All Around Me (Interlude)

[Dano]

So, the collection of words called "...if you were brave?" is actually chapter one of a longer work entitled "All Around Me". This is going to be a longer piece, indefinitely longer so far. This here's a little post script to chapter one, or pre script to chapter two, whichever sounds better to you.

I sat in Athena's office on the leather recliner that made my back sweat. I had my shoes and socks off, and I was rocking, tapping my toes against the tiles. My hands kept moving, running over my scalp, punctuating my conversation. This was one of the few times my reserve broke down and I allowed myself to be this animated.

I kept looking up at the bookshelf behind her, reading and re-reading the titles of several dozen books of various subjects, but mostly self-help books. The shelf with the CDs was sparse, mainly world-music stuff. My eyes would occasionally rest on her face, with the bemused grin alternating with the serious thoughtful face fairly regularly.

"So why do you think she's chosen you to be her healer?"

I looked at her from the corner of my eyes. The question hadn't been unexpected, but I still found it surprising. I took a deep breath and opened my mouth, immediately shutting it again as I felt the words about to emerge were too trite.

"I mean, this is something we've been working on for a while now. Between the dreams you've been having for the last couple of years and the Reiki training and all that, I would think that this is the universe's way of letting you know it's time for you to start."

I'd been wrestling with this for a while now, the idea of being a healer. I felt naturally drawn to it, like it was exactly what I was supposed to be doing, helping people like that. On the other hand, I had strong feelings that I wasn't cut out for it, that I wasn't strong enough. I had enough problems of my own, how could I look people in the eye and tell them I thought I could help them?

"Yeah, I know... but... "

I hated feeling like this, so indecisive, not able to pick one way or another. Too afraid to let go of either end, being torn in half by competing impulses. The past wasn't really safe for me, but at least it was familliar. The future was scary and intimidating, but I felt overwhemingly compelled to it.

"Well, how about when you breathe today, you work on that? Get a grasp on being a healer, thinking about the obvious reasons why she gravitated to you, why she asked you for help instead of someone else."

I turned fully towards her and shrugged. Being inside her office was like taking two hours to physically inhabit my mind. I could not escape things there. She wouldn't let me. And as much as I needed it, it frustrated me too, but at least in positive ways. It forced me to take action rather than just sit back and watch life pass me by.

"Why don't you ask yourself, 'What's it going to take to convince me that I am called to be a healer?' Thomas, you know you can do it, in your heart. We just have to convince your head. Your head asks too many questions sometimes."

She leaned in close to me and tapped me on the forehead, smiling. I laughed softly to myself and made to go lie on the massage table to breathe...

[Oz]

this one seemed more personal to me (hence the question in the IM) but i dont know why. after thinking about it for a while, i couldn't figure it out. this just seemed more...homey i guess. i love the story with thomas and crystal and am very interested in seeing what goes on there, but this seemed to be like...relaxing. i guess what im saying is that you set the mood and tone very well dano. keep it up, cuz i want to read more!

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"What about him? What are you doing with him?"
"What you should be doing with me..."

Proud family member of Jelymo, gollum, Kelly, Dano, Jaxom27, 5Cats, Fenix and others.

I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned

Arch-nemesis of Tea Woman

[Fénix]

All caught up again. I like the pace here. Can't wait for the rest.

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"I've had to spend the majority of my life vigilant against the thoughts and emotions of others pentrating my mind. But just this once, as the psychic dam begins to burst, I dont try to stop it... because the only emotion that comes crashing through the breakwall...
is hope.
It washes over everyone. Infectious... growing in strength...
Connecting us... uniting us... until suddenly...
strangers dont seem so strange anymore."
Jean Grey- X Men # 71

PROUD SLAVEBOY OF JELYMO

Enter Daredevil at Hero Realm

[Bitter 'Lil MoFo]

Damn. You're good, Dano. REALLY good. This, along with "......if you were brave", is an excellent piece of work. I'm gonna start coming here more regularly.