an important event in your life.”
“Important?”
“Well, of course. When the dream tells you something that already happened, others pick up on it and it makes a difference in their lives. What could be more important than that, Kristen?”
“Gee, I didn’t really think about it,” she replied.
“Well, you’re very lucky, you know. You’ve been blessed with this gift, to be able to help others with their future – their hopes, their dreams, what troubles them the most. Pretty awesome, huh?”
“A gift,” she repeated in a quiet voice.
“Oh, you bet.”
Later, they talked about what she thought when the other kids teased her and how hard it was to feel ‘different’ because of what she could foresee.
“They just don’t understand, Doctor Paul – especially the boys. They think it’s some kind of magic thing I’m doing, like I wave a wand and decide what’s going to happen today.”
The doctor leaned back in his big leather chair and thought for a moment. “You know, sometimes when you do things differently from the others and it gets attention…well, it does get them interested that you know what’s about to happen, right?”
Kristen nodded.
“Did you ever think that maybe these kids are just a wee bit jealous because you get all the notice, and they don’t get any? It’s not really that you are all that strange for what you can do, it’s just that it puts you in sort of a spotlight, and they aren’t getting that same attention.”
“I didn’t really think about that part.”
“Everybody – your parents, teachers, neighbors, and now your friends – they all want to hear what you are about to say and the other kids don’t stand a chance at that same notice from all these adults.”
“Do you think they will ever forgive me for that?”
Doctor Jansen smiled. “There is really nothing to forgive, Kristen. It’s just that gift. Why should you need to be forgiven for that?”
A gift. That’s what Doctor Jansen called it again.
“What happens now?”
“Here’s what we’re going to do, Kristen. From now on, when you have these dreams, and they upset you, just come back to me and we’ll talk about them, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Until then, you just go out and enjoy your beautiful young life. Let these dreams be your friend, and not your fear. And as for the other kids… you just forgive them for making you feel bad in what they say. In no time at all you’ll be feeling better about this. And I’ll bet you the silly comments will stop.”
As Kristen stood to leave Doctor Paul’s office, he gave her a big grin.
“What was her name?”
“Huh?”
“Your cousin… the one with the long black hair and glasses. Did you give her a name?”
“Brittany,” she replied in a small voice.
“Brittany,” he replied. “That’s a very pretty name, but I like Kristen better, and I think the other kids really like Kristen too. Why not give them a chance, okay?”
She nodded back at the man. It always made her feel good talking to Doctor Jansen.
“Maybe you should think about becoming an actress when you get older.”
“You think I could?”
“I think Kristen Marsh could become anything she wants to be, if she puts her mind to it.”
Kristen worked on taking the advice of Doctor Jansen and, before long, she did actually heal inside. Yes, she would still have the dreams sometimes, but they didn’t really bring harm to her, or to anyone else. And pretty soon she had friends again – especially Katie, and this made all the difference in the world… for both of them.
CHAPTER 3: OFF TO GRANDMA’S HOUSE
The late afternoon of Christmas Eve, Kristen and her parents packed up the SUV and left for her grandparent’s farm in the hills of central Pennsylvania. Traveling by way of the turnpike it took about two hours to get there. Her dad pulled the car into the long driveway at the old brick farmhouse and the three of them jumped out as Grandma and Grandpa came to greet them. They unloaded quickly and went straight to the living room. It was all decorated with holly, red ribbons, and gingerbread people – the kind you could really eat. Over in the corner stood a nine-foot-high Christmas tree; the odor of fresh pine filled the room.
“So Kristen, I understand you are staying with us a few days,” her grandfather Reeves began as he placed a few more logs on the fire in the huge living room fireplace made of red brick.
“Yes, Grandpa.”
The fire made her feel all warm and cozy as she snuggled in beside him.
“Good, because I set up the trains and the Christmas village on a platform in the other room. We’ll have a lot of fun with that.”
“Dad, I hear we’ll be getting some snow by tomorrow evening,” said Kristen’s mother.
“Yep – could be a big one, Andrea,” he replied. “We’d love to have you stay longer but you might want to get back home before it hits.”
“That’s what Kevin thought, too.”
“Well you know your mother and I will take good care of Kristen while you’re gone. So you just go when you need to and take care of that business at home.”
“Thanks, Dad…I know you will. And everything is going to be fine.” Andrea Marsh took hold of her father’s hand for a moment and they gave each other a knowing smile that somehow made even Kristen understand. It made her feel very good inside…so safe and so happy.
“C’mon, kids. Grandma has hot cider and fresh Christmas cookies for you weary travelers. Dig in.”
Pat Reeves put down the tray and the family did exactly as Grandma said. The living room now looked like something from an old Christmas card, with contented folks relaxing around the toasty fire, munching away on their snacks. They did some catching up on what was going on the last few months and then the family settled in for bed. After all, it was Christmas Eve and they needed to be bright-eyed for the festive day ahead.
The girls headed upstairs while the men stayed behind to watch TV. At the top of the stairs Kristen gazed down the long hall at the doors on each side. At the far end there was a white door, the only one closed. She felt a chill as she looked at that door.
“It used to scare me when I was little,” Kristen said, pointing to that single door at the hall’s end.
Her mother looked to Grandma.
“But
