Act 3: Healer

Act 3: Healer

Alee

They say happiness exudes from me.

Not bubbly effervescence, or even simple

glee of naivete. I am to an extent self-

contained, emit a special fantasy sheen

that colors whatever I see, makes my

world a theatrical play. Not a side effect

of my illness or recovery, this inner magic

has always been me. My closest seem to

revel in it, have no issue with appearing

on my stage, each in their way co-creators.

Thus what might be seen as unexceptional

gets enhanced as song and dance under

my spell, let loose naturally to express

indulgence in exultance. For my morning

shift at Gus's Diner, I've been replaced by 

Jay's sister, Nadia, who had worked relief 

along with Jay, Greta and others, that now

include me. We get called when the shift

cook is overwhelmed with orders, or unable

to be there for whatever reason. Jay used to

work front while I cooked, though arriving

not as early. I prepared for breakfast before

opening to customers without her presence.

She would take orders and payment, clean,

accept deliveries, keep all in order, along

with Gus, or when he was otherwise engaged.

Since he slept in a room above, he could be

wakened for emergencies, if that is where

he was. Sun high in the warm, Spring sky,

today, we are released into other activities 

since no shift looms. At the Mart we find

Jamee, also free, having switched back to his

early shift at the Factory, since his time no

longer is divided to tend to my necessities.

Many have asked me what it was like while

I seemed so distant, unable to participate in

much communication, hours alone, quiet,

wan, almost a ghost. For me, then, real life

was but a distraction from the stories I saw

in my mind, loud enough that my body's

pain, suffering, got drowned out to a major

extent. As days became months, years, I

learned to manage as if I looked down from

a separate plane. Jamee kept me sane, connected,

amazed by his grace, never appearing fazed,

or other than my joyfully loving brother,

eternal friend. Sophia regaled me with histories,

dramatically rendered, as practiced in her

classroom, to grab and hold attention. She

showed me plots and characters from our

past to add, expand my inner theater's repertoire.

It was not so bad, except for all the time,

opportunities, I keenly believed lost to me

forever. I have always been naturally active,

maybe overly expressive, not the retiring type.

I felt, when I let myself, locked down, held in

a devil device against my will. I now carry no

regret, but know, deeply, strongly, that I never

want to feel like that again. Cas, our family

mystic, says I've been through an alchemical

trial, to expect to be changed profoundly, though

he doesn't know how at this stage. I am glad

to be happiness exuding Alee, aloft with love,

relief, buoyancy, lifted from a well of grief for

former abilities, now I've reached the other, 

better side. I know, at least, what not to take

for granted. Every little interaction, exchange

of energy, beams of Sunshine, smell of rain,

squishy mud, each exhilaration, are blessings

to be fully inhaled, expressed, appreciated with

profound respect. Yet, may I not forget in all

this emotional soliloquy to live lightly, entice

with gaiety, let loose laughter, camaraderie, let

it all shine through me, the Alee they all love,

well and happy, their living miracle.

 

Jay

No, Alee and I aren't attached, as some might

imply.  We have our separate romances, amply

discussed, criticized within intimate observation.

We have our unique activities, follow individual

passions, obligations. Yes, we share a special

relationship. Mutual confidantes, partners in

mischief, soul mates of a sort. Of course, Jamee

and Paul also hold her close, Jamee sometimes

closer than I. Yet, we are always there for each

other as needed.  Playmates, work mates,

co-creators, ever up for fun, commiseration,

inspirational or silly conversations, best friends

forever.  Today, beauteous mid-Spring, between

our Kitchen shift and Theater choreography session,

Alee brings us to her current bedroom, the big

one they moved her to due to the attached bath,

when they knew she would need attentive, direct

care. We came here so she can shower, change to

lighter wear, while I do a quick edit to our

recorded script for theatric development, before

also changing to a more flowing costume for

ease in dance. Not an ignorable text, but a loud

annoying ring from my phone insisted I respond.

My next older sister, Greta, blubbered that Mama

was experiencing something seriously wrong.

"We don't know how to help," she confided.

