Robert’s Mirror,
Epilogue, by J.M. Stevenson, www.jeannesbottle.com
Gisella Horvath shuffled along making her way to the
entrance path near Three Corners. She paused as if agitated by the first
sculpture constructed from inexpensive concrete. Taking her time, she placed the crystal onyx
from
Gisella was suffering from sensory overload. The mingling of past, present and future
sensations engulfed her. In the distance
she caught sight of the poor unfortunates; at least that's how she often
referred to them. They were a cluster of
spirits sitting pensive in a circle, staring out at the great expanse of
lake. A variety of swim wear was worn by
the unfortunates. Their human ages
ranged from toddler all the way up to an elderly woman who was still sporting a
gaudy bathing cap decorated with rubber threads and a hideous water lily
attached on top. Although the styles of
the swim suits were different, the reason for their presence on the beach was
one and the same. Most had succumbed to
the ruthless currents that occurred when the winds of
Her presence on the beach that evening was for another purpose and the last thing she needed was to have the unfortunates tearing away all of her energy.
"Did she actually see us?" An unfortunate wearing a nose plug attached to a thick string questioned. They all gazed with curiosity as Gisella paused trying to determine if it was safe for her to venture past the horrific work of art.
There had been a simple mention in the paper, but no actual photograph of the ghoulish eyesore. Light was diminishing and there was no time to use another entrance. Since the strong wind at that hour was sporadic, Gisella pulled her long skirt into a fold and edged her way past with caution. It wouldn't have taken much, just a simple brush of material and she would have been forced to witness the details surrounding the evil monument and the history behind the darkest of realms. All objects containing negative energy was extremely harmful to a person's health, often times draining the immune system. The gypsy sensed that great suffering was simmering beneath this particular object and preferred to avoid it at all costs.
Gisella recalled the time when the police brought her a work boot for scrutiny. After a light touch on the leather surface, Gisella fell into an immediate slumber. Within the dream she was able to view the entire life of the criminal at large, the tragic way he was abused as a child, the victims he lashed out upon until he finally took his own life by driving off a bridge.
When she finally regained consciousness three days later, she told homicide detective Lance Kramer, the exact location of the murderer's body. Soon after, Gisella contracted the worst case of stomach flu that she had ever experienced.
Gisella made her way to the beach house. The building was erected within a year after Three Corners became part of the national lake shore. From the many seasons of being pelted by beach sand, the brick had a clean quality as if the structure was to set to automatically sandblast the masonry at will.
Aside from the clean brick, litter seemed to be a problem. Although there were recycling bins for aluminum cans and garbage receptacles placed in intervals everywhere, it didn't appear that many took the time to use them. As a result, the beach front was filthy.
Gisella passed over the first three sculptures only giving them a quick glance. Somehow she sensed the answers she was looking for were concealed within in the fourth and final work. There was something remarkable about the statue's photograph in the paper that the reporter titled “the kiss."
Although Gisella had never been on an actual date, she was a romantic at heart. She felt the need to know the story behind the stone figures and if in fact they were somehow connected to the bottle and the necklace. As she approached the life sized crystals of the man and woman, she found the sight breathtaking the way copper hues from the dwindling sunset projected onto the woman's hair, almost making her appear as if she were alive and breathing.
There was a sign that someone posted at the base, "do not touch." Gisella glanced about with caution for a touch was the sole purpose for her trip. Since no one was about at that hour to protest, she stepped forward extending her hands.
In unison, she felt the cool of the crystal beneath her fingertips. She connected her hands to form a triangle and in a sense a grounding wire for the lovers depicted in stone.
A surge of warmth traveled up through her touch and clouded her vision.
"Awesome." Gisella whispered in a gasp.
Gisella felt the sensation of transference, allowing free reign to succumb as a spectator in another dimension. She was reminded of the way the sun was flickering in her face during the drive to Three Corners. This was the same in a sense; except it wasn't her face being pelted by intense rays of light...it was her emotions flickering within the intensity of love.
The rush of the water slamming the beach in the distance became garbled. Slices of sound rushed forth, shifting, twisting...Gisella heard a guitar. It was a familiar tune, yes; she recognized the style of music as U2.
Love rescue me,
Come forth and speak
to me....
There was a woman curled on the beach, the woman was not quite a ghost but then again, not human either. A youngster was with her, a young man perhaps fifteen or sixteen. He was sitting upright, arms extended with his fingers pinched. His face was expressionless, as if he were in a trance-like state.
And the sun in the sky
makes a shadow of you and I.
Stretching out as the
sun sinks in the sea..
Within her mind, Gisella traveled forth connecting her vision to the woman on the beach. Upon this mingling, Gisella realized this was Jeanne, the wish-giver from the bottle her Aunt Helena had presented many years before.
Jeanne remained in place, gazing about the vast body of the lake with wonderment. There was no indication that Jeanne realized she had acquired a psychic tag along.
