Chapter 2 - Seven Stones and a Boy

Chapter 2

I looked at the stones and stared. Maybe something will happen if I stare at them.

Nothing happened. I took one stone out from the pouch and lay it on my left palm. Maybe if I touch it, it will do something or give me some sort of shock or something.

Nothing happened. Darn it!

I put the one stone back in the pouch feeling a little stupid. I pulled the string on the pouch to close it and put it back in the front pocket of my backpack. I took my iPod out to listen to the music to relax. Enough of this nonsense I thought. I just want to get some more rest before I have to deal with the craziness at LAX.

My attempt for a little nap was successful with no more weird dreams about the stones. Thank goodness! I felt better after sleeping for about 3 hours. I was in a better mood. The woman across the aisle with the rosary was sleeping. I was relieved because whoever she was, she made me a little nervous. She was staring at me when I was checking out the stones. The mystery magic stones that somehow ended up in my bag.

The rest of the flight was uneventful. Even my arrival at LAX, Immigration and the connecting flight went very smoothly. I wondered if it was because of the stones. As much as I wanted to forget about them, my brain seems to showcasing them right in the front burner. I tried to find a comfortable position on my aisle seat.

I had half an hour until the flight landed in Salt Lake. I will have to text Amalia as soon as the plane landed to make sure she was still coming to get me.

Amalia has been my best friend these last 3 years. We’ve been friends since our senior year at Orem High. We met at the first meeting of the International Club. Although, she did not really think of herself as one of the international students. She thought it was a waste of time.

“Why separate ourselves? I remembered what she said back in high school. “I’m here to stay. My family migrated. I’m not an exchange student like you.”

No one really went to any of the activities except the Japanese girls. All three of them and of course our Spanish teacher who started the club. It was sort of pathetic. I went to a couple of the meetings and then decided to help Amalia instead at her family restaurant after school. They made the best Pork Enchiladas. Speaking of food I realized I haven’t eaten anything in 6 hours. Maybe we’ll stop by Wendy’s on the way back to Orem.

“Ladies and Gentleman, we are going to land in Salt Lake City in about 10 minutes.” I heard the captain speaking. “We thank you for flying with Delta and we hope to see you again real soon.” I couldn’t wait to get off the plane. I was dying to lie down on my bed and stay horizontal for awhile.
The plane landed at ten thirty that night. I stood anxiously in line to get out of the plane. The line wasn’t too long. After 5 minutes I could smell the SLC airport air. It was October and I knew it was cold outside. It looks like it was raining earlier. The ground was wet. I hurried to the baggage claim. I think the sign said number 3. My lucky number. I pulled out my phone to text Amalia but then I saw that I received a couple texts already from her.

One was sent about 40 minutes ago. On my way. Awesome, she’s probably parking right now. The next one was sent 10 minutes ago. In the car outside. Terminal D? Talking to Mario.

I thought, great! Either they were arguing or they are being lovey-dovey again! I hope it’s the latter even though I would probably throw-up on the way home listening to her.

My huge suitcase appeared on the belt and I struggled to pull it out before I hurt anyone else. I headed towards the exit. I could see her yellow Ford Focus double-parked with the blinkers on.

I waved at her and could see that she is not a happy camper at the moment. Great…they were arguing on the phone! I will have to be her ears and a shoulder to cry on tonight.

She waved back and signaled me to head to the trunk. I headed around the back of the Focus and open the trunk. I struggled again to lift my suitcase which was as big as me. After I almost broke my arm throwing it in her trunk which made the car bounced a couple of times, the mission was successful. I opened the passenger door and let myself in.

“I got to go, Rio. Tia’s here!” She hung up the phone and smile at me. I turned to face her.

“Don’t tell me. Another hallmark moment?” She didn’t say anything but open her arms to me.

“Sorry about your Dad. Are you ok?” We hugged and then she started driving.

