Stepping inside the cottage, Abby marveled once again at how she’d been guided over the last few days. It was as if her Crestview life had been detoured into this new one. The disturbing reason was becoming more apparent, thanks to last night’s talk with Nash. She was making a grand effort to abide the whole whacky experience unfolding. However, tamping down her guilty conscience related to her lab research had proved daunting. She’d set it aside for the moment.
Abby devoted the rest of the morning to unpacking. What astonished her most was how comfortable being in Charm felt. Even more strange, instinctively, she knew where things were in the kitchen cabinets. Without thought, she opened the right door and got out the tea kettle. It was as if she’d set up the cottage in the past and returned after a long absence. She wondered if Nash and Bella had these same experiences when they moved into Hidden Haven.
A tap on the front door sent Abby to greet Gita. “Gosh, it’s so good to see you again. Please come in. Noon slipped up on me.”
Gita entered and embraced Abby. “That tells me you’re focused on feathering this darling little nest.” Gita’s eyes took in the space. “Yes, you’ve definitely imprinted yourself here. Very nice indeed.” Abby’s guide moved toward the kitchen. “Shall I put our lunch in the refrigerator, or would you prefer the repast now?”
Abby followed. “Honestly, I’m starving. How about I grab the iced tea pitcher and glasses? Would you mind bringing what you brought us? We can mosey out to the gazebo and enjoy our lunch and visit there.”
“That’s a delightful idea. I just need my tote. I left it in the living room chair.” Gita returned. “Let’s go savor the afternoon’s offerings, dear one.”
~*~
Abby tossed the empty salad containers into the sack and used the spare napkin to wipe down the bamboo glass coffee table. “Gita, you know where to find the most delicious food in Charm. That Asian crispy noodle salad was an unexpected delight. Thank you. Next time, I’ll make us lunch.”
“You’re most welcome. The salad is a favorite of mine, and your idea to dine in the gazebo made it more enjoyable. I so love the overall ambiance here and the comfy seating. Shall we break open our fortune cookies?” Gita held up hers.
“Absolutely. You go first.” Abby waited while Gita read the tiny paper. “Well?”
Gita’s cheeks blushed. “Mine says, ‘New love will come calling.’”
“Wow, new love. How exciting.” Abby’s eyes danced.
“Love at my age? Simply ridiculous.” Gita shook her head and laid the fortune aside.
“I think love knows no age,” said Abby.
“Phooey. Open your cookie.”
Abby paused a tick. “You will soon live your heart’s desire.”
Gita applauded. “That’s the perfect opening to today’s lesson. Shall we begin, dear girl?”
“Please.” Abby positioned herself cross-legged on the outdoor sofa. “I’m ready. Ring the school bell.”
A tiny smile found Gita’s mouth. “Very well. Do you remember when I called you a quester?”
“I do.”
“So, in Charm, we have a few archetypes, as I call them. I use the noun loosely. For our purpose, we’ll focus on a quester’s signature, which fits you perfectly. A quester’s world is defined by an insatiable hunger for knowledge and understanding. For example, by questioning that which interests you, you gain knowledge. Through knowledge comes a higher understanding. In that understanding, you find purpose. You find meaning. Only when you reach that height, that awareness, can your life deliver abundant blessings. It’s how your spirit advances you to the next level. You see, the spirit’s goal is to keep advancing and perfecting. That’s a lot to absorb, but are you grasping the flow?” Gita studied Abby’s face.
“I believe so. That’s an interesting string of consciousness. I’m someone who’s on a quest to ultimately discover my life’s purpose and meaning. I’m doing this so I can advance to a higher level.” Abby stole a breath.
“Keep going,” said Gita.
“To achieve this, I use my preferred method of questioning or interrogating. It’s all tied into me seeking knowledge, which leads to understanding my purpose. Whew! Is that it?” Abby leaned forward, aware of her body’s reaction to the lesson.
Gita nodded. “That’s correct, but only if you’re applying those principles and steps for good. Abby, you’re one of those who entered this life highly evolved and gifted with a great mind. Because of those abilities, you were led to Charm. Do you have an inkling yet as to why?”
Abby covered her face with her hands, feeling the guilt return. “I think so.” She raised her head and looked into Gita’s knowing eyes. “Last evening, Nash and I had a discussion along these lines. He shared how his misdirected work in Peru landed him in Charm. You might say the lightning bolt hit me at that moment. Gita, I chose....” Her throat tightened, choking off more words. Abby stared off.
“Don’t deny your truth a voice. Hear this important part of the teaching. If you can tell it, you can heal it.” Gita poured more tea into each of their glasses.
“This telling is hard. It feels more like a confession,” Abby said, hearing her voice quivering. She felt fresh remorse sweep through her body.
“Then confess it. Get it out so we can find your rightful path.” Gita said no more.
Abby knew the silence could only be broken by her. Why was she reluctant to tell this woman sent to help of her missteps? Didn’t she want to fix her thinking, her actions and go home? What held her prisoner? The answer came in one word—shame. She felt deep shame for going off track in her life by chasing the accolades and monetary gain instead of honoring and protecting nature’s code.
Abby exhaled deeply. It was time. “I’m ready to own my failings.”
“Excellent. Begin wherever you’d like. Keep in mind that I’m not here to judge but simply witness.” Gita’s smile assured Abby of that truth.
Drawing a deep breath, she began the healing work. “As a cosmetic researcher, I used my knowledge of botany in a harmful way. My ego followed in step with the other egos I worked around. I sought notoriety and monetary rewards and willingly altered—reengineered—flower stem cells to create ingredients that might slow skin aging on the cellular level. I gave little thought to how the body would receive lab-created chemicals. Like so many companies in this competitive, driven business, it’s about results and the bottom line. Gita, I believe I’ve unlocked the secret, but now I know it’s a dark, maybe even a deadly secret.” Abby stood and walked to the gazebo’s opening.
