“Oh no.”
“It was frightening, as much as I disliked the woman I didn’t want her to keel over. It was frightening getting her off the island and to a hospital. She survived and managed to hang on for another thirty years. The old witch.” Ella snorted as she stood and left the room.
Shawn sat back and listened to the echoes.
‘Just enough to set her off. Even the farm girl won’t stand for her behavior.’ Shawn saw the older woman’s hand pouring powder into a decanter.
‘We have to destroy it. What if it fell into the wrong hands?’
‘You have to help me. We’re family now. They need help. Isn’t that what you did during the war? Help people get out.’
Lost in the voices she failed to hear Ella reenter the room. “Penny for your thoughts?” Ella’s soothing voice jarred her back to the here and now. “Never mind, I lived through what you are thinking about. Here.” She placed a large sketch pad on Shawn’s lap and took a seat beside her.
Dutifully Shawn opened it and began to flip through the pages. “She liked to draw?”
“She couldn’t stop,” Ella corrected. “She truly wasn’t aware of what she was drawing. Here.” She pointed to a page with ships and airplane on fire. “She drew that in December of 1940.”
“Pearl Harbor?”
“Yes, except she drew it on the 5th of December. The attack happened on the 7th.”
“Interesting,” Shawn noted as she continued to flip through.
“It was always like that. She’d draw something. It wouldn’t make any sense until later. Sometimes much later. Keep going. All the way to the end.” Ella prompted.
Shawn skimmed over the penciled images until she reached the last page. She smirked when she looked at the picture. A serene setting surrounding the image of two women. She set the sketchpad down and pulled out her phone. She flipped through the pictures before showing one to Ella. “That is my girlfriend.”
“The two of you look very happy,” Ella seemed uneasy. “In both pictures.” She added glancing down at the sketchpad.
Chapter 25
JFK International Airport, NY.
September 20, 2017
“Thank you again for coming to get me,” Shawn offered as she climbed into the back seat of Rishi’s large truck.
“No problem,” he graciously said as he pulled out into the madness that is JFK airports traffic.
“Any problems turning in the rental?” Carey questioned from the front passenger seat.
“None.” She wearily supplied. “I’ve got a standby ticket for tomorrow.”
“Standby?” Rishi questioned as he adeptly maneuvered in and out of traffic. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“Last minute during foliage season. It was the best I could do. I thought about the train, but I’m behind the gun. I don’t know how much time I can give Delia. Once Althea heard that you two kids eloped, she put me back on the schedule. Plus I got a call from Ella Westbrook reminding me that if I even think about bringing a film crew to the island, she’ll make my life a living hell.”
“She’s direct.”
“And a little scary.”
The drive back to her apartment was uneventful, until she climbed out of the truck and hugged Carey goodbye. She gasped taking a step back.
“I-“She began to stammer.
“Oh, crap,” Carey muttered. “You know.”
“Oh, good you know. This is wonderful.”
“Ssh, I haven’t told Rishi yet. I only peed on the stick yesterday morning. I need you to keep your mouth shut! Promise me?”
“I can’t tell Faith?”
“No.”
“Carey, I don’t know if you’ve noticed it or not over the past decade but I am terrible at keeping secrets.”
“Please?” Carey pleaded.
“Of course,” Shawn nervously agreed. “How far along are you? That was a very healthy heartbeat I heard.”
“I’m not sure,” she confessed. “I figured that after I tell my husband, he and I can go to the doctor. Now, hug me again,” Carey demanded. “Get some rest. I need to get my husband home so he can watch sports. I really love saying that. I must be losing my mind.”
“At least now you blame it on hormones.”
Shawn gave her a hug before dragging herself up to her apartment. “Willie, how am I going to keep from telling Faith she’s about to become an auntie?”
Willie just giggled at her question. “So, no suggestions?” She brightly asked before releasing a heavy yawn. “I need to rest kiddo. I don’t know if I’m just getting older or if the road is getting to be too much for me.”
‘Missed you. Miss Faith.’
“I know,” she sympathized with him. Willie followed her as she went into the bedroom then the bathroom. He left the room long enough for her to slip out of her clothes and put on a robe. She called out letting him know that it was okay for him to come back. Thankfully, Willie was trapped at an age that didn’t lead to curiosity.
Shawn sat on the edge of the bathtub as it filled. He asked where Faith was. She explained that Faith was in Maine. She offered to show him on a map where that was. It was a common thing she did with Willie. They traveled to places he had never heard of, so she showed him.
“I’m sorry if you’ve been lonely.”
“The lady has been here.”
“What lady?” She fearfully questioned not knowing if someone had been breaking in during their absence. Or if an entity had followed her home.
“The one with the funny hair.” He innocently answered.
“What is so funny about her hair?”
“It is all kinds of colors. Even purple.”
“Purple hair! Wow, that must be something. Have you seen this lady before? Is she here all the time or does she come and go?”
“She doesn’t come here very often. She likes to watch you.”
“Just me?”
“Yup. Are you going to play in the water now?” He asked noticing that Shawn had turned the facet off.
