An Inheritance

Chapter 27

Where did the men of her family fit into this?  Did any of them have any gifts, like in Sam’s family? Or maybe they were so overshadowed by the Almas that whatever they had wasn’t used in the same way?  Her grandfather was a Labeaux, could it be that was why her mother had these gifts and not her aunt?  She remembered the picture of her grandfather from the locket and his face became animated.  His eyes twinkled and she felt herself drawn to him, he must have been a very pleasant man, someone she would have enjoyed being with.  She felt warm and very peaceful.   

Jerking her head up, Lauren realized she had nodded off, and situated where she was by the bayou, that was not a wise thing to do.  “Abby, lets go back in, it should be treat time.”

After giving Abby her snack, Lauren went about making her grandmother’s oatmeal cookies, with plenty of chocolate chips this time.  She made lemonade and straightened up the kitchen.

She wasn’t surprised to hear the sound of a car coming up the drive; she knew it would be Odilia.

Opening the door before Odilia had a chance to knock, Lauren welcomed her in.  “I’m afraid I acted rather badly the other night, I really am sorry.”  Odilia just touched her shoulder and nodded her head that she understood.  They proceeded to the heart of the cottage, the kitchen, and sat at the table.  Lauren poured them some lemonade and put a plate of cookies between them.

“I knew you would be apprehensive of what I had to tell you.”  Odilia smiled.  “And that’s just not because I have gifts, but you’d expect a deep reaction from anyone told something like that.”

“I think it was the shock of having you confirm what was hidden deep inside of me.  I’ve always known I was different, but I didn’t know why.  If I ever really questioned my mother, I’m sure she would have explained it to me, but I was pretty determined to keep it all to myself.  I probably never even wanted to know.”

Both Odilia and Abigail cocked their heads a little.  Lauren couldn’t hear anything, but she felt something.  It was just like when she knew Odilia was coming, way before she could have heard her jeep.

“You’ll be getting some company soon.”  Odilia stated.

Lauren nodded her head in agreement.  “Does this feeling of knowing someone is coming; does it happen all of the time?  It seems I know, without really knowing, who will be here.  It’s a strange sensation.”

Odilia laughed.  “I bet you’ve always had that ability, you’ve just now isolated and identified it.  But from my experience, those that are close to us, or those that need us, send out something that we are able to acknowledge.  I may not know when the mailman has come, but I usually know when one of my grandchildren is coming to pay a visit, or if someone who is in trouble is coming by.  But I don’t always know who is at the other side of the door when the bell rings.”      

Lauren heard two sets of footsteps climb the front stairs; she went and opened the door.  Standing on the porch were a woman and a young teenage girl.  They both acted nervous and looked around Lauren to see Odilia right behind her and the woman gave a small smile. 

“Come on in Ida, and this must be Leonie, right?”  The young girl nodded shyly.  Odilia had taken the lead as though it was her house they had called on.