“But what about the dream?” She asked.
“We don’t need to mention that – at least not right now,” he said.
“And then what?” Linda Sue asked.
“Let’s try to calm down first...After that, I don’t know. I’d like to talk to dad about this. Maybe he can help,” Matt said.
She stared directly ahead silently as her body still gently trembled.
“You think you’ll feel up to going over to his house in a bit?” Matt asked.
Linda Sue slowly turned her head toward him and nodded.
He hoped she didn’t notice his grip on the steering wheel. His knuckles were white but he feared if he released either had she would see his own trembling.
***
Alicia looked over her notes on the tablet. She took off her reading glasses and closed her eyes.
Sitting behind the desk in the study of her home – the one she used to share with J.D. - Alicia attempted to will herself to focus.
She shook her head.
“It can’t be,” she mumbled.
But no matter how many times she checked her notes, she came to the same conclusion: The alternate worlds theory was merely a fantasy. There was not one shred of scientific evidence that she could produce to verify any part of it.
Years of research both on her own time and that of the university had been in vain.
Even as she slowly accepted the fact that she could not prove the existence of an alternate world she struggled to reconcile that fact with the recent events involving J.D. and Rose.
It was an intellectual nightmare. She could not prove the existence of a portal to another world or dimension, yet she personally witnessed and spoke to those from another such place.
Her temples throbbed and her eyes felt the strain of constantly focusing on the tablet screen. She needed a break.
After placing her tablet on the cherry desk, Alicia carefully folded her reading glasses and reached for the gray carrying case. As she did, her hand caught the grazed a leather bound book on the right side of the desk.
Alicia’s hand froze on top of it and she tilted her head in thought.
“The Holy Bible,” she said quietly to herself before reaching for and opening it.
***
Bud sat in the tan cane-bottom rocking chair on his porch, attempting to enjoy the southerly breeze of the early evening.
His mind replayed the conversation with Bill and the look that his old friend had in his eye. Bud knew that he was hiding something and was desperate to keep it hidden.
Hopefully the Q & A with Bertha and the interview with the infamous Dr. Malone would provide some answers as to what Bill was holding back.
Perhaps the long dead but hauntingly – both figuratively and literally – beautiful Marie would visit him tonight with more clues.
Deep in thought, Bud did not hear the screen door open. He did however feel the warm, soft hand touch his and smelled the whisper of sweet perfume.
“Something on your mind?” Mallorie asked.
“Lots. Part of getting old I guess,” he said.
“Anything that would interest me?” She asked as she leaned back on the porch rails with her hands near her hips and her right foot crossed over her left.
Bud looked up at the lovely woman in front of him and drank in the vision of her beauty. He smiled weakly.
“Probably...we do need to talk,” he said.
Crossing her arms, Mallorie tilted her head with a look of concern on her face.
“Then let’s talk. Is something wrong?” She asked.
Bud chuckled.
“Hell, I don’t how to answer that,” he shook his head. “Darlin,’ if there’s anything I’ve learned in life it’s that there’s always something wrong,” he said.
Mallorie nodded slowly.
“True enough. But what specifically is wrong that you need to talk to me about?” She asked.
Bud looked at her again, studying the serious expression on her face. He reached into his back pocket and produced a fresh pouch of chewing tobacco.
“You might want to sit down. This is going to take a while,” he said.
Mallorie’s brow furrowed as she stepped over to a rocking chair to Bud’s right and sat down.
“Okay, I’m sitting down,” she said as she leaned over on her left arm, adding, “And now I’m listening.”
Bud slowly opened the pouch and gathered a wad to put in his mouth – almost to the point of making a production of it. He was buying time – attempting to come up with the right words to use. Mallorie deserved to know what was going on and he was determined to tell her – he just didn’t want her to think he lost his mind as he explained the situation to her.
She leaned back impatiently and continued to look him in the eye.
“I’m trying to think of how to start this conversation. I’m not putting you off,” Bud said as he packed his mouth.
Her expression softened somewhat.
“Start at the beginning,” Mallorie said.
“Alright, fair enough,” he said he returned the pouch to his back pocket.
“Before I go any further, I want you to promise two things: One, that you’ll hear me out and two, that you won’t think I’ve lost my mind,” Bud said.
“You’re one of the smartest and most odd men I’ve ever known. There’s not too much you could say to make me think you’ve lost your mind,” she said.
Bud looked at her warily.
“Don’t kid yourself,” he said.
“Is this about you and me?” Mallorie asked suspiciously.
“Our...relationship or whatever it is that we have? No. But it does concern the two of us and a few more people close to you – or at least some who were,” he answered.
“You have my attention,” she said with a half-smile of relief.
***
Maggie drove to her mom’s house, still shaken from her dream earlier in the day. She needed to be near someone that made her feel safe and that was something her always managed.
As she navigated the familiar streets that led to the only home she could remember, Maggie thought back to that dreadful day and the ones that followed. Even then – at the height of her grief – it was her mom that protected her from the nightmares that haunted her sleep for months.
