18 comments/ 12811 views/ 6 favorites Jersey Love: Apple Dreams & Release By: LunaEroticaMystica Author's Note: "Jersey Love: Apple Dreams & Release" is my entry for Literotica's - 2011 Halloween Contest. I'm sorry it's taken so long to post. I hope the length doesn't scare too many people away. I know it's long, but I had to follow where the story led me. Thanks for your patience! This is a Romance story through and through, but there are strong paranormal elements present which made categorizing this story difficult. I hope the young spirit who influenced it finds peace. Note: This is a continuation of "Jersey Summer Love", but is also a stand-alone story. You need not read the first story to appreciate it. I hope readers of the last story are satisfied with this one! There was such a resounding wish for more Raina and Logan, that I worked hard to bring you the continuation. This story is for all of you! I have to give a huge thanks to estragon for copy editing for me. Thank you also to MidniteRose for reading and offering feedback as the story progressed. Please Read, Vote, and/or Comment and ENJOY! I love feedback, and constructive criticism helps me grow as a writer. Thanks so much! ~~~~~ Raina gazed up at the early October sky. The moonless night lent itself to a dazzling display of stars. She lay side by side with her boyfriend Logan on the neighbor's trampoline, two houses down from hers. It was midnight and she knew that soon she would have to go home. Logan and his two friends would have pile into their work van and sleep for the night. They lived in North Jersey and she and her family lived on the Jersey Shore. The boys worked during the week at Logan's father's auto-shop, but came on the weekends to visit Raina and her sister Coral. During the summer, all of the summer "bennies" stayed at Jack and his father's house, coined the "summer house." But with Labor Day a month gone, most of the summer visitors had gone back up north until the next summer season. Coral had a way about her that made most people agree to anything she asked them. The girls and guys had devised a plan to allow the boys to spend the weekends into the Fall months in such a way that the girls' parents would allow the boys to camp out in their van in front of the house. Their parents even agreed that it was a great idea. Raina was still flabbergasted that it had worked. She thought it was doomed to failure; parents agreeing to let teenage and college-aged boys camp out in their driveway with their teenage daughter's only a few feet away seemed impossible. For the past month, the plan had gone along swimmingly. She was still waiting for her parents to wise up or put a stop to the visits. For now, she was enjoying the benefits! Raina knew that her Mom was a lot wiser and more in tune than she let on. After all, she was their age at one point. But it was more than that. It was like her Mom had some type of sixth-sense about things. She always knew what was going on around them and she had these gut feelings. Her feelings were so strong that family learned to heed her warnings. She saw through people and quickly sized them up. You couldn't get things past her or trick her. It was a trait that annoyed the hell out of Coral. Raina shared in this ability too and often found herself alone, even in a crowd. Their upbringing was definitely a bit different than that of their friends. While there were certainly boundaries set for the two girls, there had also always been an open-communication and open-door policy in their house. The girls could talk about anything with their parents without judgment, and the house was always open to guests; friends needing a place to escape or crash were welcome with open arms. "Are you sure Jack's Dad won't mind that we're over here?" Raina turned her head and nuzzled Logan's cheek. He squeezed her hand and flipped onto his stomach, lying on top of her. "All we're doing is hanging out on his trampoline. It's not like a bunch of people are over here partying and getting wild. There's no one here to worry about invading their space. I'm sure it's fine." "What if I want to get wild?" Raina smiled coyly, gazing up into his sea-blue eyes. "We can get as wild as we want in my van, baby," Logan replied, kissing her lips. "What if I want to get wild right here on the trampoline?" she suggested. The last month or so had seen a positive change in Raina. She had her old spark back and a confidence that had always been hidden beneath fatigue. Other people had remarked on it too; Logan was good for her. "As hot as that sounds, I'd rather save that for a time where no one is around, including your parents. You're a little temptress, you know that don't you? Get a small taste of love in the outdoors and you want it all the time now." Logan slid his leg between hers. Raina laughed. "It's all your fault! If you weren't so amazing with your hands and mouth and tongue and manhood, I wouldn't be craving you all the time." "Did you just call my cock my "manhood?" He twisted a strand of her red hair around his finger. "Mhm, got a problem with that, Mister.?" Raina tugged on the waistband of Logan's jeans and slipped a hand down into his boxers. "Oh my. Excited already?" "I've been excited." Logan cupped her breast. "Come on, let's go to the van." He released her hair. "Great idea." Logan jumped off the trampoline and helped Raina slide down. He grabbed her hand and they walked to the front of Jack's house and then across the neighbor's yard. When they got to Raina's house, they tiptoed up to the van where Logan pressed her against the door and kissed her lips. She wiggled, feeling his hardness against her, an ache forming deep within. The scene put her in mind of the day she gave her virginity to Logan during the summer. She had had her first orgasm while riding on the back of his motorcycle and was flustered and aroused when he pried her off the bike. He had noted her condition and had backed her up against the bike with suggestive words. Things had felt right to her. His patience and understanding nature was enough to let her guard down and let him in. He had been tender and patient and careful with her. It had been perfect. "I want you," she told him, "so bad." "Shh." Logan reminded her, gently laying his hand over her mouth. She licked his palm and then nipped. "What was that for?" he whispered as he slid the van door open. "A preview," she grinned. Logan held up his finger for her to be quiet and pointed into the van. Raina peeked her head in, hearing sounds coming from inside. She saw a blonde head in the back of the van and heard a girly giggle and then a sigh. "Are you sure that was your first time kissing?" a young male voice asked in disbelief. "Uh huh. Why? Did I do it wrong?" the girl's voice asked nervously. "No, it was....my first time kissing too," the boy said shyly. "Oh. Want to try again?" Coral asked. "I think you should go in the house now, Coral. It's bedtime." Raina broke into the conversation, realizing she had just walked in on her little sister receiving her first kiss. Coral turned her head and blushed probably for the first time in her life. "Well, shouldn't you be going to bed too?" Coral shot back at her sister. "I'm older." "Goodnight Ryan." She blew him a kiss. "Night," Ryan mumbled. "I guess you should go now too, huh?" Logan asked Raina. "Yeah. Raincheck." She gave Logan a quick kiss. "Bike ride on the boardwalk tomorrow?" He asked. "Yup, goodnight." She blew him a kiss. *** In the morning, Logan stretched, kicked off the blanket, and rolled to his knees to peek out of the van window. He smiled when he saw his beautiful girlfriend standing on the top step of the front porch. Raina rubbed her eyes, probably to remove the sleepies the sandman had left, he assumed. The morning sunlight shined on her copper hair which was bedraggled from sleep. She looked adorable in her capri pajama pants and matching tank top. He could see the soft swell of her breasts beneath the fabric and licked his lips thinking about how responsive she was to his touch. When she got a little closer, he'd be able to see just how perky they were this morning. He knew she was coming out to wake him up and greet him. He was about to lie back down and make the pretense of sleep, wanting to see what his impish pixie had planned for him, when he saw her falter on the step. She grabbed the railing to steady herself as her legs went out from under her. Logan slid the van door open with a slam and ran to her. "What's wrong?" he asked, catching her and gently easing her to the step. "My knee just went. I'm fine. Thanks." But he could tell she wasn't fine. Raina had told him that she had Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and that she was in chronic pain, didn't have a lot of energy, and was weak. But other than her knee going weak at the boardwalk a month ago, he hadn't seen it until very recently. He had been noticing when they'd hung out lately, that she'd yawn a lot and have to walk slower, asking to sit down at regular intervals. She had also been scattered and unable to focus for too long. "Maybe you should go to the doctor." Logan sat beside her. "The doctor won't tell me anything different than usual or do anything different for me. It's pointless." He could see the frustration on her face as she tried to regain her footing. "Does it hurt?" "My knee doesn't hurt, that's just weakness," she said stubbornly. "But my body does ache." Raina's Mom, Jennifer walked out and sat next to her. It was her idea to be called by her first name. It took Logan a little while to call her that. He had been taught to use proper names. Logan figured Jennifer must have seen Raina go down too. "Raina, I saw you fall. I really think we should go back to the doctor and see if your medication doses need to be changed. Ever since you started that new one, you've been off-kilter." Logan saw the concerned look on her Mom's face. "I'm okay. I just need to sit down." Raina looked pale to Logan. "What are your plans for today?" "We were thinking of going for a bike ride on Seaside boardwalk." Raina stood. "Do you think that's a good idea with how you're feeling?" Logan could see that Jennifer wanted to say more, but held back. "I'm tired of my body ruling me, Mom. It'll be fine. I'm not a baby." Jennifer sighed. "I know you're not and you can go. But this conversation isn't over. I'm making you an appointment." "Fine." Raina stood on her wobbly knees and use Logan's arm to climb to the top step. Logan felt awkward seeing the look of determination on Raina's face meet the frustration on Jennifer's. Raina opened the door and stepped into the house. "Raina, maybe your Mom's right," Logan interjected. "Not you too," Raina complained slamming the door. Logan jumped up to follow her. "Logan," Jennifer said gently. "Don't. Give her some time. Take her to the boardwalk and ride bikes together. She'll see on her own that she should have listened to us. Raina's a strong-willed." "But it's un-needed." Logan countered. "I agree it is. But maybe it's what Raina needs. You aren't going to tell me fine now too, are you?" Jennifer chuckled. "I had thought about it. You have some pretty pouty daughters, if you don't mind my saying." Logan grinned. "You apparently don't have sisters." Jennifer joked. A pained look crossed Logan's features and she hurried on with, "and they don't get that particular trait from me," she laughed to lighten the mood, "that's all Steven." "Really?" Logan asked surprised. "You tell him I said that and you're toast, Logan." Jennifer warned. "Now I will say, fine." He laughed when Jennifer smacked his arm. *** The Seaside Heights boardwalk was empty, just the way Raina liked it. This was her favorite time to come. No tourists were crowding the beach or clogging the boardwalk. The beach after the summer season was over was the perfect place to reflect and write. Peace and quiet and inspiration. She lived for Autumn; for the crisp Fall weather, the breezy days and cool nights, the smells of apple pies baking, pumpkin bread fresh from the oven, and fallen leaves; and the most gorgeous sunsets seen all year. Although she had a small notebook and pen with her, today she was enjoying the ocean view on a bike ride with