Lightning From Within

The Truth

As we pull into my drive way, my mom and Nan are standing outside waiting for us.  I look at Tristen, “I called them to let them know we are on our way.  And you were ok.”  Knowing this now I nod my head and unbuckle my seatbelt.  Mom and Nan rush over to my side of the car. 

“Oh honey, are you ok?” “Where have you been?” “We have been so worried about you when the school called us that you were not there” “Never in my life have I ever been so scared.” Both over lapping the other, all the while hugging me rubbing my arms. Touching my face and hair to check me over. 

“Okay, Okay.  I am fine.  Really, I am fine.  Can we go into the house please?” I say to them to get out of the eye sight and ear shot of the neighborhood and to stop the public display of embarrassment in front of Tristen.  I could hear him snickering to himself.  Looking back, I shot him a “I will Kill you look” if he ever thinks about saying anything about this to anyone. 

Walking into the house, mom looks back at Tristen and says, “Thank you for bringing her home, we’ve got it from here.”  He stops, “No mom, he needs to be here for this.”  I say to her.

 Nan touched her arm, “She is right, Faith. “Mom agrees and we make it to the kitchen.  Nan’s kitchen was not small nor big in size.  It was my favorite place of her house.  Not only because she could make some unbelievable meals here, but she was always in here.  It was the heart of her home.  The heart of her.  Sitting down at her wooden round table, Tristen to my right, mom to my left and Nan across from me. 

“So, I found out a lot about my history today.  And who I am.  Well, who my family is, I am still learning about me.  It is true that my family,” I pause, “our family, you both are White lighters?” I ask but already know the answer. 

Sighing Nan starts, “Yes dear, we are all White lighters.  Even Mr. Keller here is.  And I take it you were the one who told her this?”  She stated as she glared at him.

“Yes, he told me, but he also helped me to see what some of the things that I am capable of doing too.” I answer her for him.  “But, this is not about him.  He has been the only one to be honest with me. Let’s focus on the lie my whole life has been.  So, let’s not forget that it was both of your job to not only protect me but, to prepare me for my life.  And I am at least part white lighter.” Looking at my mom when I get to the end.

 She just stares at Nan, and Nan nods.  “Just tell her honey.  She deserves to know the truth.” 

“You are more than part white lighter.  Your father was one too.” Mom breathes in and sighs.  “There are so many things that you don’t know about.  Or how things work here. “ 

“Well whose fault is that? “I say as rudely as I could.  Even though I know they had to have a good reason for this, I was still hurting to know I have been lied too.  “I deserve that but, I am asking you to listen to it all before you judge me,” my mom replies. 

“When it comes to white lighters, every family is part of a Covent.  They can be as little as three families and up to as many as twenty or so.  In this town there are five.  Keller’s, Chaffins, McComas, Pack’s and Collins.  In each convent, there are seven elders and one leader.  The leader has say over and runs the convent, the elders are the ones who teach and develop the rest.  Usually, the leader is the most powerful whiter lighter in the convent.  And ours is Jack Keller, Tristen’s father.” Nan explained. 

“It was not my family at first though,” Tristen said as he looked from me to Nan and to mom.  “Your Nan was the leader for many years.” 

“This is true dear, I was Head White Lighter” She said with pride coming through her voice.  That was a shock for me.  My family, the plain janes of the world, were the most powerful beings in this small town.

  “Then what happen Nan, why are you not now?”  I ask.  She looks at my mom with so much love, and touches her face.  “Family will always be stronger than a convent.  Especially, when that convent is wrong.”  Mom bows her head. 

“Your Nan gave up her spot due to me and my stupid choices.” 

“No, it wasn’t you fault honey.” Nan exclaimed.  “You were taken advantage of.  Back when you mom was your age, she was the beauty of the town.  Many fellas were battling to catch her eye.  But, you know your mom.  She has always acted older than who she is, trying to take care of everyone else beside her own self.  Faith, had her mind set on taking my place on the council.  She was next in line and shown the most developed in her skills.  Besides doing her best in school, she also ranked first in her spirit culture courses.  Normal kids her age were out experimenting with things of the world and themselves.” Nan face was lite up talking about her child.  “Your mom worked at the local hospital part time.”

This is where mom took over the story, “It was such an exciting time for me.  Being around people who wanted to serve and protect others, people they did not even know.  That was one of the first lessons that we are taught in Spirit Culture, Serve and protect the people.  And the knowledge that I was able to experience was unlike any other that could be given at that time.”  There was a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth.  “I always had a crush on a boy from the time I was little.  In my senior year, we both started to open to one another.  Before you knew it, we were inseparable.  The way we clicked together it was so magical.  There was talk of us being such a power couple, and the things we could do.”