“I’m fine. I’m just glad he’s not suffering anymore. He’s in a better place.” I like to believe that myself. Amalia smile and look at me.

“You can talk to me anytime, you know that right?” She looks as if she was trying to comfort me and see why I wasn’t bawling already.

“Yeah I know but I’m a tough girl, you know that right?” She sighs and then smile.

“I know. But it’s ok to cry, chica!” This sounded like her and her motherly intuition. She was a year older and she was always taking care of me. Most of the time at least.
“I don’t need to talk about anything.” I paused then. She looked at me for a second and then drove again.

“Really nothing at all? Its part of the healing process, you know.” She sounded as if I was a 5 year old needing to be comforted for losing her favorite candy. Close enough. I do want some nourishment.

“I don’t know if I should.” This was more than sad to me. I tried not to laugh. I knew she thought I was about to breakdown in tears. She has always been gullible.

“I think you should. It’s healthy that way.” She was still anticipating the tears.

“I know. Give me a second.” I turned my head to the window before I burst into laughter but I tried to hold everything in. I could feel her hand on my shoulder. Oh man. She moved her hand down to touch my hands on my lap.

“Tia, it’s ok to be emotional once in awhile you know. You should let it go. I know I would be grieving for a long time!” I was still holding my breath because I knew I was about to let go. I couldn’t hold it anymore and started laughing silently with my head still looking out the window. My shoulders were going up and down from laughing and I hope that she thought that I was crying.

I heard the turning signal on. She was pulling over. I knew I was going to pay for this. The car stopped. I was still holding my breath. I wasn’t laughing anymore but still couldn’t help to smile. I was waiting for more comforting words to come out of her.

“Listen Tia, normal people don’t do this.”

Oh here we go. My punishment for pretending.

“Most people would probably still be with their family right now because it’s just hard to let go of someone who you truly love. Especially when that someone is your father. But you, you sit here laughing your butt off!”

I couldn’t help it anymore. I let go of my emotion and laughed so loud that I think the car was moving. I turned to face my angry best friend. She looked really upset. I was still laughing and this time tears came rolling down my eyes. I looked at Amalia. She had a serious expressions but wasn’t anger.

Then suddenly she started laughing with me. We laughed and laughed for a few minutes. People in the passing cars probably think we were high or crazy. Finally I calmed myself down, wiped my happy tears with the sleeve of my jacket.

“Sorry chica, but I’m just hungry and you sounded like an old lady talking to me that way. I just couldn’t help myself” I looked at her and was hoping that she was over it now.

“Haha…you know I know you too well, Tia. I’m glad you’re not that sad because honestly I don’t really know what to say. I was asking Mario what I should say to you because usually you’re the one who’s cheering me up.” She started the car again and drove back on the highway.

“Well life goes on. I am still grieving but it’s not going to bring my Dad back to life. So let’s get some Wendy’s please. I think they open late.”

“Ok, I think we can get some food at the next exit.” Then she started asking questions about the flight and my family.

We got back to our apartment around midnight. I was exhausted but wasn’t not sleepy. It must be the jetlag. I took a shower and then was happy to lie in my own bed. My suitcase was still standing unopened by the door. I had a few things I brought back for Amalia and other friends but I was too tired to unpack.

I could hear the television in the background. Amalia probably couldn’t sleep either or she was probably chatting with Mario. I haven’t checked my email in about a week. I didn’t have the energy to turn on my computer tonight. I was waiting for the exhaustion to hit me so that I can fall asleep.

Before I realized what was going on, I was there standing by the lake. The view was amazing. I could smell the fresh air and hear the bird chirping. The sand by the lake was so clean and warm on my feet. The sun was shining but it wasn’t hot. It was very bright and the air was comfortable. I wanted to lie down and soak as much sun as I could. I must be dreaming again but how do I even know that I was dreaming. It was getting too weird.
The thought of me waking up in the middle of dreary fall in Utah gave me the shivers.

