Lost in the Mist

by Wanda C. Keesey

  The sting of the hot shower woke her, bringing back memories of her “trip” and the picnic the two couples had enjoyed afterward. A feeling of contentment and joy filled her as she remembered the feel of Brian's hand as he passed her a napkin, the sound of his voice as he asked questions about her visit to the past. She treasured his look of concern as she related the tension of that short walk to safety for Victoria and Andrew, and the sense of familiarity that embraced them through the afternoon, into the evening.

  By the time she had rubbed her skin dry, Connie was humming softly and a smile brightened her face.

  She wanted to go back to the Blackstone Inn. From the previous vision she had experienced she knew that Victoria went there and now she knew why. She would ask Brian to go with her.

  Going to the chest-of-drawers, she stopped. Something was different. Connie looked around the nineteenth century room. What was she missing? Was something moved?

  With a start she realized it was neither of those things. The room and all her things were as she had left them. The difference was in her. She wasn't experiencing the overlaps of time.

  The change left an emptiness, a loss that was as real as the death of a loved one. Connie sat down hard on the edge of the bed. So that was that. The rescue of the Corporal Andrew something-or-other was the whole purpose of this experience. Was her life to resume, just like that? Was she to return to what was perceived as normal without any inkling of why or how it had happened in the first place? Who was Andrew, and why was his life so important that she would spend a week living in two worlds to save him? And why her? Why not Joe? Or anyone else, for that matter?

  Her feelings of joy and contentment were pushed aside as Connie hurriedly dressed and left her room, and went down the steps. Instead of going to the dining room, she went out the front door half expecting to see horse drawn carriages and Confederate soldiers on the narrow street. She was disturbed to see the modern world around her.

  It really was done then. Empty and sad, she went back inside. A week ago she'd wanted it to end, but a week ago she hadn't met Victoria and hadn't lived in her very real life.

  Slowly walking to the coffee urn, she filled a cup and sat at the table to drink it and think.

  "The plan was for you to get some sleep.” Brian filled the high-backed chair next to her.

  Before she could reply, the kitchen door pushed open as Val backed into the room, a tray of sweet breakfast breads across her arms. “Good morning, Ms. Hart,” she nodded politely in Connie's direction then quickly shifting her bright smile to Brian, “Mr. Eckart."

  As the door swung shut on the girl's departure, Connie smiled. “I think that girl has a crush on you, Mr. Eckart.” She smiled and batted her eyelashes at Brian.

  "Well, you can rest assured I only have eyes for you.” Brian leaned forward in an attempt to kiss her, stopping at the startled look on Connie's face. He looked behind him, toward the parlor, expecting to see the Handleys standing in the doorway. Instead, the room was empty, at least to his eyes. “What do you see?"

  "It's back. The Confederate officer's hat, and spurs in front of a blazing fire.” She told him quickly about the absence of the overlaid views from the past, and her disappointment. “But now I don't know. I was disappointed but relieved too. I think I just want this to end, and I want to get on with my life. I don't care if I don't have the answers to all of the questions.” Connie held the cup to her lips with trembling hands.

  "What do you have planned to do this morning?"

  Connie tore her eyes away from the fireplace hearth. “I had no plans, the article is done. I've given Betty a copy to read. All I need is her approval. I thought I would read the rest of the diary and see if Victoria would tell me what happened after I left, but now..."

  "The reading can wait. You need to get out into the fresh air. First breakfast, then a long walk and some real sightseeing. We'll have lunch somewhere quiet, then find a place to talk.” Holding up a hand to stave off any objections, Brian went to the sideboard and refilled his cup before selecting a warm muffin for himself and at her request, he put a fresh baked biscuit on another for Connie.

  "I'll agree if we can go to the Blackstone Pub for lunch."

  "Are you sure? You know what happened last time."

  "That's why I want to go back. I guess I do care that I don't have the answers."