I'm here without a
name in the palace of my shame
Love
rescue me....
"Dwane, I hear music." Jeanne said rising to her feet. "There's someone out there." "Robert?"
The music continued in a slow deliberate melody. There was a sense of calling in the way the rhythm was lulling.
"He needs my help Dwane...I've got to go to him!"
Gisella held fast to the spirit of the genie as she waded in past the break along the beach. Jeanne slid downwards, submerging herself into the gut of the icy lake.
Since oxygen was not a factor, the genie dove below. Shifting directions at several points, the music seemed to rise and fall in volume. Jeanne followed the song as she homed in on the exact location and took notice of a luxury boat cruising in the distance. Gisella was doing her best to remain in synch with the wish giver's senses and movement.
A heart wrenching dread overtook the genie as she gazed at the boat. This can't be good. Jeanne thought to herself. The wish-giver suspected it was a trap and turned back to towards the beach.
Yea though I walk through
the valley of the shadow
Yet I will fear no
evil...
Stopping a moment and treading water, Jeanne gazed at the star filled sky. The wish-giver somehow realized her love was viewing the very same thing at the very same moment.
Changing direction again, Jeanne dove below and swam at a determined pace. A large salmon zoomed past eyeing the genie with curiosity.
"They've got him ya know..." The fish managed to convey in a primitive use of bubble communication.
"What?" Jeanne wondered.
"The mirror-man, they're pulling him up right at this moment."
"Show me!" Jeanne demanded as she swam her best to keep up.
"Up there!" The fish mumbled before changing direction in retreat.
"If you were smart, you'd keep space between that ship and yourself. I've seen plenty of fish snatchers in my day and you'll be doomed if you go anywhere near that one."
"Thanks for the warning." Jeanne conveyed as she kicked to the surface undetected.
Eyeglasses were somehow stuck to an anchor and the anchor was dangling from a rope. Jeanne swam in closer, observing the aura surrounding the left lens of the eyeglasses.
Gisella felt unease as Jeanne realized it was in fact the genie from the necklace, Robert.
A shadowed figure spoke to the group on the deck of the boat. The rise and fall of pitch commanded great respect and attention. Worry overshadowed Jeanne as she realized the voice belonged to the demon everyone feared, Lucas.
The anchor was being retrieved in a slow lift. Jeanne somehow sensed she needed to take immediate action. Gisella read her thoughts, how am I going to manage this without any power? A peaceful breath fell upon the genie.
Within the mind of Jeanne, images from her past enabled her energy to surge. An electric type of current pulsated throughout her being.
Jeanne shifted form. Her spirit shifted shape becoming fish-like. The creature was a unique species evolving for the task she was setting out to accomplish. Without hesitation or consideration, Jeanne dove below.
Rising up from the water in a single leap of magnificence, the Jeanne-fish took hold of the glasses just as the evil prince was leaning in to claim possession.
Jeanne swam at amazing speed. Upon reaching the beach, her image shifted once again, taking the appearance of her former self. The wedding costume still remained her choice of apparel even though she had many opportunities to change clothing throughout her experiences as a genie.
Within her clutches, she held the aviator glasses. With gentle tenderness, she embraced the object. Her delicate fingertip circled over the left lens.
"Robert, I know you're there...."
"Robert, please hold on!"
Gisella felt a shift in thought from Jeanne. I must break the lens. Jeanne somehow realized with incredible instinct.
Jeanne popped the lens from the metallic frame and attempted to snap the piece of strong plastic into two. With complete failure, she trotted to the beach house where a pile of rock stood as a barrier to prevent erosion.
Gripping a fist sized flagstone, Jeanne placed the lens on the sidewalk. In a violent strike, the plastic shattered. Jeanne sat gazing at the lens as she realized her absolute failure.
"Robert, I was so certain this would work... I don't understand." She sobbed overcome by the weight of defeat.
From behind her a familiar voice interrupted her grief. "What don't you understand?" Robert managed through a chuckle.
Jeanne pivoted around and their gazes locked. In a blink, Lizzy rushed to her feet, bridging the distance between herself and the love of her life, Robert.
As their lips connected in the most anticipated kiss in the history of the universe, an energy field opened casting intense lasers of power into the surrounding earth.
Grains of beach sand liquefied and reconfigured. The connections of two hearts were forever documented in the miracle of crystal statues. The history of Jeanne and Robert's courtship materialized as well, in the form of three smaller works of art. The purpose of the statues at Three Corners was to remind the world that despite incredible adversity, true love will always prevail.
Gisella pulled away unplugging herself from the incredible story. The gypsy began to chuckle and she realized this good humor would carry her well into the future, into the moment when she too would cross over and join the battle as a soldier of good deeds, a warrior whose sole purpose was the granting of wishes to humans in need.