House of the Forest

by Diana Wallis Taylor

  Laura’s eyebrows went up as she stared at the older woman, “Aunt Estelle had a son?”

  Husband and wife exchanged looks and Ginny put a hand on Laura’s shoulder.

  “Oh my dear, Tommy died, years ago. He was around eight years old when a car struck him as he walked home from school. It was raining, rather like today and the driver didn’t see him. He lived for three days in intensive care and the whole town prayed for him. Esty stayed at the hospital night and day but his injuries were too massive. The doctor said he wouldn’t have been the same little boy had he lived.”

  “What about my uncle? My mother told me he left one day and never came home.”

  “Tommy’s death hit him hard. Ray DuPont was never a strong man and the light just went out of him. You see, he forgot to pick Tommy up from school that day. Got busy with work and didn’t pay attention to the time. Esty needed Ray’s comfort, but his grief consumed him. He had no comfort to give.”

  George shook his head. “Nearly drank himself to death that year. Esty tried to reach him. She had the Lord’s strength but Ray didn’t want any part of God. One day he just left. Esty never heard from him again.”

  Ginny shook her head. “That’s not exactly true, George. Before he was arrested there were signs that he had been in the house.’

  Laura’s eyes widened. “Arrested? What for?”

  George looked reproachfully at his wife. “I believe you’ve stepped in it, old girl.”

  “Oh dear, you didn’t know, did you?”

  Laura shook her head.

  George squared his shoulders. “Might as well tell her the rest.” He gazed kindly at Laura. “Your uncle robbed a bank. We don’t know why, we just read about the robbery in the paper. His partner was killed in a shootout with the police but your uncle went to prison for armed robbery and attempted murder.”

  Laura gulped. “Uncle Ray tried to kill someone?”

  “No,” George said slowly, “it seems his partner shot the bank guard, and fortunately for Ray, the man recovered.”

  “Is Uncle Ray still in prison?”

  “We don’t know. We wrote to him, but the letter was sent back. He didn’t want to be contacted. That was twenty years ago.”

  She shook her head. “How sad for Aunt Estelle.” Then a thought struck her. “You said he came to the house up here before he was arrested. Didn’t Aunt Estelle talk with him then?”

  Ginny shrugged. “Well, no dear, he came while Esty and I were at a women’s missionary luncheon at our church. As far as we could tell, he just took a few things he needed. Some tools, a picture of he, Esty and Tommy, some clothes. How he knew she’d kept his clothes I haven’t the faintest idea. Since the house was locked before and after we went to the luncheon, Esty knew it was Ray. He must have kept his key.”

  Laura shivered. “That must have been scary to know your ex-husband was in the house while you were gone.”

  “Guess he had the right to come in.” George waved a hand. “He was still her husband. Ray and Esty were never divorced.”

  Laura shook her head, letting it all sink in. Her mother had told her that Aunt Estelle’s husband left her. Why didn’t her mother mention Tommy? What other secrets am I going to learn during my stay here in the mountains? “My, I feel like I just opened a secret closet of old family history.”

  Ginny patted her on the shoulder. “Well, dear, it’s all past history. Let’s have dinner.”

  At the table the Morgans bowed their heads and George asked the Lord’s blessing over the meal and for bringing Laura safely through the rain. Seeing these kind people again, Laura knew why Ginny and her aunt had been such good friends.

  The fried chicken, cooked in a special batter, was delicious and as they ate, Laura told them about her job at the college handling the summer camps and conferences.

  George leaned forward. “How many groups do you usually handle in a summer?”

  “Over 120, but they vary in size. Some groups are a small as ten and other groups are larger. One church sends 850 junior and senior high school kids. I arrange field space, dorm accommodations, cafeteria time, audio visual and classroom needs, the works.”

  “My, that sounds like an interesting and challenging job.” Ginny beamed at her. Just as they were finishing Ginny’s special apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream, Ginny raised her eyebrows with a knowing smile.

  “I didn’t want you to think we were nosy, but” she eyed Laura’s ring. “We heard from Esty that you were getting married.” Ginny patted Laura’s left hand. “Such a beautiful ring. Is the wedding soon?”

  Laura smiled at them, keeping her voice light. “In the spring.”

  “And your fiancé is a pastor?”

  “Yes.” She told them the circumstances and about Sunday’s announcement.

  George pursed his lips. “That’s a big responsibility for a young pastor. I’m sure he’ll do well.”

  Ginny studied Laura’s face. “How do you feel about that? It’s going to mean a great responsibility for you too, isn’t it?”

  “Alan wants me to quit my job at the college so I can take over running the women’s society. Marva Eggert, the present Women’s Ministries leader is doing a good job. I don’t see why he wants to replace her.”

  Was it her voice that gave her away? Ginny put a hand on her arm. “What is it you’re struggling with, dear? Is something wrong?”

  Suddenly Laura couldn’t breathe. She wanted to remain calm and keep her emotions under control but as the words came out so did the tears.

  “I want to help Alan, but I like my job. He has all these plans for me and he hasn’t asked me once what I want to do. It’s overwhelming. They’re hiring a pastor, not me.” She sat back suddenly. There it was, at least one of the shadows that tagged the back of her mind all these weeks.