Then I heard someone singing or it was more like chanting. I turned around to see a familiar face sitting in the sand. My grandmother was sitting across from me. She couldn’t see me of course. She had a bowl in front her filled with something black like charcoal but were not as round and thick. Smoke came out of the bowl. She was still chanting something. Some language I don’t understand. I can understand our tribe’s language but this must be something that only priests or royal families would understand.

The she started saying things but then it sounded more like praying. I caught a few words I understand like pue (read: poowhe) which means God. Ana’ku (read: ahna’coo) which means my child. She must have been praying for my father or my uncle. Maybe for their safe travel? What is the point of me seeing all these things?

Her chanting became louder and then she stood-up right in front of me. We were face-to-face now. If she could see me she would probably wonder who in the world is this person wearing long sleeves pajamas in the tropical paradise.

She held the bowl as she was standing and right into my face she threw the ashes from the bowl.

I woke up to find myself in my warm cozy bedroom. It was still dreary outside. No warm sand and bright sun. No beautiful Lake. It must have been Lake Poso. My mind wandered for a moment and then I checked the time on my alarm clock. Five thirty in the morning.

I was glad that it was Saturday so that I can relax for another 48 hours before going back to my school routine. I opened my bedroom door to see if Amalia and maybe Mario was up. I found Amalia sleeping soundly on the sofa. She likes to surf the net and chat until the wee hours and then fall asleep wherever she is. She once slept on the floor right in front of her bedroom door.

I went to the kitchen to get breakfast and found out that the fridge and pantry was almost out of everything. This is what happened when I leave Amalia alone for two weeks. She probably ate ramen after ramen or ate out with Mario. I settled for a piece of bread for now. I made a mental note to go shopping as soon as the sun is out.

I hung around the kitchen and the living room for about an hour. As soon as I saw the bright light through the kitchen window I got up and headed to my bedroom to grab my jacket.

I walked downstairs and straight to my beloved Civic. The car has been so loyal to me. I was surprised that it was actually still here. I thought about the article about top ten stolen cars but was grateful that mine was still here.

The trip to the supermarket took less than 10 minutes. I walked in to not-so-deserted place. It was surprising that others shop for food this early also. It took me approximately 15 minutes to grab the staple food. Jasmine rice, bread, chicken thighs, kale, milk, cereal, butter, Boca burgers and tomatoes. I’m usually pretty happy with just rice. I can eat that everyday.

I was back in the car by seven fifteen. I headed back to the apartment and found Amalia was up with the laptop on her lap. Again.

“Good morning sunshine! Did you get eggs?” She was glued to her laptop.

“Oh darn! Eggs.” I had completely forgotten the one thing that both of us eat the most.

“Oh well, I’ll go get it later. Today is laundry day for me. Oh by the way there’s this party at Manuel’s apartment tonight. I’m going and you are definitely invited.” She paused and turned to look at me. “I mean…that is…if you want to go, you know? Or maybe you want to be alone?” She stared at her laptop again but I could tell that she felt bad for asking.

“Well we’ll see. I might be up for a party. A little moral booster might be good. Plus this is Utah. How bad can it be, right?” I walked into kitchen and started putting away the groceries.

Amalia followed me into the kitchen. “You will go? That’s awesome! Mario has to work tonight so I won’t have to go alone!” Amalia suddenly was right behind me and hugged me like she hasn’t seen me in years.

“Whoa…relax mama sita! I didn’t know that I have to babysit you while Mario is working!” Flashback from past events appeared in my head. “Maybe I don’t want to leave when Mario is off work, you know, like last time?” Amalia had left me at her friend’s party before because of her commitment to her then 3 months boyfriend. She left me for about one hour and then came back to give me a ride home. I didn’t notice she was gone but she felt bad enough and came back to get me. They were jointed at the hips I guess.

“Oh c’mon, I was you chauffer for the last two weeks!” She protested.

“Oh geez, you seriously want to play the chauffer card on me? You took me to the airport and picked me up. You were my ride, girl! Not chauffer.”

