Light Lessons

The Great Illuminations: Heaven, the Universe, the Hereafter, Nirvana, Paradise. Same thing. Same Light.

Jane: From the Great Illuminations we send our pure shining Light and Love to our darling Jesse… to help him remember and Know Wonder.

Oh, the power of our words.

(Gemma had hurled her turquoise sapphire ring across the room and shouted at Jesse to “Leave me alone! Just GO!” And Jesse ran away – down to the beach – not knowing what to do.))

Dearie’s magical white stone rolled in his fingers. All at once he thought, Maybe I can climb up the stone wall. Up to the Boathouse porch. I can, he told himself. I can do it.

Jesse felt his knife in his pocket and memory fizzes bubbled up. It all started with this knife – my knife – that once-upon-a-time, belonged to Gemma.

Gemma recalled: Mac’s cat, Pharoah, pawed me awake – to the terror of a smoke-filled room. She led me to the window and the fire escape.

I followed an odd clapping sound. It was a baby! Leading me down the fire escape to safety! The baby spoke: Jump! Let go! Jump!

Gemma: “I fell sound asleep in Daniel’s bed. And in my dreams my Daniel was with me I felt adored. Beloved. Blessed. The baby was in my dreams, too. That beautiful, beautiful baby. I knew in those timeless moments that I was already carrying our child. And even on that terrible night, inside that dream, everyone and everything was more real, more beautiful than what was actually happening all around me.”

A seagull joined Gemma and Jesse, Conor and Amanda, on board the catboat. It seemed to sympathize with Gemmas’ story.

Gemma crowed: “Papa’s wedding card! Uncle Trevor’s wedding card! Such love! And even more, each card held $500! In cash!”

Sorrowfully, Gemma related: “Time was not my helpmate. I learned that, in my absence, my darling Papa – and my dear Uncle Trevor – died. Both dead.

Jesse saw the loons, disappearing together in the safety and care of their grass nest. Amanda said, “Just like those loons, this family will take care of its own.”

Jesse was feeling lonely … and hungry. How he wished he could go inside the Boathouse. Inside, he would be comfy with the big chairs and the shelves of books, and he could get something to eat. Then he saw the cedar chest lid – and inside there was a boy!

Your Light draws others like the moon draws the tides.

The boy said, “I’m nobody. But everybody knows who you are. Everybody loves you. You’ve got the magic. You know things.”

The boy seemed magical – the way he knew everything about him and Gemma and Windy Hill Farm … and had read their books. The way he let himself into the Boathouse … and cooked a delicious breakfast for them – even though the eggs were stolen from Gemma’s chickens.

Glory BE! Jesse didn’t know what to think or what to do. He was trying to figure out why he liked this thieving, trespassing boy – who says he never hurts anything – and leaves everything ship-shape like Gemma likes it.

Jesse almost shouted at the boy: How do you know all this about Gemma and Windy Hill Farm? At the same time he thought, Why don’t I know all this?

The land of wonder. Where everything is possible.

Jesse remembered Jane’s words: Be the Light! No matter what! He rushed to hug Gemma – and she felt a lightning bolt of tenderness – love – streak through her. (But in the next second it vanished.)

Jesse recalled Dearie’s advice: In any argument, the best weapon to hold is your tongue.

It was a long tense walk with Gemma. Yet Jesse smelled the sun-warmed honey-suckle. And he saw the wondrous, gorgeous cherry tree in full bloom. Jesse knew, it was Dearie. Gemma cut him off. “I’m not your Dearie.” Jesse felt she had stung him like a wasp. But he breathed and thought: Oh. Jane said, It’s me. It’s MY Light. No matter what.

Jesse was not willing to give up. On purpose he remembered what Gemma had said in her story, and he thought: I want Gemma to be splendid and thriving! I want to have a splendid-thriving day! Fine! So fine! He dared to try again. (re: idea to go fishing at Oyster Point.) And like magic, Gemma slowly said, “We shall have lunch. Then Oyster Point it is.”

The farther away from Windy Hill, the happier Gemma became, joking and teasing with Jesse. He happily followed Gemma, feeling his heart cheer, Oh Gemma-Gemma-Gemma!

Jesse caught a rather unsightly baby flounder fish. Jesse wanted to name it “Beauty”. Upon releasing it, he thought it was dead. With patience he waited – and sure enough, it swam away, with Jesse calling after it, “Good-bye my beauty! Grow! Grow more beautiful!”

Gemma thrilled, “Jesse, now you have caught a monster fish! Such beginner’s luck! Oh, no,” Jesse answered, “Dearie always said there’s no such thing as luck! (meaning: I was supposed to be here. And the fish was, too!)

Gemma was startled when Mr. Nielsen offered to take a photo of them with the fish … and … buy the fish … and give them dinner at the restaurant. She thought: Buy? This fish is worth money? Money … shall come … through a fish?
Jesse just grinned from ear to ear, thinking, Splendid and Thriving! Fine! So fine!

Gemma offered her truck to transport the fish for Mr. Nielsen.
He grinned, “That’ll work like a charm!”
Gemma beamed, A charm. Yes. Suddenly, my life is charmed. This fish is worth its weight in gold!

Jesse didn’t trust Morton Mealy. But he didn’t have to talk to him at all! Mr. and Mrs. Nielsen interrupted … with a fabulous offer! Both Gemma and Jesse could work at the hotel! Now Jesse wanted to cheer!

Gemma did cheer, “This is all too good to be true! She added her Shakespeare: “‘Fortune is merry, and in this mood will give us anything!”’

Jesse felt Gemma grow tense as they entered B. Gooding’s shop to buy new clothes. But he heard Jane: Jesse, my love-adore! Shine! Believe! No matter what! And Jesse did! All the clothing and items at B. Gooding’s shop were on sale!

Gemma and Jesse found Tilly “Pickles” Pickford outside of the shop … crying. Jesse saw her fingers pressing the bright, shining cross hanging on her necklace. He looked at Gemma – and very surprisingly, she nodded, and invited Tilly to stay with them at Windy Hill!

But the closer they got to Windy Hill, the more vexed Gemma acted.

At the back kitchen door, something was wrong. The dogs were snuffling and worrying all about. And the door was hanging open.

Dark are the clouds, until you believe that the sun is always waiting behind them.

The house was in a shambles and Gemma turned into a wreck again. “Oh!” she wailed. “This is impossible! Impossible!”

Jesse was upset, yet his lips grimmeled, remembering Alice in Wonderland, when the Queen told Alice: “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” Jesse liked to say that ‘impossible’ only meant ‘I–aM–POSSIBLE! He knew he had to imagine
and turn on his Light. But he didn’t know how to tell Gemma any of that.

Jesse felt Dearie’s stone in his pocket, and he felt … Dearie! Peeking through his eyelashes, he saw the wonder above him. A perfect pink cloud of flowers. It was Dearie! Dancing! Jesse felt a cascade of Light showering him.