“The biggest dance of the year came around.  My dress, hair, makeup everything was perfect.  I waited for Michael for over an hour to pick me up as planned.  He never showed.  I went to the dance anyways thinking that maybe I had it wrong.  He was nowhere to be found there either.  My friends tried their best to make me feel better but, there was nothing anyone could do.  That’s when Alan Collins approached me, being his ever so annoying self.  His father worked at the hospital with me and always pushed for us to be together.  He was not the one who owned my heart.  We never heard from Michael again, he just disappeared.  And it wasn’t long before I found out I was going to have you.”  Mom looked me in the eye tears flowing down her cheeks.  “I knew something happened to him, someone made him leave.  He would never have left me or you.” 

Nan wrapped her up into her arms.  “This stays in this room.” She stated firmly while looking at Tristen.  Nodding in agreement he stood and started walking around the room.

 “What do you think happened?” I asked. 

Nan looked at me, “it was Christopher Collins, Alan’s dad.  We just know it was him somehow.  He had nothing but dreadful things to say about Michael and how your mom was wasting her potential with him.  And when Alan asked your mom to the ball and she refused he made a threat that he would hurt her anyway he could.”  Soon as the words left her mouth Tristen stopped pacing and turned to her. 

“That cannot be right?” he whispered.  Nan just stared at him and nodded yes.  “Mr. Collins doesn’t have a son.”

That is when mom shot up, “Oh yes he did!  And when they found him floating in the lake dead was one of the happiest days of my life.”

The room became quiet.  It was as though my body was numb right along with everything around me, I understood what was going on but I was not taking part in it.  Closing my eyes, I work on remembering how to breathe and attempt to stay calm.  So much has happened in this little bit of time but such an important conversation.  Learning how my mom went from being star student and golden child to suffering a traumatic event of losing my father.  Then to finding out not only who my father was but that someone would want to hurt them like this.  And for her to live her life everyday seeing me, and being reminded of him.  The man that was taken away from her.   

Brynn, I need you to think of your favorite thing in the entire world.  What? Why in the world would you ask me to do that?  Humor me please.  If you could do anything or be anywhere where would it be right now? 

It was not hard for me to imagine my favorite place in the world.  Wrapped up in Tristen’s arms, feeling his warmth and the electricity of his touch.  Having the security of his protection no matter what, and to smell him.  Oh, it is as if I am right there.  I open my eyes to find, myself in his arms as I envision.  But, what I did not know is that we were floating in the air.

 Grasping tighter to him in fear of falling, he snorted “You are amazing”. 

“How, how did we get here?  What did you do?” I almost shout. 

That made him laugh, “I did not do this honey, it was all you.  Before I spoke to you, it was only you that was floating.  Thinking I could talk you down, instead you made me come to you.  Even though I resisted at first.”  Feeling a little embarrassed I hide my face in his chest. 

Tristen whispers in my ear, “ar dóigh”.  I feel my feet touch the floor.  Turning around, I find Nan and mom looking at me as if I were a movie star or something.  “I am sorry.” I say sheepish.

 Nan walks over, with her hands in mine she says, “My dear child, do not be sorry.  You just pulled off something that usually takes quite some time to learn to do.”  There was such pride coming from her eyes. 

“I knew you would learn some day about your father, I didn’t know how you would take it.  And here that day you show the strength in your power as well as in control too.  My child, I am at awe in you right now.” My mom said.  Not really knowing what to say to that, I am not one to like the spot light much, I turn to Nan and say, “So, I take it you stepped down after everything happened and Tristen’s father stepped in.”

“No,” she answered.  “It fell to him because he was the second most powerful besides Faith and me.  With Jack’s mother passed in the few months before, he became Head even before his father.  Your father was not but a year or two older than Faith at the time.  He did not want it at first, but your grandfather explained that if he did not then it would have fallen to Mr. Collins.” Nan explained while looking at Tristen.  “And now you son, are next in line for Head White lighter.” 

He stood straighter, “Actually ma’am, that would fall to Brynn not me” he said with a smile.  “seeing what power, she has shown in just a brief time, I cannot wait to see what you can do with the proper training.” He said to me. 

“No! She will not be anything in that convent. “Mom shouted.  “I have done everything in my power to make sure that she never knew about that.  And I will be damn if he ever finds out.”

“Now Faith, that is not your call.  This falls on Brynn.  She knows now and is plenty old enough to make that choice.”  Nan calmly says to mom.  “But she does not know how they work or what they could do to her.” Mom replies.  They both turn to me.  For the first time in my life, I had to make a choice that would not only affect me but so many more.  Biting my bottom lip, I think over everything everyone had to say. 

“Ok, this is my choice, with that said I am not going to hide from the convent, especially since they know I am your daughter and at least possible part White Lighter.  But, I am going to start these Spirit Culture Courses and get caught up on where I should be.  And I am not really worried about becoming Head.  At this moment I do not want it nor would I ever.  My life is hard enough.” I announce. “I do however want to know more about my father.”

