Very Quick Author's Note

Interesting little thing I wanted to add in. The character of Christopher Joseph was directly inspired by real-life medium and psychic, Chip Coffey, who has been a huge inspiration of mine over the years. The love, compassion and spirituality he possesses are what make him such a remarkable human being, outside of his amazing gifts. Because, in the words of Rob Thomas, "It's the heart that really matters in the end." I created the name, Christopher Joseph, in fact, directly from Chip's: with both the names Chris and Chip, the first two letters are "Ch." Chip's last name is Coffey; what's a slang term for a cup of coffee? A cup o' Joe-- Joseph. And there you have it. :) Chris Joseph.

IN THE SUN
Chapter 3: Gwen

"Liza? You sense something, don't you?"

I nodded, staring down the dimly lit hallway at the old San Diego hotel. Chris had invited us out because he was hosting a few other child mediums and, after having been in contact with me for three years, had wanted me to participate, as well. So we made the long drive from our home in Orange County to California's largest southern-most city.

"Tell me about it."

"A.... woman. She's crying."

"Keep going."

"I can hear her..... talking, but......." I closed my eyes and shook my head. "I can't make out what she's saying."

"Can you see her?"

"No. But I can feel her. She's afraid. There's someone else with her here. Someone.... bad." Suddenly I got hit with a cold spot. "Oh, God....." I shuddered.

"What?"

"It's f-freezing," I chattered, and Chris threw his jacket across my shoulders.

"Here," he said. "Warm up. Let's go downstairs and take a few, alright?" He smiled, putting an arm around my shoulder. "You know, for someone as young as you are, you sure do have a knack for this."

"Really?"

Chris nodded.

I smiled to myself, pleased. "When will the other kids get here?"

"Any minute, actually. We're going to meet them in the lobby."

"Any of them my age?"

"One of the other girls is ten, as well, if that's what you mean. But they're all in the same age range. I believe the youngest is eight and the oldest is thirteen."

"I've never met other mediums my age."

"You're very fortunate to be doing so tonight. I didn't meet another psychic like myself I was nearly twenty."

"Seriously?"

"Mm-hmm," Chris nodded. "Nick was the first. He and I have been good friends for years. It was difficult growing up, not fully understanding what was happening and why you were seeing what you did when no one else around you could. I had to figure it out on my own as I went along."

"That sucks."

"Yes," Chris laughed. "Yes, it does."

"Liza, watch your mouth." We'd just reached the lobby where my mother, unsuccessfully trying to hide a smile, chided me in the use of my language.

"Hi, Mom. Sorry."

She let the smile loose. "Any luck?"

"Yeah, somewhat. We're gonna go back up when the other kids get here."

"Chris!"

We turned to find a handful of families coming in through the doors, looking anxious and worried. One of the girls had seen him and came bounding over.

"Aah, Gwen! Hi, honey." Chris leaned over to give the girl a hug. "Liza, this is Gwendolyn Evans--"

"Gwen, please..... I get enough of that Gwendolyn stuff from my parents."

"Hey," her father laughed. "I resent that, kid!"

I smiled, feeling a little more at ease about it all. "Hi, Gwen, I'm Elizabeth Leroux, but you've gotta call me Liza, 'cos I'm in the same boat as you."

Gwen laughed. "And in more ways than one, apparently!" She came closer to me, taking my hands in hers. I was certain she was about my age but she was so petite next to me; spiky black hair, bright blue eyes, little hands that would surely break if you weren't careful. "What have you seen today?" She asked me quietly.

"Um....." I smiled up at Chris and then looked back at Gwen. "I-- I heard a woman on the third floor. Felt a cold draft. The EMF readings were off the charts."

"Ooh!" Gwen squealed in delight. "How exciting! I can't wait for you to show me. When can we start, Chris?"

"As soon as we get oriented."

"Aw, nuts...."

"Have you eaten?"

"Yeah, burgers about a half-hour ago."

I shook my head. "We missed lunch."

"Don't worry," Chris assured me. "We have food in the meeting room. Now, c'mon, let's go meet the others."

Gwen came up and looped her arm through mine as we walked. "How old are you, Liza?"

"Ten. You?"

"Same here," she smiled. "We could almost be twins!"

"But I have brown eyes!" I laughed, flipping my long, dark brown hair over my shoulder. "Well, if we are to be twins, then least they can tell us apart physically, I suppose."

After eating and meeting the other children, we made our way up the hotel, and I was amazed and thrilled while watching the other children catch spirits. It is the most amazing feeling in the world, to realize you are not alone in it. We were frightened a few times; the bad presence I'd felt on the third floor made itself known on more than one occasion and to more than one of us young mediums. We were sitting around the fireplace the second night when one of the children screamed, pointed-- we all turned to the windows in time to watch the imprint of a face press itself into the glass, only the face itself was unseen. I was terrified and thrilled, everything all balled up into one. For the first time in my life I felt as if I really had someone else to talk to. I could talk to my parents, who understood my abilities as best as an outsider could, but it wasn't the same as talking to someone else who actually saw what you just saw yourself.

When the weekend was over I felt so different. It was the first time I was truly comfortable in my own skin. Gwen and I traded phone numbers and other pertinent information. She promised she'd call, and she lived up to her promise. She lived up to her promise until the day she died.