While the case was moving along, rather slowly, some of the team were given vacation time. Miles and Brook are still on their honeymoon, Mac, John and Clarence are already on vacation. So I said Astrid could go visit her parents in Sweden, Engla and Aasta went along too. It was Aasta’s first time going to Sweden and she was quite excited.

Aoife and Beryan went to visit Aoife’s family since they were both friends from Ireland and Beryan’s family will not speak to her, so this will be nice for her. And Aoife’s family always welcome Beryan like she was another daughter. Amber begged to go along with them too and Aoife’s mom said she would be very welcome.

Aoife said her mom would make Amber another daughter after hearing that Amber has no family now. Here at home things are nice and quiet, which we are all enjoying very much. But, my back was getting worse by the day. “Have you been lifting the girls again?” asked Sky. “No,” I said, “my back has been too bad for that, and they have not been jumping on me either.”

“Then you need to see Dr. Jorgenson and maybe have a new MRI done,” she said, “I don’t like this at all.” I tried to calm her fears a bit by saying it was just because Beryan is not here to massage my back. “Aletia could do it,” said Sky, “she is supposed to be very good.” “Well, I don’t want to overburden her when she just got here,” I said. “There is no one in the clinic right now,” said Sky, “she is probably bored. Jennifer is also good, she has massaged your back many times.”

“Oh, right, that would be much better than bothering Aletia,” I said smiling. “Aletia is a nurse, you know,” said Sky sighing. “Yes, but Jennifer knows me better,” I said. Sky called Jennifer to our room. “Steve needs a massage,” said Sky, “and maybe you can see what is wrong with his head too.” Sky then left but reminded Jennifer to lock the door so the girls don’t come running in unexpectedly.

“Your back seems to be getting worse,” said Jennifer, “that is not good. Perhaps you should see…” “Sky already mentioned that,” I said, then I paused, “I’m scared Jenny. I wish Kat could do something to help, even just a little. I know she has tried before, but maybe this is something new, maybe if you asked her…please?” “Okay,” she said as she continued massaging.

Soon Kat was at the door and Jenny let her in. “How did you do that?” I asked Jennifer. “We have a new way to communicate, nice and quiet so others do not hear,” said Kat, “something new I developed.” “Is this another secret,” I asked, “or can I get in on this one?” They both giggled. I like to hear them giggle, it is actually quite calming. I need that right now.

“Yes, we will let you get in on this one Steve,” said Kat, “and we will try it for a while to see how it works. Then perhaps the whole team can also join in, it might prove very beneficial.” “Steve’s back is worse again,” said Jenny, “would you like to check him out and see if you can help? Even a little?” Kat looked at Jennifer and she could tell she was concerned. “I will see what I can do,” she replied.

Kat then took over feeling my back, holding her hands over the area that was causing all the problems. She kept it up for quite a while, and Jennifer lay on the bed beside me holding my hand. The next day Kat was back trying again, Jennifer was back again too. Sky and Galyna were busy teaching the kids. “Steve, I sense trouble,” said Jennifer. Then I got a call from Annelie.

“Trouble Steve,” she said, “I lost the cats that are with Aari.” I immediately called Aari, but no answer, so I called Kristina and she answered right away. Relief. “Hi Kristina, what is happening over there?” I asked. “I beg your pardon,” she said indignantly, “my name is not Kristina and how did you get hold of my phone number? Do not call again or I will get in touch with the police!” She then promptly hung up.

Suddenly the power went off. “Manual override of all systems,” I said. Jennifer jumped up and unlocked our door right away. “Back up power on now,” I said, but nothing happened. Oddly, our phones quit working as well. “Serious danger at hand Steve!” yelled Jennifer and she ran down to gather our family together to bring them up here.

Soon Sky and the girls were here, plus Dawn, Marlena, Catalina, Galyna and Tracy. All of the cats came inside too, except Rascal, Bandit and Tiia who were at the clinic getting their quarterly checkup. Once inside Jennifer locked us in. We heard a couple of very loud explosions and soon, loud banging at our bedroom door…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.