House on the Forgotten Coast

by Ruth Coe Chambers

  She spoke haltingly. “Take me to Peyton’s.” Unable to hold back the tears any longer, she began crying quietly. “I have to see Peyton.”

  “Okay, we’ll go to Peyton’s.” He put the truck in reverse and peeled out. When they got to Peyton’s house he said, “You stay here. I’ll see if he’s home.” It seemed he’d hardly left before he was back in the truck. When they got to the shoe store, Peyton’s truck was parked out front, but it was dark inside. “Sometimes he goes down to the Gorrie Bridge to wait for daybreak.”

  “I’ll wait for him then.”

  “Let’s drive around back. Maybe he’s in his office.” They could see a dim light, and Ty rushed around and opened her door. “I wish you’d let me help you.”

  “I wish I could too.”

  “I’d like to think you mean that.”

  “Really,” she said, “I do.” She turned then, and knocked on the heavy oak door. She looked back at Ty and was about to return to the truck when she heard the lock turning. He had a cup of coffee in his hand, his shirt wasn’t tucked in, and his hair was uncombed. “Well, aren’t we a sight?” Peyton said. “I can’t remember when I’ve had a pretty lady call on me at this hour. Come on in.”

  He stuck his head out the door and waved to Ty as he started the truck and began pulling away. Elise followed Peyton to his office, and he pulled a chair over for her. “Ouch,” Peyton groaned. “Ty didn’t do that, did he?”

  She touched her cheek. “Ty?” she asked, puzzled. “Apparently you just got out of his truck. He’s really smitten with you, but he told me he can’t seem to get to first base.”

  “This has nothing to do with Ty.” She touched the warmth of her cheek with her fingertips. “Edwin can take credit for this.”

  He whistled. “Your dad?”

  “My Uncle Edwin.”

  “You aren’t making sense, hon.”

  “Edwin was my real father’s best friend. Before he and my mother married, he was Uncle Edwin.”

  “So that’s how it is. Has he always made a habit of hitting you?”

  “This is the first time. I said something mean that hurt him. He was very ill before we moved here, and he hasn’t been able to control his temper since. He doesn’t want me going to the Myers’ any more. He said such ugly things. But, Peyton, I don’t know how I can bear to stay away. He even implied Lawrence is dangerous.”

  “Lawrence Myers? What’s he got to do with you?”

  “Edwin’s forbidden me to go there. He doesn’t want me to see Lawrence. That’s obvious.”

  Peyton ran his fingers through his hair and took a sip of coffee. “I’m afraid I’m not following you.”

  “I don’t understand it myself, Peyton, but I’m in love with Lawrence, so desperately in love.”

  The color drained from Peyton’s face, and his eyes widened. “I know what you’re thinking, but he talks to me. He really does.”

  “It isn’t that, it’s . . .”

  “The age difference?” She gave a short laugh. “It doesn’t seem to exist. All that matters is this overpowering love I have for him. He’s all I think about.”

  Peyton got up from his chair and walked around to Elise. He knelt on the floor in front of her, taking both her hands in his. He held them for a long moment, then kissed her warm cheek. “Elise, honey, Lawrence, all the Myers—they’ve been dead for years.”

  Elise stood up so quickly she pushed Peyton backward and turned her chair over. “No! I see him all the time, and his mother has been so kind to me. You said yourself you haven’t been by there in years. They’re there. Just go and see.”

  “Elise, believe me, I want to help you. You have to have imagined all this.”

  “NO! Don’t do this to me! I haven’t imagined it. I thought I could tell you anything, that you’d be the one person who’d understand.”

  “I’m trying, hon, I’m trying. Ty thinks you just have some fascination with that old house. God knows everything is still there, but it has to be a mess, though the county keeps the weeds down and stuff like that.”

  “No, I’ll prove it. I’ll go see them right now. I have to see Lawrence.” She rubbed her temples. “Even I know it sounds crazy, but, Peyton, I believe Annelise is in love with Lawrence too.”

  “Hon, she’d have more right. They’re both dead.”

