Songs of the Crystals

  Trinity Blacio

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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  Published by http://trinityblacio.com

  Blurb:

  She was a hippy at heart, born in the wrong timeframe her Nana would tell her. At the age of twenty-two Crystal Packo owned her own crystal shop, wrote songs to each precious stone she had in the store, and of course own her little farm at the edge of Hopeton was all hers.

  The only thing she sucked at was finding love. That is till Oliver Tandon, but having him fall face first into the dirt because her size eleven feet were sticking out from her table was not her idea of a great first impression.

  Chapter One

  The morning air was warm and the wind gentle as Crystal sat on her swing listening to the birds singing their morning songs. It was one of the things she always enjoyed, sitting on her porch enjoying her surroundings while drinking her coffee watching the sun come up.

  Her wrap around porch was one of the main reasons she had bought the small farmhouse. The house was a dream come true. It’s old Victorian design, had her sighing every time she pulled up into her driveway.

  Crystal smiled, knowing that the last of her renovations were finished. Her little round tower room was now set up giving her a dedicated room just for her writing of the songs for her crystals.

  She took a sip of coffee and glanced at the set of boxes she had brought out earlier. Six boxes to add to the ones already in her truck. This morning she wouldn’t be working in her small little shop. Nope, today she’d be setting up and manning her first booth for the towns annual summer festival, which ran from Wednesday through Sunday. The third week in July had always been the time frame for the towns party and Crystal couldn’t wait to participate in it.

  Thankfully her Nana was coming in on Friday and Saturday to help out since it was usually their busy days at the store. At the age of eighty-three her Nana was still as spry as she was thirty years ago. Crystal didn’t know what she’d do without her, and she knew that her time with Nana was limited.

  When her parents were killed by a drunk driver at the age of five, Nana had taken over. She had been her world.

  She took a sip of her coffee again listening to the birds sing while staring at the two crystals that were giving her a hard time with their song. Usually this only happened when her stones belonged to someone close to her, but she had no clue who till they walked into her life.

  One Azurite or what she called, Moonstar every time she picked it up there was an image of a man. So, it was obvious that this one would go to some man, but who she had no idea.

  The song of the Summer Tanager bird drew her attention just as the song of the crystal started to form in her head.

  Sumer nights full of stars and unknow worlds my song for you, attuned to visions will spiritually guide and amplify your knowledge of the inner soul of who you are.

  Damn, that one song had her thoughts a jumble. She shook her head setting the crystal down once more zoning into the song of the birds around her clearing her head. She had thirty minutes left before she had to leave. Hopefully plenty of time to finish the last story she had set aside, the Rhodonite.

  Red, pink, black a very complicated crystal. The words were once more jumbled as she lifted the last stone, needing to get this one finished to before she left for the day. Balance, business, love. A very comforting stone, giving comfort to someone who needed it.

  The song of this one reminded her of a Highlander, its name for the stone she gave it. This one belonged to someone organized, business like, but with a rose heart. This person only showed their love to their true ones.

  Stone of Love, feel my presence. Rising higher and higher we go together, but knowing at once what those around us need. A Highlander of generosity and happiness to those that hear my song.

  It was done. Her two troubled stones now had their songs. Crystal stood and stretched before picking up the two crystals and placing them in her purse.

  With the animals fed, Crystal loaded up the last of her boxes in her SUV before hoping in, but stopping as two squirls ran across her driveway chasing each other. She laughed, grabbing her purse watching the two as she got into her car.

  Something was different this week. Crystal didn’t know what it was, but her gut was telling her that her life was going to change in some way. Would it be a good change she had no clue, but she was a little excited. Who knew maybe it was the festival bringing her the excitement. She loved little things like this and visited as many as she could.

  “All journeys have Secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware of,” Crystal whispered the quote she had found the other day by Martin Buber and smiled. “What secret destination will I take?”

  Chapter Two

  Why had Oliver agreed to play in this small town was a puzzle. Secret Keepers had plenty of gigs and Trent had a real hard time leaving home this short notice to travel here. Even though Chicago was close, it was still a pain in the butt arranging his schedule.

  “I know what you are thinking, but this gig we can just relax and have a little fun. We all need a break, and your sister swears this town is ‘awesome,’ her words,” Oliver said.

  Trent glanced behind him as his best friend came to his side. “You let her book us, didn’t you?”

  Oliver sighed. “Didn’t let her, she was at the computer when I came out of the damn bathroom. Didn’t even realize we had a gig till two weeks ago, hence the short notice,” he grumbled.

  “Not to worry I will be speaking with my little sister about this, but we might as well check out what other bands are playing,” Trent said, watching as an old SUV pulled into the closed road and parking off to the right.

  What had him interested was the logo, Songs of the Crystals. Was this person in a band too? Because he had never heard of the name, but Trent love to check out new bands. He watched a woman step out of the car and stretch looking around when she turned to face them Trent swore the air was knocked out of him.

