Word: Omphaloskepsis

Omphaloskepsis

[ om-fuh-loh-skep-sis ]

noun

contemplation of one's navel as part of a mystical exercise.

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               Mike and Kelly entered the neatly maintained house.  Kelly was only slightly nervous, while Mike was cautiously optimistic.

               “Gramma, I’m here.” Mike called into the house.  Then he turned to his girlfriend and said, in a much softer voice.  “Now remember, she’s really nice, but a bit, uh, weird.”

               “So you’ve said.” Kelly said.  “Many times.”

               A plump old woman dressed in an outfit that could best be called a multitude of silk scarves sewn together bounded into the room and excitedly rushed to her grandson. 

               “Oh, Mikey, you’re here.” She said happily.  “Let me take a look at you.”  She held him out at arm’s length and turned him this way and that.  “Oh, you look so handsome.  Of course, you always do, but especially so now.  It’s good to see that you’re taking care of yourself now that you’re in college.  How is that going, by the way?  Are you keeping up with your studies?  How about those books I gave you?  Are you making any friends?”

               Mike looked at Kelly and shrugged as his grandmother continued to pelt him with questions without giving him the chance to respond.    But she eventually ran out of steam and had to stop the questioning.

               “I’m doing great, Gramma, both physically and academically.  And yes, I am meeting people.  I actually have a girlfriend now.”

               “A girlfriend?!” The old woman nearly screeched.  “Does…does this mean I’ll be seeing some great grandchildren soon?”

               “Really, Gramma?  We haven’t even been dating for six months and you’re already on kids?  Even mom didn’t go that far, that fast.”

               “Oh, I’m so sorry.  I was just excited, is all.  So, what’s her name?”

               “My name is Kelly.” The girl in question said. 

               Mike’s grandma nearly jumped out of her skin.  She turned to face Kelly and looked surprised that she was there.  She quickly got over her surprise though and immediately began eyeing Kelly.

               “Oh my, such a pretty thing you are.  It’s good you’re here, hold on a moment.”

               Mike scooted close to Kelly and whispered.  “Here it comes.”

               His grandma rummaged through some drawers and pulled out two rose quartz crystals.  “Here, take this.” She said, holding one of them to Kelly. 

The girl took the offered stone with a confused look on her face.  The old woman tapped the two crystals together and held her ear close to the one Kelly held.

“Hmm.  Yes, yes I see.  Very healthy young woman.  Very healthy indeed.  And a good, keen mind as well.  Yes, I think she’ll do nicely.”

“Um, thanks?” Kelly said slowly. 

“Now, let’s see about compatibility.  Let’s see if this will only every be a college fling, or if it can bloom into something greater.”

The woman flew into motion, rummaging around for a multitude of things.  As she gathered up various plants and liquids, Kelly looked at Mike with confusion.  He just shrugged.  He loved his grandma, but she could be odd.  But, then again, there was something unusual about the things she did.  Most of them had no effect at all.  But sometimes, he swore the things she did had an effect.  Most of it was small and subtle, but rarely, well, he had learned to give the old woman’s actions a healthy amount of respect over the years.

She came over, rubbing something over her worn hands.  She positioned the two young people facing each other at a distance she could easily reach both of.

“Lift up your shirts.” She said.  “You don’t need to take them off, I just need to get at your belly buttons.”

“Belly buttons?” Kelly asked.

               “Oh yes.  The belly button is a key mystical point in the body.  It’s where life first flows into you, and is right in front of the stomach, the body’s seat of energy.  That makes it ideal for a number of things, including what I’m about to do.”

               Mike shrugged.  He was fine with this.  It was not the weirdest thing she had asked him to do.  Besides, it gave him a chance to subtly show off.  He had been working hard at the campus gym and was proud of what he had accomplished, and showing that to his girlfriend was a rare opportunity so early in their relationship.

               Kelly looked at the exposed skin and a slow smile crossed her face.  She was digging it, he could tell.  Then she lifted the bottom of her shirt and Mike did a double take.  He was not expecting her to have more muscle definition in her midsection than he did.  He looked at her just in time to see her wink at him.

               Mike’s grandma knelt between them and looked from one to the other, muttering and examining their navel’s closely.  She gently reached out and placed her fingers around their belly buttons, then moved her fingers closer together.  Mike shuddered.  He felt something shift.  Nothing physical, but there was something.  Then the old woman slowly moved her hand away, and Mike swore he felt something pull.  Something leave his body, but not really. 

               The old woman acted like she was holding a thread in each hand, and joined them together.  And then he knew.  He knew Kelly in ways he never knew possible.  There was nothing specific, he could not say what her favorite food was or her shoe size, but he knew something deeper.  He knew her very soul.  The very essence of her being.  He knew her in ways that he could not, even had he known her for years. 

               And he knew she was way out of his league.  She was a total badass, tougher than most guys, and smarter than most of the people at school.  She was energetic and cheerful and good natured.  She would stand by the people she liked, and only disliked a handful of people, and then only for very good reasons.  She was amazing and great, and way too good for him.  And for some reason, she really liked him.

               The spell ended just as quickly as it began.  Both Kelly and Mike stumbled back, breathing heavily and with a faint sheen of sweat sticking to their foreheads.  Mike’s grandma rubbed her fingers together and stared at them.  Then a wide smile crossed her face.

               “Yes, I think this will work out wonderfully.  Maybe not for life, at least not yet, but definitely long term material.  Now, why don’t you two have a seat while I get some things ready.  Do you drink tea, Kelly?  What am I saying, of course you do.  I’ll be right back.

               The old woman left the young couple alone.  They stared at each other with wide eyes.  And both knew that the old mystic was right.  They would be together for a very long time, and would not have it any other way.  

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There's a lot I could say about this, but I won't.  I can't really think of anything right now, but whatever.  So, yeah, have a nice day.