by Неизвестный
One More Dream
by
Pamula J. Reeves-Barker
Prologue
I believe there comes a point in every person's life when the dreams stop and reality takes over. The dreams are erased easily by the reality of life. Then comes the “I was stupid to ever think I could do that” routines. After which the hopelessness or depression hits, all because the dreams are really gone. Then you think it would have been better never to dream it, hope upon it, or imagine it. It’s not that life is really all that bad. Sometimes it’s pretty good. It’s just when the dreams are gone,.... they're gone.
I guess age takes away some of your chances. The older you get the fewer dreams you seem to have and the more reality becomes real. Now that I am beyond the age of any of any of my dreams, it doesn’t seem real. How can I be this age? Oh, I know I’m not old, not at all, but I’m not young anymore either. I have stopped thinking of myself as someone’s child, and started looking at myself as someone’s mother. This is scary. I am a mother, but I've always been “too young to be a mother." Now no one says that anymore.
I have to ask “Is life over, or just dreaming over?” I don’t want the dreams to be over, please give me another chance, another dream, please.
Treece had reached the point in her life when she believed it was impossible to have any dreams, or hopes for her dreams to come true. She was stuck in that dull, circular, daily routine that never seemed to end. It was the same thing day after day, with no end in sight. Even her daughter seemed to be in the same rut.
Treece had stopped dating several years before, despite the fact that she was only twenty seven. There just was not enough time or energy left after working all day and trying to play “mommy” to even think about dating. Any free time she may have had was given to be with her daughter. Trying to do it all was causing Treece to wear down.
Treece knew that they both needed a change and soon. She had no idea what could be done to make a change, but Treece would defiantly think about it, later. Yet, sometimes when you don’t even try God makes the change for you. So while Treece was thinking God put His own plan into action. Hundreds of miles away it started.
The Dream Begins
Chapter 1
“ I think the Mistress shouldn’t be carrying on here by herself anymore. It’s just too lonely for her.” said Dayton.
“I agree, but the Mistress has no family” replied Jayne. “At least none that has been spoken of in years.”
A few moments later, a loud crash was heard from the second floor. Jayne and Dayton ran up the stairs. When they reached the Mistress’s room they found an elegant silver serving tray and its contents thrown across the room. Food was everywhere. Immediately Jayne started picking up the mess.
“I did not ask for my food to be brought up! I will eat at the table as I always have!” Shouted the Mistress. Jayne shyly bowed her head.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am. I just thought since you were not feeling well last night, that you would like to take it easy today.” Jayne said.
“I don’t pay you to think! Now get my clothes. Dayton you may be excused!” Ordered Elizabeth Crumbly.
It was hard to believe that Elizabeth had been quite a charming person not too many years ago. Everyone had loved Elizabeth and enjoyed her company, then something happen to her. She seemed to change overnight. No one knew what exactly caused the change. Oh, there were many rumors, but no one knew for certain. Now the only two people that had any contact with Elizabeth were her faithful butler, Dayton and his daughter Jayne.
Dayton had been among the many who loved Elizabeth. He was almost certain that once in a while he could see the old “Lizzie” behind that wall. Oh, there were so many rumors about what may have happened to turn Elizabeth to such a cold person. Yet, Dayton had his own ideas, and if they were true he truly felt sorry for Elizabeth.
There had been so many times he had just wanted to run to Elizabeth and hold her until all the hurt was gone, but that was impossible. Sometimes Dayton felt he couldn’t live another day watching Elizabeth this way. If only some kind of change could come to this household.
After breakfast had been served, Elizabeth went out to the garden. This seemed to be the only place to find any peace from the ghosts that haunted the empty house. If she would have not been so stubborn, or afraid she would have left years ago, when her heart had been broken and dreams shattered. Now at fifty two, the mansion walls were all that was left of her once grand past. When she stopped dreaming, life took over. All the dreams were erased and the depression set in. All that Elizabeth could do now was shut the world out. Oh, at first it had been so hard. “Lizzie," as she had been called in the old days, loved the lime light. She loved all the people and the parties. Oh, how she missed it, especially the children. Sometimes she still longed for people around her, but pain just made it easier to build the wall higher.
Some nights, when Elizabeth knew Dayton and Jayne were asleep, she would watch endless hours of television. Always hoping to get a glimpse of what it might have been like if her dreams had come true. She would only end up hurting herself more and waking up sick the next morning. Elizabeth thought Jayne and Dayton believed her to be dying. Maybe she was. It would be an ultimate end to all the problems that plagued her. Did she dare hope for such an end? Dam, her English pride! It was all that was keeping her from finalizing her hopeless life.
Back in the house Dayton and Jayne continued their conversation from that morning. "I think we must try to do something to help her." Jayne said to her father. "If we could only find some family."
Dayton thought for a while. Then he remembered something. "There is someone, a cousin, I believe. Lizzie,.. I mean, the Mistress had an American cousin ... She was always talking about her." Dayton Smiled. "They wrote each other every week. Sometimes Ms. Crumbly would read the letters to us ... Oh, those were the days everyone was so happy." Dayton sighed
"How would we go about trying to find her now?" Jayne asked.