“Tell me, Abby, in this moment, what do you know?” Gita’s voice was barely a whisper.
“I know that I should never have altered nature’s code. The consequences to humans could prove dire. Upsetting nature’s delicate balance ultimately brings harm to many. That statement has to be true by its very divination.”
Gita nodded. “Saying and understanding those words means you’ve successfully tapped into your spirit. This is a cleansing telling. Do go on. Finish this.”
Abby returned to her chair and looked at Gita. “This cleansing telling ain’t easy, but yes, I have more to confess. I recognize today that I can’t improve or enhance what nature’s capable of doing. All of God’s creation exists in perfection. My attempts to sabotage, to alter it perhaps forever, needed interrupting for the greater good.” Abby gave a solemn nod.
“More? Tell me how you feel with this awareness?” asked Gita.
“I’m glad of it. Distilling my actions down for you helps me grasp the magnitude of my fall from grace, so to speak. I accept that I’ve been dropped into some kind of well-deserved purgatory.”
Gita remained silent.
Abby felt lighter but not forgiven. There was another piece to her research not shared. Before leaving Crestview, she’d stumbled upon a discovery that cracked the orchid’s replication code. She’d told no one and had the foresight to lock away that information. She took some small comfort there. But if she stayed away too long, her boss would go snooping. Abby swallowed and returned her attention to Gita. “Yes, I deserve purgatory.”
Gita reached out and patted Abby’s arm. “While I can certainly appreciate your reference to purgatory, I’d like to explain how Source operates. This method is based on our experiences living in Charm. I find this information often elicits an aha from my seekers. Once again, I ask you to suspend judgment. Agreed?”
“Agreed, but who is the Source?” Abby frowned. “Do you mean God or a supreme being of intelligence?”
“Yes, that’s exactly who I mean. Are you a believer in a higher power?” Gita’s countenance appeared to glow.
Abby gave a solemn nod. “I do believe in God. That’s why my shame and disappointment in myself has smacked me down. Please, Gita, don’t hold back.”
“It’s why I’m here with you today. I want to simplify what isn’t simple. First, I ask you to accept the concept and truth that dimensional living exists. By that, I mean we live in different dimensions, all real and all vibrant. Your life in Crestview represented one dimension or vibration. Charm is but another. Each one functions in divine harmony as long as we honor the principles and laws. I’ve given you a key insight into the world’s workings. Did it register?” Gita stirred her tea.
“Yes. I’d like to pause and sit with what you shared if that’s acceptable?” asked Abby.
“By all means.”
Abby shut her eyes from outside distractions and contemplated Gita’s explanation. Moments later, she felt ready to re-enter her lesson. “I find this concept of dimensional living captivating. So, Charm is as real as Crestview, except it operates on a different plane.” Abby’s face brightened. “It’s like a record album. When I want to play a different song, I lift the needle and drop it down. All the songs exist on that round piece of vinyl but in another place. Maybe that’s a bad analogy, but it sort of works for me.”
Gita’s nod registered approval. “I like your analogy fine. You should hold to it.”
Abby beamed, feeling awed by the revelation of coexistence. She didn’t have any specific insights on how the dimension shift or skip occurred. It was enough to have a sensible explanation for Charm’s existence and why she found herself there.
“To continue with this lesson, you’re here to course correct and chart an enlightened path. Using your gifts for good represents the first leg of that journey. Would you agree?” asked Gita.
Abby felt her inner awareness growing. “Yes, I agree. Now that I’m awake to my failings, I can—no, I must choose another way to conduct my life. I no longer choose to ignore my conscience, which I suspect is really my higher self. I’ve wronged that part of me as well.” Abby released a sigh. “What’s my next step toward recovery?”
“Forgiveness. Are you ready to forgive yourself for what you shared as well as what you chose not to share with me? If not, what still needs doing so that you can move forward in your healing? I’d like you to give these two questions serious attention. This is an excellent place to stop. When we meet again, I trust you’ll have answers for me.” Gita stood, preparing to leave.
“Hold on a sec. If I’m honest here, total forgiveness of myself feels like a giant leap. Gita, accomplishing a clean sweep of my transgressions may not be possible. You’re leaving me with a difficult assignment, but a necessary one.” Abby remained seated as Gita touched her shoulder.
“It is necessary before we can proceed. You’ll be shown but in Charm time. I’ll see myself out.” Gita moved past.
Abby could only nod. Her expression mirrored inner turmoil.
Gita walked a few steps, paused, and turned back to Abby. “Would you like to visit me tomorrow evening? I promised to introduce you to Abra and Cadabra.”
“I’d love that. Thank you, Gita, for what you’re doing for me and the invite.” The pain in Abby’s eyes briefly disappeared.
“You’re very welcome.” Gita still hesitated. “Tell you what. I’ll leave directions to my place on the kitchen counter. Come around six o’clock. We’ll share a crock of my vegetable soup and crusty bread. It’s a favorite of Nash and Bella’s.”
Abby let her smile out. “That sounds wonderful, and I’ve got dessert covered. See you tomorrow evening.” She watched Gita walk toward the cottage. “Now what?” Abby asked out loud. She didn’t want to go inside. Nature had always been her tonic, and flowers a source for joy. Her eyes glimpsed the trail on the back of the lot. William said it led to Angel Cascade. Abby thought of the unusual orchids waiting there. “If not now, when?” She could ask herself the same question about forgiveness.