To answer a review: Emily didn't come with them because she was busy in the office and I also didn't know how to write her in as the one driving Claire home. I thought Embry would be better since he is more protective and of course a shifter. As of why Claire can't learn or relearn the secret is because everyone is worried she'll freak out like her mother did this time around.
But we will just have to wait and see how this all plays out. I appreciate the reviews and please keep them coming! I love them. Favorite and follow. Enjoy.
Claire and Emily opened the next morning like nothing happened the day before. Neither one said anything about it either. Although Claire swore she felt like she had eyes on her all night after Quil left and even now standing at the register she felt the same. Emily sat a cup of coffee in front of her with a blueberry muffin that just came out the oven. Emily started working on filling the glass displays with the goodies of the day.
"You look like you didn't sleep at all," Emily said as she glanced at her niece. Bags were underneath her eyes and she wore no makeup today. She looked exhausted.
"I didn't sleep well," was all Claire gave up before nibbling the muffin. She was still getting use to the food battle. Some days she wouldn't care what she ate then others she only thought about what she ate. She's managed to only gain about seven pounds since she stopped dancing though which made her feel better. She knew she could use some extra pounds on her but she wasn't ready yet.
"How has things been? Ben told me that Christmas was rough for you with your mother and I've been told you're still running yourself down hard," Emily couldn't tell her that Quil or Embry has been keeping an close eye on her when she jogs after work.
"Things have been okay Emily. I've been keeping busy and I think that's healthy for me to do. A good distraction, ya know?" Claire knew what she was doing wasn't healthy. Waking up at 5am go to work then to work all day then to jog for hours on end until you pass out when you get home is not healthy. But she was also worried she'd get so bored that she would go back to her mother and dance again. She couldn't do it.
"You know...many many years ago I had some life troubles and went to the tribes therapist. I think maybe she could give you some advice and help," Emily told her as she headed back into the kitchen. When Emily was battling with herself about wanting to be with Sam but not wanting to hurt Leah she went to the therapist. The lady was nice and understanding about the situation and ended up being the one to break the barrier that was put up between her heart and her mind about the decision. Emily wasn't going to tell Claire that she knew this woman could bring back memories. Emily didn't want the pack to know that she thought it would be best for Claire to know everything again. It would keep her safer. Claire stood up front staring at the muffin thinking it wasn't a bad idea. Maybe a little consoling could do some good.
So there she was, 6pm standing outside of one of the offices on the main strip in town. The only sign read Miss Sarlo's Healing and Herbs. Claire began to think maybe she was wrong to come. She began to turn to walk back to her walk when the door to the office opened.
"Come on inside, I don't bite," an old ladies voice called out from inside the office. Claire could already smell the lavender and mint that was coming out in waves. She couldn't say no to an old lady and if Emily thinks this will help then so be it. Claire stood up straight and marched inside like she had nothing to fear. When the door shut behind her though she flinched at the sound.
"I was wondering when you were going to come by," the little old lady with long grey hair sat in a rocking chair in the corner. She had a bundle of leaves burning in front of her along with matches and a knife. If this was going to be the place Claire died then at least she was going to die smelling nice.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Claire asked as she moved closer to sit in front of the woman on the floor. She crossed her legs and stared up at the woman. It was then she realized the lady was blind.
"No, but I know you," the lady who Claire assume was Miss Sarlo reached both of her hands out for Claire to grab them. She hesitantly reached up and grabbed them before feeling a shock of electric run through her body. She gasped and went to let go but the woman wouldn't let her.
"Calm down child, trust the process," Miss Sarlo gripped a bit firmer and closed her eyes. Claire did the same. Emily told her this was the place to go. She trusted Emily. Suddenly Claire was in another place.
Claire was standing in Emily's front yard now but the time was different. It was summertime, warm with a slight breeze. She looked around to see the trees full and the grass unbelievably green.
