Look Both Ways by Carol J. Perry Page A

all.” I took a deep breath. “Any idea what it means?”
    â€œIs the dog happy?”
    â€œSeems to be. He’s having fun chasing a stick. Why? Does that mean something?”
    â€œIf it was a dream, it would mean social activity. Good times. It’s probably about the same for a vision, I guess.”
    â€œI like that. How about the beach? And the woman?”
    â€œHave to look in the dream book for that one. Hold on a sec.”
    I waited, heard pages being turned. O’Ryan moved to the back of the couch, with his head next to my shoulder, ears up straight. I knew he was listening, too.
    â€œOkay. Here it is. A long beach can mean you’re looking for a change in your future. Make sense?”
    â€œOh, River. Everybody has changes in their future. Doesn’t mean a thing. How about the woman with her back to me?”
    â€œOkay. There’s a lot here about backs. Is her back naked? Like in a bathing suit?”
    â€œDon’t know. Maybe? She’s too far away for me to see clearly.”
    â€œIf it is, you’re keeping secrets from those in your life, it says here. You fear that the secrets may be revealed. Your subconscious wants you to come clean. Wow.”
    â€œWow, what?”
    â€œDon’t you get it? Your subconscious wants you to tell Pete your secret!”
    â€œCome on. She might be wearing a burka, for all I know. I think you’d better stick to the cards.”
    She laughed. “You’re probably right. Anyway, I’m glad it wasn’t a scary vision. Talk to you later. Got to get ready for the show.”
    â€œI’ll watch you, if I can stay awake that long.”
    After we hung up, I couldn’t get what River had said about revealing secrets out of my head. I wished she hadn’t looked in that dream book. Maybe it was a scary vision, after all.

CHAPTER 10
    It was still early when Aunt Ibby returned from her date, just as she’d promised. O’Ryan ran for the front hall, and moments later the lights from Mr. Pennington’s car reflected in the window as he drove away.
    â€œAunt Ibby?” I called. “That you?”
    â€œOf course it’s me, dear.” She peeked into the living room. “I’m going to run upstairs and change into something comfortable. Then I’ll come back down, and we can chat.”
    â€œShall I make tea?”
    â€œThat would be lovely.”
    I headed for the kitchen, filled the kettle with water, and put it on the old gas range to boil. I picked a red teapot from Aunt Ibby’s collection and tossed four Earl Grey tea bags into it. Aunt Ibby always uses loose tea, but I’ve never quite mastered that art. By the time my aunt appeared in the kitchen in a blue chenille bathrobe and bunny slippers, the tea was ready, and I’d arranged a few slices of homemade marble cake on a red plate.
    I put the teapot, the cake plate and a couple of bone china teacups on the round oak table and we sat opposite one another. “How was your date?” I asked. “Poetry reading, was it?”
    â€œIt was quite delightful. I was surprised when Rupert went to the podium and read a poem he’d written. Did you know he was a poet?”
    â€œMr. Pennington is a constant source of surprises.” It was true. Some of the school director’s “surprises” had been quite pleasant. Others, not so much. But I could tell from my aunt’s happy countenance that she definitely approved of his poetic efforts.
    She took a sip of tea. “Well, don’t keep me on pins and needles. What did River have to say about your latest vision? Could she figure out the meaning of the beach and the woman and the dog?”
    â€œShe wasn’t much help with the vision,” I admitted. “She tried looking up the symbols in a dream book, but it didn’t make a lot of sense. We agreed she’s much better with the cards.”
    Aunt Ibby smiled. “I watch