I heard a noise to my left and could see dull gray light through my heavy eyelids.
“Rise and shine, it’s wake up time!”
“Oh God, Jessica.” I rolled over and pulled the lightweight blanket up to my neck and snuggled down into the surprisingly cozy hotel bed.
“It’s three o’clock in the afternoon. Didn’t you say you have to meet the group at the plantation around five?”
“Umm, yeah.” I flopped over one more time, fighting the thought of leaving my current comfort.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” There was silence once again and then … “Penny …”
“All right, I give up.” I flung back the covers, forced myself upright and swung my legs over the side of the bed.
“I can’t believe last night.”
Trying hard to ignore Jessica’s words, I slowly lifted my head and saw Jessica dressed and smoothing out the bedspread on her bed. My head plopped back down on my chest. Talking to the floor, I asked, “Since when do you make your bed?”
She answered with a little too much energy. “I don’t know. Maybe because it isn’t mine. Besides, I had to find something to do while you slept.” A few more seconds of silence passed before Jess added, “Some night, huh?”
This time I heard her words and they hit me like a brick. I was abruptly ripped from my blissful, deep and dreamless slumber into reality. Last night. The terrifying events rushed through my brain and made me sick to my stomach. I took a deep breath and sighed. “What time did we get back here anyway?” My voice shook a bit, but I never sounded like myself first thing in the morning anyway. Or, should I say, in this case, three o’clock in the afternoon?
“I think it was about six a.m.”
“God.” I flopped back down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “I’m not sure how much more of this I can take. You know, this show biz life is killing me.”
“Ha, ha, very funny. Even I wouldn’t make a joke like that at this point. Besides, I know you don’t really mean that.”
“I love performing, but it just doesn’t feel good anymore.”
“Maybe it’s because you’re on the right track. I wasn’t so sure when you decided to take this tour to find the answers about what really happened at the theatre that night. But, my God, Penny, you must be close. So close I really think you should tell someone else about this. Last night scared the hell out of me, and I wasn’t even with you.”
Maybe I’m close, but I still don’t have the answers. I think maybe tonight I may find what I need.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say I’ve had enough, and I plan to do something about it.”
Jessica’s expression changed abruptly. “Penny, what are you talking about?”
“Well, a few more puzzle pieces came together for me last night.”
“Don’t you think we should tell someone, get some help?”
“Maybe later. Right now I have a plan of my own. I’m realizing I’ve probably known the answers all along.”
“What are you planning?” The concern in Jessica’s eyes was clear.
“I’ll let you know when the time comes.”
“My God, Penny, what else happened last night?”
“I’ve just decided I can’t and I won’t, take anymore.”
* * *
The cab pulled over to the side of the abandoned dirt and gravel road. The driver turned to us with a kind, yet puzzled look. “This where ya’ll headed?”
I looked out the window and though the rain had slowed since yesterday, there was still enough water to distort my view through the glass.
Jessica leaned forward to look past me. “Penny, look.” She pointed through the dense trees dripping with both rain and thick, Spanish moss. Our now, not quite white, touring van had been backed up to the old southern plantation where we were to perform. It sat about a hundred yards from the road.
“Yes, this looks like the place.” The rain had slowed to a soft drizzle. I paid the driver and we stepped out of the cab. Despite the sleep I got, I felt like a wrung-out washcloth and the weather wasn’t helping my energy level.
“Hey, look at this place,” Jess said with her usual exuberance. I think she was also trying to lighten my intense mood.
Ahead of us, large white pillars stood thick and strong, holding up what was left of the antebellum treasure. A balcony encircled the entire house on the second floor. Probably a grand, romantic place to be at one time, but I wouldn’t have wanted to stand there now.
As we walked toward the house, I think the rain completely stopped. I’m surprised I noticed, the air was already so thick with humidity.
We saw someone walk toward the open doors of the van. It was Jim, one of our stagehands. Jim was a big guy, over six feet tall and well over two hundred pounds. Always dressed in comfortable farm-like clothes, he was certainly our “gentle giant.” He rushed over and leaned down to give me a big hug. “How ya feelin?”
“Oh, better …” I was still convincing myself.
“Lovely weather, don’t you think?” He put his arm around us and walked us indoors.
“It’s Jessica, right?” He looked over at her. “So, how did the two of you like Bourbon Street?”
Before she could get a full word out, I cut her off. “It was great. Had a blast.” I gave Jess a warning glance as we walked into the main hallway.
The place smelled of an odd mixture of mildew and sawdust, but as we walked further, a strong odor of fresh paint took over.
