Mirror in the Forest: Book One (23 page)

“Yes, child.”

Jessica walked around the area balling her hands into fists so tightly, her knuckles turned white. She felt the wind whistle in her ears and her hair fly across her face as she closed her eyes, deciding on what to do next.

Taking many deep breaths, she opened her eyes, and eyed the spirit steadily.

“I’m ready,” she said, knowing she would control her fate.

She then felt the familiar changes as he touched her shoulder. He informed her the new reflection would not change right away, however, it would soon, and they would be subtle.

              Jessica began to have this strange feeling that with each wish that was   granted to her, she was losing another little piece of her soul.

The funeral for Sara Miller was held the next weekend, so most of the town was available to attend.

The church was packed with mourners, not only from Leon’s Crossing, but from all over the country, even the world. Jessica sat with her parents in the church, and Jessica only half listened to the eulogies during the service.

Jessica sank down into the pew uncomfortably, while she looked around at all the people gathered to mourn a great woman.  

She wanted to get up and run out of the church and get away from everything about Sara Miller. The guilt of what really happened that night was so overwhelming, that Jessica was feeling a little sick to her stomach. She thought she wouldn’t feel the guilt or remorse, but she did.

One thing that Jessica had been able to smile about was that she made the basketball team as promised by The Spirit, much to everyone’s amazement.

Mr. Cranston was so impressed by her skills that he wondered why she never tried out before now.

“Jessica Winters, I never thought I would see the day,” he said in total awe of her.

Mary had taught her strategies, but Jessica found that she already knew them and didn’t need her mother anymore, but she still listened to be polite.

She was then quickly promoted to varsity becoming a starting player, making Power Forward, much to the delight of her family, and the shock of everyone else.

Her parents took her out to dinner to celebrate her perfect grades and making the varsity team the night before with Danny.

“My little girl is going to be the best Power Forward this school has ever seen,” Don said, proudly.

“Thanks, Dad,” Jessica said, blushing.

Jessica was happy everything was going great with basketball practice so far. However, she knew it was almost time to deal with Danny, and break it off with him. She had strung him along long enough.

Danny’s mom didn’t know Sara Miller, and so he did not attend the funeral with her, but she promised him that she would see him soon, even though she didn’t want to see him at all.

She was still thinking about how to let him down gently, but wasn’t sure how to go about it yet. She never had this situation before, and certainly did not want to get advice from her parents about it. She would never hear the end of it, since her parents liked Danny.

Tessa and Jessica were on good terms again, which made Jessica feel better. Tessa was the first one there cheering her on when she made the team.

Jessica had caught Kelly giving her constant side-glances, and did not congratulate her. Amber was a lot nicer, telling Jessica she was impressed by her skills, wondering why she never tried out sooner.

Jessica had a feeling that Kelly Martin would be trouble eventually.

Jessica shook herself out of her thoughts, and returned to the present. The funeral was closed casket, because Sara’s injuries from the electrocution were too severe to be viewed by the public.

Jessica could see Sara’s sister and daughter sitting at the front of the church with the rest of her family. Jessica was grateful she would not have to speak to them at all, and if she did she would avoid eye contact.

Jessica spotted her mom wiping her eyes and her dad putting a comforting arm around her mom’s shoulders almost making Jessica groan. She hoped it was over soon, so she could get the hell out of there, putting Sara Miller to rest.

Jessica was planning on meeting Tessa after the funeral so they could go to the mall and shop for Halloween costumes, which was only days away.

Then Jessica was surprised to look up and see Mark McKenzie get up and walk to the podium. She had been so lost in thought; she never realized that he would be there. She didn’t even remember seeing him enter the church.

He was dressed in full formal uniform, and Jessica had to smile. He looked quite handsome up there.

He stood at the podium and shuffled his notes for a moment, and then started to read his prepared speech to the crowd of mourners.

Jessica had to admit that his eulogy was both moving and thoughtful.

It brought her to tears along with the rest of the crowd, with Mark clearing his throat a few times while he was overcome with emotion.

He spoke of Sara helping him care for his mother while she was dying of cancer, not only making Jessica want to burst into a sobbing mess, but making her want to run far from the church too.  

She had been the one to help him with arrangements among many other things she did for the family in a selfless act that he could never repay as long as he lived, as he put it.

Jessica was able to hold back becoming a blithering mess, even though she noticed the family sobbing uncontrollably in the front of the church. God, she needed to get out of there!

Even though she would’ve loved to walk out of the church right now, she really wanted to walk up to the podium and hug Mark till it hurt. Well, she wanted to do more than that, she thought slyly, and then cursed her naughty thoughts. She was in a church for Chrissakes!

After Mark’s moving eulogy, the service was concluded, and Jessica couldn’t move fast enough into the fresh air, even though the day was damp, and drizzly.

Jessica moved among the crowd to make sure she caught Mark’s attention while he was speaking to her family. It worked.

