Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 4: I am Healthy

Crown on my head but the world on my shoulder
I'm too much a rebel, never do what I'm supposed ta
Bend it never break it, baby watch and I'ma show ya
~Janelle Monae Yoga

"Halfway lift, down, chaturanga, downward facing dog, hold". The yoga instructor breathed each word, "if it's in your practice hop forward to sit down. Lay back for bridge. Three deep breaths and release. Lift for shoulder stand and hold. Gently come down vertebrae by vertebrae. Let your legs come down and windshield wipe them. When you're ready lay back for savasana." The calm in her voice settled the active student minds.

Morning yoga allowed Nzinga's mind to slow and focus. She allowed her Eye to wander and be free. She sank into herself, allowing herself to indulge in the excess positive energy in the room while feeding it back to others practicing. Her relationship with students in yoga was symbiotic, and anyone who practiced with her felt more energized, and pushed themselves just a little more while she was there-though none knew why. The teacher guided the students back to a seated position. "The light in me honors the light in you. namaste" a quiet clap and whispered thank yous filled the room.

"How are you doing Nzinga? Your aura is purple today" the teacher asked.

"My mind is anxious. I need to center myself" Nzinga confirmed.

The teacher gently touched her and Nzinga felt a soft tug on her tangled essence and smiled. "Thank you" Nzinga muttered at the release. Nzinga closed her Eye, cleaned her mat and padded home thankful that there were others like her, and that they didn't require complex questions or understanding. Just acknowledgement.

Arriving home, she lit the candles and sage that sat atop a small old wooden table at the front door, walked into her kitchen and stared into her lonely apartment. She was attracted to deep purples, dark greens, and blues that reminded her of the midnight sky. In a strange contrast, her apartment was more subdued, and colored with a calming palette. Her white kitchen was clean and clear of clutter. The only item resting on the countertop was a rustic spice rack that stored several small glass containers of custom mixtures and family secret ingredients labeled with names of the family members who taught them to her. Nzinga pulled a cinnamon sugar mixture named "Goody" and made a cup of tea sprinkling a little of the sweetener into her teacup.

Nzinga sat on her couch and stared at pictures of her sister and mother in candid shots laughing. Along her the windowsill and atop flat surfaces were collages of the three of them on vacation or graduations and proms. She thought of those simpler times when her mother was near. Coming to, she pulled out her planner and notebook and went over her agenda for the day. She was disciplined and rarely went through days without carefully sifting through tasks; but, somehow, she missed that she had a gynecologist appointment scheduled during her Thursday morning classes. Her doctor had unusual hours and wasn't exactly friendly, but she preferred this office because the staff had similar peculiarities as her own. Her doctor didn't recommend most conventional medicinal methods unless specifically required and relied on natural or holistic approaches. Nzinga pulled out her laptop to email her teacher of her absence. The professor responded nearly immediately telling her to get notes from another student . She was popular , a leader in her sorority and top of her classes. But she didn't exactly have "friends'. At least none in her classes. She paced, around with her phone in

Nzinga picked up her phone and dialed the annoyed, but smart and kinda handsome student's number. He didn't answer, so she left a voicemail asking to get notes from him , and then stated, she would pick them up tomorrow,Thursday, night.

Nzinga arrived at the doctor's office right on time for her appointment on Thursday. The location was a small quaint home type structure located in a quirky neighborhood that had allowed several homes and buildings to become zoned for approved businesses. She checked in with the receptionist who seemed a bit annoyed by her own job. She instructed Nzinga to take a seat and wait to be called. The waiting room was slightly messy with varying magazines on fertility, parenthood and popular entertainment. Nzinga bounced her leg as she watched tv screen. The movie "Beguiled" played as Nzinga watched in amusement. "Can I change the station?" she asked the receptionist who seemed interested in the movie. Before answering the nurse called for Nzinga and took her through the hallway to take vitals. "Please step on the scale," the nurse asked.

"Why does this have to happen so openly?" Nzinga asked as she removed her shoes and light coat.

"Oh... everyone gets anxious when it's time to weigh in!" A haughty laugh left the stained mouth of the nurse.

"I'm not anxious...but if everyone is so anxious , it would seem you would find a better technique for taking weight." Nzinga matter of factly retorted. The nurse quietly finished setting the scale back to zero choosing not to respond to Nzinga's argument. Once the weight was taken, the nurse escorted her back to a private room where she undressed and settled herself on the table. Shortly afterward, a tall red headed woman came in. Her eyes sparkled brilliant green that contrasted against her pale skin.

Dr Hickey was beautiful and had acquired wealth through her family's business. She was a strong advocate for women's rights and loved her job as an OBGYN. She belonged to an Irish Elf clan, that had joined with a witchy coven in the city. They shared similar ancestry and bonded as a group from these similarities. Her powers were specific to healing and fertility as many of her preternatural powers had faded from the lack of mating and consistent use. But the most powerful magic, a woman's fertility, was a magic that any being would fight to preserve. So was the case for many magical creatures that lived in the human realm. Nzinga was referred to her after her own gynecologist had a windfall inheritance and retired to Hawaii. On the walls of the room Dr. Hickey had certificates from several schools, pictures of her time in needy areas and a "Where's Waldo" poster on the ceiling. The juxtaposition of these things in the room somehow made Nzinga feel uncomfortable. "Hi Dr. Hickey." Nzinga greeted with less enthusiasm than she meant to display.

"Hi Nzinga, let's lay back. This should be quick" the doctor said warmly as she grabbed gloves and snapped them on. "Your weight is a little high, you should be in the 160 range , so 20 pounds would do you well." Nzinga leaned back on the bed to put her feet in the stirrups and took several deep breaths as the doctor provided some small talk while taking samples and checking her body. Nzinga rolled her eyes at the discussion, and zoned out. Sure, being a healthy weight is ideal, but she worked at it, her cholesterol was low and her blood pressure was within range. Her insecurities roamed in her head before the doctor finally had completed the assessment of the lower region and removed her gloves. "Can you open your robe so I can check for lumps?" Nzinga opened the robe and giggled as the doctor prodded at her breast. "I find it funny that you laugh when I do this. I'm all done, you can get dressed. If you don't hear from me, all your results came back fine."

"Also, we're celebrating winter solstice in December. You are welcome to attend. I'll mail you an invitation, you should really come out and connect with your feminine energy."

Nzinga had no plans to be a token at a party hosted by her gynecologist , but she nodded and smiled at the gesture. Once the doctor left, Nzinga redressed pausing at the full length mirror behind the door. Before the words crept into her psyche she smiled, hugged herself and left to head to yoga.