Rain Dance

 Whew! It has been a long day: I woke up early to enjoy the day, read some, went to game stop to finally buy Dragon Age: Origins for the PS3, and worked my final day at my current job. Today is a day about change and moving on into my future career as an engineer! It has been a long four years in my small college town and I'm going to miss everything about it: my friends, my coworkers, the experiences, just everything. 

To honor my departure I feel like sharing with all of you the best short story I've written, just like Sean shared his last week. Today's story is titled Rain Dance, it's about a young woman who found she had a special skill, the ability to trick people into believing she's a medium. I loved writing this story because I believe anybody and everybody who claims to have psychic abilities are bullshitter's. However, I didn't want to portray her as a parody of them, I wanted to use the tool of writing to get inside her head and understand why someone would pretend to speak to the dead.

The story is quite the read, my longest singular story yet, but I think it's worth it. So I give you all the tale of The Rain Dancer!

I pulled up to Scott’s house ten minutes before my team and I were supposed to enter.  I was alone in my car doing touch-ups to my makeup and outfit while Rich and Keith were unloading the camera equipment from van in front of me. The two had arrived an hour before me to shot some scenic shots and test the equipment. After applying a little more eye shadow and mild blush I looked across the street at my client’s house. It was modestly sized one story house, white wooden walls, trimmed hedges and fresh cut grass. Parked in the drive way was a red Prius, which was more than enough to give me information on who I’ll be dealing with: he is environmentally friendly, educated, and physically active. Other than seeing the person themselves, the car is the most useful tool for evaluation.

Up until now I only knew my client’s name, Scott, and where he lived, Borealis Estates. Borealis Estates is a small middle class to upper middle class community located near Borealis Lake, about an two hour drive from our studio. It was a rather nice community, the wide streets and lush green grass gave a very at home feeling, kids were playing around with each other down the street while their parents conversed in the shade of the patio. On the other side of Scott’s house was the lake. Taking a huge gulp of air I stepped out of my car into the blinding rays of the sun, the faint aroma of a bar-b-que mixed with the strong scent of fresh cut grass was refreshing from murky mixture of exhaust and whatever other pollutants that filled the air of the city.

“I wonder if they’ll have anything to eat,” Rich said, “I could go for a pizza or something.” Rich wore his signature purple beanie, for not being a believer in the super nature he treated that damn beanie like it was his good luck charm. Resting on his forehead were his newest pair of Oakleys. Combined with his distracting wasabi green v-neck and paper white shorts he looked like he was a colorblind college student.

“Didn’t you eat anything before leaving?” Keith asked him as he mounted the camera on his shoulder. Keith wore a pair of khaki slacks and a red polo with our channel’s insignia on it, a single eye with a diamond iris above it was the name of our YouTube channel: The Rain Dancer. Rich designed the logo himself three years ago when we first started the channel, and wore it with pride after our first year of success, but he now refused to wear it stating it was too hokey.

“Yeah, like three hours ago. Let’s go find that bar-b-que afterwards and get some food.”

“Hey Rain,” Keith said.

“Hey Keith, are you two almost ready?” I said.

“About so,” he said. “Hey Rich, how about you take your mind off of eating for one minute and wire up your sister.”

“She’s a big girl she can do it herself,” Rich said.

“Don’t make this any more difficult,” Keith said wiping the lens of his camera.

“Its fine,” I said, “I can do it on my own.” Rich handed me the microphone, I hid the black box inside my dress and attached the mic on the neck. “How do I look?”

“Beautiful as ever Rain,” Keith said pointing his camera at me, “and ever more beautiful on camera.”

“I hope so, if not then you might need to get a new camera.”

Keith laughed then checked his watch. “Five minutes to go, are you ready Rich?”

“Almost,” he said holding up his camera, “I just need to make some final adjustments.”

“Alright, how about you Rain, got your lines set?”

“I was ready before I even got here,” I said.

“Then you know the drill, and action.”

“Today I have arrived in the pleasant neighborhood of Borealis Estates, behind me in the house is the home of Scott. As you all know, I have never met Scott before nor seen his face, to do so would interfere with my powers. But I have a feeling he will ask me to make some financial predictions for him.”

