by Lisa Coots
“Gone.”
“Gone where?”
“She died.” The sadness in her voice washed over him like a wave.
“Who else lives here with you?”
“The maid. Sometimes we have visitors, but Poppa doesn't like it.”
“Anna, how old are you?”
“16.”
“The one who gives you flowers, is he here too?”
“No. Poppa doesn't want him in the house.”
“Where do you meet him?”
“The barn out back mostly.” A shy smile crossed her face. “Sometimes down by the river.”
“Why can't you tell me his name?” Mason prodded gently.
“Poppa will kill him if he finds out.” Clearly distressed, the crease on her forehead deepened.
“Does he work for your father at the lumber yard?” Mason knew he was grasping, but he needed to keep her talking about him.
“No, he helped build this house, and he takes care of the horses. I sneak out to the barn sometimes to see him. He likes my pies.” The deep blush returned to her cheeks.
“Tell me his name.” Mason tried to keep his voice level, but his impatience was winning out.
Her lidded eyes darted from side to side frantically. “No, I hear him. He's coming.”
Mason watched Faith’s chest rise and fall rapidly, her breath coming out in short spurts.
“Faith, Faith. I want you to wake up now.” Mason's voice was sharp and commanding. He silently cursed himself for not adding a waking suggestion to his induction script.
“He's on the stairs.” Her head cocked to one side as if listening. She panted shallowly, her hands clawed at the bed spread under her.
“Faith! Wake up!” Clapping his hands loudly, he repeated his command.
Faith gave a sharp intake of breath, and held her chest. “What?” her voice cracked as she tried to sit up slowly. “What happened? Did I fall asleep?”
“What do you remember?” Narrowing his eyes on her, Mason took note of the distinctive differences in their speech patterns.
“I must have been dreaming. Did it work? Did I remember anything?”
“Faith calm down. Everything is fine.” Serena spoke from her seat in the corner of the room.
“What were you dreaming about?” Ben asked eagerly, making sure the recorder was still running.
“It's not real clear like it was before.” Putting a palm out, Faith waved it slowly in front of her. “But it was the house. I was walking through the house looking for someone. There was a pie in the kitchen. I'm so confused.”
“It's ok.” Crossing the room to her, Serena patted her shoulder. Over Faith’s head, she gave Ben a firm nod. “That’s enough.”
“I usually remember everything so clearly.” Rubbing a hand across her eyes, Faith shook her head.
“Let's go downstairs and get you some water. Maybe it'll come back to you.” Serena smiled reassuringly at her, and helped her from the bed.
Ben waited for them to leave the room before speaking. “Wow! That was the ghost talking, wasn't it? She's channeling the girl.”
“Yes, I think so.” Mason glanced around the room. The pale yellow walls glowed in the candlelight and the gardenia scent hung heavily in the air. Still, he felt a lingering sense of sadness.
“Can she do it again?”
“I don't know, Ben. Just keep recording everything.”
Mason waited in the dimly lit parlor for Serena to come back inside. She had walked Faith to her car. He paced as he thought about the session. Faith was still a little shaky, but seemed more upset because she thought the session hadn't worked. He wasn't sure he should tell her that it had worked better than any of them could have imaged. He heard the door, but didn't bother to call out. Serena made a beeline for him.
“We're not doing that again.” Her voice was firm, but low.
“Rena..,” he sighed.
“No, Mason. That wasn't Faith and I don't like it. I can't use her that way.” Crossing her arms in front of her, she shivered.
“Of course. I know you're upset but we have a name and a little more information.”
“Upset? She's my friend.”
“The voice wasn't hers. I know it's unnerving.” He reached for her, sliding a hand across the goosebumps that had formed on her tanned skin.
“It was too easy. I don't like it.”
“The night Jake and her brother fought, you said it wasn't her voice, correct?”
“Yes, I thought it was over. I thought all of them being here and all of the strong emotions just exploded. I thought it was what she needed to happen for it to be over.” She leaned into him, and he welcomed the warmth of her on his chest.
“Ok, love. We'll figure it out.” Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her even closer. “Ben will go through the recordings and we'll see if we picked anything else up. Any news on the wedding?”
“Not really. I met with Claire today at her house. We talked about setting up outside and the food, but that's Faith's department. Why?”
“Serena, I know how much this means to you. I want this to work for you.”
She stepped away from him to look into his eyes, “Really?”
“Yes. Your happiness is important to me.”
“Why?” There was no accusation or suspicion in her question, just a genuine curiosity.
“Because we are going to work this out, one way or another.”
“Are you so certain of that?” The uncertainty in her voice pained him.
“Yes. You know. From the moment we saw each other we both knew.” Taking her chin in his hand, he stared deeply into her eyes.
She returned his gaze, her face softened. “Yes, we know the past, but the future is unwritten.”
Not wanting to argue, he shook his head and looked away. “Then why do we keep finding each other, if it's not meant to be?”
“We keep repeating the past.” She took a few steps, putting more space between them. “You think it's something we have to work on, but what if it's not?”
His hands still outstretched to her, he paused, confused at her meaning. “What are you talking about?”
“You keep telling me that I'm too close. That's why I can't see what's going on here.”
