Short Stories

<BODY BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000" LINK="#000000" ALINK="#800200" VLINK="#000000"> <bR> <div>              <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>  Touched by the Goddess</B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>A short story By Rose M. Watson</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Again Baxter tries, sitting, gazing into the fire. “I need, I want to be back.”  Letting himself drift into a meditative state, conjuring the images needed to make that special journey. </div> <bR> <div> “I’ve done this so many times before. “Why can’t I reach it again? I was there before I met her, we traveled together so many times.  Why can’t I go back without her?” Facing another disappointing evening he succumbs to sleep.</div> <bR> <div> Cleansing the cobwebs from his mind, he walks into the center of  Salem, he finds himself walking towards the little shop on the corner of Essex and Vine.  This tiny little shop, barley visible, nestled behind over grown bushes and potted plants.  Hanging baskets, full of herbs and flowers, cascading down almost covering the window of the shop.  Such a small area, its brick sidewalk incapable of growing the abundance of life unless someone with the creativity and insight to take full advantage of the sun and a little water, changing it into a tranquil setting bursting with life.  He notices the old woman again.  She walks slowly toward the shop, time taking away the youth filled bounce she once had.  Suddenly she disappears, did she go into the shop? </div> <bR> <div> Is this the wise one he has been told about?  All his friends told him she could help.  Well it does not matter because he knows the answers to the questions he seeks are inside this tiny little shop.  </div> <bR> <div> He enters, surprised the shop seems much larger, Glass shelves filled neatly with herbs and oils.  Like outside the abundance filled the inside but the dark dreary atmosphere he expected was bright with the scent of Rosemary drifting in the air.</div> <bR> <div> He did not know when she first appeared, she seemed to float through the glass beaded doorway looking directly into his eyes.  Walking towards him she took his hands into hers,  a firm grasp with the touch of soft down.  Did she speak or did he hear her only in his mind.  Her hair was silver, no flaxen, glistening like first snow at midnight illuminated by the full moon, the way diamonds sparkle in the sunlight.  She was beautiful, her voice caressed, the total serenity she projected would calm the wildest of beasts.  He didn’t have to speak, her touch sensed all of his questions, she knew why he was here.  He awaited her answers.</div> <bR> <div> Softly she spoke, “when the soul decides to leave, whether planned or by mistake, we can only hold the memory with the assurance in the next life we will be reunited.  If you have found and lost your soul mate in this life, as tormented as you maybe, your lives will touch again.  Starting the next journey with a subconscious knowledge bringing it to the next level.  </div> <bR> <div> But, sometimes what seems to be may not, for you are not ready to make that journey.  You have much to do in this life.  Take these herbs, tonight while you relax, burn the herbs, all I want you to do is remember the most pleasant memory you both shared.  Do not go beyond.  I will see you tomorrow. </div> <bR> <div> The scent of the herbs drifted around him.  Being in a relaxed hypnotic state, a memory of a time they both shared tore through his mind.  As he drifted he could almost see her reach out to him.  About to reach, confusion set in.  Her face was different, her hair darker and longer.  Her eyes were lighter, her subtle smile grew as she reached for him.  She was strangely familiar but not the love he lost.  Confused he sat upright, startling himself back into the reality of his surroundings.  He could hear her words. “Do not go beyond.”</div> <bR> <div> He enters the shop, once again she is in the same doorway.  She is more beautiful than he remembered.  Again she takes his hands in hers, the warmth and energy flows jolting him.  He has never felt energy this strong.  “Ahh you saw her but she is different from your loved one.  Tonight you will talk with her.”</div> <bR> <div> Making his way home with his thoughts, he anxiously anticipates his journey tonight.  The vision he saw he wants to talk with.  Yet the vision he just left he wants to know better.  Minutes seems like hours, finally his journey begins.</div> <bR> <div> She appears just as before.  Her out stretched arms calling to him.. He reaches out not knowing what he wants to say.  She speaks softly, “We have met many years ago in a past life.  We are to meet again, I await the time for it is soon.”  Before he could ask where, She was gone.  </div> <bR> <div> He opens the door to the now very familiar shop.  With more questions now than ever before.  She is preparing to leave, placing her shawl around her graceful shoulders.  With a radiant smile she takes his hand.  “You will find your destiny, she is waiting for you but for now I am late and must leave.”  Almost rejected he leaves, as he looks back the door of the shop was opening.  She steps out catching his stare.  With the same radiant smile and caressing voice, the old woman he has seen so many times on the street, steps through the door.