The Gemini Bridge (The York Street Series Book 1) Page 8
Moon’s voice spoke softly near her ear. Good, those are my favorites. Just like when we were teens; we always shared.
Ricky looked around the room, expecting to see her sister. “Moon, where are you? Maybe I’m still asleep.” No answer, not even the subtle vibration that she’d begun to identify with her sister’s presence. She shrugged, almost taking her sister’s comings and goings for granted.
She’s playing with my mind or I’m going nuts. Whichever it is, things will have to change. I have to decide what I believe, or I won’t have a clue about what to do next.
Ricky showered, brushed her hair, and dressed. She positioned the necklace so the large blue, variegated stone rested over her throat. Somehow it was comforting.
As she put on her makeup at Moon’s vanity table, Pigeon walked into the room, her tail swishing from side to side. She stared up at Ricky, looking bewildered, then her eyes darted around the room as if searching, with her gaze finally resting on a corner near the ceiling.
“So who’s up there, Pigeon? Is it Nellie or Moon?” The cat climbed into Ricky’s lap and bumped the necklace with her head, then looked again into the corner. Ricky was astounded. The cat had answered. Gone was the hissing and hostile behavior. It seemed the animal had reconciled to the fact that Moon was without a body, and Ricky was the person to go to for comfort. Ricky rubbed the back of her hand along the cat’s silky back. “I guess we’re friends now. I wonder if Moon left you to Beth Ann. You’ve known her longer. I’m sure she’ll take care of you.” The cat looked into Ricky’s eyes, then jumped to the floor.
At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if she jumped into the air and flew around the room.
A sharp knock on the door brought her back to reality, such as it was. Chester informed her from the hallway that her dad and Moon’s lawyer had arrived with dinner. Ricky could smell the aroma of Chinese food drifting up from the living room.
Moon’s lawyer, Stan Jacobs, seemed to fill the entryway, leaving little room for Ricky’s dad. He looked like he weighed about two-fifty and was about five-foot-eight, built more like a wrestler than a lawyer. Ricky saw that his hairline receded to about the middle of his asymmetrical skull, and he sported an unexpected ponytail in the back that reached down past the collar of his floral-patterned summer sports shirt.
George introduced her to Jacobs when she arrived at the entryway, and the attorney took her hand in both of his large, knobby-knuckled paws. His face broke into a gentle smile which belied the rough-looking scar that ran down the side of his once-broken nose and the strange caterpillar-like black eye brow that extended over both eyes. Ricky couldn’t help but smile back. She avoided observing his knobby knees, which stuck out from under Bermuda shorts that were straining at the waist, and the bony ankles which protruded from the sides of his flip-flops, because the sight of them made her want to laugh. All in all, if she judged by appearances she’d never have hired him as a lawyer, but Moon had probably seen the peace shining from his eyes.
“Glad ta meet you, Ricky.” His voice boomed and reverberated in the hallway. “Some identical twins change so much as they get older that they look nothing alike. You and Moon look the same ‘cept for the hair length. It’s like she’s still with us. But of course she is, anyway. Moon always said death was an illusion, and I’d be a poor student of her wisdom if I let grief take over just ‘cause we can’t talk ta each other.”
Ricky smiled. “I didn’t know you were her student. I knew you handled her business legalities, but this is news to me.”
The three of them moved through the living room as they conversed and then deposited the cartons of Chinese food on the table in the breakfast nook. Chester found the tamari, and Beth Ann brewed some Oolong tea and set out silverware for those who couldn’t manage chopsticks. They had just enough room to all squeeze in around the table in the compact space. Pigeon attempted to jump up among the cartons, maybe tempted by the succulent odor of sweet and sour shrimp, but settled for curling up in Ricky’s lap with her head in strategic begging position. A time followed of sorting out favorite foods and the dishing out of rice and crispy noodles. As they ate, they talked.
“So how did you meet my sister?” Ricky’s appetite had all but deserted her with the anticipation of the will and the lingering disquiet from the vivid dream. She picked at her chowmein as the others feasted.