  Even from a distant he could her beauty, but it wasn’t just her outer body, no there was something very old in her gaze.

  “Find out when we can do a practice run. I also want to test the waters this weekend with Where are you. I think it’s ready to be heard and with this venue it might be a perfect time to do it. Do you know when we will actually perform?” Trent asked.

  “We have two different times and locations we will be performing. The main stadium will be at seven pm on Saturday night. We have an hour there. The other location will be tomorrow at the small pavilion in the middle of the square. There we will be two hours,” Oliver explained.

  “Strange, usually it’s the other way around. Okay see if we can set up a quick run around six tonight. I’m going to walk around and see the layout of this town,” Trent said.

  Oliver reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “You, okay? You seem out of it this morning.”

  Trent glanced at Oliver and smiled. “I don’t know what it is, but my little sister might be right there is something about this place. Anyway, while I’m out there I will see I can find some of those pieces I want for the cabin. Who knows maybe our special lady is here.” Trent glanced back to the SUV studying the one woman who was now unloading boxes from her car to a little cart.

  “I too have been drawn to her since she pulled in. Go scoop it out while I check on the practice run,” he grinned. “Now if she’s the one doesn’t go and scare her off Mr. Boss man.”

  “Ha, look who’s talking Mr. Grumpy ass and you know we won’t know any thing at first glance. Sorry don’t believe in first glance crap, but I will go see if this lady needs some help. Although I do like watching the back view here.”

  “You always prefer the backend, while me, I’ll take the whole package. Well maybe a little more on the boobs,” he laughed, walking away.

  Trent grunted watching his friend leave. People around them sometimes believed they were sexual partners, but the truth is even at an early age the both of them knew they would share the same lady. We’re they kinky as some people would say, hell yes.

  At the age of six, Oliver had lost his mom, his mother’s best friend and of course his mother had insisted her son live with them, especially since his drunk father was nowhere to be found.

  Yes, his mother was a saint as far as he was concerned raising seven of her own children and adding Oliver to their bunch.

  Trent moved across the street towards the stunning woman to hear her humming to a Mama & Papa’s tune as she lifted another box, but said box slipped and would have dumped all over the ground if he hadn’t grabbed it for her.

  “Oh my God thank you so much, if I would have lost one of my babies I would have flipped out,” she said taking the box from him after placing it on her cart, before glancing up at him.

  She had the biggest brown eyes and her smile had him dazed for a second which w
as so usually. “You are welcome. Do you need help carrying anything? I’m Trent Water here for the band contes. Do you live here?”

  The woman smiled and tilted her head to the side. “I would love some help, but you really don’t have to. I know you guys like to practice and such. Plus, I’ll be here the four days. I’m Crystal Packo and I’ve lived here for about three years now. I own a small shop in town called, Songs of The Crystals.” She held out another box. “If you could carry this, I should have everything but the displays, which I’ll come back for.”

  Trent glanced at the box then at her. “Crystals as in the stone?” he asked.

  She shut the trunk of her car, locking it before turning her gaze on him. “You have a problem with Crystals?”

  “Easy there, I just never understood the need for them, I mean they’re some stunning ones, but do they really do what they say they do?”

  “Depends, but so do a lot of things. Each one of my stones has its own song.” She stopped and glanced back at him and smiled. “Now I know why I needed to get those stones done.” She turned and continued to walk. “I found two stones over a month ago, but couldn’t get their song till today. One of them is yours,” she said pulling up to a small booth next to the pavilion in the center of the park.

  “Are you going to be out here by yourself?” he asked, looking around noticing a few people setting up. “It’s still pretty early,” he asked a little worried about leaving her there by herself. They weren’t in Chicago, but still, anything could happen.

  Chapter Three

  Crystal placed her purse on the table looking for the Highlander stone. She knew it belong to him, but would he scoff at it, toss it aside. She sighed pulling out said crystal. “I haven’t written down it’s song yet on paper, but it’s meant to be yours.”

  “What do you mean song?” he took the red, black, and pink rock into his hand looking at the rock.

  “I call it the Highlander. Its song goes like this. Stone of Love, feel my presence. Rising higher and higher we go together, but knowing at once what those around us need. A Highlander of generosity and happiness to those that hear my song. My gift to you for your help. If you stop by later, I’ll give you the paper that goes with this one. It will explain more, that is if you want to learn.”

  She said, taking the box from him placing it on the table starting to place the boxes on the tables, before turning to the man. He was a handsome one, but there was a serious nature to him, almost like he didn’t know how to relax. Even his day clothes were immaculate, tidy and matching, almost making her holey jeans cheap.

  “You’re staring pretty lady,” the man said, his voice dropped down an octave or two sending a chill through her.