“Yes,” he agreed slowly dropping his hands to his sides.
“What if you're too close to see what's happening with us?”
“I don't understand. What are you getting at?” His brow furrowed at the uncomfortable sensation going through him.
“What if we're repeating the cycle and that's what we need to work on?” Her voice was low, and cautious.
“Repeating the cycle?”
“Not repeating the cycle,” she corrected him then waited for the realization to sink in.
“No.” Moaning in protest, his insides felt like they were being ripped from him.
“We're trying to break the cycle for Anna and Faith, so they'll have peace. Maybe, we have to break the cycle with us, so we can finally have peace.”
“No, Rena.” His voice cracked as he pleaded with her.
“Don't we deserve some peace? Instead of torturing each other?” The sadness in her voice, made him want to howl. Life without her seemed impossible. His emotions roiled and simmered within him, he needed to get away before he lost control. He stopped only for a second as he passed her, shoulder to shoulder. Not able to look at her, he looked straight ahead.
“There is no peace for me, without you.”
CHAPTER 11
Serena wondered if the others were awake as she made her way to the kitchen. The only sounds she heard were Faith’s usual clattering. Upon entering, she took in Ben at his usual spot already eating. There was no sign of Mason.
“Is Mason not joining us for breakfast?” Serena tried to hide her disappointment by giving Ben a cheery smile.
“Oh. Umm, no.” Ben looked guilty down at his plate.
“What?” She knew she had hurt Mason last night. She had almost f
ollowed him out of the house, but she knew how it would end. More angry words and hurt feelings.
“I thought he talked to you before he left.” Ben shifted uncomfortably in his seat, he glanced nervously at Faith’s back. Breakfast already made, she was on to her next task.
“He left?” Her journey to the coffee pot derailed by his statement, Serena stood still. It wasn’t like Mason to run away or give up.
“Yeah, he said y’all had agreed to hold off on the sessions with Faith,” Ben spoke calmly watching her face.
“Why? It didn't work, right? I knew it.” Finding the bowl she needed, Faith snapped the cabinet door shut, her head bobbing in frustration.
“No, Faith, because it worked too well,” Ben informed her.
“I don't understand. I don't remember anything. Just pie.” She snorted, flipping her ponytail with another jerk of her head.
“Just show her.” Ben’s blue eyes urged her, his boyish face barely able to contain his excitement.
“I don't think that's necessary.” Serena gave Ben a forced smile then tried to change the subject. “What else did Mason say?”
“Something about stepping back and giving you space. He said for me to stay here, work on EVPs, since we never got around to it and I still want to check out the graveyard.” Napkin in hand he shrugged, wiping his mouth.
“When will he be back?”
“Ahhh, he didn't say, but he will. You know he will.” He rolled the napkin nervously between his hands.
“Good. We've got a lot of planning to do for the wedding. Have you gotten with Claire yet? She had some ideas about the food.” Trying to focus on their to-do list, she addressed Faith. If Mason wasn’t around, she might actually be able to focus on what needed to be done. This wedding had to happen.
“We talked, and you're right. We have a lot to do.”
“Evan and Claire ok?”
“Yeah. Evan's sulking, but Claire stood her ground. She’s determined to keep planning. She told him there's been no sign of Richie. Right?” Faith looked at them over the ingredients she had gathered.
“Nothing, really.” Serena cast a warning glance to Ben. “Richie isn't going to be a problem. Let's just focus on the wedding.”
“Ok, we should go dress shopping. That'll cheer Claire up!”
The dream came back to her in a rush. The three of them laughing amidst a sea of white satin, taffeta, and tulle. Their dresses each as unique as their personalities. Claire’s satin dress draped around her curves giving her the look of a ‘50s bombshell. Faith’s more traditional lace gown boasted a sweetheart neckline, capped sleeves and a fluted skirt ending in an elegant train. She had found herself in lace also, but a simpler style. No train, but the fitted bodice had ended at her hips giving way to a full skirt. The off-the-shoulder ruffle blowing into her face with a cold gust of wind.
Suddenly darkness surrounded them. Their stark white dresses almost glowing in contrast to the blackness. The laughter had dried up and a feeling of dread engulfed her. Claire cried out startling her. A splatter of blood had appeared on the bodice of her beautiful satin gown. The darkness forced them apart, leaving her all alone. Claire's cries echoed throughout the house. She searched frantically through each room trying to find her friend, only to awaken in a panic.
“Serena, hey?”
“Hmm.” She found herself standing in the brightly lit kitchen amid the smells of breakfast and coffee.
“Where did you go?” Ben eyed her worriedly.
“Oh, I just remembered something. The dresses. Yes, Claire needs a dress.” Her mind still not fully present, she replied absently.
“We all will.” Faith snorted over a cup of flour.
Their white dresses flashed again before her. Panic began to rise and she felt the darkness creeping around her.
“For the wedding. Bridesmaids.” Faith raised an eyebrow at her. “What's up with you?”
“I remembered the dream.”
“Oh… Wow.” Wiping a hand on her apron, Faith stared at her in awe.
“What dream?” Ben asked pushing his plate away.