“Gemma …” Jesse quieted, “things are already working out. We have Tilly to help us keep Windy Hill safe. We can work at the hotel. Earn money for the telephone, and then we can always call for help. And I just have a feeling … everything else will work out, too.” He finished with one of Dearie’s best sayings: “All is well.”

Tilly called the police, and they took charge, fingerprinting, getting Morton Mealy to change all the door locks, and even setting up a guard for their home this very night. Jesse saw Gemma’s face crumple into tears of gratitude.

In the attic, Jesse crowed to Tilly of their upcoming hotel adventure. Why!” Tilly exclaimed, “This is purely Providential! God has found me a place to stay! And given you the freedom to earn! All is well!”
“All is well!” Jesse repeated, adding Dearie’s old phrase, “And so it is.”

But Gemma was crying – so unsure of herself. She even called herself the Black Widow.

Jesse felt like they were trapped in some kind of invisible web. Always that Black Widow. But Tilly was having none of it. “Now you listen to me, Gemma. You are not 19 anymore. You are a grown woman, a mother, a grandmother, a furniture builder, a farm owner … a success! You have God-given gifts and talents and you have used them fruitfully. Why, this farm radiates the Light of God!

She quoted the Bible: “In Jeremiah, the Lord says, ‘I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.’” “Gemma,” Tilly pressed on, “you are going to that hotel. It is your hope and your future.”

In the attic, the portrait of Gemma’s bejeweled grandmother Avery sneered at Jesse: He wondered, Where are all those jewels? Maybe there really is a treasure on Windy Hill. But he felt Avery scoffing, You’ll never know. This is one puzzle you cannot solve!
Jesse blithely skipped away from her. Next thing, he was in the truck with Gemma, and said, “How beautiful you look! I’m glad you don’t look anything like your grandmother Avery.” He silently added, I’m really glad when you don’t act like Avery!

Gemma had on her glittering turquoise sapphire wedding ring. He was happy and relieved to see her wearing it again.

Jesse felt a wave of mistrust as he saw Morton Mealy drive into Windy Hill. But in that moment, Tilly assailed Morton with her umbrella raised like a rifle – poking and jolting and warning Morton to behave – or else! Jesse and Gemma burst into laughter!

Jesse had such fun in the hotel kitchen with Mr. Nielsen, the cooks and the waitresses – playing little jokes and challenging each other with tongue twisters (Irish wrist watch!). His laughter heralded his bright-eyed happiness to see Gemma so happy.

After dinner, Jesse explored the beach and was surprised to find one beach treasure after another. Back at the hotel he was surprised again to find one of his favorite people there – Charlie Lipley, dancing up a storm to a fun hit tune. Then he was surprised again: Charlie works as the nightwatchman at the hotel!

Mr. Nielsen said, “Your flounder was a big hit! You and Jesse were a hit, too!”

Jesse played “Taps”– ‘Ben Butterfield’s Lullaby”– and softly sang the lyrics: Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hills, from the sky; All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Jesse wrote to Conor and Billy – only the good things. Then he turned out the light and fell into his bunk bed.

Jesse dreamed, his beautiful Dearie dream. His mother, Jane was here, too. And his father, James. All floating in the exquisite music, the “Flower Duet”, which Dearie had played on her violin the night before she died.

Once again, Jesse felt the beautiful white dream-birds, holding him, floating him through the air. He heard smiling voices– Dearie and Jane and James– “All is Well, Jesse! Safely rest. God is nigh!”

Next morning, Jesse received a letter from Billy. He thought, I would LOVE Billy and all the Maguire’s to come here! That would be fine. So fine!

Jesse is enthusiastic about everything – telling Greta and Matts about the hotel, playing beautiful music on the Victrola, getting all their meals at the hotel, writing about his beach treasures in his morning journal … and he noticed, Gemma looked lovely.

Jesse kept his Light on – no matter what!
The closer they got to the hotel the lovelier Gemma was. Jesse got permission to practice on the hotel piano … and Mr. Nielsen liked his playing.

Mr. Nielsen introduced Jesse to the hotel housekeeper, Mrs. Wilson. He could tell she didn’t want him for her helper. But he kept his Light on. He respectfully and responsibly followed all her instructions.

Jesse was rewarded with an unexpected game of hide-and-seek with Mrs. Wilson. She scared the B’Jeekers out of Jesse! He laughed and thought, Oh this is going to be fun working with Mrs. Wilson!

Wonder begins everything.

Gemma was not happy at the farm. It was clear that being at the hotel was a relief from all her farm and furniture responsibilities.
But every morning, Jesse felt her bad mood fading away once they pulled out of Windy Hill and headed for the hotel. When Gemma was there, she wasn’t like Avery. She was like her old loving self again, and Jesse loved to see her wearing Daniel’s ring.

Just when Gemma felt she could not endure a moment more of standing half-naked in front of this unknown couple, miraculously, the kitchen door opened. “Mrs. Wilson!” she cried gratefully.

Watching the rain drip down the window, Jesse wondered, “… how each drop decides where it will go. Which river it will join. Or if it will break off and make a brand-new river.”

Professor Eisley gazed with Jesse. “They are all travelers … on a course toward the destiny of their choosing. They each find their own way.”

Jesse remembered the magic tricks of water: It was January 1st, my 5-year-old birthday. In the early morning, the glass was covered with frosty feathers and snowflake-y patterns, and I watched them disappear in the morning sun. Then a long icicle began to melt, dripping, dripping, till it was gone! Lastly, at sunset the icicle grew back! It really was magic!

Professor Eisley quoted Sir Isaac Newton: “‘To myself I seem to be only like a boy playing on the sea-shore…’”

Jesse hopped excitedly, “I know that quote! Isaac Newton says that he finds pebbles and shells on the shore…‘while the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.’”

“Harrison? Elliot? Harrison Elliot!” The professor sat up straight. “My stars! Why Harrison Elliot is the reason I have come to this island! What a coincidence! What luck!”
“Oh, it’s not luck Professor Eisley!” Jesse twittered. “And no coincidence. Dearie always said, there’s no such thing! No. No luck. No coincidence. You are supposed to be here. And you are supposed to meet my Gemma.”

“Row, row row your boat … gently down the stream …”

On the beach, Jesse was excited to meet Joel White – the son of E.B. White – who wrote Charlotte’s Web! Jesse told him how to get into town to buy supplies and he promised to watch over Joel’s dinghy at the shoreline.
Joel took Jesse by the shoulders. “You are a gift from the sea!”

Jesse felt his stomach flop. He and the dinghy were on a collision course with the ferry! Help! He whispered desperately. Help me!

As if holding the seashell to his ear, two voices melted into the breeze, beautiful, loving voices.
It was Jane and James, his mother and father, saying: Jesse! Ask! Ask for help! And keep your wonder Light On!

Jesse saw the ferry boat towering over him.
Suddenly, Dearie’s loving music came to Jesse: “The Flower Duet.” He heard it clearly. He felt his beautiful white dream birds, holding him, floating him through the air. Jesse heard voices: Dearie, Jane, James: “Believe, Jesse. All is Well. And so it is.”

A beautiful calm settled in Jesse’s heart. He was floating, safely. And the music sang: All is well. Jesse’s thoughts answered, And so it is.

