He noted a much larger cast that looked heavy and huge on Ella’s tiny frame. She had been complaining about the smaller one; this one would probably make her nuts.
He stayed for a while mostly listening to Matt and Ella talk about this and that. The nurses were all abuzz talking about Mr. Morton. He was surprised to hear he had been murdered. The officers had not said anything about that the night before. He hoped one of his tools hadn’t shown up at the murder scene or he was up a creek for sure. He figured if there had been, he would definitely be locked up again instead of visiting Ella.
It was good to see Ella, but Jeremy sensed something from her that he wasn’t able to decipher and with Matt there, he didn’t feel comfortable asking her. Most of the visit he was silent and Ella barely acknowledged his being there, especially when Marlin had said she had asked for him. He wondered if maybe she felt as uncomfortable talking to him with Matt there as he felt talking to her. If that were the case it certainly would explain her treatment of him. When Jeremy felt he had done his obligatory time for a proper visit, he said his goodbyes and left Ella to Matt, figuring when she got home they would be able to talk unencumbered by Matt’s presence.
*****
The Morton family quickly organized a huge funeral for Harold. True to their ‘over the top’ reputation in the town of Dead Oaks Hollow, the service included a parade of mourners behind the slow moving hearse driving through all of downtown. The entire town was expected to attend and there was standing room only for those who came for the church service. Though most in town would not admit to liking Harold Morton much, most everyone attended. After all, the Mortons owned much of downtown, and there was no sense in upsetting them, especially if you were someone who rented from the family.
Marlin had come late due to things he’d had to tie up at the office and he never did make sight of his wife among the mourners, but he knew she was there. She was probably sitting near the front and comforting the family, knowing Meme.
Marlin followed the procession to the cemetery with most of the masses. He saw a striking blonde woman standing among the Morton family. She was maybe in her fifties, dressed in a designer black sheath with a large hat adorned with yards of veil material that partially covered her face. A handsome young man stood next to her at the gravesite but quickly melted into the crowd once the pastor said his piece.
Marlin knew this woman. He had gone to school with her. He was a couple of years ahead of her but they knew each other, even dated once. She had left town when she married some guy from California. He hadn’t seen her in years, maybe since the wedding, but this was a big deal, Harold Morton’s funeral. She wouldn’t have missed her father’s funeral; after all, the Mortons were nothing if not slaves to protocol—proud family indeed.
Marlin made his way through the reception line. “Cynthia, I’m so sorry for your loss,” he said.
“Marlin? Marlin Howard? It is you! It’s good to see you. Thank you so much for coming,” she said.
“How have you been? Time has treated you well; you look as beautiful as ever,” Marlin said.
“Thank you, Marlin. That’s so kind of you to say,” she said.
“Where’s your husband? Was he not able to make the service?”
“No, and he’s in the dog house for it, I can tell you. He had some business he said, just couldn’t wait. Truthfully, he and Daddy never got along. He’s probably just happy to be rid of him.”
“That’s too bad. I’m sure you could have used the support.”
“Yes. I could have, but at least my son was here,” she said as she scanned the crowd. “At least he was here for a while. I would have just been a wreck if M.J. hadn’t been here.”
“M.J.’s your son? He must have been the handsome young man next to you when the pastor spoke,” Marlin surmised.
“Yes. That’s my boy. M.J., my little prince. I wish he was here to meet you,” Cynthia said regretfully, again sweeping the crowd for any sign of the young man.
“I’m sure we’ll cross paths eventually. This isn’t that big of a town after all,” Marlin admitted.
“How true. I hope we can talk more before I fly back home. I’d love to catch up with you,” she said.
“That would be nice. Call my office anytime and we’ll set it up.”
“Perfect. Thank you again for coming.”
“Thank you. Take care, Cynthia.”
“You too, Marlin,” she said before greeting the next guest in line.
*****
As Marlin had said, it took Jeremy a couple days to get the house back in order and his tools organized in the shed. It had been a lonely, quiet three days. Taking Marlin’s advice, Jeremy lay low and stuck close to the house. Besides, the one time he did go to town he received sneers and saw people whispering as he walked by. Not to mention the police escort that followed him out of town when he headed back to the house.
He knew small towns could be that way, but at least he lived and worked outside of town and didn’t have to deal with it much. Marlin had called early to tell Jeremy that Meme would be driving Ella and Boo home later that day.
He was looking forward to seeing her. He hadn’t seen her or heard from her since he had gone to the hospital. He was glad that Matt wasn’t bringing her home; maybe he’d actually get to talk to her, see how she was really doing without Adonis watching over them.
He heard a car door and ran for the front door, meeting Meme with a smile.
“You must be Mrs. Howard,” he greeted her, taking her hand in his respectfully.
“Yes, but call me Meme. Look who I brought home,” she said, turning towards the car.
He hustled over to the door to try and help Ella out but she had already opened the door and was half-way out by the time he got to her.
