by Lynne, Loni
The smile faltered and he weaved wearily on his feet. “Are you all right? You look pale,” April asked, steadying him by reaching out and grabbing his arm. He pulled away abruptly out of her touch.
“I’m about to replay my execution,” he said tersely adjusting the plain collar of the linen shirt, slightly dirty and mussed for authenticity. “What did you think, my love? That I would walk to this event carefree and easy?”
April hung her head. She wasn’t thinking. “No.”
James sighed and kneeled down in front of her. He touched her cheek, caressing a finger along her lips. “I’m sorry, lass. Forgive me. I guess I’m just nervous and a bit out of sorts.”
She smiled weakly and turned her lips into his palm. His usual warmth was missing tonight. His hand felt cool and clammy. “You have every right to be, James. I should know. You don’t have to do this. I never want you to have to face your nightmare again.”
“I promised Dr. Freelane I would. It’s my job, just as yours was to face your ghosts for me. This is something I need to do so I can move on.”
April’s heart clenched. Move on as in death? No. She wouldn’t allow it. “—so we can move on with our life, together,” she corrected.
His forced smile tried to reassure her, but something was wrong, she felt it like an ominous presence resting over them.
“Of course. That is what I meant.”
She touched his face lovingly as if checking for fever. He looked tired, exhausted. “James, I think you might be coming down with something. You’re not feeling well, are you?”
“Probably just tired.” He tapped her nose playfully. “You kept me up for quite awhile last night.”
“Yes, I did. You were ‘up’ for hours.”
Laughing at the sexual innuendo helped to break the tension of the impending moment. The plodding clop of horses’ hooves echoed outside on the cobbled streets. April went to the window and looked out. A black steed was being led to the curb.
“My ride’s here.” James tried to sound jovial as he stood. “How do I look?”
“Handsome and innocent,” April said trying hard not to break down and cry for him. She would have never been able to know him centuries ago and bear witness to this event.
“Will you be there for me when this is all over with tonight?” he asked.
“James, I will always be there for you.”
***
April stood with her family and Beth near the staging area of the execution. The crowds had been gathering in the city park for over an hour, waiting for the actual event. Many had dressed up in period costume, carrying old-fashioned tin lanterns. Bonfires and burning pitch pots illuminated the streets like a colonial village night. People huddled around them with their cups of cider and hot cocoas from local eateries staying open late to cash in on the mass of extra consumers. April felt a chill not associated with the night course through her as she watched James being led to his execution just like two-hundred thirty-eight years ago.
Her mother hugged her shoulders as they huddled front and center to see James’s approach. She needed the strength. After having witnessed the scene only the other day by touching the tree, it seemed eerily familiar. She didn’t know what James could be feeling, but her heart ached anyway.
“He looks so formal,” Beth whispered to her in awe. “Remind me to give him a raise when we get the grant money. He’s doing a great job, considering what he must be going through.”
As all the players came onto the stage, April noted the proud carriage Beth spoke of. James sat as she had remembered in her ghostly vision just days ago. Drums played a tattoo. Even though April didn’t remember a drummer being there, it added a dramatic touch. A priest stepped forward and gave last rights to the victim, spouting verse and lecture to fit the crime.
“Wait!” a breathless, feminine voice called out above the hush of the crowd.
Murmurs of confusion and interest sparked the night.
“Stop!” the voice continued to cry out.
April looked to Beth to see what was going on. Beth seemed just as baffled as everyone else.
A woman dressed in colonial attire ran forward, her blonde hair askew as the heavy woolen hood of her cape slipped to her shoulders. “He’s innocent! You can’t execute him for any crime.” Her voice, breathless and urgent rang out through the crowd. “Henry Samuel accuses this man of treason against the crown, but James Addison is an upstanding citizen and honest merchant.”
The crowds rumbling grew louder, people looked at each other, perplexed. April turned to her mother, grandmother, and aunt as they all tried to gauge the reaction of the crowd.
