The Counseling (23 page)

I drape myself against Patrick and hold on for dear life, kissing him back with all my might.

And here I thought Jason Tillson could kiss.

Umm ... Jason who?

"W
ELL, THIS IS OUR LAST GROUP SESSION,
" Oliver says a few hours later. I've hot-tubbed, slept, and eaten the best turkey sandwich I've ever had in my life—and I'm in love again. Sad to think that this will all end tomorrow.

Don't think about it, Kendall...

Turning my attention to Oliver, I see him flash a real picture of Hailey Santiago from the overhead projector. "I wanted you to see the young woman you helped bring closure to. This is her senior picture, taken last fall. She would have been graduating this May and going off to Washington State University. 'So wise so young, they say do never live long.'"

Ahhh, another Shakespeare fan. I knew I liked Oliver.

"One of the officers shared with me that they found some DNA evidence under her fingernails that may lead to the killer. They also put out an all points bulletin for her ex-boyfriend Derrick Ingram, who fits the description in your visions and the pictures. They can't arrest him based solely on psychic information; however, they can bring him in for questioning," Oliver informs us. "In fact, they have a lead on his last known address and are making a visit to it as we speak." Oliver shakes his head as we all gasp, whoop, high-five, and mourn.

"At least Hailey's family can have a service for her now," Erin says quietly.

"That they can," Oliver says. "I think we've all learned some pretty amazing things this week. If you weren't enlightened before, you certainly are now."

"I don't wanna leave," Greg shouts out.

"Me either," says Carl and Ricky, followed by each of the Pucketts.

"That's an incredible compliment," Oliver says proudly. "I'll be sure to pass that along to the counselors."

Jessica raises her hand. "Speaking of that..."

"Yes, Jess?"

"I'm really curious about something. Except for Wisdom Walker at the sweat lodge, the counselors don't seem to leave this room or hang out around the inn. What's their deal? Are they just totally unsociable?"

Oliver tents his fingers in front of him. "Why don't you all meditate on that and see what you come up with?"

They don't come to meals. They don't sleep here. Come to think of it, their clothing never changes. Why didn't I notice that before? (Because I was preoccupied with Hailey, with Patrick ... with myself.) They aren't touchy. They come and go like specters.
Whoa.
My eyes flutter closed, but it's not long before the clouds of understanding part in my mind and the answer to Jess's question is written in the blue sky.

"Oh my God!" I sputter. "They're ghosts?"

"That's impossible," Greg says. "I wouldn't be able to see them if they were."

Oliver smiles. "Think again, Greg."

Wisdom Walker, Peggy, Mary, and Heidi all file into the room. Spreading his hands wide, Oliver says, "I want you to meet my
own
spirit guides, who helped educate me through my own awakening. They have given of themselves to help me teach others to be aware of their talents and God-given abilities."

Jessica nudges me hard. "Holy shit, Kendall. I
can
see dead people!"

My eyebrows shoot up. "Who knew?"

It all makes sense now. I definitely think my parents got their money's worth sending me here to this retreat. It's the best spring break evah!

The next day, Jess crams the last of her shirts into her duffle bag and turns to me.

"I'm going to miss you, Kendall."

"Awww..." I rush to her side of the room and hug her tightly. "We'll totally keep in touch! And you'll have to come to Georgia and visit me."

"Can't we go somewhere cooler?" Jess teases.

I smack her and return to my own packing. "It's definitely been ... an experience."

"You can say that again. And you and Patrick? Seems like that pink aura is just radiating off you."

My skin warms, giving me away. "You nailed that one too."

Jess claps her hands and jumps up and down. "I knew it!"

"Okay, already!"

She bounds for our cabin door. "I'm gonna go up to the kitchen and get a couple of sodas and Popsicles for us."

"That sounds awesome! Thanks!"

The door slams and I go back to folding my clothes. A moment later, I hear the door creak again. "Did you forget some—"

It's not Jessica.

"H-H-Hailey ... it's you."

She walks toward me, no longer dirty and wearing torn clothes. Her hair is clean and brushed, and the bruises on her neck have disappeared.

"I wanted to thank you, Kendall. You and all of your friends. You found me."

"I did what I could, Hailey."

"You brought my family peace. Now I can finally rest."

"I'm so sorry for what happened to you." Gulping at the lump in my throat, I do my best not to cry again. "Hailey, do you see the light?"

"I do now. Since early this afternoon. I heard the police are looking for Derrick. Once he knows they've found my body and hears that his skin is under my nails, he'll confess. He has nothing else he can do but come clean."

"How can you be so blasé about him?" I ask, my anger rising at the killer.

Hailey smiles sweetly. "Because I'm of the light, Kendall. There's no judgment, hate, resentment, jealousy—these words are unknown to us in the light. Only when one can forgive can one truly advance as a being of the light. And I'm ready for that. I forgive him for what he did to me."

"Forgive him? Are you crazy? That asshole strangled you and left you in a national park!" I scream.

"Karma will come back on him, Kendall. I believe that."

"I don't buy it."

"It's difficult to explain this to the physical realm, but someday you'll understand, Kendall."

I hope that day is a long, long, long frickin' way away. A tear slips out of the corner of my eye, but I pay it no heed. "I'm sorry your life ended so early, Hailey. You will find peace in the light."

"I know," she says. "I'm so glad you came here. They said you were the one."

"Who is this
they?
" I ask in a shaky voice.

"Those on the other side who are still connected with you ... with everyone. They knew your heart was pure and that you would do the right thing, which you did. I can join my grandparents and my aunt Morgan, who are waiting for me. I just had to thank you in person."

Hailey blows a kiss at me and then disappears.

I
did
do the right thing.