Mom walks out of the room and comes back with a shoe box that looked rough.  Sitting down next to Nan at the table, she opens it.  With a smile forming on her face she pulls put a piece of paper.  Slowly opening it she says, “Your father was such a wonderful person.  His heart was so good and pure, he always found the best in everyone.” Nan scooted closer to her.  “I remember the first time that we actually talked to one another.  It was in Algebra class.” She laughs almost more to herself as if remembering.  “Your father was not the best or even average in math.  Our teacher asked me to stay over that afternoon to help him through some problems.” 

               “After about an hour of watching him struggle so much and him erasing his paper so hard that he tore it, I decided it was enough for the day.  He asked me to help him the next day and the next until about after a week of staying over, he got the nerve to ask me out.  He was so cute and shy, the most wanted boy in school and he asked me out.  From that day on we were together.” 

She handed me the paper and it was lines of a poem.  Titled on the top line was “My All”.  “That was the song he wrote for me.  The last thing he gave me before you,” mom said.  Looking up into her eyes I finally figured out that I got my musical side from my dad.  I had a part of him in me.  I did not want to read the words he wrote for her, that was her special memory of him that should only be hers.  Handing it back I sank back into my chair with a sigh.  All of this is a lot to take in.  And to think I thought I was just a normal plain jane of the world. 

We went through the whole box together and it was great hearing about their times together.  When I saw his picture, my heart fell.  With bright green eyes, sandy hair, the main thing I noticed was the love that shown through his face as he was looking at my mom.  I took that photo and placed it on my night stand.  It should be the first thing I look at every morning.  Knowing that my parents were so in love that they made me.  Something that I fought with my whole life wondering if I was a mistake.

Tristen and myself decide to leave my house for dinner.  I needed to be out of that house for a bit and some much-needed time with him also.  After grabbing burgers from Dee’s restaurant, we drive to the same spot at the edge of the woods.  Tristen gets out of the car carrying the bag of food, while I carry the drinks.  He pops open the trunk and pulls out a throw blanket.  We walk a little way into the woods, to the tree I tried to burn down and sit to eat. 

Looking around I now notice the beauty of this place.  How many assorted colors of green mixed with the dark browns of the ground and bark of the trees. With the sounds of the wild life all around us, its magical.   I ask Tristen “What did that word mean you said to me?” He turns his head with confusion wrote all over his face.  “You know, ar dóigh?” 

His face lights up, “It Irish which means amazing. Which is what you are” he said.  “I know you have had a very eventful day.  I am sorry for bringing all this upon you like I did.  But, I could see you trying to maintain your control, which you did very well with, but I have been there.  Over flowing with emotion, power, and heat from inside without any place for release.  It can be confusing and frustrating.  I was worried that you would get pushed to a point and lose control, heaven for bide hurt someone or yourself.”

“How did you know I was well, one of you?” I blurt out. 

“The very first day you were at school I felt very off.  It was if I was being pulled toward the south side of campus that morning.  When I made it to my locker, I was having such a tough time walking.  Amber thought that I had a curse put on me or something.  Until finally, I just started walking toward that way.  I made it to your class and I saw you.  At that time, you were standing in the middle of the classroom.  Not one soul noticed you, I knew though.   Not even knowing your name or seeing your face, my heart knew you, grá fíor.” Tristen answered. 

“At the same moment I felt scared for you.  Marcus was standing in the hall coming toward class, I did not want him to know about you.  Anything that I have an interest in he tries to mess it up.  So, I left for my class, hoping that you would be okay and him not notice you.”  It was like a light bulb that went off.

 “You were the reason that I stopped dead in the middle of class.  When you saw me I could not move?  Tried as I did, it was a few moments before I could.  And when I did start to walk again I about fell over.” I explained.  “When Marcus saw me, it was like pure hated for me shot out of him.  All day I made sure to stay away from him as much as I could.  Until I saw him in your face when I was at my locker.  Then that girl, Sasha, getting in Ambers face was what pushed me over the top, I had to say something.” 

               “Yes, that was very interesting.  I felt you standing behind me and you getting closer.  And when you got into her face my heart was going crazy.  I wanted to pick you up and run you out of there.  But, I could not.  I oversee the whole crew, even Marcus’s.  If I left them especially, for someone they thought was a “norm” then it would have left them easily open for harm from Marcus.  You held your own well, I think Sasha thinking you not being one of us helped.”

               “Never in my life have I been that way.” I stuffed fries in my mouth. 

Tristen chuckled,” You have a very protective nature about you.  As you shown us twice on that day.”

 “Well, maybe it is just something about your family.”  I smile to him. 

