Chasing Him - Kat T. Masen Page 0,42

under his breath until Clarice tells him to be quiet. We sit in silence once again but this time for ages. Clarice opens her eyes and stares directly at Charlie. They hold each other’s gaze for moments on end. “I feel a presence coming through.”

The room suddenly gets darker, or perhaps that’s my paranoia, and all eyes are fixated on Clarice.

“This person was close to you, but only for a short time. She checks on you often when you need it most.” Clarice talks about inner peace within ourselves and forgiving our past decisions that continue to burden us.

Charlie is trying her best to contain her emotions. I move and sit by her side, placing my arm around her. Tears fall down her cheeks, but she doesn’t sob nor does she wipe them with her hand. Charlie’s grandmother, who I assume is the person coming through, speaks through Clarice and says things that Charlie acknowledges are of truth.

Her turn is over, and Lex softens up, scooping a distraught Charlie into his arms.

Seriously, who does this lady think she is? I move toward Tristan on the couch as she bows her head. She starts to talk out loud, and I don’t realize it’s directed to me.

“There’s someone else coming through… his presence is strong.” She motions for me to sit, and I have no idea why I do. My body moves of its own accord. Her stare is so deep and penetrating, it intimidates me.

I’m terrified.

What does she mean ‘his’ presence is coming through?

Is it Elijah?

“I see a painting of apples. The apples are bright red, and the rest of the painting is black and white.”

I take a deep breath, the nausea creeping in. Like the painting he gave me when he proposed. Okay, seriously, it could be a coincidence… but the apples. The apple picking. Julian has gone apple-picking with me. Had he seen that?

“I see blue eyes and a child. He talks to this child. The child understands him.”

My eyes dart to Lex in panic. Did Andy hear Elijah’s voice? Why doesn’t he talk to me? Why don’t I hear his voice? Charlie pulls away from Lex, motioning for him to sit beside me. He does, and grabs my hand, lacing his fingers into mine. I look up at him on the verge of tears.

“He tries to talk to you, but you don’t listen,” Clarice continues. “You’re conflicted. You feel pain, but you also feel love.”

A lump forms in my throat, panicking that the double life I’m living will be exposed, and Elijah will hurt and be disappointed by my behavior. My sweaty palms sit inside Lex’s, but he doesn’t seem to care, squeezing them tighter, reassuring me everything will be okay.

“You’re confused, and the intensity is something you’ve never experienced.”

Lex stares at me, confused.

“He is a flame, and you are drawn to him.”

Tristan is wide-eyed and watching Lex’s expression. Eric’s mouth has dropped. Charlie is watching me curiously as her tears have subsided. My heart is racing a million miles a minute, a panic attack imminent.

“What does that mean?” I ask in desperation.

“It means there’s always a calm before the storm. Right now, you’re experiencing the calm.” She must sense the storm is sitting in this very room, right beside me.

I swallow the lump in my throat which continues to linger, my chest rising and falling heavily as my breaths are few and shallow. I know he sits beside me, but I ask the burning question anyway. “Will it end well?”

“Let your heart decide. There’s room to love again. This man, he is trying to tell you that.”

There are voices in the background, yet I hear nothing. Lost in a whirlwind of emotions, I find my strength disabled, and my weakness overtaking. The feeling is familiar, and it’s all part of that grieving process which still haunts me. The only thing is—being with Julian distracts me. It’s almost like he protects me, but here comes Elijah, talking to me through a psychic, begging me to listen to him.

And part of me knows I’m not listening because I am scared he will tell me that Julian is a big mistake.

How dare I replace him.

I’m so lost in my thoughts, and before I know it, Clarice has left the apartment, and I’ve missed Eric’s turn. I am sure he will re-tell the story a million times, so I make an excuse about being tired so we can leave.

In the car, we all stay quiet.

The night has set, and darkness has