Stan put his finger up in the give-me-a-minute gesture as he inhaled his Moo Goo Gui Pan. He paused for breath and a gulp of tea before answering. “My daughter, Betty, found Moon several years ago. She went ta a talk Moon gave at the Meditation Center. She knows I like to read about spiritual stuff, so she bugged me until I came with her ta Moon’s next presentation. I was floored. Your sister is amazing. Betty and I signed up for Moon’s spirit communication class. Betty dropped out after two classes, it was too scary for her, but I kept it up. Made it through to level three before this happened.”
He turned to Chester. “Are ya keeping up the classes?”
Chester shrugged. “Not sure yet. I’m going to wait and see what the will says. You know the legalities better than I do. I’m qualified to teach it but only with Moon’s say-so. It was her process. See, there are three of us who’ve completed level four and have enough skill and experience to teach.”
Stan took a helping of chicken wings. “Yeah, I’ll have ta go over the contracts we did with the advanced students. I think Moon included language that specified requirements for independent sharing of the materials. She wasn’t trying ta hog the knowledge, but she wanted to be sure only people who knew what they were doing passed it on.”
Ricky listened, fascinated by the inner workings of Moon’s organization. It was obvious most of the people that had worked with her were loyal. But she had her doubts about Chester. He’d been ready to fly off to Kansas without a fare-thee-well and skip the memorial service altogether.
Was Chester the one Moon was worried about? But if she could read people’s hearts, like the glimpse I had when I touched his arm, she’d know for sure what she was dealing with. Why would she ask him to come back if she didn’t trust him? But we have only his word that Moon told him to come back. Maybe it was all an act.
“Ricky, aren’t you going to eat anything? The rest of us are done. We should get to the reading of the will.” Her father’s question and gentle pat on the shoulder brought her attention to the room. She looked down toward the cat, just in time to see Pigeon liberate a piece of chicken from her chowmein.
“Sorry, I was wool-gathering. I guess I’m not hungry. Let’s get on with the important stuff.”
Everyone cleared away the debris, put leftovers in an already crowded fridge, and Beth Ann gave the softly yowling cat some chicken pieces to feast on. With this done, the group adjourned to the living room, where Ricky had placed the envelope with the will.
“I nominate Stan to read the will,” George said. He’s the person most aware of Matilda’s financial status; although I’m sure Beth Ann is almost as well informed.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Beth Ann handed the envelope to Stan with shaking hands. Stan unfolded the document, reviewed it silently for a moment, and then chuckled.
“That Moon is certainly unpredictable. You’re going to love this.” He cleared his throat and read:
“I, Matilda Marie Banner, also known as Moon Angel, make the following bequests of my personal possessions and financial holdings. My home, property and all household items go into the joint ownership of my sister, Rachelle Therese Banner, and my assistant, Beth Ann Aims, with the following stipulations:
1.) Both parties must live within the house as principle residence for at least one year and care for the house cat, Wingless Pigeon, as well as tend to the needs of the house ghost.
2.) If either my sister or Beth Ann chose not to honor this arrangement, the remaining owner will receive full and clear title.
3.) Beth Ann must continue to administer ‘Moon Angel Spiritual Network’ with stewardship
of classes and appointments for at least one year. She may hire an assistant, as she will continue to teach the Reiki classes we have always offered. The estate’s Trust will fund the salary for this assistant. All monies from clients and classes, except for Spirit Communication classes, will revert to Beth Ann, excluding amounts paid to individual teachers hired by Beth Ann.
4.) Rachelle Therese Banner will become involved with a specific spirit communication project set forth by me within documents which will be made available soon after my passing. She must agree to participate as directed for at least one year if she wishes to maintain partnership in the property and retain all other financial bequests.
5.) Rachelle Therese Banner will be the sole owner of the rights to the Spirit Communication Instruction series published under my name by Spirit Song Books. She has all rights to monies generated by this series and may edit or produce additional books in this series after a year’s participation in the project mentioned above. She may also interact with clients using the techniques stated in these books.