  Her cheeks heated and she looked down at the ground. “Sorry, have a bad habit of doing that when I’m trying to figure someone out. Better go get my displays, again thank you for helping me and I hope to see you again this week.”

  She started to walk back to her car, pulling her now empty cart with her purse on her shoulder.

  “You going to leave your stones there?” he asked, looking back at the table.

  “No one will bother them. There are cameras all over down here, plus the Sherriff office is now setting up their booth on the other side of the pavilion,” she said and turned to glance over her shoulder moaning.

  “What? What’s wrong?” he asked, glancing behind him.

  “I will apologize ahead of time,” she said, as Daniel once more seemed to know where she was.

  “I was wondering if you were going to be here Crystal. Thought maybe after you close down tonight, we could grab a bite to eat,” Daniel asked, glancing at Trent as he stood, watching the man.

  “Thank you, Daniel, but I’ve told you there could be nothing between us. What happened with Sandy? I thought you to were a thing now?” she asked and immediately Crystal thought she saw a flash of anger run through his gaze, plus his hands clenched at his sides.

  He plastered a fake smile on his face sending goosebumps down her arms. “No, she decided to go back to her ex. I didn’t think it would work out anyway. I know you are meant to be my true soul mate,” Daniel said and tried to reach out to touch her, but she stepped away from him shaking her head.

  “No Daniel. You are not my soul mate. We discussed this. There is nothing in my heart for you Daniel I’m sorry. You need to forget about me. I don’t mean to be so blunt, but you need to stop.”

  “Fuck your heart, it’s my heart that matters. I know it in here.” He pounded his chest. “If you would just quit messing with those stupid rocks.” He spun around leaving her.

  She turned around heading to her car. “As if I need this crap,” she mumbled, just as her big foot caught the uneven sidewalk.

  Instead of her box Trent now caught her right before her face could hit the ground. “Easy pretty lady I have you,” Trent whispered, helping her stand. “He did a real number on you. Is he always that way?”

  Crystal closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Ever since I moved in Daniels been around, but lately he’s been a little pushier, but tonight…It was the first time it was scary,” she said, opening her eyes to gaze up into Trent’s gaze.

  “But you don’t need to hear all about this, but thank you again for saving me. I think tomorrow I will be bringing Doris with me,” she said, standing up on her tippy toes placing a kiss on Trent’s cheek.

  “Again, thank you I don’t know what I would have done. Now I’ll let you explore the booths. I’ve taken up enough of your time,” she said, stepping back out of his arms, but he held onto her hand.

  “Let me help with your displays. I don’t like the idea of you being alone with this man running around,” Trent twined his fingers with hers, guiding her towards her car as she pulled her wagon next to her.

  “You really don’t need to do this,” she again said, glancing down at their joined hands.

  “You’re going to fall again if you keep staring at me,” he grinned, glancing at her.

  “Why do I get the feeling you are the bossy type?” she asked. “And just so you know I’m not an easy lay. You do know there are plenty of other pretty ladies around here.”

  Trent laughed bringing her hand up and placing a kiss on the top of her hand. “Crystal, I can promise you I am not looking for an easy lay. However, we are looking for our partner that will complete our circle for however long we have on this world.”

  She stopped and stared at him. “We? I’m sorry I’m not into other females” she tried to pull her hand away, but once more he held on. “Please release my hand.”

  “I’ve scared you, for that I am sorry and it’s not another woman dear lady. You would be the only lady in this relationship if this happens. So, do expect another visit from my partner and band member. His name is Oliver. He can be a bit rough, but when he loves it’s with his full heart.” Trent said, once more pulling her towards her car. “Now let’s get your displays set up so I’ll feel better when your merchandise is safe in it’s holders.”

  Chapter Four

  Trent smiled as Crystal followed him to her car. He swore the wheels in her head could be heard. Was he moving fast, hell yea. Witnessing what that freak was saying to her, everything inside of him had him on alert. The thought of her getting hurt had his stomach in a large knot.

  No matter what happened he wasn’t about to leave her alone right now. Was she the one for them? He didn’t know, but there was something there and he’d be stupid if he didn’t explore it, because no one had stirred these kinds of feelings in him in a long time.

  He stopped in front of her and glanced down at her. At six foot four she came to his chin, her blond hair was in a braid and the hip hugger jeans…Well, formed to her round butt perfectly.

  “Now you are staring. I do believe this day keeps getting weirder and weirder,” she mumbled moving around him to open the backseat door where the displays were.

  “I must ask are you seeing anyone?” Trent asked, taking the display out of her hand and placing it in her cart.

  “No, really haven’t had the time. Opening my store and getting settled in my little farm,” she looked over her shoulder as she grabbed the next display. “You? I’m sure singing in a band you get many women waiting around in the wings for you. Plus, it helps your hotter than hell,” she mumbled the last part her face turning a little pink.