She suddenly needed that maternal protection again.
Maggie pulled into the driveway. After putting the car in park, she followed the sidewalk to the front steps, carrying her door key.
As she stepped upon the porch she remembered her father’s words – “A house can’t be a home if it does not have a front porch.”
Unlocking the door she stepped inside. The television was on and a game show theme song was the only sound in the house.
“Mom? It’s me!” Maggie called out as she locked the door behind her.
“I’m in the den honey,” Alicia answered.
Maggie walked into the den and found her mother seated behind the desk reading a book.
“Anything good or is it a physics thesis?” Maggie asked.
Alicia chuckled.
“No physics, but it pretty good,” she said.
“Really? What is it?” Maggie asked with a tiny smile.
“Your dad’s Bible,” Alicia said as she folded it, keeping her right index finger between the pages as she held it up for Maggie to see.
Maggie’s expression changed to puzzlement.
“Something wrong?” Alicia asked.
“No...It’s just that...I’m a little surprised that’s all. You’re usually knee-deep in papers at this time of day,” Maggie said.
“Let’s just say I’m doing a different type of research,” Alicia said as she stood up from the desk and walked around to her daughter. “What brings you home? Not that I’m complaining, just a little surprised.”
Maggie shrugged.
“I just felt like spending the night in my own bed. I’m not going to get too many chances before I head to Crystal
Springs for the summer,” she said.
Alicia smiled.
“Good, I appreciate having the company,” she said.
“I do too,” Maggie said.
***
Dan watched as Jett read over the notes. He saw his dad’s eyebrows arch slightly several times as he perused the pages.
Sitting a saucer with a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches and a mug of tomato soup on the table, Dan chose not to interrupt his dad’s concentration. He turned back to the stove and placed his own sandwiches on a saucer and poured the remainder of the soup into a second mug before quietly loading the dirty dishes into the dishwasher.
Finally, Jett spoke.
“That’s...pretty graphic son,” he said with more than a touch of concern.
“I know. What do you think it means?” Dan asked as he sat down across from his dad.
As Jett shook his head Dan noticed how pale his face had become.
“Dad? You okay?” Dan asked.
Jett stared at him silently for a few seconds.
“I need to talk to you and your brother. I want him here because I want you both to hear what I have to say at the same time,” he said looking intently at Dan.
Before his son could respond a voice called out from the living room.
“Dad? Dan? Where are you?” Matt called out.
“In the kitchen son,” Jett answered.
Matt stepped into the kitchen leading an obviously distressed Linda Sue by her right hand.
Both Jett and Dan leaped to their feet when they saw her.
“Please sit down. What in the world happened?” Jett asked as he pulled out his chair for Linda Sue to sit.
“We had...an episode earlier,” Matt said, groping for words as he sat down next to his girlfriend and took her hand in his.
Jett and Dan both noticed how she gripped Matt’s hand with both of hers.
“I know this is going to make any sense, but we just met the crazy old woman from Linda Sue’s dream,” Matt said.
“Say what?” Dan asked.
Jett looked at Matt quizzically.
“What dream? What crazy old woman? Start at the beginning son,” he said.
Matt started to speak but Linda Sue stopped him.
“I had a dream that Matt and I were walking downtown and an old woman came running out of city hall screaming at us - me in particular. She kept telling me I was dead that I shouldn’t be here...that she had gotten rid of me,” a pale Linda Sue said more calmly than she believed possible.
Jett sat down and noticed Matt glancing at the journal on the table and back to him.
“And you met this woman today, in the real world?” Jett asked.
Linda Sue nodded as tears welled in eyes.
“I know this doesn’t make sense dad but please hear her out,” Matt said.
“I’m not doubting a word she’s saying son. I’m not,” Jett said as he sat down and looked at Linda Sue. “I know this is tough.”
“We were in the parking lot at Roe’s about three hours ago. This old lady came charging at us screaming at Linda Sue,” Matt said.
“And I swear it was the same woman from the dream. The same wild white hair and dark eyes. Even the same strange looking locket around her neck,” Linda Sue said in a near whisper.
“What did she say?” Jett asked.
“She said ‘you’re supposed to be dead’ and they promised me you would die.’ We were stunned. I’m just glad her nephew was there to get her out of there,” Matt said.
“Her nephew?” Jett asked.
“He said she was his aunt and she suffered from dementia,” Matt said.
“Do you know her name or his name?” Jett asked.
“He called her Aunt Edna,” Linda Sue said.
Jett almost staggered at the name.
“Dad are you okay?” Matt asked.
Jett shook his head and stood up, walking away from them toward the sink. He noticed his Chicago Bears coffee mug and a new set of red lip prints on it.
He muttered under his breath, “Honey, they need to know.”
A feeling coursed through his body. Rose knew and agreed – of that he was certain.
“Dad? What is it?” Dan asked.
Jett turned and faced the three young adults sitting at the kitchen table.