“And cut,” Keith said, “take a breather and rerun it with other possible predictions.”

I reran through the script changing the last line each time. Finding love, contacting the dead, the wellbeing of family members and friends, personal success, all were things people typically consulted me for, and through the magic of editing I could be the one who knows all.

“This Scott guy seems pretty well off, how about we go back to the old way of charging for a reading?” Rich said after we advanced towards the house, he was walking in front of me with the camera on and focused on my face.  “He’s obviously stupid enough to contact us, so asking for a little cash shouldn’t be hard.”

“Shut up,” I said maintaining my confident expression.

“I’m serious,” he continued.

“Be quiet Rich,” Keith said, he was trailing behind us two. “YouTube hits are sufficient enough for all of us.”

“Keith’s right,” I said, “I through with that. We’re here to consult people to make them feel better, that’s it.” And hopefully be noticed by a major TV network, I kept to my self.

“Come on, it will be just like good old times before the cameras.”

“Quiet, you’re running the shot,” Keith said. I had arrived at the door, we stopped. “Action…”

“Hey don’t take my line,” Rich said, “director’s orders.”

“Alright Rich, if you want to, say it.”

“Annndddd Action Rain!”

The door was a nice deep red, possibly cherry oak or wood stained to fill the part. In the center of it was a bronze knocker and a peephole, no windows. Windows are very useful of getting a first impression of the client’s personal life; it’s possible to learn a lot just with a brief glimpse before ever setting foot inside. In one aspect it’s great to tell if someone has children or not, kids typically left their toys in the foyer for some reason. By gauging the furniture, décor and size and style of the TV, if visible, you can make estimates on their lifestyle and income level. Everything is important, but the lack of windows serves as a mild inconvenience, within a few seconds the door would swing open, and I will be invited into the private life of Scott.

I used the knocker instead of the doorbell. On the other side I heard two voices, one male the other female. The wood was too thick to hear their words, but it sounded vaguely like a small argument. A few seconds passed and I knocked again. The argument silenced, I heard the woman’s voice then the man’s, he sounded like he surrendered or lost, and his voice grew smaller while the woman’s grew louder. I took a step back, the door swung inward.

On the other side stood a smiling woman, she appeared a few years younger than me, probably in her mid twenties. Cherry blonde with hazel green eyes, her makeup was minimal, only a small application of mascara and glossing of the lips. Around her neck was a silver chain necklace with a red ruby in the middle.

“I can’t believe this is happening!” She said, almost jumping. “You’re actually here, this must be a dream. Oh no, where are my manners. I’m Lydia, Scott’s fiancé.” She extended her right hand.

“Pleasure to meet you Lydia,” I said shaking her hand, “as you know I’m Rain.”

“I’m a huge fan of your channel, I’ve been watching it since your fist I’m a Believer video two years ago.”

“Oh my,” I said placing one hand on my sternum, repeating the same words and motions I said to everyone who told me that. “I’m so flattered; you must be my biggest fan.” The I’m a Believer video was the second most popular video on our entire channel.

“You might call me that, I prefer psychic enthusiast.”

“May I come in?”

“Oh yes, please do!” Lydia said clearing the doorway for me. Rich stepped in first to set up the shot, after he gave me the signal I followed suit.

The foyer was small and homely with wooden floors and a Persian rug sitting in the middle. On the right wall was a painting of a large sailboat on the ocean, the right wall held a pair of small double doors opening into a study. There were no toys present on the floor. The study had your typical arrangement, large desk with a desktop, bookshelf, and a whiteboard. Written on the whiteboard was a hand drawing of a bridge with a series of equations, this was too easy, one of them was obviously a civil engineer.

“Oh my god,” I said after quickly scanning, “your place is so nice. I love your painting.”

“Thanks, but it’s not my place. I’m just visiting. It’s –“

“Don’t tell me, I can feel it in the air,” I took a deep breath and calmly closed my eyes, “this is the house of your fiancé, Scott, correct?”

“You’re right,” she said, “I live in an apartment downtown.”

“Speaking of Scott, where is he?”