At the very last second, Jesse was rescued by the boy – who powerfully rowed the dinghy out of harm’s way.

Then the boy taught Jesse how to row. And it was easy!

Professor Eisley explained to Gemma that a young lawyer, Philip Wynne, appeared in his Philadelphia office, asking about Harrison Elliot.”

“Phillip? Wynne?” Gemma exclaimed. “Why Phillip is my brother!” She looked at Daniel’s ring, shining in turquoise sparkles. Why, things are percolating! Providence, indeed!

On the shore seawall, Jesse saw Joel White. “Look!” he roused the boy, “Now you can meet Joel White!”
The boy became so excited. “Wowza! I get to meet a real-life connection to Charlotte’s Web! This is the greatest!”

Gemma was angry with Jesse. But, with his cheerful, confident energy flowing, Jesse was undeterred. He exclaimed happily, “I’ve been on an adventure Gemma!

Jesse invited everyone to Windy Hill: “The more the merrier!”
He didn’t hear Gemma gasp. He was thinking of what Mr. Andy had once told him: “Look for the presence of wonder.” Yes, Jesse was in a wonderment at all these wonderful people.

Gemma was dumbfounded. It seemed preposterous. A gathering? At Windy Hill?

Grand dreams, grand energy, grand ideas! Bring it all to life!

In the Treasure rooms of the barn, Jesse wondered out loud. “Why did the animals and plants, all of a sudden burst out back then? It must have been like fireworks exploding on the earth!” The professor paused. “Very well said, Jesse: like fireworks.” He shrugged. “The answer may lie in these fossils. Sometimes the tiniest fossils– like these trilobites– may lead to our biggest discoveries.”

Jesse turned to Peter. “I have a request, too! For Gemma. Her furniture is due at T.J. O’Farrell’s, but we’re at the hotel all day. Could you take it there for her?”
Gemma instantly ranted, “Jesse! How presumptuous and rude!”
But Jesse remembered, in the dinghy, feeling Jane and James. He quieted, “Gemma, we need help. We have to ask– ask for help.”
Tilly blurted, “Not brazen at all! Not in the least!” Her fingers reached for her cross. “God says, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” You have to ask, Gemma. Consider this: if you never ask, the answer is always no. So, ask … with love. Show Jesse the way.”

Jesse boasted for Gemma, pointing, “You know, Gemma makes all the pieces and we put them together. Just like a puzzle from a box!” He stopped. “Like a puzzle.”
His thoughts tumbled, one after the other, and he pulled them all together, blurting, “Gemma? What if you sell your furniture like a puzzle in a box. And let the people who buy it– let them put it together! It would save you lots of time.”
“That is a great idea!” Peter enthused. “A boxed kit!”
Charlie got excited, too. “Jesse’s onto something big! Look, Gemma! You’ve already got your plans, drawings, and instructions, right here!” He tapped the wall of papers.
Peter added, “People will love it! I’d love it!”
Jesse was full of hope, shining in his eyes. Gemma was suddenly happy. He was happy for her. And happy for himself. He waggled his ears joyfully.

Gemma read E.B. White’s poem silently until the last line, which she read out loud: “Attach one silken strand to you … for my returning.” Her face was soft with large tears poised to spill. “Ohhh,” she husked, “this poem– written in 1929– the same year my Daniel left …” The tears spilled down her cheeks. “It is as if Daniel wrote this to me, to return … to me. It feels so … so real.”

Jesse hugged Gemma and was surprised that she hugged him back. He stood in her embrace, feeling her heart beating with his own.

Jesse copied the poem, thinking, There is something about these words. Gemma really likes it. He folded it up and put it into his pocket.

In the hallway bench, Jesse nearly suffocated on the putrid fumes from Mrs. “Tooter”. Now free, but still lying on the floor, Jesse opened his eyes. Is Mrs. WIlson crying for me? Mrs. Wilson blurted between her cries, “Aiy! How horrrrible!” But she was laughing! Laughing! Jesse felt a laugh burbling into his chest … and the two of them laughed till they were as limp as steamed noodles.

Walking from the hotel to Windy Hill, Jesse was hot and sweaty, and hoping that Peter would be at his Creek Bait Shop, so he could get a cool glass of water. He didn’t even have to knock on Peter’s door. It opened like magic and Peter handed Jesse a glass of water!

Jesse watched Charlie install the phone and he made the first call … to Gemma! “Thrill-digging!” Tilly chuckled. “Jeremiah says: ‘… the voice of jubilation and the voice of joy! Praise God!’”

“Whooo-Hooo!” Jesse shouted, as Charlie backed the car out of the carriage house and drove round and round the cherry tree.

Charlie looked at Jesse. “Hey, ya wanna drive?” Jesse came up off the seat! “Really? Oh, YES!”

“Oh! OH!” Jesse grasped the wheel. “OH! I’m driving!” He crowed, “I’m driving! THRILLDIGGING!”

“Surprise, Gemma!” Jesse and Charlie chanted.
Gemma leapt down the steps and circled the Ford Sedan, rambling through old memories and new appreciations.

Gemma did not count Jesse in all her blessings. Jesse sat quietly. He wanted her to say, “I have you, Jesse!” But she didn’t.

Yet all at once, Jesse smelled chocolate. Jane? Oh Jane!
Ah, my dearest darling Jesse. Remember, Dearie taught you to breathe, and then pivot to your highest and ‘bliss-t’ thoughts. Remember the Bliss-t List, Jesse. Choose. And Light On!

Jesse did remember. Dearie said that only I make myself happy– or sad. And she taught me to choose my happy. And pivot! How to leave my bad thoughts behind– and get into my bliss-t thoughts. The best!

Dearie said the Light is always here … waiting for me to get into the Light. I remember! He chiggled, to himself. The Bliss-t List. I’ll just make a little bliss-t list of Gemma’s-Bests, and practice-practice-practice: fun with Gemma!

Stand in your Light. Be your Light.

Jesse took a deep breath, enthusing, “Let’s telephone Conor and Amanda!”
They did! First, Gemma got to have a warm, enjoyable talk with Rob Dana, then they had an over-babbling talk with Amanda and Conor … and they hoped to visit Windy Hill over the 4th of July weekend. Jesse felt his heart soaring! (But Gemma hung up and told Jesse to go to bed.)

Jesse had a swell time in the barn with Greta and Matts and their mother Margarethe, relating all the wonder-full events and people. He had them in hysterical laughter, telling of Mrs. “Tooter”.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen Tilly scolded Gemma for treating Jesse – and his beautiful Light – so hard-heartedly. “Corinthians has it just right:

Love is patient and kind, not arrogant, insisting on having its own way.
Love is not irritable or resentful, and it does not rejoice in wrongdoing,
but rejoices in the Truth.

This is the love that God wants to light-up in us!”
Gemma stormed off, crying.

On the second floor of the hotel, Jesse played Hide-and-Seek with Mrs. Wilson, hiding in the laundry trolley. Unknowingly, she rolled it to the laundry chute – dangerously heading for the basement!

