"Dear God," I whispered.
"And all this time," she said, "I was so guilty for being jealous, jealous that Cold Sandra had taken Honey in the Sunshine and left me behind. I was guilty and jealous, guilty and jealous. Honey in the Sunshine was my older sister. Honey in the Sunshine was sixteen and she was 'no trouble,' that's what Cold Sandra told me. I was too little and she'd come back for me soon. "
She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Where is she now?" I asked. Aaron let me know he had not been prepared for that. But I had to put the question to her.
For a very long time she made no response. She lay staring, her body shivering violently, and then finally, she said:
"She's gone. "
"How did she
come through?" I demanded.
Mary and Aaron shook their heads. "David, leave her for the moment," said Aaron as politely as he could. I had no intention of dropping the matter. I had to know.
Again, there was no immediate answer. And then Merrick heaved a sigh and turned to one side.
"How did she come through?" I asked again.
Merrick's face crumpled. She began very softly to cry.
"Please, Sir," said Mary, "let her alone just now. "
"Merrick, how did Honey in the Sunshine come through?" I demanded. "Did you know she wanted to come through?"
Mary took a stand to Merrick's left and glared at me.
I kept my eyes on the shivering girl.
"Did you ask her to come through?" I demanded softly.
"No, Mr. Talbot," she said softly, her eyes drifting up to me again. "I prayed to Great Nananne. I prayed to her spirit while it was still near earth to hear me. " Her tired voice could barely carry the words. "Great Nananne sent her to tell me. Great Nananne will take care of them both. "
"Ah, I see. "
"You know what I did," she continued. "I called on a spirit that had only just died. I called on a soul that was still close enough to help me, and I got Honey, I got more than I ever wanted to get. But that's how it works sometimes, Mr. Talbot. When you call on les myst¨¨res you don't always know what you're going to get. "
"Yes," I responded. "I know. Do you remember all that happened?"
"Yes," she said, "and no. I remember your shaking me and I remember knowing what had happened, but I don't really remember all the time that ticked by while she was in me. "
"I see," I said gratefully. "What do you feel now, Merrick?"
"Afraid of myself a little," she answered. "And I'm sorry she hurt you. "
"Oh, darling, for the love of Heaven, don't think about me," I answered. "I'm only concerned with you. "
"I know that, Mr. Talbot, but if it's any consolation to you, Joshua went into the Light when he died. He didn't hate you when he was falling down the mountain. Honey just made that up. "
I was stunned. I could feel Mary's sudden embarrassment. I could see that Aaron was amazed.
"I'm sure of it," Merrick said. "Joshua's in Heaven. Honey just read all those things from your mind. "
I couldn't answer her. At the risk of more suspicion and condemnation from the vigilant Mary, I leant over and kissed Merrick on the cheek.
"The nightmare's over," she said. "I'm free of them all. I'm free to begin. "