Reign of Silence

by Tony Martin

  He sat down at the kitchen table – and, again, had no idea why he was at the mansion. He wondered when it would be appropriate for Meredith to return and, indeed, if she could return with Bernadine in the hospital. He wondered, too, what had happened to Bernadine, and how long she’d remain unconscious.

  Joshua rose, feeling as though it was time to go, decided to have one more look behind the house. He went out on the back porch, and looked again at the family cemetery. How far we’ve come, he thought – families very seldom buried loved ones in family cemeteries anymore. Joshua recalled officiating at a funeral for a young couple who had bought and renovated an old farmhouse, and their three-year-old daughter was run over and killed by a passing truck within a week after moving in. The parents got permission from the county authorities to bury their daughter in the front yard – as would have been done with a family cemetery - and while Joshua though this to be morbid, he didn’t know how he would handle such grief himself. He recalled that Meredith had mentioned the possibility of having her parents’ graves placed here on the property, but thought – as she seemed to – that it was all too macabre.

  He walked back in the house, but felt compelled to have one last look around the library. A quick glance showed him that the Duboses were fond of military history – there were books not only on the Civil War, but also on the two world wars. He pulled an autobiography of General John Bell Hood from the shelf and was leafing through it when he felt that someone was looking at him.

  Joshua turned slowly, barely daring to breathe. Someone was standing in the door.

  “Meredith?” he said.

  “Joshua?” There stood Meredith, looking bewildered. “I thought that was your car. What are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same question,” Joshua said, vaguely uncomfortable.

  “Well, I live here,” said Meredith, coming closer. “I told Lydia Tracy I was going to Wal-Mart to get some things, because Christine was in class. I just thought I’d ride out here while I was out…” She shrugged. “Actually, I don’t know why I came out here this morning.”

  “Weren’t you afraid to come out here by yourself?” asked Joshua.

  “No, actually, I’m not. It’s broad daylight. And it’s still my house.” Meredith smiled wanly. “And I’m not being much of a hostess. Sit here for just a little bit.”

  Joshua swallowed. “Actually, I don’t have any business being here,” he said a little too quickly. “I need to get back to town.”

  Meredith took him by the arm at the wrist. “Not yet, please. I need to talk to you, and I haven’t been able to because there are always too many folks around. Can we talk for just a minute?”

  Ever since Joshua had been in ministry, he had a strict rule that he would never counsel a female alone – he’d even had a window installed in his office door on his arrival at Calvary so that anyone coming by could see him and whoever was with him. So now, his mind racing, he realized he was breaking that personal conviction – he was alone with a very pretty young lady, miles away from other eyes. He was very uneasy – but, on the other hand, what could happen? He felt secure that Meredith had no “designs” on him, and he was going to be sensible enough to not let the conversation last long.

  Meredith sat on one of the matching deep red leather sofas and gestured for Joshua to sit in an adjacent chair. He was relieved she hadn’t asked him to join her on the sofa. Joshua realized that he was dealing with conflicting emotions – the more he realized the nature of this meeting, the more unsettled he became. And, at the same time, he was very pleased to be Meredith’s center of attention, if only for a little while.

  “Do you know much about my family?” Meredith asked.

  “I probably don’t know as much as the old-timers,” Joshua said. “But I’m up to speed pretty well, I suppose.”

  “So … you wouldn’t hold anything my family has done against me, would you?”

  “Of course not,” said Joshua, wondering at the question. “We aren’t responsible for what our ancestors have done, but I do think that sometimes there are some unhealthy tendencies – habits, or whatever – that are passed along from generation to generation.”

  “My parents were great,” said Meredith ruefully, “but my granddaddy was pretty bad.”

  “I’ve heard a little about Laidlaw,” said Joshua.

  “Did you know I was the one that found him when he died?” asked Meredith, her eyes pained.

  “I did,” said Joshua. “I’m sorry.”

  “Well, don’t be,” said Meredith. “He was just a mean old man. I’m sorry about the way he died, but he was sure ugly to all of us.”

  Joshua thought about this a moment. “Does the way you feel about him bother you?”

  “Not at all,” said Meredith. “If I said I was glad he’s gone, would you think I’m horrible?

  “Not horrible. Honest, sure.”

  “He’s gone,” said Meredith, in a tone that suggested this was the end of the matter. “But I know he was just one in a long line of bad men.” She paused. “Do you think that maybe that what’s happening to me has anything to do with my ancestors?”

  “I’ve wondered that myself,” said Joshua. The temptation to believe that Meredith’s “unquiet dead” ancestors were “coming back” was too great to dismiss, as silly as it might seem. “Just so you’ll know – I’ve asked Al McRae’s cousin, Precious McRae, to help us.”

  “Precious? Huh. What does he do?” asked Meredith.

  “He’s a trained investigator in things like this,” said Joshua. “I think he might be able to help us to find out what’s going on – at least show us if we’re all victims of mass hysteria. I haven’t completely ruled that out,” he concluded, but was still thinking about the wet footprints.

  “OK, that sounds all right,” said Meredith. She smiled – one of the sunniest smiles Joshua had seen in some time. “Thanks for all you’re doing.”

  “Glad to,” said Joshua. He felt a little adrenal surge.

  “We both need to go,” said Meredith. “I’m not sure why we both ended up out here at the same time … and neither of us knowing the other would be here.”

  “Coincidence,” said Joshua. His face flushed.

