The Daughters of Julian Dane Page 11

  Suddenly, she stooped down and began clearing away wet grass and mud from around the iron gate post. Soon, broken pieces of concrete were exposed around the post that anchored the gate. Addie removed a large piece of concrete, and there lay a big iron key in a place hollowed out of the concrete just for it.

  Donnie had watched Addie in bewildered silence. Now he said, “I’ll be darn.” He stooped and picked up the key. It was rusted, but no more than the lock itself. He struggled to insert it into the lock. “I guess this is what you want me to do?”

  “Yes, please,” she said, as she cleaned her hand of the mud with some wet leaves.

  It took quite a bit of twisting and struggling, but finally the lock clicked. “Now what?” he asked pushing the gate open as it creaked on its rusty hinges. “Are you going in?”

  “Nooo,” Addie answered slowly as she looked at the graveled road that went through the gate and around the cottage whose back porch was no more than thirty feet from the fence. She just stood there silently looking at the cottage.

  “I wish I knew what is going on,” Donnie said. “How did you know that old key was there?”

  “The same way I knew the gate was there, and the cottage. I’ve been through that gate and in that cottage many times.”

  “What? When? This place hasn’t been used in years, from the looks of it.” But Addie just looked up at him.

  “Let’s go now. I want to go to the Log House,” she answered, as though she hadn’t heard his question.

  “Okay,” he said and closed the gate. He tried to lock it, but struggle as he could, the key would not turn in the lock again. He shrugged his shoulders and dropped the key back into its hiding place, and with the toe of his shoe, covered it again with broken concrete, and dirt, and grass. “You could at least answer me,” he said a bit irritably as they headed back to the truck.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, “and thanks for stopping. It was important to me, but, Donnie...” She looked up at him as they walked side by side. “I don’t make friends easily, not even with girls. And you’ve already been more of a friend to me than any I’ve had since grade school.” She hesitated, looked up at him, then asked, “Are we friends?” And was surprised by her own boldness.

  “Well, I’d like to think that we are. We’ve sure shared a lot of confidences. I’ve told you things I wouldn’t tell anyone that I didn’t trust as a friend. I want us to be friends, very good friends, Addie.” He stopped and was looking at her seriously.

  “I do to, Donnie,” she said, looking into his blue eyes, “but I’m afraid if I answer your question, you won’t want to be my friend. And if I don’t answer it, you’re going to think I’m crazy. So,” she paused and looked away, “let me think about it a little while.”

  “All right,” he said. “Whatever you want, Addie.” They had reached the truck, and he helped her in. They rode in silence to the Log House Restaurant across the river.

  As he drove up to the restaurant, he said, “You go on in. I’ll park, then put your bike on the porch. If we don’t see anybody we know when we’re ready to leave, I’ll put it back in the truck and take you back to the Square.”

  Addie agreed and entered the restaurant by herself. She went to wash her hands, then was seated at a table for two close to the fireplace, and was looking intently at the doll buggy and doll, and the little rocking chair when Donnie came in. She watched him look around the big room for any familiar faces before he told the hostess that he would like to be seated at her table. They greeted each other as though they were surprised to see each other there and he took his seat, and they laughed.

  They ordered the breakfast bar with milk, and Donnie got up to go to the food bar. Addie just sat there staring at the scene at the fireplace where a warm fire was burning.

  “Hey, you coming?”

  She arose from her chair and almost bumped into a young couple whose hands were loaded with their food. Donnie grabbed her at the waist, pulling her out of their way, and landing her fully against him. He looked at her reproachfully. She blushed, as her whole body began that funny, delightful, tingling sensation at the feel of his hands on her waist, and the feel of the full length of his hard, muscular body against hers. “Tha ... thanks, I was thinking about something.”

  “I could see that.”

  Yes, she thought, I want to tell him everything. Maybe she shouldn’t, but she had to take the chance. If she lost him because of it, then it was better to do it now. “When we get our food, I want to show you something. Then you decide if you still want us to be friends.”

