154 Winona eyes are opened

Every since she woke earlier Winona has felt a little off. She feels strange in a way that she can't explain. So she takes a walk outside and heads towards the lake . She never realized so many people worked here. Their clothes all were kind of strange. Some were in long dresses while others in modern clothes. They all are looking at her strangely. She sees Inola and Onacona waving at them to get their attention. They wave back and walk over to her. She looks around and asks them. 

" who are all these people and why are they dressed so strangely?" They look at her confused . They both now know what Maureen has done. Onacona heads to the house to have a little chat with his wife. Inola smirks and with a very straight face turns to her. 

"There is no one but us here. Unless you are seeing the lost spirits that come in search of Aisling. You see the family come from a long line of shamans and wiccans. They have the blessings of God. You must have said something pretty hateful to upset Maureen so much . I'm afraid that she has granted you temporary sight . So that you can better understand that things are not always what you think. "

she looks at him as if he just sprouted a second head. Then she feels a tap on her leg. Looking down she sees a small child. He is about four. He looks at her with big black eyes. Reaching for her to pick him up. She moves away from the child. Looking back at Inola he looks at her inquiring. 

"What is it ? did one of them try to reach out to you to see if you would respond?" she nods at him

"it's a child of about four he was wanting me to pick him up."  He grins and bends down the boy climbs on his back. 

" this is Tunis he is Aisling's ancestor . He died from an illness many years ago. Aisling has played with him since she was small.  He has stayed here because he loves the big family. He is harmless. The ones that come here for most part are . They are attracted to the light and love that is here. They also know Aisling,Moll and Maureen will help them cross when they are ready. You know that Moll , Maureen and Onacona are ancestors of Aisling Reincarnated. I'm telling you a lot of family secrets right now so I hope you will keep it to yourself. They do not need more grief over it. " 

Winona walks towards the house her head beginning to hurt. How is it that someone like the Commander comes from such a strange family. How is it tha Astila believes such things as well. She is utterly confused. She decides to go back to her room. While there she rereads some of Remi's journal entries. She talks a lot about feeling momo close. Momo is the nickname for Maureen. Sitting there she hears a noise looking across the room is a very distinguished look man sitting at the desk. He turns and nods to her. Taking a deep breath she asks him. 

"Are you a spirit or my imagination?" He turns to her and smiles 

"hello Marshal what is going on?" She waits for him to answer. 

"I was calling because Uncke Audis and aunt Norma are coming to dinner. Maureen called and invited me. I generally stay away from family gatherings but if your there I thought maybe I would come." She blushes at the question. She took an instant liking to this man though he is younger than her by several years. She has spent a good bit of time at his bar getting to know him. 

"Yes I will be here. Do you mind if I ask you something?" He answered without hesitation 

"of course anything?" 

taking a deep breath she just blurts out

"Does your family really know magic and have ghost in the house?" He laughs at her and answers 

"So you have found out our family secret. Truthfully only Aisling has the real gift . We all get those feelings at times but she is the one with real gifts. Remi and Crystal show potential to have them.My Dad did when he was younger but he refuses to practice because he feels it's a sin. He dabbled in the dark kind unknowingly and had a few years of real bad trips with drugs and such because of it. It's one of those things that they just agree to not discuss. If you notice we really have very few arguments at Aisling's house.  that is because she always has calming herbs burning. If there are any ghost around if you ask them to leave they will. If they become bothersome just ask Aisling , Moll or Maureen to get rid of them.they are the ones that can help. Normally the ghost don't bother people. Most people never even know they are around. I personally only have the intuitive gift. I know most times when something bad is going to happen but only that nothing that will let me stop anything. I have thought about asking Aisling if there is a way to activate my gifts but I'm afraid my Dad just might disown me if I did." She listens intently and understands that either the entire family is crazy or it's true. She offended Maureen and she has cursed her to teach her something. She thanks Marshal and hangs up. Thinking to herself let's see just how far this lesson is going to go on for.  

se heads down stairs to help with the dinner. She passes Maureen's room and hears Onacona's voice he is scolding Maureen for casting the spell on her. She hears him ask her about what if I expose everything and something happens to the girls. That they did not spend all those years as spirits protecting them for her to cause problems in a fit of temper. Winona feels guilty for upsetting a pregnant woman and making a harsh judgment without knowing their beliefs. It's her fault so she knocks on the door. Onacona opens the door. He is surprised that Winona is there. 