Logan. He was keeping at a leisurely pace for her benefit, but she found she was even struggling with that. "Can we slow down? I can't keep up." She called over to him. "Why don't we take a rest?" Logan suggested, squeezing the breaks of his bicycle. Raina pulled up next to him and set her bike against the railing. She sat on the bench and rested her feet on the lower rung. "How are you doing?"Logan took a seat beside her. "Good," Raina lied. She didn't want Logan fawning over her. She was fine. She just needed a break to catch her breath and rest her legs. She was determined to finish the length of the boardwalk. She saw Logan's eyebrow lift, but he stayed silent. "Are you hungry?" "Always," she smiled brightly. "Not much is open right now though." "Berkley Sweet Shop is open." Logan mentioned the well-known candy store. They had the best salt-water taffy. "I saw the lights on when we rode past." "Nice. I could go for a caramel apple." Raina's mouth watered at the thought. "With peanuts or without?" Logan stood up. "With!" "I'm going straight for the candy apple myself. You stay and rest and I'll go get us our apples. Want a hot cocoa too?" "You know how to make a girl happy. Extra chocolately please." "Should we add a massages, manis and pedis to the list of things that make you happy?" Logan asked. "Only super gentle massages. Manicures and pedicures are more Coral's speed." Raina smiled. "I take the job of pleasing my girlfriend very seriously." Logan bent, kissed Raina and walked off in the direction of the candy store. Raina admired him from behind. He was such a sweet guy. She couldn't believe how harshly she had misjudged him upon first meeting him, all over something as silly as his demographic. Logan was unlike any boy or man she had encountered so far in her eighteen years. Granted, she hadn't had a lot of experience with the opposite sex, but she knew that he was a diamond in the rough. He was also sexy as hell! When a sea breeze kicked up, she watched Logan's shoulder-length, blonde hair wave in the wind and sighing dreamily. Then her eyes traveled down his body to his ass. She couldn't believe how good it looked in jeans. All summer she had only seen him in shorts, swim trunks, or nothing. She bit her lip at the familiar tingle between her thighs when she thought about Logan naked. Her thoughts raced in a naughty direction. God, how did she get so lucky? So he was five years older than her. She was over being concerned about that. He had never once tried to take advantage of her inexperience. She was the one who wanted him to be her first. She was wondering if they could get away with an under-the-boardwalk tryst when he returned balancing a bag on top of a disposable coffee carrier. Raina stood to take the bag off and he set the carrier on the bench, handing her a cup of hot cocoa. She put her nose up to it and sniffed, smiling. She smiled as she unwrapped her caramel apple and took a dainty bite, closing her eyes to relish the crisp, sweet flavor. "Mm. It's the little things." "I'm becoming awfully jealous of objects and food when you make those happy little sounds." Logan remarked, smirking. "Pizza the last time, my motorcycle, now caramel apples. Are you having mini-gasms or something?" "Mm, don't be jealous. Mini-gasms? That's not a typical guy word." Raina noted. "Come to think of it, for a guy without sisters, you know an awful lot about girls." "Nah, I'm just a good listener. When females talk, I'm all ears." He laughed. "Well, nothing evokes happier sounds in me than you, I promise." Raina giggled. "Want some?" Logan took a large bite of apple and Raina pressed her lips to his, slipping her tongue in to taste. "Even better. Apples are my favorite food." As they shared the apple-tinted kiss, Raina's cup of hot cocoa teetered on the edge of the bench. "You actually have a favorite food?" He saw the cocoa on brink and grabbed the cup, placing it further back. "Okay correction; apples are my favorite fruit, my favorite juice, my favorite pie, my favorite smell, my favorite--" she trailed off as she saw the cup inch back to the edge. "Um..." Raina blinked a few times. "I get the picture I think." Logan obviously hadn't seen the cup move. "Seriously, when my blood sugar drops and I get dizzy or cranky, an apple is the best thing to bring me back up. If you see me pale or agitated, apple juice or an apple usually does the trick. Add some peanut butter and I'm a happy, peppy girl again." She tried to ignore what had just happened. "Satchel of apples -- check. So uh, you're like a little horse, then. Do you need a saddle?" Logan chuckled and choked on his own insinuation as the cup plummeted to the boardwalk with a hot splash. Raina quickly pulled her feet away in time. "More like a unicorn," she said distracted. "That was weird." "Sorry, I'm a clutz sometimes." Logan's eyebrow rose, "A unicorn?" "I'm elusive and untouchable," Raina sassed. "But you didn't touch the cup," Raina argued. "I think you lost unicorn and innocence status last month." Logan joked, trailing his fingers along her collarbone trying to distract her. "I'll get you a new cocoa." "Well just try putting a saddle on me and see what happens to you." Raina burst out laughing. "Is that a challenge, little filly?" Raina removed the cup of warm cocoa from Logan's hand and climbed onto his lap, straddling him. She took a big gulp of his cocoa. "It might just be a dare." Threading her fingers through his golden waves, she brought his face to hers and kissed him hard, sharing the cocoa and wiggling her bottom to and fro. "I'd much prefer to be the one doing the riding, though." Cupping her ass with his hands, Logan encouraged her to grind while he deepened the chocolatey kiss, tugging at her lips with his teeth. "Mhm, it's a good position for you to be in and I have no complaints, nor am I going to complain about warm, chocolate, Raina kisses. On second thought, how about we just share the whole cup like this?" "Think anyone would catch us under the boardwalk?" Raina murmured in his ear, flicking it with her tongue. "Sharing is nice, but nobody gets in the way of me and my dose of chocolate, especially cocoa." "I'll have to remember that." Logan lifted her and stood, taking long strides down the ramp. "It is a public place, miss play-it-safe." He set her on the ground. "And we don't have a blanket on us. Of course we could always use our sweatsh-sh --." Logan stared as Raina wiggled out of her jeans, threw her sweatshirt on the ground, and tossed shirt and bra aside. She stalked up to him and yanked his sweatshirt off of him, tossing it next to hers, and knelt to unbutton his jeans. "Shut up and take me," Raina demanded, releasing his cock and lying back on the makeshift blanket, waiting. "I thought you wanted to ride me." Logan tugged his jeans down. "Leave them on. I changed my mind. All of this saddle and riding talk has me so hot and wet. Ride me Logan." Her voice begged. "Plus, my knees couldn't handle much else," she added. Logan knelt and pulled her panties off, nudging a finger inside "You are wet. Aw man, I don't have anything." He remembered they used the last condom last weekend. Raina lifted a packet to his eyes and he shook his head. "But I do," she grinned. "Hurry, put it on before sense returns to me and I worry about us being seen and arrested." Logan obliged her by tearing the packet open and slid it on, lowering to her, guiding his length slowly into her. Jersey Love: Apple Dreams & Release "I love when you take the initiative, baby. But where'd that shy summer girl go?" "She's dating an older, more experienced man." Raina quipped and gasped as he slid all the way in. Logan dipped his head and caught a nipple in his mouth, grinning when she arched up to meet his thrusts. "I don't-" Raina panted, "hear you complaining." "Never. Any sand wandering into any cracks or crevices?" Logan pulled back and eased in. Raina's legs gripped him and he rocked inside her. "No. But...argh." Her voice was frustrated. "But, what? What's argh?" Logan stopped moving, concerned. "I'm just getting tired." She frowned "Oh." Logan sounded a little disappointed. "If that was your preview of trampoline fun, I'll be dreaming about it all week." He kissed her nose and pulled out, sitting beside her. "It's okay, Raina. It was just going to be a quickie, anyway." She nodded glumly. "It was fun!" "Come on, we should get dressed and finish our bike ride." Logan helped her stand up and then caught dher when her knees collapsed. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Raina huffed, breathlessly. "I thought the bike ride would be easier on my body than walking." "Well you didn't plan on a quick love-making session either," Logan pointed out. Raina looked at the ground, "or did you?" "I might have. No, the sex didn't hurt my knees. You were gentle enough." "Whew, I tried to be." Logan breathed a sigh of relief. "Do you want me to get the car and put the bikes away?" They walked back up the ramp and Raina sat on the bench. "Yeah, I think that would be best." Raina picked up his cocoa and took a sip while she watched him walk down the boardwalk. She smiled and waved when he stopped to pick her up a new cup of cocoa. She had been having a lot of fun being so naughty with him and was mad that her body didn't agree. Frustration was the word of the day. *** Logan pulled into the driveway and unloaded the bikes. When Raina didn't get out of the car he walked over to her side. The door was open and one foot was on the ground. She was whimpering. "Rain?" "I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't really move." "Are you in a lot of pain?" Logan's EMT skills went into motion. "Don't move." He bent and touched her knee gently. "Does this hurt?" "I hurt, but I'm really stiff and just can't move my legs." Raina winced. "If your Mom's home, I'll go get her. Otherwise I'll take you to the hospital." Logan straightened and turned, smacking right into Jennifer. "No need. I knew she was in trouble." Jennifer answered Logan's unasked question. "But how did you?" Logan asked. "She just does." Raina added. "Mom, I can't walk." "We'll help you. Hold onto each of our arms and we'll guide you." "This is ridiculous," Raina mumbled as they walked her into the house and helped her sit on the couch. Her Mom walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone to call the doctor. Raina sighed. "I was going to ask if you wanted to catch a movie with me, but popcorn and movies on the couch might be a better idea." Logan said. "A movie sounds great." Raina's Mom walked back out. "Do you mind if we watch a movie tonight?" "That's fine. You have a doctor's appointment for Wednesday." Jennifer told her. Raina nodded. "Logan, would you mind picking up a pizza if I call it in? You boys are welcome to join us for dinner before you head back home." This was the first time Raina's Mom had asked something of him. "Sure. You'll be okay if I leave?" Logan asked. "Yeah, I'm just dizzy. I think I'm going to lay down." "Do you want me to pick up the movie while I'm out?" He kissed her forehead. "Yeah, surprise me. I just don't want to watch something with guns and bombs, anything else I'm fine with." "Come on in after you talk to the guys and you can tell me what you want on your pizza," Jennifer told him. "Okay." Logan left in search of Ryan and Mark. *** Logan found the boys down at Jack's house pulling crab traps up from the lagoon. Ryan dropped the trap and turned to him. "Is Raina okay?" he asked. "I don't know. Her Mom invited us to have pizza with them. We have to pick it up in a few minutes. What do you guys want?" "Lots of pepperoni." Ryan replied. "I'm really glad I'm not working on Wednesday. I think I'm going to come back down and check on her. Can you guys cover for me with the van?" Logan didn't need a speech from his parents about Raina and her health again. His aunt had similar issues and his mother was biased because of it. Living at home at twenty-three sucked sometimes. But he was grateful his parents let him stay there while he saved up money for his own place. He only had a few more months before he had enough for a down payment. "Yeah, sure." Ryan said. "I'll make something up that doesn't have anything to do with Raina." "So is