Quickly making my way home, I bounded through the door, screaming for my mom. I was surprised I managed the volume I did because I was definitely out of breath. I didn’t run, but I definitely walked rather quickly and I still wasn’t in good enough shape for such activity.
Worried by the racket I was making, she came running out of the bathroom with nothing on but her towel, half soaped up and dripping wet all over the wood floors. I stifled a giggle at her appearance, which annoyed her a little bit as she placed her hands on her hips in a perfect scolding-mother stance.
“What the hell, Ella? Are you ok?” she screamed, half concerned and half infuriated.
“Sorry, Mom. Didn’t mean to scare you. Yes, I’m ok. Actually, I’m PERFECT! Absolutely perfect!” I shrieked as I bounced on my tippy toes and skipped toward her.
“Well hell, Ella! Let me get back in the shower and you can talk to me.”
Once my mom got back in the shower, I sat on the bathroom counter and told her about my encounter with Jonah. Since my mom could clearly see my thoughts, I knew I couldn’t hide anything from her. So, I spoke freely when I told her how drop-dead sexy he looked while walking over to where I sat at the wheel. I made sure she saw the image of him and how he looked at me as if I were some rare gem he’d never seen before. I even projected to her how I felt when he touched me. How his laugh trickled up my spine and spread sparks of warmth through my insides. And also how playful and kind he was, making me feel comfortable and confident around him.
By the end of my rants, she was standing in front of me, holding my hands to her heart, crying, while still clad in nothing but a towel. At least now she wasn’t all sudsy.
“The owner of Lavendine? What a coincidence. I dreamed of getting back into pottery with you. The next day I signed up at the nearest studio and it just so happens to be owned by your Jonah? What are the odds?”
“My Jonah. Oh, Mom! He was so wonderful! He seemed to be a little scared of me at first though,” I admitted as I remembered him being unwilling to shake my hand.
“Men do that kind of silly stuff, Ella. They send such mixed emotions,” she said as she dried her hair.
“So, I take it you never got in touch with Jonah’s dad?”
“No. I couldn’t seem to find him. He’s probably unlisted. I was going to check public records next, but since you have found him, I don’t need to anymore, right?” she asked with a wink.
“Right.”
“So, tell me more,” she encouraged while she dressed.
“He was blocking me, but I’m not sure it was intentional. I know this sounds weird and it could just be my imagination, but it seems I can tell when someone is intentionally blocking me. I get different... I dunno... feelings. Like, yesterday, you were blocking but it was more out of excitement and happiness. Whereas, today, Jonah was blocking, but it seemed out of defense. Like, he was scared or unwilling to let his guard down.”
“It doesn’t sound odd, Ella. You’re just more gifted than the average soul seer,” she explained. “Some seers can actually feel the emotions behind a shield. And, given enough time and practice, some seers can even penetrate those shields.”
“Penetrate? You mean, get past someone’s mental block to see what they are hiding?”
“Yes. And usually those who can feel the emotional reasons behind a shield can also penetrate that shield. Only those who know how to block their emotions are the ones who cannot be penetrated,” she explained as she looked at me. “Make sense?”
“Sort of, I guess. I feel so out of control with it all though.”
“You’ll get it. Once we are stable with your PT, we’ll start working on your mind. For now, don’t worry yourself about it. You have your entire life to hone in on your abilities.”
A few minutes later, we were enjoying a late lunch out on the back deck.
*****
The sun was shining brightly through the canopy of trees above our little stone table, peeking its rays through the branches and kissing my skin ever so slightly—as if it was a shy child wanting to come out and play. Leaning back, I lifted my face and closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth against my skin. Sounds of Debussy flooding from the French doors of the house overtook my senses and began lulling me into a deep meditative state. I wasn’t sleeping, but I sure as heck wasn’t paying attention to what was around me.
Suddenly, my mom’s cell phone rang, startling me from my trance and causing me to crack an eye open to make sure she was still there to answer it.
“Ella, it’s for you!” she practically screamed as she sprang from her chair, held her hand over the microphone, and bounced from foot to foot in excitement.
With a wrinkle to my brow and a confused look on my face, I asked, “Who is it?”
“I think it’s him!” she squeaked and pushed the phone into my chest.
My eyes went wide and I swear, if I hadn’t been sitting down, I would have surely fell flat on my face. Jonah is calling me? I pushed myself up into a sitting position, straddling my legs along the sides of the chaise lounge I thought was so comfortable just moments ago.
“Well, Ella? Don’t make him wait,” she whisper-scolded. I swear mothers must go to school just to learn how to sound terse even when whispering.
With shaking hands, I grabbed the phone and brought it to my ear. Thankfully, my mom went inside, giving me privacy and letting me bask in the warm sun while I talked with my Jonah.
“Hello?” A weak little chime was all I could muster. My body shook with nerves and I scolded myself for acting so childish over a phone call. If just a call from him made me this weak, how was I to manage seeing him at the studio—hopefully on a daily basis if I had anything to say about it.