  They talked quietly over the light meal, deciding on a route to walk that would bring them to the Blackstone by the lunch hour. By the time they stepped out into the sunshine, Connie had regained her good mood of the morning and was determined to make the day a good one.

  * * * *

  The heavy door closed with a soft swish as Brian led Connie to a small table in the far corner of the room. Even though the Inn had just opened, many of the tables were occupied.

  "We'll have some privacy,” Brian said as he pulled a chair out for Connie.

  The waitress, the same one who had waited on them Saturday, brought their drinks. As Connie brought the chilled pewter stein to her lips, her hand froze in mid-air.

  Brian swallowed a mouthful of ale, swirling the liquid around in his mouth, like a wine taster, before swallowing and taking another drink. “Either that is good ale or I'm just very thirsty,” he commented, setting the metal cup on the paper coaster.

  "What do you see?” His voice was quieter as he watched Connie's face. He knew it would do him no good to look at the spot that held her attention, but he glanced anyway. The bar was almost bare. Only three men sat on the high stools. Brian took them to be locals who stopped in for a drink on their lunch. Two sat together talking quietly and watching a baseball game on the small TV over their heads and drinking beer from bottles. The third kept watching the door as he sipped a mixed drink in a long stemmed glass. His patience was rewarded when a well-dressed middle-aged woman carrying a portfolio entered the room. They took a table on the other side of the broad fireplace, leaving only the two men and the bartender.

  "Is she here?” Brian took the stein from Connie's hand and set it on the table.

  "Yes, she's dressed in that Confederate uniform like before, and she's talking to Molly at the end of the bar. I think I'm going to trip because you're fading. You better not try to follow. Wait here..."

  Connie knew she was in the nineteenth century again. Brian was gone. Gliding across the plank floor she followed Victoria and Molly through the heavy curtains.

  A narrow staircase climbed the wall against the front side of the building. She had to stay in the past until she could return to Brian. Otherwise she might find that the staircase no longer existed, she could be trapped in a locked storage room, or worse, and more embarrassing, be caught in a room being rented by a tenant.

  A door at the top of the steps opened into a hallway that followed the outside wall to the back of the building. Several doors lined the dark hall. As she debated on her next course of action, Connie heard muffled voices. She turned in their direction and moved as only a ghost can, without sound. The hall ended in an open storage room dimly lit by the light that filtered through the dusty windows, and were stacked with unmarked crates and barrels. Back tracking, Connie stopped in front of one of the few rooms boasting a door.

  Seeing light leaking from around the dark plank, Connie knew she had found what she was looking for. She passed through into the small room. Voices came from behind still another stack of unmarked wooden crates.

  "I have to get back downstairs, patrons are beginning to arrive. You can tell Andrew about the arrangements.” Connie recognized Molly's voice. She stood back when she hurried past.

  "What arrangements is she talking about?” Andrew asked.

  "You will be well enough to travel soon. The Federals have a hospital at Lacy House. Zack will arrange for a wagon to take you there,” Victoria's whisper was tense.

  "My presence here has made your friends hostages. I do not wish to bring them, or you, trouble. Call the soldiers and have them take me."

  "Stop
that talk!"

  Connie stood in the shadows watching the exchange.

  "I did not risk my own life and limb bringing you to a secure place to heal, just to have you turn around and throw your life away. When you are well enough, we will see that you reach your own people.” The angry words spent, Victoria softened her tone as she held a steaming cup to the patient's lips. “Besides, as you say, if you are exposed now, and found to have been hiding in the Blackstone, Zack and Molly will both be taken as traitors and spies and most likely hung. And what of me? Will you have them throw me in prison, or hung next to the Weatherlys?"

  Her skilled fingers worked to replace the soiled bandage on Andrew's head. Leaning back after removing the cloth, Victoria asked her charge, “Can you see from the damaged eye?"

  In a matter of fact voice, the soldier answered, “No, all is a dark gray smudge. The pain is bearable, and I only teetered a bit when I stood by the bed this morning. I have no feeling in my arm and a fearful buzzing in my ear. Neither will be of much use to me."