your sister always so sick?" Mark asked Coral as she walked out of the water and joined them. "Sometimes. Why?" Coral's voice was defensive and almost challenged. Logan was glad to know that Coral cared enough to stick up for her sister. "Just wondering. Why was she fine at the beginning of the summer but now she can't do stuff with us?" "I don't know. It comes and goes I guess. Maybe the changing of the seasons is making things harder on her. You aren't going to stop hanging out with me because my sister is sick, are you?" Coral was worried. "Nah. As long as she isn't contagious it's fine. You're fine, right?" Mark asked. "Yeah. It's hard on Raina. She's so used to people leaving her life, mostly boys." Coral sat on the dock staring up at Logan. "She doesn't trust that you're gonna stick around, Logan. And to be honest, I don't know if you can handle it either." "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Coral." Logan frowned. "Just sayin'. Anyway, I want mushrooms and sausage on mine. Mark?" "Just cheese." Mark answered, re-baiting the crab trap. "I wonder how many pizzas they are planning on getting. I think we just complicated the menu. Oh well. Coral, want to come with me? I need to pick your brain on a movie Raina might like. She told me anything but guns and bombs, but you probably know what she likes most." Logan figured getting Raina's sister's feedback would be the most helpful. Plus, he could feel her out on which of his friends she really liked. He promised the guys he would do that for them. "Oh yeah. I'll just run over and give Mom the order." "Okay." *** Logan deposited the pizzas on the kitchen table and found Raina curled up on the couch in the sun room. She had wrapped a blanket around herself. He popped the DVD into the player and walked up to her. "Are you cold?" he asked, taking a seat next to her. "I'm always cold, even in the summer. Did Coral tell you that I used to wear gloves in school?" Logan took her cold hands in his warm ones. "Like winter gloves?" He brought their hands up to his mouth and blew warm breath into them. "Yes. I have Raynaud's Phenomenon with the Fibromyalgia. It's a circulation disorder where when my hands and feet sense cold they tingle, can go numb and turn white -- hence being cold. It's not fun." "It's a good thing I have warm hands then, isn't it?" Logan winked. "It is. In school it was bad. They always kept the air conditioning on, it seemed even in the winter. The other kids thought I was a freak. I guess looking back now at the sunglasses I wore for the migraines and the gloves for the cold, I was. Not to mention I practically lived in the nurse's office. Oh well, at least I got a free pass to nap whenever I needed to, until the doctor took me out of school and considered me home-bound." Raina chewed on the little piece of skin hanging from her chapped lips. "You're going to make it bleed." Logan said, touching her lip with his fingertip. "Probably right. I'm just nervous about telling you this stuff." "Still nervous?" Logan frowned, rubbing her hands to bring warmth. "Logan, we've only known each other a few months now. There's a lot you haven't seen yet when it comes to my condition." "It's lucky that I have someone in my family that has it too, isn't it? And that I'm such a good researcher. Raina, are you going to fight and push me away every time I try to get close to you and learn more about you? Every time you have a flare-up? Should I not even bother?" he asked in frustration. "That's up to you." When Raina cast her eyes to the floor, Logan lifted her chin to his eyes. "You aren't the same girl I met mid-summer. What happened to her?" "She's tired." Raina yawned and tried to look away. "You don't want me in your life?" he questioned. "I didn't say that," Raina sighed. "Then tell me what you want. Tell me you want me in your life. If you tell me to leave, I will. If you tell me you won't open up, I'll go. If you tell me you are pushing me away for whatever reason, fine. But don't leave me hanging. Please! I love you, honey. I don't expect to hear the words back from you until you are ready to say them, but I do. And I want you." "Logan, I don't know how. Can we just watch the movie now?" "Okay. But just think about it for me." Raina nodded, shed the blanket and climbed into Logan's lap where she rested her head on his shoulder. He pulled the blanket back up and rested his chin on her head, holding her as he started the movie. *** Raina's parents peeked in on the young couple, unbeknownst to them. "Do you think it will last?" Jennifer whispered to her husband Steven. "He seems to really care about her," Steven observed. "He's young yet. I can't see a kid his age having the patience. Raina barely has the patience for herself most of the time." "He's more mature than most boys his age though. When I was in my twenties I wouldn't have been able to deal. But I think Logan has been proving himself." Steven spoke up for the young man, putting his arm around his wife. "If he leaves it will break her heart." Jennifer snuggled into his embrace. "I can't bear to see her heart broken again." "If he breaks her heart, we'll be there to pick up the pieces," he reminded. "She has to grow. She's been sheltered for so long." "True and it might just be Raina that breaks Logan's heart, which she will if she doesn't share her feelings with him." "Come to bed, my love. Let them work it out while I help you relax and forget your worries about our daughter. You know I'm good at that." Steven's hand slip up to his wife's hip. "With the kids in the house, Steven?" Jennifer admonished as he nibbled on her neck. "We could always sneak out to the boat." Steven waggled his dark brow. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this." Steven slid his hand further up and kissed her. She whimpered. "I could use some forgetting, though. And you are good at that. Actually, you're quite simply the best. I just need to grab something in case we need a little inspiration." "Oh, I love when you talk dirty, Jenna. Don't leave me waiting long," Steven punctuated with a playful swat to her ass as she dashed from the room. *** When Jennifer and Steven walked back into the house, they had to stifle their giggling. Jennifer swept her strawberry blonde hair back into a ponytail and pointed to Steven's fly. "That was so naughty, studmuffin! Barn door's open." "Just like old times, my sexy vixen." Steven quickly zipped his pants. "Even the corny names." Jennifer laughed. "I don't hear any sounds coming from the sun-room. Wanna go check on them?" Steven suddenly said. "Yeah. I'll check on these two and you go bring Coral in. She's probably either at Jack's house or in the van playing video games with the boys," Jennifer supplied. "If she's with them, she's in trouble because it's past curfew." "Okay." Steven started heading out the door while Jennifer headed into the dark sun-room. "I'm going to check her room first. She might already be sleeping." "Good idea. She had better be." A blue glow coming from the TV letting her know the movie was over. She found her daughter's head in her boyfriend's lap, both of them sound asleep. She walked over and lifted the blanket from them. Logan started and opened his eyes. "Huh? Oh. Hi Mrs...uh Jennifer." Logan replied seeing her Mom staring down at him. "Tired, Logan?" "Me? No, Raina fell asleep. I was just resting my eyes," he explained. "Sure you were. Well, you should probably head back to the van now. You have to leave for work early, don't you?" "Yes. We have to leave at five am." Jennifer looked at the clock on the wall. "That's only two hours from now." "It's three already? Geez. Okay, I'm leaving. Do you need help getting Raina to her room or are you going to leave her there?" "Sleeping like a baby," Steven announced walking down the hallway. "She didn't break curfew this time. Hey Logan, bit late isn't it?" "I was just leaving," Logan yawned. "I'll wake her up. She probably needs to brush her teeth anyway," Jennifer replied. "Oh, don't wake her up. It took her so long to get comfortable. She was shifting around so much. I felt bad. Here, I'll carry her to her room for you," Logan volunteered. "I can handle it, Logan," Steven said. "I've been carrying her to her bed since she was little girl." He smiled. But without waiting for an answer from Raina's father, Logan bent and lifted her, blanket and all into his arms. "Or not," Steven shrugged and let Logan pass, watching him follow Jennifer down the hall into Raina's room. "Do you boys have enough blankets in there? Are you warm enough?" she asked with concern as she watched Logan gently tuck Raina into bed. He turned. "We're fine. Thanks. Goodnight." "Goodnight Logan. Thanks for helping me get her to bed. Drive safely tomorrow." "You're welcome. I will." Jennifer turned to find her husband watching Logan intently as he disappeared into the van. "Well that used to be my job," Steven harrumphed. "Must I remind you that Raina could be away at college now, living in a dorm, and we'd have no idea what she was up to at all?" Jennifer asked him. "I know. You're right. It's a good thing she didn't accept that scholarship though. It's good she is waiting to go away. She's too sick still." "Steven, we can't protect her forever." Jennifer gently reminded him. "I know you're right. I'm not like this with Coral and she's our wild child. It's only since Raina's been sick that I've been overprotective of her." "You know, that's a good point. I think Coral is beginning to feel left out with all that's been going on. Maybe you and she should spend some quality time together. I know she was talking about going on a haunted ghost tour this month." Jennifer smiled seeing Steven's interest piqued. "I'm sure she'll be going with Mark and Ryan to something like that." Steven schooled his features. "Maybe you can share with her some of your experiences of when you were a ghost hunter," Jennifer suggested. Steven perked up, "Really? I thought you said Coral was too young." "Might do those boys good to be shaken up a bit," Jennifer laughed. "Besides, maybe Coral has some latent talents we don't know about, too." "She would be taking after you in that area," Steven said. "Those were our glory days, weren't they?" "Yes, they sure were. Our Coral is extremely inquisitive and communicative. I think she'd make a great investigator. Who knows?" "I'll talk to Coral about it tomorrow," Steven grinned excitedly. "And I'll work around to somehow talking to Logan. That boy has some sorrow in his eyes. Have you noticed?" Jennifer had sensed a sadness around Logan when Raina first introduced him to them. "I did. But I figured that was your forte. Is there a presence with him?" Steven asked, knowing his wife's gifts with spirits. "If there is, they are doing a good job at evading me." "You'll find the right time." He stroked her back. "Or the spirit will intervene, if there is one. One way or another it will happen," she agreed. *** Raina yanked the covers up over her head to block out the morning's sunlight. She moaned as her head pounded in pain. Or was it the door? An incessant pounding sounded on her bedroom door. She heard the music blaring next door and thought about going over and asking the her sister Coral to please turn the volume down. But that would require dragging her achy butt out of bed and confronting the loud mouth. "Raina," a soft voice spoke from the other side of the door. "Hey, are you awake? Class starts in a half hour." "I'm not going," she groaned. "You didn't go last Friday, either," the voice reminded her. "You're only a month into the semester and you've already missed a few classes. Come on, honey, I know you are hurting but you have to come out of hiding." "Right now, I don't care about anything besides getting rid of this migraine," she replied as she lowered her feet to the carpeted floor and padded to the door. "Please just let me sleep," she begged her Mom whose blurry figure framed the doorway. "I-I really don't feel good." She swayed on her feet and her Mom caught her and walked her back to the bed. "Rainy, are you okay? You look awful." her Mom touched her forehead with the back of her hand. "Gee, thanks for pointing out the obvious," she snipped. Raina stared up at the