“Ella?” he asked.
I nodded stupidly, and then realized he couldn’t hear a nod! “Yes, this is Ella.” Damn, girl. You sound like such a wimp. Pull it together. Be strong.
“Hi there. This is Jonah, from Lavendine?” His statement sounded like more of a question before he continued by saying, “I’m sorry to call so unexpectedly, but I really enjoyed your company earlier today.”
“Really? ...I mean, yeah. I really appreciated your help,” I said, like the shy moron that I am.
“Just my help?” I could clearly tell he was grinning through the phone. His smiling words made my bashfulness melt away slightly. He really did make me feel more comfortable as he spoke—almost as if I had known him for a long time.
“No, not just the help. I enjoyed every minute,” I finally admitted with the most honesty I could muster. I wanted to tell him so much more, but I held my tongue.
“Good. I’m glad. I didn’t want to be the only one who thoroughly enjoyed our encounter today. Say... when can I see you again?”
Oh my! He wanted to see me again! I was speechless as I tried to come up for air. Where’d all the damn air go? I couldn’t breathe. Breathe, Ella. He’s just a boy. A devastatingly handsome boy who just so happens to be perfect for you in every way.
“Ella? You still there?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I just... would it be too forward of me if I said I’d like to see you again today?”
My forwardness was rewarded with his stunning laugh trickling through the phone, even causing my ears to have goose bumps at the sound of his joy. “God, no. I was hoping you would say that. Can I come pick you up around four?”
“Oh, I have PT until four. How about six?” I asked, hoping he would still be available.
“PT? You mean, physical therapy?” he asked, concern etched in his voice.
Shit. I didn’t want to let him know about any of that. Me and my big mouth! That’s what I get for not thinking before I speak. How was I supposed to explain something so embarrassing to him?
“Ella?”
“Yes. I have physical therapy until four. If five is too late, I can cancel...”
“No. Please don’t do that. That’s way too important to cancel. Five is perfect. How does dinner sound?”
“Sounds wonderful,” I admitted all too quickly.
“Perfect. Anything you have in mind? Any particular tastes?” he politely asked.
“Nope. I’m pretty flexible. Whatever you choose will be fine with me.”
“Sounds good then. Dinner date it is,” he said with a smile in his tone.
“And?”
“And what?” he asked, obviously confused about my question.
“And, what else can we do besides dinner? Dinner might last an hour and a half at most? I’d like to spend a little more time than that with you,” I cheekily requested.
“Damn, I would love to spend more time with you. But, I have to work on a rather large project at the studio tonight,” he said, disappointment clearly in his words.
Now I felt bad for putting him on the spot. “Oh, Jonah, I was just teasing. Dinner is really enough, I promise.”
“No. No, it’s not. There’s never going enough time to spend with you, Ella,” he said with a pause. “Actually, I would like to show you what I’m working on if you want to come back to the studio with me after dinner.”
“Really?” I asked, shocked he would want to spend more time with me.
“Yes, really. I’d love it if you would accompany me back to the studio, as long as you don’t mind keeping me company while I work.”
“Oh, Jonah! I’d love to watch you work. I’m not going to be in your way, am I?” I asked, worried he was just inviting me to be polite.
“Of course not. You might be just the distraction I need,” he said, a flirtatious tone taking over his words.
“I can’t wait to distract you then,” I said in a pitiful attempt to flirt back.
I heard him breathe a sigh through the phone, as if he was upset about something, or trying to gain control of his emotions.
“Ella?”
“Yes, Jonah?”
“Would you mind terribly if I ask what the physical therapy is for?”
“I don’t mind that you ask, but maybe I can tell you over dinner instead? It’s a rather long story.” Hopefully he’ll forget by then and I can skirt this whole conversation.
“That sounds like a great idea. I’m looking forward to knowing everything there is to know about you, lovely Ella.”
Wow. His words made my insides melt, radiating that feeling of excitement all the way down to my center. I suddenly felt embarrassed my mom was probably listening to my thoughts and here I was, getting all hot and bothered by a boy.
“I’ll see you at six,” he said.
Just before he hung up, I caught his attention. “Oh, Jonah. One more thing.”
“What’s up?”
“This is my mom’s cell phone. Do you want my number instead so you can get in touch with me directly?”
“Of course! Let me get a pen,” he said as I heard some shuffling. “Ok, ready when you are.”
I gave him my number and was sure my face would split in two as I smiled big. My smile was so wide, my cheeks actually hurt. I felt like such a child. My inexperience with boys was entirely valid. It seemed so much different in my dreams. In real life? These new lustful feelings were nothing short of euphoric, causing the pit of my stomach to do summersaults at the mere thought of seeing him again.
A few minutes later, after the girly-giddy-gallops with my mom, I received a text message from none other than the enigmatic Jonah.
I can’t wait to see you again, lovely Ella. Be there at six. We’re not going anywhere fancy, so you can wear something comfortable.
I could hardly contain my excitement during my PT session that day, eager to get home and get ready for my date with Jonah.