“It's nothing.”
“Did you write it down? I don’t remember anything about a dream.”
“No, it was before. It wasn't about that.” Serena shook her head. How could she have forgotten about the dream?
“It was Richie,” Faith offered.
The incredulous look Ben gave her made her rethink what she just said. “Oh, Ben. I thought it was over. It happened.”
“What happened?”
Serena relayed the dream in as much detail as she could remember.
“Wow, so this was before Richie showed up?”
“Yes, I had read Claire's cards. They warned her about Richie.”
“So, now, we're talking about dresses again. White dresses. Planning a wedding and I'm assuming you and Jake have plans to get married too?” Ben asked Faith.
“Yeah, but not until Claire and Evan are safely wed.” She sliced the stick of butter in one motion, then pulled at the paper unrolling it into the bowl with a plop.
“Following the natural progression of the dream's meaning...” He patiently rolled his hand in a circle. The innocent look he gave Serena made her want to throw something at him.
“No, Ben. We were trying on dresses.” Reaching for a cup, she hoped the coffee would clear her head.
“You said that was the order y'all would get married in. Claire, Faith, then you,” he repeated her own words to make his point.
“Ugh, but it happened already. Richie came and threatened to mess everything up. Claire was missing for a while, but we found her. Evan found her. So it's over.” Serena poured the dark liquid into her cup wishing her words were true.
“And now he's back. There's two weddings being planned and y'all are trying on dresses.”
“It doesn't mean something will happen.” She didn’t look at him when she answered. Staring into the blackness in her cup, the surface now smooth and still, just like the air around her. But it was a false sense of calmness. Serena knew it was only a matter of time before something else bubbled to the surface.
“Hey, maybe not. I'm just pointing out stuff, like I always do when y'all can't see it.” He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his empty plate. “You know, I really don't blame Evan for not wanting Claire here or the wedding.”
Ben picked up his plate, bringing it to the sink with a frown. “I'm going upstairs to grab some equipment, then I'm heading to the graveyard.”
After he left the room, Serena waited for Faith to say something, anything to erase the doubts that were creeping in. When Faith stayed silent, Serena spoke, “Don't listen to him. I know it's going to be fine.”
“I just want this to work.” Faith flipped the dough out of the bowl and unto the counter pounding it with her fist.
“I do, too.” Amazed at the dough that had magically seemed to appear, Serena watched her friend knead it quickly.
“Is Claire safe?” Her attention fully on Serena now, Faith asked with genuine concern.
“Yes, he can't hurt her anymore.”
“How do you know?”
“Because it's me he's after.”
“But we all saw him.” Rounding the dough back into a ball, Faith patted it gently.
“I was so nervous about that party. He used my fear.”
“Hey.” Ben strode back into the kitchen startling them both. “I forgot, with Mason leaving, I edited the pictures for Claire and...” He hesitated looking at the top picture. Finally pulling it from the stack he handed it to Serena. “Look at this. I took this when Claire was at the top of the stairs.”
“I'm sure that's not what she wanted to remember, Reuben.” She snatched the photo from his hand.
Faith leaned over her shoulder to get a better look and gasped. The shadowy form of a man stood behind a terrified Claire on the staircase. “It came out.”
“Yeah, it did. And I didn't mean for Claire to have that. I wante
d you to see it.” Ben put the stack of pictures on the counter.
“See what?” Serena snapped at him.
“See what you and Mason tend to forget. What normal people see. For you it's no big deal. For Claire and Evan, especially Evan, it's pretty damn scary.” His voice was calm, but firm.
Looking at the photo again, the shadow, a thing of darkness so close to Claire it could have touched her. Serena felt the darkness circling her again.
“Point taken.”
CHAPTER 12
Mason powered the sleek Lincoln MKZ through a final gentle s-curve on Highway 35. The close looming cypress and water oaks thinned quickly as the road straightened out before him. Miles of flat, neatly rowed cane and bean fields stretched out ahead. He nudged the cruise control to a dicey seventy-five and let his mind relax into autopilot.
Leaving her and that damn house was hard, but Mason knew where to find her now. Ben was right. He needed to get his head on straight, and Serena wouldn’t leave Coeur du Bayou.
Storming out of the house last night, he had paced through the woods sulking. The darkness and summer night sounds did little to calm him. The constant buzzing and bites from hungry mosquitos had driven him back to his room. He needed to figure out a way to prove to her they were meant to be together. Serena was wrong. She had to be. Somewhere in the wee hours of the morning he had come to the conclusion that he should start with the trust issue. The missing money and the deliberate set up of that investigation bothered him. If he could clear her, he would have no reason not to trust her.
There had been a plan, but somewhere in the haze of no sleep and the panic of a life without her, he lost it. Mason felt he needed to go home and sort it out. He was only an hour away, when his cell phone buzzed in the console, irritating him more. Ben's name glowed on the screen. He took a deep breath then clicked the hands-free button.
“Hey, what's up?”
“Mason, hey, listen… Maybe you should come back.” He could tell Ben was trying to be casual.
“What's happened?” Slowing the car, Mason began looking for the next exit. Ben wouldn't ask him to come back unless it was serious.