Fiona sighed. She moved to the table and sat down, looking into Keelin's face.
"I wish that I could truly tell you the science behind it, yet there is nothing that supports this. Trust me, I've looked. The old ways will tell you that as long as you direct it towards an inanimate object and your intentions are to dissolve it – not to harm another – it should be okay. I've had a few humdingers when I've directed it outside of windows, but I've yet to hit another person with it. You can tell it where to go, you know. If you have little to no place to direct it – send it up the chimney and out. Things likethat. You can read through one of my books later on and learn a bit more about it."
"You realize that this is like, bat-shit crazy, right? I just can't get over this," Keelin blurted out.
"Keelin O'Brien. Do not use such language." Fiona eyed her. "And yes, it is crazy. Crazy beautiful though. This is the best gift. And the worst. You'll walk a fine line with this your whole life. Not all will be able to accept you. Be careful with whom you share your secrets. There is a difference between "dotty old woman who mixes up some healing tinctures" and "lay your hands upon someone and heal them." Know that. Understand that. This is nothing to mess with and you can easily be persecuted if the wrong group of people decides to judge you."
Fiona's words worried her. And she was absolutely right. Keelin tried to imagine performing a healing in Boston. They would carry her off and check her into the next loony bin.
"You'll want to increase your readings. I've pulled several books for you. No lessons for a few days. I think you had one of your biggest this morning. You'll need some time to absorb it all." Fiona motioned to a stack of books by the chairs in the small alcove.
"Okay, thanks. I want to head into town and talk to Cait; I think she is mad at me."
"Well, you shouldn't have kissed Shane," Fiona said dryly as she put away her teacup.
Shocked, Keelin whirled and looked at Fiona. A blush crept up her face and stained her cheeks.
"How did you know that? You weren't even home!"
"Word travels, my dear. As I told you, and you would do well to remember."
"Well, for one – he kissed me thankyouverymuch. And two, I told him that I just wanted to be friends and he tried anyway." Keelin felt righteously pissed off.
"That’s unfortunate. I like Shane. I’m surprised he would impose on you like that.”
"And, Itoldhim this date was just as friends. Irrespective, it's nothing. We're nothing. And that's that."
"Mmhmm. You were doing it to get at Flynn. How'd that work out for you?"
Keelin sighed. She slumped back in her seat and began braiding her hair.
"He got mad at me. Then we fought. Now he is taking me out on his boat on Saturday. Which I haven't even agreed to go on yet."
"Ah, just like a man. Demanding. I bet he'll be a fine lover."
"Grandma! Oh my God."
"What? I've got eyes in my head don't I? That is one tall drink of water." Fiona laughed at her and the age dropped away from her face a little. Keelin could see that she had once been very beautiful.
"Was Grandpa a hottie?" Keelin asked.
"Oh my, child, he was delicious. Strong, broad-shouldered, with hair that curled a bit in the rain. He was shy too, which I loved. I could always make him blush. Yet, in the bedroom, he was the one who made me blush."
Keelin choked on her tea. Fiona thumped her on the back as she struggled to breathe.
"He was the love of my life. For me there will be noother. Though I do so love having you here as well as that little pup. I had forgotten how nice it was to have an animal in the house." Fiona smiled fondly down at Ronan.
"It is nice. I've always wanted a dog. I've always wanted a brother or sister, in fact. Today was weird meeting Colin. He told me that he hated me!" Keelin said.
"I know, Keelin, I'm sorry. Though your dad loved Colin's mom, I don't think he ever truly got over losing you and Margaret. Kids are perceptive. He was a good dad but Colin and Aislinn always felt like they never quite lived up to the image they had of you. You'll have to break through that if you plan to have a relationship with them."
"How is that even fair? I was the one that got the short end. I had no brothers or sisters, no dad, and never even had a puppy." Keelin pouted. She had no idea how to deal with familial relations and she felt like she'd been unfairly judged.
"Who said it was fair? That's life. You're the one with more powers. Use them. You can heal in other ways, you know," Fiona said, and raised her eyebrows at Keelin.
It struck Keelin that she was right. She had taken "healing" to only be for physical ailments. She had never considered the potential for healing emotional rifts. Thinking back, she realized that she had always been the peacekeeper between her friends and the first phone call for those going through heartbreak. It was starting to make sense to her, this proclivity towards helping others.
"Did Colin bring the cars back? I need to go make things right with Cait."
