Love's Sight

Chapter 2-1

CHAPTER 2

The next three weeks were busy. Laura made two more visits to the doctor. There had been no change in her eyesight. She made another visit to Danny’s Bar and Grill with Marissa. Marissa was hoping the mirror would show her guy to her. She had come away disappointed. Everyone urged her to be patient. It was hard to keep her spirits up after so many tries without results.

Tilly was busy with finals and very excited about the upcoming prom. Mac asked Laura for help on his homework and seemed to understand it after she explained it to him. He told her she would make a good teacher. He said she made it much easier to understand. He was not confused after she helped.

Laura was glad she could help her brother, but unless her eyesight returned there was no way she could think about getting training as a teacher. Even if she had training, it would be next to impossible to get a position teaching. Laura was beginning to worry about her life from now on. She knew her parents did not have the money to keep paying for all of her expensive medical care. Their insurance only went so far. There was a large deductible, and they were struggling. Her dad was a policeman and her mom was working at Little Tots nursery. The police department helped out. They had a fund to help the families of policemen in need. But the bills kept coming in, and the income did not stretch far enough.

Laura was glad she could furnish Tilly with a prom dress. It would be one less expense. Her folks told her not to worry, they would manage, but Laura overheard her dad talking about taking a night job as a security guard.

Laura decided enough was enough. If she was going to be stuck like this, she had to be able to contribute in some way. While everyone was gone, she decided to go downstairs and learn her way around.

Laura got her cane and walked out of her room. She knew there would be no one here for several hours. She carefully made her way down the stairs and, counting steps and using her cane, learned where everything was located, in the living room. She then counted her way down the hall into the dining room. She slowly made her way around the table several times. It was strange. You think everything is clear in your head, but it all seemed different when you couldn’t see it.

Laura made her way into the kitchen. She went around the cabinets. Using her cane and counting, she walked around the kitchen. She located the stove, the sink, and the refrigerator. When she was at the sink, she discovered the crock pot was on the cabinet. It felt warm to the touch. Her mom must have left tonight’s meal cooking. It smelled good, she thought.

Laura made her way to the laundry room. She stood in the door, but didn’t go in. Next, she found the back door. She carefully unlocked the door and went out onto the porch. She made her way over to a chair and sat down.

The breeze felt good. It felt good to be out of her room. Laura leaned back and closed her eyes. She sat there for several minutes, just enjoying the cool air on her face. When she sighed and sat up, she opened her eyes. She was startled to see light, instead of the dark she was used to seeing. She blinked her eyes and the light was gone. It was dark again. Laura shook her head. She could not have imagined it. She did not know what it meant, but she had seen light. She had hope again, after months of despair.

Laura got out of the chair and carefully, with the help of her cane, made her way inside. She locked the door and counted her way out of the kitchen and down the hall. She counted the steps up the stairs and to her room. She walked around, but she was too excited to sit still. She decided to go back downstairs.

Laura carefully made her way back down stairs. She went over and sat on the sofa. She felt on the table, next to the sofa, and found the remote for the television. Pointing it in the direction of the television, she clicked the on button. It came on, and she changed channels until she found a news channel. It was time to rejoin the world. It did not stop just because she was blind.

Laura had been listening, for about an hour, when the doorbell rang. Laura took her cane and made her way over to answer the door.

“Who is it?” she called through the door.

“It’s me, Marissa.” Laura opened the door and Marissa came in and hugged her. “I am so glad to see you up and about,” she said.

“I thought it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself,” said Laura.

“You needed some recovery time,” said Marissa.

“Today must be your day off,” said Laura.

“Yes, it is. I need to go shopping. My shoes have had it. I also want to take another look in the mirror,” Marissa declared, as if daring Laura to disagree with her. Laura just laughed. She was feeling too good after seeing the light to argue with Marissa about the mirror. “You will come with me, won’t you?” asked Marissa.

“Sure,” said Laura. “Will you run upstairs and get my purse and phone?”

Marissa looked at Laura. She was surprised at her ready agreement, but she was not giving her time to change her mind. Marissa hurried upstairs to get Laura’s phone and purse.

“I’m going to have to get a clip to wear my phone. I need to have it on me in case of emergencies,” said Laura taking the requested items and putting the phone in her pocket.

“Where are we going first?” Laura asked when they were on their way.

“I want to check the mirror first. It is almost lunch time. Anyone working may be on lunch break,” said Marissa.

“Good idea,” agreed Laura.

When they sat at the table with the mirror on it, they ordered a burger and iced tea. After their order came, Marissa stared into the mirror. She seemed to be trying to force it to work. All of a sudden, she saw the reflection of a man. It looked like he was reflected in water. His hair and face were wet. He looked like he ducked his head in the water. He had his eyes closed as he shook his head and grabbed a towel to dry with. He opened his eyes, but he wasn’t looking at her. Marissa had no idea who he was, although he looked familiar. Something about him teased the back of her mind. The mirror started to fade. He looked straight at her just as the image went away.

* * * *

Jed Hillard shook his head. Now he was seeing things. He needed to take a day off. The work was getting to him. He could leave Les and Dan in charge of the dairy and take a couple of days off. He did not have time to be haunted. Although, from what he saw of her, she was a nice-looking ghost. He only got one look at her before she was gone.