We are all quite aware of Mama's vendetta against

the Clinic's Meds. Only one floor above us, I told

Alee what Greta told me, and we quickly ran to

see just what was up. Mama, pale, twitching

uncontrollably, unaware that we were there.

Calling Bonnie, at least to provide what information 

she as a medical professional had was my initial 

impulse. Alee, meanwhile, leapt to Mama's bed, 

humming softly a soothing tune. We witness, 

Greta, Nadia, and I, Alee wrap her arms around 

Mama's back and shoulders, touch foreheads, 

her eyes closed. Tears seemed to squeeze onto her 

lashes. I heard her murmur, so quietly I could not 

discern her words.

We watch silently, unable to do more, in a sense

enchanted. Bonnie knocks, enters, finds us in 

Mama's room. Neither of the two in their seeming

trance move, or even glance in our direction.

Bonnie is already upon that astonishing scene.

She touches Alee, who turns, takes her hand,

eyes now widely smiling. Mama rises. She is

well, almost glowing with health. Her manner

subdued, confused, but only quite mildly

disturbed, more like suddenly finding you are

not overwhelmed in a realm of ghosts, spiteful

demons. Right here, right now, clear-minded,

protected by friends and kin, her voice, as if

from a place of awakening, calls us near, calls

us dear, tinged with obvious grateful love.

This is not the Mama I remember, even from

yesterday, from all my days as rebellious

daughter. This is not the woman who raised me

to believe myself nothing but a burden, best

ignored when not the immediate focus of

wrathful paranoia. Yet she is strangely familiar,

maybe someone my child mind had glimpsed

once in a while, a woman that could have been

a rendition, who might have raised me differently.

Who would I be then? Alee is a'glee, merry in the

attention her healing has elicited. She adoringly

reminds me that our bond is dominate, scoops

me up in her happy dance. Witness to a 

circumstance I would never have imagined,

glad that this, I guess miracle, happened.

Still I wonder how, why, what will become of

it? Not my nature to fall to optimism. My life

familiarly a chaotic mystery, I am not given to

taking good fortune at face value. Clearly,

though, we are all experiencing an amazing

day. May as well celebrate. Bonnie assures us,

all is well in hand. She calls on Clinic staff to

facilitate Mama's admission for examination,

now those paranoid fantasies have fully faded 

as Mama's intrinsic motivation. Alee and I

cannot wait to tell Jamee and Paul all about

our excellent, outrageous adventure. By

now they should be home, downstairs.

Jamee

My beloved sister, it seems has brought us

all in to populate one of her fantasies.

We could not have foreseen such a salubrious

eventuality. Our happy clan, despite past

trauma, do what we each can to give back,

to honor the blessings of our community.

Has Alee's new ability been bestowed to

increase her, and by extension our, power

to serve? Cas might better understand, with

his spiritual inclinations. He tends to see what

we do subsumed within a bigger plan. Not

for me to know. I just hope Alee's recently

revived energy is not too taxed by her act

of healing another's, Jay's mother's, disease.

Paul has been pensive since Alee and Jay

regaled us with this amazing occurrence.

Giddy, emotionally high, they spoke over

each other, bringing Paul and I into their

small coterie of those in the know. No doubt,

Bonnie, once she has taken care of her Med

responsibilities, will tell us of the aftermath,

what she thinks it all means. I am thinking

this a good evening for an extended family

dinner meeting, maybe a celebration to

honor Alee's brave action, Barbara's health.

At least we can talk, give thought to this

unexpected development, because, as a

closeknit family, what affects one affects

all.  I text around my invitation, only

saying that there is a matter of importance

to discuss, and, dinner's on us. Then Paul

and I decide how we will expand our meal

that all attending may be well fed with

appetizing cuisine. Alee and Jay, too

filled with elation to stand still, hug and

twirl, swing each other, laughing,

singing, making faces, generally being

them, but much more energized than

I've ever seen. My concern that Alee

might be depleted after her act of

healing is apparently without

corroboration. I allow myself unbridled

happiness. People are arriving to

discover what I asked them here to say.