  He smiled at her patiently, as he guided her to the end of the food line. They stood there so close she could feel the warmth of him. It was a thrilling, new feeling, and she was afraid – afraid of loosing this precious new relationship. She felt like she had lived her whole life until now, for this time – for this one person. Could he possible have similar feelings, she wondered? The way they had just hit it off – like they had known each other a long time – it was amazing to her.

  “Addie,” he said quietly, his face touching her hair, “my gramps and my mom are not related, but they are the best of friends. I don’t think there is anything that they wouldn’t do for each other. Once I heard mom ask gramps why they were such good friends, and he said he guessed it was because they each needed the other.” He paused. “Maybe, in some way we don’t understand, we need each other’s friendship. Who knows? I just know I feel like I’ve always known you. I’m comfortable with you, and I feel I can confide in you. And, Addie, regardless of what your problem is, I’ll still be around,” he declared with a smile as he picked up two warm plates and handed her one of them.

  Addie looked into those deep blue eyes and discovered that they changed their depth of color at times, and she wondered again how it could feel so natural to be standing so close to him, having known him such a short time. He made her feel so warm, so good inside. She smiled with a strange happiness she had never known before. “Thank you, Donnie. I have a feeling I’m going to need a friend, a very good friend.”

  Chapter Ten

  Della had been sleeping so soundly, after her night of unrest from the fight with Ben, that she awoke with a start. She looked at the bedside clock. It was after eight. She needed to go see about Addie. When she arose, she found the nausea had lessened some, but she now was feeling a bit light headed. I’ll feel better after a shower and something to eat, she told herself.

  She hurried to Addie’s room as quickly as her condition would allow, only to find it empty, and the bed unmade. That’s strange, she thought, the first thing Addie always did was make her bed. She went into the kitchen and found the note on the table. ‘I’ve gone out on my bike. I’ll be home before lunch. Love, Addie.’

  Not telling them where she was going did not set too well with Della. That too wasn’t like Addie. But maybe it was best that she had gone out. Still, she had planned for the two of them to go see Brother Morris this morning. Yes, now that she thought about it, she was sure it was best. She probably should talk to him before he saw Addie. Addie might be reluctant to tell him everything, or anything.

  As soon as she had finished in the bathroom and returned to the kitchen, she dialed the church’s number from the wall phone. It being Saturday, Brother Morris would be working on his sermon, and she really hated to interrupt, but she had to see him. She had to talk to someone.

  “This is Reverend Morris,” he answered.

  “Good morning, Brother Morris, this is Della Martin.”

  “Why, Della! Good morning to you, and what a pleasant surprise. It’s so good to hear from you. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine,” she answered, “but I need to talk to you. I know how much of an inconvenience this is on a Saturday morning, but it is urgent, and I promise not to take too much of your time.”

  “Della, Della, I’m never too busy to see you. Is something wrong?”

  “Well, yes.” Did he think she would ask to see him if there wa
sn’t? “But I think I need to tell you in person.”

  “Of course, Della. You know I’m always available. When did you want to come?”

  “In about an hour?”

  “That will be fine, Della. It’ll give me time to run out to the shopping center and pick up a book that I’ve had ordered. I’ll see you then. And don’t worry, Della. Whatever the problem is, I’m sure we can find a solution.”

  If only you could, Della thought, as she said good- bye and hung up the phone. This is a problem that you’ve never been faced with in your entire ministry, she felt sure of it. “Please, dear God,” she prayed as she dressed for the appointment, “let him know how to help my Addie, or let him know someone who can,” she added.

  It was not until she was going out the kitchen door to the garage, that she realized it had rained heavily. Immediately, she was worried that Addie might have been out in a downpour. No, she assured herself, Addie was a very sensible girl. She would have found shelter until the rain was over. She didn’t have to worry about that. There was too much else to have to worry about.

