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If you are just starting to read this, you might first want to go back to the beginning of this story – M – Mother’s Fault. https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=5059

When last we met, Clara was visiting the city after her father reluctantly let her go. Her father was very clear that she should make good decisions. Clara came prepared with some items, including a pocket knife. After leaving a store called The Magic Castle, she was followed by a strange masked woman. Realizing this, Clara went to a cafe to hopefully hide. But the woman followed her and sat down at Clara’s table. Clara clutched her knife in her hand as the woman revealed herself. It was Clara’s mother, whom she thought was dead.

In this part, we will take a step back in time to discover her mother’s story.

(part 3 of 4 – Clara’s Tale)

O – Origins

Sam and Winnie met in college. It was love at first sight. He was a strong, somewhat opinionated man, with wavy brown hair, a short goatee, and brown eyes. She was a quiet, but knowledgeable woman, with long black hair and deep blue eyes. Their contrasting lives gave them much to talk about. They complemented each other perfectly, or so they thought.

They married right out of college. He found work as a salesman for a tech company. She worked at a local library as a research librarian. In addition to doing things together, they each had their own outside activities that they participated in. 

Sam had a group of men that he met with regularly at a local pub or at the golf course. 

Winnie had her local book group. They had regular meetings, usually at each other’s houses, except for Winnie’s. Sam never understood why, and Winnie always had an excuse, claiming that one of the women was allergic to something that was in their house. 

As time went on, Sam became a bit more insistent about Winnie’s attendance at these meetings. He was convinced that something was going on that might not be legal. 

And then came the pregnancy. Sam so wanted a son. He was convinced that that was what they would have. Sam had big plans for him.

And then Clara was born. Winnie was elated, Sam was distraught. 

Winnie spent all her time with Clara. She had so much to teach her. Sam kept a watchful eye on them both. 

Clara grew up fast in her first three years. She learned to walk and talk well before anyone should have at her age. Her mother took her to many places, while her dad went to work. Clara learned about the different plants that were in nature, what to call them, and how they could be used. She learned about different seasons and how they could be celebrated. Though Clara didn’t understand most of what her mother was teaching her, she listened well.

Sam could see changes in Winnie’s behavior. She became more assertive when it came to Clara’s care. She certainly was doing things that were kept from him.

Then Joseph was born. It was all that Sam could ask for. Sam was his son. As much as Clara had become Winnie’s prized possession, Joseph became Sam’s.

And that’s when their lives changed. While Winnie was nice and supportive of Joseph, her main goal was to make Clara one of her own kind.

Sam couldn’t care less. Joseph was his. As far as Sam was concerned, Clara was just someone who lived with them. Sam became more strict with Clara and more lenient with Joseph. 

Sam also became more abusive with Winnie, though he was always careful enough not to do anything in front of the children. They were completely ignorant of what was happening with their parents. 

Sam’s suspicions of Winnie’s activities came to a head when he followed her to one of her women’s group meetings. This was no book club. This was a cult. Spying through the window at the house where the meeting was held, he saw the women, with their heads bowed, lighting candles, placing them in particular positions, and circling them. He heard them chanting words that he couldn’t quite understand. Following their chants, he could see the flames of the candles changing colors. They appeared to be doing something with a deck of cards. He could see some of the names and pictures on the cards. He saw pictures of women with swords and wands on cards. He saw cards named Justice and Judgement. And then he saw a card labeled Death. This was not a deck of playing cards. It was then that he heard his wife’s voice. He didn’t catch what she was saying; however, he did hear her say the name, Clara. 

When Winnie got home, Sam confronted her with his findings. All these years of knowing her, he never realized that she was a witch. He wouldn’t even listen to her try to explain. He told her to leave. He demanded that she never return, see, or talk to either of their children again. In his eyes, she was dead. 

With a knowing eye, she left their family that night while the children were sleeping. 

All Sam told the kids was that their mother had died and moved on to a better place. He never explained anything else. Clara was only 5, and Joseph was 2.

