The Haunted Past

Home > Other > The Haunted Past > Page 7
The Haunted Past Page 7

by J A Whiting


  “But what is it?” Viv questioned. “Like I say every time, can’t these ghosts be more specific about things? Sheesh. You see ghosts. You’re not a mind reader.”

  Lin frowned. “I don’t know what to do.”

  Libby let out a long sigh. “Let’s table this for a while.”

  With a slight grin, Viv eyed the woman. “Table? Did you say table this for a while?”

  Lin couldn’t help but chuckle.

  Libby rolled her eyes at the cousins. “I’ll put it another way. Let’s put on hold trying to figure out what Ezra wants. Maybe something new will develop that will help us understand what he needs. Let’s give it some time and see where things lead.”

  “I don’t think we have a choice,” Lin agreed reluctantly. “Anyway, I think the table is done with us. I get the feeling it isn’t going to do any more tapping. I’ll ask Tim if we can return it.”

  12

  Leonard held the drawing of the landscape design work planned for Tim Pierce’s backyard and he pointed to the bed on the right side of the property.

  “That bed needs to be widened to fit the plants that are going in there.”

  Lin went over and used the shovel to mark how far out it needed to go. “Like this?”

  “Yeah, good.”

  Nicky sat at Leonard’s feet looking sleepy from the sun and the warm temperature.

  Most of the beds had been marked out and two of the former flower beds that were choked with weeds had been cleaned up. Lin and Leonard, with the dog supervising, had spent most of the morning laying things out. The afternoon would be spent removing more weeds and dead plants.

  “Let’s take a break and eat lunch,” Leonard suggested.

  “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

  Lin spread a blanket in the shade of a tree and she and her partner and Nicky sat down and the lunch boxes were opened. Leonard had some leftover stew in his thermos and a piece of chunky bread. “I made cornbread last night. Have some if you like.” He put the container on the blanket.

  “You bet I’d like.” Lin bit into the cornbread and closed her eyes for a moment. “Heavenly. Be careful or I’ll eat all of it.” She opened her lunch box and removed a focaccia sandwich of mushrooms, eggplant, onions, tomatoes, and cheese, and a bowl to put Nicky’s dog food in. “I brought some cookies for us, but they aren’t as tasty as the cornbread.”

  “Tell me about the séance you had last night.” Leonard spooned some stew into his mouth.

  “It wasn’t a séance.”

  “Same thing. What happened?”

  Lin gave her friend a report on the previous evening’s adventure. “So the takeaway is that I have no idea what Ezra wants.”

  “It was a useful way to spend your time then,” Leonard teased.

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  Nicky crawled over and rested his head on Lin’s lap.

  “Every time you get a new ghost you always say that. You’ll figure it out, Coffin. Don’t push.”

  “If I don’t push, I’ll never get the answers.” Lin reached into the container of cornbread. “I need another piece.”

  “It isn’t good to stress eat,” Leonard warned her.

  “I’m not stress eating. I’m eating because it tastes good. It’s your fault.” She bit into the second square of cornbread. “There’s Tim.” She nodded towards the back of the house.

  “Hey.” Tim walked over and sat down with Leonard and Lin, and patted Nicky behind the ears. “I see you’ve started on the yard.”

  “It’s going to look great when it’s done,” Lin said. “How are things going for you working remotely and all?”

  “It’s fine.” Tim looked around the yard. The young man didn’t seem himself. He seemed tired and low energy like he hadn’t slept for days.”

  “We’re done with the tilt table. I don’t think it will bother you again. Shall I bring it back?” Lin asked.

  Tim shrugged. “Sure. Whatever you want.”

  Nicky nudged the man’s hand for more patting and he obliged.

  “Are you enjoying the house?” Lin asked.

  “Yeah, it’s fine.”

  Leonard made eye contact with Lin and then he got up to go to the truck.

  “Is everything okay?” Lin questioned.

  Tim nodded. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

  “Then why does it seem like everything isn’t fine?”