“With all this rain, we’ve been adjusting things to perform inside, just in case it doesn’t stop for good by tomorrow. Everyone was exhausted and decided to stop for today. They went down the road for pizza. I told them I’d wait for you and we could meet them later.”
Both Jessica and I were paying more attention to the surroundings than to Jim. He must have noticed.
“Great place, huh?”
I looked in the first room on the right. A huge brick fireplace sat in the center of the far wall. There was a peculiar mixture of furniture scattered around the large room. Though all pieces were old, some were clearly antique and expensive. Others like a splintered wooden table, looked out of place in this home.
“Hey, Penny, I need you to look at a few things on the floorplan. To adjust to the space, Bob and I had to make some changes, especially with Act Two. I need to know if it will work for your scene with Doug.”
“I’m going to snoop around down here.” Jessica said, already exploring the old southern mansion.
Jim and I climbed the dilapidated wooden stairs, then into the first room on the right.
“Boy, it’s getting dark. They just started renovations on this place and they haven’t gotten to the wiring up here. We had to drag out all the extension cords to work up here today.” Jim looked around the dim room. “At least the guys seemed to gather up our junk. You know all the tools we’ve lost because of Don always leaving our expensive ‘toys’ lying around.”
The room was dark except for some of the dull grayness that struggled to seep in through the windows.
Evidence of the renovation was everywhere. Broken shutters, their paint peeling and hinges broken, were haphazardly propped against crumbling walls. Pieces of wiring and splintered lumber littered the corners of the room.
Along with paint cans, rollers and brushes, an open can of paint thinner sat among what looked like a damp drop cloth. The odor made me feel a bit dizzy.
Jim picked up a set of blueprints and walked toward an old card table sitting by the window. Just as he went to lay them out, an unexpected breeze rushed in, blowing the sheets back toward him. Thunder echoed in the distance.
“We’re only going to use these back flats.” He pointed to an upper section of the set design. “You’ll have nothing but open entrances both down left and down right.” He looked back at me. “Think that will cause any problems?”
Staring at the plans, I lost myself for a minute, trying to think out the blocking for the opening scene in Act Two. Another thunder crash broke into my thoughts.
“Should be fine. Can’t think of any problems off the top of my head. Besides, we’re getting pretty good at adapting. I think we could probably do these shows on the roof.”
“Don’t give Peter any ideas. He’s been getting pretty wild with his ‘classic’ interpretations.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Lindsay would probably get him to let her make her big entrance down the main stairs.”
“Well, she is like Scarlett O’Hara in many ways.” Jim struck a pose and in his best high, squeaky southern drawl said, “Frankly, Penny, I don’t give a damn!”
I started to laugh out loud, something I hadn’t done in a very long time.
“Speaking of Peter, have you heard from him since you’ve been here?”
I was puzzled by the question. “No, wasn’t he with you guys in Dallas?”
“He was supposed to be, but he never showed up. After Santa Barbara, Cindy couldn’t even reach him on his cell phone.”
A shiver ran up my spine.
“Hey, hurry up! Come quick!” Jessica yelled from downstairs. My heart jumped.
Jim and I rushed down the stairs. “Hurry, hurry, you won’t believe what I found!” She was waving around what looked like paper and a bunch of old envelopes. “I can’t believe this. Come here, I’ve got to show you …” We followed her into the corner room, the one with the most light. “This is so cool! These have to be letters from over a hundred years ago, she squealed!” She already had one out of the envelope.
“They can’t be real,” I argued. “Not after all this time, and all the people who’ve lived here.” Jessica handed me the sheets of yellowed paper.
Taking them, I asked, “where did you find them?”
“In the bottom drawer of that dresser by the window.”
“It figures you’d be nosey enough to look in someone’s drawers!” I proudly grinned at my little joke and improving mood.
Grimacing at my sad attempt at humor she continued, “hey, it may pay off, who knows what these may be worth.”
“I don’t mean to dampen the excitement, but Cindy sent some paperwork for you to look over and sign. I think most of it is your contract to continue with us on the ‘Great All American Tour.’” He chuckled.
I quickly looked at the page of the letter I was holding and passed it back to Jessica. So much had been happening, I hadn’t thought about what I’d do if they wanted me to stay. I just hadn’t thought that far ahead. I still had some other work in mind.
My expression must have reflected my thoughts.
“I thought you’d be happy,” he said.
“Oh, I am. I am, Jim.” I wasn’t as good of an actress off stage.
He pulled a file from a cardboard box in the corner. “Here we go.” He handed me the paperwork. “She said to make sure you read everything before you sign. There’ve been a few changes. You know, watch out for the small print!”