Joseph didn’t remember much of his mother; he was too young when it happened. Clara, on the other hand, did remember. She remembered all the things that her mother had done with her. She took the brunt of all her father’s anger at her mother, for Clara looked exactly like her. Clara was convinced that it was her fault that her mother died. 

To be concluded in P – Perceptions

If you are just starting to read this, you might first want to go back to the beginning of this story – M – Mother’s Fault. https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=5059

At the beginning of this story, Clara wanted to visit the city, but had been forbidden to do so. She claimed her father believed that she was the cause of her mother’s death and was overprotective. Her father relents, warning her to make good decisions. Clara leaves for the city, not aware of what is going to happen.

(Part 2 0f 4 – Clara’s Tale)

N – Not What Was Expected

Clara made it to the city without any problem. She had read enough articles and seen enough videos to know what to expect. When she got there, she was not disappointed. 

There were lots of people milling around. Some were just taking walks, like she was. Others were sitting at outdoor cafes, eating and chatting away. Then there were those who were riding on bicycles and scooters on the streets and sidewalks. Most of them were young kids, but occasionally you would see an older child and even some adults riding through the center of town, heads down, as if they were part of a marathon race. 

Most didn’t seem to notice her, and those who did didn’t pay any attention to what she was doing there. 

The stores, in general, were typical of what a city venue would display. There were clothing stores, food emporiums, drugstores, and some specialty stores. It was these stores that piqued Clara’s interest. One in particular, called “The Magic Castle”. She decided to take a look inside.

As she went through the door, the whole atmosphere changed. The only lighting was created by candles. There were the perfunctory outfits that a stereotypical witch or wizard would wear. There were magic potions and magic fortune telling kits. In one corner, there was a bar or drink counter. Clara could have sworn that all the drinks that were being offered were bubbling and smoking, though the scents that pervaded the air were quite sweet. There was one or two customers looking at things, and there was the storekeeper himself speaking with a few patrons. 

When the storekeeper noticed her, he walked over and introduced himself.

“Why, hello, Miss?” he questioned. 

“Clara,” she replied.

“Well, welcome, Miss Clara. It’s so good of you to join us today. I am called Mr. Cigam. I’m the storekeeper. Now what kind of magic are you looking for? We have all kinds, potions for love, magic wands for defense and trickery, Clothing that can hide almost anything or make you invisible, if you wish. Magic items that can give you your heart’s desire.” 

This was getting kind of weird. The man looked quite strange. He was wearing a star and constellation-studded cape and a turban on his head. He spoke with a distinct Eastern European accent. His eyes were of two different colors – one was green, and the other yellow.

Clara didn’t know what her heart’s desire was, but she did recognize her head’s desire, and that was to vacate the premises.

She thanked the man for his offer, and made some excuse of just looking for a friend, and seeing that her friend wasn’t there, she had to go. 

She left and continued meandering through the streets. She felt that she should be looking for something, but wasn’t sure what that was. It was like there was a piece of something connected to her. She went from store to store, looking in every window. Other than her reflection in the store windows, there was not much that interested her. 

She didn’t notice that she was being followed until about the seventh store, when behind her reflection was the same figure that had been behind her reflection in every other store window since leaving the Magic Castle. 

It was a tall woman. The woman was wearing a mask over her face similar to the ones Clara had to wear during COVID. Clara was unsure what to do. Her father told her to make good decisions. But what was the right decision: run away, or turn around and confront her follower?

Just to make sure Clara was being followed by this woman, she decided to take an erratic path through streets and alleys. She moved slowly sometimes, and quickly at others. Occasionally, when Clara rounded a corner building, she would quickly peek behind her to see if the woman was still there. And she was.

Clara decided that she needed to find a place to sit where there were a lot of people. She chose one of the cafes. She found a seat and waited to see what would happen. It didn’t take long.

The woman came into the cafe, walked up to the table that Clara was sitting at, and sat down opposite her.

The woman sat up straight and didn’t say anything at first. Clara stared at her. She had long black hair, deep blue eyes, and, from what Clara could see, even with the mask on, a very pleasant disposition. Something about her looked familiar.