She looked just like Catherine Samuel! The girl represented her ghostly heroine perfectly. April studied her appearance. A flash of silver hung from the open folds of her cloak and skirt. She even wore a reproduction of the chatelaine. Wow! Talk about detail.
“Well now, young lady, and who might you be?” The man playing the part of the executioner stepped forward, looking confused as if expecting someone to explain a change of script.
“I’m Henry’s wife, Catherine Samuel, and I want you to let this man go!”
“Do you have proof of Mr. Addison’s innocence?”
“The only proof I have is Mr. Addison’s loyalty to his King and country. My husband is accusing this man without a trial so he can obtain his lands. Henry has been trying to acquire Mr. Addison’s mill for some time.”
There were murmurs among the attendees. The crowd seemed confused and excited by the turn of events. April knew this wasn’t the normal program they were used to. Stepping closer to the staged area, she studied the young actress closely. Then the most amazing thing happened, Catherine’s re-enactor stepped closer to her, as if seeking her out and began talking directly to her.
“The governor has suspicion of Henry cheating the good people of Kings Mill out of their property. Henry’s ledgers show his lack of revenue and purchase of deeds from those who he’s wronged. Some of the ledgers were destroyed, but the ones that remain show proof of my husband’s deeds. The truth is in the numbers.”
April’s jaw trembled as the young girl held her stance. Her dialog finished with dramatic pause. Gasping, April finally realized the girl wasn’t a re-enactor at all. This was the real Catherine Samuel standing before them. She’d somehow found a way from Henry’s grasp tonight and was brave enough to tell the story to free James from dying yet again.
April nodded solemnly, letting Catherine know she understood what she was saying. Clapping her hands as if honoring an opera diva for her aria, April turned her attention onto the performance, playing along as if it were all part of the act. Others began to applaud along with her, until it was a standing ovation. She wasn’t honoring her performance. She was honoring the woman’s strength. Catherine stood proud, her head regal instead of bent in fear of reprisal. With hands firmly planted on her hips she awaited the executioner’s next move.
But both April and Catherine paused as another voice broke out among the crowd. Costumed in common workman’s clothing and a tattered leather tricorne, he hopped up effortlessly onto the stage next to Catherine.
April gasped. “Daniel.”
Her grandmother turned to her and looked back to the stage in wonder.
“D…Daniel?” Beth asked, her voice shaking. She had finally picked up on what was going on.
“The lady is right! What say the villagers of Kings Mill? Should we let this man go? Let the colonists speak! This is your town, your fellow colonist being accused without a trial! Your voices need to be heard.” The man began to chant, “Free him! Free him!”
A wide roar of ‘aye’ broke through the crowds. People chanted to let James go. The mob became excited as they got into character, adding their part to the festive scene, righting the wrongs of history through this simple adaptation. Catherine and Daniel stood on stage stomping their feet, rallying the crowds until the executioner shrugged and untied James.
Nearly in
tears, April watched as Catherine and Daniel went to stand beside James. Catherine took the hood from his head and smiled at him. His dazed expression latched onto the two figures before him. A look of bewilderment and complete and utter astonishment highlighted his face. April fought back a sob. Her poor beloved ghost looked close to fainting.
“Is that the real Catherine up there?” Beth asked as the shock of what they had just witnessed actually registered.
“Oh yes, that is really Catherine.” April grinned past the tears of joy. James was alive and receiving congratulations from the other actors on his part.
“And Daniel, too?” her mother added, trying to smile. But a tight grimace of pain creased her brow.
“Migraine,” Aunt Vickie said as she nodded towards Virginia. “The ghosts of the past, there are so many here tonight. She can’t concentrate.”
April looked around at the crowds and wondered how many of the people were modern citizens in costume, and how many were actual ghosts.
“I think I’ll call it a night and try to sleep this one off.” Her mother nodded slightly.
“Do you want us to go with you, Virginia?”