But Abel Filchin saved Jesse at the last second!

Gemma angrily sent Jesse home, shouting, “Just GO!”
Once again, her words echoed in Jesse’s every step. But he didn’t cry. He breathed. On purpose. He thought of Gemma when she was loving. And laughing. Every footstep, Gemma … loving … laughing ….

Jesse found Tilly in the basement, cutting her hair so that it fell about her face like frisky little feathers! “Tilly!” Jesse amazed, “You look adorable!”
“Adorable!” she chuckled, running her fingers through her short locks. “Better than I hoped! Oh! It feels wonderful!”

Concealed, Jesse watched the Filchins stealing the fossil treasures from the barn at Windy Hill. He tried the phone and the Ham Radio, but they weren’t working. He heard Dearie’s Flower Duet inside his head and reached for Dearie’s stone in his pocket.
A pure white seagull suddenly flew right over his head – and Light popped on for Jesse.

Jesse let loose the animals inside the barn to interfere with the Filchins, while he drove their van out of Windy Hill! The van lurched and pitched, but it definitely moved forward!

But Muggsie and Abel Finch jumped onto the van’s running board trying to scare Jesse into stopping. Instead Jesse plowed out the driveway and down the steep hill.

Jesse heard Dearie’s Flower Duet music inside his head and reached for Dearie’s stone in his pocket. A pure white seagull suddenly flew right over his head – and a Light popped on for Jesse. He felt a new burst of hope and almost laughed at his thoughts.

Jesse let loose the animals inside the barn to interfere with the Filchins, while he drove their van out of Windy Hill! The van lurched and pitched, but it definitely moved forward!

But Muggsie and Abel Finch jumped onto the van’s running board trying to stop Jesse. Instead, Jesse plowed out the driveway and down the steep hill.

Abel and Muggsie screamed at Jesse, “Stop! Stop!”
“OH! Help! Help me!” Jesse’s voice hoarsed in his throat. “Please! Help!”

Jesse, turn your Light On! Bright! Brighter! Know! You are safe! You are protected. You are the Light. Be the Light, Jesse!

My Light! Jesse felt an odd tingling in his hands, his feet. He sipped a deeper breath. LIGHT! The tingling spread into his legs, his arms, his heart …calm … a tingling calm. And he knew: My LIGHT!

Jesse saw Peter’s truck parked at the Creek House. Peter’s here! Peter will help me! At the same time, a police car was driving down to the Creek. The POLICE! Jesse thrilled.

Jesse’s foot slammed on the brake– and the van screeched to a halt! Abel and Muggsie fell off! Faster than a blue wasp on a beetle, Chief Patrulha and his tall sergeant had handcuffs on both Abel and Muggsie.

Jesse was in a stupor, whistering, “I… I just want my Gemma back.”

Thrive! Shine! Light On!

Peter took Jesse to the kitchen at Windy Hill, and went to find Gemma in the barn. She was looking after the almost stolen fossil collection. Oblivious to Jesse’s travails, Peter became angry with her.

Unnerved and in a dark place, Gemma followed Peter down the steps and out the door, desperately pleading, Heaven help me! Help me! Suddenly, she felt Jane. Heard beautiful Jane.

Open your eyes. Open your heart. Remember your Light!

Gemma stumbled to the cherry tree, unaware of the light dappling her head. She stared at a perfect, fragile cherry blossom, and she felt recollections of perfection– Light– above her– around her– and within her.
In that tiny breath of time, Gemma felt pure innocence calling her, pure joy caressing her. She wanted to hold the two– innocence and joy. Hold them like infants, close and forever. But she could not make them stay. Like the cherry blossoms, they fell and floated away on the breeze.

Inside the kitchen, Jesse had fallen asleep at the table. Peter lifted Jesse into his arms. But Gemma collapsed on a chair. It was Tilly who led Peter to Gemma’s bedroom.

Gemma saw Mr. Neilsen’s black-and-white photograph of herself and Jesse, standing with the flounder. Jesse. Her mind swirled as she gazed at Jesse’s face. Yes. Our great fortune began with catching that flounder. All Jesse.

Gemma felt a glimmer of her Light again– it was in Jesse. Peter was carrying her Light in his arms. Innocence. Joy.

Gemma swept after Jesse, and moving to her bed, she made a perfect nest for him. Peter slid him in, and Gemma climbed in next to him, gently pulling up her quilt around the two of them. Gemma, closed her eyes, rising into the Light. And the Light rose within her.

“The ham radio did work,” Chief Patrulha explained to everyone gathered in Gemma’s kitchen. “Jesse had it tuned to the international network. A freighter ship in the Atlantic got Jesse’s message and relayed it directly to us. Jesse made it easy for us.”

“Jesse’s done it again,” The Chief intoned. “How does he handle these impossible situations?” Tilly answered, “He doesn’t think they are impossible. He shines his Light. And God’s angels rush in to help him.”

In the morning, Gemma asked Jesse to forgive her wretched behavior … and Jesse was thrilled to have his Gemma back!

In the barn, Greta shook her head at Jesse. “You are… fremd, Jesse… different. You do have magic.”

At the hotel, Sally asked him, “Jesse why aren’t you talking about any of this? You’re a hero!” Quietly, Jesse responded, “My other grandmother, Dearie, taught me how powerful our words are– creating our whole life. I don’t want to live that again.”

Jesse went to the piano and played Bach’s sublime “Arioso”. He played it a second time through and sat quietly for a moment. Then he went to find Mrs. Wilson in the room where he first hid inside the bedroom cupboard, and he told her, “That cupboard was my favorite hide-and-seek!” “Oh! What a squeeze fer y’ar long legs!

“Not really.” He unfastened the cupboard door and showed her how to open the secret door at the back.
“By jings! I niver knew!”

Jesse walked to Windy Hill, happily thinking, Gemma is diggity-boo with Windy Hill again! At the mailbox he found a letter from Mr. Andy– E.B.White! It was a thank-you note for returning the love poem, with a drawing of a little spider web with Charlotte dangling down! And he signed it, ‘From Charlotte and Andy’!”

Jesse heard his song on Tilly’s radio: Nat King Cole singing “The greatest thing, you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return!” Jesse explained to Tilly how it was his very own song.

Tilly smiled and sang: :Hello young lovers wherever you are … I’ve had a love of my own like yours …” “Oh Jesse,” she continued, “I’m so glad you know that Love is the greatest thing! As John says in the Bible: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God … and God is Love.”

Jesse’s hand found his smooth white Dearie-stone in his pocket. “My other grandmother, Dearie, said that: God is love.” Jesse murmeled, “My Light … it is God.”
“Yes, Jesse. In the Gospel of John, the Lord says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

“No wonder!” Jesse trumpeted. “It is my Light! I’ve seen it! It’s real. Dearie said it’s my real magic, and I was born with it. We’re all born with it!” Tilly agreed. “Your Dearie had it right: God is within you– all his power, glory, love and light.”

