29 July 2012
Ash felt a surprising sense of comfort in Dr Harvey's office. He understood the strange events from the day before and he seemed like a mentally stable, balanced man. It gave her hope that she wasn't crazy.
"Things happened yesterday that I can't explain. Things that just don't belong in reality. Mr Jenkins is gone - he literally vanished in front of my eyes. I went to bed last night under the illusion I was having a vivid dream. Oh, and your office was a linen closet a minute ago!"
Dr Harvey smiled a huge smile, his eyes alight with amusement. They were green, like the eye in his stained glass window.
"I'm sorry you've been dropped into the deep end. Bill was planning to move on with his life after a house fire. He never expected to get to know someone he would consider letting in to his world so late in that life. Something about you changed his mind. He was adamant you should open your eyes to the world. So, he made the necessary changes and voila"
Voila what? Isn't that a big reveal word? Shouldn't Ash know what the heck was going on by now?
"Open my eyes to the world?" Ash hedged.
"You said it yourself Ms Bronson. "Things that just don't belong in reality." Do you know what moulds every individual's version of reality? Perception. People don't notice incredible things going on around them. Do you know why they can't see them? They don't know they exist! It's as simple as that. They aren't aware something is part of reality so they don't perceive it."
"Okay, I understand that. It's like how they say Native Americans couldn't see Columbus' ships coming because they didn't know ships existed." Ash was relieved to finally be getting somewhere. "But I don't understand, why me? Everyone else I know would find the last 24 hours very strange too."
"Bill enjoyed your company, you know. He told me you were bright and kind - a pleasure to have around. He tested the waters with his stories. He said you didn't have time for them and he worried you might not have any sense of wonder. Magic doesn't have to be real to be enjoyed, you know. Bill was disappointed that you were missing out on so much because you were - and I quote - "obsessed with reality"."
Everything the doctor said was bringing up new questions. "Most people have the same perception of reality" she began, "Why would my "obsession" be any worse than others'?"
"Not worse, just more limited" Dr Harvey replied. "Most people can let go and enjoy a book or movie without questioning the impossibilities that arise in the story lines. Can you do that?"
"Well, no" she admitted.
"And Bill saw that in you. He wanted to enrich your life"
"By making me think I'm crazy?!"
"Well that's just the start of it. He left this for you. It's for your 18th birthday and he has requested you do not open it until then"
Dr Harvey handed Ash a little box sitting on a large, thick envelope.
"I must get back to work. Come back and see me any time" he left with a wink. Ash took one last look around the office and closed the door behind her. Curiosity got the better of her though, and she peeked in once more to find the small linen closet back in its rightful place.
"I hope the housekeepers don't stumble into his office" Ash chuckled, "He'd have a hard time explaining that!"
The Mystical Eye - Ch4 • Opuss № I