“Yes, I am going to take a bath. Why don’t you go play and when I am done I will show you where Maine is on the map.”
“Okay.” He agreed before he vanished leaving Shawn extremely curious about the lady with funny hair.
Central Park West, NYC
October 3, 1938
It was a strange day, first there was Mrs. Culvert’s seemingly innocent comments which led to awkward glances. Then there was the matter of visiting Maria who was nothing short of hysterical. She sobbed, not understanding how Wallace could just take all the money they had been saving for a house and take off with another woman. Temperance worked her charm and convinced her to join the upstairs staff.
After comforting the hysterical woman, Ella arranged for a taxi. The process for reporting the stolen car for the most part went smoothly. Ella, was slightly miffed that the police seemed to drop all other matters when her employer the heiress walked through the doors. Then it was back to business.
That was the oddity of the day. Once breakfast had been completed, they fell into their normal routine. Ella, hadn’t expected them to flaunt the previous evening’s events. Still, she hadn’t expected things to go on as if they had never happened either.
“Well, that is settled,” Temperance announced scanning the street. “Thank goodness, it isn’t raining. What shall we do next, lunch or straight to the car person? My cousin Howard knows a thing or two about automobiles. Perhaps, we should return to the apartment and ring him?”
“Of course,” Ella choked feeling a stab of pain she hadn’t expected. “That was a very kind thing you did for Maria.” She added, failing to be able to express what she was feeling at that moment.
“I couldn’t turn her out in the streets,” Temperance quickly dismissed her. “The apartments are for my private staff. It isn’t her fault her husband is an ass. Pardon my language. Home then?” Ella simply nodded and hailed a cab. Once they were in route they went over Temperance’s schedu
le, which much to Ella’s dismay included a trip to the opera with Helena and her mother.
She hadn’t expected an undying declaration, she simply failed to appreciate Temperance spending the following evening with an old flame.
“When we get in, before you ring Howard would you mind terribly canceling my plans for the evening?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
Upon entering the penthouse, Ella’s joy proved to be short lived when they were greeted by an uninvited guest. Helena had made herself home. They found her lounging in the sitting room sipping a martini.
“How did you get in?” Temperance scolded her but failed to ask her to leave.
“Don’t you play coy with me,” Helena fussed. “What is this rubbish I hear about the farmer’s daughter being Preston’s intended? Iris is beside herself.”
“Pity,” Temperance waved her off. “You have saved me a call, I won’t be able to attend the opera this evening.”
“Oh, but you will, your mother is expecting you.”
“My mother?” Temperance barked with laughter as Ella tried to disappear into the kitchen. She discovered Mrs. Culvert lingering in the doorway, obviously listening in. “My mother has no say in the matter. Good heavens the woman refuses to acknowledge that my brother and I are twins.”
“It’s a vulgar expression,” Helena chided her. “It makes it sound as if she had a litter of puppies. She’s not common farm folk. I will see you this evening. Before you object, remember it is a charity event. Do not even think about bringing the farm girl.”
Having had her say, Helena stormed out. “Someone has a bee in their bonnet,” Mrs. Culvert scoffed.
“How did she get in?”
“Waltzed right in like she owned the place.”
Ella pursed her lips and blazed a determined trail into the sitting room. “I will be back shortly,” she informed Temperance before leaving and ringing for the elevator.
“George,” she greeted the operator who happened to be on duty. “A word.” After a trip down to the lobby and a stern conversation with George and Donny who happened to be working the reception desk she felt confident that she had emphatically expressed her employer’s wishes regarding entry and announcing of guests.
“Should I ask?” Temperance inquired once she had returned.
“No, I was just doing my job. Sadly, you must do yours. I’ll have Jenny iron out your black dress.”
“You want me to go?” She sheepishly inquired.
“No, but you have obligations.”
“It is La Boheme, one of your favorites,” Temperance pleaded.
“We can see it together some other time,” she reassured her. “I have work to attend to. I will arrange to have a taxi waiting to pick you up immediately after the performance.”
The matter was settled. Ella worked while Temperance went out for the evening. She worried. Then would chastise herself, knowing she had no claim on the woman who had stolen her heart. The later it got, the more she worried. She braced herself when she heard the front door. Her instincts told her to run and wrap Temperance up in her arms. Instead, she remained at her desk and waited.
Her heart was pounding by the time Temperance entered the office. “You’re still working?”
“Yes,” she confirmed, setting her pencil down and watching Tempe’s every move as she took a seat at her own desk. “Was the cabby late?” She sheepishly inquired.
“Helena had other ideas,” Temperance blanched.
“I’ll bet she did.”
“I need to thank you.”
“For?”
“I understand that you’ve spoken to the downstairs staff in regards to visitors. I have struggled with dealing with the matter. My mother can be quite the bully and Helena uses the only two gifts God has given her.”
“Which are?”
“Her looks and her money.”
“I see,” Ella nodded as she crossed the room. “Respecting your wishes are the least they can do. You pay them a more than fair wage and allow them to live on the fourteenth floor rent free. Drink?”
“Please.”
