“I believe you are biased.” He flashed me that lopsided, cocky grin that I loved so much.
“Perhaps, but I don’t believe so. You looked great out there.”
“Thank you.”
“I mean it. I love watching you play.”
“Well, I hope you enjoyed it, because the season is over and now you will have to get used to seeing me on the basketball court if I make the team.” He smiled.
“You will. I have no doubt.” There was nothing he wasn’t good at, it seemed. I was sure the same could be said for his skills on the court.
“Are you playing this season?” Jackson inquired.
“Always.”
The crowd was getting more than a little rowdy. The beer was flowing through everyone as fast as water. It wasn’t long before you could tell that over half of the people in attendance were highly intoxicated. I just hoped that they would get home safely. It would be tragic if someone had an accident after such a celebration for the win.
As if he could read my thoughts, Jackson leaned in a little closer. “Are you ready to get out of here? It is almost one o’clock, and your parents wanted you home no later than two.”
I had gotten special permission after the game because of the victory and the long ride home. I believe my father was so proud of Ethan and on such a high that I could have asked to stay out all night and he would have agreed.
“Yes.”
But right as I answered him, Mason, the team’s center, who was more than a little intoxicated, stumbled into me, shoving me directly into Jackson. Jackson reached out and caught me, but the blackness devoured me as I collapsed in his arms.
I was suddenly inside of a beautiful, old church with flowers scattered all about. The stained-glass windows let the sunlight dance in a variety of colors over the guests. The pews were a hard, cherry oak, and there were people standing along the back, as the place was completely full.
I looked at the people around me. I was standing up near the altar, holding flowers next to several other girls. I was wearing a long, old-fashioned, light-pink dress like the other two girls, with lace around my collar and wrists. They were gorgeous gowns; and I knew this was a very special occasions, although I couldn’t quite make out yet what it was. Jackson was sitting in the second row with Emily, Robert, and others that I recognized from the albums Emily had shown me. Jackson was smiling over at me. Jackson! Jackson was here, as were his parents! Why? What are they doing in this strange place and time? My breathing quickened as I scanned the church, trying not to scream out.
The woman I had before called mother was seated in the front row with tears in her eyes next to a man I had never seen but strangely knew was my father. Somehow, I knew this woman’s tears were for joy rather than sadness.
On the opposite side of the altar stood several men that I felt close to, but didn’t recognize. One of them looked like a slighter older version of the boy I had seen before that I had wanted to go fishing with.
All of them were smiling and wearing very nice, double breasted suits. I realized that this must indeed be a wedding, but whose? I was not sure how I knew it, but I was not happy about this wedding. I had the oddest feeling that I did not like the bride, but the groom was someone very special to me.
The doors at the back of the church opened as the imagines began to fade. I could barely see the bride walking down the aisle with her father and her delicate, long, white dress with the flowing train. I wanted to desperately hold on to where I was at. I wanted to talk with Jackson, ask him questions, demand explanations. My mind was clear enough that I knew something was amiss, and I had to figure it out before I lost my mind completely.
But then I heard Jackson’s voice hollering at Ethan, “Do not ask questions! Please just carry her to the car.”
I felt Ethan’s arm under me, taking me from Jackson. I could feel his body against mine and smell his cologne as he carefully walked over to Jackson’s CRV.
“Is she drunk?”
I could hear Mariah’s clouded voice somewhere near me. I knew she had to be walking next to Ethan.
“She’ll be fine,” Ethan replied from somewhere deep inside the tunnel.
Jackson apparently opened the back door while Ethan did his best to maneuver me in carefully.
“Watch her head.” I could hear the worry in Jackson’s voice.
“Are you headed home?” Ethan asked. The door must have still been open, because I could hear them although it was still muffled. I kept my eyes closed, hoping that I could return to the imagines I had just seen.
“My house first. I want to make sure she is all right before I take her home. I know Jocelyn will be upset if your mother finds out about this.” I heard Jackson explain to my brother.
“I’ll go with you,” Ethan responded.
“No,” Mariah interrupted. “I’m not ready to leave. This is a great party, and we never get a chance like this just to hang out.” Her voice was whiney.
“Mariah, there’s another party tomorrow night, and I’m sure a thousand more in the future. I need to be sure my sister is all right?” Ethan’s voice was short.
“She has Jackson for that. She doesn’t need you. Stay with me. I don’t want to leave.” She whined.
“Then stay!” Ethan shouted at her. He must have walked around and got in the passenger side door, because I heard it slam shut then the other doors shut, and Jackson started up the engine.
I slowly sat up in the backseat and rubbed my head. I felt foggy but not sick for a change, which was a relief.
“I’m fine, Ethan. You should have stayed at the party with Mariah.”
Jackson glanced at me in the rearview mirror as Ethan turned in his seat to face me.
“Are you okay?” Ethan’s eyes were searching my face for answers.
His words were becoming clearer.
“I told you I’m fine. She’s going to be ticked at you.”
“She’s always ticked at me.” He laughed. “Besides, it’s getting late; and you are more important than any party.”
“Thanks.”
