Fateful Signs (Ballad of the Seer, Book Three)

Chapter 35 - Filling in the Blanks

The wooden staff shattered as Dianna slammed it against a tree. Accidentally, of course. Jason had moved out of the way too quickly for her to adjust her strike. She screamed in frustration and threw the broken remnants on the ground at her feet. She was sweaty and dirty and there was a tear in the side of her brand new sports bra. She felt utterly defeated. "This is pointless."

        Jack walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "But you're getting so much better."

        "He's right." Jason said. "When we first started you never could've come so close to hitting me."

        Dianna felt like they were placating her. Making her feel better about her failure. So, she did what she does whenever people talk down to her - she lashed out in anger. "The problem isn't me! You two are like freakin' superheroes. It's unfair."

        "Babe," Jack said. "Warlocks and witch hunters and whatever other kind of crazy shit that's out there aren't going to give you a break. That's why we can't either."

        "But--"

        Jack held his fingers to her lips to silence her. "If you really want to be able to actually fend off some of these things, you can't take the easy way."

        Dianna huffed. "Trust me, if there was an easy way, I wouldn't be here."

        Jack laughed. "I know you can do this." He kissed the side of her head. "My little warrior princess."

        That made her smile. Bobby had introduced her to Xena during Lily's absence. They watched the entire series together in a week, both feeling lost without their BFFs. Dianna admired the heroine. She was a strong woman and few doubted it. Those who did were always very wrong. Jack was trying to motivate her, using something she loved. "I know what you're trying to do."

        "Is it working?"

        Dianna grabbed his arm and performed the move that he taught her, flipping him over so that he landed flat on his back. She knew he was playing along. With his strength he could've maneuvered out of her hold easily. But it was sweet that he didn't.

        He sat up, laughing. "That's my girl." He applauded her effort and so did Jason.

        Their admiration was almost as satisfying as the curtain calls she took after a performance. No, she thought, it's better. As an actress, she accepted the praise the best way she knew how: She took a bow.

-

Lily was anxious as she awaited the arrival of Duncan and his mother. She tapped out an uneven beat on the wooden arm of her chair, staring out at the driveway through the living room window. Ms. Birch was on the sofa with Jacquelyn, and Gran sat in one of the armchairs. A silver tray of tea, from which they all imbibed, sat on the coffee table between them. Lily couldn't handle anything at the moment. Just the thought of it made her stomach churn. The butterflies she'd had since waking had metamorphosed into giant flapping dragons.

        The three women were talking about the situation, but Lily's racing mind drowned them out, unable to take in more information. She wanted to see Duncan again so desperately. The question on her mind was: Did he want to see her?

        He had barely spoken to her after she took him home. A home that he didn't remember. "Is this it?" he asked, when she pulled in the driveway of the small two-story white house. She parked behind Mrs. Cavanaugh's Civic and cut the engine. He looked rather impressed. "This is much bigger than any place we've ever lived." He had told her that before, a long time ago. It was strange having the same conversations all over again. It was like rewatching an old movie.