Chapter 36
Dark clouds loomed ominously overhead. A flash of lightning was followed by a deafening clap
of thunder.
The sound was so close that I was startled and crouched down, covering my ears in fright. I
was terrified out of my wits.
When I looked up again, I saw the aromatherapy diffuser on the table had fallen right in front of Shane. The diffuser had broken in two, scattering its contents across the floor.
Grandma, struggling to stand with her cane, was startled by the shock. She nearly tumbled backward. Luckily, Rebecca quickly caught her and held her steady.
“Mrs. Schultz Senior.”
A devout materialist, Shane was shaken to his core by the diffuser that had plummeted before
him.
Grandma’s face turned ashen and her body trembled as she spoke. “This is a disaster! What have you done to provoke the gods?”
“Mrs. Schultz Senior, I haven’t done anything! This is just a coincidence.‘
”
Rebecca knew how much Grandma believed in this bad omen, so she quickly called for the helper to clean up the room.
“Mrs. Schultz Senior, it’s merely a coincidence. Don’t let it bother you. You should get some
rest.”
“Rebecca, lately my heart has been racing, and I’ve been dreaming about Ally every night. It’s been over ten days now, and she has never gone this long without calling me.”
Shane’s color drained. He was fully aware of my close relationship with Grandma and my frequent visits. No matter how busy I was, I always made time to call Grandma. I couldn’t possibly ignore her.
Shane, sensing that something was wrong, nervously asked, “Mrs. Schultz Senior, she hasn’t called you these past few days? Are you sure?”
Grandma glared at him. “Why would I lie to you about something like that?”
I saw his face turn pale, and it seemed like something had crossed his mind. He looked unsteady on his feet as if he was about to lose his balance.
Had he finally noticed something was wrong with the bloodstained wedding dress at the police station?
Just then, the helper’s voice came from outside the door. “Mrs. Schultz Senior, you have a package from Ms. Allison.”
Chapter 36
2/2
As soon as Shane heard my name, he quickly stepped forward and took the package. The sender’s information confirmed it was from me.
The package’s arrival seemed to ease his tension, and he hastily opened it. Inside the wooden box, he found a lucky charm and a birthday card I had sent for Grandma.
I specially obtained this lucky charm from the Celestial Church through respectful prostrations. I hoped it would help keep her healthy.
At that time, I had planned to leave after the wedding ceremony. So I had arranged for a young man who frequently sent me packages to deliver this gift today.
Luckily, I made it in time for her birthday.
Grandma was holding the lucky charm and reading the card, tears welling up in her eyes again.
Rebecca rushed to comfort her. “This is a sacred charm from the Celestial Church. I’ve heard that such charms aren’t easily obtained.
“One must make respectful prostrations from the base of the mountain to its peak. Only then will the religious master bless them and grant the charm.
“Ms. Allison really goes the extra mile for you, Mrs. Schultz Senior.”
Grandma’s anxiety finally began to dissipate. “Since she sent a gift, she should be on her way. Please have someone meet her at the gate.”
“Okay.”
Shane couldn’t take his eyes off the charm in her hand. He grabbed Rebecca’s arm. “Rebecca, are you saying that obtaining this charm requires prostrations?”
“Yes, it’s a grueling climb with 39,999 steps from the mountain base to the summit. Seeking this charm requires a whole day of prayer, and many people with weak bodies can’t make it half the way.”
I knew Shane was recalling the year he encountered an earthquake. Before he departed, I had sent him to the airport, smiling as I handed him a lucky charm.
He had never been religious. But because it was from me, he had carelessly put it in his wallet. He had touched my bruised forehead and asked me what had happened.
Thad laughed it off, saying I’d bumped into something. He didn’t press the matter.
