by Carolyn Bond
She leaned in to kiss his cheek and replied, “Let’s go bring Matthew home.”
***
The morning light streamed through the windows in bright sparkling beams. Everleigh opened her eyes and rolled over. She yawned and stretched and smiled. She and her mother had stayed at the Inn to avoid having to travel that morning.
Today is my wedding day!
Suzanne and her mother burst into the room as though an alarm had gone off to alert them she was awake. They carried baskets of toiletries to work on her. She felt better than a kid at Christmas.
A maid with a tray of food followed them and set it over her lap as she scooted up on the pillow.
“Good morning, beautiful bride!” said her mother.
“Eat up so we can get to work! Sally, start bringing up buckets of hot water for the tub,” said Suzanne. Finding a bar of soap with Everleigh’s stockings, she sniffed it. “Oh, this lavender soap is nice. Maybe you should use it instead.”
Both Everleigh and her mother shouted, “No!” at the same time. Her mother snatched it away.
“Oh, alright then. You don’t have to be so grabby about it.”
She bathed and towel dried. She’d washed her hair the day before to give it time to dry. Her mother brushed and brushed it until it shined like the glowing sun.
They helped her with her stockings, shoes, bloomers, corset and corset cover. The petticoats, bustle hoops, and finally the gown was gently lowered over her head and buttoned. Suzanne took over doing her hair by pulling it up into a twist with small braids and tiny curls around her face pinned with tiny pins with pearls attached. The pearls looked like they floated around her head.
Her mother dusted talc powder on her face to take away any shine and pinched her cheeks for color. Suzanne had a tiny jar of crushed berries to lightly stain her lips. Finally they held open a pair of white gloves for her to slip her hands into.
The two women stood back and admired her. Tears formed in her mother’s eyes and threatened to spill.
“Oh, Everleigh! You are such a beautiful bride!” Suzanne whispered.
Her mother brushed a soft kiss on her cheek and whispered, “I’m so glad to be here with you today.”
Everleigh nodded and tried not to cry herself.
“Alright, we are going to go check on the groom and the garden. You stay here and don’t move.”
She laughed, “Alright, alright!”
They closed the door behind them and her mind reeled. She couldn’t believe this was really happening. She thought back to just a month ago when she arrived. So much had happened. She had changed. She thought of the woman in 2016 getting in a bathtub in the Inn. She had been so lonely and empty. She hated her body and felt powerless to change.
It took more than gaining a twenty year old hot body to change her. While that helped her refocus, she found a person inside her that was brave and strong, willing to sacrifice herself to save others. She had great respect for herself and she loved the skin she was in.
***
Malcolm stood waiting at the carriage with his driver. Matthew stepped out of the front door hesitantly. He had adjusted well the last few days. Bethann had begun to work with him by helping him learn to comb his own hair and wash himself. Malcolm hired a butler to help him dress and tend to his needs. The butler was a patient man that had taken care of his father as palsy had diminished him. He was used to having to assist with daily living needs. Matthew had not been taught how to conduct himself other than how to avoid making his caregiver mad at him. While he was a gentle young man, no one had taken the time to teach him any manners or courtesy. The Asylum assumed he was a lunatic and beyond help.
With Bethann’s help, he had already learned to sit and not interrupt conversation and to say please and thank you. He looked to her for help when he didn’t know what to say or do. Anyone could see he was trying so hard to learn.
As he quietly made his way to Malcolm, each step grew more purposeful with confidence. Malcolm smiled at him and held out his hands.
“Matthew, look at you! You are quite a gentleman in your suit.”
“Mr. Parker helped me.”
“I’m so glad you are a part of our family. Are you nervous about coming to the wedding?”
Matthew hung his head, “What if I scare somebody? At the Asylum, they says I look like a freak and scare ladies if they see’s me.”
Malcolm put his hand on his shoulder, “Matthew, listen to me. Do you think Mrs. Bethann or Miss Adderly are scared of you?”
Matthew slowly raised his head and looked into Malcolm’s eyes. “No, sir. They’s not scared. They smile at me and they are nice to me.”
