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They reached the farm by late afternoon the next day without incident. Albert and his wife rushed out of their sizeable cottage to greet them. It was age or worry or perhaps a mixture of both that wore on Teresa’s face. Tears spilled from sad, wrinkled eyes, and when she took hold of Bliss’s hand, Bliss caught a glimpse of the woman she had once been: jolly, weightier, and far fewer wrinkles. Teresa clung tightly to Bliss, repeatedly thanking her for coming to the aid of her ill son.
Albert was stoic though his eyes glistened with unshed tears. Gray generously peppered his brown hair, and deep wrinkles lined his lean face.
Trey and Bliss were ushered inside, and though they were offered drink and food, it was obvious the couple hoped Bliss would see to their son first.
And she did.
“Time for that later, I would like to see Philip now,” Bliss said.
The relief on the couple’s faces was obvious, and Teresa hurried to draw back a curtain that separated the two-room cottage. Bliss and Trey followed, and Albert trailed behind them. Once in the room, Trey stepped to the side. He did not want to interfere with Bliss’s healing. He simply wanted to make sure she remained protected.
He tucked himself into the corner of the small room, giving the parents and Bliss their privacy.
The lad lay in a bed far too big for his meager size. He looked asleep though lifeless, and thus appeared laid out in a deathly repose. Teresa ran her hand lovingly over her son’s forehead. He was a cute little lad, with brown hair and a round, pale, angelic face. Trey’s heart went out to the woman. He could not imagine the pain of seeing your only child lying there as if in death.
“He was playing, fell and hit his head, got a good gash he did to the back of his head, but I cleaned it up and it seemed fine—” Teresa stopped, her voice breaking. She cleared it, and continued. “Then, a few hours later, he collapsed in a dead faint and hasn’t woken since.”
Bliss placed a gentle hand on the woman’s arm. “Let me see what I can do.”
Teresa scurried out of her way and into the arms of her husband, who held her tight.
Trey could see that they were attempting to draw strength from each other ... and hope. He wondered if Bliss would be able to help or if it was too late. He kept to the corner shadows, not wanting to disturb his wife yet wanting to be there if needed. How he could help he didn’t know, he just knew he had to be there for her.
Bliss looked like an angel, her blond hair falling softly around her face as she hovered over the lad before sitting beside him on the bed. She gently took his small hand in hers and shut her eyes. She sat there, not moving, and after several moments, Trey began to worry. She was as still as the lad, and he suddenly feared for her.
He recalled how she had gotten stuck in a vision, and he had pulled her out. Did she need him to do the same now? He waited since she was not in distress, but if she didn’t emerge soon, he would place a firm hand on her shoulder or take her in his arms if necessary.
He was relieved when her eyes opened, and she laid the lad’s hand down at his side. But when she stood, she wobbled, and he didn’t hesitate—he was at her side in an instant, wrapping his arm around her and drawing her against him.
“Are you all right?” he whispered.
“I need a hot brew,” she said with a shiver.
Trey helped her into the other room, Teresa hurrying out before them and Albert following behind. Trey helped her to a chair at the table and drew another chair close so that he could sit beside her. He took her hand and when he felt it cold, he worried.
It didn’t take long for Teresa to brew a hot drink for Bliss, and as she placed it in front of her, she said, “Please tell me of my son.”
Bliss wrapped her hands around the heated tankard and shivered. “There is nothing to tell at the moment. I must spend more time with him, then I will know more.”
“Can you save him?” Albert asked with a catch in his throat.
Trey could see she was reluctant to answer, and he wished he could help. The only way he could do that was ... he took hold of her hand. He wanted her to know he was there for her.
Her fingers threaded with his tighter than he had ever felt them do before. She was looking for extra strength, and he gave it to her with the slight squeeze to her hand.
“I’m not sure, but I would like to try,” Bliss said.
“Yes. Yes, please try,” Teresa begged.
“We are grateful for any help you can give Philip,” added Albert.
Bliss nodded and took several sips of the brew before saying, “I need a moment of fresh air, and then I would like to start the healing process.”
Trey didn’t give anyone a chance to object or delay Bliss’s request. He stood, not letting go of her hand, and said, “I will go with you.”
He saw that she was relieved by his action, but before they walked out the door, Bliss turned to the parents, and said, “Please talk with your son while I’m gone and tell him that the woman with the blond hair is here to help him.”
They looked perplexed but nodded vigorously.