The woman spoke first. “Clara, I was hoping that you would come to the city someday, and I would get to talk to you. There is so much to tell.”

Clara was tongue-tied. Was this a trick? How could this person know her name? And what could she possibly have to tell her?

Clara placed her hand into her backpack and grabbed her pocket knife, in case she had to defend herself, and finally spoke up. “Who are you? And how do you know who I am?”

The woman reached her hand up slowly and took off her mask.

It was like staring into a mirror. The only thing that Clara could say was, “MOM?”

To be Continued in O – Origins

If you are just starting to read this, you might first want to go back to the beginning of this story –  H – Harbinger https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=5019

When last we met, having passed through the rainbow, I found myself on an island, on a beach, covered with pristine white sand, which was bordered with flowers and trees, the color of a rainbow. I had a dream as I fell asleep on the beach about comforting things. On waking up, I examined the flowers behind me and tried to pick one of the scented white flowers. When I touched it, everything disappeared. 

(Part 3 and conclusion of the Harbinger Story)

J – Jasmine

No sooner had everything disappeared than a whole new landscape appeared. This time I was standing in a garden. It was enormous. The garden itself was surrounded by a low stone wall. There was a multicolored gate to let people in, which was open. The garden itself contained countless varieties of flowers, all of different shapes, sizes, and colors. I was standing in front of a floral bush of what I now realized were white jasmine flowers. Their sweet scent was overwhelming. 

As I looked around the garden, I noticed other people. These people, like the flowers, were diverse. They were of different races, genders, shapes, sizes, and handicaps. Not being very social, I just observed them. That was, until one of them walked up to me. 

She was an older woman with snow-white hair. She was a little bent over and steadied herself with a hoe in her hand. 

“Welcome to our garden,” she said. “You’re new here. What brought you here?”

I’m usually uncomfortable in the presence of people I don’t know. Engaging in conversation is definitely not my strong suit. But, for some reason, I felt comfortable talking to this woman. I not only told her my name, but I also explained everything that had happened that day, from the rain, the strange man with the multi-colored jacket, the park, the rainbow, the beach, and my arrival here.

She didn’t look surprised. Her response was, “We are all much alike. When life gets to be too frustrating and fearful, that is usually when the caretaker shows up.”

“And who is this caretaker?” I asked. 

“No one really knows that,” was her reply, “All we know is that he cares for those who need a different outlook on life.” 

“How is it that we get to go to different places like the beach or this garden?”

“It depends,” she said. “For me, it was a forest and a museum, before I landed here. For others, it has been mountains, caves, libraries, and more. I even know a person who went to another planet. It’s wherever you need to be to become the person that you are meant to be. You might want to meet and talk to others.”

“I will.” 

“Are there more places I can go?” I asked. 

“Only if the need is there,” she said. 

“I’m sorry, I forgot to ask you your name.”

She looked me in the eye, and then with a smirk, she said, “Funny you should ask. My name is the same as the bush that you are standing in front of. My name is Jasmine.”

“How long have you been here?”

“For many, many years. When I first came here, this was a very small plot of land. I decided to plant more flowers. My life outside of here was way too much for me. The planting of flowers not only calmed me down but also gave me purpose.”

“Didn’t you ever wish to go back to where you came from?”

She replied, “Why should I? What did that world ever give to me but pain? Here I help those that the caretaker transports. I get to help them understand who they are and how to accept others, no matter what their differences are. Then, if they wish, they are ready to return to their homes.”

“Do any of them stay, as you did?”

“A few,” was her answer, “Some flit off to other caretaker places, some make lasting friendships and travel together, some have told me of other places that they have been to where there are people like me who stayed and became the caretakers of their own domain, and there are those that, when ready, do choose to go back home.”

“Who makes that decision? Is there some sort of time frame to decide?”

“It’s up to you. Each place you visit is determined by what, in your life, needs to be explored and improved. The caretaker is watching all of the time; he determines by your actions and the places you’ve visited when the right time is to make a choice.”

She continued, “Tell me, what have you learned so far?”

