Waking Anastasia (25 page)

“I am. I’m using my aura to gently push yours. Energy-to-energy.”

“Holy—” This was too strange.

“That’s what I thought the first time Uncle Palak showed me.” In addition to the gentle forward and back of her rocking, Mika now swayed slightly from side to side, describing an oval around the anchor of her feet on the floor.

Jerry moved along with her, but just in case he was simply hypnotized by her movement and following along automatically, he willed his body to stop and he tried to stand still. He succeeded for a split second, but then a gentle tug pulled him and he was moving again. This was unlike anything he’d ever experienced, on
any
level. He held his hand up and Mika stopped. Jerry grinned, lopsidedly, a lot freaked out but getting used to surprises of both the dark and light variety. “These are not the droids we’re looking for.”

“He can go about his business.”

“Obi Wan. Exactly.” He leaned heavily on the desk. “Okay. You have my attention. Whatever the traditionalists have in mind for me, I’ll give you a fair shot, too.”

“Thank you. Just so you know, though, what I just showed you wasn’t much more than a parlour trick. My aura simply pushed your aura. I can’t reach into your head and do psychic surgery to remove your tumour.”

“What about Uncle . . . ?”

“Uncle Palak is way beyond me in terms of what he can achieve with chakras and energy, but he’s no Jedi master, either. All I’m suggesting is using your own energy to facilitate healing. I’ll give him a call tonight and explain your situation. He’ll know where best to go from here. You have to keep an open mind, though. Your attitude is the key to everything.”

“The doctor said something like that, too. Ten minutes ago my attitude was becoming a problem; after this little demonstration, my attitude is
not
going to get in the way.”

“Good, because there may be incense and crystals and mantras and a few other things we use.”

“Bring it on. If I’m going to let them cut a bigger hole into my skull and try to remove this beast, and expose me to deadly radiation and possibly poisonous chemicals just to kill something that originated in my own body, then maybe it’s time I opened my mind to the mysteries of the Far East, too. On second thought, can you Feng Shui the loft, too?”

She laughed. “And maybe an exorcism while we’re at it?”

Oh crap! He hadn’t thought about how this would all affect Ana. “Hell no. Let’s just keep it simple. Thanks for the offer, though.” He returned to his chair.

“I was kidding, Boss. Don’t look so worried. It’s all positive energy work. No demons, no holy water, or crosses, or other symbols of misguided faith-based politics.” There was a light knock by large knuckles on the door. “I’d better get back to my office. I’m so sorry you have to go through any of this, Jerry. Just so long as you know you’re not alone.”

“Thanks, Mika. Auric-shoving or not, I appreciate having you in my corner more than you know. Now go get some work done. I’m still your boss and will need that report on my desk by noon.”

“What report?” She looked worried, like she’d forgotten to do a task.

“I’m kidding. Go home. It’s the weekend and Monday is soon enough to strap yourself to the desk and do whatever it is you do so brilliantly. Please talk to Danveer’s uncle, and we’ll set this all up after my planning scan on Monday.”

“You got it.” She smiled at him and he managed to muster one of his own. A second knock came just before she opened the door. Mika stepped back and Manny filled the doorframe, wringing big his hands and looking worn out.

“Good, you’re still here, Jerr. Carmella is on her way over after making a few quick stops, and I’ve been commanded to keep you in the building until she arrives. Twenty minutes, tops.” He stepped aside to let Mika slip out, and Jerry could see a cluster of people behind him, waiting.

“Of course. I’m feeling pretty strong, so I’ll be happy to stick around until she gets here. You okay, Manny?”

“It’s all still sinking in, mate. Still sinking in.”

“Yeah. Me, too.” He had a thought, a moment of clarity. “Would you mind doing me a favour, Manny? Something best done by you?”

Manny perked up a bit. “Just ask. I need something to distract me for a few minutes.”

“Could you please give Lee-Anne’s husband, Tom, a call and make sure she’s okay? Mika says she left in a bit of a hurry after I dropped the bomb on all of them.”