Tilly told Jesse the story of her own love, John Durand, who was killed in World War II, and she sang a song about it. Oh, Tilly’s face, Jesse smiled. She looked young and beautiful … adorably beautiful. Jesse felt Tilly’s love, her happiness.

Jesse was in the attic and saw the portrait of Avery again, but he declared, You’re not going to get Gemma now. She’s in the Light!
He looked again at the jewels, and mused, But those are a puzzle. A puzzle … I still love to solve a puzzle!

Charlie Lippley repaired the telephone wire. Jesse picked up the receiver and heard the Operator asking for the number he wanted. (This is important for a later episode.)

Next Charlie looked at replacing the electric wires at Windy Hill. Jesse helped him tour the windmills. He had a sense that someone was there – sneaking around.

“Our last day!” Jesse jumped in the car with Gemma, waving the thank-you note from Mr. Andy, a.k.a. E.B.White. “I forgot to show this to you, Gemma!” He pointed to the drawing of Charlotte’s web.
“Oh, what a sweet drawing of the spider, Charlotte, dangling from her web.” Gemma and wistfully repeated the line from Andy’s poem: “I attach one silken strand to you, for my returning.”
Jesse smiled, knowing Gemma was thinking of Daniel … not in a sad or mad way … but in a good way.

Jesse and Gemma quoted from Alice in Wonderland: “Like the Door Mouse said, ‘Why it’s simply impassible!’”
Gemma took-up Alice’s part: “‘Don’t you mean impossible?’”
Jesse grinned, “‘No, I do mean impassible. Because nothing is impossible!’”
Jesse looked at Gemma. “I believe it! Forever!”
“Remember what the White Rabbit said when Alice asked, ‘How long is forever?’”
“‘Sometimes, just one second!’” Jesse smirfed again, “And we’ve had a lot of fun in ‘one second.’”

In the evening, Peter and Bethesda Philhips arrived for dinner at the hotel. It was their first date.

A full, orange moon rose over the bay. Jesse thought of Dearie’s old lullaby, A gentle light kissing the night … and he felt a magic in the air. Bethesda and Peter seemed to feel the magic, too. Jesse thrilled, thinking of Tilly’s song of “young lovers!” Ohhh, this is so lovey-dovey!

Jesse followed Peter and Bethesda out to the lawn where the moonlight sparkled the dew. Stepping between them, he took their hands and pulled them together, grinning, “I’m pretty sure, when you walk under the full moon you always hold hands. Lovey-dovey.”

Jesse skipped back to the porch and Gemma hugged him, “Oh Jesse, you are quite the romantic.” She murmeled her Shakespeare: “‘Joy gentle friends. Joy! And may fresh days of love accompany your hearts!’”

Jesse stopped and perked, “Now what, Gemma?”
Gemma grinned. “Well! I shall again quote Alice in Wonderland, ‘Begin at the beginning, and go on till you come to the end. Then stop.’”
Jesse hopped on the seat, beaming at Gemma, “Yes!”

Greta informed Jesse, “Renters will be in Marsh Hill next month.”
Jesse wished, “I hope the renters have a family of fun kids to play with.”

Greta talked about the ‘wicked’ old grandfather Dorking burning down their family house. Jesse chastised her, saying: “Greta! That’s wicked to say! He died in that fire! Remember what Dearie says in her journal! “‘Make sure your words pass through three gates: Are they kind?
Are they true? Are they necessary?’”
Greta looked shame faced. “Yah. That vas not kind.”
“And not necessary,” Matts signed.
Jesse received a letter from Mac and Bridget, saying they need to see Gemma face-to-face. “Wowza!” Jesse laughed at using Charlie’s expression. “It would be so fine to have Mac and Bridget here!”

Jesse sees Tilly and Ben together and thinks it is nice that they are such good old friends.

Charlie and Jesse wonder why the barn wall at the treasure rooms is do wide. Is there something there?

It is all here … in your magic moments.

Running to the barn, Jesse felt waves of thrill bumps sweeping through him. Charlie, too, gushed with excitement, “Man, oh, man!”

Jesse breathed. “Yesterday I was up in the attic! The door in the attic– the spring locks! They’re so clever. Maybe there’s a spring lock here in this wall! We have to press! Let’s do it together. You up top, me on the bottom: 1, 2, 3– PUSH!”

Click! A door! It opened! Exhaling like a living thing… seeming to murmur … after all these years … like a long sigh. Jesse and Charlie reached out … in awe.

Just touching it, Jesse felt shiverals up and down his spine. Silently, they pulled it open. Rows and rows of shelves stood before them. Their hearts stopped– just for a second– till the gasps set in, and they leapt off the floor in utter excitement– exhilaration– exultation!

“The journals! They’re here!” Jesse exclaimed.
“Wowza-Bowza! Look at ‘em all!” Charlie barked.

Charlie spurt, “Geez Loo-eeze, Jesse! You are somethin’ else!” He laughed with a crack in his
voice. “Man alive! You are made in the shade! Cookin’ with gas!” Jesse grinned at him. He loved it when Charlie talked like that.
Charlie tousled Jesse’s hair, “Yeah! You really are the magic!”

Charlie and Jesse closed the secret door and Charlie wagged, “Let Gemma see … everything.”
Jesse patted the wood, “We’ll be right back. Don’t you go anywhere!”
They locked up and ran to pull Gemma to the treasure room in the barn.

Gemma looked at the journals, and then Jesse pointed to the bottom shelves, holding one very thick book and two metal boxes. Gemma pulled out the book. “This is Avery’s Family Bible!”
“It’s in the secret cupboard.” Jesse said. “It must have a secret in it.”

She picked it up … and out fell two metal keys!
“Oh, this just gets better and better!” Charlie said, picking them up. “Two keys? For two metal boxes?” He held out his hand like a genie.
Jesse was beside himself. He wanted to leap for joy, but he contained himself. He had to… or how would he know what came next!

From the first box, Jesse emptied a bag and out fell long strands of gold chains filled with gold flowers. Each flower was made of diamonds! Sparkling! Glittering!
“Wow! Razzle-dazzle!” Charlie exclaimed.
Jesse shouted, “The painting in the attic! This is Avery’s necklace!”

“Yes,” Gemma murmured. “And I will wager that the remaining pouches hold the other jewels in the painting.” She shook another pouch … and out fell a kaleidoscope of colored gems: sapphires, rubies, emeralds, topaz, and amethyst.
“You’re right, Gemma! More treasure!” Jesse crowed. “Golly-gee-whillakers! I feel like a pirate!”
“This is crazy! Crazy!” Charlie raved.

Another pouch was filled with raw gems the size of large brussel sprouts. And another overflowed with old gold coins.

Jesse pointed to the other box. “This is your jar-less, Gemma!”
“Jar-less? Whatever do you mean, Jesse?”
“You know, your great gifts … your riches!”
“Oh! Yes. You mean largesse! You and your spoonerisms, Jesse!”
“Largesse! That’s it! And look, there’s always more. There’s another box, sitting right there!”