  Tim’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t know. I’m feeling … sort of … lonely.”

  “Do you have friends on-island?”

  “I don’t. Most of my friends are in Boston or on the west coast.”

  “Have you been back to the city?”

  “Not yet.”

  “How do you spend your day?” Lin asked.

  “I work most of the day, then I make dinner and go to bed.”

  Lin’s eyebrows went up. “You need to get out and meet people. You can’t hole up in the house alone. What about hobbies you like? You can connect with people through your hobbies. And what about some charity work? You can meet people by volunteering a couple of times a week somewhere.”

  “I haven’t had the time.”

  “You need to make the time,” Lin said quietly. “You can’t live somewhere without having a social network.”

  “I know I need to do those things.” Tim ran his hand over his face. “I’ve been so tired. I don’t have the energy.”

  “Is it because you recently lost your grandfather?”

  “That’s probably part of it, but it’s certainly not most of it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It’s like I’ve run out of gas.”

  “It’s a bunch of change in a short time,” Lin said. “It can have a negative effect on a person. Even when good things cause the change, it can sap a person of their energy.”

  “I guess that makes sense.”

  “Listen, some friends and I are planning to go on a bike ride this weekend. Why don’t you come with us?” Lin asked.

  “I don’t have a bike.”

  “My fiancé has extra bikes and helmets. He can bring one for you. How about it? Everyone is nice. You’ll like them. It’s always a good time. We usually go out for drinks and appetizers after the ride.”

  Tim nodded. “Okay. I’d like to come. Thanks.”

  Lin smiled broadly. “Great. Give me your number and I’ll text you about the time and place to meet.” Tim told her his number and she punched it into her phone.

  “Thanks, Lin. See you soon.”

  When Tim went inside the house, Leonard wandered back from the truck.

  “I thought Tim might open up if he was talking only to you. Did you get anything out of him? What’s wrong?” Leonard asked.

  “He’s lonely.” Lin made sure the man had disappeared into the house before speaking. “He seems sad and unsure if he made the right decision to move to Nantucket. He doesn’t know anyone here and he works all the time.”

  “Not a good combination.” Leonard gave Nicky a small piece of the cornbread.

  “I invited him to come on the bike ride we’re going on this weekend. It will get him out, he’ll meet new people, and he’ll get some exercise. We’ll go out for drinks afterwards. I think it will do him good. Why don’t you come, too?”

  “You can count me out. I don’t ride bikes.”

  “Why not? It’s fun.”

  “Fun is sitting in the backyard in my Adirondack chair listening to the birds sing. I work hard all week. I don’t need to ride around the island like a nut on two wheels.”

  Lin laughed. “Is that how everyone sees us?”

  “It’s how I see you.”

  “You should try it once. You might like biking.”

  Leonard gave her the eye and a frown-face. “It’s not happening, Coffin. Come on, let’s get back to work.”

  After work, Lin and Nicky walked to Viv’s house for dinner and when they arrived, Queenie greeted them at the door and then she and the dog scampered outside to patrol the ba
ckyard.

  “I’m making spaghetti.” Viv stirred the pasta in the big pot on the stove. “I got back from the bookstore late and this will be easy and quick.”

  “Fine with me. You know I love spaghetti. I could eat it at every meal.” Lin brushed some olive oil onto slices of bread before sprinkling them with some Parmesan cheese.

  “How was work?” Viv asked.

  “We were at Tim Pierce’s house for most of the day. We just started clearing out the old growth and the weeds. Tim came out to talk to me for a while. I told him he could have the antique table back. I told him it was probably done bumping about, but he didn’t ask anything about it. He had no interest in it at all. He’s feeling sort of depressed.”

  Viv turned to her cousin, surprised to hear about Tim’s low mood. “Why?”

  Lin explained what he’d told her. “He’s all alone here. He needs to get out and meet people. I invited him to bike with us this weekend.”

