The Haunted Past

by J A Whiting

  “And what does Tim Pierce have to do with it?” Anton asked.

  Lin shook her head slowly from side to side.

  Nicky whined and turned around to look at the humans.

  “We had the Daffodil Festival and the annual garden party fundraiser for the historical museum,” Lin thought out loud. “But neither of those things are new this year so they’re not the reason the ghosts are suddenly making contact.”

  “Tim is new this year,” Anton pointed out. “He recently moved here.”

  Lin cocked her head to the side considering. “That’s true. Is there some link from him to the ghosts? If there is, what could it be? Tim had been here in his grandfather’s Colonial house when he was little, but that doesn’t connect him to Ezra and Abigail. He’s not a descendant of theirs. So what’s left?”

  “I have some time later today,” Anton told her. “I’ll do some more digging. I’ll look for a possible link.”

  Lin reached over and gave the man a hug. “You know when I first moved back here, I thought you and Libby might be bad people. I even had the thought you might be trying to kill me.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Carolin. How in the world did you ever think such a thing? Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

  “I thought you knew. I think I did tell you.”

  “Well, I must have blocked it out. Kill you? Honestly. I know you can be very annoying, but….”

  Lin made a face and narrowed her eyes at the historian.

  “I’m kidding,” Anton said and then he tapped his finger against his chin. “Or am I?”

  Lin and Nicky were working in Tim Pierce’s yard when the young man came out of the house to talk.

  “What happened with that table?”

  “It’s gone quiet again,” Lin told him.

  “Why was it having a fit?”

  Since Tim found the idea of ghosts unsettling, Lin didn’t want to burden him with the details. “It has something to do with spirits.”

  “Is it haunted?”

  “No. It just has a need every now and then to act up.” She smiled. “It’s harmless.”

  Tim scratched the side of his head trying to understand, but thought it best to let it be.

  Lin wanted to change the subject. “Did you have a good trip to Boston?”

  “It was a busy day, but I got a lot done.” Tim glanced at the back of the house. “It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it?”

  “It certainly is,” Lin agreed.

  “I don’t think I can stay here.” Tim kicked at a pebble in the grass.

  Lin waited for him to say more.

  “I’m lonely here.” Tim looked at the young woman beside him. “I love this house. I love the island. But there’s something about this place that makes me inconsolably sad and lonely.”

  “Do you feel that way anywhere else?” Lin asked.

  “I don’t. Only here. Only in this house.” Tim looked down at the ground and shook his head.

  Lin took a chance and asked, “Have you ever heard of Ezra and Abigail Cooper?”

  Tim’s head popped up. “They sound familiar. Who are they?”

  “They used to own this house,” Lin said.

  “How long ago?”

  “Centuries ago.”

  Tim’s eyebrow went up. “Why do you mention them?”

  “They were only married a short time. Only two years. Abigail died in an accident. It seems she fell when she was in town and hit her head. Ezra was inconsolable.” Lin used the same word Tim had used about himself to describe Ezra’s grief.

  Tim’s eyes watered and he swallowed hard to clear his throat. “That’s terrible.”

  “Does the story sound familiar? Had you heard about them before?”

  “No.” Tim looked again at the back of his house. “Is it possible that the man’s grief over his wife lingers in the house? Is that the reason I feel so sad when I’m here?”

  “Maybe. I can sometimes feel emotions floating on the air. I don’t know if what you’re feeling is tied to the sad story of the couple.”

  “I really don’t want to leave,” Tim admitted.

  “Then stay,” Lin said gently.

  “I don’t know if I can. I had John take a quick look at the house.” Tim straightened his posture. “I’m torn about what I should do. I don’t know if I’ll ever find what I want if I stay here. I want … I want a happy life. I want a wife, someone to love, a family, people to share my life with.”

  “You don’t think you can make a life like that here?” Lin asked.

  “I don’t know.” Tim ran his hand over his face. “There’s just too much sadness in this house.”