ceiling. "You're burning up. Get back to bed." Her Mom reached into her dresser drawer and took out her eye mask, handing it to her. "I'm going to make you a doctor's appointment and I'll forgive the attitude until you feel better." Raina continued to stare at the ceiling and then started scratching at her skin. "What are you doing? Raina, are you listening to me?" her Mom asked her when she didn't respond. "Oh gross! Make them go away, Mom. Hurry, ugh they're on me! Mom, help!" she screeched frantically, tearing at her skin. It felt like bugs were crawling up and down her skin and she was terrified of the spiders crawling on her ceiling, ready to drop down any minute. "Raina, what's wrong with you?" Her Mom gripped her upper arms and held her firmly. "Stop scratching, you're making yourself bleed." Raina tore away from her Mother and jumped into the bed, covering her head with the blanket. "Make it stop!" she cried. "Make what stop?" Jennifer pulled the cover off her face. "Raina, tell me what's going on," Her voice rose in pitch, panicking at the panic on her daughter's face. "Mom, I'm ready for sch-school. Woah! Raina?" Raina's younger sister Coral barged into her room. "Coral, go get me the phone. Right now!" "But..." "No buts, get me the phone now so I can call Raina's doctor," her Mom ordered her. Coral nodded and ran down the hallway. Jennifer climbed into the bed and tugged Raina out from under the covers, holding her daughter in her arms, rocking her soothingly. "Shh, it's okay honey." "Who are you?" Raina was trembling and staring at the back wall. "Mom, what's wrong with her?" Coral's voice asked quietly from the doorway, handing her the phone. "Why are you here?" Raina gasped. "I think she's having a bad medication reaction. She started a new medicine last week and hasn't been feeling right ever since. Coral, go in your room and turn the music down so I can hear the doctor and think straight." "But, I need my music to get ready for school," Coral whined. "Your sister needs me." Her mother's frustrated voice said. "She always needs you," Coral mumbled. "It just so happens that lately, at this time in her life, she does need me more than usual. She doesn't feel well." "She never feels well. Now what?" Coral rolled her eyes. "I'm going to take her to the doctor's. Can you get a ride to school with one of your friends?" "Wait, does that mean she doesn't have to go to college again today?" Jersey Love: Apple Dreams & Release "Coral, does she look like she's in any shape to go to school? Just turn the music down and worry about yourself." "Ugh, it's not fair," Coral huffed. "No, you're right, it's not fair that your sister is sick and needs extra attention. Are you feeling neglected?" "Well, not really. But if you start cutting our spa days because of Raina, I'm going to be mad at you Mom." "Fine. You better get going. Have a good day." "Yeah, whatever," Coral grumped, stomping away. Raina rolled over and hid her face in her Mom's neck. "Good luck at the doctor's," Coral mumbled through the closed door. *** "So, am I going to get to see you this weekend?" Logan asked her on the phone that afternoon. She had gone to the doctor's that morning and they had determined she was indeed having an adverse reaction to one of her many medications. Thankfully the hallucinations had stopped about an hour and half after they started. The doctor just wasn't sure which medication was the cause. Raina and her Mom knew it was the newest medication, but the doctor didn't want to listen to them. And so they were making her suffer needlessly by pulling her off of everything. She wasn't sure how she was going to bear the Fibromyalgia pain without medicine to help ease it. "I don't think it's a good idea. The doctor wants me to detox my body from all of my medicines, cold turkey. I'm not going to be a pretty sight," Raina sighed. She knew that Logan was patient and he said that he accepted her, even being sick with Fibro. and chronic fatigue, but she still had her doubts. Other than some fatigue and weak-knees, which he swooped in to rescue her from, he hadn't seen her on a really bad day. They had only been dating since the summer and only saw each other on the weekends. That didn't lend itself to many moments of seeing her in her "true form" as she called it. "Aw, baby. You're always a pretty sight to me." "Seriously Logan, it's bad. This morning, I thought bugs were crawling on my body and that spiders were going to devour me." "Um," Logan laughed uncomfortably. "It's not funny," Raina cried. "I was hallucinating and really scared. My Mom had to practically hold me down to stop my thrashing." "I'm sorry, Raina. Is there anything I can do?" "Promise you won't come this weekend. I don't want you to see me this way. Please." "But I miss you," Logan told her. "I miss you too. But you won't like what you see. I hate it." "Why are you hiding yourself from me? I can handle it," he promised. "We'll talk about it. I have to go lay down now." "Okay, get some rest. I love you." "Thanks. Bye." She wasn't ready to say I love you. She wasn't sure she'd ever be ready. She wondered how long it would take for Logan to expect her to relate her emotions to him and respond to his profession of love. She wondered how long it would take for Logan to run far from her and her problems. *** Raina had been in bed for a week straight. She was too weak to get up and walk around. Luckily, her parents moved her last year to the guest room downstairs, which was right next to a bathroom, to make it easier and safer when her tutors came to teach her. With the help of her walking stick, she could make it to the bathroom on her own, but that was the extent of her exertion. She struggled to sit up, pushed the TV tray containing her latest 1000+ piece jigsaw puzzle out of the way, and took a few breaths. The doctor said the detoxification process would take a couple of weeks. She hoped it somehow miraculously shortened. "Mom," she called. "Be right there," her Mom called back. "Someone's at the door." Raina's anxiety level shot through the roof. "Please don't let anyone in if its for me. I can't see anyone right now." She pulled the covers up and burrowed beneath them, listening to the voices. "Raina's not feeling well and doesn't want anyone to see her," she heard her Mom explain to the visitor at the door. "Not even me?" Raina gasped when she heard Logan's deep voice. What was he doing here? She made him promise to stay away. "Logan, don't go in there," her Mom warned. "I'm sure I'm the exception to her rule," she heard him say. She listened as his footsteps drew nearer. Was the door locked? Did Mom remember to lock it? Crap, he couldn't see her in this state! "Raina." "I'm sorry, Raina. I tried to keep him out, but he insisted on seeing you," her Mom sighed. "Don't be long Logan. She needs to rest." "Go away," Raina squawked. "I told you not to come. You promised," she whined. "I never promised you. I said we'd talk about it." Logan walked into the room and put his head on the lump beneath the covers. "Baby, come out from under the covers and talk to me." "Ow, don't touch. I hurt all over," Raina complained. "No, don't want you to see me this way." "Aw, how bad can it be?" Logan gently pulled the blanket down. Raina kept her face down, with her hair covering it. He touched her cheek. "Does it even hurt here, too?" He stroked gently. "Everywhere," she said, breathless. "I brought you something. Open your eyes so I can show you." "Just leave it on the dresser and go," she pleaded. Logan swept her hair back. Raina finally met his sea-blue eyes with her tear-stained, turquoise ones. Her eyes changed colors and crying brought out unusual hues. "Rain..." Logan started. He blinked at her, frowning. "Just go," she commanded. "You look..." "I look like shit. Yes, I know and I don't need to be reminded." "No, you look translucent," Logan finished his thought. "I look invisible, great that's even better. Logan, please leave me alone. I can't bear this." "I want to help you." "You can't. I'm really wiped out." "I brought you something to cheer you up. Here." Logan handed her the softest, most cuddly-est, teddybear she had ever seen. The brown fur was like velvet. She held it in her arms and stroked the fur across her cheek. "He's so soft and cute," her lip lifted in half a smile. "I'm glad you like him. If I can't be here to touch you, to cuddle you, to hold you; I figured the bear can take my place." Logan smiled and lifted a strand of dull red hair from her shoulder and tucked it behind her ear. "How much longer is this detox stuff?" "I don't know. But I'm going crazy," Raina said in misery. "I can't think clearly. My body is in all sorts of weird pain. Sometimes it's burning, sometimes stabbing, sometimes pulsating, other times I can't even really feel my body and I feel numb, but just brushing against my skin sends my skin crawling and my teeth on edge." "You've lost weight," he observed. "Are you eating?" "A little. I have no appetite. I just sleep all day and at night. I can't get comfortable. I wish you hadn't come. I hate that you are seeing me like this." Raina tugged her knees up to her chest and tried to bury her face in them. *** "Raina, I have to see you "like this" at some point, don't I?" Logan asked her. He studied her. Her red hair lacked its usual sheen. She had huge blue circles under her eyes. Her cheeks were pale. She trembled and looked like she had lost at least five pounds. Her face was like a contorted mask of pain. All he wanted to do was reach out, pull her into his arms, and hold her until her body stopped trembling. But he knew that his touch would only cause her more pain at this point. He was clueless how to help her. He felt helpless. He realized this must have been how her ex-boyfriend had felt when he could do nothing to ease her pain. "Hold your hand out," Logan said softly. He had wanted to see her last Wednesday on his day off, but was warned away. "What?" She asked as she extended her left hand and held it up to him. Logan pressed his palm lightly against hers. "Does that hurt?" he asked. "Not really." She watched him. "Your hand is so warm." "And yours are cold. But that's what you have me for," he smiled at her sweetly. "Would it hurt if I very gently put my arm around you?" "I-it might hurt, but I want you to hold me. I just - touching hurts," she sighed. Logan wanted to hold her and reassure her more than anything. "Can you move over a tiny bit?" he suggested. "I'll just lay next to you and we can touch hands like we're doing now. That shouldn't be too bad, right?" "Okay, give me your arm." Raina held his arm and sat up, then inched over to make room for him. Logan lifted the blanket and slid in next to her, putting his hand out for hers. She laid her palm in his and turned her face into his neck. "I missed you," she whispered. "I think I'm gonna cry again." "Go ahead. This is an old shirt anyway," he reminded her previous waterworks from when they first met during the summer and how she was worried about getting his shirt tear-stained and snotty. He gently stroked her hair. "That feels good. I love having my hair touched and played with." "Do you like it brushed too?" Logan reached for her brush on the nightstand. "Mhm, but the brush hurts my scalp. I don't think your fingers will though." Logan took the hint and eased his fingers tips through her hair. "It's getting long," he remarked as her head titled and she took a deep breath. "Yeah. How has work been? How's home? I feel bad that I messed up the meeting you set up with your parents. I really wanted to meet them. Were they mad?" "Not at all. I just told them you were under the weather. They understood. I told my Mom that you have Fibromyalgia like my aunt." "What did she say?" Raina asked. "Honestly?" Logan squirmed a bit uncomfortable. He didn't know if he should tell Raina what his mother had said. It wasn't all that positive, but he wanted to be honest with her. "She asked me if I knew what I was getting myself into. You see my aunt is very helpless when it comes to her health and is her own worst enemy. My Mom has been dealing with it with her for a long time now. It wears on my Mom. But she has other problems besides that like rheumatoid arthritis