“See? What the people at the Asylum said to you is not true. You are not a freak. You are a kind, gentle young man. As people get to know you, they will see in you what we do. I believe that.”
Matthew’s lips slightly turned up and he nodded. Malcolm watched him climb into the carriage and marveled at his bravery. It would have been so much easier for him to hide at home, but Matthew had a courageous heart. He was also surrounded by people who loved him as the young man God made him to be.
Percy came out the front door holding Bethann’s hand and toddled over to the carriage. Malcolm smiled a wide delighted smile at the boy. His brown knickers and coat made him look like a little doll. He wore a little brown hat and brown knee socks and shoes. The socks had to be turned down halfway down his calf because his legs were short. His little round glassed distorted his eyes making them look much bigger than they were, giving him a wide-eyed look of joy. His exuberant smile crowned the whole outfit.
“Look at you little man!” Malcolm picked the little boy up and squeezed him. “I love you, Percy.”
“I love you, too, Da-dee.” He giggled.
“Now, you must understand that you are such a special little man that some people may not be used to seeing such a cute fella. They may stare or whisper. Just smile at them and know that people who know you think you are precious. The others just haven’t been able to know you yet.”
“Al-white, Da-dee.” He fiddled with Malcolm’s lapel.
Malcolm kissed him again and lifted him into the carriage.
“Bethann,” he whispered, if anything happens, if anyone makes a scene, I want you to whisk Percy and Matthew away, do you understand? I will not let them be subject to anyone’s scorn.”
“Certainly, Mr. Steel. I understand. They will have to get through me if they try anything.”
He smiled at her threat and lifted her into the carriage. A wagon behind them with the house staff followed to see the wedding. They had told Malcolm they would not miss it.
Malcolm cast a worried look over the boys in the carriage. This was the first time either of them had been out in public. They both fidgeted nervously and looked around waiting. Everleigh insisted they be present at the wedding, not just to witness the event, but also to begin the process of exposing the townspeople to them. The more people saw them, the less fearful they would be. At least that’s what Everleigh had told him. It was hard for him to believe but she seemed so certain that the people’s mere exposure to them would slowly change the way they were perceived. He hoped she was right. She told him to expect stares and even gasping, but in time, the people would see that Percy and Matthew were nothing to be afraid of.
The carriage and wagon made the journey to downtown in good time and they assembled in the garden at the Inn. Some of the staff from Aunt Emory’s were seated, too. A minister stood near an arbor that had ribbons and flowers entwined around it. Suzanne and her sister had spent the afternoon decorating. Mr. Clark chatted with the minister and directed staff to set out chairs or help guests. The shade of the tall trees around the garden cooled the air. Roses and lilies seemed to have bloomed on every plant to celebrate the day. Gladiolas and honeysuckle blossoms colored the walls of the small enchanted escape and scented the air with an intoxicating fragrance.
Suzanne swept in from the back and whispered in her husband�
�s ear. He nodded and looked around for Malcolm. Malcolm came down the path just then holding Percy’s hand.
“Is that the boy?” Suzanne asked Edward.
“I suppose so. Cute little fella, isn’t he.” Edward smiled softly.
“Yes. I’m not sure what I expected, but he does seem like a little doll. Look at him smile. Poor Cecelia. She bore that burden all alone. I wish I could have helped her.”
“And look. The young man behind them. That must be the boy they took in.”
“Darling, do you think it’s safe? What if he—you know, becomes disturbed?”
“I suppose we will just have to trust Mr. Steel that he can handle him if that happens.”
Malcolm stopped in front of the Clarks and held his head high, “Mr. and Mrs. Clark, I would like to introduce my nephew Percy and Matthew. Matthew is living with us now and will be a student at our school.”
Percy bowed his practiced greeting. His smile and joyful eyes could melt the coldest heart. Matthew looked at Bethann who nodded.
“Nice to meet you,” he spoke slowly and nodded at the Clarks.