  Cold air wrapped itself around Lin and when she looked up, Sebastian and Emily Witchard Coffin stood shimmery and translucent right behind Tim.

  The ghosts were holding hands and Emily reached her free hand out as if she wanted to grasp Tim on the shoulder to offer some comfort, but her fingers hovered in the air like a whisper, sparkling in the sunlight, unable to touch him.

  22

  Libby’s friend, Jessica Bay, was on Nantucket for only the day on business, but she wanted to speak to Lin as she walked to the docks to get the ferry so Lin met her at Libby’s house and they strolled into town together. Jessica, in her mid-sixties, with short blond hair and bright blue eyes, was slim and medium height. She also had some paranormal skills and had a few experiences with ghosts.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” With a warm smile, Jessica shook Lin’s hand and then bent to pat Nicky who was practically smiling at the woman. “What an adorable dog.” The comment made Nicky’s tail wag even faster.

  “Libby has told me a lot about you. Thanks for joining me as I head down to the ferry. The day has been so busy. I had several meetings and they all ran over and I need to be back on the mainland by this evening so I don’t have the time I wanted to give you.”

  “I’m glad you asked me to walk into town with you.” Lin told the woman about Ezra and Abigail Cooper and how they couldn’t seem to find each other on the spirit plane. She explained Abigail’s accidental death and Ezra’s burden of grief that eventually did him in. “Someone new has inherited the Coopers’ former home and has recently moved in. He feels overwhelmed by the sense of sadness that lingers in the house.”

  “He must be a sensitive man to be able to feel the emotions in the home.” Jessica pulled her wheeled suitcase along the sidewalk behind her. “Ezra’s grief was strong for wisps of it to still remain in the house.”

  “Do you have any idea why the ghosts aren’t able to find each other?” Lin asked.

  “There are some theories about why this sometimes happens, but I’m not sure I agree with any of them.” Jessica’s rolling suitcase got stuck on a loose sidewalk brick and she stopped to work it loose. “Some people think that spirits can’t communicate with one another once they pass. That’s nonsense. I know of a mother and daughter who were murdered and were separated for some time in the after-life. However, after an earthly year passed, they were reunited. They must have been able to communicate if they found each other so I don’t agree that ghosts can’t communicate together.”

  “What other theories are there?” Lin asked, intrigued by the topic.

  “Some believe that spirits who have unfinished business on earth wander in the in-between … not fully present on earth, yet do not cross over.”

  “How do the ghosts come to terms with their unfinished business?”

  Jessica smiled at Lin. “By reaching out to people like you who can see them. Other spirits, unfortunately, never come to terms and continue to wander.”

  “Do you think that’s happening with Ezra and Abigail?” Lin asked.

  “It’s possible. They’re unable to connect, but probably yearn to do so. I’m sorry, but I don’t know how you can help them in their search.”

  Lin’s face looked crestfallen. “It’s a puzzle. Maybe living people really can’t help at all.”

  “I’m not sure that’s
the case. If there was nothing you could do, I don’t think the ghosts would be trying to communicate with you,” Jessica said.

  “So maybe I can help?”

  “I’d keep at it. We don’t know that much about ghosts and the spirit-world. There’s no reason not to be hopeful. How are the ghosts communicating with you?”

  Lin told Jessica about the table tapping, how sometimes Sebastian, her ancestor, spoke a few words to her mind, yet mostly there was no direct communication and that she relied on the fact that sometimes where and when the ghosts appeared to her revealed clues to what they needed.

  “This is all very interesting,” Jessica said with a nod. “Your skills seem to be advancing at a brisk rate. As the years pass, you’ll become a very important conduit for ghosts who need assistance.”

  Lin was surprised to hear this and deep-down wasn’t sure it would ever be true.

  As they approached the ferry, one attendant took Jessica’s suitcase and a second attendant checked the ticket on her phone and gestured for her to head to the ramp for boarding.

