Chapter Twenty-One

 

Kate’s phone rang, startling her awake. She was used to bouncing between worlds, but her surroundings always seemed unreal when she first woke up. There was no time to adjust, she had to focus. “Maya...yes, of course we can...I’ll tell everyone, see you soon.”

She bounded down the stairs to find everyone already awake and dressed. “Wow, why didn’t you wake me? Maya called and asked if we’d come to her house. Carl’s still recovering and she doesn’t want him moving around. Plus she made breakfast.” Kate turned and ran back upstairs, took a quick shower, and dressed. She didn’t want to waste a second and hurried back downstairs. “Ready!”

“Wow, can you do that all the time?” Drew teased.

They headed for the Johnson house through the backyards. Maya had her door open and waiting.

“Please, everyone help yourself and let’s settle around the dining room table.” Maya acted very normal. Maybe having Carl home was helping her mood.

Everyone fussed over Carl, helping him to the table and bringing him food. He still had a large bump on his head where he hit the rock. The other bruises were still apparent, too.

Kate’s dad took a step back and covered his heart with his hand when he saw Carl. “I’m so glad you were rescued, my boy. Kate would never be the same if she lost you.”

Carl looked a little forlorn and Kate came to his defense. “Dad, he did what he thought was right. Don’t make him feel guilty.”

“I’m fine.” Carl gave her a nod. “Let’s get on with the business at hand and why everyone’s here today. Make that phone call and put it on speaker.”

Kate hit speed dial on her phone. Anna finally answered her phone on the fourth ring which seemed like an eternity to everyone in the room.

“Kathryn, this is a little early for you.” It was wonderful to hear Anna’s voice even though Kate was afraid she’d hear bad news.

“It’s an emergency, Anna. It’s been quite a weekend and I need to ask you some questions. I have you on speaker. Everyone is here...my family, Drew, Maya and Carl.”

“Hello, everyone, wish I could be there with you. This sounds serious so start asking your questions.”

“What happened on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, in 1927? Tell us everything you remember.”

“Well, it’s a day I don’t like to recall but since you all came back into my life, it’s made things better, easier to think about. Andrew Martin went to the bottom of the canyon to make a solo trip down the Colorado River. He never returned and they never found him. It was decided he was lost to the river.”

Everyone in the dining room looked at each other relieved.

“Wait, there’s more. I’m having another memory...did something happen?”

“You have to tell us, Anna. Please trust us.” Kate’s dad took over for her.

“Joseph heard about Andrew’s trip. I was told he didn’t like the idea of him traveling alone so he decided to go after him. Joseph was standing by the riverbank, then suddenly jumped on a raft and went down the river alone. There was a girl with him but no one knew who she was, just that she was hysterical and wanted someone to stop him. Some men from the camp went after him and rescued him from certain death.” She paused. “How am I doing?”

“You’re doing fine, Anna. Take your time.” Kate’s dad looked at all of them seated at the table. “We’re all listening.”

“I think Joseph fell from the boat and hit his head on a large rock. Somehow he was brought to the boardinghouse and Carl and Maya nursed him back to health. From what I heard about that day, the girl managed to boss those men around and get Carl to safety. Was that you, Kathryn? That was the last time I saw you, it was a Saturday, I believe. I went to your room to see if you were alright. You were so upset over Joseph. I had no idea at the time why were so distraught over someone you hardly knew. Now it all makes sense. Funny, I never thought about this before...wait a minute, did this just happen?”

“Yes, Anna, it did.” Kate waited a moment to let her process everything.

“Carl! What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t, Anna. I was distraught over losing Rachel. I thought I could give myself to the river in place of Drew.” Kate knew he was telling a little white lie. She thought he had it well planned out.

“That’s nonsense. I’m glad you’re alright.”

“Looking back on it, I am, too.”

“Now I have one more question.” Kate couldn’t wait any longer to ask. “Did you see Drew on Saturday?”

“No, I can’t recall. He had left for his trip already, didn’t he?”

“Historically, yes, but he really was with me.”

“Oh, so you want to know if anyone saw him after he supposedly left...no, they didn’t.”

“That’s a relief! Thanks for all your help.” Kate felt like she could breathe easier now.

“Wait, there’s more. The men felt guilty because they lost track of Andrew and never knew when he left. They think it was some time after Joseph was rescued because Andrew was there during that time. They realized he left when they saw his boat was missing.”

“Thank goodness, I remembered to untie my boat before we left. I thought it had to be part of the new memories.” Drew interrupted. “Sorry, Anna, continue.”

“Later that evening Rachel came to the boardinghouse, wanting to see Joseph. I had no idea how she got word of his injuries. There was something strange about the way she acted, but she begged me to trust her and tell no one she was there. I let her go upstairs. She was gone for quite a while. The sun just started to set and it was dark by the time she came back down. I asked her if she was able to speak with Joseph. She said he slept the whole time, but she wanted to stay until the sun set and the moon rose in the sky. At the time, I thought it was crazy talk but I know now what she meant. She stayed with him until he returned to the present. She knew all about you, didn’t she, Carl?”

“Yes, Anna, she did.” He could hardly get the words out. Tears were streaming down his face. “She was with me right up until I returned to the present and I have no recollection.” Pounding the table, he let out a sorrowful wail that penetrated the soul. His head sunk into his arms and he wept.

“Anna, I’ll talk to you later. I think we need to hang up.” Kate got up and walked over to Carl, resting her head on his back. She could feel the pain radiating from him as his shoulders shook with each anguished sob. The room was silent except for those cries.

Drew’s voice cut through the silence. “Carl, remember what you told us the week after the wedding? You said you were supposed to be a part of the canyon history. I scoffed at it then, but now I’m in complete agreement. You didn’t mess up history. You were the part that was missing. I’ve been arrogant in my thinking and I beg your forgiveness. Kate and I did our share of changing history, too. I justified it by saying it was supposed to happen. Now I have to give you the same benefit.” He stood up, patted Carl on the shoulder and left the room. Everyone slowly left until Kate and Carl were the only ones in the dining room.

“Carl, did you hear what Drew said? You know what this means. You have the choice to go back every summer just like I do. You will see Rachel again. It may not be the way you want it but she can still be a part of your life.”

He lifted his head and wiped his eyes on his shirt sleeve. “I wanted a life with her, not a few short months. I told you I accepted everything and how it has to be. I will never go back there. It’s too painful.”

“Don’t say that. You told me you felt like you belonged there, Carl.”

“I belong here now...in the present. I have Josie.”