The Powers That ARE

Chapter Twenty

The car dealership was not too far away from Ida's bed and breakfast. It was owned by a man she went to high school with, so they were able to get a newer Suburban and a little extra cash for the two cars. William was a really great guy, somewhat like Ida, and it left the trio wondering if this was normal for the area or if these type of people just stuck together.

On return to the bed and breakfast, John decided to stop at a florist and get some flowers for Ida to show how much she meant to them. The teens both gravitated to a bundle of yellow carnations that really looked beautiful in the shop.

When Ida was handed the carnations she went into tears. She told them "These are my favorite. My dad gave me some when I was in high school when I performed in a play. They remind me of how much I missed when I lost him that year."

Riley said in a stressed voice, "We are so sorry to make you cry, they just seemed like they fit you for some reason."

Ida smiled through her tears, "They are my favorite young man. I cry because I have had them at every happy memory in my life, and this shows me that meeting you three will be remembered forever."

All three smiled at her in agreement with her statement.

As she was looking for a vase to put her flowers in, a brown haired young man came into the room. "Hi Grandma! I'm home from school, is there anything that needs done?" Then noticing John, Riley and Echo he said, "Oh, Hi I'm Justin, Ida's grandson. How are you doing today?"

His focus was shifted to Echo almost completely by that point. Echo kind of fell back a little behind John and John held out his hand to grasp Justin's hand. "Hi Justin, I'm John and we are great."

When John shook Justin's hand, he proceeded to read him. Justin was a popular kid at school with friends in every area. He seemed to be very open and honest. At the moment he was focused on how pretty Echo was and how he could get to know her.

John chuckled and said, "We will be staying one more night and leaving for family in the morning. Hope we see you at dinner tonight."

Justin blinked a little and smiled at John and said, "Oh that's great, if any of you need anything just let me know."

Riley just held his ground behind John and did not say anything, he could read Justin without touching him, his thoughts were so clear.

Justin went up the staircase and disappeared around a corner.

Ida said to the trio, "He is a good boy," smiling to herself, "he will be around tonight."

"How about I take you on a tour of the house? I think I have some things you might find interesting." She said walking towards the back of the house.

John followed with the teens not too far behind and said, "Yes that would be great, and I bet you do."

Ida led them into the kitchen area and said "This house was built in the late 1700's when there was not much out here. In the early 1800's the family realized that there was a need to help people. The underground railroad was not as well known in these parts but we did have a few that made it this far. When the family became known for helping, they were added as a safe house that could get people a little closer to Canada if they needed to go there. We have this..."

As she said that, she opened a hidden door in the pantry area that had a stairway that went down. "This room has been kept clean and safe since it was added, with room to sleep five or six and a way out that did not take you back into the house. Here, I will show you."