Strange things happen when she sings

Strange things happened around her all the time. Christie tucked her hair behind her ear and hummed softly to the song in her head as she rinsed off the dishes. Priscilla was on the cushion now, her chest heaving up and down slowly as if giving rhythm to Christie's song.

Source
Priscilla had slumped into Christie's arms on their way from school that afternoon. It was a hot day, yes, but not hot enough to make an agile young lady suddenly lose balance.

She had dialed Priscilla's mother on her cell phone immediately.

It took almost 30 minutes for her to find a cab and take Priscilla home as her mother took none of her calls. As they took the journey home, her favorite song came to mind.

She began it as a hum first, clutching Priscilla tightly, then the wordings came out as if from her soul, and suddenly, a soft moan escaped Priscilla's lips.

“Where are we?”

Priscilla had raised herself up now and was straining to see where she was.

“Seriously Christie, Why are we in an Uber? I thought we were going home!”

“You really don't remember anything?” Christie's blue eyes were wide with alarm. Priscilla's head went from one side to the other, slowly.

Christie rubbed at her temples.

“We were heading home together and you passed out” Realization hit Priscilla's face and she bowed her head.

“My mom took me for a test last month and I was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope. I was told that I would need an ICD” There were tears in her eyes as she spoke.

Christie meshed her fingers with Priscilla's and began that song again.

She kept her eyes open this time, articulating every sound intentionally. She could feel Priscilla's hands trembling in hers as she sang. By the time they got to Christie's house, Priscilla was trembling like a leaf and sweating profusely.

Christie dialed Priscilla's mother again and clucked her teeth when she didn't respond. She leaped up in fear when the door suddenly flung open.

“Mom,” Her mother looked from her to Priscilla and back.

“Hey. What's going on here?” Christie ran to her mother's side.

“She slumped on our way from school and I suddenly got the urge to sing. She woke up almost immediately”

“What’s wrong with her?” There was alarm in her mother's eyes

“She was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope”

“Look, Christie, we don't need this attention. When her mother finds out she doesn't have the vasovagal whatever anymore, she's going to want explanations!”

“I want explanations too, Mom. What is really happening? Why are you certain she doesn't have vasovagal syncope anymore?”

Her mother bit her lip and sighed.

“You're big enough now, You deserve to know” Then taking out a bottle of water and gulping all of it, she took the seat opposite Christie. “I realized when you were 6. Strange things occurred around you from birth, like when you hugged my mother on her sick bed and she was able to walk around 3 hours later, like she was never sick at all. I didn't suspect it had anything to do with your songs, but I noticed that day that Molly, your dog, was dying.”

Christie rose to walk the length of the room, eyes transfixed on her mother as she spoke.

“You hugged that dog and with tears in your eyes, sang your heart out. I watched that dog return to life in your arms, Christie. I was so sure that I cut myself deeply with a knife the very next day and tempted you to do the same thing. I was right”

Christie's eyes were shining brighter than light bulbs now.

“You mean, people get healed when I sing?”

“Yes. When people are hurt and you sing, they become healed”

Christie's mouth hung open

“Why did you never tell me, Mom?”

“I was trying to protect you. Think of how people would react when they found out you were special, your life could be in danger”

“So what do I do next? Priscilla's mom will definitely find out and as you said, come for explanations”

Her mom shook her head sadly.

“We leave first thing tomorrow morning. This is one of the reasons we've never lived in a place for long. I'm trying to protect you, Christie. You must understand that this is for your own good”

Christie nodded as her mother took her into her embrace.

“Until we find out how you can use this gift safely, we will be quiet about it. Come on, pack up your things”

As Christie walked up the stairs, A million thoughts ran through her head. She couldn't explain how she felt but it was a different feeling, she was coming to terms with the fact that she was really special.