Thomas pulls into a distant parking spot—I’m guessing because he doesn’t trust himself getting too close to other cars. He answers, “Maybe people like that are more spiritual creatures. You know, like they’re wired to a higher frequency that doesn’t resonate with the human body.”
I don’t hate that idea. In fact, I really kind of love it. But I want to know more. “What’s the point of them coming into a human body then? Why wouldn’t they just stay in spirit form where they’re comfortable?”
“I’m sure there are a thousand reasons. How about if they’re sent here to teach other people?”
“Teach them what?”
“Maybe to be more sympathetic?”
I think back to Joelle Stinger and realize that if Thomas is right, she missed a real opportunity with me. “Your theory is interesting,” I eventually tell him. “But I can assure you that if given a say in the matter, I would have not signed on for this.”
Thomas turns off the car before looking at me. “I’m guessing on the other side of the veil, when we’re in spirit form, we’re more inclined to make decisions based on the greater good.”
“Like you becoming a doctor,” I say.
“Maybe, but I made that decision here.” He adds, “I’ve seen how my sister’s life has impacted people and believe me when I say, she’s made a real difference.”
“Through her art.”
He nods his head. “I would love for you to see it sometime. Her pieces are giant, like twelve feet by twelve feet. When you look at them, you feel like you’ve been transported into another time and place. Another dimension even.”
“So, they’re abstracts.”
“Yes and no. There are dozens of smaller scenes within the bigger picture, but you have to really look to find them. You could stand in front of one of Vivie’s pieces for hours and still not absorb all the detail within.”
I’m getting cold so I wrap my arms around each other and tell him, “My pictures aren’t that deep.”
“You capture a lot of emotion,” he says. “Your pictures are full of love and hope. They bring fantasy to people’s lives. And we all need some of that.”
“That’s very nice of you to say,” I tell Thomas. “But I’m getting cold and I’d like to go inside.”
He jumps out of the car and runs around to open my door. I let him because unlike the other night, tonight we’re on a real date. Thomas offers his hand to help me out, but he doesn’t let go of it once I’m on my feet. Instead, he uses it to pull me closer to him.
As we walk into the lodge’s vaulted entry, Thomas declares, “This is nice. Rustic, but elegant at the same time.”
“Do you know who Trina Rockwell is?” I ask.
“Wasn’t she a presenter on television?”
“She used to have a show called theMidwestern Matchmaker,” I confirm. “They shot the last season in Elk Lake a couple of years ago and Trina never left. She and her boyfriend, Heath Fox, built this place.” I add, “They’re married now.”
“I’ve definitely heard of Heath,” Thomas says. “He’s a renowned philanthropist.”
We walk through the entrance and follow the signs to the restaurant. At the host stand, Thomas tells the hostess, “Thomas Culpepper, party of two.”
Her eyes light up, “Oh yes, Dr. Culpepper. We have your table waiting.” I don’t know why, but she seems particularly excited by our arrival.
We follow the hostess into the dining room, which is once again elegantly rustic, as per Thomas’s description. There are elk horn chandeliers hanging high overhead. The chairs are made of heavy wood, but the tables are covered with white linens that are already set with silverware and crystal wine glasses.
She leads us to a four-top right under one of the chandeliers. Two chairs have been taken away and the remaining two are positioned side by side instead of across from each other. Unlike the other tables, which only have small votive candles on them, ours has an honest to goodness candelabra with long candles. There’s also a large vase with what must be two dozen long-stemmed white roses. My breath hitches.
“May I take your coat?” the hostess asks after putting our menus down on the table.
I slip out of my raincoat and hand it to her, then I sit down on the chair Thomas has pulled out for me. Once he joins me, I tell him, “I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Why can’t you believe it?”
“Because … because … No one has ever done anything this thoughtful for me before.”
