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Vickie’s leg muscles contracted. She wanted to leave right now. She didn’t believe in such nonsense.
Ruby predicted what she might do hearing such poppycock and put her hand on her arm, pressing down hard. Vickie knew she had to stay a little longer for Ruby.
“Who do you want to reach out to tonight? Please, open your hearts and your minds. It will enrich your experience.”
The room was silent. Vickie fought hard not to be swept along with this drama and lies and glanced around. No one moved as they were entranced at the prospect of what might come, to talk once more to someone they had lost. And they had all lost someone in the war, even she did. Her chest tightened. This was all preying on people’s emotions—a cheap trick.
Ruby’s eyes misted. She was captivated like everyone else in the room. Vickie’s belly twisted uncomfortably.
“This woman is well renowned in the Spiritualism circles, and she rarely opens herself up to public events like this, but for one night only, she has agreed to be the vessel to help all of you connect to loved ones and ease the grief in your hearts.”
“All you need to do is believe this is possible because I can assure you all, it is. On your way out, there are crystal bowls to show your belief and gratitude for the exhausting work that this woman will have done for you tonight.”
Vickie began to think that this was all just a money-making exercise.
“Isn’t this exciting,” whispered Ruby, leaning in close to Vickie.
Vickie forced herself to smile. The invitation might have been for her and George, but tonight was really about supporting Ruby in her venture. Her friend had risked her own life helping Vickie in her investigations, so forcing herself to sit through this make-believe event was the least she could do.
The presenter moved dramatically to his left, and the spotlight moved with him.
“Please welcome, the magical, the wonderful, the talker with spirits.” He turned around quickly and swung out his arm.
The light turned off, and the audience gasped in surprise.
“The brilliant,Violet.”
The lighting brightened on the other side of the room, causing everyone to move quickly to see who Violet was. Vickie moved to look behind her, putting her arm over the back of the chair, eager to see who this person was parading around as a hoax. Vickie had never heard of this Violet before. But then, as a non-believer, she’d ignore such advertisements.
“Welcome,” said Violet softly, standing in the spotlight. She smiled gently and nervously brushed a strand of long blonde hair behind her ear. Her skin naturally pale, lips dark red, she wore a loose-fitting light blue dress that flowed around her and added to her appearance of looking magical, as if she wasn’t really from this world, but perhaps she was a fae.
“I’m so grateful you all trust me,” Violet continued. The light around her softened, catching the golden woven band around her forehead. “Don’t be afraid. Despite what you might think or feel, this is natural. I contact those who have left us all the time. They can’t hurt you. They only want to remind you that they love you.”
Violet stepped forward. “Please, relax. It makes it easier for me to call the spirits to give you a message.” She closed her eyes and took a series of deep breaths. She swayed. A man nearby went to get up to go to her, but suddenly, the presenter was there, hand on his shoulder pushing him down in his seat with a frown.
“I can hear them,” said Violet, her voice changed, a higher pitch, and sounded distant.
Just a good actor, thought Vickie. Yet, she found herself unable to turn away. She wanted to keep watching to see if she could detect something to call this out as being false.
Violet’s eyes remained closed, and she stepped forward, carefully and slowly. She moved deeper into the room. Her left hand lifted as if reaching for something. Then, she turned, moved to the next table, and stopped in front of the woman there.
“Adelia.”
“Yes,” said the woman hesitantly.
“Your daughter says she loves you,” said Violet, her voice still different. Her eyes opened.
Adelia gulped, her hand fluttered to her heart, and her body stiffened.
Vickie wasn’t convinced. There wasn’t enough detail, yet the woman was clearly affected.
They’re simply playing on people’s vulnerability, evoking raw emotion in a pretense to get money, she thought grumpily that some would prey on people like this.
“Grace says she’s well enough where she is, and you’re not to blame yourself.”
“Oh.” Tears fell on Adelia’s cheeks. “But—”
“No, Mamma,” Violet’s voice changed again, becoming like a little girl. “I went out when you said I shouldn’t. I didn’t understand about the gassing. It’s not your fault. Please forgive me.”
