“I never say there is none, but at this stage, it’s doubtful.”
Angelo sat back and turned to Britney who was staring at the doctor. “You said more time. How much time?” Britney whispered, uncomprehending.
“Can’t be sure . . . a few months, maybe a year. I’m deeply sorry.”
“Can you run more tests to be sure?” Now Angelo was reaching for a solution, for hope.
The doctor leaned forward. “All the testing we’ve done is completely correct, without having to put her through more.”
Britney sat frozen in the chair, unable to speak. It was like she wasn’t there, just someone looking in at another person being told they were going to die.
Her deeply concerned husband took her hand in his. “Look at me,” he said softy.
She turned her head slowly to set her gaze on his. “Don’t.”
He rubbed her hand gently. “We’ll see another doctor, get a second opinion.”
She stood up abruptly. “No. I want to go home. Right now.”
Angelo rose. He put is arm around her as he stared at the doctor. “We’ll call you.” Then he walked Britney out to the parking lot, helped her into the car and got her home as quickly as he could. From the side window where she sat, Britney kept her eyes peeled on the landscape going by as they drove. The wonderful world she would only have a short time to enjoy. She thought of all the things they’d planned. They’d came back to their roots, bought a nice home, had plenty of money, they would have had the children they wanted. Angelo had been saving to have enough for a dealership of his own. All those dreams, gone.
“We need to talk to the doctor again to set you up with a schedule of treatments,” Angelo told her when they walked in the front door. He hadn’t said a word to her all the way home. “I don’t believe they can say how long a person will live. I hear diet can be a good part of beating cancer. Along with the chemo, we can find out what you need to eat.”
Britney walked away from him, half listening to what he was saying. She went off to the kitchen as though nothing had happened.
Tagging along behind her, Angelo watched her go to the counter, pick up the coffee pot and hold it under the running water in the sink. “You’re making coffee?”
Finally, she looked at him to address his concern. “You know as well as I do, there is no cure for me. The doctor was clear about it. I’m not going to suffer from chemo to give me a few more months, weeks or whatever little time I have. What ever time I have, I want to use it the best way I can without worrying about a deadly chemical in my body, which will only make it worse for me.”
“Don’t say things like that. You have to at least try, if not for you, then for me. I want you to get the treatments.”
“Will you please leave me alone about it? It’s bad enough I was just given a death sentence and now you want me to add more pain to my misery.”
Angelo stood back. “Well, I’m not about to sit around watching you die,” he picked up the car keys he’d put on the table. “I’m going down to the dealership. A guy in the parts department had cancer and says he’s been cured. I want to know how or what made it happen for him.”
She didn’t try to stop him, only glad to see him go. She needed time alone. But the minute Angelo walked out the front door, the Captain appeared.
He walked up to her. “It can be cured, you know.”
She whirled around to face him. “What? Now you’re going to start too. What makes you think I can be cured?”
“Are you going to listen to me, or will you sluff off what I have to tell you?”
“What would you know about cancer? You’re just a ghost.”
“I know you can be totally free of this tumor. All you have to do is come with me into the mirror.”
She held an open hand up to him. “Go no further. There is no way I can walk into a mirror. As a ghost, I suppose you can, but it doesn’t mean I can.”
“All you have to do is let me hold your hand. I will take you there.”
“This has gone far enough.” She turned back to the counter, took a cup down from the cupboard and poured her coffee. “Just like that, I go with you into the mirror and the tumor disappears? Then what?”
He looked down at her and smiled. “You will need to make a major decision; to stay there or come back here.”
“Why? Is this some magical place, or what?”
“You might call it magical, but it’s far more. There is a spring there with healing water to take your cancer away forever. Trust me, I know.”
“Trust you? I hardly know you. I can’t even believe I’m conversing with a ghost like this.”
He studied her. “Britney, what do you have to lose? You’ve been told you will die of this, so what harm could it do to come with me and at least give it a chance? I like you, and I know this can help you.”
She brought the cup to her lips and sipped at the hot beverage as she stared at him over the rim. Her eyes full of questions focused heavily on his. She lowered the cup.
“You seem so sure, I’d like to believe you, but…”
Leo stepped back. “You already made up your mind not to have chemo. This is not the same. There is no pain, no side effects. You only have to drink from the spring.”
With a slow hand, she set the cup on the counter. She went to the table and looked back at him, then she sat. Tears burned in her eyes as she put her head down between her arms and then let go. She cried for several minutes before she raised her head. “I’ll go with you.”
She followed him upstairs to the guest room. The mirror stood by the window as though waiting for her. Leo reached out for her hand and led her into the silvery face.
Angelo came through the front door. “I’m back. Are you in the kitchen?” he called out. He glanced up the stairs, but went down the long hallway to the kitchen to check for Britney's where-a-bouts. “Hello?” he yelled as he looked into the laundry room. Finding no sign of her there, he went back to the foyer, to head upstairs.