  In a moment Ginny’s loving arms were around her shoulders. “Oh my dear, you’re trying to handle a lot of things right now, aren’t you? I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Laura wiped her eyes with the tissues that George gently pressed into her hand.

  “I guess it had to come out sometime. I’m sure Alan just wants to do well, for his father’s sake, it’s just that I seem to be seeing another side of him.”

  George leaned his arms on the table. “Laura, God has a way of making us take a look at things we don’t want to see. This is a serious thing that needs to be resolved between you and your young man before you become his wife.”

  “Oh, I don’t want you two to think badly of Alan. He’s a good person and has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. I just feel, well, kind of caught up in a whirlwind. I’m not sure I’m ready.”

  Ginny glanced at her husband. “George has a way of getting at the heart of a matter, Laura. If you are not ready to take on the load Alan is planning for you, it will be a wedge in your marriage. You just need to tell him how you feel and that you need to go at your own pace.”

  Laura’s shoulders sagged. “I’ve tried to talk to him about it but he feels that since I’m so capable in the job I’m doing at the college that I’d do a great job in the church. just head up the women’s ministry, teach a women’s Bible study, oversee the youth department, and of course, help plan the socials.” She waved a hand in the air and then realized her tone was bordering on sarcastic.

  George chuckled. “Sounds like he’s got it all worked out.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “As I said, this really needs to be addressed before you two marry. It’s a very big issue. Don’t let it go and just assume it will work out, okay?

  “I hope you don’t think we’re interfering,” Ginny gave her husband a warning glance.

  Laura sighed. “No, I know you’re right and I do appreciate your caring enough to talk plainly to me. When I get home, I’ll talk to Alan.”

  Ginny started to clear the table and stopped. “He isn’t coming up for the memorial service?”

  She shook her head. “He has a lot of obligations right no
w.”

  Husband and wife exchanged looks. “Well, if you need us for anything at all, you just let us know.”

  “Thank you. I’ll do that.”

  George sat back and with a glance at Ginny, wiggled his eyebrows in a comical leer. “You don’t suppose I could distract you with a cribbage game or two?”

  “Now, George.” Ginny frowned, “Maybe after all this she’d rather not.” She turned to Laura, “Why don’t you stay with us tonight, dear? I won’t rest thinking of you all alone over there.”

  Laura managed a watery smile. “You are two very dear people, and thank you for the offer, but I feel comfortable in Aunt Estelle’s house. I can’t explain it, but I feel like she’s there”.

  George leaned towards her again, “We understand. But if you change your mind, just let us know.” He gave his wife an affectionate smile and winked at Laura.

  She looked up at George and grinned mischievously. “I think I remember how to play cribbage. Maybe I’ll give you a fighting chance.”

  They played three games and Laura beat him two to one. She yawned and with a note of apology, asked,. “Do you mind if we stop? I’m really a lot more tired than I thought.”

  He spread his hands magnanimously. “Don’t think a thing about it. I did win one game, you know.”

  “Thanks for a wonderful dinner.”

  “We were glad to have you, dear, you come again soon.” Ginny handed Laura her umbrella. After George helped Laura with her coat, he put on his own and saw her to her front door and safely inside before returning home.

  After locking all the doors and turning on the perimeter alarm system, she sank down on the couch and stared at the glowing orange coals in the fireplace for a while. In her mind she relived the brief conversation with Alan.

  “Oh God, please help me. I need to know what to do.”

  I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord, the Lord who made heaven and earth.” The words to the song taken from the psalms ran through her head. The choir had sung it in church two days ago. It seemed more like a month. She thought about the words. “You are my help, Lord. I will trust in you.” In the stillness, she gave her burden to the only One who could carry them and felt His peace settle upon her. He was there, granting her solace and strengthening her in her weakness.

  She put on a pair of soft silk pajamas and slipped between rose flannel sheets pulling the comforter around her. The sheets didn’t smell musty and Laura suspected Ginny put fresh sheets on the bed for her. She lay quietly, listening to the patter of rain on the roof.

  “Lord, thank you for bringing me here safely through the rain, and thank you for the dear people you surrounded me with to make it easier. Watch over Alan, while we’re apart. Help us find our way. I’m not sure of my feelings right now. I just have to trust You, Lord. Your Word says that all my days were written before ever there was one of them, so I know You have a plan for me and for Alan. Be my strength, Lord. Please lead me and guide me in all I have to do”.

  She looked up through the skylight and saw the clouds had parted momentarily. “Goodnight, Aunt Estelle, wherever you are up there.”

  In a small clear patch of night sky, a bright star twinkled at her.

  Chapter Six

  Deke stood with mixed emotions in the wing of the memorial building and watched the worker seal the small opening where the urn containing the ashes was placed. He’d done what he could for the man who had been his father. They’d asked him if he wanted a minister and he’d shaken his head. He didn’t hold much stock with religion. It hadn’t done anything for him.

  He reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out the envelope with the card that the intern at the morgue handed it to him.

  “Condolences from someone that knew your father. She asked me to give it to you if you showed up.”

  “She?”

