Chapter 35

The first conscious thought that came to Jordan was that her head hurt. Bad. Her next thought was of her dad and she sat up with a start, the room spinning around her, making her nauseous.

     “Whoa, whoa now little lady,” a man’s voice purred and she felt someone take her by the shoulders and ease her back into a reclining position.

     “Where am I?” Jordan asked.

     “One second please,” the man replied and then she was in her mother’s arms, listening to her mother cry as she attempted to reassure her that everything was fine.

     Jordan’s heart sunk. Her father was dead. She knew it and she braced herself for the news.

     “It’s OK, mom, you can tell me. What’s happened?” Jordan whispered.

     “Oh honey, I am so, so sorry!” her mother sobbed and Jordan could barely keep herself from the sobs she felt rising within her own chest. Her throat constricted and she felt hot and sweaty.

     “Dad-“ Jordan began and was interrupted by her mother who seemed to grow stronger at the word.

     “Your father is on the way, honey, don’t worry.”

     “What?” Jordan yelped and she once more sat straight up, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her head. Her expression caused her mother’s fear and sadness to turn to perplexity as she gazed at Jordan in concern.

     “D-dad’s OK?” Jordan asked.

     “Well of course he’s OK. His flight was delayed – something about a bomb threat - and then the police called about you and he got Ed to take his flight instead. He’s on the way. The police are in the lobby waiting to talk with you, Jordan. What happened?”

     Jordan wasn’t even sure where to begin, but she knew that if she started spouting off about magic mirrors, they’d either chalk it up to delirium or insanity. No, she’d stick to the facts, and leave the magic out of it.

     Not long after Jordan was interviewed by the police and she let them know about Teresa, how she’d previously stolen Jordan’s phone and belongings, how she’d attacked Jordan in her room, and that Jordan really didn’t know why Teresa had done these things.  Satisfied, the police left and in their wake, her father strode in. Jordan burst out crying and she felt just like a little girl again as her father sat on the side of the hospital bed and held her in his arms, rocking her and making soft shooshing noises into her hair.

     She had done it! Her parents were alive and the mirror was destroyed. “Thank God it’s over,” she whispered. The thought of finally not knowing- not being able to see what was coming in the future- while for most folks might be disconcerting- but for Jordan, it was serenity.