Can You Keep a Secret?

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Lewis sat in the living room that Sunday, his mother clucking around him as he tried to concentrate. He had read the book she had found at the library half a dozen times but he wasn’t making much headway. He had tried all week to try and work out why his vision hadn’t hit him that evening, with Jenny. He had told his mother what had happened and she had immediately started researching, her furious digging unearthing the old tome. He thought back to Wednesday when she had brought it home.

“Lewis, here,” she said distantly, dropping the book into his lap. “I found it at the library. It might help with that problem you’re having.”

Lewis sighed, reading the title: Meditation and Seers. It looked ridiculous to him, the whole idea of halting visions alien to him. His mother had never needed to stop her visions – she had never had one more painful than a mild headache. And his uncle didn’t suffer the indignities of seeing the future. “Maybe I shouldn’t try this,” he said begrudgingly, not wanting to waste time and effort on something that might not work. “You did say they would get better.”

“Yes, but despite how it may seem, I don’t know everything. And I must admit that I’ve never seen Jenny in a vision so this is intriguing. If it’s a true vision, why is it the first time anyone’s seen her? And if it isn’t, what’s the purpose? Who would send you such a pointless vision?” She umm-ed and ahh-ed over it for some time before insisting that he try.

He pulled himself back into the present, trying not to remember that Jenny and Jake were coming over soon. But the more he thought about it, the more nervous he became and the more impossible meditating became. He eventually gave up, throwing his hands up in defeat and frustration. Maybe Jake would be able to help him. Or at least make him feel better about failing so hard.

He was about to run upstairs to change when a knock sounded on the door. Curious, he ran to answer it, not thinking that Jenny and Jake would arrive so early. He was extremely surprised when his three siblings stood on the doorstep, their father standing behind them, looking uncomfortable.

“Uh, hi,” he said, not sure what he was supposed to do. His mother hadn’t mentioned visitors but that didn’t mean she hadn’t known. “What’re you guys doing here?”

“We hear you’re having trouble with your Sight,” Tyler said, shrugging past Lewis to kick his shoes off. Miranda followed shortly after, dumping her coat on Lewis. “Mum thought it might be good to see some familiar friendly faces.”

“Great of her to warn me. I have friends coming over, Ty,” Lewis said, feeling childish. “Not that it isn’t great to see you all, but next time tell me maybe?”

“We didn’t tell mum we were coming,” Ashley said, all three feet of her glowing with excitement. “Surprise!”

And of course, during this circus, Jenny and Jake appeared, before the door had even closed. Jake looked surprised to see everyone down to visit but Jenny just looked at them thoughtfully. Probably calculating what the odds were of her escaping for the evening. But she came into the house after them, looking even quieter in comparison to the rest of his family. His father, whilst looking awkward managed to wriggle into the kitchen to put the kettle on.

“Oh, my,” Lewis’ mother said from the top of the stairs. “Looks like I have another surprise this week! Well, isn’t this lovely. Your father in the kitchen?” she asked, floating past without waiting for an answer. Tyler stepped back into the room, holding up the massive tome, grinning wickedly.

“Meditation and Seers? Jesus Lewis, you could not find a more ridiculous book. Seriously, what did you think this was going to help with?” He hadn’t seen Jenny standing behind Jake and Lewis was making frantic ‘shut up’ signs that Tyler was ignoring. “I understand that you’re struggling but-”