</div> <bR> <div> Holding his stare she speaks softly, “Sometimes we see with our hearts.  You needed to see me as the young woman I once was.  I see you as someone who had many questions with the answers deep within.  You have unleashed the power within yourself.  Now go and meet the one who is waiting.  Fulfill your destiny.” </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>She Speaks</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> She sat in a small café surrounded by groups of people busily talking within themselves. Even in this crowd she was alone.  She was restless, the need for change summoned her.  She knew she could not stay in this city any longer.  She felt it tug on her heart, she was suppose to be somewhere else, but where? </div> <bR> <div> Walking home Seira planned her next move, "I am going to quit my job, pack and I am moving to Salem Massachusetts."  "This is where my destiny lies, I can feel it in my soul."  </div> <bR> <div> In her new surroundings, she tingled with excitement.  "I feel alive, this is where I am suppose to be."  Overlooking the Witch Memorial, she looked through the window of her new apartment.  "I feel energized, I know this was the right move."  "Next, I will seek people like myself, ones who know the worship of the Goddess, gentle people, excepting the differences of all beings.  Yes, this was the right decision."</div> <bR> <div> On this crisp Autumn day, Seira walked to the center of town.  She notices a small shop at the corner or Essex and Vine.  "What a pretty little shop, it gives me a feeling of peace and love."  Entering she notices an old woman tending to her inventory, her shelves neatly aligned with her herbs, potions, oils and assorted plants.  As they greet, the old woman takes her hand in hers and gently expresses a welcome of a long awaited meeting.  "At last you have come, I have been waiting for you."</div> <bR> <div> Taken aback, Seira responded with, "What? How is it possible you are waiting for me?" With a soft whisper she replied, "You have come to meet your destiny, your soul mate and he is in this city, I have met him and he knows of you."</div> <bR> <div> Please, take these herbs, burn them tonight, you must know when and where to meet him."</div> <bR> <div> Seira looked very hard into the old woman's eyes, "What makes you think I will reach Him?"  "Ahh the old woman replied, "You are not a stranger to the ways, you are seeking the missing element in your life, this is why you are here."</div> <bR> <div> Taking the packet of herbs, Seira left with a very anxious feeling, unsure but excited.  Seira did know the ways, applying all her knowledge and energy into grinding the herbs in preparation for this meeting.  Having done this so many times before, only this time she anticipated her destiny.</div> <bR> <div> The hour approached midnight, Seira lit the charcoal, placed the herbs to burn.   Relaxing she bought herself into alpha state.  </div> <bR> <div> In a peaceful state she drifted, she could see a man approaching with long strong strides.  The illumination of light behind him made him look like a silhouette emerging from fog.  Although she could not make out his image, something was very familiar, the way he moved his arms as he walked, the tilt of his head.  As the light shifted, she could see his face much clearer.  His arms stretching towards her, he spoke.  "I have been searching for you, you came to me in a vision, I need to find you."  </div> <bR> <div> With outstretched arms, Seira beckoned "Yes I know, where, when do we meet?" Before he could answer, he faded from her sight.  "No, please don't leave." </div> <bR> <div> With disappointment Seira sat upright trying to remember his face, she soon realized the journey she had the month before.  Yes, this was the man she summoned.  She remembered the confused look on his face as if he was expecting somebody else but when recognition set in, he smiled.   </div> <bR> <div> Morning brought so many questions.  Sipping her tea she gazed through the window overlooking the Memorial.  She knew she had to go back to the little shop and visit with the old woman, the one with all her answers.</div> <bR> <div> Seira approached the tiny shop, seeing the old woman with watering can in hand tending to her flowers. The old woman taking her hand in hers, "Go now to the Witches Memorial, his name is Baxter, quickly for he is about to leave" was all she said.</div> <bR> <div> Almost running, she knew it was a ten minute walk from here.  All kinds of questions tore through her mind.  "What do I do call out his name? What if he is gone?"</div> <bR> <div> Finally reaching the memorial she notices no one is there.  She sat on one of the stone benches protruding from the wall, refusing to let tears come.  She was not sure how much time had  passed.  The air was growing damp and a fog started to roll in.  As she stood to leave she noticed a figure approaching, a silhouette of a man with a familiar walk.  Did she dare call to him? "Baxter was all she could say.  With arms held open he responded, "I have been searching for you."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Full Circle</B></div> <bR> <div> As they both approached each other.  Seira looked into Baxter’s eyes, she spoke the only words she felt, “I don’t know why but I know I saw you.  