by Mark Stewart
MS. AMANDA Daltry placed the book on her desk, volleying her gaze between Mia and James. The sparkle in her eyes said a thousand words.
“This novel will go global. How do you feel about book signings? Will it be a problem?”
“None I can think of,” replied Mia, grabbing hold of James’ hand.
“What about you James?”
“Same here,” he answered.
“Good.” Amanda picked up the phone and pressed a number on the phone pad. Almost immediately a young woman wearing a grey mini skirt and white shirt entered the room. “Tell production to print another four million books.”
“Certainly,” replied the woman. She walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.
“When’s the next novel going to be started?” questioned Amanda.
“Already underway,” admitted James.
“What’s the plot?”
“Romance on the Greek islands,” chorused Mia and James in unison.
“Nice place for a honeymoon.”
“Second honeymoon,” corrected James.
“I guess you’ll need some money?” Amanda opened the top drawer of her desk. Picking up a cheque, she flapped it under the noses of Mia and James. “If the next book is half as brilliant as this one you will be pushed up into the elite category. Well done. Now go, get out of here. Enjoy your time off. It’s been twelve months to the day since you finished the best seller, ‘Don’t tell my secret.’ Go celebrate.”
“It’s our third month anniversary since being married,” confessed James.
“Good. Go write me another romance novel.”
James opened the office door. He waited for Mia to walk out of the room before they marched to the lift. The door opened just as they reached for the lift call button. Stepping into the lift, they watched the door close.
Halfway to the ground, the lift stopped. The lights went out plunging the lift car into darkness. James reached for the emergency phone. The voice on the other end of the line sounded calm.
“Bring Mia to my grave.”
The lights in the lift car flickered then brightened. A few moments later the lift car resumed its descent to the ground floor.
Mia’s request to say who talked on the phone went unanswered. James and Mia motored down the coast to where Lilly Eloise Barrett was laid to rest. When they arrived, they saw Eloise waiting for them under the big old gum tree.
“Thanks for coming so quickly.”
“Grandma, what’s happened?” questioned Mia.
“I have yet to finish telling my secret.”
James spoke softly. “I’ve been wondering of late when you’d say the remainder. Twelve months is a long time to keep us in suspense.”
“I’m a little nervous at revealing the last part of my story. I’ve been talking to Suzie. She has reassured me it is okay.”
“Just tell us,” James suggested.
Eloise began to pace the ground. Mia stepped into her path. Eloise walked through her. When she was a short distance, she floated back.
“Whatever is making you nervous you have to say,” urged Mia.
“Yes, you’re right. When I decided to tell my secret, it sounded easy. Now I have come to the final part I’ve realized it’s not going to be so easy.”
“Just say it,” demanded James.
“When I mentioned you two have a lot in common I meant it,” admitted Eloise.
“Is this suspense or are you serious about being nervous?” asked James.
“The suspense part has been dealt with. Every second I delay I’m more nervous,” confessed Eloise. “Mia, I watched you walk down the aisle at your wedding. You looked lovely in my silk and lace wedding dress. I want to thank you for wearing it.”
“I sensed I felt someone watching,” said Mia.
“I thought I saw you,” added James. “You were standing at the back of the church?”
“Yes. It was a lovely day,” said Eloise.
“Enough stalling,” moaned James.
“You’re right, the remainder of the story must be told.”
“The remainder?” questioned Mia.
“Yes dear,” said Eloise. “It is of a somewhat delicate nature. I planned to tell you at the church on your wedding day, but I decided against the idea. My visitations are over. This will be the last time we talk. Don’t worry; it’s a good thing. I’ve spent time with you both. Heaven is marvelous. I look forward to showing you around. It takes years.”
“You’re stalling,” interrupted James.
Eloise’s smile vanished leaving a serious expression on her face. “I know. I guess there’s no other way to say it. You have a right to know your side of the grave. James, do you remember the part in the story when I mentioned Suzie?”
“Yes, she had been your friend. You shared a common problem.”
“Yes, the secret about the murder of Mr. Carlisle. Suzie wasn’t just a good friend. She was my best friend.” Eloise looked directly at James. “Suzie was your Grandmother.”
“I know,” blurted James. “I even knew her. She died three days after my tenth birthday.”
“Mr. Carlisle was your real Grandfather. You are a product of her rape. It’s why you two are together. It’s the common denominator in my story. I’m Mia’s Grandmother. You are Suzie’s grandson. Her husband never came home from the war. She met a nice man. They married. You know him as your Grandfather. I’m sorry James. I thought you should know the reason behind the title. ‘Don’t tell my secret.’”
“So, it wasn’t about the murder?” questioned James.
“Partly, yes, the main part is about you.”
Quickly deciding not to fall apart after hearing the news, James said with a sigh. “Thanks for telling me your story. Say thanks to Suzie for me.”
“Why don’t you tell her yourself?”
Mia and James watched a second light the size and shape a person start to form on the other side of the tree. In seconds, a young woman appeared. When the bright light vanished, she slowly walked over. James decided she looked a little nervous. Her timid steps were short. Instead of rushing to stand next to Eloise she stopped a few feet behind her.
James beckoned her closer. She seemed reluctant to come.
“Grandma Suzie it is okay,” whispered James.
“I prefer to stay back over here,” she called.
Eloise reached out and took hold of her hand, forcing her to walk over.
The group of four stood in the shade of the giant gum tree. The filtered light went straight through Eloise and Suzie.
“I guess you want an answer to why I never told anyone my story?” whispered Suzie.
The voice of the new arrival sounded beautiful. James and Mia studied her face. The aura around her reeked of love and kindness. Peace engulfed the area. Even if James wanted to be angry, he couldn’t. He felt a prisoner to the peace. It flowed around him and through him.
“I’d have understood,” reassured James.
“Thank you,” whispered Suzie. “Lilly and I vowed we’d never speak a word of what happened. We expected to live up to our promise. When Lilly died, I met her at the pearly gates. We discussed our vow at length. We thought you two should know. We were given permission to sort it out. When the time came to say, I couldn’t bring myself to tell the secret. Lilly said she’d do it. I watched the whole proceedings. I’m disappointed in myself for not helping to explain it.”
“I’m happy the story was told. I am shocked. However, at least I know,” blurted James. “I understand why the act needed to stay a secret. I admire both of you for not saying.”
Suzie looked at Lilly. “Our job is done.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Not quite!” exclaimed James. “Suzie, whatever happened to Robert, your brother?”
“There’s no mystery there. He enlisted in the army to keep from getting into trouble from the police. He died six months before the war ended. Shot by the enemy.”
“I’m sorry I aske
d.”
“It’s okay. He was a good bloke,” mentioned Suzie.
Mia and James watched Lilly and Suzie start to vanish. They were three feet off the ground when they were almost completely transparent.
“Any last words before you go?” asked Mia.
“Have a nice long life together,” answered Lilly.
“James, look after your wife using all the love you can muster,” added Suzie.
Mia and James waved at the two ladies. They waved back.
In a few seconds, they vanished.
Hugging each other for a long time, Mia studied her husband’s eyes.
“How do you feel about knowing the truth?” she finally asked.
“After I get over the shock, I’ll be okay. I’m glad she didn’t tell us on our wedding day.”
“It’s uncanny how Lilliana knew exactly the right time to say,” hinted Mia.
“Yes, she did,” replied James. “Come on; we have a second honeymoon to enjoy.”
Mia nodded. “Then it’s back to work. My writing block has gone for good. My brain has been flooded with stories as we speak.”
“I feel the same,” added James. “How uncanny!”