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Circles of Separation: Protection

“At a time when Ide was totally dependent on the goodwill and skill of other people, she felt acutely grateful to everyone, everywhere, who does their best by giving what they have to give, no matter what issues they are facing in their own lives.”

Chapter 57: Sweet Ruthlessness

As Amira walked out of Handspun, she bumped into Gabriel and some of the Boys of Darnall who were taking a short-cut through the Arcade. The Boys included some women, two of whom were walking with the group today. No one in that group was, generally, friendly towards Amira, although, some were more polite than others. Gabriel, however, stopped to talk to Amira. Despite their problems, he did love Amira. Even if he didn’t, he was not a rude person. As Gabriel was talking, Amira could feel the eyes of one of the women boring into her back. It was Bridgette. She didn’t live in Darnall. She was an artist, like Gabriel, and lived in the city. Continue reading “Circles of Separation: Protection”

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Circles of Separation: Handspun

“We’re our own worst enemy,” said Wolfgang.  “We’re, also, our own best friend.”

Chapter 54: Best Friend

Tonight was the last Dementia Unit dance class. Wolfgang was in fine form and had been talking nonstop. “I like making a noise,” he joked. “I should have been a politician. Do you know that I come here every morning to have breakfast with my Madeline?”

“No,” said Gabriel. “That’s devoted.” Continue reading “Circles of Separation: Handspun”

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Circles of Separation: Narrow Lane

Put your efforts towards the things in life that enhance your highest self.

Chapter 51: Right Next Door

“We have taken matters into our own hands,” said Mullum-Mullum to Amira. “We had concerns about Gabriel’s safety in regards Evanora. There is no need for you to be worried, however, we ask that you not see him unless instructed to do so.” Mullum-Mullum gazed into the distance. Amira couldn’t see where he was looking. Nor could she see anything around him. Normally, if Amira saw Mullum-Mullum in her night-travels, she saw him in the setting of the Darnall rose garden. However, for some reason, tonight, he seemed to be standing in a blank space with no distinguishing features.

“I guess,” sighed Amira, “Gabriel hasn’t suffered enough yet.” Continue reading “Circles of Separation: Narrow Lane”

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Circles of Separation: Personal Barometer

The more we veer away from our true nature, the more unhappy we feel. When we align with our better self, we feel happy and content again.

Chapter 47: Cat Fights

“You’re a jealous cow,” screeched the black cat to the tabby cat that was cornered on the thin end of the branch.

“The Great One is not jealous of the gods you make,” said the tabby with the tenacity of a worthy opponent, “and neither am I.”

Gabriel heard the commotion not far from his window in the middle of the night. As it was not subsiding, he got up in exasperation, pulled on whatever clothes were at the end of the bed, and went outside to search for the source of the untimely disturbance. He shone his phone torch into the tree but neither cat moved. The tabby couldn’t move and the black one refused to. After assessing the situation, Gabriel threw some sticks towards the black cat who conceded temporary defeat and retreated. The tabby could then escape. Continue reading “Circles of Separation: Personal Barometer”

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Circles of Separation: Winter Lights

Love is its own reward.

Chapter 45: Suspicious Arrangements

Mullum-Mullum was not in the rose garden. Amira decided to walk up the back steps of the old house and look around the verandah. Some dusty boxes and a few bits of dirty furniture were haphazardly pushed into a corner where they had remained for years. She spotted a small bookshelf and pulled out several, yellowed books. Her eyes landed on a familiar green cover. It was The Little Book of Healing. On the inside of the cover was a sticker saying, This book belongs to Rose Este. The book had long since ceased publication. Amira had given her precious copy to Thomas, a few years ago. There was something quite peculiar about the little book. Amira didn’t know if other people had the same experience but whenever she opened it, she seemed to read pages that she had never seen before. As she had read the book many times and it wasn’t long, she eventually decided that the book changed its contents depending on what was needed. She put it in her pocket and went back to her and Gabriel’s apartment. Continue reading “Circles of Separation: Winter Lights”

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Circles of Separation: Appendix 1 – “Them” Talking

Two years ago, a handyman was fixing my dishwasher. He had, recently, returned from some work in Byron Bay. “There’s a lot of work up there,” he said. Byron Bay is made of backpackers, surfers, hippies and hipsters. There are, probably, more reiki practitioners than there are residents. The tourists save the economy. The sign at the town entrance says,

Welcome to Byron Bay.
Cheer Up. Slow down. Chill out. Continue reading “Circles of Separation: Appendix 1 – “Them” Talking”

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Circles of Separation: Magic Men and Women

There was something unusual about Rose. She didn’t do or say anything unusual but whenever she was around, everything worked well.

Chapter 42: Om Mani Padme Hum

Farkas pulled his hood on and made a run for Ide’s front porch in the storm. He was picking up baby Lan-Lan. Ide had been able to keep the house that she and Farkas had jointly owned, at least, for now. The main elder of the Clinkers had decided to rent Ide’s large, front room. He was using it for meetings and private sessions and, occasionally, sleeping there. His tribe name was Salt, although, Ide’s teenage son, Christopher, had always referred to him as Magic Man. That is the name that stuck in Farkas’s mind. Although Salt was an elder, he was far from elderly. At seventy, he could run through the forest almost as fast as the young Clinker men and he could, certainly, outwit them. Continue reading “Circles of Separation: Magic Men and Women”