You were in my heart, I can’t remember the past life but you were there.”  Baxter knew the same feeling, “Yes I know, I was looking for someone else but when I saw you, I recognized and realized you were in my life before, I knew I must find you”.</div> <bR> <div> Again silence, only looking into each others eyes, feeling their hearts touch, knowing they belonged together.  Breaking the silence, Baxter with a slight slanted smile said “How about dinner?”  It didn’t take long before the love they both shared flourished. </div> <bR> <div> Ahh the old woman, yes the need to share their joy and happiness, to thank her for all her help, kindness and caring.  They both walked to the tiny little shop on the corner of Essex and Vine.  As they approached, the shop seemed dismal, the window cloudy with dust, the door locked, the shop looked as though it was abandoned for years.  A sign hung on the door “For Rent”.  Seira and Baxter looked into each others eyes and knew at that moment they had received very special help, not surprising them in the least.   </div> <bR> <div> Needing to work, Seira decided this would be the perfect opportunity.  Before long the shop was cleaned, glass shelves were neatly stocked with herbs, oils, potions, hanging plants hung by the window and glass beads were strung from the doorway leading to the back room.  Yes the shop now resembled the one they remembered and loved.   </div> <bR> <div> As time past, Seira’s knowledge grew, she became a very important part of the community.  People would seek her, asking for advice, getting herbs and oils of special blends to banish obstacles and create positive energy in their lives.  </div> <bR> <div> Life and time moved quickly, Seira and Baxter raised two beautiful children who in turn produced five especially blessed grandchildren.  Life couldn’t be more perfect until fate struck Baxter with an illness which would take him from Seira and this life.  </div> <bR> <div> Soon twenty five years had past, having no complaints because life was full of love for her family, community and her little shop.  Seira knew her time was growing near, she wanted someone to take her place and continue her work.  </div> <bR> <div> A young woman entered the shop looking for employment.  She had flaxen hair and a beautiful smile.  As she walked through the shop, she possessed a complete familiarity of the shops contents, as though she placed each item in it’s special spot.  She stroked the glass beads in the doorway smiling her approval.  Taking her hand in hers, Seira felt the energy this young one possessed, it  was almost as strong as her own.  At this moment Seira knew this one belonged here, she was back.   </div> <bR> <div> Seira first noticed him on the street, his walk familiar, the tilt of his head and the blueness of his eyes.  A kind face, with a slightly slanted smile, maybe twenty five yeas in age.</div> <div> Oh yes, he would come for advice,  a call from his past, confused because he did not recognize the full intent of his dreams.  Soon he would find her shop.  </div> <bR> <div> Making his way to Essex and Vine, he entered the tiny shop.  She approached him walking through the glass beaded doorway.  Giving him a radiant smile, wondering how he saw her.  Did he see the young woman from long ago or the one who was fast approaching the end of this life?  She took his hand in hers, she felt the loss and loneliness in his life.  He was searching for her, the one who haunted his dreams. </div> <bR> <div> He looked at her with a sad but pleasant smile, showing his respect for an old wise woman with many years beyond his.  A sadness fell upon Siera, she gave him a packet of herbs with the instructions.  “At midnight burn these herbs, many of your questions will be answered.”</div> <bR> <div> At the hour of midnight, relaxing he lit the charcoal, placing the herbs to burn.  He drifted, he could see a young woman but not the one who haunted his dreams.  She spoke with a gentle voice and had a loving smile.  “As we go through our many lives we touch upon many souls.  When we find a soul mate we return but sometimes we are torn between two.  We both are torn. I will join with you again but not in this life my love.  She is close, you will find her soon.  I will join you in the next life.  I will not return again.”</div> <bR> <div> Morning brought a beautiful sunny day, Seira busily prepared all she needed to do.  Her first task was to give the shop to her apprentice.  As she was gathering a few personal items of sentimental value, she heard the door of the shop open,  he entered the shop.  Seira gave him a smile, touched his cheek and ran her fingers over the tiny slanted smile he gave her.  </div> <bR> <div> With the scent of Rosemary drifting in the air, she entered though the glass beaded doorway, her flaxen hair gracing her shoulders, with a radiant smile and caressing voice of welcome. She took his hands in hers and they looked into each others eyes, souls from the past reunited. </div> <bR> <div> Seira gathered her items, placed the shawl around her shoulders, as she stepped through the door, with tears in her eyes she turned for one last look.  At this moment she knew they had come full circle.  </div> <bR> <div> THE END AND BEGINNING    </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </BODY>