"I'm sorry but I need to apologize to Maureen. I made some judgements without thinking earlier. If I had paid better attention to my environment . I would have noticed that the family believed that spirits and spiritual beings are all around us. I also would have noticed that they are very deeply religious as well. For that I am sorry for assuming that Remi is schizophrenic. That her belief in the spiritual comes from many different factors of her upbringing. For that I truly am sorry. Can you please tell me how I can stop seeing and hearing the spirits in the house now." Maureen looks at her and accepts her apology. Then explains.

"When you understand the unseen and not just say you do they will go away unless you have a gift that is dormant. If that is the case you may always have it from now on. I'm sorry I forgot about that part. Do you know if you have any spiritual gifts of any kind?" 

winona's eyes get large thinking that this maybe permanent. She shakes her head no and walks down stairs not saying another word. 

that evening Audis and Norma arrive with John his wife and Marshal. Winona is worried what if she makes a fool of herself in front of Marshal. She is really starting to like him and doesn't want him to think bad of her. Hoping that her lesson is already over she gets ready to go down stairs. 

she greets everyone and sits at the table between Brayden and Marshal. She notices that a very beautiful lady has joined them tonight. Waiting for someone to introduce them. She just smiles at her. Everyone notices and Aisling is not exactly happy with Maureen for this lesson she is giving. Marshal grabs winona's hand to reassure her. Maureen bows her head a little ashamed of letting her temper get the best of her . Winona finally decides to address the problem. 

"So exactly who is the woman that is sitting beside Audis ? I assume since no one has spoken to her she is a spirit. " they all look at her not expecting her to say anything. 

Audis bursts out laughing and tells her. 

"that my dear is my first wife. She has never left me since the day we met. Not even in death. She only goes away when it time for Norma and I to be alone. She even chose Norma for me. I understand that you offended someone earlier by saying that you felt that belief in spirits is a mental illness. As a doctor You expected that we would understand but we all here know that the spiritual is real. The idea that there is only what you see is very limiting and not very open minded. My first wife was a very spiritual woman and refused to move on . She told Aisling as a child that she promised to always be by my side till the day I died. She has been keeping that promise. At first I thought that it was hogwash. Until the day Norma became ill. My first wife stayed by her side and kept encouraging her to live. That  their children needed her. That I needed her. If you stop and close your eyes sometimes you can hear what they are saying. They give can be very comforting and help you through very tough times. " he holds Norma's hand and they all look at Winona. Waiting for her to try it. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. Concentrating on her breathing she hears a woman's voice. 

"I'm sorry that they are teaching you such a strange lesson. It will be one that you will definitely never forget. We as people make choices in our lifetime some are good some are foolish. It's how we deal with those decisions that make us who we are. I chose to not leave my husband . even though , I knew I would not be able to be with him as a living being. Tunis refuses to leave out of fear of the unknown. He adores Aisling and when the house is full he plays as if he is living. It's because his life was so short. Aisling in her love and compassion has always treated those of us who are family with respect. She doesn't always acknowledge us out of respect for the living. If we appear to her when she is alone she will talk to us . We alert her to danger or bad people. So don't worry no one in this home will harm you . Just open your mind to different possibilities. If you ask I'm sure that a spirit will come to help you if you ever need guidance. I will go and sit in the sitting room now so you can enjoy your dinner." With that the woman nods to the ladies around the table and disappears. Winona looks at everyone and bows her head In apology. 

"I truly understand now and I'm sorry. In my defense the definition of schizophrenia is based in delusional behavior. Remi I truly am sorry for not listening closer to you and for not paying better attention to my surroundings. Can you forgive me for my ignorance?" Remi gets up and walks over to her and hugs her. 

"of course my gifts stayed dormant because of my fear until now. So I understand completely." With saying that Winona gets a little dizzy and has a headache starting. Maureen tells her not to worry that it's just that her lesson is ending.