“No, Mom, you and Aunt Vickie go enjoy yourselves. I know you wanted to join in the fun at O’Toole’s Pub. And you,” she turned towards April, with a faint smile, “have fun with James as he celebrates his new life. He’s waiting for you.” Her mother gave her a hug. “I’m so proud of you, April.”
April returned the hug, holding on for more moments than either one remembered in their past. “Thanks Mom, I’m proud of you, too.”
Hugging her family and thanking them for all of their help, she made her way through the crowd towards James. Catherine and Daniel were gone. They must be among the citizens of Kings Mill, celebrating in their own way. Or they could have finally moved on, now that they were able to face their fears and speak up in truth.
***
April barely made it on stage before James wrapped her in his arms. She was his rock. His life giving energy. He was alive but the terror of facing the night, even a re-enactment of it had made him nauseous. The heavy fear of having no control again while he’d been tied on the back of the horse had hit him as if it were all really happening again.
It wasn’t until he’d heard Catherine’s voice coming out of the dark terror that he knew this time history wouldn’t repeat itself. Still his body trembled. Seeing the ghosts of his past interacting with the present, he’d wanted to reach out and hold them but couldn’t gather his wits in time before they left. Daniel had given him a small salute and Catherine had smiled warmly at him before they’d merged into the hundreds of people gathered for the event.
“James, you look like you’re about to pass out. Sit down before you fall.” April made him sit on one of the nearby benches. A few people passed by, congratulating him on a job well done. He’d nodded and thanked them, giving a brief wave. But his heart wasn’t into the celebratory atmosphere right now.
“April, dear,” he heard Aunt Vickie call out as the crowds dissipated, “Is James all right?”
James tried to put on a cheerful face for her family. But the dizziness left him feeling weak. He’d hoped to feel better after all of this. Now he was sure he might be coming down with something like April had said. “I’m fine.”
“April will take care of you. We’ll meet you at the pub. It might be a good idea for you to make the rounds with the town folk tonight.”
Nodding, April waved them on. “Thanks. We’ll check on Mom first. I’m sure James will want to tour the tavern to offer a toast to the town’s people for their sense of justice tonight.” April smiled at him. Her eyes misted with a sheen of tears.
James took her hand and kissed her palm. Feeling weak, his vision blurring, he didn’t want to ruin April’s night. He would buck up soon. Beth arrived with a couple of cups of coffee moments later as they sat alone, trying to regain their composure.
“You did good, kid.” Beth handed him a cup. “You okay?”
Managing a brief nod he took a sip of the hot, bitter liquid. It wasn’t his tea, but anything was welcomed right now.
James looked at Beth, he knew without her speaking the words what she wanted to know. She was still stunned by everything. “Yes, believe it or not, that was actually Catherine and my foreman Daniel Smith.”
Beth stared at him as if he’d grown an extra head. “I couldn’t believe it when April told me…but really, Catherine and Daniel—the lovers from the journal?” her voice trembled. “Oh dear God, now I’ve seen everything!”
“You’re not going to faint again are you?” he asked.
Beth laughed nervously. “So you’re saying what happened really wasn’t part of the skit?” She blew out a breath. “Well, they did get the crowds to participate and put everyone in a festive mood. I think I’ll keep it for next year’s celebration.”
A sudden chill enveloped them. James felt it go through him, literally. April backed away to check out the night sky. Tree branches twisted and crackled as the wind picked up. Standing up, his body felt light and weightless. James realized it was him. Something was happening to him.
No! Not now! He couldn’t be phasing back into a ghost. He couldn’t!
“What’s going on? Are we in for a storm?” April asked, checking out her surroundings. Littered programs and random trash left on the grounds twirled in the strong breeze. The bonfires fluttered and sparked. People on the streets held onto one another, bracing against the sudden blast of air.
“How odd? The weather forecast wasn’t calling for any heavy winds,” Beth said.
