Chapter Thirteen
Laura slung her bag over her shoulder with a sigh as she looked at Johnny who had a saddened look on his face. She smiled at him, while being careful with her bandaged arm in the process of putting her bag over her shoulder. "Don't look at me like that," she said, starting to feel a bit teary-eyed herself.
"I'm going to miss you," he said.
"Don't worry. I'm only a few hours away and I will visit as often as I can. Besides, you still have much to learn, young Jedi," she joked. Since Johnny was so interested in learning more about his visions, Laura got a kick out of teaching him.
Johnny still thought it was strange to think of her as a psychic, but at least it explained why she was so good at her job.
"Well, don't be a stranger. It was good to have you back," Sarah spoke up, her arm around her son's shoulder.
Laura smiled at the older woman and wrapped her up in a hug. "It was good to be back." She playfully messed up J.J.'s hair as she said good-bye. "Hey, take good care of the big guy for me, okay?" She asked. He nodded as an answer. "Thanks." She placed a light kiss on his forehead as her way of saying good-bye. She wrapped Walt up in a hug as a thank you. If it wasn't for him, she probably wouldn't be there. "Thanks for everything."
"It was nothing. But, you're family, so I did what I had to do."
She couldn't help but smile at his words. He really considered her family, which she felt so wonderful about. "Thanks again." She turned toward Johnny who wrapped her up in a gigantic hug.
"I guess you should get going," he said.
She nodded. "Yeah, I should. But, I can't help but think that something is missing." She could feel a small sort of emptiness within her, which meant that something had to be missing. She felt that emptiness beginning to fill as she heard a loud horn honking as a limousine pulled into the driveway. "And that would be it," she said, sarcastically as she saw the handsomely-dressed man step out of the vehicle. She rolled her eyes as her bandaged arm began to throb. She couldn't tell whether it was because the pain medication was wearing off or she was getting some sort of psychic vibration.
"Forgive me for being so late in seeing your recovery, Laura. I had to straighten a few things out in my campaigning." He flashed his perfect smile, which she politely returned.
"Well, it was very nice of you to stop by, Mr. Stillson. I appreciate your sympathy."
Johnny couldn't help but roll his eyes at the way his cousin was speaking to the politician. It was entertaining in a way, because he was actually buying it.
Stillson looked directly into her eyes and smiled. "Well, my sympathy is always here to give." His assistant, who was standing right behind him, handed him something, which he brought from behind his back with a flourish. "For you."
She gave him a kind smile as her eyes rested on the most beautiful bouquet of roses she had ever seen. "Thank you, they're beautiful." She brought the bouquet to her nose and breathed in their wonderful scent.
"Please, call me Greg." He took her uninjured hand into his and brought it to his lips to give it a light kiss.
As soon as his lips touched her knuckles, she was overcome by a vision.
She stared in awe at her surroundings. She was in a lavish ballroom, with people all around. She looked down at her clothes. Where there was once a light blue t-shirt and blue jeans, now was a gorgeous, and flattering, red dress. It was something she knew that she would never wear, herself, but she did like it.
Her arms were wrapped around Stillson as they danced slowly to the music. He was whispering lightly into her ear about how beautiful she looked. He even lifted one of his hands to touch one of her tightly-curled tendrils that hung down from her pinned-up hair.
She couldn't help but smile at him. She felt like she was having the time of her life. She felt herself shudder as he brought his lips ever closer to her ear.
"How about we head upstairs? I hear that Jacuzzi calling us."
She was surprised by her expression; a smile and was even more surprised by her answer. "Lead the way."
The vision ended no sooner than she would have liked. She looked at him, questioningly. That wasn't the first time he had touched her, yet that was the first time she had had a vision like that. Maybe it was because her future had changed. But, she still couldn't see herself enjoying Stillson's company like that. It was so unlike her, especially with the way she felt about him.
"Is something the matter?" He asked, not the least bit deterred by her expression. It was as if he didn't even notice.
She shook her head and made sure to return to smiling. "No. Not at all. Um, excuse me, I should get going." He nodded as she walked over to Johnny who escorted her to her car.
The male psychic couldn't help but hold back his laughter. He had seen the expression on her face. She had obviously had a vision and it wasn't one that she preferred. "What was that about?"
She shook her head. "Don't worry about it. It's just something that I know will never come true; unlike the vision you get when he touches you." She saw the look of shock on his face. "Yeah, I know about it. But, don't let it get to you. You have to remember that the future is what you make it. You wouldn't be getting that vision if there wasn't a way to stop it."
"I know. It's just so hard to get passed it. The whole world could be destroyed because of me and there's nothing that I can do about it."
She took his hands into hers and made him look into her eyes. "Johnny, listen to me; the faster you gain control of you visions, the quicker you'll be able to change them. It just takes some time." She gave a small smile before she ran her hand through her hair. "Besides, you're not alone in this. You have Sarah, Walt, Bruce, and me to help you."
"I know." He wrapped her up in a large hug before helping her into her car. "Be careful on the ride back."
She smiled and nodded. "I will don't worry. I'll call you when I get back to the city."
Johnny stepped back as she started the vehicle and pulled out of the driveway. She beeped the horn when she got to the rode and drove off. The male psychic took a deep breath and turned toward his house to see everyone still standing here, including Stillson.
The Congressman wrapped his arm around Johnny's shoulder as if the two of them were buddies. "Tell me, John; that tattoo on her back⦠what's it mean?" He was referring to the black, two-inch etch of a raven in mid-flight on her lower back, the one he had spotted in the restaurant.
Johnny would usually be offended by such talk about his cousin, but he only smiled as he removed Stillson's arm. "Do you really want to know?"
Stillson nodded. "Yeah. I mean, it's kind of sexy when you think of it."
Yet, Johnny still didn't become angry at this. The psychic gave a chuckle and nudged Stillson in the arm. "It's a symbol for visions." He saw the confusion on the Congressman's face. "You'd better let that sink in," he said, before he, Walt, Sarah, and J.J. walked into the house.
Stillson continued to stand out in the driveway as the recollection of what Johnny had said, finally hit him. His eyes went wide in surprise and he and his assistant climbed back into the limo. "My God, there are two of them," he said before the limo pulled out of the driveway.
Well, I suppose it's the end of an era. I want to thank all of you who reviewed and will review this chapter. I haven't decided as of yet if I will write a sequel to this. I'm leaning more toward yes, though. But, I beg that you do not hold your breath.
I have to say that it was a pleasure writing this, especially since this is one of my most favorite shows on TV.
Thanks again and please don't hesitate to review, even if what you have to say isn't what I would like to hear. The only way to improve myself is if I find out what I did wrong, remember that.
Again thanks!
