The Fine Line Book One Between Worlds Series

by Tracee Ford

  They then proceeded outside. They walked around the parameters of the land. When they were finished, they stood on the porch overlooking the field.

  “This place has a history,” Richard said.

  “What do you mean?” Matt asked.

  “This place is old. Think of the families that it’s seen. If the walls could talk, imagine what they’d say. If you truly want to know what’s happening, look into your house’s history. I think you may find some answers there.”

  Chapter Nine

  Distance & Disturbance

  The rest of the summer passed without any more incidents. Robin and Matt’s first anniversary quickly approached. This meant they had been in the house a full year. Olivia started second grade. Matt celebrated his thirty-seventh birthday.

  An important career advancement opportunity arose at the hospital, which excited Robin and Matt. The Chief of Medicine had retired and the board of directors was anxious to fill the vacant position. Interviews had been conducted for months, but still, no one seemed to interest them. So, Robin and Matt discussed it and it was agreed that Matt should apply. He was the youngest applicant. If he got the promotion, a substantial pay raise would come with it. The money was certainly needed because of the debt associated with the house. On top of that, however, a honeymoon still lay in the distance, out of reach, but an admirable goal just the same.

  The Ohio Historical Society registered the home as the restored Pikeview Manor. Extra funding became available, which helped ease the burden somewhat.

  Robin became more settled since the blessing, realizing the activity had stopped. Her daily meditation helped tremendously, too. Lack of sleep was an issue of the past and her career stabilized as well. Her ability to stay focused at work returned. She felt balance in her life again. From what she could tell, Matt also felt better. They were both happy to have their intimacy level at a peak again. Everything returned to a healthy, normal state making the atmosphere in the house calmer.

  As Robin bent down to put her tennis shoes on for a walk around the property, the phone rang. She answered it and heard Jerry Petro’s voice on the line. He had been the president of the hospital’s board of directors for as long as she could remember. Wendy had always talked about his philanthropy projects. Wendy told Robin that since he had become president, the hospital wasn’t in the red and started functioning as a top-notch medical facility. He had really put things back on track. When he discovered that his most popular E.R. doctor had gotten married, Jerry and his wife sent a gift card for a very fancy restaurant and had offered a personal congratulation to Matt.

  Robin greeted Jerry kindly and then handed the phone to Matt. She tried to listen to Matt’s side of the conversation, but he walked out of the kitchen and into the parlor. She waited as patiently as possible as she traced the granite specks in the countertop with her long, thin fingers.

  Matt walked back into the kitchen and put the phone back on the wall. His silence frustrated Robin. He turned to her and smiled.

  “I got the job,” he said calmly.

  Robin leapt into his arms as he swung her around.

  “That is great! I’m so proud of you!” she shouted.

  As he put her feet back on the floor, he continued kissing her. She felt her feet lift from the floor again as he cradled her in his arms and proceeded to the couch. Clothing thrown off quickly, they made love to celebrate the wonderful promotion.

  Afterward, they lay in each other’s arms. Covered in a soft fleece blanket, Robin stared up at the ceiling as Matt lay facing her. She could feel his finger tips tracing shapes on her belly and his lips tenderly kissed her bare shoulder.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked curiously.

  She turned her head to face him and paused before she answered.

  Matt, can I ask you something?”

  “Anything,” he replied sensitively as he continued caressing her.

  “Do you want kids?”

  “Of course,” he said as he shifted his weight to his elbow. Looking into her serious brown eyes, he continued. “I just didn’t know if you wanted to start trying. We never really talked about kids, you know? And I also wanted us to feel better about living here.”

  “I am still sort of scared about the house.”

  “I understand. But, when it comes to kids, I’m ready when you are. I just didn’t know if you wanted more time for us.”

  “I’m torn about it honestly.”

  “I think that’s normal. I have never had the opportunity to actually plan having a child, but I think that being torn is probably common. I feel that way, too, you know. I like having you all to myself. But I would also like to have a little version of you and me running around, too. Listen,” he said as he kissed her shoulder again and looked up at her, “you let me know when you feel like you’re ready.”

  He took her hand in his and raised her knuckles to his lips, kissing each one.

  “Do you think I’d be a good mom?” she asked.

  “I see you with Olly and you are wonderful. I think you would be a terrific mom,” he concluded.

  ****

  December raged in like a lion with snow and wind, nights growing colder. Matt’s new job consumed him, making things around the house even chillier. Robin understood he was trying to catch up on everything and that coming home before nine in the evening wasn’t optional right now. Nevertheless, the extra money provided little compensation for feeling so alone.

  Robin changed her work schedule in an attempt to accommodate Matt’s. She decided to work four, 10 hour days and had Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. Her day began at 7:30 a.m. and ended at 6:00 p.m. She usually got home around 6:30 in the evening.

  With a welcomed break in the snow, Robin took advantage of it in the evenings by walking up and down the lane leading to the house. She had always found that walking, like meditating, helped her regroup. She had always been able to find positive energy in exercising.