and things like that." "Oh," Raina's crest-fallen expression had Logan rushing on. "I told her that you aren't like that and just because her sister is that way, doesn't mean that everyone who has that condition is the same way. I told her that I love you and want to be there for you. I told her it's my decision, but I also thanked her for her concern." "She's right," Raina said. "You'll see. I wouldn't blame you if you left right now. I'm used to it." "Now, would I have bought you a teddybear and driven two hours to come see you if I was going to turn the other way?" "I suppose not. But your Mom's right. I'm pretty helpless right now." "But you aren't always, are you?" Logan wanted to know. "Listen, I can handle more than you can imagine." "I don't know. Sometimes, I guess. Not always. I try not to be. It's hard." Raina closed her eyes. Logan kissed her forehead. "You should get some sleepy, baby." He watched her yawn. "Will you help me sleep?" Her eyes slit open. "Sure, how?" "Keep petting my hair." Logan watched Raina turn on her side towards the wall. He stroked her hair and gently kissed her shoulder. When her breathing evened out, he carefully got off the bed, tucked the covers in, put the bear next to her, and walked out, quietly shutting the door. *** "You're the first one she hasn't kicked out of her room after five minutes," Raina's Mom's voice said from the hallway. Logan walked away from the door and followed her Mom into the kitchen. Jennifer looked almost as exhausted as her daughter. "How much longer does she have to be off her medications?" He asked. "She has a doctor's appointment next week. It's frustrating because we both know that it was her newest medication that caused the issue. The doctor doesn't want to take any chances and wanted to start with a clean slate I guess. She isn't normally this bad, or hasn't been this bad since high school. She's just going through a rough patch. No one can fault you if you decide you can't handle all of this, Logan. But I do appreciate you trying. Raina can use someone at her side." Jennifer yawned and set about brewing a fresh pot of coffee. "Coffee?" "Sure. Thanks." Logan felt uncomfortable. He'd never seen Raina's Mom anything but positive and upbeat and her defeated attitude didn't sit well with him. But then again he'd only known her for a few months. "Well, I'm here for her." "Did she let you hold her?" Jennifer handed him a mug of coffee and pushed the cream and sugar over to him. He sat down on the tall chair. "No, but she asked me to play with her hair." Logan saw her Mom sigh. She didn't need to know that he was in bed with her. "Her hair, that used to be my job," she sighed again. "I wish I could comfort my little girl. Do you know how difficult it is to not be able to kiss her booboo like when she was little and make the pain go away? To watch her suffer like that, knowing this will be her lot in life? Raina used to tell me that before they found out what was wrong with her that she sometimes would rather have heard a more definitive diagnosis. Even one that was really bad, something that doctors had a clue about, because at least then they could treat her properly. Instead, all the nights of worrying and wanting an answer, the answer she gets is just as elusive as the illness." Jennifer pinched the bridge of her nose and then drained her mug. "I'm sorry for unloading on you." "No, no it's okay. I don't mind. I want to know about Raina's experiences." "You're different than most kids your age, most boys for that matter. Hell, add men into the mix." Jennifer looked at him in a different light. "Logan, if you ever feel like sharing what has caused such sorrow in your eyes one day, I'm here to listen." Jennifer patted his shoulder. "Thanks. I keep telling Raina that. I'm not sure if she'll ever believe me." Logan gave her Mom a crooked smile. "What makes you think I have sorrow?" "Raina will come around. It's a past sorrow. I sense things Logan." Jennifer replied gently, stepping out of his space. "Have you slept with my daughter yet?" She changed the topic and pin-pointed him with her stare. Logan gulped back a breath, "Um. I'm not sure I should be discussing that with you. I'm not sure Raina would want me to. Um...I uh have to go now. Thanks for letting me see her." Logan blushed and rushed to the door. But she stopped him. "Relax," Jennifer laughed. "Sorry for putting you on the spot. I hope you were careful with her and used protection, if you did." She winked. "She's a big girl and we've given her all the tools she needs to make important decisions regarding her body and her life." "Yeah, uh-uh okay, so tell Raina I'll call her t-tomorrow." Logan stammered. "Thanks." "Drive safely, Logan." Jennifer smirked as he flew out the door. *** "Why'd you let him in?" Raina asked her Mom when she came into her room. She opened the blinds to let some sunlight in. Raina winced. "Mom, please keep them shut. My head is killing me." "It's so dreary in here, honey. I'll close the blinds after I open the window to let some fresh air in. It'll do you some good." Her Mom quickly unlocked the windows and shoved them up. A cool breeze drifted in. "Isn't it strange how a century ago they would have sealed up every crevice in a sick person's room?" Raina asked her Mom as she closed the blinds. "Stranger that they would have probably bled you to release the demons and disease." "Eww, that's right. Thank God we don't live back then!" Raina said vehemently. "I agree. So, did you have a nice chat with Logan?" Raina could tell her Mom was curious. "Are you still seeing things?" "I asked you not to let anyone in." She frowned. "You mean hallucinating? No, nothing right now." "I know, but he was really worried about you. I weakened when I saw the teddybear and flowers." Her Mom confessed with a soft smile. "You let me or Dad know if you see anything again so we can report back to the doctor." "Okay. Flowers?" Raina's interest was piqued. "Were they roses?" She wrinkled her nose up. She disliked roses. "He left a bouquet of wildflowers on the table for you. Would you like me to bring them in? There's a note attached." "Wildflowers? How would he know they're my favorite?" And right on cue her answer walked into the room as her Mom walked out. Her Mom came back in carrying the beautiful bouquet of wildflowers. There were plum, mulberry, gold, and orange hues. "Oh, they're beautiful!" Coral squealed. "The perfect colors too. He did good." She smiled brightly at her sister and sat gently on the bed. "You told Logan I like wildflowers?" Raina questioned, taken aback. Their Mom left the room to let her daughters talk together. "He texted me last night to ask me what kind of flowers you like. I told him anything but roses, but let him know you are a nature girl. He picked up on the wildflower hint, himself." Coral flipped open her phone and started typing. "How did Logan get your cell phone number?" "One sec. I'm texting him to tell him he did good." Coral typed fast. "I guess Mark or Ryan gave it to him. They both have it." "Thanks for the telling Logan about the flowers. It was sweet of you to think about that." "No problem. I have to go call Ryan. They're coming out tomorrow. We're planning on doing some Fall fun things. Maybe go apple picking. Oh! We're going on a haunted ghost tour. Dad's coming with us. Did you know Dad used to be a ghost investigator? Way cool!" Coral chattered on animatedly without waiting for an answer from Raina. "All I want to do is go apple picking," Raina sighed. "That's our thing, Coral. Will you pick me some baking apples? My mouth has been watering for an apple pie. Maybe if I'm feeling up to it, we can make a pie together." "Sure. Well, we might not have time to go apple picking with this ghost tour. Anyway, you know what? I think I'm beginning to like nerds better than hotties." Coral chuckled. "If you start liking Ryan, won't that cause problems with Mark? Aren't they best friends?" Raina questioned. "Who said I like just Ryan?" Coral winked. "Coral," Raina's tone took on the big-sister tone that sixteen-year-old Coral hated so much. "Chill out. I'm just sayin'!" Raina rolled her eyes. "I hate that phrase with a passion." "Why? It's a great phrase," Coral pouted. "No. I'd rather a person say what they mean and not sugar coat things or make something sound like less than it is." "Okay, well on that note, I'm gonna go." *** "Mom!" The scream of fear from her daughter ripped Jennifer from her pleasant dreams. She nudged her sleeping husband and then rushed down the hall, crashing into her daughter's room. Raina was soaked to the bone with sweat and had a look of terror on her face. "Raina, what is it?" "It's happening again," Raina cried, her eyes fixed to the wall opposite her bed. "What's happening? The hallucinations?" "Yes." "Spiders again?" Steven asked, coming to stand beside his wife. "No, a girl. I had a horrible nightmare. There was this god awful noise, a roar, shattering glass and then this agony and fear as I saw the tree rushing toward me. I couldn't scream. I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything. All I could think about was my brother and my parents and my friends. What is happening to me?" She pleaded for answers. "That at least answers your question, Jennifer." Steven said quietly. "Do you want to handle this or should I?" His wife was obviously shaken up about this new development in Raina's condition. "She needs her sleep. I'll calm her down. This isn't the time, Steven." "When's the right time, Jenna?" Steven was frustrated. "Soon, but not yet. She's still very weak." They whispered in hushed tones. "What? Someone please clue me in." Raina shouted. Jersey Love: Apple Dreams & Release "Shh, honey. We'll call the doctor tomorrow and tell her what happened. You need to sleep." "I'm afraid to go back to sleep, Mom. Will you lay with me?" "Of course." Raina's Mom climbed in bed and held her, soothing her as she did when she was a little girl. She acknowledged her husband with a nod when he peeked in on them to say goodnight. "Do you think the dream was warning me that I was going to die in a car accident?" Raina asked around a big yawn. "No, I don't think so. Raina, do you have a brother?" She questioned. "That's a silly question. Unless there's some love child somewhere that we don't know about, it's just us girls, right?" Raina looked for reassurance. "Right. Raina, in that dream you said you had a brother. The car accident couldn't be about you. Sometimes we dream about what's going to happen. Sometimes we dream about what has happened already. You need sleep. We can discuss this tomorrow." "Okay, but I know there's something you guys aren't telling me." Raina sighed and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep. "You're right, my perceptive girl." Her Mom kissed the top of her head, then looked across her room at the girl standing there, waiting. "She's new to this. It's going to take her some time. We'll help you. But you need to be patient and let her sleep." Jennifer watched as the girl faded away with a sad nod. She sighed, shook her head, closed her eyes to let the dream pick up where it left off. *** Another week went by. Raina's doctor still didn't think she was ready to resume her medications and she was still very weak. She felt that her body was her enemy and that she was fighting a losing battle with the pain. But worse than the pain was the extreme fatigue. Just getting out of bed to get the bathroom was a feat for her. She was having a pity party and missing Logan in spite of herself. Coral knocked and came in without waiting for an invitation. She nudged her sleeping sister gently. "Wake up sleepy head, it's almost dinner time." She plopped onto Raina's bed excitedly. When Raina opened her eyes, Coral was grinning from ear to ear which made her suspicious. "What are you so happy about?" she grumped, having been awoken from a Logan dream. "I just had my first kiss!" Coral exclaimed. "You mean your second kiss?" Raina asked quizzically, sitting up and turning the radio on softly. "No silly, my first kiss with Mark. The other first kiss was with Ryan." Coral bounced her butt on the bed energetically. "Um Coral, there's no such thing as two first kisses. Ryan was