One of the reasons that I had become so familiar with the CD’s that Allison kept in her car was because when she would leave for the weekend she would leave me the keys to her precious Subaru. The reason was so that I could run errands for Mrs. Giavanni. But she also made it clear that I could take the car for whatever reason I needed it for. “Just don’t let Mrs. Giavanni go to the market by herself!” Some weeks this was the only conversation we exchanged. I was touched by her concern over our elderly landlady and her trust in me. The downside was that since I had access to a car I could have driven down to Rhode Island anytime I wanted to. I reasoned that I wasn’t avoiding seeing Peter I was just staying close so I could be there for Mrs. Giavanni.
Salem was a short twenty-minute drive away but twilight was approaching quickly. The traffic was insane. I did not think that it was possible but the drivers in downtown Salem were actually worse than those in Boston. The quaint streets, which twisted and turned for no apparent reason were jammed pack with people. “Tourist season.” Allison scoffed.
Allison drove like a woman on a mission. I thought I would like to come back someday and see some of the sights that were whizzing past us. She turned the car onto upper Essex Street and found a parking space in front of a white colonial style house. A sign at front informed me that it was the Ropes Mansion. “We are lucky.” Allison beamed. “Parking around here can actually be worse than downtown Boston. Especially this time of year.” As she locked up the car Allison informed me that the Ropes Mansion like many homes in Salem was rumored to be haunted. “Was she purposely trying to scare me?”
I chose to ignore her comments and endless ghost stories as we made our way down the cobble stone side walk. “This entire area was known as Flint’s pasture.” Allison explained as she pointed to the end of the street. “So what happened there? A mass murder?” I wondered as we continued our journey. “That big red house at the end was built in 1706. During the 1800’s it was part of the Underground Railroad. In the 1930’s it was a tea room and then at one point an inn.”
“And now?” I asked with enthusiasm grateful that there was no creepy tale connected to the story.
“Apartments. Filled mostly with college students.” Allison answered sadly.
“Is it haunted as well?” I teased.
“Of course.” Allison answered seriously. I was suddenly regretting that I had asked. “This is Salem, Stephanie. If you don’t have some kind of specter running loose in your abode the neighbors will talk.”
I ignored her attempts to frighten me as we made our way up the street. “Here we are.” Allison announced gleefully as we approached a large wrought iron gate. I looked at the padlock securely in place and grimaced. I looked through the bars at the tiny graveyard with its small headstones. The sight was strangely out of place on this residential street. Someone had kept up the lawn but it was painfully apparent that teenagers liked to hang out there as well. As I contemplated just how we were going to make our way into the graveyard I shivered from the cold.
Without a word Allison removed the long wool coat she was wearing. I looked at her questioning this action. She just shrugged her shoulders as she draped the camera around her neck and tucked the flashlight into the back pocket of her black jeans. “Would you like to go first?” She asked as she looked around. I adjusted the taller woman’s coat so I wouldn’t look like one of the seven dwarfs. “How?” I questioned her. My question was answered as she cupped her hands together and offered me a boost. “You are not serious?” I gasped thinking my companion had finally lost her mind.
“Come on.” She urged me. “Hurry before someone sees us.”
I do not know what came over me as I wrapped Allison’s coat around me and stepped into her waiting hands. I grabbed the gate as I felt her body lift me up. As I climbed up the gate I stopped only for a moment when I reached the top. I checked to make certain that I would not catch the large coat on anything. Then I jumped down with a thud wavering slightly upon my landing. I looked around the graveyard as a chill ran threw my body. This time it was not from the cold. Night was falling and this was not where I wanted to be. Allison made her way over the gate with ease. “You have done this before.” I commented. She simply gave me that who me? Expression. She smiled as she pulled the coat tighter around my body. Then she headed off to the far left hand corner of the graveyard. Two large elm trees shaded this section of the graveyard. Beneath the tree stood three gravestones side by side. Anna Moorehouse died 1872. Sarah Moorehouse died 1899. Haley Ballister beloved wife and mother born January 18, 1844 - died October 28, 1929.
“I am going to do these in black and white.” Allison said as began to take the pictures. “I think gravestones look better in black and white.”
“Haley died today.” I said as a shiver ran threw my body.
“I think I got some good shots here. But we can check them on the computer when we get home.” Allison answered as if she had not heard me. Then suddenly her eyes flew open as my words hit her. “What did you say?”
“October 28th.” I explained. “She died today.”
As the words escaped my mouth a branch above us snapped and fell to the ground in front of us. I jumped into Allison’s arms and she pulled me closer to her. Allison pulled the flashlight out of her pocket and looked around. “It got dark very fast.” I said with a shiver.
“Well you know … Fall in New England.” Allison said in a frightened tone. “Maybe we should go?”
“I think you are right.” I answered quickly pulling myself away from the comfort of her body. As we turned I grabbed Allison’s arm. “Jesus don’t do that!” She snapped as she jumped slightly. “I’m sorry.” She offered as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
“Allison do you think that maybe Haley doesn’t want us to write this book?” I questioned pointing to the fallen tree branch.
“Well I am not waiting around to find out.” Allison asserted. “This is getting a little too creepy.”
“We should.” I said firmly. “We are about to reveal the most intimate details of these women’s lives. Maybe just maybe they don’t want us to that.”
“Okay.” Allison said slowly. “Go ahead.”
“What?”
“Go ahead and ask them.” Allison pushed.
“Me?”
“It was your idea.” Allison insisted.
I paused for a moment wondering if Allison had thought that I had lost my mind. But she reassured me with a smile and an encouraging nod of her head. I knelt before Haley and Eleanor’s graves. “Ladies is it all right with you that we do this?” I asked quietly. Allison and I listened to the eerie quiet. Nothing happened. “Well they didn’t say no.” I chuckled as I stood and rejoined Allison. “Now let’s get the hell out of here.” I added fearfully.
“Okay but I just want to move that branch off of their graves.” She explained as she handed me the flashlight. She pulled the heavy branch up easily and tossed it away. “What the?” She uttered in surprise. “Stephanie could you shine that light down here?”
“What is it?” I stammered as I shined the light to where she directed me.
Allison was pushing away at the soil between the headstones. “Look.” Was all she said as she pointed to the ground? “The branch must have dug it up.”
I looked down at the spot filled with both curiosity and fear. Then I saw it. A small rectangular stone engraved with two cherubs embracing and the word, “FOREVER” inscribed upon it. “Thank you.” Allison whispered quietly as she replaced the soil. We both knew that the marker was never meant to be seen. We both quietly accepted it as an encouraging sign as we made our departure. I climbed back over the gate first and was greeted by a very unhappy looking police officer. Allison failed to see him until she was landing onto the cobblestone sidewalk. “Ooops.” Was all she offered in her defense?