“Right this way, follow me.”

We ventured through the house, passing the kitchen, restroom, and living room, I retained everything of significance. Water filter on the kitchen faucet, vanilla scent drifting out of the restroom, and a giant television in the living room with a leather couch, everything was a clue.

We finally met Scott on the covered deck overlooking the lake out back; his back was turned towards us. There wasn’t much of a backyard but the cliff side it sat on provided an excellent view of the lake, speed boats sped along at top speeds pulling inner tubes or wake boarders behind him. On a pier a hundred yards away sat a group of fishermen, their beer cans reflecting the sun’s glares at us whenever they took a drink.

The deck itself was decorated with a wooden round table with four chairs around it, a hummingbird feeder and a fire pit. To the right of Scott was a gate leading to a set of stairs that descended to the lake. Everything about his house just shouted young professional.

“You must be Scott, I’m Rain from the channel Then Rain Dancer,” I said. Rich motioned to Keith to focus on Scott.

“I know who you are,” he said turning to face us. He was around Lydia’s age, his hair dark and gelled, his eyes as blue as the lake behind him. He wore a black digital watch and a button down shirt. For a moment his face showed he was upset, as if noticing it he switched to a more relaxed state. “Lydia is a huge fan of your channel, so I’ve seen a few videos.”

“So she’s told me,” I said. “This is a really nice place you got here, and the view over the lake is just spectacular.”

“Thanks,” he said, “can I offer you something to eat or drink?”

Rich responded like a Pavlov’s dog, by jolting his head in Rich’s direction while attempting to keep the camera focused on me. He looked at me and nodded.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Alright, cut,” Rich said. “Keith and I will set up the next shot.”

Rich decided to shoot outside on the deck. I sat at the wooden table opposite of Scott, his eyes focusing on everything but us. His behavior wasn’t abnormal, having dealt with his type before, the logical thinkers who tend to have their doubts. I didn’t bother me, you get these kinds a lot in the business, not because they wanted to do it but because a close friend or family member put them up to it, in this case Lydia’s enthusiasm made it so transparent she was the culprit.

“I’m sensing you’re uncomfortable with us here,” I said breaking the silence. Scott glimpsed at me then Rich and Keith who were still prepping the shot. Lydia was still inside getting us snacks and drinks. “I’m picking up a name, is it Lydia?”

“What do you mean?” He focused his vision on me.

“She’s a very caring woman, and she loves you deeply. She asked you to do this because she loves you.”

“She does,” he said the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, “and she’s been trying to make this happen for some time now. It’s just that—“

“That you’re logically minded to believe it,” I interrupted.

“How did you know that?”

“I have the gift,” I said smiling. He smiled a little in respond but quickly returned to a blank expression. “It was blessed to me, I didn’t ask for it, but I couldn’t be happier. Helping people is my joy and my lifelong passion.”

A skeptic! This is what I needed for my second break out video, there’s no better way to convince someone you’re legit than a skeptic being transformed into a believer. I motioned to Keith; he caught my notion and began filming.

“So tell me about yourself and Lydia, are you an engineer of some sorts?”

“I’m a civil engineer actually; I got my degree from the University of Texas. Where I met Lydia, we didn’t date in college but we were good friends then. We fell out of contact for two or three years after graduation, but coincidently found ourselves in this small town. Been dating every since.”

“That’s so romantic, it must be true love.”

“I guess you can call it that,” he said.

“You don’t guess true love. I know it when I see it. I can feel your souls entangled with each other, you two are soul mates.”

I heard the door open behind us; Lydia walked out and sat a tray with drinks on it on top of the table.

“Thank you so much Lydia we were just talking about how much Scott loves you,” I said taking a sip of my tea. “This tea is amazing did you brew it yourself?”

“No,” she let out a little laugh, “it’s actually store bought.”

“You have a great taste in tea then,” I said taking another sip.

“How about something to eat?” Rich interrupted.

“I’m so sorry, I forgot about that, what would you like?”

“What do you have?”

“I can make some sandwiches, or a bowl of fresh fruit grown locally.”

“How about pizza?”

“Sorry, we don’t have any.”