Alee and Jay, still high from their

experience, fly out at once to share

their news. Sophia, Marta, Bobby, 

Camille, and Cas (the kids left to play

next door while their parents find out 

what has happened, before they get 

called over for dinner), each in their own

way react. Dazed, bemused, curious,

congratulatory, every one hyped, whether

silent or bubbling over with emotion.

I have yet to find a calm moment to

reasonably speak. Into the thick of

this bubble, Bonnie, our trusted source

of educated medical authority, arrives.

Bonnie

My family certainly wants answers.

Am I not their professional Med?

Even when their prejudices or

lived experience lead them to believe

differently from me in some instances,

I, and those I affect, count on my

intelligence, education, years on the

job. I still evidence those qualities that

got me noticed, now long ago, by

my teachers. I like to think I pass

forward what I have learned, use

my skills to help where I can,

people distressed by disease, injury.

My goal achieved, embarked upon

as a teen who had seen, shared in,

the suffering my dear older sister

endured until she could no more,

the ripple effects on my parents,

brothers, me. We had been mostly

happy before Tara fell ill. The

stable ground we expected transformed

into sand. Several months after

Tara's passing, our youngest, Louise

was born, but to last less than a

year. It had been a difficult gestation

and birth, complicated by our

mother's dispiriting grief. As it

eventuated, my parents no longer

felt the necessary connection to

go on together. Dad moved out to

a different Tower. Mom did what

she had to, to be a mother to the

children still dependent. My lesson from

this family tragedy was that I needed

to learn to be a healer, discover cures to 

replace the misery of those afflicted

with sickness, injury.  I told myself

over and over that this is my mission.

When Alee seemed lost to us, I could

find no cause after medical tests. Yes,

I felt frustrated by the limits of what

I knew to do, based on my training and

subsequent evolving knowledge. Just

another as yet mysterious disease yet

to be identified, was my assumption.

Today, the way she was able to move

to Barbara's assistance, heal with touch,

intention, transference of grace, clearly

I am out of my league. There is so very

much in this Universe, even in this little

world, that I, we, have yet to begin to 

understand. Or do the City Uppers have it 

all in hand, keep the greater knowledge

theirs to appear invincible? Maybe a bit

from each conjecture, or another I've yet

to guess. What matters here is rather that

within the mystery we have been presented,

our Alee seems to have awakened from

whatever kept her down with greater 

ability than what had been at her command.

What can I say to my gathered family to

allow them calm acceptance of this 

unexpectable development. It is not my

place to speak of Alee's achievement. I

have no special medical explanation.

We are examining Barbara at the Clinic.

Perhaps the information we seek will 

be revealed. I tell that to those here, assure

I will share what I learn. Meanwhile, we

can enjoy our meal and conversation.

We have every reason to believe this

healing a blessing, especially for Jay,

Nadia, Greta, even their older sisters,

their father, of course Barbara herself.

Alee has always seemed a magical being,

overflowing with the need to express her

active imagination, inborn grace. We

sorely missed that strong, delightful

presence these past four years of her

essential absence, unnatural silence.

Yes, we spoke to her quiet form, assumed

she heard. On occasion she would muster

up a few words that leant credence to

such assumption. Overjoyed that we 

again get to act as happy, enthralled

audience to her exuberance, this further

unanticipated turn of events may be but

a glimpse of what is yet to unfold, or,

it could be only its own instance, fueled by

Alee's devotion to Jay. We await fullness of 

impact, result, as we would whatever befalls 

us, affects us as people connected through 

mutual love. 

Camille

Yes, Bonnie will make it all make sense.

I have the deepest respect for my sister of

circumstance. Her manner of calm intelligence,

exactly what we need when agitated by

surprise emergencies. Bonnie and Cas feel

like my kin, siblings from other mothers.

We have been together, created our home,

are raising our kids, for like half of our

lives, if not from our beginnings. I never

want to speak or think about mine. All

that time when child I was becoming the

Camille I would be, was far from happy.