  Viv poured some wine into two glasses and handed one to Lin. She looked at her cousin pointedly. “Is something wrong with that house?”

  “What house?”

  “Tim’s house. Is there a curse on it or something? Abigail and Ezra lived there and look at what happened to them. Did Tim’s grandfather live there long?”

  “I think he lived there since Tim was a young boy.”

  “Did anything bad happen to him?”

  “I don’t know. He lived to an old age.”

  “It must be that house. Did Tim seem really down? Do we need to check on him?” Viv asked.

  “I think you’re letting your imagination get away from you,” Lin said. “Ezra and his wife ran into misfortune and Tim is feeling the effects of moving someplace where he doesn’t know anyone so he’s feeling lonely. Those things don’t point to a curse. Anyway, there’s no such thing.”

  “We don’t know anything about the other people who have lived there. There might be more evidence to suggest something’s wrong with that place. And why is it okay to believe in ghosts, but not in curses?”

  Lin shook her head as she slipped the baking sheet of bread into the oven. “Because we’ve actually seen the ghosts. A curse is just made up nonsense.”

  “Is it? Don’t some places seem like they’re bad luck? Don’t some families seem like they have a ton of bad luck?”

  “I guess so, but it’s not because of a curse.”

  “Okay, forget the curse idea and consider this … there could be a spirit lingering in that house. An angry spirit who takes out its anger on the occupants of the house,” Viv said.

  Lin’s face tensed at the suggestion. “That could be.”

  “Tim doesn’t have a girlfriend? A partner?” Viv asked.

  “No, he doesn’t. At least, he’s never mentioned anyone.”

  “Did he recently break up with someone? Is that why he’s in a funk? Is that why he doesn’t seem to have any interest in going out?”

  “I don’t know,” Lin said. “That’s a good idea though. If he left a relationship recently, that would be playing a part in making him feel low. That could also be why he was keen to move here. A fresh start in a new place. Starting over.”

  “When we go biking, ask him about his life,” Viv suggested. “That way, we’ll know what’s going on with him.” She gave her cousin the eye. “Then maybe we can decide if there’s something dangerous in that house or not.”

  13

  Lin, Jeff, Viv, John, Heather’s niece, Lori, and some of the men’s friends spent three hours biking around the island on the off-road bike lanes. The beautiful late afternoon was perfect for the ride with temperatures in the high-sixties and no wind. The island was coming to life with flowers blooming, the grass and marsh turning freshly green, and the new leaves unfurling on the trees.

  The group rode past the white sand beaches, along wide paths through the woods, past the sea marshes, past Sankaty Lighthouse and Brant Point Lighthouse, and the lovely cottages and elegant mansions that lined the roads.

  Lin was disappointed to hear from Tim that he wouldn’t be able to participate in the bike ride as he had too much work. He promised to go the next time, and she hoped he meant it. It was important to get out, have a change of scenery, meet people and enjoy their company especially for someone new to the island.

  The cyclists stopped in Madaket to get some snacks and replenish water bottles and to take a picture of the group. Lori was warm and friendly and got along so well with everyone it was like she’d been friends with them for years.

  After the ride, the friends stopped at Lin’s house for quick showers and a change of clothes, and then they headed into town for appetizers and drinks.

  “That was great,” Lori told Lin as they sipped drinks. “I’m so glad you invited me. It’s nice to meet such a great group of people.”

  “Did you grow up in Massachusetts?” Lin asked the young woman.

  “No, I lived outside of Chicago. I went to college and law school in California, then got a job in Boston. Heather offered me the job here a couple of months ago, but it took time to wrap things up and make the move.”

  “Did you come to the island often to visit?”

  “My parents and sister and I came for a week each summer for about five years when we were in elementary school, but then my mom got a new job and my sister and I were in sports and activities so we vacationed closer to home. I did miss Nantucket though. I loved it here.”

  “Lin told me about your recurring dream of being in a big house on the island,” Viv said. “When did that start?”