your first kiss, period." "I think it should go based on who is the better kisser. In this case, Mark is definitely the better kisser." "Be that as it may...oh nevermind. Okay, give me the details of the better first kiss and please stop bouncing on the bed, it's jostling me. Oh geez that song again." Raina said hearing the song 'If I Die Young' playing on the radio. It was a country song by a group called "The Band Perry," and it had been playing almost every time she put the radio on, to the point of not wanting to listen to music. "Oops sorry." The bouncing stopped. "Yeah this is a really sad song." Coral agreed. "Well, when we went apple picking today -- " "Wait, you guys went apple picking?" Raina interrupted, disappointed. "Mmhm. Anyway, when we went apple picking, I wanted the most perfect Golden Delicious apple on the tree. But it was way high up towards the top. Ryan was over by the Macintosh apples picking some for a pie, but Mark was just on the other-side of my aisle. I called him over and you know how tall he is. Well not as tall as Logan of course, but he's pretty tall. Anyway, I asked if he'd help me reach the apple. He did. He lifted me up onto his shoulders, but the apple was just out of my reach. So I told him to hold onto the tree while I climbed onto a branch." "You always were a little monkey." Raina laughed, picturing her sister scurrying up the tree to reach the desired apple. "Why was that apple so important anyway? The challenge?" "Hey, my climbing skills came in handy!" Coral defended. "Anyway, I pretended once I was up there that I was afraid of heights," Coral grinned impishly. "You didn't," Raina gasped. "Yuh-huh, I did so. So Mark was all concerned for me and suggested that if I just dropped down he would catch me. I acted nervous and then I closed my eyes and made him promise not to let me fall. I was acting all cute and innocent. He promised me. I jumped down into his arms and hugged him tight and then when I lifted my head up to thank him, he kissed me! Oh Raina, it was a slow kiss too and yummy. I think I'm in love!" Coral flopped back onto the bed, throwing her arms up and sighing dramatically. "Based on a kiss?" Raina asked doubtfully. "It was more than that, it was magic!" She popped back up Raina laughed, "Okay, okay." She sighed. "What's wrong?" Coral was easily distracted but also perceptive. "I'm just sad that you guys went without me and that I can't go apple picking. That's like a big thing for you and I to do together." "I know. You were sleeping. I thought about telling you, but didn't want to upset you. Anyway here," Coral handed Raina the biggest, yellowest, Golden Delicious she'd ever seen. "Is this the very apple that inspired the magical kiss?" "Is it! I know how much you love this kind and felt bad you weren't with us so I got it for you. I hope it tastes good." "Aw, Coral. I think that's one of the sweetest things you've ever done for me. Thanks." Raina leaned over and hugged her sister. "Don't forget dropping floral hints to your boyfriend." Coral reminded, gently hugging her back. "And that too. Thanks." Raina took a big bite and relished the juicy, crispness of the magical apple. "Mmm," she crunched, "this is delicious," she munched, "probably the best," between mouthfuls, "sweetest apple I've ever tasted." Coral watched her sister eat the apple and smiled. ""You're just saying that." "No, I'm serious. I wouldn't lie to you. Did it have a worm?" Raina swallowed hard, thinking about worms in her apple. "I'm glad. No. I know Dad says the wormy ones are the best ones, but I wanted one untouched for you. Oh, so tonight we're all going on a haunted tour down in Ocean City." "Why are you going that far south?" Raina had much more interest in apple picking than ghost nonesense. "I dunno, Dad said there's a haunted hotel he's been wanting to check out. I can't believe our Dad's a former ghost hunter. Way cool! I wonder what else we don't know about our own parents." Coral shrugged. "Anyway, um are you disappointed?" "A little. It's okay you guys should go and have fun and come back with scary stories to tell me. You should take Logan with you too." "I'll ask him. Raina," Coral's face grew serious, "how come you don't want Logan around right now? I know you look like crap and everything, but he's so sweet and caring and I just don't get why you are pushing him away. If he was my boyfriend, I'd keep him with me at all times." "It's hard to explain. I don't want him to have to do things for me. I'm not an invalid," she paused, "not all the time at least. I just don't want him to think I'm weak." "But you are," Coral pointed out, "right now you are." "Yeah." "Hey, my ghost-hunter-in-training, call those boys in for dinner and get a move on. I want to get an early start. I got permission to set up some equipment in that haunted hotel. They say there's a young female spirit that wanders the halls. This will be like the good old days. Fantastic!" Steven interrupted. "And Sleeping Beauty, up and at 'em, dinner time." He addressed Raina after Coral left. "I'm going to eat in here tonight, Dad." "Not tonight. You have a dinner guest that needs entertaining." Whenever her father's dimples showed, she knew he was up to something. "Logan?" "Do you have another boyfriend I don't know about? Don't give me that annoyed look either, little missy. You've been avoiding that boy for long enough. Cut the guy a break, Raina." "Don't you start too, Dad," she whined. "Parents' prerogative. Have you had any more dreams or vis-hallucinations?" "No. But I had a great one of me and Logan on the back of his bike." Raina grinned. "I don't need the details," Steven said as Logan popped his head in. "Ugh! I'm not even dressed," Raina complained when Logan came in and her father left. "Completely nekkid then? I like that." Logan laughed when Raina punched his arm. "God, I've missed you, baby." He gently kissed her. "I've missed you too, despite telling myself to disconnect. Long story. Could you hand me my robe please?" Logan lifted her fluffy pink robe off the hook on the door and held it up so she could slip it on. He got a quick glimpse of her shorts and tank-top nightie. "Not going to bother getting dressed?" He pointed to her robe. "Why? I'm just gonna go back to bed after I eat." "Oh." Logan sounded disappointed as he helped her out of bed. Raina padded down the hallway with Logan as support. Everyone was already at the kitchen table dishing food onto their plates. "Hi Sleepyhead." Her Mom said. "Hi." "Hey, Raina. How are you feeling?" Ryan asked. "I'm hanging in. How was apple picking?" "Cool, got some Macs to make pie with." He responded. "And how was apple picking for you Mark, did you have a good time?" Raina stared at him. Coral gave her a warning glare. "Huh? Oh yeah. It was cool. Coral almost fell out of a tree, but I caught her." "Coral almost fell out of a tree?" Steven balked. "My Coral is like an expert climber. What happened Coral you see a bee or something?" He laughed. "Um yeah, a big fat bee coming right at me. I'm not as agile as I was as a kid Daddy," Coral mumbled. "Well I'm glad you were there to catch her then Mark." Jennifer smiled at him kindly and then winked at Coral. Raina was amazed. She knew there was no way that Coral shared about the kiss with her mother and yet her mother knew something else was going on. Just how did she do that? "Corn on the cob?" Steven asked Logan. "Thanks." Logan plucked corn from the dish and slathered butter on it and set it on his plate. "Logan, you going with us to the haunted hotel?" Ryan asked around a mouthful of home-made mashed potatoes. "This is the first I've heard of it. What's going on?" Logan bit into the corn. "These guys expressed an interest in doing a haunted tour. I suggested we go on down to Ocean City for a ghost tour and to check out a haunted hotel I've been meaning to see." Steven supplied. "I used to be a paranormal investigator in my younger years." "Dad was a real-live ghost hunter!" Coral said louder than she needed to. "A ghost researcher, investigator. There's a difference between them. Ghost hunters who do it for a hobby are in it for the chase and the thrill. Ghost researchers are going at it scientifically trying to prove or disprove the existence of a ghost. Their main goal is to collect the evidence. Then there are ghost investigators who, while they do the same as the other groups, they also provide comfort and reassurance to the people experiencing the haunting. They strive to address the issues and help in any way they can. They also help the spirits and ghosts themselves." "Which kind were you?" Coral asked. "You mother and I were the kind who helped and comforted," Steven answered. "MOM?! You too?" Coral's jaw dropped open at this revelation. Raina just sat back and took it all in. This was exactly the kind of thing she suspected of her parents and she wasn't about to interrupt when they were feeling chatty. "Guilty. Finish your dinners so you can get going. We can talk about this after your trip," Jennifer said. "Logan will you be joining them or are you gonna hang out here?" "Oh um- I uh- nah." Logan stalled. "What are you scared?" Mark jabbed him in the ribs. "Nah. Just, well Raina can't go so I don't want to leave her out." "Sure, that's the reason." Ryan rolled his eyes. "Seriously dude? Or is it because of your..." When Logan shot him a look, Ryan snapped his mouth shut. "Sorry." Jennifer and Steven exchanged interested glances with each other. "I don't mind if you go," Raina interjected with her fork midway to her mouth. "It's okay. Anyway, not my type of deal. I would go if you were going, but otherwise, I'll pass. Thanks for the invite though, guys. Have fun!" "Don't get scared." Raina grinned. "Hey, I'm brave!" Coral argued. "I wasn't directing that at you, silly." Raina chuckled. The boys glared at her then sulked out the door. "Be respectful," Jennifer warned, "Listen to Steven, watch where you step, and stay close together." She stood on the doorstep with them. "Always." "And Steven, don't bring anyone home with you," Jennifer added, giving her husband a kiss and her daughter a hug. "Don't be too rough on those boys either," she said when they left the house. "Aye-aye, Ma'am." *** Logan and Raina were still sitting at the kitchen table talking when Jennifer returned to the house. "So, what are you two going to do?" she asked them. Logan started. Jennifer wanted to figure out why the boy was so jumpy ever since dinner. "I think watch a movie in my room," Raina said. "How about you guys help me make baked apples? You haven't been out of your cave all day Raina. You can sit on the bar stool and stuff the apples with brown sugar." Jennifer reached into the bucket of apples and took out a handful of Macintoshes. "Logan?" She went to the refrigerator and took out the butter. "Sure. Do you want me to core them?" He asked, taking the initiative. "That would be great. I'll wash them and start the oven. I'm sure when they all get home they're going to be famished. Paranormal investigation can be exhausting," she said, knowingly. "I guess if I have my big pillows to sit on I can stay up a little while," Raina relented. "I'll go get them." Logan took off down the hall. "Mom, how come you never told us that you guys were ghost hunters?" Raina asked, as she dipped a spoon in the brown sugar. "It never really came up. Hand me a knife?" Raina tilted back on her stool and got her Mom a knife from the drawer. "Thanks." Logan returned with Raina's pillow and set it on the stool for her. "Are you a psychic?" he asked her Mom. "I guess in a way. I do get gut feelings and have premonitions." Jennifer nodded and handed the washed apples to Logan to start cutting. "Wouldn't an apple coring tool be better?" he asked as she handed him the knife. "It would normally, but I don't want a hole in the bottom otherwise the juices will leak out. So a knife works better. Just cut around in a little circle and then we'll take out the center and Raina can add the brown sugar and butter to the little pocket you made." "But you're more than that, huh?" Logan set to work carefully carving out a hollow. "You're perceptive Logan, almost as perceptive as Raina is. I have abilities. What are your beliefs in