Spirited 1 by Mary Behre

time you had a vision when you were a kid. I didn’t know you still had them after what happened back in Kemmerton.”
    Jules held up her free hand to silence April. She didn’t want to discuss what had happened back there. What had started out as the beginning of life in a picturesque little town ended in blood and death. Even now, thinking of it made her stomach pitch. And really, it was pitching enough already.
    If she wasn’t going to discuss something that happened three years ago, she certainly wasn’t going to talk about last night’s vision. Not now, not with anyone. “I haven’t had any visions since then. I just had a nightmare, that’s all.”
    April arched an eyebrow. “Lie to yourself all you want, but don’t go trying to lie to me. I know you too well.”
    Jules nearly winced at April’s too-true words, but didn’t respond.
    “Okay, well.” April stuck her hands in the front pockets of her apron then pulled out a piece of paper. “Oh! I almost forgot. Abigail Harris from Social Services left a message for you late yesterday. She said she can meet with you tomorrow morning at nine.”
    “She’s working on a Sunday?” Jules couldn’t quite hide her surprise.
    “For me she is.” April grinned. “I don’t know if you re- member, but I told you we were able to adopt you because a friend vouched for Ernie and me.”
    Jules nodded despite her confusion.
    “Well, Abigail was that friend. She told me a long time ago that if you ever needed anything, to call. I think she expected you to want to find your sisters. Anyway, she’s going to meet you at The Jewish Mother restaurant tomorrow morning at nine.”
    Jules threw her arms around April and pulled her in for a quick hug. “This is great. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” April pulled back and pushed the note into Jules’s hand.
    She accepted it and tried to squelch the hope bubbling in her chest, having been let down too many times before. But it was hard. “Did she sound like she could help?”
    “She didn’t say, but you have to believe she can.” She smiled then ruffled Jules’s hair like Jules was eight years old. “Make sure you invite Hannah and Shelley to Thanksgiving dinner.”
    “April, that’s six weeks away.” Jules laughed out the words.
    “Never too early to start planning for the holidays.” April grinned.
    Glancing at the note in her left hand, her mind raced. Would she really find them? Would they look like her? Were they raised in a loving home like the one she found with Big Jim and April? Would they welcome her into their lives again or blame her for not finding them sooner? Her heart skipped and jumped, whether from excitement or the fear of facing another disappointment, she wasn’t sure. She shoved the note into the back pocket of her khakis then blurted, “Do you think Hannah and Shelley will want me to find them?”
    “Of course they will. They’re your sisters.” April waddled closer and lovingly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We never forget the family members lost to us. I bet they’re looking for you as hard as you are for them.”
    “You’re right. I’m being silly. It’s just . . . Hannah was barely three years old when we were separated.” Jules chewed her lip. She hadn’t realized how much she needed to talk about them until this moment, but it felt wrong somehow to discuss her other family with the woman who adopted her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking to you about this.”
    “Why? It’s on your mind. We’ll always be family, Juliana.” She patted her distended belly. “God willing, the babies will be here soon and you’ll have a brother and sister. And I have a feeling before you know it, you’ll find Hannah and Shelley. I’m so certain of it. I’ve already planned for two more settings at the Thanksgiving table.”
    “You got a crift you forgot to tell me about?” Jules teased.
    “No, unlike you, I’m not gifted . I just have faith.” April smiled