Why go there? Eventually I broke free,

made myself a merrier model. Found an

older friend happy to take me in for

companionship, and various chores.

I learned to support myself, selling my

art at the Mart, fashioned from Rec Center

materials and supplies I figured out how

to devise, or getting paid for temporary 

tasks here and there. I learned to distill dyes,

paints from common Garden and Forest

plants, in craft studio space, using tools

there provided by the Upper grant to

sustain the School. I knew Barbara to

an extent back then, through her oldest

daughters who she sometimes supervised

in selling her knitted products. Gwen and

Rebecca, from that acquaintance became my 

friends. They eventually moved in with Laura 

and me, once Barbara's crazy became more 

than they were willing to continue to bear. All

to say, I am amazed by her recovery. I 

never wished her anything but well. Still

it galls me that sweet, adorable Alee,

yes I know, so thankfully returned, gets

to be heroically cast as if she had manifested

some well developed skill, not merely a

recipient of a marvelous gift that allowed 

this apparent miracle. Yes, of course, she is 

the baby of the sibs, generally has been a 

merry presence, that lifts spirits, naturally 

kind, generous. Yet, aside from her parents' 

tragic demise, and, of course, her years of decline, 

she has always been blessed by her loving family,

her creative abilities, the abundant sunshine

she has seemed to spread, that endears her

to friends she easily inspires. It's not

jealousy. Bobby, my work, my kids, (including

Diana and Julia), my found family, are

everything to me. No one had ever cared,

loved me as Bobby does. He has courted,

welcomed me, generously, tenderly, been

my previously undreamt of support, partner,

confidante, playmate, my person with whom

I resonate, navigate the world. Back when I

seemed defined as rebelliousness, based on

well-founded fears of rejection, I had no idea

such love, security, would ever be a possibility.

I don't begrudge Alee her friends and family,

the magic aura she exudes. I do detect a

supercilious superiority from her, too.

She has not earned through hard, directed

work, bit by bit built skill, her artistry. Her

creative abilities, imaginative flair have

always just been there for her to share,

exult in. I get that for so long we thought her

lost to us. I'm sure she believed herself

beyond repair. Of course I am glad to have

her back in all her glory. It's just that our

stories, so widely divergent, converge

here with Alee cast as the conquering hero,

worthy of worship for what has occurred

to her, without her plan or effort, or in the

case of her unwanted vacation, consent.

Despite all my hard-earned accomplishments,

beyond Bobby's ever endearing appreciation,

applause, I mostly go unnoticed. Yes, they

enjoy, respond with loving delight when I

fashion their hair, gift them with artistically

enhanced wearables. They accept me, as I present

to them with welcome, even respect. A kid

who never got enough positive attention, I guess 

I continue to feel a deficit.

Paul

My mind moves as it does, as if surveying

a puzzle. When pieces click I see a picture,

sometimes a plan. Nothing grand, but

how to fit needs with reciprocal fulfillment,

facilitate beneficial meetings, bridge between

what has been, and what could be better.

My job, more my calling, fits this temperament,

gives me greater ability to spread what

service I may provide. Alee, so dear to me,

beloved sister and friend, always amazes.

She and Jay, filled with excited glee, tell

us their tale of heroic rescue. Jay exclaims,

her mother is somehow cured: "I've

never seen her so clear, so normal, before!"

Poor almost motherless Jay, at least going

forward they may be able to forge a loving

relationship. Jay has successfully become

her own brand of joy, over the years we've

known her, as she has grown into one of

our clan. Would a demon-free Barbara

have given her a more propitious start?

Apparently, we all carry scars, obstacles,

bad memories, once we've been around

long enough, or even as legacy, pain,

hopefully balanced by pleasure, loving

company. I have for years been visiting,

in my daily Mayoral wanderings, Dorothy,

Dory for short, a fondly recalled teacher of

each of us old enough here. She has been

suffering ever more intense debilitation from

a cruel progressive disease, apparently

genetic, because previously seen in decedent

members of her exiled family. No longer

able to put forth labor, nor at this stage take

care of her own needs, her devastated life

partner, Tony, does what he can for both

of them. He continues his job as Clinic

Auxiliary, brings in Credits to afford Dory's

comforts, provides her necessary care with

simple adoring devotion, tries to shield her

from his emotional despair. They have no

progeny or other close relations. Their world

has been their service to our community.  

