Dreams, Memories & Keys

Chapter 14 - Bernie

Susan overheard a conversation of another kind as she crossed the living room headed towards the kitchen, intending to call the pizza place to check on their delivery.

"He was just sitting there," Susan overheard Norma say.

"Did he say anything?" Greg asked.

"Not until I asked him why he was here," Norma said.

"Then what did he do?" Greg asked.

"He said, 'hello'." Norma looked at Greg expectantly.

"I haven't tried that," Greg admitted.

"You dream about Bernie too?" Norma asked.

"On occasion," Greg told her. "I have several times over the past few months. Each time he simply sits on the side of the bed, looking at me. And each time I see him, his appearance is preceded by a visit from Melody."

"Your daughter?" Norma asked.

Susan didn't hear anything more. She was still distracted by the remark Peter made about Misty, the same soul who was her daughter Melody in her most recent life, suggesting she once had a husband.

Susan considered what it might mean on her way to use the house phone in the kitchen to check on their pizza order. By the time she returned, Norma and Greg's conversation had moved on to other things. They were now discussing the snatches of conversation they could hear reaching them from the family room, where the young people were discussing the importance of prayer and listening, and what that might or might not have to do with faith. Both Norma and Greg looked up when Susan approached them.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt, but the pizza will be here soon. Do you plan to eat with us?" Susan asked Norma.

"I will if you don't mind," Norma replied. "It seems you have quite a number of the family here."

"We do have a few of the young people visiting. We are about to stop for lunch. Would you like to say hello to Xavier before we take a break?" Susan offered.

"Xavier is here?" Norma asked in surprise. "I thought I understood from Liam, he and his wife were in California this week."

"They are. They are visiting Zack over the weekend, but they knew about the gathering we are having today, so we set up a teleconference so they could join," Susan explained.

Norma looked at her in surprise. "Does that work?"

"It does," Greg assured her. "I find the technology involved quite fascinating."

"Come see for yourself. While you are at it you can say hello," Susan invited.

Greg glanced at Norma. "I believe I would like try it. Excuse me, Norma."

"I think I would too," Norma told him.

The pair followed Susan back to the family room.

The young people all looked up when the three adults walked into the room.

"The pizza will be here in about twenty minutes," Susan announced.

"Hi Grandma," Xavier said from the TV screen.

Norma looked at the Abernathy's large screen television in astonishment. "Xavier? What are you doing on the TV?"

Xavier grinned at his grandmother. "Talking to Aunt Susan, Jessie, Adam, Mega, Oliver and some of their friends."

Norma looked around the room. The list of people Xavier mentioned pretty much described who was in the room.

"Can you see me?" Norma asked.