“I’ll take a ham sandwich then, with a side of fresh fruit.”

“Got it, anything for you Rain or you?” She said looking at Keith.

“No thank you,” I said, “the tea will do just fine.”

Keith just shook his head, keeping the camera focused.

“Alright, I’ll be out in a few with a sandwich for you Rich.”

“I’ll join you babe,” Scott said following her through the glass doors.

“Let’s just stay for the sandwiches, then head on down to the lake,” Rich said leaning against the deck railing, “I don’t want to deal with any more skeptic bullshit, we never get anywhere with them. Unless Lydia has a sister.”

“We stay for the whole thing,” I said. “It was the skeptic reel that got us from having to work day jobs to making this fulltime. And what does Lydia having a sister have to do with this?”

“Have you seen here, she’s fucking hot, like in the classic hot sense too. I don’t know how Scott got a girl like her, he’s too awkward. That’s not my point, remember the last skeptic we had to deal with, what was name, James or was it Randy? I can’t remember. He almost made a fool out of us.”

“But he didn’t,” I said taking out a cigarette. Ever since we both crawled out of our mother’s womb together he was always a pain in the ass when he was hungry.

“Only because we paid him off, and I’m sorry Rain but I don’t think we have another five hundred just laying around for every skeptic we encounter.”

“He was the only one to deliberately lie to trick us,” Keith said, he still held the Camera on his shoulder, “the rest were just like Scott, their families and friends pressured them into it.”

“And out of how many of them became a believer,” he made sure to use air quotes when he said ‘believer.’ “Like nine out of forty? You’re amazing at guessing people’s thoughts Rain, you’ve always been, but skeptics are hard to persuade, especially when we all know that psychic powers aren’t real. I mean it’s Keith’s nearly supernatural ability at editing that makes all of this possible in the first place.”

“It was nine out of twenty-three,” Keith said.

“Still less than fifty percent, proof that not everybody is as stupid as most the clients we see,” Rich said. “Does IQ spread through osmosis? I’m pretty sure it does because I feel dumber after every client, maybe Scott’s genius will rub off on me so I can finally regain half the IQ points I’ve lost. As the station’s only director, I say we leave after the food.”

“Will you just shut up Richard!” I said. “We’re here because I’s out job to be here, what happened to the optimistic brother that was eager to make his sister a star and he a famous director?”

“I hardly call thirty-thousand YouTube subscribers a mark of fame, don’t you Keith?”

“I’m content with it, how about you Rain?” Keith said.

“As the main star of and The Rain Dancer, I might remind you that I’m the one everyone looks at, we’re staying here and that’s final,” I said returning to the cigarette and my tea. Rich was right, that’s not enough to be successful, but you have to work to be successful you can’t just pray for it to happen. We sat outside in silence until I heard the door behind me swing open.

“I see you’re enjoying the view,” Lydia said, in her hand was a tray of sandwiches. Scott followed behind her.

“Thank you,” Rich said taking a slice off the tray, “hey Lydia I have a question for you.”

“Sure ask away.”

“Do you have a sister?”

“No, I’m an only child, why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing, I just thought that… that I saw a girl who was a beautiful as you at the gas station on the way here.” I could hear Rich’s voice almost instantaneously transition from confidence to defeat.

“Awe, you’re so sweet,” I noticed Scott shoot him a jealous glare. “Maybe you found my long lost sister.” She laughed, it sounded like a forced one.

“Well now that everything is situated, shall we start the reading Scott?” I asked.

“Yeah, sure,” Lydia shot him a look, “would it be alright of Lydia joined us?”

“Of course she can, the more people here mean more astral energy for me to harness, especially those of a two destined lovers,” I said.

“This is going to be so exciting!” Lydia said, nearly dropping the sandwich tray. Scott just sighed.

            “I cannot get past how adorable you two are,” I said. Scott and Lydia were sitting on the opposite side of the table of me, their backs to the lake so Rich can have a nice scenic view. Keith stood on their side, leaving just enough room to stand out of the shot with his camera on mine. “How long until the wedding?”