His eyes caught hers, and they stared for a moment. He smiled slightly, and waved a little. Jessica waved back, hoping she would have a chance to speak to him after the service at the cemetery.

The crowd began to move to their cars, and Tessa came over for a moment before they headed to the cemetery.

“Are you getting your mom’s car?” She asked.

“Yep! I will go home and change, and come pick you up,” Jessica answered.

“If you don’t mind, I am going to get a ride with you, and change at your house. My brothers are driving me nuts,” Tessa said, shooting some glares at her family.

“Sure! That would be great. Did you need to stop and get some clothes?”

“Nah, I got them in my mom’s car already,” Tessa answered.

Jessica smiled at her best friend. Tessa’s mom let her brothers get away with murder, and it drove Tessa up the wall. She said she couldn’t wait to get out of her house either, and thought about joining Jessica in New York.

Jessica would soon be informing her own parents that she was applying at New York University. She knew she could not procrastinate about it any longer. They needed to know her plans, and her dreams of moving out this state forever. When they had toured the local and state colleges around the area, and they just didn’t impress Jessica.

She knew she was taking a blind chance going to NYU and not touring it first, but her heart was set on it, and she had four recommendations from her teachers.

She had already done her standardized tests months ago, and was ready to just start applying. She did have back up schools ready, just in case she was denied entrance to NYU, but she seriously doubted it would be an issue based on her transcripts.

Jessica’s parents were finally ready to go, and Jessica tried to catch the Sheriff’s eye again, but he seemed to be busy.

Disappointed, she decided she would try again later.

The service at the cemetery was crowded, and Jessica was ready to get out of her dress, change into jeans, and a sweater, and go to the mall for some shopping therapy. Tessa must have been arguing with her mother and father again before they arrived at the cemetery, because she walked over to stand by Jessica, Don, and Mary during the final service.

Jessica looked around among the tombstones and spotted a figure standing by one of the headstones. She immediately recognized him; it was Rick Tanner.

Everyone in the town knew of the tragic fall of Rick Tanner. He had gone to school with her parents. They had once been the best of friends, but drugs and alcohol had made him broke and homeless. He relied on the charity of others to gain work or a fix. The deputies always charged him for disorderly conduct, public intoxication among other petty charges. Her parents always said he was harmless, and would never hurt anyone.

He once played football with Don, with a bright future ahead of him, but never went to college because the drugs became his life.

Don had tried to help him on several occasions by giving him work, and even by paying for rehab once, but he always screwed up, so Don finally gave up on him, getting him out of their lives.

He was basically the town drunk, and a small time dealer when he could get the drugs. Most townspeople would just give him money, and send him on his way.  

Jessica noticed he was focusing on her, making her uncomfortable. She moved closer to her dad, since he seemed to be staring her down.

She looked again, and he had moved to get a better look at her. She thought maybe she should say something to her dad, but she didn’t want to be rude and interrupt the service, so she would wait to see what Rick was doing.

She moved even closer to Don, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving her a slight smile, misunderstanding her intentions. Jessica felt better, but could still feel Rick’s eyes boring into her back.

Finally, the service was over, and Jessica looked around again after her father let her go, no longer seeing Rick among the crowd of mourners. She felt relieved, but worried he was still lurking around the cemetery somewhere. Never had she experienced something like that before. Rick had never even given her a second glance when he was working for her dad.

“Ready?” Tessa asked, as the crowd began to depart.

Jessica scanned the area again, seeing nothing, she answered, “Yeah….”

Mary walked up to Jessica, handing her the car keys.

“You're going home first, right?” Mary asked, as Jessica took them from her.

“Yes.”

“We’re going to go out with some friends, and I want to talk to Sara’s daughter for a few. So, have a good time girls,” Mary said, smiling at both girls.

“Thanks, Mrs. Winters,” Tessa said, smiling back at her.

Don gave Jessica a kiss and said, “Have fun girls.”

“Bye Dad. Bye Mom,” Jessica said, as they walked away.

“I want to do something first,” Jessica said to Tessa.

Tessa grinned slyly and said, “I know who you want to talk to.”

“Yeah, and so? “Jessica asked, with a sly smile.

Tessa shrugged her shoulders. “It just amazes me how much you’ve changed.”

Jessica thought of Sara Miller, and tried to hide her haunted look, but Tessa caught it.

“Jessica something is bothering you, I know it,” Tessa said. “When are you going to tell me?”

Jessica gave her friend a serious look and said, “One day I will tell you, but right now let me say hi to Mark and let’s go shopping! It’s been a rough day, so let’s have a good time.”

Tessa frowned a little, but finally nodded in agreement.

They made their way through the crowd to the Sheriff.

He stood with his other deputies, and looked to see Jessica and Tessa approaching.

His blue eyes flashed with some emotion that Jessica couldn’t pinpoint, however he smiled at both of them.

“Ladies! How are you?” He asked them.

Tessa grinned again and said, “I’m good, Sheriff. How are you?”

“I just wanted to tell you that your eulogy was beautiful,” Jessica said, smiling at him.