  As she neared the house after a refreshing stroll, she admired the structural qualities of the house as well as the accentuating scenery. The Christmas tree in the parlor lit up the white snow beneath the window. A sense of accomplishment came over her.

  She watched as Cookie ran ahead of her, frolicking in the snow drifts. Her eyes glanced up at the master bedroom window. A person stood looking down at her. The doors to the house were unlocked and she hoped Matt arrived home early, but then she realized he would have passed her on the lane.

  She continued walking at a steady pace making her way to the east entrance. She refused to be frightened. From the corner of her eye, something startled her. She looked into the field and saw a woman by one of the trees. The woman wasn’t dressed very appropriately for the weather. She had no coat, no scarf; nothing to keep her warm, which concerned Robin even more.

  “Miss, can I help you,” she called out. The woman turned and looked over her shoulder. Her eyes were hollow and filled with sadness. The woman looked pale and she wore a thin, white night gown that seemed to melt into the snow.

  Robin walked toward her willing to get help if it was needed.

  “Miss,” she continued as the woman kept walking away, “can I help you with something? It’s really cold out here. Do you need some place to stay?”

  Hearing a thunderous crash behind her, she turned back toward the house, but saw nothing except Cookie and a shattered planter on the porch. When she turned back to help the woman, she’d disappeared. A chill found its way down her spine. The woman’s face looked familiar. Her hair was as black as coal, just like the woman in her dream from months before. The emptiness in the woman’s eyes was also fearfully recognizable.

  Robin ignored her instincts and her concerns as she walked to the porch and cleaned the mess from the broken planter. Afterward, she walked into the house and went up to the master bedroom. It didn’t take long for her to realize the room was empty. The unsettledness pierced through her like a knife.

  The ringing phone start
led her as she covered her heart with her hand. She felt silly for being so jumpy. She walked to the annoying, ringing phone and answered it. It was Matt.

  “I’m so sorry, but I’m going to be late again.”

  “You’re kidding? But it’s Friday. I’ve been waiting to spend time with you all day,” she said.

  “I’m really sorry, but there’s just so much paperwork to catch up on. This job is nothing like I thought it would be.”

  “Bring it home,” she suggested.

  “I can’t. I have to work on it here.”

  Robin’s tolerance began weakening.

  “Fine” she replied.

  “I’m really sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you,” he said.

  Without saying another word she hung up.

  Robin showered, meditated, and read her book. Reluctantly, she settled down to sleep in an empty bed.

  ****

  Matt drove into the garage and then neared the house. He saw the light above the sink still on. The rest of the house was dark. He pushed the key into the door as the clock chimed 10:30. On the counter sat a plate of food. He sighed with guilt.

  Cookie bounded down the stairs and offered a happy greeting. After heating the food, Matt sat in the living room watching television. As he enjoyed Robin’s meatloaf and fried potatoes, he heard her call for him.

  “Just a minute baby,” he said as he walked to the kitchen and put the plate on the counter. He ran up the stairs and walked into the master bedroom. To his surprise the bedroom was dark with only the light from the accent candles shining in. His beautiful wife lay in bed sound asleep. Then he saw it. Standing beside the bed was a tall, dark figure, enormous in size. Instinct took over and he shouted to the top of his voice,

  Get away from her!”

  Quickly, Robin woke up and turned the light on.

  “Why are you shouting?” she asked squinting.

  The disbelief paralyzed him, but he forced himself to walk to the bed. He sat down shaking his head.

  “Matt,” she said as she leaned over to him. She turned his face so she could see into his eyes, “Matt talk to me. What’s wrong?”

  He couldn’t make the words come out.

  “I saw… I thought you called for me, so I came up. You were asleep when I… when I got here. But, there was this… this thing standing right over you.”

  “What kind of thing?”

  “I don’t know… I don’t know,” he said as the frustration welled within him. “It reminded me of something from a horror film. Scared the hell out of me but at the same time I thought it was going to hurt you, so I yelled at it. When you woke up and turned the light on it was gone.”

  He got up and began to pace. “This isn’t over, is it,” he said quietly. “This isn’t over! The blessing didn’t work Robin! Got any more suggestions?” he shouted angrily.

  “I… I don’t…”

  “You don’t what?” he yelled. “Robin, I can’t wrap my head around this! I’m a very logical man. And this… this has no logic! I can’t believe this is happening. These things don’t happen! You see this kind of crap in scary movies. This stuff doesn’t happen in real life!”

  “Matt, this isn’t my fault,” she said defensively.

  “I didn’t say it was your fault damn it! I love this house,” he persisted as he continued pacing. Every few seconds he glanced at her. “I love you. This house was an investment in us and it’s turning into a ritualistic nightmare!”

  “I’m so sorry,” she said softly as she shook her head.

  “It’s not your fault. It’s not even my fault!”

  His voice became even louder and more aggressive as he continued, raising his fist to the ceiling

  “Get out of my house! This is our house and you don’t belong here!”

  Rushing to him to calm him, Robin threw her arms around him.

  “Shhh,” she whispered as she wrapped him in her embrace.

  The tears filled his eyes.