  Before they said goodbye, Lin asked for advice. “Do you have any thoughts about what I can do to help Ezra and Abigail?”

  Jessica adjusted her carryon bag on her shoulder. “What I tell you will seem like nothing, but trust in your abilities. Spirits can take many forms. What seems like a problem can be a way to push someone to act in a way that solves an issue or brings the matter to a close. What’s going on right now may seem like no progress is being made when in fact, it is a step toward the desired conclusion.” The woman gave Lin a hug. “I hope next time, we can chat longer and that you’ll be able to tell me that Ezra and Abigail have come together and their story has a happy ending.”

  Lin nodded and thanked Jessica and was sorry to see her go. She looked forward to meeting the woman again and engaging in a long conversation.

  When she waved goodbye, Lin realized that she felt more hopeful and was grateful for the short time she had to talk things over with Jessica.

  Walking back from the docks, she decided to window-shop in town for a little while before meeting Viv at her store in an hour. She stopped to admire some summer dresses on display in a small boutique’s window and when she turned to continue her stroll, she almost bumped into Lori coming out of the store with a bag.

  “Hi.” Lori looked happy to see Lin. “I’ve been shopping for a little while. I don’t need anything, but I found a nice dress and decided to treat myself.”

  Lori didn’t appear as upbeat as usual. “Is everything going okay?” Lin questioned.

  “Yeah.” Lori glanced around. “Well … do you have a few minutes to sit?”

  “Sure.” Lin’s heart began to pound with worry over what might be bothering Lori.

  The two young women walked to a bench overlooking the harbor and sat together.

  “I know every time I see you I talk about this, but you’re the only one who doesn’t look at me like I’m nuts.” Lori let out a sigh and looked down at her hands.

  “Have you been dreaming?” Lin asked.

  “Yes.” The word came out like a moan. “That dream is becoming more insistent. I’m not getting much sleep. I’m happy and peaceful when I’m in my dream house, but when I wake up, I feel agitated and anxious, and almost desperate. Like I need to find it. That I’m running out of time.”

  Lin’s heart jumped into her throat in reaction to the urgency of Lori’s feelings. Why does she feel this way? What does it mean?

  “Heather asked me why I seem so tired. I couldn’t tell her the reason. She thinks my dreams are nonsense and she’s probably right.” Lori sadly shook her head. “I made an appointment with a doctor to talk about my sleep problems. Maybe I can get hypnosis or something to help me let go of this dream.”

  “Do you want to let go of it?” Lin asked.

  Lori lifted her eyes to Lin’s and didn’t answer for a few moments. “No. I don’t.” Letting out a sigh, she asked, “Why am I so obsessed with it? Why can’t I dream about something else?”

  “Do you ever dream about anything else?”

  “Oh, sure, but the house dream always comes back with a vengeance.”

  “You’d probably miss it if it went away,” Lin pointed out.

  “I’d definitely miss it.” Lori gave a half-smile. “I would like to get some sleep though.”

  “Tomorrow I’m going to look at a house with a friend of mine. You met him on the bike ride we all took together. John Clayton.”

  “The Realtor, right? He’s marrying your cousin,” Lori said.

  “Right. The man who owns the house is considering selling it. John’s going back to take some room measurements and to see it in daylight. The last time he went to do a walk-through, it was dark out. The house was built in the 1700s. It’s a huge, beautiful Colonial near upper Main Street. Why don’t you meet us there? You love the antique houses on-island. Walk around in it with me.”

  Lori’s face brightened. “I’d love to see it. Are you thinking of buying it?”

  With her eyes wide, Lin replied, “Oh, gosh, no. It’s way too expensive for me. Maybe I’ll be able to afford it in another life,” she joked. “John knows I appreciate the old houses so he invited me to join him. I know the owner. Leonard and I do the landscaping there. We can tour the house and then I can show you the garden work we’re doing.”

