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October 2002 Storyteller Collaboration A Calling by Sabine N. "Did you hear that?" Loni whirled around eyes wide. "Didn't hear a thing." mumbled her younger brother, Malcom, as he raked the leaves in the yard. "Stop with the distractions or we'll never get this done." Loni piled another bunch of crisp autumn leaves into the half full garbage bag. A frown marred her face. Someone had called to her. She'd heard it. "There! Now you must have heard it!" Her head swiveled in the direction of the huge oak tree by the fence. "It's the wind." Malcom brushed a hand over his forehead. He really hated chores but Dad had said he could use the car tonight if he finished cleaning the yard. Loni bit her lip. It wasn't the wind but she knew from the look on Malcom's face that he wouldn't believe her if she told him she'd heard someone calling her name slowly and softly. In another fifteen minutes, the brother and sister were finished. Malcom hefted the bags and the rake away while Loni casually walked over to the tree. "Laaaawww - neeeeee." Shivers made the hair on the nape of Loni's neck rise. "Who's there?" she questioned in a thin whisper. "I'm here." came the distinct answer. "Always here." Tugging at her fleece jacket, she stared hard at the tree. The fear had vanished as had the shivers. Looking at the bare limbs of the tree, she could see it's great strength and when she gazed at the thick trunk, she saw how solid and healthy it was. Under the first branch was a hollow. She'd only noticed it this past spring when a family of robins had nested there. Immediately she caught sight of a flash of gold, like a bright tiny beam of sunlight. She blinked and looked closer. Hanging half in and half out of the small hole was a gold chain with a cross at the end of it. Carefully, Loni picked it up. It felt warm as she closed her hand over it. "Laaawwww-nneeeee". came the voice again. "I'm here. Always here." She nodded her head in understanding. "I know." she confirmed, her heart light. Two years later, Loni became Sister Mary Margaret. |