  “This is our house…” he concluded as he welcomed her touch.

  The rest of weekend remained calm. Robin found relief by being at work Monday, but also felt drained. The struggle with the supernatural took her ability to focus once again.

  Terri walked in without knocking, as he often did. Shock covered his face as Robin’s tired eyes met his.

  “You okay? You look like you’re getting sick,” he asked.

  “Oh, I’m fine. Just tired.”

  “Too much lovin’ going on at night?” he joked.

  With a halfhearted smile, she snickered. “If only.”

  He started talking about a case he was working on, but Robin’s thoughts drifted. She replayed Friday night and Matt’s angry words echoed in her mind. Suddenly, she heard her name being called and snapped back into reality.

  “Oh, God, Terri, I’m so sorry. What is it that you need help with again?” she asked.

  “What’s wrong Robin? Are you okay?” he asked earnestly. “You and Matt doing alright?”

  “If I told you what’s really wrong, you honestly wouldn’t believe me.”

  “Try me.”

  Silent for only a moment, she reluctantly began.

  “Terri, I think my house is haunted.”

  “Haunted?”

  “Sometimes I feel like I’ve lost my mind. We actually got a break from it for a while after my dad did a blessing, but I don’t think it worked.”

  She told him about all of the strange events.

  “Matt saw something Friday night when he came home from work. We’ve all seen things in the house and on the property, but, Friday night… I knew what it was the moment he described it and somehow I think I’ve known all along… I really stopped believing in those types of entities. There’s a whole lot that I didn’t believe, but wow, am I getting an entirely new look at things.”

  Once Robin finished, she needed reassurance. She needed to know that she wasn’t crazy.

  “I know how all of this sounds.” She said.

  “Believe it or not, I get it. My sister had some trouble like that when they moved into a new place years ago. They had the home blessed and then cleansed. There’s a difference, you know, between blessing and cleansing. You need to get a hold of a paranormal investigator. That’s what my sister and her husband did.”

  Contemplating quietly, she knew the advice Terri gave was sound. “You know Terri,” she continued as she glanced up at him, “maybe researching the house will help me understand. I need to see if there is anything that’s been written about the house that could be useful.”

  “That might help,” he agreed, “But, I think you need to go to the auditor’s office or the recorder’s office or something like that, too. Some place where they keep deeds and property records. Either way, I’ll call my sister tonight after I get home and get the number of the people they used.”

  “Thanks Terri. Please don’t say anything to Wendy. I don’t want her to worry.”

  “It’s between me and you. It’s going to be okay,” he concluded. The positivity in his voice helped Robin immensely.

  That evening, Robin picked Olivia up for the holiday visit. Olivia talked about school and projects. Robin listened politely. The love she felt for Olivia was like nothing she’d ever felt. She loved her unconditionally as if she were her own. The enjoyment she found in her beautiful little stepdaughter was incomparable. It was a different kind of love; a motherly love.

  Still, there was a heaviness that lingered in the air around Olivia, inexplicable in nature. Robin felt it. Olivia had changed. Granted, she was getting older, but that didn’t explain Robin’s feelings. She realized with Olivia growing older, her independence would become more pronounced. Yet, what Robin felt, the energy surrounding Olivia, seemed different. It couldn’t be explained by normal growth and development. Sometimes, Olivia would quiet for no reason and withdraw. There had been times in recent months Robin noticed a difference in her personality. Although fleeting in nature, the energy persisted
and troubled Robin.

  She also knew that Sheryl had talked to Matt about Olivia’s grades; they had been dropping. Robin knew the child was just as brilliant as her father, so the dropping grades had no plausible explanation. She had always been in gifted classes.

  For now, however, Olivia was okay. Robin took full advantage as they continued to drive down the darkened streets toward home.

  Pulling into the garage, Robin looked over at Matt’s truck. Oddly, he’d come home early. Trudging in the snow and then opening the kitchen door, Robin and Olivia tossed their snow covered boots onto the mat beside the door. The sweet aroma of food engulfed their senses.

  Olivia bounded down to the basement to play. Robin realized she had the entire evening with her husband and stepdaughter.

  She glanced into the dining room and saw the table set and candles lit. She looked back into the kitchen and saw Matt at the stove pulling out a casserole.

  “You’re home early,” she said cordially.

  “I flexed out,” he answered.

  Turning around with the baked spaghetti in his hands, he winked and then smiled.

  “Told ya I’d make it up to you.”

  After dinner, Olivia got ready for bed. While she was upstairs showering, Robin and Matt sat at the dining room table drinking the rest of their wine. Because she couldn’t ignore the gut feelings any longer, she felt it best to unburden her heart to Matt.

  “Something’s wrong,” she said quietly.

  “What?”

  “Something’s not right with Olly.”

  “With Olly? What do you mean?” he asked.

  Robin could see the obliviousness in Matt’s gaze.

  “Boys, do you think?” he asked inquisitively with caution in his voice.

  “She’s too young for boy drama. Boys don’t come for a few more years,” Robin answered confidently.

  “I’ll talk to her after she gets her shower,” he concluded.