchair. The driver swiftly lifted Misty and lowered her into the chair and Audrey fussed with Misty's clothing, making sure that her skirt and top were perfectly adjusted.

“Do you want to take your pill and lie down?” Audrey asked once they were inside the apartment.

Unwilling to endure the process of being transported from the chair to her bed, Misty shook her head. “No, I'm going to sit in the living room and watch TV. You can have the rest of the day off.”

“But…”

“Turn the TV on and then you can leave. I'll be fine until the second shift nurse arrives.”

Audrey retrieved the remote that was stuck between cushions on the new couch and clicked on the TV. “What do you want to see,
Maury? Wendy Williams?
A movie?”

“It doesn't matter.”

Audrey surfed through channels, finally settling on
Judge Judy.

Misty watched the TV screen, pretending to be engrossed.

“Is there anything else I can do for you? I don't feel comfortable leaving you all alone.”

“I'll be fine.”
Get out, Ms. Peabody; I need time alone!

Audrey slung the strap of her large tote bag over her shoulder. “Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.” Shifting from foot to foot, she gave Misty a questioning look.

“Bye, Audrey,” Misty said dismissively, keeping her eyes glued to the screen. She released a sigh when Audrey finally opened the front door. The moment the nurse left, Misty grasped her phone. With a straight and steady finger, she pressed a button, calling the home health care agency and then cancelled her afternoon nurse.
Then she gripped the handles of the chair and slowly lifted herself up. Standing on shaky legs, arms flailing, she attempted to balance herself, like a toddler struggling to take its first steps. She took three wobbly steps and then drifted backward and collapsed into the wheelchair, panting and gasping. Learning to walk again was exhausting work.

Determined, Misty gauged the distance from the wheelchair to the kitchen. She blew out a sigh, and then took staggering steps toward the kitchen. When she reached it, her shoulders sagged in disappointment. Fatigued, she needed to sit down and rest for a moment, but there were no chairs, only stools and she'd be damned if she was going to try climbing up a tall stool. Chest heaving up and down in exhaustion, she leaned against the fridge until she caught her breath. Minutes later, she made the trek from the kitchen to the bathroom, where she regarded her image in the mirror and smiled.

She had no idea how she was managing to walk again, and could only conclude that it was another ability that had something to do with coming out of a coma. She'd completely forgotten the visitation she'd had with Shane while under anesthesia. Had no recollection that she'd promised to use her abilities for the good of others without expecting compensation.

Finally, she toddled to the bedroom, where she flopped down on the bed and took a well-deserved nap.

A
fter work on pay day, Brick and the fellas congregated at their preferred spot to eat and then hopped in their cars and headed over to their favorite strip club. They were all grimy with layers of dust and specks of concrete clinging to their work coveralls, but it didn't matter, not with their pockets filled with crisp one dollar bills provided by the bank when they'd cashed their pay checks.

Going to the strip club was a way for Brick to unwind as he threw back beers while enjoying the delectable sights. A couple of his buddies, however, had it bad. A dude named Lance would lap dance away every cent of his pay, and his work buddy, Doug was dangerously in love with one of the dancers, a big-busted girl with hypnotic eyes and succulent lips. Her name was Mo-Monée, and that name alone should have warned Doug to steer clear of her, but he always sat in his car after the club closed, waiting to drive Mo-Monée home. By Monday, both Doug and Lance had to borrow money to buy their lunch and pay for petroleum to get around in their gas-guzzling, big cars with V8 engines.

Ordinarily, Brick would have been rushing home to make sure Misty was straight, especially a day like today when she'd gone through the ordeal of oral surgery, but he knew she'd be okay. Misty had that rich guy, Gavin, wrapped around her finger, and he was
not only paying for expensive medical procedures, he was providing Misty with nurses who didn't mind pitching in and doing a little cooking and cleaning. Brick wasn't sure if they were paid extra or if Misty was manipulating them the same way she manipulated everyone else.