I had to think about that for a while. Clearly, there is more to my world than the things that I’ve been focusing on. Life is not just about work and negativity. There is beauty and peace. There are a multitude of people of all different kinds, and looking around at them in this garden, they can co-exist as one. And I told Jasmine as much. 

“I am not alone in my daily strife and being,” I added. “If I can talk to you, I can do so with others.”

Then a voice behind me said, “Then you have learned what you were meant to learn.”

I turned around to find that small man in the multicolored jacket.

“Are you the caretaker?” I asked.

“I am he,” he replied, “I am sometimes referred to as the Harbinger, for it is my task to signal you of life changes necessary for a fruitful existence. So what will it be? Do you wish to continue to travel to seek what you have already found? Or do you wish to remain here and bask among the flowers? Or, would you prefer to take this newfound knowledge and try to reframe yourself, back home in that dreary rainy day that you perceived?”

I needed no time to respond. “I prefer to continue learning who I really am, but in my own time and place. I see the possibilities that you offer, and though they may seem enticing, I look at where I started this day in a different light, and for that, I thank you.” 

I turned to Jasmine and thanked her for her counsel. As I turned back to the Harbinger, there was a shimmer in the air, and I found myself back in the park.

I searched for a while to try to find the Harbinger to thank him again, to no avail. It really wasn’t necessary. I had my own path to follow. 

And, you know what? Rainy days aren’t that bad at all.

If you are just starting to read this, you might first want to go back to the beginning of this story –  H – Harbinger https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=5019

At the beginning of this story, I was despondent about a rainy day in March. A man in a multi-colored jacket tells me I will have a good day. In a park, a translucent rainbow appears, ending at my feet. Through it, I see many images of different locations and scenes. As I touch the rainbow, something happens.

(Part 2 of 3 of the Harbinger story)

I – Island 

When I touched the rainbow, it dissolved around me. I found myself in the last scene that I had been viewing through the rainbow. Now, instead of standing in a park confronted by a rainbow, I was standing on a beach confronted by miles and miles of ocean. The beach was covered with pristine white sand. Behind me, there was an assortment of trees and flowers that I could only describe as the colors of the rainbow. The sky was clear, majestic blue. 

The disappointment that I had felt at the beginning of this day suddenly turned into a marvel of inspired hope. I started walking along the beach. The scenery basically followed the path that I took. It took maybe an hour, and I ended up in the same place that I had started from. This was a very small island. 

Was it deserted? Where in the world did this place exist? Inquiring minds wanted to know. 

I sat down on the beach, staring out at the ocean before me. There was a slight wind coming in towards shore, a gentle wind, a calming wind. It wasn’t long before I found myself asleep.

Lately, whenever I’ve been asleep, all I could dream about were things I had to accomplish, deadlines that were due, angry people I had to deal with, and other things that were connected to work and my life. Sleeping hadn’t been a simple process. All those thoughts that cropped into my brain created angst and stress. I would wake up multiple times, finding it more difficult to return to slumber. 

When fully awake, maybe one of those worries returned to my mind. The rest were just filed away and forgotten, waiting for another opportunity so they could continue to trouble my sleep. I was always tired. This was why having a rainy day when this day started just added to my gloom.

But this beach, this calmness and purity that put me to sleep, was different. 

This sleep had dreams too, but they were dreams of comforting events. They were dreams of love. They were dreams of friendship. They were dreams of peace. And when I woke up from this sleep, not only was I rested, but I remembered them all. It was as if someone, knowing my life, was sending me this message of comfort. 

But I was still on my own. Where were all the people? What were they like?

I got up and walked towards the boundary of flowers. They were in groups. Each group of flowers had a distinct color. There were red ones, orange ones, yellow ones, green ones, blue ones, indigo ones, and violet ones. As I said, all the colors of the rainbow. 

In the midst of all these different colors, there was one group of white flowers on a bush. Those white flowers had a strong, sweet scent. I thought that I recognized what type of flower they were.

I bent down to get a closer examination of the flower, reached across to pick one, and as soon as I touched it, everything disappeared.

To be Continued in J – Jasmine