  “Middle-aged, blond, seen a lot of wear and tear if you know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, thanks.’

  When he’d torn it open, the lines inside were brief:

  I’m sorry about your father’s death. Come to this address to pick up some of his belongings. He wanted you to have them.

  No name was signed at the bottom and he debated whether to throw it away or follow up on it. As he stood there looking at the letter, he finally decided he didn’t have anything to lose. Maybe this person could fill in some blanks for him.

  He gave one last long look at the wall where his father’s plaque was lost among a hundred others and walked out, his footsteps making a hollow sound on the tile floor.

  The neighborhood was old, filled with cheap tenement boxes where the poor in wallet and spirit lived. The streets were cluttered with trash and dark faces stared at him with hard eyes. He got out of his car slowly and made sure it was locked. A young black man stared insolently at him as he approached the stairs.

  “You got any money, man?”

  Deke returned the look. He knew the ropes. “Do I look like I have any money?”

  “You all duded up, man.”

  “I just came from a funeral.”

  He stared down his opponent and the young man shrugged and slouched off. “Another time, man.”

  Deke rang the bell and a voice answered. “What do you want?”

  “My name’s Deke Brucker. You left me a card at the morgue.”

  “First door on your right”. A buzzer sounded unlocking the door.

  He slipped through the front door, firmly closing it behind him and looked around. Apartment number one was the manager’s apartment.

  A blowsy woman, fitting the intern’s description, opened the door.

  “How do I know you’re Deke?”

  He pulled out his wallet and showed her his driver’s license. “Will this do?”

  She glanced down the hallway furtively and then drew him inside the room by his jacket sleeve. “I’m Dora. Come in”.

  “What’s this all about, and why the secrecy?”

  “Want some coffee?”

  He didn’t, but if she was going to play cat and mouse, he’d go along. “Yeah, sure”.

  She brought out two mugs. “Cream and sugar?”

  “No.” He took the mug and waited, perched on the edge of an overstuffed chair.

  “How well did you know my old man?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Well enough. I was a friend of your mother’s.”

  He stared at her. “My mother?”

  “She was a frail little thing. Gentle as a lamb. Never should have had a kid. You took a lot out of her. ”

  “Yeah, I was just a bundle of joy.”

  “Don’t be sarcastic, Deke, she loved you. Ray did too. They can’t help what happened in their lives.”

  “What makes you so sure? My old man didn’t have to rob a bank.”

  “He thought he did. Now I’m not condoning what happened, but he wanted to take care of your mother. She was sick, very sick. Your father blamed it on the smog and the city, but he knew. She had lung cancer.”

  “She gave me away.”

  She exploded at him. “What choices did she have? She had no family, Ray was hauled off to prison, she was dying, and I couldn’t take care of a kid. My husband was an alcoholic and died of the stuff. Mary did what she had to do.”

  He blanched before her anger and looked away. “I didn’t know.”

  “Look, Deke, you survived. Your father didn’t know where you were and I couldn’t find out since I’m not family. He had a feeling they were after him and would get to him when he got paroled”.

  “Who, the cops?”

  She studied him, considering her words. “He owed some people a lot of money. He was trying to protect you and you mother.”

  She waved a hand at the front door. “Anyway, the apartment you lived in is across the hall. It happened to be vacant and I gave it to your father when he got out. It seemed important to return to something he knew.”

  She got up and folded her arms t
ight across her ample chest as she walked to the window. “They said they were cops. I knew they weren’t. I’ve seen their kind before. Hoods, cheap hoods, doing someone else’s dirty work.”

  “What happened?”

  She gave him a furtive glance. “Your father was nervous. He had a feeling, you know? He came over one night and handed me a manila envelope. He said if something happened to him to get it to you if I could find you. He said there was something he had to pick up if he could find a way and made me promise not to let anyone else know about it. That’s why I left the card with the coroner. He promised he’d give it to you if you came. It was a long shot. How did you find out about your father?”

  Deke thought of the two “detectives” in Peavy’s office. “A couple of cops came to my work and told me.”

  “Cops?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Maybe the same cops that came here.”

  “I heard the sounds. In this neighborhood, you don’t get nosey. I was afraid to open my door. If I interfered or called the real cops, they’d come back and get me. That’s how they work.” She looked him in the eye. “Deke, your father owed some guy a lot of money, something to do with a poker game. I don’t know how much, but those people never forget a debt, even a twenty-year old debt.”

  He stared at her but his anger dissipated. Yeah, he knew how they worked. They played on greed and desperation, loaning the mark just a little bit more until he was up to his eyeballs in IOU’s. They’d let him win a little just to sweeten the pot and then they’d close in.

  She went to her desk and opened a panel in the back, pulling out a manila envelope. “I did this for Ray, but mostly for Mary’s sake. I couldn’t do anything for her or Ray, but I could do something for their kid. Here’s what Ray left you, mostly some mementos.”

  He took the folder and hesitated, not sure if he wanted to open it here. His emotions were closer to the surface than he could handle.

  She put a hand on his arm. “Take it home. Maybe it will help, you know?”

  He nodded. “Thanks.” He thought a moment and then, “Mind if I see the apartment?”