Unable to find his wife anywhere in the house, Angelo took to the phone. First call, to Cindy. “Have you heard from Britney in the past few hours?”
“No. What’s going on? Did she go to the doctor this morning?”
“Yes, I went with her. It was bad news. She has fourth stage cancer. No cure. Worse, she won’t even try treatment to at least give her more time.”
“Oh dear. Why are you looking for her? Isn’t she there?”
“I went to the dealership to talk to a guy I work with who claims he was cured of cancer. I wanted to know more about it. When I came back, she was gone.” Angelo couldn’t hide the panic in his voice.
“Take it easy Angelo. She may have just stepped out for a while. You know, for a walk to take some time to digest what she’d been told. I’m sure she’ll be along soon. Try not to worry.”
“I hope you’re right. I don’t like the way she’s acting. I want her to have the chemo I’m sure the doctor would order. Who knows, it might even slow this down for a long time, or possibly cure it altogether. I guess that’s wishful thinking, but it’s all I have to hang on to.”
“Do you want me to come over?”
“No, not right now. I’ll wait a bit for her to come home. I’ll let you know.”
The day grew late with time having little meaning. The sun sat on the horizon its brilliant orange glow mirrored on the sea, as nightfall hovered overhead. Britney had not come back. He stood at the open veranda doors staring out at the waters in the distance. Angelo was beyond himself over what could have happened to his wife. He began to toy with the idea of going out to search for her or calling the police, but what if she returns while he’s gone?
Walking into the library where he had a bottle of scotch under the bar, Angelo frowned. A little something to calm his nerves might help. Waiting nearly had him in dire straits.
His hand shook as he poured the golden colored liquid into a glass. Two gulps had him shudder from the sting going down. He set the glass d
own on the bar. He felt he had to do something besides sitting around waiting.
Where could she have gone? he thought as he went out the front door. With nothing of a public nature around their house, what would he be looking for?
Warm evening air blew across his face, sending his dark wavy hair into his eyes. He brushed it aside then went forward in the driveway to his car. He opened the car door and slid into the driver’s seat, only to sit there staring out the front window.
Facing the fact there was no place for him to search — at least not that he knew of, he got back out of the car and went into the house.
A return visit to the scotch bottle in the library took him there to remain for a night of waiting. Another drink and he sat the recliner with his eyes closed, an empty glass held in his lap.
***
Upstairs in the guest room, a bright light flowing from the mirror lit up the room. Britney emerged with it, her smiling companion, the Captain, at her side.
“You are now free of cancer, and you’ve chosen to come back to your life here. You must never tell what you’ve seen or even mention the powers in the mirror. This you must promise,” Leopold told her.
Her emerald eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. “Yes, I promise.”
She almost wished to go back into the mirror to the place within it. Flowing streams, soft green grass, beautiful flowers she’d never seen before, skies so blue. Most of all, how well she felt there, but she had a life with Angelo and the family she wanted.
The bright light dimmed with only a small glimpse of it left in the room. A form of a figure clothed in white stood in front of them. Leo stared at it in awe. She could tell he knew it was time for redemption and he was ready to atone to a part of his life that hurt so many including his dear wife.
“You have done a good deed for this woman. Now your wife can come back to you and lead you to the light. Go down to the waters edge where she fell and wait for her. She will take you into the light. The mirror will no longer be your home.”
In a quick moment, Leopold Archer was gone leaving Britney alone by the mirror. She looked into it to view only the reflection of things in the room. She knew it was over, she would never see the Captain again.
Britney found Angelo in the library sound asleep. She came up to him, kissed his cheek to wake him as she bent down over him. He opened his eyes to her face. Without hesitation he reached up for her.
Later in the week, Britney had the doctor send her for test to prove her to be free of the tumor. . . no cancer. Two months later, she discovered she was pregnant. One of her biggest dreams was about to come true and she owed it all to a ghost who found her interesting.
About the Author
After spending many years in the business world, Jennifer Robins took up the pen and started to write about what she found to be the most interesting subjects, the paranormal-supernatural. With her family now grown, she found time to pursue a career in writing.
She attended Tri-C College for business and went on to be successful in the real estate business in her hometown, a small suburb of Cleveland.
She lives with her husband and her wonderful dogs and cats. Loves music, art, gardening and plays the piano, paints in oils and enjoys the company of her son’s and daughters and the families they now have.
Every day brings a new idea, a new adventure in research and stories that take up her daily thoughts.
Also from Jennifer Robins
Prologue
England, 1885
Mist dampened the night air and hovered low to the ground. Dim moonlight showered the land. The country hillside stood bare of foliage in the late fall season. The sound of horses’ hoofs echoed as they trampled the cobblestone road. The coach, dark and lonely, traveled the incline to a structure that waited alone on the hill. Leyland cypress sat lazily along the lake’s banks. Foggy mist rose above the water, hovering over the tall pine trees, giving them a fear-provoking look. Sounds in the night whispered as the wind sang a tune with a hooting owl nearby.
