by Wendy Webb
I told him about the “heads on stakes” joke, and the battle at the care center that precipitated it.
He chuckled. “I think I’d like that Mary friend of yours,” he said. “And I pity the fool who messes with anyone you love.”
“Well, obviously.” I grinned at him. “But the point is, how did Alice know about it?”
He shook his head. “You’ve got me on that one.”
“And that’s not all. Did you notice what she said about one of her grandchildren? That he’d die young? Of cancer.”
He put an arm on the back of the couch between us. “I did notice that,” he said. “How I took it: the boy does have a childhood cancer of some kind right now. She was just being a worried grandma.”
I nodded my head, but something inside told me that wasn’t the case. And there was no chance I was going to ask Jason about it. That’d be all he’d need.
“Maybe,” I conceded. “But then she said I was staying in number five.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t follow that. She was just mistaken. Five’s shut up tight.”
I took a deep breath in and let it out again. “I was in there, Dominic. In number five.”
“How?” he asked. “Did you get the key from LuAnn? I’m surprised she gave it to you. She’s superstitious about—”
I shook my head, and it stopped his words. “No,” I said. “The other night, I was awakened by someone calling my name. I went into the hallway, and Alice was there, saying she wanted to show me something. And then she was gone. Disappeared. I saw a light coming from the alcove by the shower rooms. I went down there and . . .” I couldn’t say the words.
He leaned in toward me. “And what?”
“And the door to number five was open. That’s where the light was coming from. I went in there and saw . . .” I took a deep breath. “Dominic, I think I saw the lady who died over the winter.”
His eyes grew wide. “You saw her dead?”
“No,” I said, slowly. “She was sitting in a chair by the fire. I think she’s the one who was calling my name.”
“Was anybody else there with her?”
“No. Just her.”
I omitted the part about her giving me the book titled with his nickname. He didn’t have to know everything.
“Brynn, it had to be a dream,” he said, his voice gentle and low. “I’m not calling you crazy, but LuAnn has five locked up.”
I shook my head at him but held his gaze.
“Listen,” he went on. “What if you were sleepwalking? Okay? In a dream state, but not, at the same time. And say you made your way down the hall to number five. There is no possible way you could open the door.”
“I didn’t open it,” I pressed on. “It was already open. Like she wanted me to come in.”
But then, all at once, I backpedaled. What he was saying was absolutely true.
“Say I did dream the whole thing. It was like Alice knew about it, because she was there. She said I was in number five. I was! That was my dream. Or whatever it was. It’s been bothering me ever since.”
“And you’re thinking you saw the spirit of the lady who died in number five?” he asked me. “Did she—I don’t know—say anything to you?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Well, a whole lot of good that dream was, then.” He gave me a mischievous look. I tossed a throw pillow at him.
“Next time you dream about the dead, ask them questions! Who was behind JFK’s assassination? What’s in Area 51? Does God hear NFL players praying before games? If so, does he have a favorite, because it seems to me the Patriots have some sort of upper hand.”
I dissolved into laughter. “That’s what you’d ask the dead?”
“Damn straight,” he laughed, his eyes lighting up and his face beaming like a little boy’s. “What would you ask them?”
“I’d say: Describe the afterlife. In detail.”
“Oh, that’s what you want to know?”
“Doesn’t everybody?”
I didn’t mention that I’d really like to know how my mom, brother, and grandma were doing. I didn’t want to bring down the mood. It was too light for that. The laughter, too easy. That was how it was with this man.
It occurred to me then that he was bringing the laughter back into my world, and that revelation stopped me for a minute. The joie de vivre he radiated somehow found its way into the crevices and fissures in my wall built of grief and sadness and loss. It had been a long time since I had laughed as easily and completely as I did when I was with him.
Dominic pushed himself up from the couch. “I’m going to check on Lady Alice,” he said, making his way up the stairs to her door and carefully, soundlessly cracking it open just a sliver. He peered inside and closed it just as quietly. As though he were checking on a fussy toddler who had finally fallen asleep.
