Glamorous - A Grace Bishop Novel - Chapter 10
© Denise Bossarte
“Paranorm?” Grace and Danny said together.
A flash of dismay crossed Sophie’s face before a guarded
expression replaced it. Grace felt a chill move down her spine as her open and
flamboyant friend turned quiet.
“What just happened?”
Danny asked, his exuberance draining away as he looked between Grace and
Sophie.
“I’m guessing she said
something she shouldn’t have,” Grace suggested.
“The ‘Paranorm’ thing?”
Danny asked.
“That’s what I would bet,”
she agreed, waiting for Sophie to speak again.
Sophie sat, her lips pursed, her gaze flicking between Grace and
Danny. She gave a deep sigh, appearing to come to a decision.
“Ok, I guess it’s only fair for me to tell you more, since you
told me about your abilities.”
“Yes, it is,” Grace said in a strained voice, feeling the
tightness in her shoulders lesson, but still tense in her chair.
“I am not sure where to start, but here goes.” Sophie began.
“This ability you possess, seeing and talking to ghosts like Danny. You aren’t
the only one who can do these things. There are several Clairvoyants in the
city,” she said waving her hand over her shoulder in the general direction of
the street. “In fact, some of them live in this community with us.”
“Now that’s way cool!”
Danny said, his excitement returning.
“How is it I never saw anything special about anyone in the
neighborhood?” Grace asked Sophie, irritated with herself for not figuring it
out.
“Grace,” Sophie chided her, “we value our privacy as much as you
and Danny do. We fear exposure as much as you do.”
Grace nodded her understanding. “How many are there? Is there a
whole group of these ‘Paranorms,’ like a gang or organized crime syndicate?”
Sophie laughed, shaking her head. “Nothing so sinister, Grace.
The only way we are like a syndicate is we are all family, distant cousins and
such.”
“Can we meet more of them?” Danny pressed her. His scientific
mind was already moving into investigation mode at the discovery of an entire
culture of people living unnoticed in the city.
A thousand questions were rolling through Grace’s mind, but she
focused on the one most important at the moment. “Can one of them help me with
my ability? Will one of them help me?” she asked, trying to keep the pleading
out of her voice, her hope once again rising.
Sophie looked down at the table as if gathering her thoughts.
“Grace, I’ve already told you more than I should.” She held up her hand as
Grace started to object. “Our family is sworn to secrecy for our own
protection, and for reasons I won’t go into right now.”
“But how can it be a secret? You are out there doing readings in
broad daylight. Isn’t that doing anything but keeping things secret?”
Sophie smiled and shook her
head. “Ever hear of hiding in plain sight? What I
do is a distraction to focus everyone’s mind on something they can almost
trust. The people who come are one of three types: the curious unbeliever, the
true believer, and the disbeliever wanting to prove it’s all a hoax. I read
right off which type they are and then give them just enough to keep them
guessing if it’s all real or not.”
“A great strategy,”
Danny commented.
“But not one that gets us
closer to getting answers,” Grace grumped.
“Back to your original question about talking to other
Paranorms. I believe your abilities allow for an exception.” Sophie paused,
making sure they were following her line of thought. “There’s someone I can try
to get you in touch with who may help you with your situation.”
“Another Paranorm? Somebody in your family?” Grace asked.
Sophie hesitated, and then said with a twist of her mouth, “Not
exactly.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Grace said, getting annoyed
again.
Sophie held up her hands in pleading gesture. “Grace, I’m doing
the best I can here. This is way outside my comfort zone. I’ll do whatever I
can to help you and Danny. Please don’t ask me anything more. I’m in enough trouble
already for sharing this much.”
Grace realized how distressed her friend was over the turn of
the conversation and stopped herself from continuing in interrogation mode.
Getting Sophie into trouble with her family was not her goal, getting answers
was.
“What do you think, Danny?”
she asked him, focusing on him. “Do we
trust Sophie in what she is telling us and go for a meeting with this person
she believes might help?”
“I trust her,” Danny
said without hesitation. “Besides, it’s
the only valid choice we have, right?”
“Ok,” Grace said.
“How soon can you set up this meeting?” she asked Sophie.
Sophie relaxed, relief clear on her face as Grace made her
decision.
“I’ll check this weekend and find out if he will see you.”
“Will see me?”
“Grace, this will be on his terms or not at all. You need to
accept that.”
“Gracie,” Danny said. “I used my birthday wish to get us some
answers. Don’t blow it for me on my big day!”
“You’re not supposed to tell what you wished for, you dope,”
Grace scolded him with affection, letting him diffuse her agitation with his
humor once again. “Sophie, I am sorry I’ve put you in this position. I
appreciate whatever you can do to get me connected with this guy.”
“Great! Let’s open the presents!” Danny said pushing his chair
back and shooing them both toward the living room.
“Present time it is” Sophie agreed with a relieved smile, rising
from her chair to follow Danny’s lead.
“Definitely,” Grace agreed, relieved Sophie was attempting to
lighten things up again.
Grace could use help from
Danny’s wish to get answers during the meeting
with Eli. Answers to her questions on her abilities, and answers on certain
mind reading abilities as well. Knowing that she would be able to leverage her
abilities and her training meant she was ready to take DL’s case on herself.
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