“It’s good to have you back, Ella,” he said, shutting the door and carrying a bag for her.
“Thanks, Jeremy. Boo’s in the backseat. Could you get her for me?”
“Of course,” he said, grateful to be able to do something useful. Boo mewed at him as he pulled the small animal crate out of the car.
“Hey, Boo. I missed you, crazy cat,” he said whispering into the holes of the crate. Boo answered with a tiny meow.
Meme was holding the front door open and Ella was on the top step when Jeremy took the porch steps two at a time. As soon as the door was closed Jeremy sat the crate down and quickly pulled Boo out for a little love, while Ella looked at him rather befuddled.
He set the cat down on the back of the couch and said, “Can I get either of you something to drink? I made some lemonade.”
Ella shook her head as she sat down on the settee with Boo and Meme answered, “Well, that’s just too sweet, but I can’t stay. I’ve got some silly meeting with the Ladies Auxiliary Club. Can I take a rain-check?”
“Of course, Mrs., I mean Meme,” Jeremy said cheerfully.
“Good. Ella, my sweet, take care of yourself and your cute little Boo.”
“I will, Meme. Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime, dear. Well, I better scoot. Bye,” she said as she shut the door behind her.
*****
With Meme gone, Jeremy sat down on the chair across from Ella. “How are you doing?”
“Good,” she said, short and sweet with no eye contact; all her attention was on Boo.
The tension was thick in the room and her silence was deafening. “Is there something wrong?” Jeremy finally asked.
“No.”
“Really, because you seem, I don’t know, angry and distant,” he said.
“Well, I did want to talk to you but you never came to see me again,” she said a bit angrily.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to come, but I wasn’t sure you wanted me to after the first time,” Jeremy explained.
“You could have called,” she blurted.
“I suppose. I’m not good on the phone – never have been. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure you wanted me to visit. You barely spoke to me when I c
ame last time.”
“Well…I was angry.”
“Didn’t you just say you WEREN’T angry with me?” he said confused by her agitated tone.
“Maybe.”
“Well, which is it, are you angry with me or not?” he asked.
“I’m angry, okay. There, I said it.”
“Why?”
“This…” She pulled Boo’s collar off her arm and held it up in the air.
“Your bracelet?” he asked, confused.
“It’s not a bracelet, it’s a collar. Boo’s collar.”
“You’re mad at me because of Boo’s collar? I’m lost.”
“You know where I found this?”
“On Boo?”
“No! Under a bunch of tools in your toolbox in the shed!” she said loudly.
“So?”
“Why was it there?”
He thought for a moment then said, “I really have no idea. Someone must have tossed it in there.”
“You don’t know?”
“No. I don’t. Would you mind explaining why you are so angry with me about a collar?”
“Did you take Boo and hide her for those three days?”
“What? Are you insane? I love that little fur ball!”
“Then you’re telling me it’s just a coincidence that her collar shows up in your toolbox?”
“I told you, I don’t know how it got there. I can’t believe you’re accusing me of hiding Boo from you. Do you really think I’m capable of starving a helpless kitten?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, if you ask me, I think you should be talking to your boyfriend about where Boo was for three days,” Jeremy said as he got up and headed for the stairs.
She followed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Ask him,” Jeremy said without turning as he climbed the stairs.
“Well, for your information, he thinks it’s rather odd that every time something goes wrong or there’s an accident, you seem somehow associated with it.”
He stopped dead, and then slowly turned towards her. “Now you’re accusing me of trying to hurt you?” His voice wavered and she could see he was very angry—angry like the dream she had of him in the bar fight. She wished she could take back what she had just said. When Matt had said it, it sounded so believable, but now saying it out loud to Jeremy it just sounded preposterous.
He didn’t say another word; he went to his room. A few minutes later he came stomping down the stairs, his duffle bag in one hand, coat in the other, and headed out the door.
Ella ran after him, “Wait, Jeremy. Don’t go. I didn’t mean it.”
“Then why did you say it?”
“I don’t know. Matt said…”
“So this is all Matt’s doing? He’s been filling your head with lies about me and you believed him?”
“No. I mean, yes. I guess. I don’t know,” she said, half in tears.
“You don’t know. Well, Ella, I can’t help you then,” he said as he threw his bag in the truck.
“Where are you going?” she cried.
“I’m not sure. What does it matter?”
“Please don’t go. I’m sorry for what I said. I don’t want you to leave.”
“How can I stay here when you don’t trust me?”
“I do trust you. It was stupid. I knew it was ridiculous as soon as I said it. Please, forgive me and stay,” she pleaded.
“I don’t think I can do that, Ella—as much as I’d like to believe you. You thought I tried to kill you, for God’s sake.”
“I didn’t. I don’t. Matt confused me, that’s all. So much has happened, I just…wavered for a moment. Jeremy, you’re my best friend. You’ve saved my life twice now. I…I…just can’t imagine you not being in my life,” she said, her face red and wet with tears.
