that might best be hidden.
― James Herbert
A Timely Diversion
You'd think it'd be easier to deal with ghosts in daylight, but it isn't. It's far more difficult.
At night, there's not enough reality, not enough actuality and things aren't always what they seem. But in the broad light of day you have no excuses when the mystical invades the mundane.
She was there and now Kate's seen her twice―whatever can that mean? She and I are caught in some foul wake and forced to witness a horror that once seen, can't be unseen.
And now for the next little while the Dark Lady will trouble both of our dreams.
"I want to talk about it, Si," she whispered as we were driving through the dusk. The western sky an open wound, black, blue and red as any angry bruise.
"It's going to storm tonight," I told her.
She looked perplexed. "What's that got to do with what I said?
"These things take on a life of their own, given the right mood and atmosphere―it's the way we're wired―we're only civilized on the surface, but peer down into the depths and you'll see the same monstrous images that haunted us when we cringed in caves and learned to cower from thunder."
"Arghh, I have to be with a writer," she moaned, "do you have to poeticize everything―even our fears?"
"They're part of our emotions. I could write you a sonnet."
"Don't tease, Si. You know I'm being serious. If I stay with you am I always going to have to deal with her?"
"Well, if you feel the way I do, do you have any choice in the matter?"
She knew exactly what I meant. She shook her head. "No, I don't―you know how much I care for Mollie."
It was my turn to do a head shake. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Kate and I don't want to ever have to find out."
She went quiet a moment, the way a room goes silent when someone says something profound.
"Am I ever going to get an answer?" she asked.
"I deal with the same angst, but for me it's more a case of, am I ever going to ask that question."
"More evasions," she pouted, "Well, riddle me this, what is she after?"
"Well, I'll give you that answer over wine―and you won't have to wait long because we're here."
The voice on the GPS echoed my response. She rolled her eyes, "Even machines conspire with you―can I ever get a break?"
"You did when you were born. You look lovely tonight, Kate, and in that regard, you win hands down."
She blushed and looked away, but I could sense she was smiling.
I wanted to try to keep the conversation light and not ruin our romantic dinner.
We had pulled into the driveway at Auberge du Pommier, the french restaurant where Kate made reservations and the valet parked our vehicle.
The restaurant had historical charm dating back to the 1860's and seemed the perfect retreat for a magical night of fine food and intimate conversation.
We were seated in a private spot with a view of the gardens. I made a note to return with her in winter when we could enjoy the wood-burning fireplaces―mind you, we now had that at home and I could picture us both curled up on the couch enjoying the ambiance.
"Okay, now I want the truth," Kate demanded, her eyes sparkling with eagerness.
I was momentarily taken aback until she waved her wine glass and reminded me of my promise earlier.
"C'mon, Si," she pleaded, "don't make me wait any longer. You said you'd explain over wine what the Dark Lady wants, so I'm listening."
"Oh that, I smiled, relieved.
Her eyes flashed as she caught my verbal slip, "Yes, and you can tell me afterwards about what other secrets you've been keeping."
"Okay, I surrender, Ms. Prosecuting Attorney."
"Get used to it," she smiled mischievously, "I don't want any hidden between us."
"Yes, I could get used to that," I teased, and brought the colour back to her cheeks.
It was hard to know where to start to unravel the mysteries I'd been dealing with, but I decided to tell her what I learned before when living in the area.
"This is all going to sound very complicated," I began defensively, "but bear with me and hopefully it will all make sense. Whenever I would return to the cliff where I found Mollie, I'd see a dark figure in the distance but by the time I'd draw near, the shape would disappear. I knew it was a woman and I know this sounds spooky, but she didn't seem to belong to this time."
"It does sound spooky," Kate frowned, as she nervously clenched her wine glass.
"I figured out the appearances all happened at that particular place and especially at dusk, the transition between daylight and darkness. The archeologist I consulted at the university suggested it was a liminal experience―the term she used refers to crossing a threshold between two worlds."
Kate's eyes were huge and dark. "I don't know about all this, Si―was this supposed to reassure me?"
"I don't know if you ever feel comfortable about these things, but It helps if you can put them into perspective. Mollie likes the woman and doesn't see her as a threat―that tells me something."
"And what exactly does that tell you, Si?"
"It tells me Mollie's a liminal being. Hell, she crossed over and stayed with that woman for several days―where or when, I have no idea, but when she came back home she was groomed and well-taken care of."
"Did you ever think maybe that woman wants you―to take you back to her era?"
I shook my head. "Naw, that's not the vibe I get―it's more like she wants to show me something, but what it is, I haven't figured out yet."
"How do you know you're right?" she asked.
"I don't―I'm just going by my experience."
"And I guess you have lots of experience knowing when women are attracted to you , is that it?"
"I wish. Actually, I don't even know myself sometimes what I'm feeling."
She nodded. "I concur with that," she smiled, "but I think being in this new house and job will help you to settle down a bit."
"You think so?" I teased.
She smiled knowingly, "I'm betting on it."
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