Matt and Dan recognized the pained expression on his face – they saw it once before. He was somewhat pale and his eyes were red and puffy. Jett appeared to be tired and worn down by worry all at once.
“I have something to share with the three of you. In fact, when you came in I was in the process of telling Dan that very thing,” he said as he sat back down at the table.
“What I’m about to say might sound crazy to the point of delusional but I assure you every word is the truth. I only ask that you hear me out before jumping to any conclusions about my state of mind,” Jett said as the three of them looked at each other with concern.
***
“I suppose you’re right – I need to start at the beginning but you need to know I’m neither senile nor insane,” Bud said as he looked at Mallorie.
“I know you’re not. Please go ahead,” Mallorie said softly.
“You know I was there the night your mom’s body was found,” Bud said.
“Yes, I know. You wrote the story for the paper,” Mallorie said.
“And you know your grandfather and I go way back,” Bud said.
“Yes. And I know all that you did to help take care of him – and me – after mom died. Things like your niece making sure I was fed and clothed while you kept granddaddy out of sight until he sobered up. Is that what this is? Are you feeling a little weird about us now because of the past?” She asked.
Bud looked surprised.
“What? No. Although I suppose a decent man would, but no, that’s not what I’m trying to say,” he said.
“Then out with whatever it is you’re trying to say,” she said.
“Up until a few nights ago, I was certain your mom committed suicide – either on purpose or by accident. I never had reason to suspect otherwise. But now? Now, I’m not so sure,” Bud said as he leaned forward and spat out in the yard.
Mallorie looked puzzled.
“You think she was murdered? Why would you think that after all these years?” She asked.
Bud stared off into the distance and exhaled deeply before turning to face Mallorie.
“Would you believe me if I told you that she told me so?” He asked.
Mallorie blanched.
“What?” She asked as her expression changed to confusion. “What do you mean she told you? She’s been dead for decades. How could she tell you? Did you find some kind of evidence? Is that what you mean?”
Bud chuckled to himself.
“No, no new evidence. I mean she told me,” he said looking Mallorie directly in the eye.
“That’s...,” Mallorie began.
“Crazy?” He asked.
She looked at him in disbelief.
“I don’t understand,” Mallorie said.
“Do you remember that Saturday morning a few weeks ago when I collapsed in the shower?” Bud asked.
“Of course I do. What does that have to do anything?” She asked.
“While I was unconscious, I had a dream – or what I thought was a dream. It turns out that I had a visitor,” Bud said as Mallorie tilted her head.
***
“Are you sure you don’t mind watching this?” Maggie asked as she waved a DVD.
“I hear it’s the latest and greatest chick-flick out today. How could I mind? Besides, I don’t suppose this is a movie Dan would be into – I mean it’s not like there’s explosions or gun play,” Alicia said.
“No, just the story of three sisters coming of age in Victorian England. You’re right, it’s really not his type of movie,” Maggie said.
About an hour into the movie, Alicia felt her eyelids drooping. She found herself thinking a few explosions might liven up the film
. After a quick glance to Maggie she saw that her daughter was so engrossed in the story of the three sisters that Alicia decided to keep her critique of the movie to herself.
It was so early and yet she felt so tired. Alicia put her back on the couch and closed her eyes for a couple of seconds. When she opened her eyes, J.D. was sitting next to her.
Alicia looked and saw that Maggie’s eyes were still glued to the screen.
“Am I asleep?” She asked.
J.D. smiled.
“Just barely. You’re napping and I’m glad you are,” he said as his expression became more serious.
“Is something wrong?” She asked.
“You need to tell Maggie and I mean tonight. Jett is talking with the boys right now and Bud is having a similar conversation with Mallorie as well,” J.D. said.
“So the secret is out?” Alicia asked.
“To a point. It’s still a small circle that knows or will know,” he said.
“Is there a reason to tell now rather than later?” She asked.
“Things are starting to happen fast. Jett and Bud are stirring things up and the kids need to know what’s going on,” he said.
“Is there anything I can’t tell her?” Alicia asked.
“Put it all on the table – tell her everything. Remember, I’ll be with you,” J.D. said as he took her hand. “And Ali?”
“Yes?”
“Be sure to tell her she’ll always be my little girl. I love her and I’m so proud of the woman she’s become,” he said.
She nodded.
“I guess there’s no time like the present,” Alicia said.
J.D. grinned.
“If you can tear her away from that crappy movie. You know, a good fist fight improve that thing,” he said as she woke up.
“Welcome back to the land of the living,” Maggie said as Alicia opened her eyes.
“Excuse me?” She asked.
Maggie laughed.
“C’mon mom – you were dead to the world,” she said.
“I guess maybe this British film isn’t my cup of tea – no pun intended,” Alicia said.
“I can finish this another time if you’d rather watch something else,” Maggie said.
“I don’t want to anything but I do want to talk to you about something,” Alicia said as Maggie picked up the remote and stopped the movie before turning the television off.
Only When I Dream Page 33