  Without reply, Victoria continued her work.

  Connie turned to leave. She knew that both were safe and that seemed to be most important at the moment. Andrew's comments about his wounds lingered. Without knowing why, she knew that he would never see clearly from his left eye, or regain full use of his left arm, but Andrew would find some strength in it, and he would regain most of his hearing. Looking back at the couple, Connie wondered again why she felt such a close tie to them. In the woods yesterday, she had thought that saving the young man's life was the object of this entire experience, but why was she still able to fly back in time?

  "There she is! Kone, the angel of death, although she denies it.” Andrew pushed himself up on the hard mattress and looked past Victoria at the spot were Connie stood.

  The dark head turned. “I thought as much. I could feel your presence; you bring a chill with you. Our patient mends quickly. He will be able to rejoin his own before the month is gone.” Victoria's smile belied the sadness in her eyes.

  "Who is she? Give me my knife ... only bad happens when she is near."

  "Andrew, be quiet. They will hear you in the pub. This is my friend, and yours. She saved your sorry life. I have talked to her many times. I write to her in my journal.” Victoria left the chair next to the low bed and walked to the shadows where Connie waited.

  "I have need to talk to you, my sister,” she whispered as she drew near. “Let us go into the hall.” Turning to the anxious soldier, Victoria continued, “I must talk to my friend. Try to drink some of the tea while I am gone."

  The soldier glared after them.

  As they stepped out of the small room, Victoria voiced her concerns. “I fear he is right about his arm. I know nothing of how the eyes and ears function, but I fear they too are damaged beyond repair. He is strong and young. He is destined to take over his father's farm and produce store near Philadelphia. I feel he will succeed."

  Victoria's small hands flew to cover her face. Connie waited for the hidden sobs to cease. Pulling a linen handkerchief from the sleeve of her dress, Victoria wiped the tears and blew her nose.

  "If you aren't worried about Andrew, what is the matter?” Connie wanted to hold the younger woman, to help her through her anguish.

  "I am evil, no better than the women of the night who give wanton pleasure to any man who asks and has the coins necessary to buy her company."

  Fascinated, Connie watched as her friend struggled with her morals. She knew what had happened. She asked softly, “You've fallen for Andrew, haven't you?"

  Puzzled Victoria asked, “Fallen? I don't understand...” As the meaning of the strange term became known, the young woman's face brightened, than saddened as she admitted her indiscretion. “Yes, as you say, I have ‘fallen’ for Andrew. Kone, I do not have that right. I am a married woman. I have a position in society as the Colonel's wife and the daughter of a surgeon. It would be unthinkable to soil their names with the scandal it would bring if it is found out that I love another, and that the other man is a Corporal in the Federal army. Evan would have every right to take a stick to me."

  "NO!” Connie reached for the slim arm, wishing she could shake some sense into the dark head. “No one has a right to raise a hand or rod to another. No man to his wife and no wife to her husband."

  "But, I am no better than a harlot."

  "You are a young woman who married to protect her family's name from scandal and fulfill a commitment. You have done that, now it is time for you to find some happiness. If you have found love with Andrew, than so be it. You will find a way to be together.” As the words spilled from her head to her lips, Connie tried to stop herself, but found she couldn't. If she was to change the course of history, then the damage was done. Stepping back she put her hands to her mouth, remembering the flood of information she had gleaned from the tombstones at the Mercy Chapel and the articles at the Historical Center. It was all coming together. Victoria had to leave.

  So Victoria didn't die in the war. She and Andrew went to a small town in Pennsylvania and live on a farm.

  "What is it, Kone? There is something you are not telling me.” The long thin fingers reached for Connie.

  "Victoria, there are a lot of things I am not able to tell you and there are a lot of things that I don't know. Someone gave me some good advice recently. They said I should follow my heart. The message is a good one.” Connie thought of Brian, worrying and waiting for her somewhere in time. “I plan on listening to her and I think you should, too, go for the gold ring, get the prize, live for yourself."

