And as I fell asleep, enveloped in his arms, my head on his chest, I heard him whisper, “I love you, Parrish.”
“Ditto,” I replied.
That night was the first night my mother came to me in my dreams. It was so weird, yet so real. There was no mistaking it for a typical dream at all.
“So, Parrish, what do you think of my new look?” she asked, smiling and twirling around so that I could see her new ‘do.
She had definitely gotten with the times, as I looked at her newly styled hair that was a bit darker now, and flat-ironed straight, falling just a bit past her shoulders. She was wearing skinny jeans, and a tank top.
“You look awesome, Ma,” I said, so happy to see how happy she seemed to be. “I love it.”
“Guess what age I picked?”
She did look a tad bit older, but I wasn’t certain if that had to do with the new hairstyle she was rocking.
“I give up,” I replied.
“Twenty-eight,” she replied. “So we’re about the same age now. And oh, guess what? I can change my age as often as I like so isn’t that a great perk? I mean I can see the benefit in having that option when say, Dominic gets here, you know?”
“Sure, Ma.”
“How is he?” she asked.
“Well he’s good. You do know that I’m at his home now, right?”
“Oh sure,” she replied, “And is his new wife nice to you?”
“Yeah, she’s been fine. I actually think you’d like her. She’s not pretentious or anything. She never had children so she is trying really hard to give Dad and me our space. Dad is great with Ryan—my boyfriend—as well.”
“I know who Ryan is, sweetheart,” she said, rolling her eyes. “And I totally approve.”
“I’m so glad you showed up,” I continued. “I was wondering why it was taking so long to see you again.”
“Well you remember what I told you that day, right?”
I nodded. “I’m needed, aren’t I?”
“Yes baby girl. And the reason I popped in while you’re in Utah, is because you’re in close proximity to the final resting place of this stalled soul.”
“Which is?” I asked.
“Evanston, Wyoming. It’s about an hour’s drive from your current location. Just a little ways north of Evanston, on Route 189 you’ll come to a cemetery called Serenity Gardens. Find the grave of Cecily Adams, she’ll do the rest.”
“So at least it’s a female,” I mumbled. “But Ma, how long do these ‘episodes’ last? I mean I have places to be, things to do.”
She laughed her magical laugh. “Sweetie, the ‘episodes’ as you prefer to call them, don’t burn up any real time—in your world. The only reason it took three days for you to awaken during your first ‘episode’ was because of the accident. You were unconscious. It won’t be like that in the future. What will take time is getting the resolution, and that is totally in your hands. So work fast, my darling daughter.”
“But how will I know what to do?” I asked, starting to feel panicked. This was going to be a totally different situation than it was when Ma was in the driver’s seat. This was a total stranger to me, and a situation where I was without even the most basic of information.
“That’s where your natural intellect comes into play. Not to worry. I have a feeling you’re gonna love the seventies!”
And with a wink and a kiss on my cheek she was gone. Her parting words echoed in my ears. “I’ll be checking in on you, sweetie. Mommy loves you!”
My dream ended. She was gone.
For now.
I knew when tomorrow arrived I would be taking a trip to Evanston, Wyoming to find a grave. I’d pull my father in since he knew the score, but Ryan was a different story. It wasn’t that he was a non-believer; but I just didn’t think he’d be real keen on my participation in this sort of thing…on-going.
We’d see.
The seventies, huh?
I’m hip.
About the Author
Andrea Smith has been self-publishing fiction since September of 2012. Her first series, the Baby Series, has now been released as an e-copy boxed set titled, “Past Tense, Future Perfect.”
Her second series, the G-Man Series, are stand-alone books, but most enjoyable when read in order:
1) Diamond Girl
2) Love Plus One
3) Night Moves
3.5) G-Men Holiday Wrap
Ms. Smith’s most recent work prior to starting the “Limbo Series” is the novel, “These Men” which was originally released as part of the Bend Anthology earning USA Today Best-Selling status. “These Men” can now be purchased separately as an e-book and paperback.
A sequel to ‘These Men” is expected to be released late 2014.
Ms. Smith will also be releasing a novella titled, “Jaded” as part of a multi-author Christmas anthology late December.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Playlist
prologue
chapter 1
chapter 2
chapter 3
chapter 4
chapter 6
chapter 7
chapter 8
chapter 9
chapter 10
chapter 11
chapter 12
chapter 13
chapter 14
chapter 15
chapter 16
chapter 17
chapter 18
chapter 19
chapter 20
chapter 21
chapter 22
chapter 23
chapter 24
chapter 25
chapter 26
chapter 27
chapter 28
chapter 29
chapter 30
chapter 31
chapter 32
chapter 33
chapter 34
chapter 35
chapter 36
chapter 37
chapter 38
chapter 39
chapter 40
chapter 41
chapter 42
chapter 43
chapter 44
chapter 45
chapter 46
chapter 47
chapter 48
chapter 49
chapter 50
epilogue