He nodded at me. “Out like a light,” he said, trotting down the stairs and sliding back down next to me on the couch. “She looks like Sleeping Beauty.”
“I wonder what she’s dreaming about,” I said.
Dominic looked at his watch. “We’ve got a couple of hours or so before the guys get back,” he said. “Movie?”
He put his feet up on the ottoman and laid his arm against the back of the couch between us.
“Curl in,” he said.
And so, with the rain still pounding away outside, an occasional rumble of thunder growling through the sky, I leaned into him and exhaled. None of these strange mysteries—Alice, the lady in room five, even Dominic’s secretive past—seemed to matter so much then.
The movie had just finished when Jason and Gil came through the door, wet rain shells, sodden umbrellas and all.
“Not the best day for a trip to the island,” Gil said. “But it was nice to get away for a minute.” They hung their rain shells on the hooks by the door.
“How was the house?” I asked.
Gil and Jason gave each other a look. Jason grimaced. “Not great. We won’t be pursuing it. But that’s not important. How did it go here?” Jason asked, wincing. “Do I want to know?”
Dominic and I both pushed ourselves to our feet.
“It went great!” I said. “We talked for a bit, had some snacks, and then she said she was tired, so she went to lie down.”
“She didn’t want to run away?” Jason asked. “She tends to wander and fret when I’m not around. Or so I’ve been told.”
Dominic shook his head. “It was all just fine. She was wondering about where you were, but our answers satisfied her. We had a nice talk. She’s a lovely lady.”
Jason pulled out one of the kitchen chairs and sank into it, exhaling. Gil slid over and began rubbing his shoulders. “See?” Gil said. “I told you it was going to be okay.”
“Completely!” I said. “Really, Jason, it was no problem at all. We both enjoyed it.”
Jason ran a hand through his hair, and I could see the tears brimming in his eyes. “What a relief. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“No thanks necessary,” Dominic said. “We had a nice time.” He put a hand on the small of my back. “Now, we’ll leave you to it. I’m sure you’re ready to relax and put your feet up in front of the fire. A rainy crossing on the ferry is no fun.”
Just then, Alice poked her head out of her room. “You’re back!” she said to Jason.
Jason pushed himself to his feet. “See? I said it wouldn’t take long. And here we are.”
Alice turned to us. “We had a nice time,” she said, parroting Dominic’s words.
“Yes, Alice, we did.” He smiled back at her.
She looked from Dominic to me and back again. “Can you see it?” she asked.
He and I exchanged a glance. “What?” I said.
“The light between you,” she said. “It’s beautiful. I saw it as soon as you came in. It’s your souls rejoicing.”
But then her smile faded, and a darkness descended over her face as her pupils receded. “I’d ask the dead if they have a plac
e prepared for me,” she said, her voice monotone. “I’m going to be joining them soon.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Dominic and I took our leave, shutting the door behind us. We made our way down the hall, which was dark and gloomy in the constant rain. At his door, he turned and wagged a finger at me.
“Don’t say it,” he said. “I know you’re dying to say it. But do not say it.”
“Say what?”
“I told you so.”
I held his gaze for a moment. “I’d never say that,” I said, finally. “Okay, yes, I would. I’m that petty, as a rule. But I’m just glad I’m not the only one who noticed.”
“Yeah, no denying it,” he said. “I checked on her, and she was out like a light when we were having that conversation.”
“You have more experience with people who have Alzheimer’s than I do,” I said. “Have you ever seen anything like this before? It’s like she’s . . . I don’t want to say clairvoyant, because it sounds so dramatic, but I don’t really know what else to call it.”
He shook his head. “No, I have not,” he said, overenunciating every word for emphasis. “I’m still trying to get my head around it. Do you know if she had psychic abilities before? I mean, a lot of people sense things, right?”
He was absolutely right. My mind hadn’t gone there, but maybe Alice did have psychic abilities before. It wasn’t unheard of. People did. Maybe that was what this was.