Suzanne looked surprised as though she didn’t expect them to be able to speak. Catching herself in her awkwardness, she blurted, “Oh! How wonderful that you could be here. It’s such a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Malcolm sighed in relief, “Thank you, Mrs. Clark. Your kindness is appreciated.”
Suzanne nodded, “Of course, Mr. Steel. Forgive me. Your family—and friends, are always welcome at the Inn. Any time.”
Mr. Clark patted his wife’s hand. “Is Miss Adderly ready?”
“Oh yes. Everything is just beautiful. Isn’t the garden lovely? I’ve never seen it so full of life.”
“Yes, my darling. Of course, compared to you, it pales.” He kissed her hand.
She giggled, “Oh my, you rogue!”
Malcolm helped his staff find seats and took Bethann, Percy and Mathew to the front to seats set aside for them.
“Mr. Steel,” a man called to him from a seat behind them.
“Oh, Mr. Goodman! So glad you could come!”
Mr. Goodman was a tall man with a commanding countenance. His black hair shimmered with silver around his temples. He jumped to his feet and a dazzling flash of teeth greeted Malcolm.
“The way you gushed about this gorgeous bride, I had to see her for myself.”
“I see! Should I be worried you’ll steal her heart away before the wedding is over?”
Mr. Goodman chuckled, “Never fear, young man. My heart belongs to another. Besides, I wanted to give you these papers.” He handed him a packet of parchment tied with a thin red ribbon.
“The documents have been filed and the deed is secured as you wished. Mr. Skeller, on the other hand, is being investigated. It is clear he was intentionally attempting to defraud you.”
“I am in your debt, sir. Thank you so very much. Please me send your bill and I shall pay you handsomely.”
“Oh! No, no. It’s a wedding gift. Your bride, you said her name is Everleigh, right?”
“Yes. Do you know her?”
“I used to know an Everleigh, in Charleston, you see.” He looked away up into the trees.
“I see. Who was she? My Everleigh is from Charleston. Perhaps this is the same girl.”
“Oh, she was just a little girl I once knew. A very special little girl. So I did this is for her, in her memory.”
“Ah. I’m terribly sorry for your loss.”
“What lives in our heart is never lost.”
Malcolm nodded, “I’m so glad you could be here. It means a great deal to me.”
Aunt Emory came down the aisle looking for Suzanne to see how long until she should bring Everleigh downstairs. She turned to look behind her and, not looking where she was going, bumped into Mr. Goodman.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I really should look where I’m going.” She turned and looked up into his eyes and stopped with her mouth open. “Oh. Hello handsome. Are you a friend of Mr. Steel?”
“I’m an associate of his.” He looked at her carefully, “You seem familiar in some way, but I don’t think I have ever met you.”
“Oh,” said Malcolm, “Miss Heartwell, this is my attorney, Mr. Goodman. Mr. Goodman, this is Everleigh’s aunt.”
Mr. Goodman took her hand and kissed it, pausing before releasing her. Standing back up, he looked at her curiously and asked, “By chance, would you have ever met a man by the name of,” he cleared his throat, “Daniel. Daniel Anderson? An attorney?”
Holding his breath, he didn’t move until she spoke. She sucked in her breath and all the color from her face turned ashen.
“D- Daniel Anderson,” she stuttered. “Yes. Yes, I used to know a man by that name. It’s been a very long time, though. Years, and years.” She clutched her handkerchief to her mouth and stared.
“I, uh, I used to know him, also,” he stammered without taking his eyes off hers.
Breathing in gasping starts, “How? How could you possibly have known him? Did you know his wife, Charlotte Anderson, then?” She waited with wide eyes.
He closed his eyes, stood very still and then opened them again. Taking a deep breath, he took her hand again. His face flushed and a grin spread across his face.
“Madam, could we talk for a minute, privately? In the parlor?” He glanced at Malcolm as though he didn’t want anyone to hear their conversation.
“Yes. Yes I think we should,” she mumbled barely audibly.
Malcolm nodded as Mr. Goodman gestured with an apologetic face. Excusing himself, the two of them made their way inside.
