Mi laughed at my comment, and Nick’s face turned five shades of red. “Let’s get this over with. Mi thinks she has to get you relaxed first and then I will take over. You’ll hear me take over whenever she tells me I’m allowed to.” Nick grunted when Mi elbowed him right in the gut.
“You’re being mean. You always gotta have the credit.”
I wasn’t sure whether Nick was pussy whipped or what, but he was right quick to stand up and apologize. Wow, Paxton would have never done that. “I’m sorry, Mi. I didn’t mean to make you feel less than me. Of course what you do helps.”
Mi stood on the tips of her toes and kissed him. “You’re forgiven. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Continue on with your meddling,” Nick said through a smile.
Mi spun from his arms and directed me on what to do. “Okay, Gabby, lay down on the chase and get comfortable. You’re going to hear and feel different things around you. Keep your eyes closed and focus on my words and your senses. That’s it.”
“Shouldn’t I focus on my twin, or the night I wrecked?” I wasn’t sure where I had learned my information from, but I knew I’d been told somewhere along the line. Your dreams were directed by the last thing on your mind when you fell asleep. Although I didn’t really have proof, I believed that myth.
“Lord, no. That’s the last thing you want to think about. I want you to forget everything. I don’t want you to focus on anything but my voice. Your senses will react on their own if you give them time.”
The curvy chase lounge moved, swinging back when I sat. I gasped and my body instantly brought me back to my feet when it felt like I was going to fall.
“Don’t worry, it’ll hold you. It holds Nick.”
“You calling me fat?” Nick questioned as I sat back to the balanced bed, carefully that time. The camera in the corner blinked a red light, on and off, and I knew that’s how I would get my information. Nick wouldn’t be volunteering anything other than his time. I was cool with that.
Mi ignored him with words, but I didn’t look to see if she spoke a hidden language to him with her expression. The bed was super comfortable. It curved in a recliner position and I snuggled right in, crossing one foot over the other. My fingers laced together over my chest and I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself to give up control.
“Put your hands at your sides and uncross your legs. You want all your chakras lined up so they can work together.”
“My what?” I questioned. I did look at her that time. I looked at her like she was crazy. She was crazy. This whole thing was crazy, but my only hope.
“Just ignore that. People like you are too busy trying to be what everyone else wants them to be instead of finding it from within. You wouldn’t understand.”
Nope. Not touching that one. I rested my head back to the padded head and did as I was directed.
“Good, now just relax with a couple deep breaths. In—and—out. In—and—out. You’re going to hear some things going on around you. This room is equipped to channel your relaxing qualities. Everything you will experience will feel real. You only need to steer your mind where I tell you. If another thought comes into your mind, you can simply say the phrase ‘I am at peace’. Focus on my voice. Got it?” Mi explained, questioning my ability to keep up.
I sucked in my bottom lip to keep from laughing. I couldn’t help it. It was that silly.
“Laughing is a normal reaction. It’s your inner self-questioning your beliefs. Your subconscious doesn’t understand this. You’ve never given it permission. Do you need to laugh?”
I tried. I tried with everything in me to hold it in. I knew I was supposed to be serious. I was serious. This was just, I don’t even know what that was. My lips sputtered first and then it just came out. I laughed hard enough to have tears. “I’m sorry, Mi. I’m trying to be somber.”
“It’s okay. I get this reaction a lot from newbies.”
“Newbies? You do this often?” I questioned with one eye opened. I took a deep breath and closed both eyes again.
“I teach a meditation class here on Thursday nights. Maybe you could come sometime.”
“Yeah, sure,” I agreed with little sincerity. The picture of little foreign girls with slanted eyes crossed my mind. All sitting Indian style, humming ohms and ahhs.
Mi directed me to take a couple more breaths, getting me ready to drift off. I did as I was told, focused on her words and the atmosphere around me. My ears were the first thing alerted. The sound of the ocean was right there. Mi’s voice became softer and my senses became louder, on high alert. I repeated the words ‘I am at peace’ with deep breaths like she told me to do. I paid close attention when she told me what to feel, and as crazy as it sounded, I felt them.
“Imagine you’re walking across soft grass, but this is enchanted grass. It’s soft, like baby powder. Walk to the waves. A magnificent private island is awaiting your arrival.”
I didn’t even feel the need to laugh that time, I sort of felt like I was walking on baby powder. When Mi told me to take another deep breath and notice the change in the air, I did. It really did feel pure and full of positive energy as I breathed the magical air. It was at that moment that I understood everything my mother felt. This was the place she was constantly telling her Clydes to never lose. I wondered briefly when I lost it, and then repeated the phrase. I am at peace.
Mi walked me all the way to a beach with sand softer than the grass, to a mystic beach with the same flowers and candles that were floating in the clay pot. The sound of water became closer and closer, the relaxing breeze brushed across my skin, and the scent of harmony filled my nose. Everything was the way it should be. Calm with a serene feel, everything from the warm sun on my face, to the stresses being delivered from my body with an imaginary, magic sun. Positive energy from the hot planet replaced all the fear, the anxiety, and the doubt. By the time I heard Nick’s voice take over, I was in a state of a strange place. A peace like I had never felt before.
“Gabby, can you hear me?” Nick quietly asked.
“Yes,” I replied in faraway tone.
“Good, remember that you’re always in control. Anytime you feel like it’s too much, remember you can wake up. All you have to do is open your eyes.”
I didn’t respond with words. I was too deep into the sound of the waves, the sun warming my skin, and the calm I felt through my entire body. Even my breathing was effortless.
“I’m going to make a few suggestions while I count you down. You’re going to be in a deep, deep sleep, but you’re always in control.”
I listened to everything going on around me, but Nick’s voice was the one I focused on most. Nick got to seven, explaining that when it was time for me to wake up, he would count me backward again, but I didn’t have to wake up. He said that my conscious would direct me in what to do, whether I chose to sleep or wake up. Honestly, I think I was out when I heard the number five. I would have to say Mi’s technique did wonders for Nick’s job. It did enhance it, and made it easier for me to give over my mind. I didn’t remember anything after that. I was out. Totally out.
~~
The warm sun hit my face, a straight line right across the bridge of my nose. I squeezed my eyes shut from the bright light and tried to comprehend my state. Was I still out? Was this the real sun or Mi’s imaginary one? I opened my eyes to the shiny slit in the bamboo shades, feeling extremely rested. Maybe for the first time in my life. My floating bed swayed when I moved my head, seeing the same room I’d fallen asleep in.