“All that has ever been or imagined, past, present or future, is in The Field, Nina. My function is to open channels for you to The Field, but you have done some of that on your own. I know you don’t believe this. I just want you to put aside your disbelief for a moment and experience something others want for you and Angie.”
“Others?”
“The people in this town, this universe, your husband, everyone who is with him now or in the future, the group awareness that makes up The Field. It’s so rare to find people as sensitive as you and Angie, Nina. But we can only help if you’ll let us. I want you to relax, both of you, and close your eyes. We’re going to dream together. Listen to the tone, and let yourself fall away from it.”
“Are you trying to hypnotize us?” asked Angie.
“Just relax. You’re both safe here.”
Ellen’s voice seemed distant, and Nina felt a tingling on her face and neck as if fine hairs were standing up there. There was a pleasant feeling in her fingers and toes, a wave of pleasure starting in her chest and sweeping down her legs.
“You’ve arrived. Open your eyes when you’re ready.” The words were muffled, barely audible.
Nina opened her eyes. She was still at the table, Angie beside her, the child’s eyes closed. But the room was gone. In every direction, up and down, sidewise, was a shimmering curtain of rainbow colors, and they were floating there, yet beneath her Nina could feel something solid.
Angie opened her eyes, and gasped. “Where are we?”
“I don’t know. It’s some kind of illusion.” Nina took Angie’s hand in hers; it was solid, and warm.
“It’s actually a representation,” said a familiar voice.
Mark seemed to materialize out of a curtain of red and blue, walked up to them and smiled.
“Daddy,” said Angie, and reached for him, but her hands passed right through him as if he were an illusion.
“Ohhh,” she said, and sat down hard on her chair.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I want to touch you too, both of you, but it isn’t possible here. Ellen has made a special resonance for us so we can all see each other at the same time, and talk. It’s like a window, Angie, but no energy or matter can pass through it.”
“I miss you so much,” said Angie.
“Me too,” said Mark. “My little girl is beautiful.”
Angie made a whimpering sound. Nina squeezed Angie’s hand, remained mute, but now Mark looked at her.
“Hello, wife,” he said, and Nina smiled. “I think you know why we’re here.”
“You’re going to say goodbye,” said Nina, and a strange feeling of calmness washed over her.
“Yes. For a while, at least. In the end we’re all together, but for now you might say I’m being reassigned. I’m moving on to another place, a world unimaginably far from yours. I won’t remember you clearly for a while, but you won’t be alone, Nina. Something and someone wonderful is coming for you. It’s all here in The Field, and I’ve seen it. It makes it easier for me to leave.”
Tears came. “I don’t see it, Mark,” said Nina, and Angie started to cry.
“Angie, my baby, I am so proud of who you are and what you will become. The day will arrive when we recognize each other again, and then we can share memories. I wish you could see what I see. It’s all so beautiful.”
Angie sobbed, and Nina put an arm around her. Mark leaned over to look closely at them. There was no scent that Nina could detect, only an image.
“I’ll always love both of you. Remember me when you can. Angie, you have a friend here who wants to meet you. I met her father, and now he and I are friends. But now I have to go. Please thank Ellen for this; she has arranged everything. Love you.”
“Goodbye,” said Nina. Mark’s image faded and was gone, and all that remained were shimmering curtains of color and a sobbing child in her arms. She closed her eyes.
And opened them again at a table in a darkened room illuminated by a single candle. Ellen was not there. In her place was a blond girl around Angie’s age, dressed in jeans and a denim jacket. She seemed startled, looked first at Nina and then Angie.
“Betina!” screamed Angie. The two girls leaped from their chairs and clung to each other, crying and talking so fast Nina couldn’t understand anything.
Ellen came out of the darkness, took Nina by the elbow and led her away from the girls. “Betina lost her daddy too,” she said softly. “She just said goodbye to him. The girl lives in Salem, and it’s not so far from here. Her mother brought her in, and they’re staying at the motel. Mom’s name is Anne. Get to know her, let the girls be friends in the flesh. It’ll be good for all of you.”
“I thought she was imaginary. I saw—” said Nina.
“—Oh Nina, you can’t intellectualize everything. There are just too many levels of reality that can’t be seen by the human eye. Walk with me.” Ellen picked up her satchel by the door, and Nina suddenly noticed the woman had put on her colorful coat.
“You girls stay here. We’re going for a walk,” said Ellen, but Angie and Betina barely glanced at her. Still talking excitedly and clutching to each other, they were nose to nose.
There was a damp cold in the street, and fog had moved in, creating fuzzy halos around the street lights.
“Where are we going?” asked Nina.
“I’m going away,” said Ellen. “Make sure the door is locked after the girls finish their reunion, and take Betina back to the motel. You’ll like Anne. The two of you have a lot in common.”
“Why are you leaving? You just got here.”
“The job is done, three cases in one, this time. I feel good about it.”
“How do we get in touch with you?”
“You don’t. You’re on your own now. You have everything you need, both of you.”
“But where are you going? The bus quit running an hour ago.”
“I’m being picked up. It’s just a short walk from here.”
Ellen stopped, put down her satchel and grasped Nina by both arms, smiling. “This is goodbye, Nina, but I’ll think of you. It’s the strength of your emotions that makes your talent so strong. You have more to look forward to than you can imagine. Say goodbye to Angie and Betina for me. They’re going to be life-long friends, you know.”
Ellen picked up her satchel again. “Wait here. I have to go alone.”
Why? thought Nina. “Thank you, Ellen, for everything. I wish you could stay longer.”
“Me too,” said Ellen. She gave Nina a wry smile, turned, and walked up the street towards the brow of a hill where swirling fog glowed between two street