They deserve more, a reward of grace to

restore their ability, their joy in giving,

to continue that formerly happy destiny.

Have I been given a way to test Alee's

mysterious power, while possibly

allowing Dory a cure? I will discuss

this tonight with Jamee, is my go to

inclination. He can advise what I may have

missed, or suggest further information.

Yet, here we are gathered to take in this

emergent situation. I can throw open my

plan to the whole clan for conversation,

before any decision is reached. Alee seems

interested. she and Jay, still busy giggling,

appear to respond with whole hearted 

affirmation, a desire to try, without hesitation. 

We all remember Dory's kind and cheerful 

preparation, our educational foundation. 

She offered not only subject classes of facts, 

practice to perfect basic skills. We were also 

imbued with a  values permeation, learned  

social responsibility, that we grow our

individual abilities to the benefit of our

greater community. Sophia, a fellow teacher

at the School, tells us Dory has generally

been well regarded among the staff. "She

was always ready to help, no matter how.

Genial, collegial, not one to merely do her

job, then leave for leisure activities, Dory

clearly genuinely enjoyed all the aspects of 

her vocation. She has been missed. Yet, we

never think to visit her. That will be fixed."

Sophia has spoken, apparently a further

affirmative. We all agree, Dory and Tony

need to be informed of our plan, asked if

they wish to proceed. I am happy to act,

once again, as go-between. Alee wants to

know if she ought come with me, re-introduce

herself to Dory, since they have not known each

other for some time. I am of the opinion that

that would be fine. Even if no solution 

eventuates, our visit could perhaps act as

a distraction from what loneliness adds

to Dory's affliction.

Sophia

I remember Dory welcoming me, that first day

of my position, teaching at the School. Yes,

everyone was welcoming. I was not ignored,

nor hazed, but treated as I expected to be by

as yet unnamed colleagues. Dory's welcome

was special. I have witnessed it since with

subsequent arrivals. Fond, almost a

conspiratorial twinkle in her eyes, she

makes it clear we all belong here in our

common enterprise, providing the best

education, that each younger generation

thrive, usefully communicate, based on

lessons shared, skills inculcated. An

undeniably kind soul, and fun, any one of

us would unhesitatingly attest. Even after

these years since she has been here, well

remembered. I should certainly make sure

to visit now that I am reminded she still

lives near. Tomorrow Alee and Paul will

suggest their experiment. I don't want to

interfere. What if this healing blessing is

real, if Dory were returned to her previous

glory, reunited with her inborn teacher's

rightful self-expression? Wonders do exist,

despite our human limitations in understanding.

Tomorrow, while Paul and Alee visit Dory,

Marta diligently as always engages with her

calling, after my morning class at the School,

I intend to go to the Compound, interface with

my sister, Daphne. Though she is over two years 

older, we have always been closer than that

span would imply. We share passions for

learning history. As little girls we founded our

secret binary society, where grown-ups, older 

brother, Jeff, most especially, were kept out. 

She is now a researcher/professor at the City 

Arts and College Complex, called the Center, 

her childhood dream. Unlike me, she's had no 

interest in leaving City friends, conveniences. 

Cradle to grave surveillance, no big deal, since 

her research is always approved. Never rebellious,

happy to stick to the unwritten rules, a price

easily paid to avoid making waves, enticing

unwanted attention. Private in her manner

seems enough to elicit the space she desires,

while she concentrates on her work, personal

relationships. I, of a more flamboyant nature,

am happier here, where I can be more me,

without fear of censure. Thus, I do attempt to

be circumspect when in the Compound,

technologically cut-off from Barros' entrance,

where full AI surveillance reigns. Of course,

when I communicate with Daphne, or

others I knew in the City, including Jeff,

Mom and Dad, I do my best to be circumspect,

stay within guidelines of appropriate

conversation. I know there is constant

monitoring, a major feature of City life.

