American Bruja: The Los Angeles Cauldron

Chapter 14. Dr. Betty Morton

Saturday, August 6, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Los Angeles

The massive iron gate at Peppergate Ranch's entrance is open, so I stroll through and walk the steep, winding driveway. As I've just finished my evening hike, I'm outfitted in sturdy boots, snake gators, khaki pants and a long-sleeved forest green shirt.

Within five minutes, I approach the brick steps leading to the courtyard door. I restyle my windblown hair into a tight bun at the nape of my neck. Breathing deeply, I inhale the pungent scent of black sage. The chest-high bushes next to the stairs sprout sun-fried bloom balls and thin green leaves.

A knock at the door summons no one, so I ring the doorbell. Thesound of footsteps tells me someone approaches from the brick pathway liningthe interior courtyard. A tall, handsome redheaded man opens the double doors. Behind him is a fluffy yellow dog sprawled on the lawn under a gnarled tree.

I thrust out my right hand. "Sorry to bother you so late, but I was hiking nearby. I'm Dr. Betty Morton, Amber's psychologist."

The man's lips spread into a wide smile as he takes my hand. "I'm Dr. McBride. Amber's psychiatrist mentioned you'd be in touch. Would you like to come in?"

I nod as I walk through the double doors. The yellow dog leaps to his feet and runs to greet me. He nudges my hand with soft nose leather.

A cool breeze rushes over my skin as Amber emerges about 80 feet away from one of Peppergate Ranch's many rooms opening into the courtyard. Her eyes grow wide and reflect soft golden light flowing from sconces inset along the walls.

Dr. McBride's phone erupts from the pocket of his cargo shorts. As he retrieves his mobile to glance at the screen, his complexion turns ashen. "Excuse me, I need to take this."

When Amber's father leaves the courtyard to enter the house, I wave at Amber. "I'm Dr. Betty Morton. Do you remember me from the psychiatric hospital?"

Amber nods and walks along the brick pathway skirting the lawn to stand before me. She bends to pat the dog. "This is Kibbles."

"He's a very handsome fellow. How old is he?"

She nuzzles his fuzzy face. "Nine." Amber rises to stand, but avoids eye contact. "Jonah said my teacher would appear when I'm ready. Are you my teacher?"

My mouth widens into a smile. "Jonah sounds like a good friend. Tell me what's happened from the moment you arrived."

I listen intently as Amber recounts the wild events of the day. Her voice is steady and her tone even. This kid's innately calm, not prone to excitability. So much potential. As she concludes her story, I cast my gaze toward the gloom beyond the western end of the pool. "Shall we learn who's here?"

Amber raises and lowers her chin to show agreement.

Extending my arms downward in a 'V' shape, I turn my palms skyward. Energy flows and the air becomes static with electricity. "Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti." Seeing the puzzled look on Amber's face, I add, "Om is the sound pulsating throughout the universe. Shanti means 'peace.'" I turn in a slow circle. "Show yourself."

A golden-haired, buxom teenager materializes in front of us.

By the Goddess! My heart sinks at the sight of this apparition from the 1980s.  Lucy Carpenter.

Hissing, Lucy ignores me and turns to Amber, her nose scrunched like she's smelling something nasty. "You tape down your tits? You don't fool me with that act, bitch."

Amber glances at her flat chest and sighs. "No offense, but your hair looks really '80s. You must've died before I was born."

The hair along Kibbles's back puffs up as he growls in a low guttural tone.