He glanced down at his watch. “I need to make a couple of calls,” he said. “Are you going down for happy hour?”
“Yeah, I thought I would.”
He winked at me. “Okay. I’ll probably see you there.”
I stood in the hall, watching him disappear into his room. But not even a moment later he came out again and walked over to me. He took me in his arms and pulled me close, putting his mouth on mine. He backed me into the wall and kissed me with a force, an urgency, a passion that took my breath away. This wasn’t just a flirty kiss. It was serious business.
He pulled back, just a bit, smiling slightly. “I couldn’t leave you without doing that,” he said, his voice soft and low. “I’ll see you later.”
And then he was gone, leaving me standing against the wall, breathless.
Back in my room, I retrieved my book off the nightstand and settled into my comfortable nest of pillows. I groaned when I noticed the appointed hour, three o’clock, had come. People would be filing in downstairs. I was comfy reading in my bed and might have stayed there all evening, but Kate had mentioned she was going to try to stop by with her husband, so I rousted myself and padded into my bathroom to freshen up.
I splashed some water on my face, and as I reached for my towel, I caught a glimpse of something—someone?—in the mirror. There had been movement, a dark shape, behind me. I was sure of it. I whirled around and grabbed my glasses.
“Hello?” No response. I took a few steps out of the bathroom and looked around, my heart pounding. I was still clutching my towel. “Is anyone there?”
I took a deep breath and let it out. Nobody, then. Maybe I had imagined it. I stepped back into the bathroom, dabbed on some makeup, and brushed my teeth. My eyes kept glancing into the mirror, which reflected the interior of the bedroom. I felt cold, deep inside. All at once, the bustle of happy hour didn’t seem so bad.
A few minutes later I was descending the stairs—no sign of Dominic—and emerged into a chattering throng of locals. I made my way toward the bar and caught Gary’s eye.
“There she is!” he rasped, coughing the words out. “Missed you yesterday! Wine?” He didn’t wait for an answer and handed me a glass.
“Thanks.” I smiled at him and took a sip.
I surveyed the room. LuAnn was circulating, in full denim from head to toe, bedazzled jacket and shoes and all. I saw Beth deep in conversation with a woman I didn’t know. I made a note to talk to her when I could. Plus lots of people I didn’t recognize. No Jason, Gil, or Alice. No Dominic. I’d stick it out for a while, I told myself, before retreating back up to my room.
The door clattered open, and Kate with, presumably, her husband, Nick, and another man entered the room.
The other man looked familiar. I’d met him before, I was sure of it. Kate caught my eye and smiled, and the trio snaked through the crowd. The two men headed to the bar, and Kate made her way to me. She wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed.
“You know you’re the talk of the town,” she said, giggling in my ear. “I hear you and the Illustrated Man went to the island yesterday.”
I laughed. “Well, that didn’t take long.”
“Are you kidding? LuAnn saw you drive off toward the ferry dock in his car with totes and beach towels. That’s as good as sending up a flare.”
Kate waved to her husband and the other man, and they came to join us.
“Nick, this is Brynn Wilder,” Kate said, squeezing her husband’s arm. “Brynn, my husband, Nick.” She looked up at him. “It’s still weird to say that.”
“Get used to it, baby.” He smiled down at her. “You’ll be saying it for the rest of your life.”
He turned to me and held out his hand. “Welcome to Wharton,” he said. “Any friend of Kate’s, as they say. She’s told me all about you.”
“Thanks!” I said. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too, so it’s nice to finally meet.”
The third in their trio was smiling at me over Nick’s shoulder.
My eyes grew wide. “Oh!” I said, the flash of recognition setting in. “You’re Simon!”
He muscled past Nick. “I was wondering if you’d remember me,” he said, kissing me on both cheeks. “It’s been a lifetime since Kate’s starter wedding. That was the last time we’ve seen each other, I think. You look exactly the same, and, I must say, I resent it. Unless you’ll share your secrets to eternal youth. Then I won’t resent it as much.”
