< previous page page_151 next page >

Page 151
woman's shock and embarrassment, as she groped for her clothing and asked in flustered German, "What is going on?"
Whatever else I had thought about Thelma up to that point expanded to include respect at that moment. She never missed a beat. She was calm and soothing, as she gently assured the woman that the agent's presence was no deterrent to either her concentration, or to the efficacy of her healing treatment. She conveyed genuine concern for the woman's emotional well-being. I liked her, even if she was a charlatan. I thought it was ironic that our government sent people like him to save us from people like her. It was my first insight that what was occurring here under the heading of "healing" was far more complex than what could be conveyed in an answer to the question, "Is it sleight of hand, or is it not?"  or even, "Are the healers fraudulent, or are they not?"
I never got to see if the Swiss woman left with varicose veins in her legs or not. It didn't matter, because I hadn't gotten a good look at her legs before Thelma did her treatment on them, anyway. What was most interesting to me was what happened when Thelma directed her attention to the U.S. agent, who had removed his jacket during the heat of the fuss.
She introduced herself to the officer, and welcomed him to observe her healing, with far more courtesy than he deserved. Then she pointed to a ridged bump on his forearm, which was about an inch long, and purplish in color. "What's this?" she asked. "Oh, it's nothing," he stammered. "May I look at it?" she asked. He held out his arm reluctantly, uncomfortable with everyone's attention on him. "It's really of no consequence," he protested. "It's been there for so many years, that I'd forgotten it was even there.''
"Would you like me to get rid of it for you?" asked Thelma.
Why do anything at all for him, I thought. Why voluntarily put yourself under this boor's scrutiny, and lay yourself wide open to be caught doing fakery?
The man was in a tight spot. What would he do now, I wondered? He mumbled something in embarrassment, as Thelma led him towards the bed, and motioned for him to lie down. I stood at the man's head, and watched intently. I observed him as the healer moved her hand back and forth about

 
< previous page page_151 next page >