Ella went to the bar in the other room and poured each of them a brandy. She handed Temperance one before nestling herself in her lover’s lap. She smiled when she heard the happy sigh, Temperance released. Each took a sip before placing their glasses on the desk.
She released her own sigh when Temperance wrapped her arms around her. “I wanted you there this evening.”
“That would have been an unmitigated disaster and you know it.” She murmured, nuzzling Temperance’s neck. “You were right this does complicate things.”
“I don’t care,” Temperance confessed as she stroked Ella’s back. “From the moment I met you I have fought to keep my feelings in check.”
“I understand your struggle,” she confessed leaning closer. “I cleared your schedule for the latter part of next week.”
“Oh?”
“We are going to the island.”
“Just the two of us?” Temperance sounded ecstatic.
“Yes, there are so many things that I wanted to do the first time we were there. For you, to you.”
“A vacation, just the two of us.” Temperance purred before stealing a kiss.
Central Park West, NYC
February 11, 1939
For the next few months they were happy and careful. At least they thought they were careful. There was the mad dash Ella would make in the mornings to ensure that neither Mrs. Culvert nor Jenny caught her slipping out of Temperance’s bedroom.
Then one morning, she emerged from her apartment freshly scrubbed and eager to begin her day. The night before she had been lost in a passionate haze. She paused when she passed by the sitting room.
Temperance was standing there in her robe and pajamas with her arms folded across her chest. Ella was familiar with the stone cold expression she was sporting. It was the one she used a façade whenever someone was cruel to her. Before her stood Mrs. Culvert who looked as if she was going to be ill.
Ella discreetly stepped into the kitchen. Discovering Jenny and Maria doing everything they could to look busy.
“What is going on?”
“Mrs. Culvert is giving her notice,” Maria stammered.
“No, she’s walking out,” Jenny hissed. “Ungrateful if you ask me.”
“Why?” Ella was stunned at first, then frightened when the two of them froze.
“I don’t know and I don’t want to know,” Jenny finally offered with a pleading look. “I just think she’s ungrateful.”
“But that is my home!” They heard Mrs. Culvert bellow.
“Did she think she was going to keep living here for free?” Jenny snarled slamming down the spoon she had been using to stir the pot on the stove. “Miss Ella, like I said I don’t know and I don’t want to know.” She repeated. “I just think it’s a slap in the face. Miss Temperance and you have been good to us.”
“Very good,” Maria stressed. “I don’t know what I would have done without her help. Letting me bring the children up here when my mother can’t watch them. It’s kept food on the table and a roof over our heads. It’s not for me to say, what does or doesn’t go on. She wanted us to walk out with her. Well, I won’t. “She stressed before excusing herself so she could get on with her duties.
“Jenny?” Ella pushed.
“Not for me to say either,” Jenny shook her head returning her attention to the stove. “I don’t even discuss things that might seem unusual with my husband. Couldn’t even if I was that type. We all signed a paper saying that Miss Muraille’s business and personal life are private. I wouldn’t be chattering on even if I hadn’t. It’s not my business, if you check on Miss Temperance in the morning. Or if laundry ends up in odd places. The two of you are close. You might need to be up all night chatting or working. Not for me to say. All I know is she is the happiest I’ve ever seen her. Again, it’s not for me to say.”
“Of course not.” Ell
a conceded understanding fully that Jenny didn’t care. Although, she suspected that her words held a veiled request for them not to flaunt their relationship.
“Although,” Jenny began as Ella braced herself. “You might want to take your time in morning. Running across the apartment. You could fall and break your neck.” Jenny added with a slight snicker. “Breakfast should be ready soon. Would you mind bringing Miss Temperance her coffee?”
Stunned, Ella poured the coffee and braced herself to face Mrs. Culvert’s wrath.
“By the end of the month,” Temperance stated, in a low, even tone.
“You’re a sick, woman so I will pray for you.” Mrs. Culvert spat out, turning to face Ella. She glared at her with a look of disgust. “You, should come with me. I know the church can help you.” She added harshly.
“No, thank you.” Ella quipped handing Temperance the cup. “I need to get started on the morning calls,” She then turned her attention towards her lover, whose aloof mask remained in place. “Jenny has informed me that breakfast should be ready shortly. You should dress.” She added, earning a shy smile from her lover. “Good day, Mrs. Culvert.”
Mrs. Culvert hissed before storming off. “That was unpleasant,” Ella wearily offered. “I was serious about you getting dressed.”
“She said the most horrible things about me,” Temperance mumbled. “All in the name of Christianity of course. She’s threatened to sue and make a fuss.”
“Did you remind her to talk to her son the lawyer, about the confidentiality agreement she signed?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Hopefully, she’ll go on her way,” Ella pointed out. “It would be rather rude to have her son, whose education you paid for, sue you. Now, go get dressed. We need to put this ugliness behind us.”
“Thank you.” Temperance nodded thoughtfully. “Ella, would you mind clearing my schedule for a few days this month. I think a trip to the island is in order.”
“It would be my pleasure,” she purred caressing Temperance’s arm. “Now, get dressed woman.”
Muraille Island Page 18