Heartsong (Logan 2)

heard anyway because he looked very troubled. I took May's hand and we left the hospital. As

we walked to the ear, my mind went to how important

family could be at times like this. I thought about

Grandma Belinda and how long it had been since I

had visited. I decided I would return this weekend.

Even though she wandered about in a state of semiconfusion, I felt there was a possibility of love between us. Or at least I hoped there was.

I knew I would need it. The days that lay ahead

were full of bleak promises and even more obstacles

to my happiness. But I had no idea just how much

more, no idea at all. Not even Holly's horoscopes

could reveal that.

12

Showdown

.

After work on Saturday, I told Kenneth and

Holly of my plans to visit Grandma Belinda again. "How will you get there?" Kenneth asked. "I guess I'll take a taxi. Olivia practically

forbade me to visit, so I won't get Raymond to take me, and Cary has his hands full with Uncle Jacob in the hospital as well as having to do all the work. He's very worried about this year's cranberry harvest, too."

"I can take you," Holly offered. When I started to shake my head, she insisted. "Really, I don't mind."

I thought about it and started to laugh, thinking what it would be like for us to drive up in Holly's psychedelic car. It would certainly catch everyone's attention. Kenneth saw the wide grin on my face.

"Melody is imagining what sort of an entrance you two will make dressed in your saris, headbands, crystal earrings, and sandals, Holly," he said, staring at me with laughter in his eyes.

"Why?" Holly asked.

"Why? This is a rest home for New England blue-bloods. They haven't seen anything like you, even in their senile hallucinations," he replied. Holly thought a moment and then smiled.

"Well, then we'll be a special treat for them, won't we?"

"I don't think I can dress that way," I said softly, not wanting to hurt Holly's feelings. "I've only just met my grandmother. She might not even recall the meeting, so I had better not do anything to confuse her. I was thinking I would wear what I wore the first time."

"Oh, dress any way you want, Melody. So will I. This might be fun," she squealed. "I like talking to elderly people. Often they have a better understanding of the cosmic center.

"That's because they're closer to becoming pure energy," Kenneth quipped and then winked at me.

Once Kenneth had determined he was ready to begin sculpting the marble block, he became more relaxed and more confident about focusing his creative energy. He declared that the work was already completed.

"Completed?" I looked at the block and then shook my head in confusion.

"In here," he said pointing to his head. "It's done. All I have to do is bring it out, follow the blueprint. I become a mere tool of my artistic consciousness. Do you understand?"

"Oh. Yes, I think I do," I told him. A month ago I might have thought him weird, even mad, but after having him lecture to me daily about the creative eye, and after hearing Holly talk about the power of focused energy, I really did appreciate what he was saying. He was pleased I understood.