"I’m sorry to say she is no longer living ... She was quite young when she died away under mysterious circumstances. But... the mistress's cousin had a child." Dayton said.
"There.. is.. a trunk that the mistress keeps locked up in the "forbidden" room." Dayton continued. "I just don't think we should go poking around up there. Think of what would happen if the Mistress found out."
"Father, how do you know about the trunk? You have been in the room, what's in the room?' Jayne asked excitedly. "I've always wanted to go in there. Oh, I remember all the stories about that room from when I was little. Oh, Father could we please go? "Jayne asked without taking a breath.
"Jayne, dear, it's not as you think. I mean, there is nothing scary or mysterious in that room. I really don't know why it is forbidden. I guess only Lizzie understands." Dayton said whispering the last sentence.
Before they could decide what they should do, Elizabeth walked back in. "What are you two doing? Don't you two have enough work to do? I can think of a hundred things to be done around here." Elizabeth said more roughly than she had intended.
"I'll be up in my room for a while, please do not disturb me." She said as she headed up the stairs. "Oh, by the way something must be done in library. It is filthy,.. dust is everywhere." Elizabeth added as she turned back up the stairs.
"Yes, Ma'am" both Dayton and Jayne said together.
After the mistress was safely up the stairs, Dayton and Jayne went into the library. Soon they realized Elizabeth was right about the library. When was the last time any of them had been in this room? They quickly began cleaning.
Jayne's curiosity soon overcame her, and she began looking through the desk drawers. Almost immediately she uncovered a box of letters. The letters looked old and well worn, some
older than Jayne herself. When she looked at the return address, Jayne knew that she had found Elizabeth's lost family.
At first Jayne felt a little guilty about skimming through the letters. It took her a few hours to find out whom she needed to contact. That in its self was a surprise. She couldn't believe some of what she read, but she dared not to read too much. After finding who to contact, Jayne began to search for a correct address. Soon she became caught up in the adventure.
Dayton just couldn't believe it, it had finally come, a chance to change all their lives. Would they be able to pull it off? Would it really all come together? How would Elizabeth react when it finally happens ? The excitement was bursting out of both of them.
Chapter Two
Treece stood looking down at the letter in her hand. This must have been put in her mailbox by mistake. I don't know anyone in England. “I don’t even know anyone out of state.” Treece thought to herself. She looked at the address again. Treece Crumbly, yes that was her.
"Mom, what is it? Who is it from?" Marisa asked. "Is it for me?"
"No,.. I think it's for me. I don't know who it is from yet. Let me read it , honey." Treece answered as she opens the letter. What fancy paper she thought. As she read the letter it became increasingly harder for Treece to gasp the story that was being told. It was unreal, could any of this really be true. Then it hit her, this was it! This was the change she needed. But, how could this be true? Treece had never been told anything about this before. Immediately she ran to the phone.
"Granny, what can you tell me about an Elizabeth Crumbly?" Treece asked before even saying "hello."
"Treece?.. I haven't heard that name in years. Not since your mother's death." Grandmother said. "Your mother and Lizzie use to be so close. You know I must a million letters from her to your mother. Uh,..why are you asking about her?" Her Grandmother asked after realizing something must have brought up the name.
Treece told her Grandmother about the letter she had received that day. "And Granny, there is an invitation for me to go to England, with a airline ticket!"
"Oh.. Treece, why don't you come over. Before you make a decision, let us get down the letters and talk some." Her Grandmother insisted.
"Mom, why are we going to GeeGee's today?" Marisa asked. "We don't go until tomorrow... Every things funny today." She said smiling.
Treece looked down at her beautiful, seven year old daughter. Marisa had been through so much in her short life. Would it be fair to her if she took this chance? One look into those hazel eyes told her yes.
"I know Marisa. But, it just might be a good kind of funny." Treece explained to her daughter. "If everything works out we might be going on a trip soon, ...I hope."
It had been years since Laura Crumbly had heard Elizabeth's name. Once it had been all that was heard in her house. Such stories Treece's mother would tell about her. Oh, how she missed Sharon. Why did things have to turn out this way? Yes, Laura was grateful to have Treece, but sometimes the similarities were hard to bare.
What would it have been like to have Sharon was with them now? Would she have raised Treece differently,... and what about Marisa? Sharon would be a Grandmother! Oh, what a dish life had handed them.
When Treece and Marisa arrived, Laura had already pulled down the letters. The box was covered with dust. It had been in the attic for twenty three years now. No one had touched them since the day Sharon died.
The two women had no idea what they might find. But, for some reason they both felt compelled to read as if looking for a lost treasure. For hours, Treece and Laura read. They laughed more than they had in years. Then, suddenly the letters changed. Neither could control their tears. Such tragedies, how could anyone endure this much sorrow. The more Treece read, the more she became part of Elizabeth's life. How could she think of not going? Maybe she and Marisa could help. Treece already knew more than poor Dayton and Jayne did.