I was still rubbing the sides of my face, trying to clear my thoughts. My stitches and bruises were still a little painful; but other than that, I felt fine. My mind was too centered on the fact that I had just seen Jackson and his parents in the beautiful, old church. I couldn’t figure out why they would all be there in this strange, familiar world.
Ethan settled his back against the window, looking at the two of us. “I’ve been thinking of ending things with her for a while now. She’s been getting on my nerves.”
I didn’t mean too, but a laugh escaped before I could stop it. “Sorry.”
Jackson looked back at me from the rearview. “Are you sure you are feeling all right?”
“I’m sure.” I smiled at his beautiful reflection from the dashboard lights. “You can head straight to my house.”
“We have time if you want to stop by my place first and relax a minute to gather yourself before seeing your parents.”
“No. Seriously. I’m okay.” As much as I wanted to demand answers from him, I knew Ethan would not leave us alone; and I couldn’t think of how to get rid of him now that he’d made such a point of making sure I was fine.
“All right.” Jackson didn’t push any further.
“What’s going on with you? Why are you fainting all the time? Mom said your tests all came back fine, but it hasn’t stopped. You should probably tell her about this.”
I knew Ethan was worried. I noticed Jackson’s eyes staring at me in the rearview mirror again.
I knew there was something Jackson wasn’t telling me. I wanted to scream and holler at him. He still had not even given me the chance to question him about his theories in all this. I leaned my head back against the seat and stayed silent the rest of the way home.
Jackson didn’t come inside when we got home. Instead, he pulled into his driveway, claiming that he was tired and needed to get some sleep before tomorrow. He asked Ethan to help me ho
me, making Ethan walk with his arm around me across the street and up the walkway to our porch.
“E, this really isn’t necessary,” I complained.
“Shut up or I’ll tell Mom on you.” He grinned.
“Fine.” I pouted. “You can really be a pain. You know that?”
He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek, which for him was unheard of. “But you love me for it,” he teased.
“Yes, I do.” I couldn’t help but smile. It was nice to know how much he cared.
Both our parents were waiting up for us as we walked in. My father was overwhelmed with excitement and immediately started gushing to Ethan about the game. It gave me a nice escape to sneak up into the shower unnoticed.
The hot water felt amazing and smoothing as it ran over my body, allowing the fog to completely clear. I couldn’t get the images out of my mind.
As I lay in bed, I thought about the rooms in my vision and how differently they looked, how one was strangely the same as our living room. The walls, the fireplace, the carvings on the mantel were all too similar to my home now. It was impossible. Then there were the people, the sounds, the fragrance; they all screamed at me to realize what they meant, but I didn’t understand it at all.
I was certainly losing my mind. I had to be. Nothing else made any sense. I suddenly felt very upset with Jackson and his avoidance of being alone with me since our conversation on Wednesday night. He had promised to share with me his so-called theories but had yet to do so. I knew he was aware of more than he was letting on.
I fought the urge to go over to his house and demand some answers.
Instead, I pulled the covers up around my face and clicked on the radio letting the music wash over me and clear my thoughts of all the visions.
CHAPTER 28
Saturday, November 2, 1878; Autumn Festival
THE CLOUDS DANCED AROUND THE SUN as I awoke early in the morning. The house was still quiet except for the rumbling around in the kitchen below. I rolled over onto my side, and I could see the silver pocket watch gleaming in the morning sun on the hearth rug. Immediately I was flooded with memories of the episode from last night. I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on what it felt like last night at the foot of the stairs with Jackson instead. I felt something stir deep inside me as I longed to feel that passion again. I wanted to creep over to his house and crawl into his bed, something I knew I would never do; but it was great to fantasize about it anyway.
I crawled out of bed and picked up my robe off the vanity chair before brushing my hair. The watch gleamed at me out of the corner of my eye as if it were calling out to me. I tried my best to ignore it while placing a silk ribbon in my hair to pull it away from my face.
I walked over to the door, ready to open it when I turned slowly. It’s power or my curiosity was simply too strong for me to resist. I had to see what else the watch wanted to show me.
I sat down on the floor beside the watch, debating on how long it would be before Mimi would arrive to wake me. It would be impossible for me to explain my fainting on the hearth rug to her or my parents. My father would never buy it and I would end up being forced to stay in bed for the duration of the day and miss the festival completely. I decide instead to take the watch with me and lay back on my bed. That way, if Mimi came in, she would believe I was still asleep.
I carefully picked up the watch by the chain and placed it back into the box. I carried the box back over to my bed, throwing my robe over the end of it, and crawled back under the covers.
With the box hidden safely under my covers and my head rested upon my pillow, I closed my eyes and wrapped my fingers tightly around the pocket watch. Instantly, the spinning began again, and I could see the front yard of my house from the porch. It was late evening after twilight and there were stars streaked across the sky. However, I noticed they were not nearly as bright as usual, and the yard looked very different. Even the road and pathway looked strange, and now the road extended up to my house and all the other houses I could see.
