Troublemaker Read Free Page B

looked around the room and thought about the conversation she’d had with her grandma Allene, she came up with an idea. She set her magazine to the side, lay perfectly still on the sofa, closed her eyes, and concentrated. She took deep, calming breaths to ground herself in preparation for what she was about to do.
    Slowly, an image formed before Alexandria’s eyes that made her smile. She could see Allene sitting in an old rocking chair on the front porch of a large, beautiful home set against the backdrop of luscious flowers, shrubs, and tall trees. Rain was coming down by the bucketful, and she could see that Allene was enjoying the downpour as she looked up into the stormy sky.
    Suddenly, Alexandria gasped when she realized that something very strange was happening. Usually, when she communicated with Allene, it was through whispered words held together by a time and place she couldn’t touch—the spirit world. But now, it was different. Alexandria opened her eyes quickly and gasped again. “You’re here,” she said aloud. “Grandma Allene, you’re here in my world.”
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    â€œYes, baby girl. I’m here,” Allene whispered in a voice that sounded as strong and as clear as if she were sitting next to Alexandria on her sofa.
    â€œBut how? I thought making a trip here was too difficult.”
    â€œThat’s true, it’s a challenge. But Susan helped me to focus, and with time, patience, and practice, I’m here. I had to come.”
    Alexandria swallowed hard, fighting to hold on to the vision of Allene that she could see when she closed her eyes. But it was no use because, slowly, everything started to fade to black. She could no longer see Allene, but she could hear her with perfect clarity. “How are you Grandma?”
    â€œI’m just fine, and I feel real good.”
    â€œOh, thank goodness. I want to see you. I miss you so much.”
    Allene sighed. “I know, and I miss you, too, baby girl. I can’t come to you, but you can come to me.”
    â€œWhere are you?”
    â€œI’m where you and the rest of our family needs to be. I’m where it all began.”
    Alexandria took a minute to think, and then it came to her. “I know exactly where you are!” she said with excitement.
    â€œYes, and I want you to come here and bring the rest of our family with you, too.”
    â€œWhy do you want me to bring our family?” Reservation was lodged in her throat as she waited for what she sensed was going to be an answer that would bring about more questions.
    â€œBecause . . . it’s time to bury the past and start new beginnings.”
    â€œThat sounds promising and complicated at the same time.”
    â€œI reckon it can be. But like I always say, you just gotta hold on and trust that everything’s gonna work out like it’s ’sposed to.”
    â€œSo this means I’m going to finally get to see you?”
    â€œYes, baby girl.”
    Just as Alexandria was going to ask another question, Allene’s voice drifted away as quickly as it had come. She was gone.
    Alexandria wasn’t ready to let any part of Allene go, so she fought to hang on to the magnolia scent that was starting to fade. Even though she was disappointed that her conversation with Allene had been so brief, she felt good knowing that her grandma was in her world, and that they’d finally be able to share the same time and space.
    â€œI’m looking forward to seeing you very soon, Grandma Allene.” Alexandria smiled, feeling that besides her upcoming wedding, seeing Allene was going to be the highlight of her year. But as she blinked and opened her eyes, her joy quickly turned to worry. She sat up straight and brought her hand to her mouth as she thought about what Allene had said. “I had to come.”
    In that instant, Alexandria knew that her grandma Allene’s visit wasn’t going to be the joyful