Chapter 11 – Meditation

The next day Sookie got a call from Amelia, asking when she'd like her to come over to help with the guided meditation they'd discussed.

"Today would be perfect, I don't have anything going on," Sookie said.

"Can I ask you for a favor?" Amelia asked.

"Of course."

"I would never take any kind of payment for helping you, but I was wondering if maybe in exchange, you could maybe teach me how to cook. It's just that if I come over there, you could show me how to make something, and then I could help you with the meditation. Tray just wouldn't stop gushing over those cinnamon rolls you made, and as you could probably tell from the groceries I got, I'm not the greatest at home cooking, and Tray can pack it in. He really likes good Southern food, and I want to surprise him—"

"Amelia, slow down!" Sookie said, cutting her off. "Of course I'll help you. My Gran taught me, and I don't have anyone to teach, so I'd be happy to."

"Thank you, Sookie! Thank you so much!"

"It's not a problem. What would you like to learn today? I need to make sure I have all the ingredients."

"Could we start off with the cinnamon rolls?" Amelia asked.

"Sure, and I know I've got everything I need for them. Do you need directions to my house?"

"Nope, Tray's going to bring me."

"Great! Have him drop you off whenever. I'm already dressed and not doing anything today."

A couple of hours later Sookie heard Tray's truck pull up the drive, and went out to the porch to greet them. She smiled, as she watched Tray get out and rush over to the passenger side to open Amelia's door and help her out.

"Sookie, is that a hickey on your neck?" Tray asked when they came up the stairs. "You got yourself a boyfriend?"

"Oh god," she groaned, bringing her hand up to her neck to cover the spot. "Yes, and kind of."

"Tray," Amelia hissed and nudged his side.

"Oh, sorry, it just took me by surprise is all. That's a good sized one."

"Tray!" Amelia gaped at him.

"Um, maybe I should go," he said, shuffling awkwardly. "Call me when you're ready to go?" he asked Amelia.

"Yeah," she said, and they kissed before Tray took off for his truck and left.

"I'm so sorry about him," Amelia said, and Sookie laughed.

"It's okay. It was just a bit like getting caught kissing by my brother. Come on, let's go learn to bake!"

Amelia took to baking well, and as they waited for the dough to rise, they had sandwiches and talked.

"So … about that hickey," Amelia grinned. "I take it the apology worked?"

"Yes. Actually, I was on my way out the door when he showed up here. He was sorry too. We had Chinese takeout and a bit of a make-out session on my living room floor," Sookie said, smiling at the memory, and then blushing. "I'm sorry if you don't want to hear this, I've just never really had a girlfriend to talk to this stuff about. Or stuff to talk about."

"I totally want to hear it! I love girl talk. Is he hot?"

"Actually, you may know of him. Have you ever heard of The Vampire?"

"Everyone in the free world has heard of The Vampire," Amelia said.

"That's him," Sookie smiled.

"Are you serious? You're dating The Vampire?"

"Yes. I'm doing a series of articles on him, which is how we met. We got to know each other and it just built from there. We're still feeling each other out. I like him."

"Wow. You are the most interesting friend I've ever had," Amelia laughed, and Sookie laughed with her.

"How's married life?"

"Blissful," Amelia sighed. "I know Tray and I haven't known each other long, but he knows me better than anyone. He just gets me. There's a connection between us that's been there since we first saw each other. It's a bit strange being here, I'm so used to New Orleans, but I like it. It's quiet. A good place to start a family."

"Are you two trying?"

"No, not yet. Tray says he wants a big family, but we both kind of want to enjoy each other for a while before starting one."

"That's understandable. I'm glad he found you. I was worried the poor man would be alone forever. The women around here are either religious nutcases, or have no desire to get tied down."

"I've only been here a few days, and I can already see that."

"I'm also glad that we're friends," Sookie said seriously. "I really needed one."

Amelia smiled and said, "I really did too."

They finished eating, and finished making the rolls, and when they were done, the girls each ate one. Sookie packed up the rest for Amelia to take home to Tray, as well as the rolls they didn't bake, which she made sure to label with instructions just in case.

"Okay, are you ready to meditate?" Amelia asked with a big grin.

"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."

"Don't be nervous. Okay, we need a comfortable place to sit, and maybe if you have a candle with a scent that relaxes you, that would be great too ."

"Sure do," Sookie replied, and headed for the living room. She pulled out two candles with a fresh linen scent and lit them, before making herself comfortable on the couch.

Amelia instructed her to put her hands on top of her thighs and close her eyes. Though it felt a little weird, Sookie did as Amelia asked, and soon she was being guided into a state of total relaxation.

"I want you to picture a room in your mind, made of impenetrable material. No windows, no furnishings, and only one door. This door is also impenetrable, and only you have the ability to open or shut it.

"In this room it is completely silent. Nothing comes in unless you want it to, and only if you open the door. Is the door open or shut right now?"

"Open," Sookie replied.

"Okay. I'm going to project a thought to you, and you should be able to hear it."

"Okay."

My bra is black lace.

Sookie smiled. "I'll give you a hint. Tray always liked the Playboy models who wore red."

Amelia chuckled in response, and then continued in her soothing tone.

"I want you to close the door now. Once it is closed, nobody's thoughts will be able to enter. Is it closed?"

"Yes."

"I'm going to project to you again."

A moment of complete silence passed between them until Amelia spoke again.

"It definitely worked, because you wouldn't have been able to resist commenting on that thought."

Amelia guided Sookie through learning how to open and shut the door with ease for about an hour, and then she slowly brought her out of it.

"How do you feel?" Amelia asked after Sookie opened her eyes.

"Relaxed," Sookie replied.

"Good. We need you relaxed to test it. Open the door and I'll throw a line of thoughts out. I want you to close it after you start hearing them."

"I'll try," she said.

Amelia started reciting the preamble to the Constitution, and Sookie was so impressed that she still had it memorized that she almost forgot to shut the door. She closed her eyes and visualized the door shutting, and just like that Amelia's thoughts were her own again.

"Holy crap," Sookie said. "That was so easy, and I don't feel like it took any energy. I'm not even concentrating to keep anything out."

"Perfect! That means it worked. We'll probably need to do this once a week for a couple of months, but after that you should be gold. We just need to get you used to getting into the state of mind you need to be in, and it takes a bit of work at first, hence the meditation. Once your brain is used to taking that path you'll be able to do it like a reflex."

"Why did it take this long to meet you?" Sookie sighed, and Amelia laughed.

"That's not a bad thing. I just learned guided meditation a year ago."

"I'm thankful you did. Really, Amelia, this makes me feel like I might be able to be somewhat normal for once."

"Meh, what's normal anyway these days?"

"Ain't that the truth," Sookie laughed.

A/N: More Eric soon, I promise. Hope everyone's holiday went well, and that you all have a great time ringing in the new year.

Thank you to FDM for editing my junk!