“Wow! This is great.” Jessica now sat cross-legged on the floor engrossed in her historical correspondence. She looked like a child with a secret treasure. “Hey, Penny, come look at this.”
“Girls, do you mind if I head down the road to meet the gang? I’m starving.”
Realizing we were both ignoring him, I answered, “Oh no, Jim, I’m sorry, go ahead.”
“If one of you could drop me off, you can take your time up here, and meet us when you’re ready.”
Changing gears as quickly and as often as she changed her mind, Jess jumped up. “Come on, I’ll take you. I’ve always wanted to drive a van!” She took Jim’s hand and pulled him out of the room. He looked back at me with a hesitant smile.
“Be back soon!” Jess yelled. I chuckled to myself and followed them to the door. The rain was coming down faster now. One very bright outdoor bulb lit the way to the van through the downpour.
Jim hesitated before opening the old wooden screen door.
“Oh, come on, sissy. The rain’s not gonna hurt you. Right, Penny?” She looked back at me and smiled.
“Right, Jess,” I answered with a slightly strained grin.
She looked at Jim. “So, am I driving or what?” Without a word, but with a look of mock fear, he surrendered the keys. They ran through the rain, Jessica laughing the whole way.
She started the engine, rolled down the window despite the deluge, and yelled “Hold down the fort! I’ll be right back.” She rolled up the window and pulled out toward the very dark, dirt road.
“Okay, let’s take a look at this new contract.” I mumbled to myself as I went over to an old wooden table, sat down, and started looking at the forms. The first page was just an information sheet. Page two had blank spaces for your answers to quite a few personal questions. “Okay… pen,” I said to myself. Looking around, I added, “of course, no pen.” I checked in the cardboard file box. Nothing to write with in there either… My bag… I looked around. Where did I put it? Oh, damn, I left it upstairs.
I walked through the foyer and started up the stairs, peering into the increasing darkness. I looked back toward the warm, secure light and had a little talk with myself. Oh, come on. You were up there before. Did you see anything that could hurt you? Of course not! No, but then again, you only went into one room. I looked back into the blackness… No way!
I went back to the table and decided to just read through the new contract until Jessica got back. Then, I remembered I hadn’t called Julie. She expects my calls at least twice a week. God, I didn’t even call her last night. I must have forgotten with all that happened. How could I forget?
Then, I got a very reassuring thought. With everything going on, I didn’t go running to Aunt Julie. Yeah, I did have Jessica with me eventually, but I survived that hellish night on my own. That thought made me feel more energetic and confident.
I really better call her now. I’ll do it before Jess gets back. Anyway, I think she may remember something that can help me. If she knows, I think I may be able to make the final pieces of this crazy puzzle fit together.
I went for my cell phone. My bag…damn it, again. What the hell, I knew where it was … top of the stairs, room to the right, on the floor next to the table by the window.
Now there’s got to be a flashlight around here somewhere. I looked all around the first floor. There were tools, paint cans and plastic to cover the furniture, but not one flashlight. Then, from the corner of my eye I saw a pack of cigarettes and lighter. “Ah ha!” Now, I know I saw a candle somewhere … I retraced my steps to the main hall. Hanging above a narrow table was a tarnished pewter sconce holding a dusty beige candle. It curved to the side like the weeping willow tree outside the window.
Oh God, please let this light. I held the lighter in place for a few seconds and the flame took.
I started up the stairs, one hand on the railing, the other gripping the candle. I could hear the storm; it had gotten worse. I closed my eyes for a second, looked up and said loudly, “You know, I’m really getting sick of rain!” I chuckled to myself at how stupid that sounded. And, just who was I talking to anyway?
I knew the sounds I heard, had to be the wind and rain hitting branches against the house. But you have to admit, it really did sound as though something or someone was trying to get in. Come on, Penny, stop it! Just snap out of it!
I started moving up the stairs again, but about half way up, I felt strange. A kind of flash. A feeling of déjà vu? Just for a second or two, I felt myself holding a candle but I was on different stairs. The flash faded and then the feeling passed as quickly as it came.
As I climbed higher, the light from the candle became more and more prominent as the surroundings grew darker. I turned right at the top of the stairs and into the room Jim had taken me to earlier.
A little bit of light from the outdoor bulb spilled into the upstairs windows. I used the candlelight to watch my footing, but I used that small bit of light from the window to guide me to the table where I knew my purse was sitting.
The rain hit the roof with increasing force and the wind began to blow it in through the opened window. I better shut it. Feeling a bit calmer now, I started toward the table and the window. I was almost there, when I heard a noise behind me. I bolted around. Ah, crap! Not again. Just get to the window, close it and grab your bag, get your phone.