the Spiritworld or afterlife?" "Mom..." Raina was shocked at the conversation. "No it's ok, Raina. I don't disbelieve, Jennifer. But I've never seen nor experienced anything to help me believe. It's a nice thought to think that maybe our loved ones go on after they die. I -- ow. Dammit!" Logan slit his finger with the knife. He pulled his hand away. It was bleeding. Jennifer handed him some paper towels to wrap it in. "Logan, are you okay?" Raina asked, reaching across the bar to him. "I'll go get the first-aid kit." Jennifer went out of the room. "Fine fine. It's merely a flesh wound." "Ohmygod, I didn't know you liked Monty Python," Raina said, recognizing the line from "Holy Grail." She started laughing hysterically. "I can't believe you do," Logan said shocked. "Seriously, Dad and I have seen Spamalot like three times. Damn that's deep." Raina swayed on the stool seeing the blood. "Nah, I'm fine. I might need to steri-strip it, but otherwise it's okay." "Mom, do you have steri-strips in there?" Raina asked when Jennifer returned with the first-aid kit. Her Mom removed Logan's hand holding a paper towel from his finger. "Logan, I think you need stitches. That's pretty deep." Jennifer observed. "Raina you might want to look away. I don't know if she's told you, but she doesn't handle blood well, Logan." Both Logan and Jennifer looked over to see Raina's pale face. She turned her head away from them. Jennifer got up and walked Raina over to the couch. "Sorry," Raina wrinkled her nose up. "I can't help. I'm too squeamish." "That's all right. EMT, remember?" Logan pointed to himself. "Oh that's right. Okay what do you need, Logan?" Jennifer opened the first-aid kit. "Just steri-strips and I'm good to go." Logan poured antiseptic over his cut. "Here, will three be enough?" He nodded and Jennifer helped him dress his wound. "All better. Raina, the blood is gone. You can come back over now," he told her. She was staring at the oven intently. "Earth to Raina." Logan went over and stood in front of her. "I'm h-hallucinating again. There's a g-girl." "I'm the one that lost blood, silly. What's going on?" "There's a girl standing there." She pointed. Logan followed her line of direction and shrugged. "I don't see anything." "Raina, we're ready for the brown sugar," Jennifer interrupted. Now wasn't the time to do this she decided. She had to gain control of the situation. "Logan, we'll be discussing these hallucinations with her doctor tomorrow. Raina, try to ignore it for now." She instructed her. "Right, brown sugar." Raina came back over and packed brown sugar into the hollowed out apples. She added a pat of butter to the tops of each of them, mechanically. She watched her Mom pour water in the bottom of the pan and set the apples into the oven. "Go on and watch your movie. These will be done in a bit, but we'll wait for everyone else to get home to eat them. I have to run to the store to pick up a few more ingredients for apple pie. You okay now?" "Yeah, Logan's here. If it happens again...." Raina was referring to the hallucinations. "I'll call your cell phone and let you know," Logan told Jennifer. She nodded. "Thanks Logan. I leave my daughter in your hands." "Mom, I'm a big girl," Raina interjected. "I don't want you alone when you are having these weird reactions. Let Logan take care of you, Raina and get out of those pjs, you've worn them for three days straight." "Thanks, Mom!" Raina grimaced. "Well, you have." Jennifer shrugged, grabbed her keys, and left. *** "You haven't changed in three days?" Logan asked a little surprised. "What, do I smell bad?" Raina frowned. "No, it's just that, Raina," Logan began, then rethought it. "How about I draw you a bubble bath? You can soak and relax. I'll run over to Jack's house. They have a huge selection of Blue-Ray and DVD movies. Do you want something scary?" "Actually, this time of year is when I always watch my favorite family Halloween movies. Make it DVD though." "Like Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic?" he quizzed. "And don't forget Casper. Yeah, how'd you know?" "Eh, you're a girl." He shrugged and then looked away from her. Raina was beginning to get a complex. Every time Logan mentioned something related to girls he grew uncomfortable and she wanted to know why. "A bath sounds great. I'm a chicken when it comes to horror movies," she told him as she took off the bathrobe. "Even if I'm protecting you?" Logan walked up to her. "Can you protect me from my dreams?" Raina ducked out of his reach when he lifted her shirt. "Well, no, but I could hold you while you sleep," he suggested. "Let's skip the scary movies for tonight. These hallucinations have me scared enough as it is." She handed Logan her favorite bath bubbles. Jersey Love: Apple Dreams & Release "Okay." Logan went into the bathroom and turned on the faucet to start the bath. Raina walked in as he was pouring the fruity-scented bubbles under the running water. He looked up and grinned, seeing her standing before him naked. "Candles? Are these apple too?" "Mmhm. That would be nice. Will you stay in here with me? You can go to Jack's when I'm done. Just in case." "Sure. Jets or no jets?" He lit a few scented candles and then hovered his finger over the whirlpool button. "The lightest setting should be okay." Raina held his hand while she climbed into the tub. She looked up at him expectantly as she eased her body down into the frothy bubbles. He pushed the button and she sat up. "Nevermind, no jets. Too sore." She sucked a breath in. "So how long do you think your Mom will be at the store for?" Logan asked, kneeling in front of the tub and stroking her hair. "Probably about an hour. She had mentioned needing to stop at the craft store too, today. Why?" "Is there room for two in there?" "Logan, I don't think -- I'm too touch sensitive right now." "Even if I just hold you?" Logan kicked off his shoes. "Well," Raina considered, "I guess just gently holding, but no funny business. Promise?" "I promise." Logan had already yanked his shirt up and over and was already working on the fly of his jeans when Raina answered. He shucked his pants and boxers and climbed in. "This is a pretty big tub," he remarked as he slid in behind Raina. "Yeah, it's nice." Raina snuggled back against his warm chest. Logan's strong thighs cradled her as his arms came around to rest on her abdomen. The water lapped against her sensitive skin as she felt Logan's hands slide slowly up to her breasts to circle the nipples. "Logan, we said no funny...Ah." "Close your eyes. I'm trying to help you relax. Does this hurt?" He swept her hair off her shoulder and pressed his moist lips to the skin at the base of her neck. "No." "And this?" While one hand played with her nipple, Logan's other hand slowly made its way down to the apex of her thighs. He stroked the soft fuzz. Raina's abdomen tightened as she parted her thighs slightly. "No." "How about this?" Logan slid his finger slowly along her slit, gently pushing in. Raina gasped. "No." "That's as gentle as I'll be. Turn around," his whisper slightly demanding. "What? No." Raina furrowed her brow. "Raina, turn around. I want to see you." She whimpered. "This feels too good. I don't want to turn around." "I want to make it feel even better. Please baby, turn around." He caught her earlobe in his mouth and sucked on it. She arched her back and carefully turned to face him. He helped her reposition herself so that her legs were on either side of his body. "Don't worry. No funny business," he reiterated. "Wow, you're hard." His hard cock was pressing against her. "Scooch up so you don't have to worry about my particular problem getting in the way." She did as he asked and when his arms came around her, he gently lifted her up and maneuvered her so that her back was against the back of the tub and he was on top of her. "You're slick." She tried to sit up and licked his lips. "I might be slick, but you are soaked." Logan pushed his finger in and brought it out. It was glistening with her juices. "Can I taste?" Logan cupped Raina's ass in his hands and lifted her up. He lay down in the oversized tub so that his face was positioned with her stomach. "You're so sneaky. I'm not going to be able to hold myself up for long." Raina braced her arms on the top of the tub. "I'm strong. Just lie back and let me make you feel good." *** Raina looked like an enchanting mermaid with her head tilted back and her red hair streaming in the water. She watched Logan with her intense grey eyes as he lowered his head and kissed her stomach. He wanted to give her pleasure with both hands and mouth, but his hands were busy holding her up out of the water. He'd have to do with just his mouth. "You're so beautiful." Logan whispered as he nuzzled her clit with his nose. Blowing a gentle breath, he watched the skin on her legs prickle up in goosebumps. He gently flicked her clit with his tongue. When her body lurched at the sensation he held her steady. "Don't hurt your head," he told her when she lifted her head and dropped it back with a sigh. "Tell me if it's too sensitive." He surrounded her clit with his mouth and sucked gently. Raina gasped. "Too much, too much." She squeezed her eyes tightly shut. Logan eased up on her clit and lapped at her outer lips. He licked his lips. The scent of the apple bubbles filled his senses. "You really do love apples, don't you?" "I told you," she opened her eyes to see his head between her thighs and groaned as she felt herself cresting on an orgasm. "You taste as sweet as an apple, that's for sure." Logan wiggled his tongue between her lips and then sealed his lips around her clit. Raina panted and had to grab his head to keep from falling back into the water. Logan toed the drain handle to release the water. Raina shivered at the sudden cool air and gasped. As the water drained, he set her down in the tub to finish what he started. He looked up to see her playing with her nipple and grinned, softly pinching the other nipple. Raina wiggled impatiently. Logan's finger explored her folds as his lips and tongue pushed her to the precipice. Joining a second finger, he made a scissoring motion within her as his lips sealed around her clit driving her over the edge. Raina squeezed her thighs around his head momentarily forgetting the hard surface of the tub and the pain she was in and growled out as she orgasmed into his mouth. Logan eagerly lapped up the juices and giving one last slurp, released her, rising up to join her and share a kiss with her. Taking note of her chattering teeth, he scooped up some of the apple-scented bubbles and lathered them over her breasts and sat back to watch the trembles ease from her body. "Let's get you out of here and into bed," Logan helped her stand after she recovered enough, wrapped a towel around her, and lifted her into his arms. "Wait, my bathrobe." Raina tried to reach for the robe from the hook. "I'll get it once I tuck you into bed. We should hurry before your Mom gets back." She nodded in agreement and clung to his wet neck. "We're trailing water. She'll know something's up." "I'll dry it in a minute. Stop worrying so much." He kissed her nose and entered her room, setting her on the bed. "Hurry. I hear a door!" Raina said, alarmed. Logan dashed down the hallway to mop up the water, throw his own clothes back on, and put the bathroom to rights. At the sound of the door Logan rushed to the foyer. *** "Do you need help with your bags?" Logan asked Jennifer as she bustled in with two armfuls of groceries. "Sure, I have more in the trunk. Thanks, Logan." "No problem. I always help my Mom with heavy lifting. She has a bad back." "Appreciate it." Jennifer said as she watched Logan go out to her car. When he returned with the rest of the bags she asked, "How's Raina? Has she seen anything else?" "She's comfortable in bed after a bubble bath. She didn't tell me she saw anything." "Oh good, I'm glad she finally bathed." Jennifer sighed. "Yeah, I'm going to go get a few movies over at Jack's now. Hey listen, Raina's birthday is on Halloween right?" Logan asked. "Yes it is." "Do you guys have any plans?" "Well, usually Raina hands out candy to the trick-or-treaters. I know she and Coral were talking about a Halloween