"We'll be back by nine Emily," Mary came out the front door that was currently wood and not the white Claire was use to. Claire panicked thinking her mother would see her but she walked right by. She watched as she went towards a black pickup truck. Her dads. She watched as
"I'll be back by nine Emily. Call me if you need me," Mary yelled out the house before running over to the black truck where Maxwell sat. Claire watched the door open and could see her dad sitting tuning the radio, he looked young and well kept still. Claire turned back to the house to see if Emily noticed her but she hadn't. Instead Emily was talking to three young children. One of them was her.
"Now, my house is always crowded but it's always the best place to be. The boys will be here in a bit but for now what do you want to do? Sarah? Any ideas?" Emily looked at Sarah with eager eyes. Sarah sighed and nibbled her tiny lower lip.
"Can I just go color?" Sarah asked before holding up her art bag. Emily nodded before Sarah went inside to find a quiet spot to hide and color. She didn't even want to be there.
"What about you two?" Emily smiled kindly at the twins. Ben still had a buzzcut that his mother would give them once a month. Claire had two low pigtails that went down her back. Even then her mother kept her looking pretty all the time.
"Can I just go help you bake or watch a movie?" Ben asked. He always hated having to go to other people's houses. He just wanted to hang out with his dad and watch movies together. Emily nodded and sent him inside, he sat at the kitchen table patiently waiting for her to come in and tell them what they're baking.
"What about you babydoll?" Emily ran a hand over young Claire's cheek for a second. Claire leaned into the gentle touch.
"Can I play in the backyard?" Young Claire asked while looking down at her perfect white Mary Janes.
"Of course. Just stay in the yard and not the woods. I'll have one of the boys come sit with you when they get here," Emily winked before leaving her outside alone to go inside and get baking with Ben. Young Claire walked around the house and into the backyard. Older Claire followed her younger self watching what was about to happen. She didn't remember any of this. Her mind blocked this out but she could feel in her gut something was about to happened. She watched her younger self find a stick to dig with. She watched her younger self make a mess of her white shoes. She knew her mother would throw a fit about that later. Claire sat on the grass quietly and watched. She wasn't sure what all of this was but she had to trust the process.
"Hey Claire, this is Quil. He's going to sit out back with you," Emily yelled from the back porch as she shoved Quil down the steps onto the grass. Quil looked the same and older Claire was in awe of that.
"So...what are you doing?" Quil asked as he approached. He didn't want to be out here. He wanted to be inside with the other guys laughing and eating. Little Claire kept digging at the ground though. Quil sat in front of her and waited until finally Claire stopped.
"I'm looking for treasure," Claire looked up and met Quils eyes for the first time and they both froze. Even adult Claire froze. She watched the scene unfold before her. Sam came running outside and grabbed Quil pushing him towards the woods but Quil wouldn't break eye contact from Claire. Paul was shouting at him and imprinting on a child and that he was sick. Adult Claire followed knowing that she just saw Leah come out of the house to sit with her younger self.
"You imprinted on a child!" Paul yelled again while Sam stood in the middle of Quil and him.
"It's not like that man! It's not like what Sam and Emily feel. It's more like a...protective feeling," Quil talked quietly. He was still in awe of what just happened.
"What do you mean?" Paul asked while looking back out towards the yard where Claire now spun in circles.
"Like...I feel more of a babysitter or a bother? Not a lover, definitely not that," Quil shook his head quickly. Sam was still quiet for a long time before finally speaking.
"Imprints can be anything the other needs. She's a child so that would be what she needs," Sam nodded finally understanding.
"Your mind won't release anymore memory today," Miss Sarlos voice echoed in Claire's brain before she finally opened her eyes and saw she was still holding the old ladies hands.
"What was all that?" Claire asked standing up slowly. She felt dizzy.
"I didn't see anything but I do know that it was a memory you had blocked. There's more I can feel it but for now, leave with what you know," Miss Sarlo pointed at the front door giving Claire the signal that it was time to go. Claire wanted nothing more then to go home and process what just happened and possibly reblock it because she didn't understand it.