Atria (Chapter 14)

The next turn, or day in earth time, Atrius approached Ashley, demanding an explanation. Past life meetings weren’t as nonchalant as they appear to an amateur; Atrius considered them one of the most important parts of a spirits journey, sharing their knowledge for the benefit of others. “Ashley” Atrius snapped, “I don’t recall seeing you at the latest past life meeting” he finished glaring at her. Ashley considered her options in her mind; she could both apologise and then explain herself in a highly remorseful voice, hoping that Atrius would understand, or she could stand up for what she thought was right, glare back at Atrius and risk being sent back to Tiara. Before her last life, she would have chosen the safe option, but now, she knew that love could conquer anything and she chose the latter. She glared straight back at Atrius and said forcefully, “Well I am sorry sir, but with all due respect, despite what you say about the importance of past life meetings; I just found out that Jamie will be moving on before the end of the orbit. On your command. I feel more than justified in missing the meeting to console the spirit that I just happen to love. I am sorry if you disagree, but on how many occasions have you told me that Inner peace for every spirit is the most important thing within this existence.” Ashley resisted the urge to fold her arms, purely out of respect for Atrius, she agreed with most of his principals and she wasn’t going to let one disagreement ruin the last time that she would get to spend with Jamie. For a moment, she thought that Atrius was going to yell at her, but he didn’t. He sighed, sat down beside where Ashley was standing and said softly “I understand.” Ashley looked puzzled and dropped to the floor beside Atrius. “What?” she said slowly, “I understand” Atrius continued “You are right, there is no way I could punish you for learning, by missing the meeting, I can see that you have truly learnt what I feared you would not” Ashley was shocked, this was not what she was expecting. Atrius continued “Thank you Ashley” he said, “for teaching an old spirit one of the most important things that anyone has ever taught me. I didn’t realize what I was doing. You are welcome to disregard all organized meetings for the remainder of the orbit. Help Jamie all that you can, hold her, and never let her go.” Atrius said. He smiled sadly, patted Ashley on the shoulder, stood up and walked away without another word. Ashley where she was for a long time. She knew that she was right, but to have Atrius compliment her like that, it was inconceivable. After she had had time to gather her thoughts, she stood up and walked over to the fountain and sat on the edge, dipping her feet into the bizarre substance within. She heard someone walking up behind her and snapped her head around. It was Jamie. Jamie sat down on the edge of the fountain beside Ashley and put her arm around Ashley’s shoulders. Ashley began to weep and buried her head in Jamie’s chest. “I can’t believe I am going to lose you” she sobbed “It just isn’t fair” “I know” said Jamie softly “Atrius told me what you said to him, and how you have permission to forget about all of the meetings for the rest of the orbit” she paused “Until I leave anyway” Ashley was just wiping the last of her tears when Jamie said this and she spontaneously burst into tears all over again. “You know, what you said, it really made me feel special. “Really?” Said Ashley “Really!” Confirmed Jamie, “No-one has ever done anything like that for me before, it actually stunned me” “Well what would you have done” Ashley asked in a mock stern voice. “Jamie looked at her, she didn’t need to say anything, that moment when their eyes made contact, they didn’t need to say a word, they were so connected. For the first time in her existence, rather than looking forward to the turns to come, she dreaded them. She knew in her heart that every turn that passed, she was one turn closer to losing Jamie forever. She approached Atrius, asking for advice, and he only told her one thing, one thing that it would take Ashley an eternity to discover the true meaning of. “Take each day as it comes, and cling to every moment, then, when the moments are gone, you are left with memories to cherish.” Although Ashley didn’t fully understand this, she took it to heart and made the best of every second that she had with Jamie. The turns passed and the fateful day came all too soon. Ashley had completely forgotten that she was due to leave for another life the day after Jamie left and was unpleasantly reminded the day before Jamie’s departure. As much as Ashley willed with all of her heart that the day would never come, it did. Ashley walked with Jamie over to the departure table and helped her lie down. She kissed her gently, salty tears pouring town her face and then stepped beck. Atrius stood up to make the final speech. “Jamie, I hope that you have taken all that you can from your time in existence. You have made a difference to so many spirits, and so many lives. Thank you. Ashley wept and Tennille held her hand. She wished that Casey could have been with her to help her say goodbye but she was a little busy being a Moroccan Princess. Atrius raised his arms and just before Jamie became surrounded by smoke, she turned her head to look at Ashley, and smiled, in the very instant before she disintegrated into smoke, Ashley was sure she saw her mouth the words, I love you. When the smoke had wafted away, Atrius stood up again. We have lost a dear friend, but sadly, this is the way that things have to be. Please, cry if you wish, do not cling to grief, grief causes hurt and hurt will interfere with the delicate energy balance that you all posses. Be blessed all. With that, he stood down. Ashley took his advice again. She cried and cried and cried. When her tears finally subsided she realized that she had taken Atrius more seriously than she realised. She had clung to every moment, and now that there were no moments left, she could close her eyes and feel Jamie’s presence, in her memories.1