when he was a toddler. Now that he was older, they seemed to be getting stronger. Recently, he was able to feel the subtle energies around him, as well as see and sense spirits or shadows, as Jay called them.
At first she was concerned about this, as she too had these abilities and remembers feeling overwhelmed by them when she was young. It didn’t help that no one could ever explain what was happening to her and half the time didn’t believe her. Most people chalked it up to a child with an over active imagination, except her mother. She always believed in her, but unfortunately her father didn’t. Over the years she tried desperately to ignore this, but it would not go away. Unfortunately, she grew up feeling like she was different and didn’t belong. When Jay’s abilities began to intensify, she decided it was time to explain to her son what being a clairvoyant meant, hoping he would understand this. To her surprise, Jay was quite confident and unafraid of it whereas Judy, at times, felt just the opposite.
Jay stirred and opened his eyes. “Hi Mom” he said smiling up at her.
“Hi sweetie, it’s time to get up and get ready for school.”
Jay got out of bed and gave his mom a hug before heading towards the bathroom. Judy was making his bed when he came back in his room and got dressed. She sensed a pair of eyes on her and stopped what she was doing. She turned around and noticed her son staring intently at her.
“What’s wrong Mom?”
“Nothing, I’m fine.”
“You feel funny.”
“I’m just tired.”
She hoped this explanation would be sufficient, but obviously it wasn’t. Jay suddenly jumped onto his bed to look her straight in the eyes. A wave of gentle energy drifted through her, making her feel like he was trying to look into the very depths of her soul to figure out what was going on.
“Jay what are you doing? You are going to be late for school.”
Jay didn’t say anything, but kept probing. After a few moments, he leaned over and gave her a kiss.
“You’ll get your answers soon. I know you will Mom,” Jay said confidently.
He left the room, leaving a stunned Judy staring at his back. When she regained her composure, she headed downstairs. The sound of cupboards banging and dishes clanging could be heard when she got closer to the kitchen. When she entered, she saw Jay grabbing a cereal bowl and the milk from the refrigerator before sitting down at the table to prepare his breakfast.
“I could have gotten you something to eat,” Judy said.
“Thanks, but I am getting older you know and can do things myself,” Jay advised.
“I think you’re growing up too quickly,” Judy muttered.
Jay looked up from his bowl of cereal. “Did you say something mom?”
“Nothing at all,” she said as she got her own breakfast.
Judy got Jay to school in time, which amazed her. Mrs. Bright, his teacher, was surprised to see her when she dropped Jay off at his classroom.
“Have a day off today Mrs. Storm?” Mrs. Bright asked cheerfully.
“Not exactly, I’m no longer working.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Bright hesitated. “Sorry to hear that”.
Judy could detect a hint of disapproval in her voice.
“Did you get laid off?” she asked.
“No.”
“Did you get fired?” Mrs. Bright looked dismayed.
“No.”
“What happened?”
“I quit,” Judy announced.
“You quit!” Mrs. Bright said with a critical tone in her voice.
Judy was only half listening. She was too focused on the way her eyes looked when she said the word quit. They seemed to bulge out and make her look like a fly. One that Judy was about to swat if she didn’t shut up and mind her own business.
“Yes. I quit!” Judy said sternly.
“What are you going to do now?”
This lady was relentless. Maybe I should tell her I am going to become a stripper, she mused.
“I am not sure. Maybe you should give me your home number and I’ll call and let you know,” Judy said sarcastically. . Mrs. Bright was about to say something when the sound of children arguing caused her to turn her attention to them. Thank God, Judy thought as she turned to give her son a kiss.
“Mom! Not in front of my friends,” Jay whispered as he dodged his mother.
“I’m sorry. It’s hard to turn off that mother thing you know.”
“Well try, okay! It’s embarrassing,” Jay said.
“Have a good day and remember....” Jay had already entered his classroom while Judy was still talking. “I put pizza money in your backpack,” she said to the air.
Boy has he learned the art of ignoring his mother. I can’t wait until the teenage years, she thought as she headed towards the door. Outside she noticed other mothers standing in a group talking. Judy turned around and went the other way. She didn’t want to have to face another conversation about her lack of employment.
As she drove home, she made a vow not to let other people’s opinions bother her so much. Her new pledge was about to be tested when she noticed her neighbour, Mrs. Finney, working in her flower garden. Mrs. Finney turned as she heard Judy’s car door slam. She started saying something, but Judy couldn’t hear her.
“Pardon me, Mrs. Finney,” Judy said as she walked towards the front door.
“Not working today dear?” she yelled.
Here we go again, Judy thought. She definitely didn’t want to talk to Mrs. Finney. She was from the old school where one was thankful to have a job and stayed working at the same place until they retired. She had lived through the Depression, so her view on life was still based on those difficult times.
“No,” Judy said scrambling to find her house key.
Mrs. Finney said something else, but Judy still couldn’t hear so she waved and told her to have a nice day. As she unlocked the door, she was greeted by the sound of her phone ringing.
“I heard you quit your job.” It was her friend Hope.
“Yes I did and don’t go giving me a lecture either. I am in no mood,” she cautioned.
“Hey don’t get so defensive! I was calling to find out what happened.”
“How did you find out anyway?” she asked, roaming through her purse for cigarettes then stopped after she realized she quit.
“Damn,”