  Victoria leaned back looking up at Connie's radiant face and smiled. “I do not know what you are saying. A gold ring and prizes make no sense, but I do understand true love, and living for one's self. I will talk to Andrew of this. He may find me ugly and unpleasant to be with because I am not to be trusted. If this is so, I will be...” Tears welled up in the dark blue eyes.

  "He loves you as much as you love him. Wait for him to get back on his feet, so he won't think you pity him. Be patient, he will come to you.” Connie stepped back as she felt a wave of dizziness sweep over her. “I have to go back to my own time. Be careful, Victoria, don't get caught."

  Taking her own advice, Connie quickly turned and followed the hall to the steps. I have to go through the curtains before I get back. They're just ahead, a few more steps.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Thirty-Four

  The haze grew darker, swirling. That's what was making her dizzy, Connie moved in what she thought was the right direction. No longer able to make out her surroundings she hoped no one was throwing darts if she was on the bar side of the wall.

  The mist thinned and light broke it up even more. Connie reached for stability as the motion around her slowed and stopped.

  "I will not fall,” she said softly.

  "Good, I don't want to carry you to the table.” Brian's arm around her felt natural.

  Did I just meet this man this week? With the way I've been zipping around in time, maybe I knew him in some other time frame.

  "Are we being watched?” Connie tried to glance around the room discreetly. Everything seemed normal.

  "No, I went to the bar for refills, I finished your drink too, when I saw you come through the wall. You didn't hit the door but you didn't seem to mind that there was only wall and a bar in front of you."

  For the first time Connie noticed that they were indeed standing next to the wide wooden bar. “But I didn't come over with you."

  "People will convince themselves that you did. They wouldn't be able to rationalize it any other way. If they noticed at all.” Brian handed her one of the steins and guided her back to their table.

  "I ordered for us, but asked Mary to wait until you got back from the Ladies.” Brian reseated Connie, and waved to the waitress, who nodded that she understood.

  "Mary? I'd forgotten her name. It fits her. I wonder if it's her real name,” Connie said, referring the
Revolution period dress the waitress wore. Brian's hand covered hers. She looked into the dark depths of his eyes.

  "Andrew and Victoria are in love. I think they'll run away together.” Wiping at the wet ring made by the stein in front of her, Connie felt a twinge of guilt. “I may have gone too far. I told Victoria to follow her heart no matter where it led."

  "What's wrong with that? It sounds like good advice to me,” Brian said.

  "She's married. The man she loves is an enemy of her country. She could be in real danger. I could have put her in that danger."

  "Connie, she would never be happy staying with Evan. Not now that she knows what she could have. Her life would end up as miserable as her mother's.” Brian held her hand on the table. “Don't second guess yourself. There's no way you will ever know, unless of course you go on another trip."

  "That would be the only reason I would want to go back again. I don't think it will happen though. Things are getting back to normal. Okay so not quite yet.” She relented, when Brian looked at her with raised eyebrows.

  * * * *

  Over earthenware bowls of vegetable soup and sandwiches, Connie told Brian about her meeting with Victoria and the dreams she had been having of Victoria aging from a teenager to an old woman. She confessed that it was Victoria's own advice she gave, to follow her heart.

  "This little old lady, was she dressed in a high necked dirty brown or gray dress with a white apron? Her hair is a dark gray with streaks of white and it's pulled back in a bun. She sometimes wears a floppy rimmed hat that has seen better days and smokes a cigar?"

  Connie stopped, the sandwich half way to her mouth, and she stared at Brian. “You've seen her. Why didn't you tell me? What did she say to you?"

  Brian finished swallowing the bite he was chewing before answering. “I didn't know who she was. I had dreams too but I had forgotten them until you mentioned yours. She ... well, she warns me to watch out for you, and...” He hesitated.