“Bloody hell. Consider it done. I should have given you a heads-up that she lost a sister to cancer last year, so your news hit her like a brick.”

“Oh, shit! Maybe I’d better call her myself.”

“No. It’s my fault. I’ll give Tom a call right now. You and Lee-Anne can have a sit down sometime early next week. Pick the restaurant and it’ll be on me. Expense it. She showed a lot of strength when her sister died, so maybe she’ll lend you some, once she gets over the initial shock.”

“How old was her sister?”

“Six minutes older than Lee-Anne. Identical twins.”

“Damn. If you’ll make that call, then I’ll make time for her, guaranteed.”

“Thanks.” He looked back over his shoulder. “I’ll swing by when Carmella arrives. In the meantime, the Hug Brigade is here.”

“I’ll see you then.” He looked out past Manny at Rolf, who seemed to be first in the makeshift line. “Come on in, buddy.” He moved back around to the single chair Mika had vacated. He figured that hugs and words of support would be easier without the desk in the way. When he thought about it, he was probably just better off standing. He got up and opened his arms as Rolf entered. No words needed to be exchanged. Rolf gave Jerry a long hug, then drifted off to let the next in line come in. It was the same with each of the ten staff who came by—two-pat man hugs followed by knowing exchanges of head nods, or long girl hugs with kisses on the cheek. By the time Carmella arrived, Jerry was so infused with love and hope that he just held his arms open and welcomed her into the fold. She, too, kissed his cheek.

“So how’s Ana taking all this? I’ll bet she wanted to be here, didn’t she?
I
would, if it were Manny.”

“She’s holding up pretty well. She’s my rock right now, and you’re right, she would have been here if I’d asked her. I just thought that people would have enough questions about what was happening with my health that having them pity the girlfriend I’m leaving behind would be a bit much for everyone.”

Carmella tugged Jerry’s chin down so she could glare into his eyes. “Two things, young man. One: no talk about leaving until you’re gone. That’s negative talk, and it isn’t allowed here. Two: you let that young lady help in any way she wants. She’s going to feel totally helpless as she watches you get sicker and go through the treatments, so where she can have the illusion of usefulness, you will give it to her. Is that understood?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Okay, make it
three
things. Never call me ‘ma’am’ again. Anything but.” She kissed him on the end of his nose and released his chin. “Now come along to Manny’s office. I put together a basket of stuff to get you through the next few days. Healthy foods as well as the kind you indulge in when you’re feeling blue, which is perfectly natural about now. Once you’ve got that in your hands, Manny and I are driving you straight home. No long-distance working, no traipsing around town, no dance lessons . . . just relax with that wonderful girl of yours. I’ll explain everything in the basket to her and put her in charge.”

“I’m good with that. Give me a couple minutes to grab a few things and I’ll meet you both in the lobby. Please.”

“No heavy lifting, young man. That’s why we have Manny.”

“No lifting, I promise.”

“Good. Come find us when you’re ready, hon.” She squeezed his arm and went off in search of her husband.

Jerry quietly closed the door, planted a gentle kiss on the Blake book and placed it on the desk. The blue glow lasted only a second before Ana was standing in front of him. She first saw his red-rimmed eyes and without a word stepped in and gave him a strong hug.

“Thanks, Shvibzik. We’ve only got a moment here, though. Manny and Carmella are driving me home where Carmella wants to have a chat with you about some stuff she’s bringing along in a care basket. Since they won’t be more than a few feet away from me the whole time, maybe I should just tell them that you’ve gone out.”

“Nonsense. I would love to speak with them. Just tell them I am having a nap and when you step behind the screen to wake me, place the book on the pillow and return to them. I will follow you out after I put on some of the new clothes.”