She turned around and walked away from me. I probably made her upset. I followed her to the living room. She was glued on her laptop again.

I sat next to her and was thinking on things I can say to her that would make her feel better. I don’t like drama especially not with Amalia. She can go for days not talking to me and right now that’s the least that I need. I was getting ready to open my mouth when she suddenly threw one of the cushions at me.

“Here’s one for yelling at me! You never yell at me before. I just don’t believe it! I mean you could just take the shuttle to the airport!”

“Oh c’mon Lia! I’ll go to the party and I’ll also drive separately, ok?” I tried to make it casual before she started nagging.

“No…Mario said he needed some space! So we can party together. We’ll have fun! Girls’ night out, OK?” She was smiling but you can see the sadness in her eyes.

“Space? Really?” I was surprised. I wonder if they actually broke up.

“Yeah. I don’t want to talk about it but we have to go to Manuel’s, please?” She was pleading for company.

“Sure…sure…but I have nothing to wear. Let’s go shopping later, shall we?”

“Yes! We should go right after I do my laundry! We’ll have so much fun!”

Amalia jumped up and ran to her room. It usually takes her awhile to do errands so I know I got plenty of time to relax before we have to go to the mall. I guess getting ourselves distracted wasn’t such a bad idea at all. Her love life seemed to be falling apart. Mario probably got bored or found another girl to hangout with. Who knows! I never really trusted the guy.

Amalia’s laundry was actually done in less than 2 hours. Done meaning that she put them in the dryer in about one hour and forty seven minutes. I had a few minutes to get dressed and put a minimum make-up on. By ten past ten we were both dressed and ready to head to the mall. I felt a little teeny bopperish for heading to the mall on a Saturday morning. I grabbed my purse and saw the pouch sitting on my side table.

Should I take them with me? Does it really work? Maybe it will help me find a cute outfit for tonight? I reached for the pouch, paused and then changed my mind. I heard Amalia calling from the front door. I headed for the door and off we went.

The mall was fun. We each bought a top but nothing appropriate for the party tonight. The distractions definitely work. We went back to the apartment and tidied the apartment a little bit. It was a bigger project than we anticipated. By the evening we were both exhausted and lay in front of the television. Walker Texas Ranger was on. I remembered that this was my mother’s favorite show. The scene was showing Walker heading somewhere in his truck under the heat of Texas sun. Probably catching the bad guys as always. He never loses.

Then I wasn’t sure if I was still watching the show but I felt the Texas sun on my face and I was in the back of the truck. It wasn’t Walker’s truck but an older truck. I was sitting in the back of the truck next to a group of people. There were three men sitting and talking. There was also a woman with a baby, two young girls and an older woman. I recognized the two men in the front. They were my father and my uncle. They are heading somewhere. Maybe this is their trip to the city.

My father was talking to the man next to him. I couldn’t hear their conversation. I saw my uncle was smoking a cigarette. The woman with the baby next to him was fanning her baby with a book. The two girls were sleeping and the old woman was chewing something. Tobacco probably. I stared at my father and the other man. My father was writing something on a piece of paper. Then he turned to my uncle.

“Longka, can you put this in my bag?” He gave the paper to my uncle. My uncle took the paper and opened the bag in front of him and shoved the paper inside. My father turned around to talk to other man again. For some reason I was interested in what my uncle was doing. He looked as if he was looking for something in his pants’ pocket. He finally pulled out something out of his right pocket. A pouch. He grabbed the pouch and opened my father’s bag and shoved it down in the bag. He turned to see if my father was looking but he was deep in the conversation with the other man. My uncle lit another cigarette and I could’ve sworn that he was smiling. Mission accomplished.

Suddenly I heard the baby crying and the old woman who was the closest to me turned to my direction. I looked her in the eye and she seemed like she was looking back too. Her hand was reaching to my face to touch me. I tried to turn around but for some reason I couldn’t. I could feel her rough hand on my skin. She was touching my face roughly almost smacking me.

