Headache Cure

Selena had just completed her eight-hour day at the aquarium, the job is stressful, with thousands of school age children coming through on a daily basis, as if the yelling kids weren’t enough the louder parents often gave her a headache. Today’s headache is blinding, she was stationed in the stingray pool, and the room has an uncontrollable echo that makes even a whisper sound like a scream. Selena’s headache was to a point she was beginning to feel nauseous. Wonderful, she thought, now I have to pick up the kids at the sitters, make my way back to the aquarium and take the train to Trenton. How can I handle all of this with four children and this blinding headache? Clocking out of work Selena rushed to the sitter’s house three blocks away. As was her custom, she didn’t knock, just walked into Janine’s house, but today there was no urgency to see her own children; the urgency was to make it to the bathroom. Running past her children Selena crashed up the stairs to the bathroom, as she slammed the door closed she began a cold sweat that sent chills all over her body. Selena fell to the cool tile and enjoyed the sensation it sent through her entire body. She laid there trying to get the energy to get up, all she needed to do was get the children home and she could take a nap. The pain is forcing itself from her head, down her spine and to her toes. Her entire body aches now and tears involuntarily escape from her eyes. Closing her eyes she begins to take a few deep breaths and then she feels someone tug at her right hand. She opens her eyes to see her long dead grandfather standing over her sweat covered, aching body. “Gramps,” she stuttered in awe. “What are you doing here?” “Come on, Sunshine, you have a family to care for, let me show you a trick I learned in when I was battling brain cancer.” Selena rolled to a sitting position and curled against the tub in an upright fetal position attempting to stay away from the entity. “Don’t touch me, you’re dead, you can’t help me anymore!” “Oh, Sunshine just let me try this once. I promise, if you let me show you this one time you will always remember what I’ve taught you and will never be bothered by headaches again.” Stunned, Selena held her hand up as if to say she was ignoring him, but Gramps ignored the request and took her right hand in both of his hands. Carefully, slowly, he massaged the joint where her thumb bone and index finger met in the palm and back of her hand. Selena wants to pull away, but she quickly recognizes the comforting effects she is feeling from Gramps touching her. “Gramps, what are you doing, this is amazing!?” “I’m using ‘reflexology’ on you. It helps to take your pain away so that you can move on through your day.” “It’s working, Gramps, it’s really working! My headache seems to be gone!” “Great, now I want you to remember two things about this meeting. First, remember that I love you. Second, remember, it’s called reflexology. Now go on downstairs and give those children a proper hello.” “Gramps, thank you and I love you too.” “I know Sunshine, I know. Now go take care of your family.” Selena left the bathroom relaxed and rejuvenated for the first time in months.