“Fire! Hey—there’s a fire over here!” someone yelled from a group of straggling visitors. Confusion and chaos ensued as people gathered at the backside of the county courthouse, just feet away. In the distance the blare of fire trucks could be heard, the sound growing louder.
They went to see what was going on. James tried to reach out to April, but he knew it wouldn’t matter. He was afraid she wouldn’t be able to feel it.
Now? After all I’ve been through? Now I’m moving on? I haven’t had time to say good-bye to April!
The atmosphere around him sparked with electrical currents. April gave him a puzzling look as she reached for him but he stepped away. He didn’t want to alarm her if he was phasing back into his former self.
His hands felt clammy and he stumbled. He shook his head and blinked a couple of times to clear his vision. Trying to blame it on the exhaustion and emotional turmoil from the day’s activities, he focused on holding onto the present.
April tried to touch him again and he side-stepped. She dropped her hand, but her eyes misted over. He thought she knew or sensed the change, but she was trying to deny the truth as long as possible, like he was. “You’re not all right, are you James?”
The smell of musky smoke hit him before they saw the red-orange licks of flame and gray billows as they rounded the back side of the courthouse.
“Oh God! April, your Aunt’s house is on fire!” Beth gasped and stopped suddenly in shock at seeing the old colonial house ablaze. April ran past her at breakneck speed, straight for the house.
“No!” April screamed, racing up the steps of the burning house and straight into danger. “My Mom’s inside!”
In his impetuousness, James couldn’t stop his momentum and shimmered right through Beth on his way to save April from her foolishness. No one saw him run into the burning house.
Chapter Twenty-Four
James’s heart stopped when April raced into the burning house. As usual she didn’t stop to think. Flames were already licking out the windows and roof like angry serpent tongues. James called out to her, but his voice sounded distant, even to him. He ran after her, a sense of weightlessness settling into him.
Plumes of smoke billowed in gusts as if the old house was alive and exhaling. The activity behind him was a mass of chaos, but he didn’t catch any of it as he focused on reaching April. Fire had already settled into the parlor
and flames were emerging from the butler’s pantry. He should feel the heat. Why wasn’t it affecting him? Popping glass and crackling wood caught his attention. One of her aunt’s china hutches in the parlor blazed, the glass knick-knacks exploding. Thankfully, the stairs were still whole. He raced up them, only steps away from April.
He could hear her coughing and gasping for air. He had to get her out before the house caved in or she died of smoke inhalation. He reached her side but when he grabbed her arm, his hand went right through her.
Dear God! Not now, just a little more time?
The doorway to their room was in flames. Fire poured out as pieces of old timber and plaster walls fell. The blaze had already eaten through Catherine’s room. He wasn’t worried about the rooms. They needed to get her mother out. He knew April wouldn’t leave without her. But he was afraid he was unable to help. He stood in front of April, between her and the door to her mother’s room.
“April, get the hell out of here!”
“My mother’s in there and I’m not leaving until she’s safe!” She yelled back as squeals of blazing timbers echoed around them. The door was cool but locked. April beat on the door. “Mom! Open up! Fire!”
“Move out of the way!”
James shouldered his way into the wooden door and his body went straight through. He’d already phased. He heard April scream his name. He knew this wouldn’t end well but he needed to get to Virginia before April died trying to save her. Damn her for rushing head long into danger!
The room was strangely untouched by the fire. Virginia crouched in the corner in satin pajamas, fighting against the force field holding her in place. Henry Samuel stood there in a ghostly form, holding Virginia around the throat, pressing tightly against her windpipe, choking her. His other hand wielded a flaming fire poker, and he waved it around as James approached.
Henry’s paranormal energies couldn’t hold both forces. He released April’s mother. James watched her fall helplessly to the floor as she struggled for breath. He reached for Virginia’s hand to help her up but realized she couldn’t see him now he had no solid form. But she would be able to hear him, if she could focus.