Jerry smiled. “You’re smarter than the average Shvibzik, that’s for sure. Now, let’s get home.” He picked up the book and with a slow pulse of blue that lingered when it ran across his hand, Ana was back between the covers in short order. Jerry grabbed his jacket, took a quick look around the office to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything, and went out to find his benefactors.

@TheTaoOfJerr: “Who hears music feels his solitude peopled at once.”

~Robert Browning

ANA’S PLAN WENT
off without a hitch, though Jerry had forgotten that the loft had only one bed and if Ana was sleeping in it, it might imply something that wasn’t true. But he needn’t have worried because if Manny or Carmella thought anything was off, they gave no hint of it in their hugs and kisses for Ana when she stepped out from behind the screen.

Once the “hellos” were over, Carmella hustled Ana into the kitchen where they went over the contents of the massive basket one item at a time. On the drive back to the loft Carmella had explained to Jerry that the basket had everything from herbal teas for nausea to Callebaut Chocolate dark chocolate-covered almonds for when everything else failed and he just needed to spoil himself. There were bath oils, body oils, herbs, and even potpourri, though she admitted that the more “girly” items were for Ana because he had to take care of his caregiver. While the ladies explored the basket’s contents, Jerry sat on the couch while Manny got a fire going in the hearth.

Manny looked back over his shoulder. “Whatever you need, you ask, Jerr. Our health plan had you covered from the day you walked in the front door, so with luck, that’ll take a lot of the damned pressure off. It’s pretty comprehensive, but Mika knows more about the details than I do cuz she built the package from the ground up with our provider. She’s more into crystals than syringes these days, but she’s actually got a degree in nursing, so don’t turn down any advice she may send your way.”

“You’ve got quite the strong women on your team, Manny, what with Mika and Lee-Anne blowing my expectations out the window.”

“
Our
team, Jerr. Besides, in case you haven’t noticed with that whirling dervish of a wife of mine, I prefer my women strong, funny, and able to stand beside me, not lean on me. My daughter is the same way, though sometimes she’s more like her koala bear of an old man than the dervish of her mother.” He got the fire going in the hearth and sat down next to Jerry on the couch.

“Now, a few things you’re not going to argue with me about.” He took a business card out of his wallet and handed it to Jerry, who read it, front and back. It belonged to a local cab company and had an eight-digit number hand-written on the back. “I have an account with these fellas. We use ’em for post-party rides and out-of-town clients, but now you’re gonna use ’em if you don’t feel up to driving to your appointments, or wherever. You said before that Ana doesn’t drive, and as much as I’d love to be there for you, I can’t always, so use the corporate account and no bloody arguing.”

Jerry turned the card over and over in his hand, unsure how to respond. He had no desire to argue with his boss over such a generous offer. “Deal. You don’t have to do this, but as solid on my feet as I feel today, I’m smart enough to know that’s not always going to be the case. Thank you, Manny. I promise not to abuse it.”

“To hell with that. Use it, abuse it, I don’t care. It’s deductible, so no playing ‘Captain Strong’ or ‘the hero’, or whoever.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Use it, Jerr, or I’ll sic Carmella on you.” They both glanced quickly toward the kitchen but laughed when they saw that the women were too caught up in their own conversation to hear the fireside chat. “You’ve got that appointment with the oncologist tomorrow right?”

“Yeah. Ten o’clock. And then a scan on Monday at one. That’s the long one, I think.”

“I assume Ana is going with you, but do you need anyone else? I can skip church tomorrow and take time off on Monday.”

“Thanks, but you really can’t, Manny. Don’t skip church—I probably need a few prayers said for me, and as for Monday, we’re meeting with the accountant at twelve-thirty. It’s important, but you’ll have to handle that one without me, I’m afraid. Tax season is coming up and he wants to get us organized
before
the last minute. Mika has a good idea of what I wanted to bring up with him about some ideas to reduce the payable tax, so I suggest taking her along. I’ll have Ana with me, and I promise to take a cab there and back. As soon as I’m out of the meeting and have any news at all, I’ll send you a text to tell you to call when you can.”