"I have never seen so much food in my entire life!" Maddie Puckett exclaims.

I have to agree. "Me either."

Before us, in the backyard of the inn, is a gigamonic smorgasbord. It's Saturday night, and this is our going-away party. Music is cranked and food is everywhere. A small bonfire roars, orange fingers dancing up to the sky. The smell of barbecued ribs, chicken, and brisket fill the air to go along with vats of coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and homemade baked beans. Chris and Glenn know how to put out a spread.

"Don't be shy, ladies," Glenn says from his position at the pit. "Plenty to eat."

"So much for dieting over spring break," Willow says.

"No way," I say. "I'm eating my weight in ribs tonight!"

We all mill around, laughing and swapping e-mail and Facebook addresses, promising to stay in touch. The digital world makes it easy for us to keep those promises.

"Don't you want my e-mail?" I hear from behind me.

I spin around and there stands Patrick, more handsome than I've ever seen him. He's wearing a black short-sleeved polo and tan cargo shorts, showing off muscular arms and legs. I can totally see that he was an outdoorsy guy before his near drowning. I hope he gets back to that—especially the diving that he loves so much.

"I most certainly want your e-mail. And your cell phone and your Facebook and Twitter—"

Patrick chuckles. "I've only got a cell and e-mail."

After we switch digits, he stashes his phone in his pocket and then takes my hand in his. There's no flash of shared information or a psychic connection this time. Just a boy holding the hand of a girl he likes. A girl who likes him back.

We pile our plates high with food and find a table away from the rest of the group. Patrick feeds me pineapple, and it's like I'm some Greek goddess being worshiped by her faithful manservant. Okay, not that I think Patrick's, like, my manservant ... it just feels so decadent. It's natural and oh, so right.

His eyes never leave my face and his smile never falters. We have changed each other. For the good. I'm no longer afraid of every psychic connection I have. And he's no longer scared of his own abilities. We were meant to be at this retreat together.

"I'm really going to miss you," I say, taking the first step.

He traces his forefinger over my hand. "I'm going to miss you too. I'm really stuck on you, Kendall Moorehead."

Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh.
"Too bad you live in Florida."

"Too bad you live in Georgia," he mocks.

I take a bite of the yummy rib and munch on it quickly. "It's not like we live a world apart. We've got the Internet, texting, the phone, and I'm sure we can visit each other. Summer will be here before we know it."

He hugs me to him and kisses me on the forehead. "You're beyond adorable, you know that? I've never met anyone like you."

"Is that a good thing?" I ask with my eyebrow raised.

"It's a
very
good thing." He tugs me so close that our hips and thighs touch on the bench. "I'm not letting you get away from me anytime soon."

Swoooooon.

Is this what it means to find your equal? Your soul mate? And can it possibly happen so young?

I don't need the answer right now. I only need to enjoy the time I have left with Patrick before we both wing back to the East Coast and our real worlds.

Ricky hops up and starts dancing, pulling Jess to her feet. They crunk out together in the funkiest way to the festive music. Chris, Glenn, and Oliver clap along and others get up and join in the party. Josiah and Willow move to the rhythm, and then I see everyone part to make way for Micah.

"What does he have?" I ask Patrick.

It's something on a string and it's on fire. WTF?

"Awesome!" Patrick exclaims. "It's poi dancing. I saw this when my dad and I were in the Philippines. Let's go watch."

"It's what?"

"Fire dancing," Patrick says. "It's a ball of fire suspended from a strip of rope or a chain. You spin it around in patterns and stuff. It's amazing."

Patrick grabs my hand and pulls me along. Loud disco music streams from the house speakers and everyone is moving to the beat. Micah is twirling the fire balls on strings around his feet in circular patterns. I keep thinking he's going to burn himself, but he knows exactly which direction to move in to keep the fire in check.

"Woooo!" I shout out, clapping along.

"Be right back."

Patrick hops into the middle with Micah and selects a couple of poi balls, lighting them from Micah's. Patrick twirls and rotates them in all sorts of cool patterns. He weaves and wraps and makes a butterfly formation and then ends with so many circles that it looks like the Olympic rings. At the end, he and Micah stamp out the poi fire and then high-five and fist bump each other. Absolutely breathtaking!

"You guys should take that on the road," Jess suggests.

Micah hugs her and says, "You should see me with glow sticks."

"That was incredible," I say to Patrick and reach up to kiss him. He lowers his head to mine and smacks me soundly on the mouth.

The disco hit "We Are Family" from the 1970s sounds out and we all—even the La'Costons and Oliver—take to the improvised dance floor, grooving and swinging with each other. I hold hands with the most unbelievable guy I've ever met and I'm surrounded by people who were complete strangers just a week ago. However, our shared talents and abilities brought us together for a reason. We formed an alliance to do good. Our own version of Super Friends ... only Super Psychics.

I know my mission in life. No longer am I afraid, timorous, or frightened. God will watch out for me. Anona will watch out for me. All of my friends will watch out for me. The ones I have back home, the ones who've moved to Alaska, and the ones I've met here. I'll never give in to bad spirits and I'll never let them win.

Patrick swings me around and then cuddles me in his arms. "You are so amazing. The most beautiful girl I've ever met. I've never known anyone braver. You're my heroine."

My heart is totally going to melt into a pile of goo. Patrick's lips touch mine in a thrilling moment and I know I've found
my
hero.

Delta flight number 1812 is on final approach to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and I can't stop rubbing my left arm. The airport limo came to get Patrick and me this morning at the Rose Briar Inn—we shared a ride this time—he had them take a detour to Anonymous Tattooing Company so I could get a small ghost to match his. A dude named Zack was very careful in explaining the process and inking on the smirking specter.