I turned back, took a few steps forward, and pulled the window shut, almost completely stifling the sound of the rain. I reached over the table, to what I was pretty sure was my bag, and as I grabbed it, one big bang of thunder hit and made me jump. Then, from out of the silence, I heard a whispery growl of a voice behind me.
“I told you to mind your own business, to keep your nasty mouth shut.”
The voice sent what felt like another electric “memory flash” through my body. I swallowed hard, desperately wanting to keep control, somehow. The room was now silent except for what now sounded like soft rain tapping on the windows.
I certainly didn’t want to sound as terrified as I was. I had no idea where to go or what to do, so I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and decided to jump right in.
“Please, who are you? What do you want from me?” I tried to ask loud enough to be heard, yet possibly hide some of my fear.
“I’ve been trying to find you for such a long time, Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth?,”I whispered to myself in the darkness.
“Why can’t you love me, Elizabeth?”
“Umm, umm.” Oh my God, Mom. Who is this? Images raced through my brain with dizzying speed. Out, I really need to get out!
Without another thought, I ran back toward the door. I only made it part way when I heard heavy breathing, but it sounded as though it was coming from the floor. Don’t stop. Keep going. Too late. A hand grabbed my ankle making me fall face first onto the dirty pine floor as the candle flew out of my hand. I felt the painful grip twisting tight around my ankle, and experienced another blinding flash.
For just a second or two, I lay in the same position, a storm raging in the darkness, yet my face was smashed against an old moldy carpet.
Suddenly, I was back on what felt and smelled like the floor of the plantation.
When I tried to lift my head, I must have passed out. Suddenly, I was sitting on the same floor, with the wall supporting my back.
Now, the voice spoke softly, almost gently, “You must take care of this bad leg of yours. It hasn’t been the same since you injured it.”
A hand caressed my leg and I started to shake uncontrollably. Nobody knows about my leg except Aunt Julie and Jessica.
Confusion and shock raced through me like lightning, my inner storm to go with the growing storm outside.
Something, someone began to crawl up beside me. “Oh, Elizabeth, finally …” Just past the shadow I saw some bright light. It was fire. Flames from my candle were taking hold of the turpentine soaked rags. A fire was growing quickly.
Clearly ignoring the flames, the voice continued.
“Oh, Elizabeth.” The voice was now hissing in my ear and with one deafening thundering crash, the flames lit shadowed, demented eyes.
Oh, my God, Denny! The face, the voice, it suddenly hit me. Years ago, with Mom, that strange guy who followed her around. It’s him. Last night.
Adrenaline shot through me, and I kicked him with strength I really didn’t think I had right then. He made a loud, primitive grunting sound that at first sounded like pain, then anger.
I stumbled to my feet and ran to the door. I swung myself around the doorway and then took the stairs quickly. My hand slipped on the railing. I stumbled, but caught myself. I felt as though I was moving much faster than possible.
I could hear Denny groaning as I ran. I turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs, then down a ramp to the bottom.
“Hey bitch, do you really think you can get away from me?” He was obviously no longer mistaking me for my mother. Is that what was happening in the first place?
I ran down the hallway and to the back door. I slammed the wooden screen door open and raced into the night.
My feet slid and splashed in the water-soaked lawn.
The rain had become a deluge, falling hard and fierce. I was soaked. I sprinted under the fungus covered trees. It was no longer the more elegant sounding ‘spanish moss’, it was simply ‘fungus.” Bright headlights of a car stopped me and I heard someone get out. Out of the light stepped Peter. I turned to run away.
“Penny, stop,” Peter yelled. I looked around but didn’t know what to do.
“Penny, it’s okay, really it is.” I heard Jessica’s voice, then sirens screaming in the distance.
A police car came speeding out of nowhere. It made a sharp, quick corner onto the lot and drove toward the house, lights flashing, sirens shrieking.
Peter came closer, put a coat around my shoulders and led me to the car. He settled me in the front seat and looked back at Jessica. “Stay here with her, would you? Just until I check things out?”
“Of course.” She answered unusually quiet from the back seat.
I sat in Peter’s car and gazed toward the house. Flames were shooting out of upstairs windows. Just as Peter walked to the police car, the two policemen dragged Denny out of the house in handcuffs. They put him in the backseat of their police cruiser, said a few things to Peter, then got in the car and sped away.
Peter was almost to our car when we heard the fire engines. They rushed past us, and up to the house. They began dousing the flames that ravaged the old plantation.
In the enclosed quiet of the car, Jess asked, “Are you okay?”
I had so much rushing through my mind, I almost didn’t hear her.
“Oh, uh, I think so,” was about all I could get out right then.