Robert's Mirror, Chapter 17, by J.M. Stevenson, www.jeannesbottle.com

Upon return to the elaborate playground, I began to search for Granny. My new advisor, Celia Primrose explained that Granny was no longer admitted passage to the sector of children.

"Hogwash!" I managed with a suspicious attitude.

Celia gazed at me with shock at my temperamental outburst.

"Maybe I can help you?." She asked in an even tone of voice.

"maybe." I muttered, my hope at learning anything about Elizabeth Fenmore dwindling away.

"I realize I'm not a seasoned veteran like Granny, but I am learning from day to day and perhaps I can lead you in the right direction. Is there a problem with the children?"

"NO." I snapped.

"Well, what is it then?" She questioned eyeing me with curiosity. The aspect about Celia that irked me was the fact that she was no older than twenty-five and since she was a newcomer, her experiences in the realm and with the elders was obviously lacking. Although she appeared to have a youthful enthusiasm, someone with great knowledge and life experiences was needed to replace Granny, not a person who was still treading above the tendencies of being a teenager.

"Well?" Celia asked studying my chart.

"I need to know what happened to a woman that I was rescuing when I was alive. You see, I saved her from making a terrible mistake, we were running away from a man named Donovan Winslow, running away and then......."

"And then what?" Celia asked.

"And then nothing... I can't seem to remember. Lizzy and I were driving away and we reached the main road away from Three Corner's Michigan......"

"You don't have any recollection after that point?"

"No. I don't. I remember as if it's a dream and someone awakens me right at a pivotal occurrence. Do you know how frustrating this is?"

Celia began to act nervous as she read a notation at the bottom of my chart.

"I wouldn't spend any valuable time worrying about it Robert. After all, that was an entire life ago. Human attachments have no bearing in this dimension. It's probably best you let it all drop and just focus on helping those poor souls out there that need it."

"Look, I have a right to know what happened to Lizzy."

"As we all do, but you have to earn that privilege by doing. There are no free rides here, just like there are no free rides in the human world."

"Tell me this Celia, do you know what happened to Elizabeth?"

Celia released a gasp of nervousness.

"I can honestly say that I have no clue as to your past Mr. Wright. I will admit I am a bit surprised that your history has been obliterated from your charts. Every other chart indicates a brief summary as to the circumstance of passing from human to genie. You know, a history of recruitment to the team, wish-giving accomplishments...all in a simple summary......"

Celia gazed at me, observing my doubt.

"I'm really not supposed to do this but, it would be listed here.." Celia pointed at the chart. At the base of my records, a single word appeared. "Erased."

"Erased?" I spat.

"That's what it says."

"Why do you suppose that is?" I asked the inexperienced supervisor.

"I imagine it's for reasons deemed appropriate. When I was in training we were taught to have faith in such matters. Everything happens for a reason and we must trust and convey that trust to those around us. Our purpose is to guide the team leaders so they can motivate the genies. Without this structure the humans would never be assisted when they needed it most."

"Hogwash!" I responded again as Celia gazed at me with surprise.

"Honestly Mr. Robert. Your Elizabeth friend must have passed and she was probably admitted onward and is enjoying a peaceful retirement up in the greatest of realms."

"I don't believe that! I have this uncanny feeling that she needs my help. It's as if she's calling me and no one else can hear her."

"That's absurd! There is no possibility that such connections exist, especially here. Even if by some fluke she was admitted into this society, all ties are severed and she wouldn't remember you."

"I demand to know!" I said waving my fist through the air.

"I'll look into it...and if I find anything..." Celia mumbled in a tone lacking sincerity.

Celia disappeared through the dimension wall and I paused, my attention fixing on the children running throughout the playground. My eyes scanned the various faces and I did not recognize anyone from my team. I needed to mull things over so I began to stroll the beach.

On the far side of the island, I reached the great hall. Through an underground tunnel I entered the magnificent chamber. Thousands of plaques were hanging in perfect alignment. I shuffled along gazing at the many accomplishments of the genies that had somehow become legends.

On a bench towards the end sat a familiar face, Melissa Bland gazed at me as I took a seat on the opposite side.

"I didn't know you were here Robert." She said in a surprisingly adult tone.

"I just arrived a bit ago."

"I like to come down here after a difficult case. These genies give me a lift of spirits. Somehow just understanding how all of us struggle and some are more successful than the rest of us helps me. I don't know.... It's sort of comforting to me."

"I see." I managed peering at the blank space on the wall.

Missy gazed at me, worry creasing her brow. She then stood as if to hurry away.

"There's a plaque missing there." I said. Melissa swung around, her eyes wide with shock.

"Really?" She asked.

"Well sure, look at it! It stops there." I said pointing. "Then it begins once again here. It's as if a genie was ripped from the great wall. I wonder why?" I managed just making conversation.

"That is actually the spot where my favorite wish giver was honored. They removed her plaque for reasons the elders figured was right. I'm not so sure I agree with them though."

"Who was she then?" I asked, my curiosity sparked.

"Oh, she was something..." Melissa said grinning with remembrance.

"Was she on your team here?"

"Nope. I met her when I was a human. She rebelled against the rules and followed her heart granting me a wish. Time was thrust backwards and I traded my life so that my mother could live! Rumor has it, this genie gave up team leadership just for me. I've never been so grateful."

"Wow! That's a major rule that the wish-giver broke. It's no wonder she was removed from the great wall. It sounds to me as if she was a trouble maker."

"Probably. I can't help but admire someone that follows their heart and does what they think best regardless of how it effects them....the act was totally unselfish."

I nodded. "This genie, what was her name?" I asked.

"Jeanne, Jeanne Wishgiven."