"I'm not lying. Mommy." I said firmly. I could feel her eyes moving over my face and even into my brain. Then she nodded and let go of my hands. There were red spots where her fingers had clamped down on them.
"Tell me about it," she said in a whisper.
I described how my fingers felt while I was sleeping, and how I had opened my eyes and had seen Daddy standing there holding my hand.
"Did he speak to you?"
"No. He just stood there, looking at me and smiling."
"Yes," she said. nodding. "It is truly the way it begins. That's how I know she's not lying. Noble," Mommy told him, and his angry expression wilted into one of disappointment only. "It's like easing yourself into a hot bath. You don't cross over quickly. First, you see them, and then, when they know you are ready, they speak to you and you hear them."
"I didn't see him," Noble whined. "Why wouldn't I see him, too?"
"You will, Now that Celeste has seen him, it's only a matter of time for you," she said.
"Why did she see him first?"
"Because she paid more attention to the meditation and she tried harder." Mommy practically shouted at him.
I held my breath. It wasn't that often that she took my side against him or that she showed her anger at him as clearly and firmly. I was sure it was only because I had seen Daddy's spirit.
If I hadn't, nothing would change. Despite his failure to fully understand it all, Noble looked like he understood this. He looked down.
"It's not fair" he muttered.
"Go into the living room and sit quietly," she told him. "Go on."
"But I want my cereal."
"Not yet, I want you to sit and think about what's happened and what you can do to make it happen to you, and I warn you again. Noble, if you should pretend, if you should make up something and not be honest about it, you will drive your father's spirit away from you. He might never show himself to you or speak to you if you are not honest. Do you understand? Do you?"
"Yes" he said.
"Go sit by yourself and think" she ordered, pointing to the doorway.
He threw me an angry, covetous look and went out, his head still bowed.
"Tell me more," Mommy asked me. "How did he look to you?"
"He looked younger than I remembered him. Mommy."
"Yes," she said. "Exactly."
"And he didn't look unhappy. He looked very happy."
"That's right," she said. She was so happy I had to go on, think of more.
"And I felt so warm all over"
"Protected." she said nodding. "Exactly. You've done it, Celeste." she cried, tears coming to her eyes. "You've done it,"
She reached out and pulled me to her and gave me the warmest, strongest embrace I could remember before she kissed my forehead and closed eyes. My heart was so full of joy, I thought it might burst in my chest.
"Have your breakfast," she said. "You have no idea how much has been opened to you now. Every day of your life will bring a new surprise. You should feel better about yourself, about everything, already."
She was right. Now that she showered so much love and affection on me. I couldn't remember being happier. Nothing I had done had pleased her as much. It was truly as if Daddy's dying never mattered because he would be with me always and I would have Mommy loving me more than ever.
"Now, we have to concentrate on Noble." she said. "We've got to help him to see, and then, then we will all be closer as a family. Well all have Daddy again," she told me.