            “Well it was going to be this month,” Lydia said, “until something really tragic came up, which is why we contacted you.”

            “Was it a death?”

            “Yes,” Scott said, “how did you know?”

            “It doesn’t take a psychic to know that people contact psychics to confront the dead,” I said. “It’s what I specialize in, as I’m sure Lydia told you.

            “How did they pass, was it cancer or heart disease?”

            “It was murder,” Scott said coldly. I didn’t expect that, not once had I had to deal with murderer, it’s always cancer, or heart disease or car accidents.

            “It was his aunt,” Lydia said grabbing Scott’s hand, “she was murdered off the coast of Florida. I’m not sure if you were heard of it, it was on the news a while back, I think they called it the Huntington Murder-Suicide.”

            “Oh god,” I said, “I didn’t know that was your aunt, Natalie right? I’m so sorry to hear that.”

            “She was like a mother to me,” Scott said his voice began choking up, “she did everything to make sure I had this life, and her psychotic boss had to snap and kill her. She didn’t do anything to deserve it, she–.”

            “Scott,” I said, “calm down Scott, nobody ever deserves death, it’s life’s cruelest gift. That’s why there are people like me out there, mediums who were given the gift to channel spirits so we can make amends with our lost loved ones. Everything will be alright.”

            “I tried everything,” Scott continued, “therapist, family, friends, and even alcohol, but nothing worked, this was my last resort, only because Lydia convinced me. No offense Rain.”

            “Don’t feel frightened, I can feel the strong and intelligent soul inside you, you’re a strong man Scott. Have you ever seen a reading before?”

            “Not really, only a few clips that Lydia showed me.”

            “Alright, then Lydia and I will walk you through this, but before we start can you tell me what it is you want to talk to your Aunt about?”

            “I want to tell her about the engagement, and thank her for helping me so much.”

            “That’s very nice of you,” I said. “Now I want you two soul mates to hold each other’s hands and both of you to hold onto mine.”

            They obediently followed my request.

            “Alright Scott, I want you to close your eyes and focus on the happiest and most personal memory you have with your aunt Natalie. Lydia, I want you to focus on how much you love Scott, from the deepest part of your soul.”

            They both closed their eyes, I felt Lydia’s grip tighten while Scott remained the same strength. I halfway shut my eyes and bent my head slightly downward, a trick I taught myself a long time ago. I would pretend to be psychic around Rich when we were young as he made me guess what he was holding or doing with my eyes closed, but in fact they just appeared that way due to the angle of my head. I began my signature mantra.

            “Spirits of Heaven, I come to you once again to request passage into your astral plane. I bring with my two Earthly Souls, one of Scott the other, his soul mate, Lydia. Our stay will be brief, but your influence on these two souls will be substantial,” I felt Lydia’s fingers tighten around my hand, like a firm handshake every believer shared this tightness. Scott’s remained flaccid.

            “Guide us to a spirit who tragically lost her life and entered your plane at an age all too young, she shares the bloodline of Scott, her mortal name was Natalie,” Scott’s grip slightly tightened, it was his body subconsciously sharing with me that I piqued his interest. I silenced myself for dramatic effect. Scott opened his eyes.

            “Scott,” I said, “close your eyes and focus on the memory.”

            His brows raised in surprise and he shut his eyes, I love doing that to people.

            “Are you focusing Scott?” I said.

            “Yes,” he said squeezing my hand some more.

            “Feel your soul slowly leave your body, our bodies are nothing be vessels for the Earth. Don’t feel scared as you travel to the time of the memory, once you have it in detail channel it into me.”

            “How do I do that?”

            “Souls are like bodies of water, and when bodies of water connect they form rivers. Imagine an astral river flowing between our souls connected through my grip to yours. Lydia, I want you to help push his spiritual energy into mine, understood?”

            “Yes Rain,” hey voice was so focused like a solider taking orders.

            I paused again, leaving the only sound the faint buzzing of the speed boats as the zipped around on the lake.

            “Once you found the memory, squeeze on my hand, don’t tell me it will only distract you.”

            Instantly he squeezed, that was fast.

            “I see a room,” I said. Always guess a room.

