Chapter 38 The Rainmaker

We are the living links in a life force that moves and plays around,and through us,binding the deepest soilswith the farthest stars 

- Alan Chadwick

 

Burns

 

Yellow Leaves and reads the Stars have welcomed us with open arms. They look at Sky like a daughter. They’ve offered us their guestroom since Sky’s apartment is no longer available. They took all Sky’s belongings and stored them in the attic for the time being. We might have to drive back instead of fly.

Toledo has a strange effect on me. This is where Emma grew up. I can’t help but wonder how her life was before we came to this planet.

“We’re here,” Sky pulls me out of my thoughts.  I look up at the Observatory. This is where Reads the Stars works. Sky told me about the telescope they’re trying to develop. It would be interesting to see if they succeed. “I cant wait to show you the star tower,” Sky says. She proceeds towards the door, but instead of opening it, she seems hesitant to enter. “What’s wrong?” I ask. She bites her lip. “This is… where my host’s father worked. I… haven’t been here in a while. It’s just a little strange.” “But you’ve been here before, right?” She nods, but worry mars her face. I take her hand and notice the slight tremble. I press it softly for reassurance.

Her whole face changes when we step inside and I can feel her body relax. Her hand is still holding mine, but she either doesn’t notice or she doesn’t mind. I stare at her for a moment. She really is quite pretty. Her head turns towards me and she catches my stare. A blush spreads across her cheeks. “This way,” she hurriedly pulls me up the stairs, ducking her face embarrassed.

Before long we arrive in a large room. Several people are studying charts and computer screens. Reads the Stars is one of them. The moment he sees us, he waves us over. “Hello you two. Have you come to visit me?” “I wanted to show Burns the telescope,” Sky says. “You picked a good night,” Reads the Stars nods, “it’s very clear outside.” He motions towards a giant telescope in the center of the room. “Go ahead. Have a look.” Sky nods at me. “You can go first. You haven’t been here before.”

I take a step forward and look through the lens. It’s amazing how many stars I can see up close. It’s so very different than looking at them with bare eyes. The universe is so incredibly large. I watch a moment longer before stepping aside for Sky. I smile while watching her. She seems like a different person. A hand falls on my shoulder and I look up to meet Reads the Stars’ eyes. He motions with his head to follow him and I do so confused. He leads me a bit aside and smiles at me kindly. “I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that Sky found you,” he says, “she already looks much happier. We were really worried about her at first. We were afraid she’d might have to skip hosts.” “Why?” I ask concerned. His next words fill me with dread. “Her host seemed to be resistant. There were a few incidents. She was really scared. She even went to visit her Healer friend to speak to him about it. But she’s doing much better now.” For a  moment I can’t think straight. I try to make sense of what he told me. Of course I’ve heard rumors of this kind of thing happening, but never paid it much attention.

But if it’s true…

Then maybe Emma…

What if it’s true?

I glance at Sky, who is still occupied with the starry night. I think back on everything that’s happened since I’ve met her. Were there incidents? I can’t be sure. Yes, she burned her hand on her tea. And she tripped in the forest, but wasn’t Emma a little clumsy too? But there was the prism too…

Reads the Stars pats my shoulder. “You make a nice couple you know.” He nods at me and heads back to his desk to do his job. I look at Sky again. A feeling of unease fills my body. Sky turns when she feels my stare. “Do you want to have another look?” she asks and steps aside. I take a deep breath and force out a smile. “Sure.”

***

The words Reads the Stars spoke are etched into my mind. Could it be true? And if it is, does Emma know I’m here? Is she conscious to the outside world? Does she hate me? We sit on the couch together in the guestroom. A movie is playing on the television, but I honestly can’t tell what it’s about. I’m too aware of Sky’s arm touching mine. I flinch when Sky’s head suddenly lands on my shoulder. She lets out a small sigh. “Isn’t it romantic?”  I glance down at her and a smile slips on my face. I can’t help it. Regardless whether Emma is still present, I am glad to have met Sky. She is a nice person and I like her. That only makes things more complicated. “I’m tired,” I mutter and rub my eyes, “I think I’ll go to sleep.” “Oh okay,” Sky says and she sits up, “do you want me to turn off the TV?” “No, that’s alright. It doesn’t bother me.” I smile assuring and get up from the couch. “Good night Sky.” “Night.”

I get changed in the bathroom and crawl into the bed. I haven’t made a problem of sharing it with Sky. Friends can share a bed. But now I’m not so sure.

I lie awake for a long time, staring at the ceiling. I think about Emma. How she questioned everything I did, her wariness, the careful smile in her eyes when she was not sure about things. And about Sky. How she is the opposite of Emma in almost everything, but still has that same kindness. Or perhaps Emma had her kindness.

It’s close to morning when I finally fall asleep.

***

When I come downstairs, Yellow Leaves is in the kitchen making pancakes. She smiles when she notices me. “I heard you upstairs and since you slept in, I thought you might be hungry. I hope you like pancakes.” “Yes, thank you,” I nod  and I sit down at the kitchen table. She moves over and plants a plate in front of me. “How do you usually have them? We have maple syrup, whipping cream, blue berries or chocolate sauce.” “Ah, maple syrup please.” Yellow Leaves moves over to the cupboard to get me the bottle. “This kids are in school,”  she informs me, “and Reads went to work. Sky should be back soon. She went to the restaurant where she worked before.” She sits down across from me. “I believe she was going to resign from the job and return with you.” She smiles. I answer her smile carefully. I’m not sure how to respond, so I take a bite from my pancake. “This is really good,” I compliment after swallowing. “Thank you so much,” Yellow Leaves says softly, “I’ll leave you to it. If you need anything just ask.” I nod. “I will, thank you.” She stand up and disappears to another part of the house.

I don’t mind spending the rest of the day in my own. It gives me the opportunity to explore the city by myself. I like company, but I like to be on my own too every once in a while. The shops are very inviting and I can’t help but stop and glance inside as I walk by. When I get to a jewelry store, I stop. Something in the window has drawn my attention. I step inside and walk up to the counter. An elderly man nods at me and smiles. “Can I help you?” “Yes please,” I say, “I saw something in the window and I’d like to have a closer look.” “Of course,” the man says, “I’ll call my assistant for you. One moment please.” He disappears in a backroom. While I wait for him to return, I take a closer look at all the little ornaments in the shop. Aside from the regular jewelry, they have glass figurines too. They remind me of the prism I gave to Emma. And later to Sky.

The man returns with a boy with spiky hair. He is probably around sixteen in human years. When he notices me, he smiles and holds out his hand for me to shake. “Hello. I’m Mellow Voice. Many Crystals tells me there is something you’d like to have a look at?” I nod. “Yes. The necklace in the window. The silver one.” Mellow Voice laughs. “They’re all silver. You’ll need to be a little more specific.” “Ah,” I say embarrassed, “I’m sorry. The one with the musical note.” “Ah. Good choice,” Mellow Voice says, “I’ll get it for you.” He’s back after a few seconds. “Here you go. Is it for someone special?” “It’s for a friend of mine,” I answer, “I think she’ll like it very much.” “A lady friend huh. You should definitely take it then.” I smile. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I give it to her. “I’ll take it.”

---

Uh-oh, Burns suspects something.... 

Song to the side --->