6) Rachelle Therese Banner and Beth Ann Aims will receive a monthly income of $5000 each from the Moon Angel Trust to cover personal expenses, travel, and house and property maintenance, as long as they reside at 520 York.
7.) George Linton Banner will receive the contents of my current portfolio and all stocks and bonds contained within, with rights of survivorship going to Rachelle Therese Banner, not dependent in any way on her participation in the above mentioned involvement in Moon Angel Spiritual Network.
8.) George Linton Banner is named guardian of the Moon Angel Trust, which will continue advancing the goals of Moon Angel Spiritual Networks as stated in our mission and charter. He will work with Stanley Anthony Jacobs in this capacity. All of their expenses while performing these duties will be covered by the Trust.
9) If either Rachelle Therese Banner or Beth Ann Aims or both should chose to marry while working for the good, and under the direction, of Moon Angel Spiritual Network, their spouses will be welcomed to become part of this organization and work in partnership with their wives and will be provided for by the Trust and paid for their services. The Trust guardians are authorized to amend this document in anyway needed to further the work and well- being of its principle teachers.
10.) Chester Brandon Townsend will receive ongoing royalties and rights to my book: World Within Worlds, as long as he promotes the work of my organization. He is also recognized, along with Shelia Marie Benson and Christina Dorothy Knowles, as qualified to teach my Spiritual Communication Classes at all four levels. He will be the primary teacher of these classes as long as he continues to remain in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area for at least one year. All monies generated by classes he teaches will remain his own, as is true for Shelia and Christina and any other students Chester deems ready to act as teacher. If for some reason, Chester or any other teacher teaches material not in alignment with the work being done by Moon Angel Spiritual Network, or works in opposition to the Network, he or they will cease to receive tuitions or royalties from the above mentioned book.
11.) All other books, video tapes, and recorded lecture revenues will revert to the Moon Angel Trust to promote its ongoing work. The trust will continue to review the circumstances of associates who are in need of financial support and will come to their aid as determined appropriate by George Banner or Stanley Jacobs. The charitable work which is currently covered by monies received from the work of the Network will continue unless the organizations funded no longer exist or no longer follow principles in alignment with our work.
12.) Jessica Caryn Swanson is bequeathed the sum of $5000. She will also receive my large crystal globe and my Tarot cards and their box.
13.) Dylan Patrick Patton is bequeathed the sum of $5000. He will also receive my collection of malachite figures stored in the redwood box in the teaching level of my home.
14.) Jeremy David Fenster is bequeathed the sum of $1000. To him I return the jewelry and keepsakes stored in the ivory inlaid box that he gave me, as well as the box itself.
15.) Francis Cynthia Fenster is bequeathed the sum of $1000. She will be given the three Indian silk saris that are stored in the closet on the west end of the third level of my home.
16.) After these sums are extracted from my money market account, the balance is the property of my sister, Rachelle Therese Banner, to use as she sees fit, if she abides by the stipulations noted concerning the house.
17.) If any of the current teachers no longer wish to remain in the Network or abide by the stipulations of the trust, Beth Ann Aims and Rachelle Therese Banner are given full authority to appoint others in their stead having the needed training.
I have been blessed with prosperity that will allow Moon Angel Spiritual Network to continue long past my current lifetime. I hope and pray that those named assist me in this process.
Signed, this twentieth day of June, 2001, Matilda Marie Banner.
Stan cleared his throat and wiped tears from his eyes. “Well, it looks legal enough. It’s signed and was notarized at her bank. You’ve got copies here of all the relevant accounts, don’t you Beth Ann?”
Beth Ann stared off into space seeming overwhelmed. “Yeah, ahh, I have the stuff in the office, copies of everything.”
“Some of this is really confusing,” Stan said, scratching his head. “It’s totally different from the will I drew up for her in 2000. I’m not sure what was going on in Moon’s mind, but she obviously knew what she wanted. I know nothing about a money market account or a separate stock portfolio. I thought everything was in the Trust.”