Inside the second box were many many love tokens and trinkets.
Gemma murmeled, “I never pictured Papa as a romantic.”
“Oh, the secrets of the heart,” Charlie smiled, “No one knows the breadth or depth of its chambers.”
Gemma tilted her head, “My, that is rather earnest of you, Charlie.”
“Granny Lyla says it … often! She’s still a mystery. Maybe one of these days I’ll find the secrets of her heart!”

Gemma shook her head. “I… I have been… oh… so poor! Scratching and scrimping all these years! And all the while, a fortune– a huge fortune– has been waiting here!”
Jesse remembered and repeated Dearie’s words: “You couldn’t see it before now, Gemma. You weren’t ready. But now you’re ready for your adund … your abund– ”
“Abundance,” Gemma breathed, “yes, I have learned so much, especially lately. I know I was not ready for abindance. If anything, I was resisting it, squeezing it away, pushing away everything in my life. Demanding that the world should be fair. When all the time, I needed to find the ‘fair’
inside me.
Jesse agreed, “The fairlight!”

Gemma nodded. “I have recently wished to be the best I can be– instead of insisting on it from others. Jane… oh… Jane! And you, also, Jesse.” She gulped back tears. “Nevertheless,” she continued, “how peculiar it is! Now, I hardly feel a need for such treasure.”
She quoted her Shakespeare: “‘Thy heaven is on earth; thine eyes and thoughts beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart.’” And with a beautiful smile lighting up her face, she embraced Jesse. “You are my treasure.”

Charlie felt self-conscious, yet he responded candidly, “Gemma, you’re right. This is a river of abundance. Yet, I’d give all this treasure to have my dad back … that he didn’t die in the war. My mom, my sister, my whole family would give up this treasure in a second … just to have dad here
again.”

Before locking the cupboard, Gemma reached for Avery’s family Bible. “There is something here waiting to be revealed. I am sure of it.”
“Oh, good!” Jesse grinned, “A puzzle!”

Before leaving the barn, Gemma remarked, “That is an odd smell.”
“I know,” Jesse noted, “I keep smelling it, even in the carriage house.”
“Hmm,” Gemma considered, “Perhaps rats have found a nesting place in the buildings. Another thing to investigate.”

Gemma took the Bible and the keys to her office, then she telephoned the Bay Traveler Hotel and
spoke to Professor Eisley. Jesse smiled that she didn’t give away the secret of the journals. He imagined, the professor really will be b’jeekered!

Jesse, once again, saw someone behind the garden. Determined to discover who it was, he circled around the end of the workshop. Ellie-cat had followed him but stopped suddenly. There was the zenko fox, again! And there, playing with the fox, was the boy!
The boy stood up. “I’ve been waitin’ for you, Jesse.”

The little fox lay on the ground at the boy’s feet, and Jesse thought, The fox must be the magical zenko Kitsune! Or maybe it’s the boy who’s magic. He told me he’s like Dickon in The Secret Garden.

“Jesse, I know you’ve smelled the thief, Earl Pickford. He’s a filthy rag of a man. He sleeps in the boathouse but hangs around in the barn or the carriage house, listening to you. He’s after the treasure.”

“Jesse,” the boy declared, “you’ve seen Earl. But he made sure you thought it was Morton Mealy. And you definitely smelled him! Ya hafta call Chief Patrulha. He trusts ya. Tell him everything. Right away! Don’t wait. Now that ya found the treasure, Earl’s gonna take it, first chance he gets.”

By the time Jesse finally got inside the barn, he froze at the doorway. Gemma was screaming, “NO! They’re gone! They’re GONE!”

At the treasure room door, Jesse announced, “Everybody OUT! Police are coming. Don’t touch anything – – else!”

Charlie spoke up. “You know, Chief, Earl has the jewel boxes, but he doesn’t have the keys. He’s gonna need a locksmith.”
The Chief jumped up. “Not if we get to Morton first.” He was out the door.

You choose: in the Light or in the dark.

Sitting on his bed, Jesse held Jane’s thimble in his hand and talked to Jane: “I like that you left your kiss for me. I guess you knew Dearie would read Peter Pan to me, so I would know the story, when Wendy tells Peter she’ll give him a kiss. But he doesn’t know what a kiss is! So he holds out his hand. Then she doesn’t want to embarrass Peter, so she hands him a thimble.” Jesse smirfed. “And Peter calls the thimble his kiss!”

Gemma said to Jesse: I am so glad you have love stories from Jane. Like Jane’s mysterious old velveteen rabbit, that just appeared – when Jane was born – right here at Windy Hill’s driveway. Velvet had a book in her paws: The Velveteen Rabbit.

Jesse’s eyebrows quizzled. “So Velvet appeared– just like the mysterious, pure white scallop shells appeared, wrapped in the handkerchief with embroidered yellow roses. And they appeared every time a baby was born here at Windy Hill. And then, last year, when I came.” He twisted the
thimble off his finger and grinned. “More mysteries!”

Gemma looked at Jesse and said, “Now the treasure is lost.”
“It’s not lost, Gemma.” Jesse recalled Dearie’s words and recited them for Gemma: “‘Nothing is really lost. It’s somewhere. And it’s still waiting. For you to be ready for it again.’”
“Where do you come up with these ideas?” She answered herself. “Of course, your Dearie.”

Gemma smiled again. “So, do you have anything else of Jane’s?”
Jesse reached into the drawer. “I have her embroidery threads. See, they’re wrapped in this egg shape. It was hidden in a desk in our New York apartment.”
Gemma stared at the egg shape, her eyes, growing wide with wonder. “Oh Jesse! Jesse! This egg! How I have yearned for its return!”

Gemma unraveled layers and layers of threads. “A golden egg!” Jesse marveled. “With crisscross diamond shapes and turquoise circles!”

Gemma and Daniel’s turquoise sapphire wedding rings had been inside the egg. But Gemma did not know how to open it.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Jesse remarked, “that today, you lost the jewel treasures, but found your Daniel’s egg treasure.”
“Crazy,” Gemma echoed uncharacteristically.
“It must mean you’re ready for more Daniel treasure.”
Gemma embraced Jesse. “I love your Light, Jesse!

They both wondered, Why did Jane take this with her to New York City? Did she open it? Did she know something … about Daniel?

Jesse enjoyed the Professor and his team packing up the top floors of fossils, with their many ‘ooohs’ and ‘ahhs.’ But he was happy to be a farm boy again.

Greta gossiped, “By the vay, I see Tilly with Ben Dorking!” She grinned, “‘Lovey-dovey’!”

Matts signed to Jesse, What about the burglary?”
“Well, Morton Mealy is out of jail now,” Jesse began. “Cuz they found Earl Pickford’s fingerprints all over Windy Hill. And luckily, before the burglary, Morton said, someone told him to report to the police that his coonskin cap, glasses, and lobster boat were stolen.”

Jesse was sure that the “someone” must have been Nobody, a.k.a, the boy, but he didn’t say. The boy was still his secret.
Greta assured Jesse, “Morton has you to thank, Jesse. The police believed Morton because they believed you.”