            “Within the room are two people, a man and a woman” his grip remained steady. So far so good.

            “They are standing,” his grip loosened a little. “No they are sitting, sitting at a table, a kitchen table.” His mouth curled into a little smile. Confirmed.

            “She is handing him something,” I said. Always assume it’s a gift of some sort if it’s a treasured memory of an older family member. “A gift, a gift that can be treasured forever, something to show her motherly love to him. It’s a…” Think Rain, remember the news reports, Natalie was a CFO of a hotel chain in Florida, was it an investment? No it can’t be, the company crashed just a year ago. A car? No not meaningful enough, especially not a Prius. It can’t be jewelry either. He’s a successful man with lots of money, which means it could only be… “a check, for school!”

            His grip tightened, and his smile grew larger. Jackpot!

            “She’s offering to pay for your education because your mother couldn’t, that’s how much she loves you. Awe Scott that’s so sweet.” That comment must have phased him because his grip loosened a little.

            “Spirits,” I continued, “I give you the treasured memory of Scott. Please guide us to her spirit so he can finally make peace with her. I temporarily grant my body as a vessel for her spirit to posses as she pleases,” now for my favorite part. I took a deep breath and ever so slightly tilted my head backwards, giving the impression that I was being possessed. This was mostly for the camera since Scott and Lydia’s eyes remained closed.

            “Scott,” I said, “focus all your energy into my body, and don’t let go. I can feel her spirit entering my body, but I need energy to maintain it, same goes for you Lydia.” His grip went from a mild handshake to bone crushing within a second, Lydia’s was just as strong. I bit my tongue.

            “Scott dear?” I said, fully opening my eyes.

            “Yes Rain?” Scott said.

            “Rain isn’t here anymore,” I said looking at him, “it’s me Natalie. Open your eyes sweetie.”

            “Aunt Nat?” Scott said he looked surprised but still maintained the skeptical undertone. “Is that really you?”

            “Yes dear, oh how much I miss you,” Lydia opened her eyes; her face bared a huge grin.

            “I miss you so much,” a tear rolled dropped down his cheek, “I’ve been watching you from high above, it makes me so happy to see how much you’ve gown. You’ve become a strong man.”

            “It’s because of you Nat,” Scott said his voice choking; “you inspired me to attain all of this.”

            “And this must be the lovely Lydia,” I said shifting my attention to her, “my you’re so pretty in person.”

            “Thank you,” she blushed, “It’s so good to finally meet you.”

            I saw Keith signal for me to cut the act.

            “The feeling is mutual,” I said. “As much as I would love to stay here, my time back in the living world is short, for what purpose did you grant me Rain’s body to inhabit?”

            “I wanted to tell you that Lydia and I, are…” He was on the verge of tears, never before had I seen a skeptic so easily convince, and I was hardly trying my best. He couldn’t even finish the sentence, when he burst into tears.

            “We are getting married,” Lydia said.

            “My Scott is marrying this beautiful girl? Oh I’m so happy for you, I wish I could be there for the wedding.”

            “You can watch us from above, can’t you?” Lydia asked.

            “I will, I’ve been watching all my family from the astral plane. Scott, I can feel you slipping away, please hold on.” His grip tightened.

            “Thank you, I love you Scott. I must have grown weak in age, because my spirit is slipping. I love you, and I will watch far from above. When you arrive her please join me.”

            “I miss you so much, thank you for everything.” Scott said.

            And with that I dropped the act, he was convinced. Another one for the I’m a Believer Part Two reel.

            “Scott, it’s me again, Rain,” I said. He seemed hesitant on letting go, but he eventually did.

            “Thank you,” he said, tears still rolling down his cheek. Lydia let go and hugged him.

            “It’s what I do,” I said.

            “Thank you so much,” Lydia said and pat Scott on the back.

            We left a few minutes later, all three of us feeling better. Never before had we filmed an episode that emotional, if that clip doesn’t get us famous I don’t know what will.

            “I told you so,” I said to Rich before he entered the car with Keith.

            “Yeah, whatever,” he said, “I still wish she had a sister.”

            “See you two back at the studio,” I said and got into my car.