Then I heard someone calling me. “Tia, wake up! We got to get ready for the party! Tia! Tia!” She was smacking my face.

I opened my eyes and Amalia was next to me back in our living room. She had a towel on her head. She must have just gotten out of the shower.

“My gosh Tia, you probably still tired! I had to smack you just to get you up! I almost got a bucket of water to throw on you! Are you sure you still want to go?”

“Yeah…I’ll go.” I got up and headed to my bedroom.

I stepped into the shower and stood there thinking. That old woman looked like she could see me. And why was the baby crying out of nowhere? Instead of checking on the baby, she turned to my direction. Was there someone else there who was sitting where I was? I couldn’t remember what the others in the truck were doing when that happened. I had so many questions in my head and was curious of what happen next? What if she really did see me? What if she was some sort of medicine woman? What if she had supernatural gifts like my grandmother?

I finished my shower still feeling unsatisfied with my thoughts. Then I contemplated whether I should stay and try to sleep and maybe my dream would continue to the next episode? I got dressed anyhow and sat in front of the television waiting for Amalia to be ready. After a few minutes she was finally ready. I had the pouch in my hand and thought for a minute and then I put it in my jeans pocket. Maybe tonight that dream or vision or whatever it was will resume.

It took about twenty minutes to get to Manuel’s house. He lives in the next town. He threw parties once awhile but usually the same group of people show up. Manual liked to think that he’s popular which he sort of is but not as much as he thought he is.

We got to his house a little bit after nine. We were fashionably late which is how it supposed to be according to Amalia. There seemed to be more crowd than usual there. I recognized most of the faces there but saw a few new people in the crowd.

“Amalia and Tia!” Manual cheered. “So nice that you both can make it. I promise you that you will have tons of good times tonight! Forget all your worries tonight, ok?” He gave both of us a hug. Manuel has always been so warm.

“I guess news travels fast!” Amalia murmured. “You going to be ok if I leave you alone for a minute? Be social tonight, ok?” She didn’t wait for my answer and walked away to a group of people.
I headed to the kitchen to grab a drink. I feel better if I have something I can hold on to. There were a few people in the kitchen. I recognized the two girls, Lena and Yuki. We went to high school together. I waved to them quickly and turned to the bucket of bottles on the counter. I grabbed one bottle and twisted the top and headed back to the living room.

The party suddenly came to live. Amalia was dancing with some guy. She just can’t stay single for too long. I have to hide before she pulled me to the dance floor. I love dancing but tonight is just not the night for that. My head was filled with curiosity of that dream. I saw an empty seat right next to the speakers. She won’t be facing me if I sit there at least not for a while. I settled in my seat and watched more people joined Amalia. Manuel was now dancing with Yuki. I was too much into the dance scene until I realized someone was standing next to my chair.

“Looks like fun! You want to dance?” I turned around to find an unfamiliar face. He smiled at me. He has a short black hair and has a nicely built body. I wondered if he goes to school in the area too.

“I’m Ben! He offered his hand for a handshake. “I’m Manuel’s cousin and I just moved here last week. I think he threw the party to welcome me and to cheer-up a friend. At least that’s what he said.” His hand was still hanging waiting for me to shake it.

“I’m Tia.” I shook his hands nonchalantly.

“Oh so you’re Tia!” He smiled but it seemed like there was more meaning to that smile.

“What is that suppose to mean?”
“What do you mean? Manuel was just telling me about you. That’s all.” He seemed pleased that I was confused.

“Good things I hope.” I ignored his meaningful and watch the rest of people on the floor.

“Well most of it.” He was still smiling. I could see his sparkly white teeth. “Nothing too scandalous but I was picturing you taller.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.” I really didn’t want to chat with him. I tried to look for Amalia to rescue. I saw her on the other side of the room talking to Manuel. She turned to wave and chuckled. Then I realized that this was a setup.