party down on the beach. She isn't usually into parties as you have probably realized, but any excuse to dress up and Raina's there." Jennifer smiled. "However, she isn't well enough to go to that and Coral won't be going alone without a chaperone, so no we don't really have any plans. Did you have something in mind?" "I feel bad about Raina missing out on apple picking, especially with it being such a big thing for her. I don't dress up for Halloween anymore, not since, well I just don't. But, I want to make it special for Raina. Do you think you and Steven might be able to help me do that? I already have an idea. If you could help me invite some people and pick out some decorations, I can do everything else. Would that be cool with you guys?" "Logan, you're so thoughtful. We'll help in any way we can. I'm not sure about inviting a bunch of people though. Raina barely let's you see her, let alone her friends. If you keep it low key, maybe just you guys I think it could work. It would be really neat if you two had matching costumes, but I understand." "I don't know how you do, but I believe that you do." Logan cocked his head to the side, considering Jennifer. She was a very warm woman, but something about her sometimes put him on edge. He felt like she knew something that no one else did and it made him nervous. "I read between the lines, Logan. You'll have to share with someone sooner or later. I sense that Halloween is a difficult time of year for you and respect that. But Halloween and the spiritual nature of the holiday puts a different spin on it. It's a time to honor and remember those we have lost. The veil between our world and the Spirit world is the thinnest. Have you heard this before?" Jennifer watched Logan closely. His countenance revealed nothing, but his eyes spoke volumes. "I don't know your religious or spiritual beliefs and would hate to overstep or make you uncomfortable." "Yes. I know what the true meaning is. I hope you are right." Logan mumbled and hunched his shoulders. "You're welcome to stay over tonight. In fact, it's starting to get colder out and you boys can crash in the guest room, if you want. I hate the thought of you freezing out there in that drafty van." "Really?" Logan's spirits rose. "Yes. You can stay in Raina's room until she falls asleep but then I'd rather you join the other boys. It would be one thing if you were here by yourself, but I don't want those boys getting any ideas. You know? I think Coral's beginning to flirt with your friends and they are trying to flirt back." "I understand, perfectly. Okay, I'll tell Ryan and Mark when they get back from ghost hunting." "They might actually need to be around more people after Steven's done with them." Jennifer winked and laughed. "Oh no. I hope he doesn't scare the crap out of them too bad. Thanks, Jennifer." "You're good to and for my older daughter and I've seen you take on an almost brotherly role with my younger. I should thank you. When you get back and after the movie, I'd love to hear your plans." *** "Ohmygod Raina, it was awesome!" Coral gushed. "Dad taught us how to use his equipment and like I totally rocked his tutorial." "So did you see any ghosts or get any evidence?" Logan asked as they all sat at the kitchen table waiting for the baked apples. "I don't know. We have to upload the pictures, videos, and EVPs to check it out. But we had a few drastic temperature drops." Coral said, referring to Electronic Voice Phenomenon, a recording of actual spirit voices. "Yeah, and the EMF reader went off several times." Ryan supplied, talking about electromagnetic field readers, and energy. "Ryan means to say several times besides the five times that he set it off when he was running away from some noise. Such a pussy." Mark laughed. "Hey boys, respectful language please." Jennifer's hands were on her hips. "Okay, okay sorry. He was such a wuss and was afraid of his own shadow," Mark revised his statement. "Dude, you weren't the one being touched by ghosts!" Ryan defended himself. "Yeah okay." Mark rolled his eyes. "We'll see if we got any other evidence, other than your "touches." "Dad, did you see or feel anything?" Raina asked Steven. "Yeah, but I was busy collecting evidence and helping these guys with the equipment. I'm hoping to go back another night and talk to the owners and maybe bring Mom along." "Steven," Jennifer started. "I know, I know, you don't do that kind of thing anymore. But Jennifer, I think it's one you can help." "We'll see." Jennifer sighed and turned to retrieve the baked apples from the oven where she placed them to warm. She dished an apple out to each person and then brought over hot apple cider to complete the midnight treat. "Are these the Macs?" Ryan asked. "Yes. Good picking you guys. These were the perfect size for making baked apples. So did you have fun? Are you going to be able to sleep tonight?" "Um yeah sure. Do you think we can wait to listen to the EVP's until tomorrow?" Ryan asked. "No way! We want to know what we got, NOW," Coral said. "Okay, well you guys tell me tomorrow if we got anything. I'm really tired." "Chicken, bock-bock-bock." Mark mimicked chicken sounds with his hands tucked under his armpits, flapping his arms like a bird. "Hey, I was talking to Logan about this earlier, but I hate the thought of you boys freezing out there in that van. The weather is getting colder and I think if you are going to spend your weekends here that you should crash in our guest room." Jennifer told them. "That okay with you, hon?" she asked Steven. "Sure, I don't see that being a problem. Guest room only and Coral you are to be in your own bed by the time I go to sleep. You understand?" "Yes, Daddy, but you go to bed at eleven." Coral sulked. "Precisely." Steven nodded. "I do agree we should wait to check on our evidence tomorrow. We had a long and late night. So bring your stuff in guys and get to bed. Coral, go get ready for bed and say goodnight to the boys." "Goodnight," Coral huffed and stomped off. "So uh, Mr. Steven do you have a flashlight we can borrow? It's kinda dark out there," Ryan asked. "Yeah, actually I was going to come out and help you guys bring your stuff in." "That's cool." Mark added, trying not to show his own jumpiness. Logan followed them out to bring his own things in. When they returned, Raina was already back in bed. "I have to leave really early tomorrow morning for work, so I'll say bye to you now," he said, sitting on her bed with her. "Are you going to come back next weekend too?" Raina asked hopefully. "Of course. I wouldn't miss your birthday." "Oh yeah, my birthday and Halloween." Raina sighed. "I can't believe it's Halloween already and I won't be able to do anything. It's not fair." She pouted. "I know. But I'll be here. We never watched those movies so we can watch them next weekend. We'll figure it out. Don't dwell on it, baby. I love you." "I'll try not to. I wish you were sleeping here with me." Logan had explained Jennifer's request to him that he sleep elsewhere. Raina had pouted about it but also understood. "Thanks for tonight. You really did relax me in such a yummy way. You're so patient with me." "Yummy is an understatement. You're welcome. Anything to help. I'm glad it worked." Logan smiled and kissed her gently. "Dream of me, my sweet." "I will. Sweetdreams." But Raina's dreams that entire week were anything but sweet. They were disturbed by images of glass and blood, filled with screams of terror. *** "Raina." Raina's eye slit open at the soft voice near her face. Why was Coral being so unusually quiet? She wondered. It was Friday, the day before Halloween. The day before her nineteenth birthday. Oh, of course. Coral was going to try and get her to go costume shopping, last minute, as usual with her. Didn't Coral understand she wasn't up to it? "Coral, I'm sleeping. It's not even daylight yet. Have Mom take you." Then she opened her other eye and gasped. This was not her sister. The girl who stood before her was the same girl she had been seeing for a couple of weeks now, ever since the hallucinations had started up. The girl had curly platinum blonde hair with sea-blue eyes and a heart-shaped face. She wore a green ball gown and had a matching, sequined mask clutched in her hand. She lifted it up to her face and gave a sad smile and waved to her before disappearing. While there was nothing innately scary about the girl, she was beautiful and had a sweet temperament, Raina was unsettled. The hallucinations were getting more vivid which didn't make sense to her now that she was off the offensive medication. Was it possible the migraines she was experiencing were due to a brain tumor or something of that nature? Maybe she had a neurological disorder. She wasn't sure, but knew that she had a lot to discuss with the doctor today. She rubbed her eyes and blinked. The girl was definitely gone. "Raina, are you awake? You have twenty minutes before your appointment." Her Mom announced coming into her room with a basket of her clothes. Her radio turned on by itself and 'If I Die Young' was playing again. She hit the button, turning it off, annoyed. "Thanks. Where's Coral?" "Dad took her to get her costume." Jennifer looked at Raina's face. "Did you turn the radio on? You saw the girl again, didn't you?" "Yes. I think I should have a CT scan or MRI or something. Can we tell the doctor that?" Raina climbed out of bed and walked over to her dresser. "I didn't touch the radio. This keeps happening." "Have your migraines been getting worse?" Jennifer set the basket on the bed. "No, not really." "Then why?" "Why?!" Raina paused, nearly tripping over her sweatpants. "Because I'm hallucinating now more than I was before. Maybe I have a brain tumor Mom that they never picked up on. This is really starting to freak me out." "Calm down honey. First of all, you had both of those brain scans a few months ago and nothing showed up. You don't have a brain tumor. Yes, you are off the medication now. Yes, you thought spiders were crawling on you and it was scary. But this girl, she's not a hallucination. Have you ever thought maybe she's real?" "What do you mean?" Raina gave up on her sweatpants and sat on her bed. "I mean you now know about your father and me," Jennifer began. "Oh that silly ghost hunting stuff. I don't believe in them, Mom. It's just plain silly. And I'm not crazy." Then Raina saw the hurt look in her mother's eye. "I know you aren't crazy. Last time I checked, I'm not crazy either. We have no mental illness that runs in this family. Raina, sometimes it doesn't matter if you believe in them or not, spirits exist and they certainly believe in you enough to keep appearing to you. I know it's a lot to take in, but can you at least entertain the possibility that you might just have a gift of seeing spirits?" "But I don't understand, are you saying you see them too? Who else? Why?" "Yes I'm a Sensitive, Raina. It runs on my side of the family. Although your Dad senses things too. I've had experiences all of my life." "Why do you keep it such a secret? From your own children?" Raina's tone was accusatory. Jennifer sighed. "My upbringing was not an open-minded one, nor openly communicative. I had a bad experience with that I don't want to go into right now, but I fought to ignore and put up blocks. I kept it from you girls because I wanted you to have a normal upbringing and when the time came for you to learn, I wanted you to never question our love or support for you." Jennifer put her arm around Raina. "I know you love me." Raina hugged her Mom. "Yeah, well I never had that kind of support. I've always been the black sheep of the family. You know I have a strained relationship with them." "That's the reason?" Her mother's side of the family was very judgmental, so they didn't see them very often. "That and others things. But up until now, the only signs you exhibited that you had abilities were when you were a little girl. Dad and I agreed that we needed to nurture and guide you. But then when you became sick, that took over all of our thoughts, and there was never an opportunity to share with you. We were too concerned about figuring out what was wrong with you and helping you get better. Everything else took a back seat."