  A few minutes later as she pulled into the church’s parking lot, she caught sight of Brother Morris going in the side door. When she entered the building, he was standing outside his study door waiting for her. No doubt he had seen her coming through the glass door. Already, there was that uneasy feeling she got when she was alone with him, and she wondered why?

  “Della!” he said too cheerful for her mood and her queasy stomach, as she approached him. “That was some storm, wasn’t it?”

  “Storm?” Now she was worried. Addie knew she’d be worried if she was out in a storm. Why hadn’t she called to let her know where she was? That she was all right. “I didn’t realize it had stormed. I guess I slept right through it.” Maybe Addie had called, and she hadn’t heard the phone ring.

  “Well, it was a good one. Come on in. It’s good to see you out.”

  “Thank you,” she said, going ahead of him into his study.

  He pulled an armchair up to the side of his desk for her, and seated himself facing her by pulling his desk chair over. Their knees were almost touching, and she wanted to push her chair back some.

  “Now, tell me, what’s bothering you?”

  “I’m afraid it’s more than something bothering me, Brother ...”

  “Uh, uh, it’s Morris, remember.”

  Oh, for crying out loud! What difference did it make what she called him, she thought, irritated, but trying to not let it show. “Well, uh, Morris, I had really planned for Addie to come with me,” and I wish she was here, she said to herself. “She’s the one who has the problem. But, of course, when your child has a problem, it’s the parent’s problem too.” She was doing this badly. She didn’t know where to begin, and she didn’t feel at all at ease with him sitting so close to her, but she needed his help. “I really don’t know where to begin,” she said. “It’s all so unbelievable. The only way I know to put it is to tell you right out, that Addie, our daughter ...” She paused.

  “Yes, Della, what is it?” he asked with concern, but still smiling that way he had of doing when he looked at her.

  “Bro ..., uh, Morris, Addie has another person living inside of her” she blurted out.

  The smile disappeared from the Reverend’s face. He sat back in his chair. After a moment, he said, “Well, now let’s see, Della, are you telling me that Addie is schizophrenic?”

  “No!” Della answered quickly. “At least I don’t think so. I know what schizophrenia is – it’s a person with two or more personalities. This is sort of like that – only, it’s different. This person who lives in Addie is somebody who lived a long time ago, right here in Riverbend – maybe fifty years or so ago. And from what we can figure out, it’s a girl, apparently much younger than Addie. She still plays with dolls.”

  From the look on the Reverend’s face, he was as shocked as she thought he would be, and she began to be disheartened.

  He leaned toward her again. “Della, my dear, I think you had better start from the beginning and tell me just what this is all about. I want to be sure I understand what you’re saying.”

  Della took a deep breath, folded her hands on top of her purse that lay in her lap, wondering why she was so nervous? Slowly, she related to Brother Morris everything that had transpired since Ben had brought Addie home the evening before from the house on South Street. She was careful to add that Ben had found that the house’s original wallpaper was as Addie had described it along with the rest of the house, including a stairway that was now closed up.

  Brother Morris had listened carefully, intently. Now his elbow was propped on his desk, his chin resting in his hand. He spread both hands on the desk, and said, studiously, “And Addie really believes that another person is living inside her?”

  “That’s not the way she puts it, but yes, that’s what she believes, and I believe it also. That’s the only explanation for all this. I’ve seen her when she says and does things that’s not really our Addie. I guess, in a way, that really is schizophrenic – but still, it’s not the same. And I’m frightened. I’m afraid that Addie will lose control, and that this other person will take over my daughter completely.” Della was becoming excited, and she knew it. She breathed deeply and paused, trying to calm herself. “What am I to do?” she pleaded. “Where can we go for help?” She asked frantically.

  Brother Morris moved closer until their knees were touching. He leaned forward and took both Della’s hands in his. “Now, Della, I want you to calm down. I think there is a logical explanation here, and I don’t think there’s any reason for you to be so frightened and concerned. Let’s just look at this calmly.”