Ben was still right there. He was sitting now on the Lazy Boy. He waved and winked at Manuel who started dancing and pointing at me. Laughing.
“So Tia, how was Jakarta?”

“Hot.”

“I bet you it was! You got pictures from your trip?”

“I was there for a funeral. I’m sure you don’t want to see people crying, a dead body and all that.” I was so disgusted at Manuel and Amalia for setting this up.

“Oh sorry, I didn’t know that. Manuel told me that you need some cheering-up so I thought maybe you just broke-up or something. And all I knew that you just came back from a trip to Indonesia. I am really sorry—really.”

“Yeah well…Amalia just broke-up with her boyfriend so maybe you can go and cheer her up now.” I got up and headed towards the bathroom. I felt Ben grabbed my hand to stop me. “Seriously Ben, I’m just not a social person!”

“I really am sorry, Tia. Please maybe we can start over?”

“It’s more like OVER, Ben.” I walked pass Amalia and Manuel and gave them the dirty look. Confusions were all over their face. Manuel glanced at Ben who was still sitting down watching me leave the room. I could’ve sworn Ben threw something at Manuel.

There was only Lena in the kitchen getting some sort of appetizer out of the oven. She used the kitchen towel to hold the hot tray and almost dropped and wasted a tray full of spanakopita. I was fast enough to grab another towel and catch the tray.

“Thanks Tia! I’m so clumsy!” She put the tray on the counter and used the spatula to move the spanakopitas to the plate. She turned to offer me one. I grabbed a napkin and took one of the goodies. It was still hot so I sat it on the counter. Lena turned around to head to the living room. She stopped at the kitchen entrance to offer someone her dish. It was Ben. Great, I thought! If it’s not too cold I would just go outside to avoid him.

Ben walked into the kitchen holding the hot spanakopita with no napkin on. He turned red in an instant. Then he dropped the food on the floor. I could hear him cussing silently and then picked up the tainted food and shot it to the trash can about 7 feet away. And he made the basket. Show off! I pretended that I didn’t acknowledge the 2 points.

He leaned on the counter across from me and stared at his drink. Then he looked at me hoping that I would say something. I looked at him too. Since he doesn’t know I was thinking, it’s probably fun to just stare at him and pretend that I was still upset.

We were staring at each other for about a minute. Amalia came in to probably check on me. She saw what we were doing and then turned around with a grin on her face. I rolled my eyes at this point. Ben rolled his eyes too. I didn’t want to be the first one who starts the conversation. What does he want from me anyways?

I stood straight and headed to the dining table in the adjacent room. Ben followed too. I took out the pouch and put it on the table. Ben looked confused. I was hoping that he would ask a question to break the silence so that I didn’t have to. But he still didn’t say anything. He was staring at the pouch. I opened the pouch and pour its contents on the table. All seven stones lay on the table now. There were seven different colors. One was black and flat, there were a couple stones of the almost the same color beige but they were more round and thicker, there was a blue one that was shaped almost like a cube but uneven so you can't really say it's a cube, one was clear green and thick, one was deep red and the other one was purple with rough edges. This is the first time I have ever examine the stones. I never thought I would be doing this with an audience. Who would want to check out stones? He probably thought I was weird at this point.

"So...are you trying to hurt me or something?" Aha...the silence was broken. Now I can say something to him.

"Why do you think that?"

"This looks like something to do with magic. Did you inherit this or something?"

I looked at him curious. He seemed to know too much and he didn't seem to think I was weird.

"It wast just sort of there in my backpack." I answered while looking at the stones. I lifted my face to face him.

"That's spooky, man. But what do they do? Do you know?" I was tempted to tell him the dreams but I was afraid that he would really think I was loony. I even think I was loony.

"I don't. I'm still trying to figure it out. All I know that there are seven stones---and now there's this boy who's curious to sit long enough to stare at them too."

He chuckled and said,"A boy?"