I didn't want to say anything until I was certain what I
had heard was really the truth. At least now I understood why Grandma Olivia had been so interested in
learning what her sister had told me the first time. I
felt as if I were opening the door to a vault, a vault
covered in dust and cobwebs, its hinges rusted. This
was no time to walk away.
"Could you do me a favor," I asked, "and take
me to my Grandmother Olivia's house? It's just a little
out of the way."
"No problem," Holly said. "If that's what you
want."
"Oh, it's what I want," I said nodding. "I never
wanted it more.."
13
Accusations
.
When we turned into Grandma Olivia's
driveway and came to a stop, I sat quietly while I tried to catch my breath. Confronting Grandma Olivia was always difficult, but this was going to be twice as hard and the anticipation made my heart race.
"Are you all right?" Holly asked. "Yes. You don't have to wait for me," I said. "I might be here a while."
"But how will you get home?"
"Grandma Olivia's driver will take me, I'm sure:"
I gazed at the house. Despite the bright sunshine glittering on the windows, the beautiful rainbow colored flowers and perfectly trimmed hedges, the house looked dark and full of foreboding to me. Holly sensed my tension.
"Maybe she's not home. Maybe nobody's home," Holly said.
"I'll wait for her," I said in a tone of voice that indicated I would wait forever, if need be.
Holly gazed at me and then at the house. She squinted, closed her eyes, and then opened them and nodded as if she had reached a conclusion.
"There's a lot of static here, a bed of negative energy. Remember what I told you about my friend who went to India and walked on a bed of hot coals?"
"Yes." I smiled, recalling the story and how animated Holly had been when she told it.
"You've got to build a wall between yourself and that which can hurt you, Melody. You have the power in your own mind. Rely on your concentration, focus."
"I'm doing just that," I said. "Thank you." I got out. She remained in the driveway, watching me walk up to the front door. I pushed the buzzer and waited and then pushed it again. Holly was still in the driveway, unwilling to leave me here. Finally, Loretta, the maid, came to the door. I looked back and waved to Holly to indicate it was all right. Reluctantly, she backed out. I didn't want to send her away, but I knew that if she came into the house with me, Grandma Olivia might use her as an excuse to refuse to talk to me. I was determined she wasn't going to find any avenue of escape from the truth this time.
"Hello, Loretta," I said. "I want to see my grandmother. Is she here?"