The Old Mine

6: Lessons of Energy

                  The next morning Recke was awakened bright and early by Brice. He got ready to shake Recke, but Recke was alerted to his presence the moment he stepped into the room. Brice leaned over and whispered, "Time to learn to control your own energy." He slapped Recke's feet as he turned to leave, "Get up, and don't wake up Cal."

                 Recke groaned, but got up and staggered into the family room in his pajamas "What is Cal short for anyway?" He stretched letting his back and shoulders pop.

                   It's not short for anything. Her name is just Cal, it means devotion." Dad tossed him a cushion "Take a seat on this." He pulled one out for himself and sat down in front of Recke.

                   "I've never been good at Meditation" Recke warned.

                    "Why?" He looked at Recke with a straight expression. "Tell me what I have to work with."

                     "I can never still my mind like the monks need me too." He rolled his eyes "They say I have no desire to attempt to listen and that I have an attitude problem."

                      "Ah, so we do the clear meditation first, it is a frustrating one to learn. It takes time to get right but... it is totally worth it." He got comfortable and smiled. "Nothing wrong with having an attitude..."

                     "What is Clear Meditation?" He mimicked the way Brice was sitting.

                    "It is the ability to keep your mind clear; it takes practice... so be patient with yourself." He took a deep breath. "During the meditation let the thoughts come, acknowledge them but don't dwell on them. Kind of like the phrase that's nice kid, now go away you're bothering me..." they both laughed "The key is to not scold yourself into a still mind but relax into it and that takes a lot of practice, it's not easy to accept yourself as is...Are you ready?"

                     "Ready. When I need a break..." Recke looked at him with a questioning expression.

                     "Just say so and we'll take a break; I have questions for you anyway." They both recessed into meditation, the house got still and buzzed with energy.

                    Cal woke up a few hours later "Murk, get off my head."

                    "There you are" Bret rushed in and scooped up the cat. "Apparently your face is his second favorite body spot to sleep on" Bret laughed.

                     "I'm going to hate having asked this but what is number one?" Cal sat up and stretched.

                     "My butt." He scattered, laughing the whole way.

                    Cal groaned and rolled out of bed. She sat on the edge of the bed, eyes closed and rested her head on her arms, her arm folded on her knees. The stretch felt good, calming her muscles but her mind was still racing. The events of the last few days culminating in yesterday's events would not leave her mind, the possibility of time travel making her confused and excited all at once. More importantly the mystery of it all, the fact that before her was spread a puzzle that was confusing people in various times made her heart leap in ways she never thought was possible.

                     "Cal," Issi poked her head into the room "Food is in the kitchen, your dad and Recke are meditating and your brother is around here somewhere." She took a deep breath "I'm going to go take a long bath... please don't make too much of a mess I went to the store to get the things we will want to take with us... then I've been packing the rest of the morning." Her face looked locked with worry and fear.