Heartsong (Logan 2)

"Maybe," I said and laughed. "Maybe."

"Whatever it is, I'm happy for you." We rode a little longer in silence and then she turned back to me with a face of concern. "When am I going to know, or is it something so secret I may never know?"

"You'll know soon," I said.

She nodded.

"I saw it in your chart, but I didn't say anything." "What?"

"A big change, something very dramatic involving family."

I raised my eyebrows.

"Am I warm?" she wondered.

"Overheated," I said and we both laughed. I hadn't felt this cheerful for a long time. A ray of sunshine had sliced its way through the dark, brooding clouds. But my light and happy mood vanished as soon as we arrived at the house. There was something about the way it looked that put a hard and heavy feeling in my chest. Maybe it was all in me, in my trepidation and anticipation, or maybe some of Holly's powers had rubbed off and I could sense negative energy even before it reared its ugly head.

"You all right?" she asked when we pulled into the driveway. I hadn't realized I had sighed so deeply and loudly.

"Yes, be fine. Thanks for the ride."

"It's okay." She thought a moment and then said, "If Kenny goes back into the studio again tonight after dinner and stays there all night, I think I'll start planning my return to New York.

"Oh, really?" I was genuinely disappointed.

"This is just not the right time for me to visit, but I'll be back," she promised with a smile.

"When will you go?"

"I'll see. Not tomorrow anyway," she added. "There is still some battery recharging I want to do for myself here. Bye."

"Bye and thanks," I said and got out.

I found the house ominously quiet when I entered. I closed the door softly and practically tiptoed. There were no lights on in the living room and no sounds coming from the kitchen. No one appeared to greet me. As I walked from room to room I wondered if there was anyone home.

Oh no, I thought. I hope Cary didn't break down in his boat again. Maybe Uncle Jacob had had a relapse.

Just as I turned to go upstairs, I heard someone sobbing. I went down the hallway to the dining room and peered through the door. There sat Aunt Sara, her head down on her folded arms, her shoulders shaking.

"Aunt Sara," I cried and rushed to her side. "What's wrong? Did something happen to Cary? Uncle Jacob?"

She lifted her head slowly and then smiled through her tears.

"Oh Melody, dear. You're home. Good."

"Why are you crying?"

"Oh, it's nothing," she said quickly and

dabbed the tears away with the hem of her apron. "I'm just a little tired, I guess."

"I'm sorry I didn't get home earlier, but I just didn't realize the time."

"That's all right, dear." She smiled weakly and took a deep breath. It was as if she carried a lead weight on a chain around her neck.

"Where is everyone? Where are Cary, and May?"

"May's upstairs in her room. Cary just left for the supermarket. I made a meat loaf, but I forgot to tell you kids to pick up the beer he likes. He likes it with my meat loaf."