Chester grabbed the Will from Stan’s hand and read it through with a look of building rage. “This is ridiculous. Moon wasn’t thinking clearly. How could she want her sister to be involved in spirit communication? I’ve studied for six years, and she only let me start teaching and seeing clients two years ago. She has Ricky editing the books and using the techniques a year from now when she’s never been trained.” Chester stood up and towered over Ricky, glowering. “As far as I know, you don’t even believe in spirit beings. Isn’t that true?”
Ricky glared back. “I didn’t ask for any of this, Chester. I don’t plan to start talking to ghosts or working with clients. I have no idea what Moon’s special project is or how I’m supposed to find out about it. I don’t know if I want to stay. I had a life in Chicago. I might go back there after the memorial service and leave you guys to sort it out.” Even as she said this, a picture of the hidden recess in the pyramid room flashed into memory. She was almost sure she’d find the instructions there that Moon mentioned in the will.
George planted himself between Ricky and Chester. “Hold on Chester, Moon knew what she was doing. Don’t take it out on Ricky. She didn’t even know what Moon did for a living until she got here.”
Chester sat back down and slumped in the corner of the chair. George turned to Ricky. “Can’t you give it a year, Rick? You said you just broke it off with what’s his name, the doctor, and were quitting your job anyway. If you stay here, Beth Ann can buy you out in a year, or the Trust can buy the house for the Spiritual Network; either way, you’ll be money ahead, and you’ll be helping keep Moon’s dream alive.”
“Not as easy as it sounds, Dad,” Ricky protested. “What am I supposed to be doing in that year, Stan?”
Stan took the will back from Chester and skimmed down to the relevant paragraph. “Right here, it says she has to participate in a special spirit communication project as directed by Moon.” He turned to Beth Ann. “Do you have any idea what she’s talking about? Chester obviously isn’t in on it, or he wouldn’t be so hostile.”
Beth Ann shook her head. “I haven’t a clue. I know about the portfolio and the money market account, but that piece is a mystery. It’ll be difficult to judge if Ricky is fulfilling the terms of the will if we don’t know what Moon meant.”
“Moon made things so exciting,” Stan said with a sigh. “You said you can clear up the other st
uff? Can I review the folders so we know what kind of investments we’re talking about?”
“Yeah the records are back in the office. I’ll get it for you.”
While Stan and George reviewed the portfolio and money market files with Beth Ann, Ricky withdrew to the backyard. She needed to get away from the tension in the room. It was still light out, and a few random insects buzzed around Ricky’s head while Pigeon circled around her feet and dived at victims only a feline’s sharp eyes could detect. Ricky’s thoughts went from muddled to agitated.
How could she do this to me? She’s pressuring me into finishing her project. I’m not trained for this type of stuff. I should walk away. I promised her I’d consider it, but that was in a dream. It has nothing to do with reality. I have to know where to draw the line.
The voice was soft but menacing behind her ear. She could smell the Chinese food on Chester’s breath as he grabbed her around the waist in a powerful bear hug.
“You planned this with her, didn’t you? See, I know how devious Moon could be. People don’t know she was a conniver if it was to her advantage. She called you recently and told you she planned to kill herself, so she could work from the other side, didn’t she? Asked you to take over her work on the earth plane.”
She pulled out of his unwelcome embrace and whirled around to face him. “What gives you the idea you can paw me? Keep your hands off. I’m not into the new age hugging thing, especially with you. And that’s got to be the most idiotic thing I’ve heard anyone say in years. I thought you were devoted to Moon. How could you think that? She did no such thing. She gave you the rights to teach her classes. From what Beth Ann told me, that’ll set you up for life. All she asked was that you stay in the Cities for a year. After that, you’re a free agent.”
Chester’s face took on the little boy pout which she’d seen earlier in the day. “Sorry if I’m coming on too strong for you. I’m feeling betrayed. See, we were like brother and sister after we broke off our engagement. The whole thing’s too bizarre. Why would she give you the rights to a book series you’ve never read or let you work on a special project? You know nothing about spirit communication. She told me at the airport she wanted to work with you, but this is way beyond anything that makes sense. If I were you, Ricky, I’d kiss the whole thing goodbye and fly back to Chicago.”