Jesse added, “Well, they haven’t found Earl Pickford or the jewel boxes. But I’m just thankful that Gemma’s not miserable about them going missing. I think finding Daniel’s gold egg gave her some … hope.”

Left alone in the barn, Jesse was suddenly face-to-face with the ragged and smelly Earl Pickford!

Jesse’s brain was on fire. Escape! Get out of the barn. But Earl’s blocking the door. I can’t get past Earl!
Desperately, Jesse looked down at the chicken door. I can fit through that! And Earl can’t! He leapt down, slid the door open and shot through on all fours. The wooden ramp was plopped with chicken poop, and it stuck like grease to his hands, his knees, and shoes.

Despite Jesse’s best efforts, Earl caught him, saying, “You’re gonna give me the keys to them
boxes! Or I’ll cut ya good.”

Jesse saw Earl’s knife glinting in the sunlight– and in a shock of astonishment, he felt his Light ignite inside him! My Light! A tingle raised the hair on the back of his neck, and an idea popped into his head.

Jearl held Jesse tightly, but Jesse went straight to the kitchen sideboard – and knocked the phone off the hook! The operator spoke: “Number, please …” And Jesse screamed, “Help! Police! Help!”

Tilly stood behind Earl– with a broom stick rammed into his back. She dug it into him, saying, “Hands up! Drop the knife or I’ll pull the trigger!”

But Earl wheeled around, crazily lunging at her. Earl’s foot slid through the greasy chicken poop on the floor … his leg flung out– excruciatingly akimbo … sliding … teetering …plunging … crashing! He slammed his head on the hard oak table! Slumped … out cold … on the floor.

Jesse ran to Tilly, and they clung to each other, as she whistered, “There shall no evil befall thee. God gives his angels charge over thee … God’s angels … over thee.”
Ellie-cat caressed their legs … and a siren squalled its way up Wind Mill Road and into Windy Hill Farm.

The police took Earl away, but his parting words and his hideous laugh wrangled in Jesse’s ears: “You’ll never see those jewels again! They’re mine! Mine!”

As everyone left Windy Hill, Professor and Mabel Eisley drove in, just to say ‘Farewell.’ Eisley gave Jesse a fossil of a fern found in Antarctica – proving it was once a tropical paradise!

Eisley picked a dandelion and blew on its seeds, tittering, “These dandelion seeds are off to their new worlds … as are we … like star voyagers drifting through the expanding universe!”

Jesse asked for an afternoon sail with Greta and Matts and Tilly. Gemma said it was so good to have Tilly with them. “Tilly and Uncle Trevor – and later, my Papa were God loving people.”
She looked at Jesse, “You remind me so of my Papa, Jesse! You and your Light!”

Off they sailed, feeling the magic connecting them to the sights and sounds of the bay. Tilly gazed at it all, murmeling from one of her favorite Psalms, “How majestic are the works of the Lord.”

And once again, as they reached the shores below the boathouse, Jesse heard the loons calling them home.

In the evening, Gemma let Jesse take Avery’s Family Bible to his room. Something dropped out from the back cover, and he gaspered, “What is that?”

Gemma picked up a small envelope and shook out a small key – to a Safe Deposit Box in the Port Haven Bank. Another mystery!

Jesse and Gemma looked at the names in the Family Tree at the front of the Bible. What was the name and information that had been scratched out with ink blots? Jesse nodded. “Some-one wanted to keep this secret.”

The next day, Jesse showed Gemma that the tight, hard writing pressed deeply into the next blank page, and he could shade it in with the side of my pencil and reveal the name and information.

“Carlyle … Rose … Jessup …” Jesse read, “born: 1870.”
Gemma jolted. “Avery had a sister? Avery said she was an only child. She never spoke of a sister. Why hide her?”
Jesse’s pencil persisted to the marriage line, but the scratches hid it. Same with the child’s birthdate. “Yet the birth year is clear!” Gemma exclaimed, “1888. Just like Papa!”

Greta and Matts and their parents, Margarethe and Mateus invite their friends to go clamming at Oyster Point, with a clam feast afterward. Gemma and Jesse joined Peter Murphy and his parents, Darling and Murphy; and Bethesdah Philhips and her father, Bertrand join them.

Jesse didn’t do well with the raw clams. Eaaaagh! Hell stick with the cooked clams, thank you very much.

Margarethe made a little speech. “Ve are so blessed. This day!”
Murphy cheered, “Happy Independence Day! E pluribus unum– from many, one!”
Margarethe grinned, “Yah, ve are all free. On my long journey, vhen I valked, alone, out of Germany, avay from that evil, I never thought I vould be so blessed– vith no vorries… no fear. Ve have peace … and ve are free … here on this island … in this country.”

Tilly smiled and added from her Bible, “Yes, here we have the shining city on the hill!”

“Yah, and here I am, blessed vith my beautiful family.” She caressed Matts and Greta and cupped her hand at Mateus’ cheek. “And such friends! Ve are free! It is a vonder! Vonderful! My heart is flowing over.”
One and all clapped and voices cheered with, “Hear, Hear!”

Jesse felt his own heart overflowing. He thought of how he had made his journey from New York City to find his grandmother, right here on this island. Jesse had wanted his own family. And here he had found it. Here.

After the clamming feast, Gemma called for a lie-down at home. But Jesse brought the Bible to bed with him, wondering over its secrets.

Jesse found a bookmark stuck inside. Words on the page were underlined and he read through the passage. Oh, I remember this story. Mac told me about King Solomon … and the woman who stole another lady’s baby. His finger moved to the bottom of the page. Written there were two tight, hard words: Forgive me.

Where are the connections? Jesse studied the dates, names, ink-blot scratches, and penciled revelations. Those words, ‘Forgive me.’ One secret. Two sisters. Avery Robin … Carlyle Rose. Their names floated through his brain.

But Jesse was pretty tuckered and he nodded into the pillows, entering a dreamland that brought Gemma and her darling Papa.

Jesse saw a favorite painting come to life: John Singer Sargent’s Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. A darling little blond girl – Carlyle Rose – played with the flowers until a rather severe looking girl – Avery – entered the garden. She was as severe with her tongue towards the little one. Jesse heard here say, “Just GO!”
Then he saw the little blond girl’s eyes – turquoise – just like Gemma’s eyes! Just like Jesse’s eyes!

Jesse awoke, knowing for sure, “The answers to all our questions! It’s not a ‘where’ – it’s a ‘who’!”

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream!

I know WHO she is! Carlyle Rose! Jesse’s thoughts sparked. She has to be! She’s Charlie Lipley’s Great Grandmother! And she’s Gemma’s real grandmother– not Avery! I just know it!

Tilly touched her cross and beamed at their anticipations with Charlie Lipply’s family. “I send you off with Genesis: “I will give you all the land which thou seeth.” She put her hands at their backs, saying, “Gemma, Jesse, see the land of your heart-visions. It is the land of your dreams and wishes. God will provide.”
Jesse looked at the Carlyle ladies and looked at Gemma, thinking, Gemma looks like them! All of them! He grinned and cheered to himself, This is good!