  Elise burst into tears. “Peyton, you of all people! I thought I could count on you—for anything.”

  “Dear Lord, I thought so too.”

  “I have to get out there. I need to get there right away.” She walked toward the door.

  “Wait. I’ll take you. My truck’s out front.” Peyton’s hands shook so badly he could hardly fit the keys into the ignition. For once he was at a loss for words. He drove slowly, trying to think what could have happened. The music and now this.

  When they reached the house he thought how much it resembled nothing more than a charcoal painting. “See, it’s deserted. There’s nobody here.”

  “It’s early. They just aren’t up yet.”

  His voice cracked, “Oh, darlin’, please don’t do this.”

  “Do what? Love the only person I’ve cared about my whole life?”

  “Let me take you home. No, let me take you to Dallas. Dallas will give you a cup of good strong coffee, and we can talk about this some more.”

  “No, Peyton, I have to wait here. I have to see for myself.”

  “I can’t leave you out here. You know that.”

  “I’ve been coming here for months. Why is today any different?”

  “For one thing, you’ve had quite a blow—a couple of ’em.”

  “Please trust me. Let me stay. I belong here. I really do.”

  “I’ll have to tell your folks.”

  “No! Please. This one time. Let me have this time.”

  “Elise, understand. I feel responsible.”

  “I give you my word. No one will ever know you brought me here. And I’ll be fine. I really will.”

  She opened the door to the truck and then turned back to kiss his cheek. The salt on his wet face tasted blue. “Everything will be okay. I promise.”

  Peyton drove to the end of the road and turned around.

  The last he saw of Elise was through the rearview mirror. She was opening the gate. He was numb with disbelief. He didn’t recall the drive back to Apalach except that he felt he’d been to the end of the world.

  The first thing he remembered was knocking on Dallas’s door. She turned on a lamp in the living room and came to the door wearing a robe of yellow silk. Her hair was tousled, and she looked so very appealing. When he saw her, Peyton’s first thought was of poor Tom Anderson, to have had to leave Dallas. He didn’t know if it was desire or grief but he caught her in his arms and laid his cheek on top of her head.

  “Peyton? What’s happened? What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t even know where to begin, Dallas. How bout making us some strong coffee and letting me use your phone. I have to call someone.”

  He watched her walk toward the kitchen, noting the gentle sway of her hips beneath the silk. He held the phone a minute before dialing. “Ty? Thank God you’re home. I was afraid you’d still be out.”

  “I was just about to leave again. Is Elise okay?”

  “No. That’s why I’m calling. I don’t want to go into it now, Ty, but she’s not well. I left her out at the Myers’, and I’d . . .”

  “You what!”

  “I know. I felt I had no choice. She was so insistent. But would you drive by there and see if she’s okay? Don’t tell her I sent you or anything. I just don’t know what she’s liable to do.”

  “I’m leaving now. I don’t know why in God’s name I care about that girl, but I do.”

  “So do I.”

  “Yeah, Peyt, but I’m in love with her. I can’t seem to get her out of my system, and I think she hates me. It’s like having poison ivy in your blood stream.”

  Peyton couldn’t help but laugh. “That bad, hu
h?”

  “That bad.”

  “There may be a cure, but get on out there.”

  When he hung up Dallas was at his side with a cup of coffee. “Elise again?”

  “Yep,” he said wearily, “again. Dear God in heaven, Dallas, I don’t know how to help her.”

  She put her arms around him and massaged his back the way she would a small child. “Here I’m always going to you for help, and you have your problems too, don’t you, darlin’?”

  THE PAIN IN ELISE’S HEAD was like a thing apart. It didn’t belong to her, but she could feel its hurt. She stood at the gate a long time staring at her hands, afraid to look at the house. She trusted Peyton. He wouldn’t lie to her, not intentionally, but she couldn’t deny the days she’d spent with the Myers either. She started up the steps and noticed a rotting board she hadn’t seen there before, and then way in the distance she heard Mrs. Myers.

  “Elise, honey, is that you out there in the dark? Come on inside. There’s a chill in the air this morning.”