I heard a very familiar voice and jerked my head around. There, sitting on the swing beside me, was Jackson! What is he doing here? He looked weird; his clothes, his shoes, his overcoat were all out of place. What is he wearing? I looked down and realized that I was wearing the exact same blue material pants as he, except mine were ripped in one knee and looked shabbier than his. I was also wearing some sort of soft material with a metal clasp down the front. I looked around utterly confused. Why is Jackson here? Why is he speaking to me as if he hardly knows me? I heard myself answering him but felt vaguely like I did not really know him. It was almost as if he was purposely keeping a distance between us. Did I do something to upset him? I wanted to scream out to him, but I could not get the words to come out.
Suddenly, the area became very bright and I heard the door open. Some kind of light with no fire that was oddly attached to the house was lighting up the entire area brightly.
A man stuck his head out of the door, telling me it was time for me to come in. Jackson was getting up and walking down the porch steps, heading towards his home; but he gave me no hug or kiss. He did not even tell me he loved me. He said he would pick me up for school in the morning. Why? Jackson and I do not go to the same school, never have. Why is he not at the University?
The morning light pushed through the darkness of my front porch, and I began to see my room emerge around me. I closed my eyes even tighter and griped the trinket in my hand even harder trying to bring back the scene I had just left. Nothing.
None of this makes any sense at all. Why would Jackson be in one of my visions, dressed so strangely and behaving so differently? Who was the man on the porch? A part of me felt as if I knew him, but I am sure I had never seen him before.
I slipped the watch back into the box and placed it on my night table. Sitting up, I looked all around my bedroom. I was positive that this was the same room from the vision I had seen with the girls. I am also positive that it was my front porch I had just been sitting on with Jackson.
I slowly got out of bed and put my robe back on, pausing only a moment to look back at the trinket before heading downstairs for breakfast.
***
Jackson, William, Olivia and I set out about two o’clock towards the autumn festival, followed by Jackson’s parents and mine in the carriage behind us. Several blocks around the city had been transformed for today and there were people milling about, making the streets become increasingly crowded.
I was wearing a navy blue dress with my hair curled over my shoulders. My caplet and bonnet matched perfectly with the charcoal suit that Jackson looked stunningly, handsome in. Mimi had also done an outstanding job fixing Olivia’s long, dark hair this morning. She was wearing it up with a few scattered pieces down to flatter her face. Her auburn dress was the perfect choice for the occasion and complimented William’s navy suit. A week of Sarah’s cooking had truly done wonders in restoring color to Olivia’s face, yet her overly thin figure still held no clue as to the secret she and William were hiding.
We soon found our friends mingling amongst the crowd. Christina, Thomas, Theodore, and Laurie were sitting at a picnic table, eating barbeque with Elizabeth and Mr. Miller. They were all laughing as the four of us approached. The six of them seemed stunned to see Olivia and William but had the decency to not mention it.
“Good afternoon,” various voices greeted our appearance.
“Hello. How is everyone?” I greeted my friends.
“Wonderful. Would you all like to join us?” Theodore invited us gesturing the open spaces at the table.
The four of us sat down and joined in the conversations. Elizabeth, whom I was seated beside leaned towards me. “It is good to see the four of you out together.”
“Yes.” I agreed, smiling.
“Miss Olivia is looking much better.”
I nodded.
“Yes.” Elizabeth smiled slightly then addressed the four of us. “Will you all be joining us on the
hayride? I believe it starts in about an hour.”
“That sounds like fun.” William chimed in. “Are they still running out to Foster’s Orchard?”
“Always,” Thomas replied. “I think I have gone on this hayride every year for a long as I can remember.” He laughed.
“All of us have,” Jackson stated.
“Well, this is going to be a new experience for me.” Mr. Miller smiled.
“It is not overly stimulating, but it is fun. It is more tradition than anything else.” I replied just in time before Maryanne and her fiancé, Mr. Dimitri strolled up and stood behind Christina and Thomas.
Maryanne had that smirk on her face which told me she was up to something. “Well, Miss Olivia. It is certainly nice to see you up and about again and with Mr. Timmons no less.” Maryanne’s tone was sticky sweet, making Olivia immediately lower her eyes to the table.
“What do you want, Miss Maryanne?” William’s voice turned harsh.
“Not a thing. I only thought I would come by and say hello to my friends.”
Dimitri began to look extremely uncomfortable.
“So, Miss Olivia, from the look of you, you are not still ill; so I am guessing that you will be back in class on Monday.”
Olivia continued to look down, remaining silent while Jackson reached for my hand under the table and squeezed it.
When Olivia did not reply, Maryanne continued. “No? Well, I must say I am not surprised. Guess you are too busy planning on where you are going to stick the next knife in Miss Jocelyn’s back.”
“Maryanne, enough!” I glared at her. “You really should not speak of things you know nothing about.”
“Really? Well, it seems that Miss Olivia’s family is busy moving, and yet here she is. That seems strange. Of course, my mother said the only reason for her leaving school and not moving with her family is perhaps she is pregnant. Know anything about that Mr. Timmons or are you planning on marrying the mother of your bastard child?”
The entire table immediately fell into a stunned silenced.
William’s face went burnt red as he leaped up from his seat. Jackson jumped up after him, grabbing his arm pulling him away from Maryanne.
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