“I can’t, Ella. I can’t live here, knowing you agreed with Matt even for an instant. I just can’t,” he said sadly. He closed the door, started the truck, and drove away. Ella stood there crying so hard she could barely breathe.
What have I done?
Chapter 19
The Ladies Auxiliary of Dead Oaks Hollow had a successful meeting regarding their latest charity work, collecting coats and blankets for the homeless shelter. Marlin was nominated to deliver the goods collected, namely by Meme. Armed with four huge boxes, Marlin headed to the homeless shelter after work to deliver the articles of warmth for the ladies.
A volunteer helped him unload the boxes from his SUV, and on his second trip to the car he walked into Jeremy in the hallway.
“Mr. Howard,” he said with surprise.
“Jeremy, are you here doing charity work?” he asked.
“Not exactly,” he said rather embarrassed.
“You’re not staying here, are you?”
Jeremy nodded.
“Why?”
“Ella and I had a bit of a falling out and I had nowhere else to go, so…”
“Oh. Do you want to talk about it?” Marlin asked.
“No,” Jeremy said.
“Hmm. Well, if you’d like, we have a loft above our garage. It’s nothing special. It used to be a studio for Meme when she was painting everything under the sun. It’s got a bed, it’s quiet and it’s warm.”
“That’s nice of you, Mr. Howard, but I can’t pay you and you’ve done so much for me already, I really couldn’t accept.”
“Oh, you could and you will or I will be hearing about it from Meme until the cows come home and I don’t expect that anytime soon. Now go grab your things. I have another box to bring in but I’ll meet you out at the curb.”
“I…”
“I told you, I’m not accepting no, so you just best get your stuff.”
Jeremy smiled at Marlin’s stubborn kind-heartedness and nodded in acceptance.
*****
Ella was devastated by Jeremy’s departure. The house was huge, empty, and cold without his presence. From day one, Jeremy had been with her in the house and maybe because of that she felt somehow it was his house too. She remembered that first day, exploring the house in the dark, before she found the mirror and went screaming out the door and into Jeremy. She was scared then and now she was scared again and very alone.
She hadn’t noticed before how much the house moaned and creaked. The glass and wood expanded in the heat of the sun and contracted as it cooled in the sun’s absence. When the sun finally did go down, she had practically every light on in the house and her imagination wreaked havoc on her senses. She even went so far as to lock the bedroom door, barring it with a chair, but not before she brought all of Boo’s accoutrements in the room—kitty box, food, and water.
She knew she didn’t have to be alone, since she had received about twenty calls from Matt she’d refused to answer, but she needed time away from him to figure out what it was about him that misguided her into doubting the one person she trusted with her life. No, she needed to be away from him for a while—away from his influence and his double-talk. She couldn’t think of any particular instance where Matt had out-and-out accused Jeremy; it had been more like a subliminal suggestion. She didn’t understand it at all—any of it.
It took a long time to fall asleep that night with her ears on acute alert, but as the moon laid a lazy, arcing path across the black velvet sky, she finally fell under its spell and slept. She dreamt of her last experience with the mirror, of finding Willow’s grave and falling into it and atop of Willow’s bones. Before she could make heads or tails of anything, she found herself walking the familiar path down the stairs and the fog-covered floor to the hallway where the mirror had been taken down. She noted on this journey that despite the fact that she had turned on every light in the house, it was dark. She didn’t know if that meant these truly were dreams that included the mirror, or if she really did walk downstairs during each of these occasions.
Either way, she found herself once again in front of the mirror, despite the fact that Jeremy had put it up in the attic ye
t again. The black shadows swirled around her reflection like a thick, heavy smoke with tentacles that streaked black across her face. The shadows then engulfed her reflection as if a heavy black ink had been poured over the glass. It began to glow green and the shadows grew agitated and pulled away from the center and moved out to the edges revealing what Ella assumed to be the back of Willow. She was in the small house near a hearth. It was the cottage in the woods where the ruins were now. It was exactly as Ella had imagined the chimney and hearth to be—beautifully masoned; pieced together with such precision and care.
A fire roared in the hearth. A large, black-hinged crane held a large, cast iron lidded pot of some slow cooking stew over the flames. Willow was relaxed and humming to herself as she puttered around the hearth. With a smile and a look around she raised a gold chain from around her neck up and over her head, rubbing the gold pendant lovingly between her thumb and forefinger. She looked around suspiciously once more, and then set the pendant into the indent of the keystone in the hearth. By doing so, she had triggered some kind of mechanism that made a piece of stone protrude from the underside of the hearth. She removed this piece and pulled out a document. When she was done admiring it, she folded the document up and put it back into its hiding place and replaced the piece of stone, making it flush with the hearth once again, concealing its secrets from prying eyes.
The shadows in the mirror migrated back from hiding at the edges and once more filled the glass with blackness. Her eyes suddenly opened and she found she was in bed with the morning light streaming in from the windows and Boo pawing softly at her lips and licking her cheek.
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