The Peacock 1885

"You returned to your home after Stefan took care of you", says Mary.  "What happened?" "I told everyone to stop worrying about me.  I said I had been on a religious retreat and now my life is changed.  No one wanted to believe me.  My husband, an incurable atheist, was especially obstinate and we agreed to a divorce.  My family was a different story.  As staunch calvinist Dutch Christians, both my parents were particularly interested in what happened.  They could see the transformation in my life.  I also immediately resigned from my profession, and now I was stepping into a void.  My parents offered to harbour me in the family home if I wanted to train for something different.  Then the dreams began.  I had already forgotten most of what happened.  But  you, Jesus, here in your youthful form, you were summoning me from the physick garden behind the house.  Five times you appeared in my dreams, in as many nights.  The sixth time, you said I am greatly missed.  Then a full week passed, and on the seventh night you appeared in the seventh dream, and you said, "Amaris, come home..."