SYNCHRONICITY (Dream Walker) 🖋

The Heartbeat Drum

Sebastian returned to the small patio outside his bedroom and knelt down to retrieve Sally's body. He could hear them...the insects aiding the decomposition process. He levitated the body before him without the aid of his wand, that had been stowed in the back pocket of his dirty jeans. James retrieved Sally's food bowl and her pink ball as well as her leather collar and favored blanket and an offering of tobacco then followed his father back to the grave site. George's chanting voice raised in volume and Alison's heartbeat rhythm remained steady and grew to match the volume of his voice...it was important that Sebastian hear the heartbeat.

When he completed the burial process, Sebastian sat on the ground, alone and in the dark and reached for the glass, now empty. He sighed and wiped at the dirt and sweat from his face with his equally sweaty forearm. He grimaced, feeling the gritty dirt on his brow, imagining that he was quite the frightful sight.

George walked toward him, still chanting as Alison followed him, still gently pounding the needed heartbeat for Sebastian. George fanned the smoke from the burning white sage and sweetgrass toward the grave site and then smudged his grandson. Alison stood beside Sebastian and he reached for her leg, pulling her closer and he leaned his head on her thigh.

George now silent, walked away to leave his son to pray if he wished, while Alison continued the heartbeat rhythm.

He breathed in deeply and exhaled. Exhausted, he got to his hands and knees, then rose to his feet. Turning toward her, he could see her silhouette against the faint light from the house. Finally her hand raised up and she reached up to kiss his cheek.

"You need a bath," she said quietly.

"Reckon I do," he replied. He took her hand in his and escorted her back to the house. George was packing up his tools and lifted an abalone shell over his shoulder. And then he handed over a small stick of white sage and then a small braid of sweetgrass. Alison took all of it in her hands. Then, George held out his empty hand.

"Oh! Your drum...sorry...thank you for allowing me to participate."

George stared into space a moment, then looked to his wife and then to Alison and then he nodded. "Was appropriate," he said quietly.

George rose to his feet and swung his fabric bag over his shoulder and looked to his son. Alison realized that they were the same height. Beverly embraced Alison, telling her that she would keep in touch. She turned to embrace her son and she held onto him until he nodded. Only then did she look up and reached up to curl the stray hair from his face and smooth out his gritty hair. "She's right. It is a good look for you," she said.

Sebastian chuckled and shook his head. "No."

She chuckled. "I'll ring you tomorrow."

"Text me?"

"I'd rather hear your voice."

He nodded and looked toward his bare feet. He kissed her cheek. "Thank you for coming."

Still smiling, Beverly wrapped her arms around her husband and disappeared from view leaving the sound of static in her wake.

He moved to pick up his shoes and socks but she made a noise, then spoke to him. "Mm mm...I got it. Why don't you get in the shower?"

Sebastian stood and walked into the house; it was easy to see that he was physically exhausted as well as emotionally drained.

She followed him and found a lighter in the kitchen with the help of Alfred. James stood next to her. "I'm gonna crash here if that's okay. He scares me when he retreats into himself."

She looked up into his brown eyes and smiled. "Okay. I'll let him know."

"Don't tell him that I'm..."

She shook her head. "I'll tell him that you're tired."

James nodded and headed for the linen closet to retrieve linens for the sofa to find Alfred was already headed for the living room. "Thanks Alfred. I can do it. Tanny's going to be up early..."

Alfred nodded his thanks and headed toward his room.

"They don't say much, do they?"

James looked up and grinned. "Nope. I'm the talkative one actually," he replied with a chuckle.

Alison retreated to the bedroom to hear water running for the tub. She returned to the main part of the house to look for candles. With the help of his son, she rounded up several tea lights as well as candlesticks. She thanked him and returned to the bedroom and walked into the bathroom to find him sitting naked on the edge of the tub. She placed the candles in strategic places and lit them. Bringing several tea lights with her, she lit them one by one, placing them around the edges of the large tub. She helped him into the tub and turned around to leave him alone with his thoughts.

"Don't go?"

She turned to gaze at him...he looked so lost.

"Please stay," he whispered.

She nodded and held up her index finger, silently asking him to wait. She returned moments later and closed the door behind her. She got undressed and wiped off her feet and stepped into the tub of hot water, sitting behind him. She pulled him back and let him rest on her.

He closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax.

"We got her at the pound," he began. "Both she and James were little things then, both all gangly and full of energy...They grew up together. I can only imagine what he's going through?"

"He's sleeping on the couch," she said quietly as she removed the elastic band from his misshaped man-bun and loosened his long locks.

"Good," he said.

"How about we go sightseeing tomorrow?"

He nodded. "Where would you like to go?"

"You know, I've never been to the Cave of the Winds?"

He turned his head to eye her peripherally. "You're joking!"

She shook her head.

"Hey, you're not gonna smudge me when I get out of the tub are you?"

She nodded. "Yup."

He growled.

"Suck it up tough guy."