 “With you being able to intercept my thoughts to yours as you do.  As the day in class when you were thinking about the boys you have dated and kissed.  Talking about trying to keep your emotions in check.  I wanted to go find every last one of them and beat them to death.  And then this morning when we touched and that electricity felt like a lightning bolt all through my body.  I knew then that you were my grá fíor.  There has been writing about experiences as this.” He states as he gets up off the blanket and comes around to the tree next to me.  Sitting down at its base and leaning against it he motions for me to come to him. 

“What does that mean?” I ask. 

True Love, you are my true love Brynn. 

He answers in my thoughts.  My heart feels like it is going to over flow with happiness right now.  Never have I thought about finding love.  But, hearing him say that as he did, I believe it with everything in me.  This warmth of emotions is like a coating.  His arms tighten around my waist, and his chin tucks in on my neck beside my ear.  We stay like that for a long time, watching the sun set over the hill from us. 

“We need to talk about this whole Plighted with Sasha,” I made myself bring it up.  His body tensed under me.  “Yes, I know.” He replied.  “I understand that you were chosen for her by your parents but, does that truly have to be?” I asked. 

“There wasn’t a ceremony or anything.  It was just an agreement by the parents to hopefully make our convent stronger.  But, that was never in my plans.  She loved to bring it up just to rub it in my crew’s face.” Tristen explained.  “And now that I have found you, there is no way that my parents will keep to it.  Especially, with the way her and her friends have been lately.”

That made me feel better.  “What do you mean how they have been lately?”  I ask. 

“Well, the other day, they were messing around and almost caught the forest on fire at the lake.  We are supposed to not let the world know of our powers.  And they like to flaunt it around as if the law is not real.  The council is having to step in with them,” he answered. 

“What will happen if you do not go along with the plan of marrying Sasha?” I ask and almost growl saying her name.  “There really isn’t anything they could do to us, especially my parents.  This is my choice, even though I know my parents would never make me go through with it if I didn’t want to.” He answered while coming his fingers through my hair.   “The only one who would try something is Marcus, he would use it against me.”

Of course, that boy would want to cause trouble for anyone just to feel good about himself.  “How would he use it against you?” I ask.  “Well, he can’t now but, before you came along I was in line for HEAD remember, now that would be yours my dear,” he responded. 

               Once dark started upon us, we headed to my house.  Pulling up to my home, there was a black BMW parked out front.  “That’s my dad car.  What is he doing here?” Tristen spokes.  We both were quiet as we got out of the car and walked up to the house.  Mr. Keller came outside on the porch toward us. 

“Well, it is nice to finally meet Faith’s daughter.  Wow, you look just like her.” He said as he stuck out his hand to shake mine.  With my hand still in his he turned to Tristen, “Son, do not stay out too late tonight.  Mother is worried about you, when you did not come home after school.” 

I let go of his hand, “That is my fault Mr. Keller.  Tristen was just being nice and helping me.”  He does not take his eyes off Tristen.

  “Well, then good night.  And again, great to meet you Brynn.” He states as he walks to his car.  Seeing him from the back of his head it was like looking at Tristen in a few years. 

We walk in the house, Nan and mom are cleaning up the kitchen.  Tristen hangs back in the doorway, while I jump in to help.  When Nan sees me, she cannot help herself but to smile.  Mom seems to be in her own head with the worried look on her face.  “What was Mr. Keller doing here?” I ask as I wipe the table off. 

Nan is the one who answers, “we called him to get everything sat up for you to start courses.  He was surprised to hear from us. To the council, they thought that it might have skipped you since your father was not one of us, or so they thought.  After we explained it to Jack, he was all too happy to help us.”

“Brynn, it’s getting late, I think you should start getting ready for bed.  Tomorrow is a big day for you Hun,” mom says as she finishes the dishes.  I hand her my cleaning towel, the confusion on my face said it all.  She starts laughing, “No worries, you start you courses tomorrow.” 

“Oh, ok. Who is my teacher? And where will it be at?” I ask.  Mom just smiles, and Tristen chimes in. 

“I will be here to pick you up after breakfast and I will take you there. If that’s ok?” My mom faces him and nods in agreement.  I walk him out to his car after he says good night to mom and Nan.

As we walk to his car, his hand finds mine.    The car made it upon us too quickly.  He opens the door, turns to face me while wrapping me up into his arms.  Snuggled up to his chest, I hear his heart beat, faint but even. 

“it has been an interesting day, and it is getting late.  I will be here for you around nine thirty in the morning,” Tristen said.  Nodding my head refusing to let go of this moment for just a bit longer.  With a sigh, he let go of me just enough for me to step back to see him. 

Till Morning. 

He leans in with a soft kiss to my forehead.  I step back for him to shut his door and watch him drive away.