All these years of being free to express

spontaneously, means I must be careful

not to forget where I am when beneath

City skies. Even the popular streamed

entertainment, 24/7 Gossip, may without

compunction, often does, relay what may

have, for the participants, been considered 

private information, complete with

pictorial confirmation. Yes, there are 

compensations like arts, culture, appropriate

education, advanced medical advantages,

(though the gold standard life extension

procedures and practices are only allowed

to Uppers, jealous of their pre-eminence),

endless opportunities to enjoy lifestyles that

suit. Despite these enticements, I prefer to

take root in this more primitive, less glitzy,

milieu. I feel at home with my Barro family,

love the research I get to do, this society of

simple pleasures, work as service within a

reasonable community, even if tragedies,

preventable with City technology, occur.  

Apparently, so do wonders unaccounted for

in City records or legends, or what I've

discovered here so far.

Cas

I know I can be seen as other worldly, not

withdrawn, drawing from within. My intuition

guides me. My practice of permanent meditation

keeps my mind at ease, exudes that aura of

calm, deliberate, peacefulness my somewhat

manic family can depend upon. Events of

late have increased their need. Yes, a complete,

unalloyed blessing when Alee became her full

self again, but even with all that joy, an

unsettling shock. Now that this healing ability

has been revealed, however it develops, the lot

of us feel to some degree rocked, unsteady about

the solidity of our expectations. I admit to some

unspecified trepidation. Not one to question

Divine intervention, rather I cultivate authentic

acceptance of whatever occurs. Yet, I still have 

natural fears and hopes. I am a man, not some 

devotional saint. Today I take in this expansion 

of understanding, ponder its meaning,

possible repercussions. Seated at our family

table, replete in memories of meals past, I smile

gently, humbly, reach out to silently embrace

each in turn, Jamee, Alee, Jay, the others having

stepped out to attend to their own affairs. I

hold Alee dearly, find the depths of her eyes 

with mine. As always, my baby sister fills me

with a happy reverie just to see her here, fully

present. Again a force of nature, perhaps an 

unwitting volunteer, messenger from some 

author of destiny, for not just her or us here, 

but everyone, everywhere. My envisioning, 

not based on reason, logic, tells me, just let 

whatever unfolds spin its own tale. Tomorrow, 

Alee and Paul will fill in the next installment of 

what is to become of this story. Maybe what 

happened with Barbara was a fluke, a one-time 

cosmic joke that gods may laugh about our 

confusion. From deep in my heart, I speak to 

Alee. I offer blessing and calm acceptance of 

what may transpire. I explain her only 

responsibility is to act as inspired, as before.

She is not in charge of whether anyone is cured.

She is a vessel, a dispenser of medicine, not the

source. She smiles, arises, pirouettes and bows,

grabs up we three in broad embrace. For this

instant, we become a dance of grace and flowing

love.  Blissful, this is my happy place, among

those I most closely carry, including family just

now outside my view. These people are my

true home. Never a chore to care for, the pinnacle

of my desire is to provide as they need. What 

better life could there be for me? Paul and Sophia 

return to join our after dinner dance. Marta is still 

soaking out her day's frustrations in a relaxing bath. 

Bonnie, Bobby, Camille, and the kids have gone next 

door, into their evening activities. I imbibe the peace 

as we each allow our comforting distractions to release 

us from nonproductive agitation, dissipate heightened

excitement, that we might find restful sleep, in the 

fullness of time, that we may be re-energized

to take on what tomorrow may bring. I kiss my

little sister, give bright smiles all around, as I move

to retire to the room Bonnie and I share. She will

trim my hair as prelude to commingling. See, we

are a happy, normal family, going about our happy,

normal reaction to mystery. I do remember Dory

as the kind of warmly giving person so very not

deserving what has befallen her. I sincerely hope

my sister can overturn her misfortunate fate, let

her retake her rightful place, regain what we all

have lost as a community created by all who serve.