  Della breathed deeply again and tried to relax her shoulders. He is a very educated man, she told herself. Surely, he knows what he’s talking about. She was more than ready to hear a logical explanation – any explanation – if there was one?

  “Addie is at a most impressionable age,” he began. “And this sounds to me like the reaction to some powers of suggestion. Something or somebody has put this idea in Addie’s mind. Unfortunately, there has been a show or two on Television that has developed similar ideas as their story plots, and of course, there are some paperback novels based on similar ideas. And, Della, the subconscious mind is a very powerful thing. It’s like fertile soil – you reap whatever you plant into it.”

  Della drew back her hands. “No! No! You’re saying the same thing Ben said, and you’re both wrong! Addie doesn’t watch anything on TV that I don’t. She’s not a big TV fan. She prefers to be out on her bike, and she doesn’t read paperbacks.”

  “Della, listen to me,” he said in a commanding voice. “Now, you think about it. Addie is gone from your presence for more of her waking hours than she’s with you. You don’t know what’s she’s doing or seeing, or even what’s discussed in her presence. Now, am I right?”

  “Well, yes,” she admitted hesitantly. “But this has been going on since she was a young child – as far back as she can remember.”

  “Oh,” he said. Then, “Well, now, Della, part of what you are telling me, if I understand you right, would relate to the theory of reincarnation, and that is not according to our faith or our beliefs. We know that God created only one of each of us, and He gave each one of us one immortal soul. That soul is with us here on earth while we are alive on this earth, and when it’s no longer here, then it’s wherever that soul had prepared to spend eternity while it was here on earth. This is what the Bible teaches us. This is what you believe, isn’t it, Della?”

  Della looked away for a moment. “Morris, this has been such a shock to me – I don’t know what I believe anymore. I just know I need help for my child.”

  “And I’m not denying that Addie needs help, my dear, and we are going to help her – you and I, together. But, I really need to talk to Addie. Why don’t we set up after school appointments with her for next week? I think it would be best if I saw both of you on Monday
. Then we’ll see how it goes.”

  “But the church is closed on Monday afternoons.”

  “True,” he said, “but you’re so upset over this matter, I think it’s important that we get started as soon as possible. So, I could see the two of you in my study at the parsonage as soon as you can get there after school. Then I may need to see Addie by herself after the initial meeting. She might feel free to talk more openly if there’s only the two of us. And I want you to stop worrying. We’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise you.”

  “Oh, I hope so. I feel so helpless.”

  “There’s always help available for all situations, Della. And if I see that further help is needed, I’ll find the right help for Addie. You can be sure of it.”

  “Thank you, Morris. I feel better knowing that, and I do appreciate you,” she added, as she tried to move her chair back so she could get up to leave. He moved his, and she stood up.

  “I’m glad if I’ve relieved your mind of some of its worry. And I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I do have some good news for us. It might get your mind off this disturbing matter. We’re getting new choir robes, and the donor was very much impressed with your idea to make robes for the children’s choir from our old ones.”

  How on earth could he think she was concerned with choir robes right now? But she managed to say, “Oh, that is good news.” She needed to go. She wanted to get home to see about Addie, but he had walked around her, and was between her and the door.

  “It certainly is. We’ve needed new robes for a long time. And by the way, don’t you have a relative visiting you?”

  “Why, no. Why do you ask?”

  “Oh. Well, I’ve seen this man in town – twice now. It’s just that he looks so much like Addie. I – I didn’t think too much about it until I saw them together at the shopping center, or I presumed they were together. She was using the phone on the porch of the Log House Restaurant, and he was standing on the ground close by. However, after parking my car, I saw Addie going down the hill on her bike, but I don’t recall seeing him anywhere about. It was like he had just up and disappeared, as officer Cleo had put it.”