Revelations (The Revelations Series Book 1) (20 page)

“You do realize I barely know you, right? I’m not sure I should go with you,” Jenna teased.

“Dylan shook his head. “Well, if you don’t want your surprise I’ll get rid of it.”

Jenna hurried over and joined Dylan on the steps. “I guess since you went out of your way for me I could go with you.”

Jenna’s pulse leapt as Dylan took her hand into his.

“Trust me, you’ll love it,” he said as he led her across the yard. “Close your eyes,” he told her as they got to the beginning of the barn.

Jenna closed her eyes and let Dylan lead her the rest of the way around the barn. With her eyes closed her senses kicked into gear and she could hear a soft crackling sound and smell wood smoke in the air.

“Open your eyes,” Dylan finally told her after what seemed a lifetime.

Jenna opened her eyes to see a small campfire with two beach chairs set up on the other side. “What’s this?” she asked.

“Well,” Dylan said as he pulled her closer to the fire. “I did promise to teach you how to roast marshmallows, didn’t I?”

Jenna was momentarily shocked by his surprise. No one had ever done anything like this for her before. “I can’t believe you did this,” she whispered.

“I felt bad about what happened on the beach the other night. So I figured this was a perfect way to make it up to you.”

Jenna turned towards Dylan. “It wasn’t your fault,” she told him. “You know what; let’s make a deal for tonight. Neither of us talks about Sandra. She’s not worth it.”

“I agree,” Dylan replied. “So the first step in roasting marshmallows is finding a good stick.” Dylan pointed to the long sticks on the ground by the fire. “So we wouldn’t have to go into the woods this late, I already found a few and you can pick from them.”

Jenna looked the sticks over and picked the longest one. She wanted to keep back as far as she could from the fire, especially since she wasn’t sure how it would react. “Got mine,” she told Dylan as she turned around and showed him her selection.

“Good, now you need to put a marshmallow on top of it.” Dylan bent down and grabbed a stick of his own then pushed a marshmallow down the tip of his and Jenna’s. “The trick to roasting the perfect marshmallow is to slowly twirl it while you’re roasting it.”

Jenna watched Dylan then put her own over the flame.

“You have to twirl it… like this.” Dylan set his stick down then came up behind Jenna, put his arms around her and placed his hands over hers.

Jenna’s heart raced as Dylan wrapped his arms around her. Mixed feelings surged through her as his warm breath gently caressed her cheek. He stood so close she could feel the heat from his body; his hands were warm against hers as he showed her how to slowly twirl the stick until her marshmallow was a perfect golden brown.

“Thanks,” she whispered as his cheek grazed hers. She gripped the stick tighter as she suddenly felt as though her knees were going to give out and she breathed a sigh of relief when he let her go and backed away.

Dylan pulled the marshmallow off the stick and held it up to her mouth so she could take a bite. “Here, let me know how it tastes.”

She fought to control her emotions as butterflies danced in her stomach. She smiled as she slowly leaned forward and took a bite. His finger brushed her lip.

“That’s really good,” Jenna declared.

“I told you I was a pro; and now you are too, here…” Dylan moved closer, his hand getting closer to her face. Jenna held her breath, her heart jolted and her pulse pounded. “You have something on your cheek.” His thumb grazed her cheek, his finger lingering for a moment.

“Thank you,” Jenna whispered flustered. This couldn’t be happening. She’d just met him. This was the worst possible time. “I think I should get inside.” She pulled away from his touch. She couldn’t let this happen, not now. “I’m sure they know I’m gone by now. I don’t want them to worry.”

Dylan looked upset. “Did I do something wrong?” he asked.

“No, I’m sorry, but I really have to go.” Jenna turned and hurried back toward the house, reaching it as the tears she’d been trying to hold back erupted from her eyes. She ran into the house and up the stairs, slamming her door closed behind her. She threw herself on her bed and sobbed into her pillow.

“Jenna, honey, can I come in?” Arlene asked through the door.

“Please… leave… me... alone,” Jenna stuttered through her tears.

Arlene opened the door, came into the room and sat on the bed beside her. “What happened? Did Dylan try something?”

“No, he was perfect. It’s me.” Jenna stopped crying, wiped her eyes on the end of her pillowcase and sat up.

“What’s wrong then?”

“You wouldn’t understand. You don’t know what’s it’s like to be like me.”

Arlene put her arm around Jenna’s shoulder. “You know, you’re right. I don’t know. But, I do know what it’s like to be a teenager, maybe I can help with that side of the problem.”

Jenna hung her head. She was so confused, and she desperately wanted her mom to talk to. How could this be happening to her now? It wasn’t fair.

She wiped her tears away. “I think I may be starting to like Dylan as more than a friend,” she finally admitted.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Arlene asked. “Dylan’s a great kid.”

“You don’t get it. Every time one of my friends would get a new boyfriend they would tell me what it felt like to fall for someone. I always hoped that someday I would be able to feel like that. And tonight, with Dylan, I did.”

“That’s great.” Arlene leaned close and gave Jenna a quick hug. “I can tell by the way he was worried about you that he likes you too.”

“You don’t understand,” Jenna exclaimed. “This is the worst time for this to be happening. I can’t let myself get close to anyone and risk them getting hurt because of me again.”