Treece looked at her Grandmother and said "I need to go." To her surprised her Grandmother agreed.
Both women leaned back in exhausted from their emotions. They were both too exhausted to finish the remaining letters.
"Did Mom ever tell you anything about this?" Treece asked.
"No, but now that I know a lot of questions are answered. Yet... still more are opened ." Laura said.
Treece looked puzzled, "What questions?"
"I never told you. I guess, I was afraid to in a way. Things were just so messed up after your mother’s untimely death." Laura began. "I don't know maybe she knew. She always said if anything was to happen to her, that I should send you to live with Elizabeth. I just thought she was being silly and told her to stop talking about it."
Laura stopped. Treece was in tears again. "Granny, you don't think Mom died on purpose, do you? I mean, just to help Elizabeth” She said without thinking.
"No! She was murdered!" Laura shouted. Then calmly said "It couldn't have been done on purpose, she just knew I guess." The very thought that Sharon would kill herself engulfed her in anger. That just couldn't be possible. All the evidence at the crime scene pointed to murder. Oh, it was bad enough not knowing who had killed Sharon. Now, for her own daughter to even suggest suicide was ridiculous. Yet, Treece didn't know all she knew.
"I'm sorry Granny, I didn't mean that she killed herself. Mom would never had done that, I'm sorry."Treece said trying to comfort her Grandmother. "What else do you have to tell me?" She asked, changing the mood.
"Well,... anyway before, you know, she just keep telling me that Elizabeth would take good care of you and that I should send you. I don't know why I never thought of it afterwards... I guess I needed you with me." Laura sighed. "I don't want to talk about it anymore now. I'm tired."
Treece gathered up all the letters and Marisa and went home. What a day this has been. She had longed for a change and here it was staring her in the face. As Treece looked down at the ticket , she realized there was only one ticket. What about Marisa? How would she ever get enough money to by another ticket? Treece decided to think about it in the morning. She was exhausted.
Sleep wouldn't come easy that night. Treece dreamed about her Mother, when she did sleep. She hadn't dreamed of her in years. In her dream, Treece's Mother was holding her a toddler. She kept saying "Mommy loves you so much. I don't want to ever leave you."
Then Sharon said something that made Treece jump straight out of her sleep. Her heart began to beat wildly. Did her Mother really say that? Treece couldn't remember, but it seemed very important. If she had, then it was true, Treece Mother was murdered!
Now, more than ever, Treece knew she must go to England. There was more than one mystery that needed solving. What had happen so many years ago? Only one person could help her find her answers.
The next morning Treece jumped out of bed and ran to the phone. She carefully unfolded the letter and began dialing the number on the bottom. Treece hung up after the first ring... What would she say? The letter said to only talk to Jayne or Dayton. What if Elizabeth answered? I just have to do it. I'll never find out if I don't. Ten minuets later she picked up the phone a dialed again.
Chapter Three
The ringing of the phone startled both Jayne and Dayton. Neither could remember the last time it had rung. Both ran for it, but when they got there it had stopped ringing. They were crushed. It must have been a wrong number.
The last few days had been filled with waiting and wonder. There had not been this much excitement in the house for many years. Jayne had been praying that she would soon hear something,... anything from America. Her hopes were high. Jayne had been secretly fixing up the quest room, just in case. Dayton had told her not to get her hopes up too high. Anyone who received such a strange letter was bound to be skeptical. He knew if he had been sent the letter, he would never come. Still, he held hopes that maybe this young woman would understand.
Elizabeth emerged at the top of the staircase, and asked about the phone. It had been so long since she heard it ring, that
it took her a moment to realize what it was.
"It must have been a wrong number, they hung up before we could pick up." Jayne answered.
"Oh, well I'm going out to the garden for a while. Please have tea for me when I return. "Elizabeth said as she came down the stairs. She had notice there seemed to be some kind of excitement going on with Jayne. “Maybe she has meet a young man. I hope not that will be her down fall.” Elizabeth thought
Not long after Elizabeth left the house, the phone began ringing again. Jayne slowly walked over to it. It was still ringing! "Hello, Crumbly residence." Jayne nervously said. Then a huge smile lit up her face. Immediately Dayton ran to her side. It had to be her. Jayne could hardly contain her excitement. There was so much to plan. Dayton kept a watch out for Elizabeth, while Jayne talked.
When Jayne hung up the phone she started jumping with joy. "Father, Father she will come! Oh,.. and she has a daughter. A child, a child in the house, can you imagine!" Jayne shouted. "Oh, Father, the only way they can come if we can get them another ticket, one for the child. But, I told her we would, right Father ?"
Dayton himself was overcome with Jayne's excitement. It was a great pleasure to see his daughter so happy. And to think it could help Elizabeth too. "Of course we will." he said.
Jayne began to explain to Dayton that when Treece arrived they would pretend to have never received a letter from or talked to Jayne. It was to look as if Treece had just found the old letters and decided to come for a visit. "And Father, she said there is a lot of letters from Elizabeth. And she read them! She knows the secrets! "Jayne said becoming excited again.