Jesse smirfed. I like their ‘C’ names. And I like their party dresses. They look like ice cream sherbets! I could eat them up!

Jesse started to move toward the Great Granny, hoping, I think I can do this. I can! I’m doing it!

But a car drove into Carlyle Place, and Jesse’s feet left the ground! He ran to the car, yanking open the door. “Conor! Amanda!”

Jesse patiently sat with Great-Granny, and with all the commotion, she awoke. Though she was blind, her first soft words were, “My baby boy! My boy is here!” Lyla’s hands felt Jesse face, and he kissed her hand.
“Ahh,” Lyla sighed. “Charlie said you are a little Love-Light,” she smiled. “And aren’t you just. I can feel your Light!”
Jesse saw her turquoise blue eyes. Yes! Like Gemma’s eyes! he crowed inwardly.

Jesse spoke deliberately, “Lyla … you might know Gemma best by her real name: Jessica Avery Elliot.” The name split the air like a bolt of lightning. Lyla shuddered. “Avery. Oh, the secrets of the heart,” Lyla intoned, “No one knows the breadth or depth of its chambers.” Lyla continued, “It is no longer a secret, is it? I can feel it. Jesse, you know. You know who Gemma is,” she said in a quavering voice, “and you know who I am.” She paused. “Avery is not Gemma’s grandmother.”

“Today, I am giving myself a present– to finally let my secret run out!”
“Hooray!” Jesse cheered.
“You’d best settle in,” Lyla smiled wryly. “I intend to lay out my whole yarn. And a tangled ball of yarn it is!”

Lyla told everyone – through her tearful, shaking voice – her deep dark secret: that Avery had stolen her baby boy, Jesse from her.
But by the time she was free, her Jesse was 4 years old, and he had formed a deeply loving bond with Avery’s husband – Harrison Elliot.
Lyla and her husband, Charlie, discovered they were to have another baby of their own. They also realized that Avery would never let Jesse go – and she had fixed all the legal details in her favor. Thus, with intense heartache, Lyla and Charlie let their first-born child, Jesse, stay with his beloved Papa Harry.

“Oh, I have left out much of the wonderful– and horrible– details,” Lyla wept, “But that is what became of my darling baby boy, Jesse Elliot, who grew up to be your father, Gemma.

“You know,” Lyla brightened, “Charlie and I helped Harry plant a baby cherry tree at Windy Hill. And our young Charlie says, today, it is the most beautiful tree on earth!”
Jesse exclaimed, “It is! It’s wabizakura! A wonder!”
Gemma sighed. She had almost forgotten. “Wabizakura,” she explained, “means the wonder of a solitary, blooming cherry tree of exquisite beauty.”

“Wonder. Hmmm. Like the two of you, Gemma and Jesse!” Lyla beamed. “Isn’t it curious, it has been left to young Jesse, here.” Lyla reached for Jesse. He gave her his hand and she gazed into his eyes as if she could see into them. “You, Jesse. Somehow you knew. You are the one. Today, you got me unraveling this terrible family mystery, the story of my own boy, Jesse. All through these many, many years, and down to you, my own great, great, GRAND-son, Jesse.”

It turns out that Lyla’s husband, Charlie, and Gemma’s father, Jesse, were partners. Lyla gives Gemma the missing key to the Safe Deposit Box – and the treasure that may be waiting there.

Jesse says – “The real treasure is that we are all together – at last!” He laughed, “Our Circle of Light keeps getting bigger!”

Jesse thought of Margarethe’s speech at their clamming picnic this very morning. How Jesse had once wished for his own family, and here he had found more of it. Here. He felt himself smiling with tears in his eyes. Eyes that circled around and around, pulling in his family. Oh! His heart jumped for joy, More and more family!

Lyla and Granny Carrie went off to bed, but everyone else was invited to Windy Hill to view the 4th of July fireworks.
Conor took Jesse with him, saying, “I have a surprise for you!”

At Windy Hill – Jesse and Gemma are flabbergasted! Their surprise is sitting in their living room: Mac and Bridget! Plus, all the Maguire family: Billy and Siobhan, Liam and Teresa, and Grams Maguire. Plus, Mac and Bridget’s grandchildren will arrive tomorrow with their father, Hendrik, and all will be staying at Marsh Hill Farm – right next door! (Jesse’s wish to have children to play with has come true!)

Jesse discovers Tilly and Ben in a lovey-dovey kiss at the back door. When Ben stands up, Jesse sees his face for the first time and almost jumps out of his skin. Ben looks and dresses just like the boy!

Inside, Mac and Bridget have letters for Gemma – some look like they are from Jane – and some look like they could be from Daniel!

All go to the Star Cupola on top of the barn to see the magnificent stars … and the circle of Lights in the people gathered.

Our Circle of Lights is so big! Jesse marveled, looking at his family. Seeing his Lights Jesse felt … Dearie! And Jane! And James! Oh! he felt his heart leap, You’re all here, too! Jesse. Your dreams have come true. You have let them unfold with faith and trust in your open heart. You know wonder! Keep dreaming, Jesse! There’s always more! Light On!

A circle of lights exploded in fireworks all around Tanagasuq Bay!
Billy exclaimed, “This is pure magic!”
“Ah yes, there is magic here!” Amanda purred.
Conor laughed, “And it’s going on …” he gestured in a wide circle, “… and on and on!”
“It is God’s wonder,” Mac pointed to the stars, “going on … forever ….”

Jesse knew it was. He felt the wonder. In the circle of Lights. God’s wonder– His love and Light! His thoughts quickened: So many people and puzzles and mysteries! The Light shines in them!

What a day! Jesse thought:

• We have a new grandmother, Lyla, because she told her big secret.
• And Lyla’s the one who gave us the pure white scallop shells and the yellow rose handkerchiefs– and Jane’s and my– Velvet!
• And Charlie Lippley is my cousin! Wowza! Wowza-Bowza! He chiggled to himself.
• I think I even know who the boy is!
• And Tilly and Ben are really lovey-dovey! And Peter and Bethesda, too!

Gosh! All this love! It really does light up! Now, my New York Circle of Lights is here!

But Jesse still wondered:

• Gemma has a new mystery. Those letters! Jane’s letters. I wonder if it has something to do with Daniel.
• And then, there’s the bank key!
• And don’t forget that gold egg!
• And man, oh, man– he copied Charlie’s expression– I want to puzzle out where Gemma’s boxes of treasure are hidden!

Oh! I can feel it. It’s percolating!
The best part is that Gemma’s really back in her Light!

A Grand Finale of fireworks exploded. But Jesse felt fireworks still going off on the inside. Inside his heart.
This is my new family! All the kids! And more coming tomorrow! Oh, everything is
circling me like the fireworks! And the stars! Heavenly stars! God’s stars! We’re all Lighting up!

He saw that it was true. In their eyes, their smiles, their hearts. Lighting up. All around Jesse.
Like Mac said, “Wonder. Going on and on. Forever.”

Wonder was melting into the magic of this starry, starry night.
Jesse murmeled from his heart, “I know wonder! Yes, I do! Yes!”