An eerie stone mansion sat high above the road. Leaf-stripped trees, standing tall and wide, lined the long, winding drive leading to the mansion. An orange glow streamed out from a window and flickered in the dark of the night, crossing the front of the large estate.
Two strong horses pulled the black coach to a stop at the front door. A hooded person emerged from the dark interior of the coach with the help of the driver, who had come around quickly to assist his passenger. The foggy mist surrounded the visitor’s boots as the cold night’s sting hit his face.
The large front door opened. A tall man stood waiting to greet the lonely rider. Stiff-postured, he wore the clothes of a butler. “Come with me, sir,” he said in a deep, demanding voice.
The welcomed guest’s hand reached out from the cape and pulled the hood away from his head, exposing his face and dark brown hair. He didn’t speak or smile, but followed the butler along a wide hallway lighted with large candles on tall pedestals spaced a few feet apart. The butler opened the door to a room and escorted him in.
A staircase on the right, also lighted by candles, led them to a lower level. Voices could be heard, and became louder as the men moved down closer to the open room.
The butler made his way toward many hooded men, his visitor at his side. Flickering candles surrounded an altar at the far wall. The men’s chanting echoed and filled the room. The butler placed his hand on the visitor’s shoulder and turned him around so he faced a tall, cloaked man.
A dagger lay on the altar along with a shallow cup. The cloaked man grabbed the dagger, and the visitor held out his hand. Pain ripped through his arm when the blade pierced his palm. The cloaked man held the cup an inch below the injured hand, catching the fresh blood of his guest. A blood offering filled the vessel and was presented to an evil-looking carved stone figure that sat in the middle of the altar. All the men bowed in prayer-like motion and then held their hands high to praise their new companion, a pact with the evil one made as an initiation.
Lightning streaked the sky as the visitor left the mansion in the horse-drawn coach. Thunder rumbled loud, threatening the driver, who held his cape around his face. Wet wind penetrated the coach.
The passenger held a handkerchief tightly around his bleeding hand. A sinister grin lay heavy on his face. His exchange with the evil one would make great changes for him, profitable ones. It didn’t matter how he got it, nor the sacrifices he would have to offer from now until eternity.
Chapter One
Chicago, 1998
Rush hour was the worst time of day for Andrea Devon to be driving through the busy streets of Chicago. Because of the heavy traffic, she had gotten home much later than she’d expected. Planning a rummage sale with the women at the church should have been a simple task, but it had turned into a major project that had taken the better part of the day. It was almost five o’clock, and her husband would be coming home in another hour. She had little time to make dinner.
After a day in the church basement, she couldn’t help loving the beautiful sunny weather outside, with temperatures in the mid-seventies. A warm spring breeze swept across the yard, blowing her long, soft brown hair into her face. The end of May was a great time of year. Brightly colored tulips stood tall along the side of the walk leading up to the house. She’d just bent down to pick a few for the table when she heard the phone ringing inside. Maybe one of the women from the church was calling to tell her they’d forgotten something. She hurried to the door.
“I’m coming!” she shouted as she ran into the living room. She picked up the phone from the table next to the sofa. “Hello?”
“Hi, babe.” It was her husband, John. He always called her “babe” when he was in a good mood. “Guess what?” His voice was full of excitement.
Andrea chuckled. “You sound pretty chipper. What’s going on?”
“Good news, babe. I’ve been offered a promotion and a transfer.” He paused for a moment. “We are going to be mov
ing to a wonderful small town called Partersville. It’s in Michigan. It’s a quaint old town, like the ones we’ve always talked about. It’s what we always wanted, Andrea. What do you think?”
She was surprised and hardly knew what to say. “When did you find this out?” She sat on the sofa and pushed her hair from her face.
John began to rattle off the details. “The head man from the main office was in today and told me the great news. We talked for a long time. In fact, he just left about a half-hour ago.” He sounded like a kid on Christmas morning. “We’ll talk more when I get home. This is it, babe. I gotta go.”
Andrea sat there reminiscing about her life with John.
She and John had been sweethearts since childhood. After college, they’d married and settled down in their small two-bedroom house. Andrea taught third grade in public school, while John went into the insurance business with a major company. He was now at the top sales level. They had wanted a child, but Andrea had no success getting pregnant. After many tests that showed everything normal, the doctor suggested she take time off from her job to get away from the stress of dealing with large groups of children every day.
A year had gone by, and still she had not conceived. She’d grown bored with staying home alone all the time with little to keep her busy, so she’d joined a church group and gotten involved in volunteer work at the hospital. She grew less concerned with her problem of conceiving as she went about her daily activities, leaving the fate of her motherhood up to God.
John’s company wanted him in Partersville by the first of July. Andrea wondered how they would get everything done in so short a time. John, on the other hand, was more optimistic as he assured her that things would work out. “Don’t worry. My company will advance us the money to buy a house in Partersville, and we can get settled in by the first week of July. We can put our house on the market right away. There’s plenty of time to pack and get things in order — almost three weeks.”
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