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don’t think we have much time left with her. Please,” Ephraim begged. This was the first time that I had heard the fear in his voice. I had thought the curse didn’t scare him, believed he had accepted it for what it was. At that moment I realized he was scared, just like me, and was desperate for help.
    Leaning forward , Hala rested her chin on her folded hands. Her daughter, who was now done with her hair, went outside. It was a weird ritualistic thing they had but I didn’t care in the least. Whatever she needed to prepare.
    “I will help you on one condition ,” she spoke.
    “Anything!”
    “You let me train you to use your abilities to help others. I will help you with your friends, but in return you will help mine.”
    “Wait , you want her to be some sideshow freak doing readings here on the boardwalk?” Ephraim asked with stinging clarity.
    “No , that is not what I want. I have friends who need someone like her to tell them if their loved ones are near or moved on. I read cards and palms, but I am not a dead talker. She is,” she said as she pointed to me. “If you need my help, this is my condition.” She sat back in her chair, waiting for my decision.
    “I’ll help them!” I decided. Ephraim grabbed me to pull me outside , and I stumbled when he yanked me out of the chair.
    “No way , Brylee! I can’t let you do that. You shouldn’t be doing this to yourself.”
    “Why not? If I can help give people peace , then why not?” He didn’t answer me, but the reason was clear. “You’re scared, aren’t you?”
    “What?” he said as he stood taller.
    “My gift scares you doesn’t it?”
    “Yeah , I guess it does a little. I just don’t want you to become that,” he mumbled as he pointed to Hala’s shop. “You are more than some dead talker. You are an incredible woman who has her future ahead of her, and I don’t want you to waste your life away like Hala.” He grabbed me by the shoulders and squeezed. “I want to know that you went to college and did something with your life.” The tears stung my eyes at this point. He was talking like he wouldn’t be here to see me accomplish what he wanted for me, like he knew he wouldn’t be around to see it all.
    “I promise you right here and now that I will not let this become me. I will only do this to save you and Lyn , and that’s it.” Pulling me into his chest, he hugged me tightly. I could feel him tremble as he held me.
    “What’s going on?” Lyn asked as she approached us. I looked up and saw she had her face stuffed full of salt water taffy. I laughed at the sight of her. She licked her fingers and shrugged. “Who died?”
    “No one died. And no one will,” Hala said as she came out of her shop. “Now, Miss Brylee, here is my card. You come to me, I will not come to you. Understood?” I nodded.
    “When?” I asked her taking the card.
    “Do you have time now?” I looked to Ephraim and Lyn; Ephraim nodded, but Lyn was clueless.
    “Yes , I have time,” I replied as I followed her into the shop.

Chapter 7
     
     
    Being in her shop calmed my nerves. Something in there made me feel different. She had said as much the last time I was here. Ephraim and Lyn went to walk the boardwalk while I had my first lesson. Lyn had to be clued in on what was going on. I let Ephraim do most of the talking. He told her that this was what she wanted for me; to learn my craft. She seemed a little lost until it clicked. She remembered our conversation and the words she shot at me the other day. When I looked at her before they walked off she gave me a look of apology. I smiled at her, hoping she could read my face. I accepted her apology because it wasn’t her fault.
    “Focus ,” Hala snapped. “How do you expect to help them with your mind in a twist?” She had a funny way of talking, but I went with it. My mind was twisted and so was my life. There were plenty of teens my age right now on the boardwalk having fun and here I sat. I