“Jenna, honey, your mom’s death wasn’t your fault. And, I’m sure if she was here she would want you to be happy, and that she would approve of Dylan. You are right that I don’t know what it’s like to be you, but I do know you have to allow yourself to find happiness. It’s what will keep you human.”

Jenna managed a weak smile. “Thanks for listening,” she told Arlene. “But, I’m sure by now Dylan thinks I’m some crazy lunatic and he won’t want to ever see me again.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Get some sleep, and then if you want you can talk to Dylan. He’s coming over to work on the tractor tomorrow.” Arlene got up and headed for the door.

“Arlene, I’m glad my mom chose you to take care of me.”

“Me, too, now get some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.” Arlene smiled as she closed the door behind her.

Jenna pulled her journal out from under her mattress and opened it.

Dear Mom,

I wish you were here right now. I’m so confused. I met this great guy, his name his Dylan. I know you would like him. Mom he’s so sweet. I’ve never felt like this before. I wish I could let myself fall in love, but I can’t. If anything ever happened to him because of me, I don’t know what I would do.

Love and miss you,

Jenna

Jenna closed the book and slid it back under her mattress. She changed into her nightclothes and climbed under the covers. Her last waking thought was of Dylan’s arms around her.

JENNA’S
heart leapt as she stepped out onto the porch and saw her mom sitting on the porch swing. “Mom, is that you?” she asked grasping the railing to steady herself.

“Yes, sweetie, it’s me,” her mom replied standing up and wrapping her arms tightly around her.

Jenna started to cry, as she hugged her mom back. “I thought you were dead? We buried you.” Jenna was shaking; she couldn’t believe she was standing here with her mom.

“Jenna, sweetie, you need to understand that I’m only here as a spirit. I guess you could call me your guide for the night. But, before we get to why I came, come and sit with me.” Her mom sat back down and patted the spot next to her. “I want to hear about your new life.”

Jenna sat down next to her mom. “You mean you… can’t stay?”

Her mom reached over and gently touched her cheek. “No, my dear, I can’t. Let’s not ruin the little time we have together by thinking about me leaving you again, okay?”

Jenna laid her head on her mom’s shoulder. “It’s nice here. You would have loved it.”

“I’m sure I would have. The orchards are truly beautiful.” Her mom looked off the porch at the orchard. “How is Arlene doing?”

“She’s really nice. I can see why you two were best friends.”

“I saw that she gave you some good advice. It’s exactly what I would have told you.” Her mom paused and squeezed Jenna’s hand. “I’m so sorry for the life I chose for you. But, you need to understand that you can lead a normal life and be happy. You just need to choose to lead that life. It’s very important that you allow yourself to love and be loved. It will get you through the hard times that are yet to come.”

“Wait… You said you saw Arlene giving me good advice.”

“Jenna, dear, your father and I are always watching you. He’s the one that got permission for me to come here. Now, before I have to leave I want to hear about this Dylan.”

Jenna lifted her head from her mom’s shoulder; a wide grin appeared on her face. “You would like him. He’s really nice, and he even surprised me last night with a bonfire and taught me how to roast marshmallows. It was really fun, that is until…”

“Until what?” her mom asked concerned.

“Until I started to like him, I mean really like him.” Jenna sighed.

“You make that sound like it’s a bad thing. Jenna, that’s great, you finally found someone who makes you happy.”

Jenna turned to look at her mom. “But, I just met him. How can I possibly be falling for him so quickly?”

“Love is a funny thing, Jenna. Sometimes it takes people months to fall in love, and others it’s love at first sight. You just need to trust your feelings. If you like this boy, then don’t push him away. Some people never find love. Don’t throw away what could be years of happiness because you’re scared.”

“I know. But, if anything ever happened to him because of me, I could never forgive myself.”

“Honey, like I said before, you need to let yourself love and be loved. It’s a very powerful emotion, and one that you will need on your side.”

Jenna jumped as thunder rolled across the sky. “What was that?” she asked. Thunder usually meant an impending storm, but the sky was clear.

“That’s the angels warning me. You see, I was sent here to guide you. I’m not allowed to give you any information on your future. If I do, they will erase your memory of this conversation and it will leave you even more vulnerable. So, now that we’ve caught up on your life we must talk about what little I can tell you about what’s to come before I have to leave… this time, for good.”

Jenna’s heart dropped. “Leave? No, you can’t leave me again! I need you!”

“Jenna, honey, you need to understand that I was only allowed to come here this once. And, only if I promised not to tell you what will happen in the future, for that path is yet to be determined.”

Confused Jenna shook her head. “What? I don’t understand.”

Jenna’s mom took her hand into hers. “There’s something you should understand about life. Humans choose their own path to take in life. Either they decide to do what’s right, which ensures God claims their souls; or they do the wrong thing, either of their own free will or by being led to do evil by another. This person’s soul will be open for Lucifer to claim.”

“Mom, why are you telling me this?”

“Jenna, it’s very important you don’t let my death blind you to those that will use it to lead you astray. It wasn’t your fault. You need to believe that in order to move on and be happy. Your father’s book will help you. Trust in the words he has written.”

“I’ll try, Mom, but it’s hard to trust in him when he let you be killed.”

“There was nothing he could do. In order for you to become the person you are destined to become my death was essential. It led you down this path.”

Jenna felt the screams of frustration building in her throat. She was trying to understand what her mom was saying, but it only made her more confused. “What path?”