  “It started after the first time we visited here. It’s strange, isn’t it? It’s stuck with me ever since then.”

  “And you dream about it every week?” Viv questioned.

  “At least once a week.” Lori nodded.

  Huge plates of nachos, baked potato skins, mini pizzas, and vegetable rollups were brought to the long table and Lori, Lin, and Viv took small plates and loaded them up with the food.

  Lori asked about the fall wedding and the cousins told her the details about the day. Viv asked if Lori was seeing anyone.

  “I’m not. I wish I was.” Lori licked some melted cheese from her finger. “I date, but I can’t seem to find the right guy. Maybe I need a matchmaker.”

  “Not being in a relationship made it easier for you to relocate to the island,” Viv pointed out a benefit of Lori being single. With a smile, she added, “Maybe you’ll find your match on Nantucket. I bet there’s a guy on this island who’s been waiting for you to show up.”

  Lori laughed. “That would be perfect. I just need to find him.”

  When Lin went off to get a new round of drinks, Viv asked Lori to describe the dream she’d had since childhood. “Do you mind telling me? I love this kind of stuff.”

  Viv and Lori sat on bar stools and Lori began her story.

  “In the dream, I never see the neighborhood or the outside of the house. I’m inside wandering from room to room. I know every inch of the place, everything is familiar to me. There’s a secret room on the second floor with a smaller door. The room is like a reading nook with a few comfortable chairs, a couple of lamps, and a big window that lets in a ton of light. There’s another smaller window that looks down into a den on the first floor. A woman is sitting in a rocker and she’s looking outside to the water.”

  “Do you know the woman?” Viv asked.

  “No.” Lori shook her head. “She seems familiar, but I can’t see her face. She’s looking away from me.”

  “Do you know the people who own the house in the dream?” Viv added some of the mini pizzas to her plate.

  “I have no idea who owns the house.” Lori gave an impish smile. “But I guess they don’t mind me wandering around in their home.”

  “How do you feel when you’re in the house? Are you scared?”

  Lori’s eyes widened. “Not at all. It’s not like that. I love that house. I feel like I’m home, comfortable, happy, content, lighthearted. It’s
a wonderful feeling to be there … like all of my worries have vanished and I know everything is just the way it’s supposed to be.”

  Viv asked, “Are you sad when you wake up? Since everything is so perfect in the dream?”

  “No, I’m happy. The feelings from the dream stay with me, for at least part of the day.”

  “But don’t you feel sad that this house is fictional?”

  Lori looked down at her glass and said softly, “I never thought the house wasn’t real.” She made eye contact with Viv. “I guess I always thought I’d find it someday.” A half-smile formed on the young woman’s mouth. “I suppose it’s silly to think so.”

  “It’s not silly at all.” Viv smiled. “Maybe you know this house from somewhere you were when you were little.”

  Lori tilted her head to the side. “I wonder. I’ve always thought the house was on Nantucket.”

  “Do your parents know about the dream?”

  “Oh, yes. It’s a family joke.”

  “The house doesn’t sound familiar to them?” Viv questioned.

  “No, they don’t know the place. It’s not familiar to them at all.”

  Lin returned with a small tray of drinks. Having overheard part of their conversation, she said, “You’ll just have to save your money, buy a lot, and build that house from your dreams.”

  “But, it’s an old house,” Lori protested.

  “You can build a reproduction.” Lin handed the drinks to Viv and Lori.

  With a smile, Lori said, “I just might have to do that.”

  Lin and Viv walked up Main Street under the old-fashioned streetlamps heading for their homes after a fun evening at the pub with their friends.

  “I like Lori. She’s a nice addition to our group,” Viv said.

  “I think so, too. She’s fun, easygoing, genuine. She seems like a kind person.” Lin yawned. “I’m feeling really tired. I’m looking forward to crawling into my comfy bed with Nicky by my side and doing a crossword puzzle before I fall asleep … if I can stay awake long enough to do the puzzle.”

 

‹ Prev