  “I can hardly hear you, Mrs. Myers. You sound so far away.”

  “I know, honey, but I’m here. Lawrence will be there in a minute.”

  At the mention of his name, her knees grew weak, making it more like a dream. Was she dreaming again? Afraid of falling, she sat on the top step. She closed her eyes and tried to remain erect while she waited for Lawrence. She didn’t know how long she was there before he was sitting beside her and took her hand in his.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Is this a dream?”

  He laughed. “I don’t think so.”

  “Oh, please hold me.” Of course, he’s real. I can feel his arms around me. “I can feel your heart beating.”

  “So can I.”

  “That’s a good sign.”

  “It sure is. Let’s go now, okay?”

  “Where? I just got here.”

  “I’m not sure. Let’s start with my truck.”

  Her eyes flew open then and she gasped, “Ty!”

  “Who’d you think?”

  “Where’s Lawrence?”

  “Oh, baby, don’t ask me that.”

  They were as far as the gate now, and she started to turn back.

  “No, Elise, not today. You aren’t yourself. I’m taking you home. You can’t stay here today.”

  “Ty, I’m so afraid.”

  “Is it your dad? Are you afraid of him?”

  “In a way, but mostly I’m afraid of myself. Of what’s happening to me. I can’t seem to make sense of anything anymore. I need some answers, but I don’t know how to get them.”

  “Peyton wasn’t able to help?”

  “No. Well, I’m not sure. I might as well go home and face Edwin. I can’t stay away forever.”

  “Want me to come in with you?”

  Elise looked at him. “You’d do that?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “You may have noticed that Edwin has a bit of a mean streak.” She touched her swollen jaw.

  “Yeah, well, maybe I could take some of the heat off you.”

  “Nothing will take the heat off me, but I appreciate the offer. I appreciate all the time you’ve given me.”

  “The pleasure was all mine, you know.”

  Ty parked in front of the riverboat house and wrote something on a slip of paper before handing it to Elise. “In case you need me. Any time, just call.” He turned then to get out of the truck, but she put her hand on his wrist. “Don’t, please. Not this time,” and she rushed from the truck, misjudging the distance to the ground, and fell forward, hitting her head on the carriage stone.

  17

  The doctor assured the Fosters that Elise’s injury wasn’t serious. “I expect she’ll wake up any time now.”

  “Don’t you think we should take her to a hospital?” Margaret looked at Edwin, but the doctor answered.

  “Personally? I wouldn’t move her if she were my daughter. Her pulse is good. Be patient.”

  “She looks so awful,” Margaret whispered.

  “She hit that rock pretty hard, Mrs. Foster. Be glad she didn’t require more stitches than she did. The swelling will go down with time, and the bruising will begin to fade. A little plastic surgery might not be a bad idea. You might want to put an ice pack on her cheek too.”

  Elise felt that she was swimming through time, swimming toward light. But the light hurt her eyes, and she wanted the peace of sleep. She came closer to the light. Or was it another dream? She could see someone lying on a bed. A doctor approached and put a mirror close to her mouth. Oh, I know. They want to see if she’s breathing. Why, it’s me! Oh, Lawrence, it’s me! Elise looked into the mirror and woke with a scream.

  Margaret ran toward the bed just as Edwin came in the door. They reached Elise as she was throwing off the sheet, trying to get up. “No, darling,” Margaret said, “don’t sit up so suddenly.”

  “Your mother and I have been so worried, Elise. Thank God you’re awake.”

  Her eyes were wild and frightened, and she looked from one to the other. Then her gaze settled on Edwin. “I remember now, Uncle Edwin. I remember why I hate you.”

  “Oh, Elise,” Margaret pleaded, “don’t. You aren’t well.” She winced as she looked from the bandaged head to the bruised and swollen jaw.

  “No, Mom, I’ve been sick all my life. Because of him.”

  “What on earth do you mean? You’re just confused. You had quite a blow.”

  “Yes, but it was a long time ago, about fifteen years, in fact.”

  “Fifteen . . .?”

  “All this time I couldn’t remember. But I remember now. Like it was yesterday.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and the pain in her head throbbed.