  “I’d love to see it.” Lori asked where and when to meet.

  “Invite Heather to join us. She might enjoy seeing the house, too,” Lin said.

  “I will.” Lori’s upbeat, positive nature seemed to be back to normal. “I’m excited about it. I’m really looking forward to it.”

  Some of the things Jessica had said to Lin as they walked to the ferry together kept drifting around in her head.

  A problem can be a way to push someone to act in a way that solves an issue.

  A step toward the desired conclusion.

  What else did she say?

  “Thanks for inviting me,” Lori said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Lin shook herself from her thoughts. “You’re very welcome. See you bright and early.”

  23

  On her walk to Tim’s house, Lin received a text from him that made her stop in her tracks.

  I won’t be at the house when you and John are there. I’m taking the ferry to the mainland. I’m going to stay in Boston indefinitely. I’ll decide in a couple of weeks whether or not to sell the house. I’m leaning towards putting it on the market. Thanks for being a friend.

  Lin’s heart dropped. There was no way to keep Tim on the island without sounding crazy. The ghost of my ancestor wants you to stay.

  With a heavy feeling of sadness, she continued on to Tim’s Colonial and when she turned the corner, she saw John’s car parked in the driveway and Lori coming up the sidewalk from the other direction.

  “Heather couldn’t come. I can’t wait to see the house. Is that it?” Lori’s eyes scanned the front of the yellow Colonial with the daffodils growing in the front. “What a beauty.”

  “The owner had to go to the mainland so he won’t be here to show us around,” Lin told her. “John’s inside already. Why don’t we go in?”

  The front door was unlocked and the women stepped into the foyer.

  “John?” Lin called. “We’re here.”

  John spoke from the kitchen. “I’m in back.”

  Lin turned towards Lori to ask if she wanted to wander through the house together while John was busy.

  Lori’s eyes sparkled as she took in the carved wooden staircase, the tall ceilings, the chandelier. She ran her hand over the wood of the bannister like it was made of gold. She stepped into the sitting room on the right and walked around staring at everything … the fireplace, the furniture, the huge windows.

  Lin stood at the threshold watching her friend, the young woman’s face lit up, her eyes sparkling. All of a sudden, Lori raced from the room to the sitting parlor off the foyer and stood at the entrance
taking everything in, then she hurried to the library and then to the dining room. When she reached the kitchen, she turned all around. “This is an addition.”

  Lin followed Lori’s every step through the downstairs rooms without saying anything.

  Lori was practically running through the house. She returned to the foyer and tore up the staircase to the second floor hurrying through the rooms.

  “Do you like the house?” Lin asked, not understanding why the little blond hairs on her arms were standing up.

  Lori made eye contact with Lin, her eyes welling up. She didn’t answer the question, but hurried down the hall to the room Tim was using as an office.

  When the two young women entered the room, Lin’s skin felt like it was being pricked with tiny needles.

  Lori took hold of Lin’s arm and when she spoke, her voice was heavy and hoarse. “I know this house.”

  “You’ve been here before?” Lin asked, her head feeling dizzy.

  With a nod, Lori moved slowly around the room. “I know every inch of this house. Not the kitchen or the solarium, those are additions. This is the first time I’ve seen them, but I know everything else. Some of the furniture is the same, too. I could find my way around in here with my eyes closed.”

  Lin’s stomach tightened. “Is this…?”

  “This is the house in my dreams.” Lori practically whispered. She batted at the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. “I found it. I found it. I can’t believe I found it.” She stared at Lin, her cheeks pink with excitement. “Who lives here?”

  “Tim Pierce. He’s an architect. He inherited the house from his grandfather. The grandfather lived here for many years.”

  “Tim Pierce? How old is he? Is he old?”

  “He’s about thirty,” Lin told her.

  Lori walked around the room lovingly touching the walls and the woodwork. “How do I know this house?”

  “You think you’ve been in here before?”