Part 409: October 8th, 2009

Mia slowly opened her eyes. High above her was some sort of jungle canopy. The trees were parted but they were slowly moving above her. The Lakota fought to get her surroundings. She then understood that it wasn’t the trees who were moving; it was her. She quickly tapped her chest, feeling the familiar hide of her father’s overcoat. Mia had grown to being a near adept at understanding when she was in the real world and the dream world. But she had not been back here for some time, especially with such clarity. She quickly leaned up and then grabbed the sides of the railings when she saw she was in a boat. “Be careful,” Brendon chuckled, “You’ll tip us over.”

“Brendon!” Mia turned around.

Her Asian friend smiled as he was rowing the boat they were in. Mia smiled at him, then at the beauty around her. The river looked warm and inviting. Lilies floated by as dragon flies zoomed in formation toward unknown destinations. “This river is lovely, Brendon.” She smiled.

“Isn’t it though?” he smiled, “It’s a nice place to have a conversation with an old friend.”

“Brendon . . .did you . . .give Seth, Shanna and Sawyer dreams to come see Kate, when she joined our family?”

“Re-joined, Mia. RE-joined. She was always part of us.”

“Thank you,” she smiled.

“It was the least I could do. She needed the emotional contact. Now she is stronger for it.”

“It’s been so long, Brendon.” The Lakota sighed, “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Mia. I’ve always kept my eye on you and I always will. I just wanted to make sure you and I had a chance to talk before I leave.”

“Leave?” she raised an eyebrow.

Brendon took a moment to let his hand trail in the water for a few seconds. “Yes, leave,” he finished.

“Just like Granny,” she whispered with a hint of sadness,” I suppose . . .I should have seen this coming.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I won’t be far. I’ve gotten another pretty good job.”

“Okay, I don’t know what that means,” she giggled, “But I’ll take your word for it.”

Brendon then brought the canoe to a small peer. The wooden dock looked wretched and could collapse at any moment. However, Brendon gently stepped up and got onto it. He didn’t tie the robe to the peer or anything. He calmly held out his hand toward Mia and she smiled; taking it. As soon as she stepped off, the canoe started to float away. The Lakota giggled; enjoying the magic of the dream world. Her Asian friend then calmly sat down and let his feet dangle in the water below. Mia joined him; wincing a little at the coolness of the water. Brendon then reached over and gently rubbed the jade Buddha around her neck; a final gift from him in the real world. “I’ve always liked how that looked on you.” He whispered.

“I’ve always cherished it, Brendon,” she smiled.

“I know. But soon you won’t need it and it will have a new bearer.”

“A new . . .who?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

Brendon smiled brightly; almost a coy smile. “You’ll know,” was all he said.

Mia playfully shoved him. Again, Brendon had to obey the rules of their visits where he was not allowed to tell her everything. It kinda annoyed her but she trusted him. She knew he would always be truthful for him when he can. Brendon kicked out the water slightly a group of golden fish swam by them. “Do you know what day it is?” Brendon said coyly.

“I haven’t woken up but I believe it’s October 8th, 2009 . . .the date Granny whispered in my ear before she went further into God’s Kingdom.”

“It’s going to be an interesting day for you, Mia. I hope you enjoy it.”

“And let me guess . . .you CAN’T tell me what’s going to happen?”

“Correct.” He chuckled.

“Okay, how about a hint?”

Brendon looked at the sky for a brief second and smiled. Then he turned to his friend. ”I’d advise . . .you sit on the porch today.” He grinned, “It’s going to be a lovely view.”

Mia laughed; enjoying the coy way he said it. Brendon then stood up and offered his hand to help her up. Once she did, he then began to remove his tank-top. “Uh . .Brendon, what are you doing?” she blushed.

“Going for a swim, what does it look like I am doing?” he laughed.

“Of course,” she smirked.

Brendon held out his hands and Mia took them, staring into his dark green eyes. “Farewell for now, Mia.” He smiled, “I’ve got to go to my new job but you’ll be able to see me one more time.”

“I wish I understood more of this but I know some things you must take on faith,” she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek,” Farewell for now, Brendon.”

The Asian man then let her go and then dove in the clear river. The moment he did, Mia looked up by instinct only to find the sun directly in her face.


Mia flickered her eyes and found herself again in the real world. She calmly looked up and saw that the sun was beginning to rise through the blinds in her window. John still slept soundly as she used his chest as a pillow. Mia smiled and rested back down onto her husband. She knew it was going to be an interesting day.

But it could wait a few more minutes.


--------------------------,

Mia slowly rocked back and fourth on her swaying bench. The cool October winds were starting to get it just a big nippy. She pulled her jean jacket closer as a few dead leaves flapped in the wind; like debris lost at sea. John then came out of the house and turned to her, holding two glasses of soda. She took one and then her husband sat with her. John took a deep breath and took a swig of his grape soda. “Any sign?” he asked.

“Nope.” She said, sipping her own drink, “Just cars, leaves and wind.”

“And all Brendon could say was wait outside?”

“Yeah. That’s all he was allowed to say.”

“Aliens.” He stated.

“Huh?” she turned to him.

“Pretty soon a spaceship is going to come down and land on our front lawn and we’ll be credited with making first contact,” he said, sipping his drink, “Yep. Gonna be Aliens.”

“John, I don’t know what is going to happen.” Mia laughed.

“I vote Aliens. What do you think?” John smiled.

“I don’t know!” she said, playfully hitting him; then sighing, “But I am glad you took the day off to be with me for this.”

“Darlin, your dearly departed grandmother told you about this date in a dream five years ago,” he smiled, “I’m just as curious about you what is going to happen today. How could I let you face it alone?”

Mia smiled at her husband; once again reminded why she loved him and married him. The screeching of tires caught her attention, as she saw the mail-man making his delivery. She patted her husband on the belly as she stood up. “ Well, you sit here and be curious,” she smiled, “I’ll go get the mail.”

“Aliens, I tell ya!” John laughed.

Mia laughed as she walked down the steps of the porch and onto the grass. She continued walking through her front lawn as the mailman waved good bye. She stepped over the side of the fence and then opened up the mail, pulling it out and closing the mailbox lid. She proceeded to walk back toward the porch, sorting through the mail. Then she stopped on one particular letter. It was addressed to her and what was confusing was that it was addressed to Mia Riggs.

But she was almost certain that it was her grandmother’s handwriting.

She then let all the other mail drop on the ground and she looked at the letter closely. The letter had no return address and the date stamp was marked two months ago. She felt of the letter and felt there was something wedged within it. She quickly proceeded to rip open the letter. She was certain John was calling her name but she honestly couldn’t hear him; her eyes focused around the letter.

She opened the right side of the letter and then pulled out the piece of paper within it. There was something heavy attached to the paper, stuck in the middle. She slowly opened the paper and then fully recognized her grandmother’s handwriting. Mia’s hands began to tremble and her tears began to swell up. In the middle of the page was one simple sentence.

Make your lives extraordinary.

Then Mia’s eyes focused on the object. It was a key taped into the middle of page. What made Mia cry with amazement was the fact that it wasn’t just any key; it was a safety deposit key.

The same one she placed in her grandmother casket the day she was buried.