  “Please, Elise, not now. Just rest.” Margaret gave Edwin an imploring look, but he stood pale and stunned. Her lips moved soundlessly so he couldn’t hear her say, “Have your depression, Edwin. Nothing more. Just a tiny depression.”

  Elise continued numbly, without inflection. “It was golf day for Daddy and Uncle Edwin. Surely you remember, Uncle Edwin, how you and Daddy played golf every Saturday. And just like always, Mom put me down for my nap. But this time was different. I heard something that woke me. I thought you were crying, Mom, and I went to your room. I opened the door, but you didn’t notice me. Oh, no. You were too busy.

  “Your bed was against the wall where I stood, and I looked in the mirror facing the bed. I could see that neither of you had on clothes. For years after, every time I tried to look in a mirror, that’s all I could see. Uncle Edwin on top of you. I thought he was hurting you and ran to look for Daddy. But he wasn’t home. I started to cry and went downstairs to the front door just as Daddy came in. He picked me up and asked what was wrong. I told him what I thought was the truth, that Uncle Edwin was hurting you.

  “He didn’t say a word. He carried me upstairs and sat me down. He put his finger to his lips and pushed me toward my room. When he went into the bedroom, I sat against the wall outside your door and sucked my thumb, something I hadn’t done in a long time. You screamed, Mom, and Daddy and Uncle Edwin were yelling at each other. ‘My best goddamned friend.’ That’s what Daddy said. Uncle Edwin, of course, said he didn’t like it a damn bit. And, Mom, you just kept saying, ‘What about me?’ When Daddy came out, he ran downstairs and left in your car, didn’t he, Mom? I can still hear the tires squealing. He wrapped your car around a tree, and I never saw him again. I hate you both!”

  Margaret was pale and cold as stone. The Atlanta Margaret. “Are you quite finished, Elise? I wouldn’t want you to leave anything out.”

  Elise’s head throbbed and she began to retch. Edwin handed a basin to Margaret and walked to the window, his head bowed as though he might be praying.

  Elise was limp and her face beaded with perspiration.

  “I think you’d better rest now, Elise. Later I’ll finish the story for you. I think you’ll find it very interesting.” Margaret turned to leave the room, pushing Edwin tow
ard the door.

  “You’re going to tell her everything?” Edwin asked, cowed and shaky.

  “Yes, everything. Why not? She’ll just go on trying to hurt us otherwise. I’ll run down to the shop now and see how Dallas is doing. I won’t be long.”

  When she walked in the shop, Peyton and Dallas looked up guiltily. Margaret laughed nervously, “Here he is pestering the help.”

  “Oh, darlin’, business is slow. He can be good company.” Peyton didn’t smile or make his usual banter. “How’s Elise? She any more alert?”

  “Oh, she’s very alert. She woke up about an hour ago, filled with venom.”

  Dallas looked at Peyton and raised her eyebrows.

  Peyton hesitated. “She still angry about the business with the Myers?”

  “The Myers?” Margaret laughed bitterly. “I’d almost forgotten that problem. Maybe she’s forgotten too. At this point she’s utterly consumed with something that happened when she was only three years old.”

  “Three years old?” Peyton asked.

  “Oh, yes. That blow to her head opened a Pandora’s Box of problems. But I don’t want to bore you with our family’s ancient history. I just came down in case you needed anything, Dallas, but I can see you’re in good hands.” She looked at Peyton and didn’t even try to fake a smile.

  After she left, Dallas said, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was jealous.”

  “Jealous?” Peyton asked innocently.

  “Yes.”

  “You must’ve hit your head too.”

  “No, I felt it when she walked in here. You sure you haven’t been making goo-goo eyes at Margaret?”

  “Would I do that?”

  “Of course you would! Shame on you, Peyton Roberts.”

  “Now don’t go accusing me. Just be glad we’re friends now.”

  “Oh, I am. Margaret’s been through a lot. Thank goodness Elise is awake, even if she is giving them hell.”

  “Do ’em good,” Peyton said, tipping his imaginary hat and walking out the door.