Alone in the parlor, he turned to her, pausing in an awkward silence when neither seemed to know just how to start.
Finally he took the plunge and asked, “How is this possible? Is it you, Charlotte?” Hope filled his face.
She smiled with every muscle in her face and tears brewed, then spilled over her lower eyelid and down her cheeks.
“Daniel? Daniel? Is it you?” she cried.
“Yes! I don’t know how. It makes no sense. A few months ago.” He started talking in disjointed thoughts. “I remember the accident. I knew I would never survive. I saw the truck coming right at me and there was no way to get out of its way. I heard a horrific crunch and then everything went black and I woke up here, in 1888, in this body.” He gestured at himself and looked at his hands as if he’d never seen them before.
“What? Did you say a few months ago? Daniel! It’s been twenty-seven years. Everleigh is-- she is thirty-five, except, now she is twenty. It’s complicated.”
“Thirty-five! What? That’s impossible.” He wobbled a bit and lowered himself in a chair to get his bearings. “Oh, Charlotte. You raised her all alone.” He grimaced and smiled at the same time. “I’m so sorry to leave you. I didn’t want to.”
“Oh, you silly! It’s not like you had a choice.” She took the chair next to him and he grasped her hands in his.
“I wracked my brain trying to figure a way to get back to you but, short of a time machine, there was no way.”
“It’s so odd. It’s like we were all drawn here together.”
“And how did you all get here? Did you,” he stuttered at the thought, “did you die, too?” He braced himself with a grimace waiting for her answer.
“No! A woman. A very special woman in France, who apparently had a gift to see more than normal people can, gave me a bar of soap that, well, brought us here. Sounds crazy, I know. Honestly, I think the soap was just a key to follow God’s will all along. We are in different bodies, but we are still us. Only God could have brought us all together here.” She swept her hand out in the air.
Overcome with emotion, he pulled her to him and kissed her. She held his face with her hands and tears of joy fell. He feverishly kissed her cheeks and forehead and then gazed in her eyes.
“Oh, Daniel, I missed you so much for so long. You don’t look like my Daniel, but I can recognize your touch, your soul.”
<
br /> “I’ve missed you, too. I love you, Charlotte. It’s a miracle! It doesn’t matter what body you are in. You are the love of my life. You always will be.”
She smiled, “What’s more, you will get to see our daughter wed to the love of her life. Apparently 1888 is a good place to find a husband!”
***
Malcolm looked over the guest gathered in the garden and joy filled his soul. In the short span of a few weeks, his life had gone from lonely and reclusive to bursting with love. Matthew and Percy sat in their seats quietly taking in the multitude of new things to see and hear.
Malcolm wondered how they were not overwhelmed or afraid. Young Matthew had been locked away all his life with very little to stimulate his mind. Percy had been tutored but had never left the safety of the estate and rarely even ventured downstairs.
Malcolm’s eyes scanned the guests and saw only smiles and happy conversation. No one pointed at the boys or singled them out. The love the guests had for this new family resonated in a safe bubble around the whole garden. He realized that was what Everleigh meant. When people know you, they love you despite your imperfections. The only way to beat the fear of the being different or imperfect was to increase the number of people who knew them.
It wouldn’t be easy and it surely would not always be like this moment, but they had a safe place to start from. They would venture out into the Versailles community and then all of Kentucky. One heart at a time, they would change the lives of those who are hiding like he and Percy were.
***
Suzanne’s sister Faith played a wedding march on a small flute. The light reedy music floated on the air as Malcolm stood waiting for Everleigh. She appeared in the doorway like a real life garden fairy ensconced in a shapely cloud of silk and lace. Her blond hair swooped up on her head and tiny curls framed her face. Her rosebud mouth curled up when her eyes fell on Malcolm. All the guests faded from her sight as she felt the covering of his love wrap around her. The invisible cord that had pulled her across a century to his presence tightened, propelling her forward down the aisle, closing the gap of time and space until his hand clasped firmly around hers.