I laughed at this. So much laughter here in Wharton, I thought.
“You’re welcome up at the inn anytime,” Simon said as LuAnn sidled by and pinched his arm. “If you want to get out of her clutches, I’ve got a room for you,” he said, in a loud stage whisper.
“The poaching of paying guests is frowned upon in some circles.” LuAnn sniffed at him.
And the evening began. We talked of island gossip, the incessant rain that day, and the bridezilla Simon and Kate were dealing with at the moment.
“The mother is worse,” Simon confided. “The mothers are always worse.”
Nick didn’t add too much to the conversation, but I got the impression that was normal for him. A lot of listening, not a lot of talking.
I kept an eye on the door to our upstairs realm, but Dominic didn’t walk through it. I wondered where he was. Soon, though, Jason and Gil appeared with Alice. I saw that her eyes were darting back and forth, scanning the packed room. I sensed an undercurrent of panic radiating off her, and noticed her squeeze Jason’s arm tighter.
“It’s about time!” Simon called out as they made their way toward us. He went directly to Alice and took her hands.
“You must be Alice. I’m so glad you’ll be here in Wharton with us for the summer. I love the pearls, darling! So classic. They make your outfit.”
Alice beamed at him, and so did Jason.
“Honey, this is our friend Simon,” Jason said to her. “You’ll be seeing a lot of him.”
“Simon,” she said. “Good. I think I like you.”
“I knew you were a woman of good taste the moment I laid eyes on you,” he cooed. I could see Alice visibly exhaling.
We all chatted for a bit, nibbling on the snacks LuAnn was circling around on trays. Before long, though, I noticed Alice becoming more and more distracted. Simon, Jason, and Gil were deep in conversation, and Kate and Nick were talking with some other people in the crowd. Only I noticed Alice’s unsettled eyes, her trembling hands, her frightened expression.
I moved over to her side and took one of her shaking hands. “Is everything
okay, Alice? Can I help?”
She looked into my eyes. “She’s going to die,” she whispered to me. “I don’t think I’m supposed to say anything, but she is.”
My stomach tightened. “Who, Alice?”
She clutched my arm. “It’s happening right now.”
I tried to catch Jason’s eye—clearly it was time to take Alice back upstairs. But I didn’t have a chance to do it because, just then, I saw Simon and Nick fish their cell phones out of their pockets at the same time and put them up to their ears.
Simon was standing nearest to me, so I heard what he said clearly. “Hi, Jon—” And then nothing. Silence, as he listened to whatever the caller was saying. His eyes grew wider and wider. “Oh my God,” he said, his voice low. “I’ll be right there.”
Nick was looking at Simon over the tops of several heads in the crowd. “You might want to stay here with Kate for the time being,” Nick said to him.
Simon was still holding his phone to his ear. “And you might be insane.”
“What?” Kate asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.
“Come on,” Nick said. “I have the squad car parked outside.”
“Something’s happened at the inn,” Simon said to us quickly, grabbing Kate’s hand and following Nick out of the room. And then the three of them were gone.
Sirens roared down the street, and I saw an EMT vehicle and a fire truck speeding by, its lights illuminating the rain-soaked cobblestone. The sirens pierced the room, making everyone fall silent until the sound faded as the vehicles headed up the hill toward the inn.
“What in the Sam Hell . . . ?” LuAnn let her words evaporate. We all wanted to know the answer to that.
The party broke up shortly thereafter, with people, unsettled and worried, leaving for the comfort of their own homes or businesses. Soon it was just Jason, Gil, Alice, and me, along with LuAnn and Gary, and the guys in the back kitchen.
“Where’s Dominic?” Jason said.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
My stomach knotted up. I didn’t know where Dominic was. Should I? Did it matter?
Part of me wanted to hurry up the stairs and knock on the man’s door. Maybe he had fallen asleep? He had said he was going to meet me for happy hour, hadn’t he? Or had he? When I thought about it, I wasn’t sure. But that kiss had said it. Hadn’t it?