  “You’re blushing a little,” said Meredith. Joshua didn’t know how to respond.

  Meredith’s smile broadened. “C’mon,” she said. She stood and again took Joshua by his arm, pulling him to his feet. She dropped her eyes demurely. “You and Bethany are just the greatest.”

  As Joshua considered this, Meredith surprised him by standing on tiptoe and kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you again,” she said quietly.

  “I’m glad we could help,” said Joshua. He couldn’t believe his reaction. His heart pounded; the place she’d kissed seemed to radiate heat.

  Meredith’s intent – if any – was inscrutable. “Yeah,” she said, moistening her lips. “We need to go.” Without another word, she left the library, Joshua following a few steps behind, and waited for him on the front verandah.

  “Why don’t you keep the house key, in case – what’s his name? – you and Precious need to come back over after he gets here. I’ve got a spare hidden,” Meredith said. She smiled maddeningly. “Just let me know what I need to do. I imagine we’ll talk later.” And with that, Meredith climbed into her BMW and drove down the driveway, out of sight.

  Joshua realized that he hadn’t moved from his spot on the verandah. “What am I to make of all that?” he asked himself aloud. He shook himself from his paralysis, started his car, and headed for town himself.

  If Joshua was unfocused before, his mind now was completely scattered. He struggled to discern Meredith’s intent – the conversation, the platonic little kiss – and realized that it was entirely possible that she meant absolutely nothing at all by her actions. Joshua remembered as a teenager how easy it was to misinterpret a girl’s behavior – in the south, especially, girls were “touchers,” freely giving hugs, pats, and squeeze
s on the arm. Even kisses.

  Still, thought Joshua, as he drove – this 21-year-old kissed me, and whatever she meant, I’ve got to deal with this in an appropriate way. Deep down, he wanted to believe she meant to do nothing other than show gratitude and genuine affection – his response was the issue here.

  Chapter Eleven - Confrontations

  Friday evening proved to be blessedly quiet. Joshua and Bethany spent some time together at home, working on a jigsaw puzzle together and enjoying each other’s company. Bethany convinced him that some time out of town would be good for both of them, so they made the hour-long trek to Dothan Saturday, to shop, have dinner, and catch a movie. Bethany seemed pleased to be with Joshua, having him all to herself, and Joshua managed to keep his feelings about the episode with Meredith at arm’s length, convincing himself that he didn’t need to assign motives to her actions that simply weren’t valid.

  As Joshua drifted off to sleep that evening, he recalled that he wasn’t really prepared to preach the next morning. Oh well, he thought, as he drifted off.

  Saturday afternoon Bernadine emerged from her coma. The doctors later said that she wasn’t in a coma, at least in the traditional sense; it was more of a catatonic state, brought on by shock. This wasn’t unheard of, but it was unusual.

  Bernadine’s sister called the Tracys, and Jimmy, Lydia, Christine, and Meredith all rushed to the hospital. They found Bernadine propped up in the bed, sipping apple juice. She seemed normal, almost chipper.

  Bernadine studied Meredith with frank wonder. Seeing Meredith seemed to jog some memory; prior to Meredith’s arrival, Bernadine had little to say about the incident that sent her to the hospital.

  “Meredith,” she asked, “are you doing OK?”

  “Sure I am, Bernadine,” Meredith said, leaning in close. “You’re the one in the hospital.”

  Bernadine looked at her visitors standing around the room. “Could you let Meredith and I have a little time alone, please?”

  Meredith wondered about this as the rest of the group went to the waiting room. When they were gone, she pulled a chair up close to Bernadine’s bed.

  “Sweet pea,” Bernadine said, “I need to tell you what happened. I couldn’t remember until just a little while ago.”

  “Sure, Bernadine,” Meredith said, apprehensive.

  Bernadine calmly told her story. “I got your call that you and Christine had to leave the house in the middle of the night because something bad had happened. I still don’t know what that was – maybe I don’t need to know. But I knew you were upset.

  “Anyway, I got home before anyone else. I unlocked the door and was just going to wait in the great hall for everyone to get there – I understood that you were staying at the Tracys and weren’t coming with them.

  “So I sat for just a couple of minutes, then I heard the back door open. I knew I hadn’t heard a car pull up … I thought maybe it was the wind.”

  Meredith felt her throat constrict. Bernadine was still very calm, matter-of-fact.

  “So I got up to see if someone had come in, although I couldn’t imagine who it was,” Bernadine continued. “And, sure enough, as I went into the back hall, I saw a woman standing there.”

  “A woman?” whispered Meredith.

  “A woman,” Bernadine said steadily. “She had her back to me. She was wearing an old-fashioned gray dress that reached all the way to the floor, and had on a black broad-brimmed hat. I could see her perfectly … she was walking away from me, toward the open door, as I called out to her.”

  Bernadine paused. Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t seem afraid.

  “And Meredith, she walked across the porch toward the cemetery, and I following her the whole time, asking her to wait. It was broad daylight. I knew what I was seeing. Then … then she turned around.” Bernadine took a deep breath. “And I recognized her immediately.”

  Meredith, chilled, asked, “And who was she?”

  “It was you, sweet pea,” Bernadine answered.

  Meredith sat up slowly, her mind trying to process what she’s just heard. “What are you saying?” she managed to ask.

  “I’m saying it was you I saw. I have no doubt. God help me, it was you – your face, your hair – in little ringlets…” For the first time, Bernadine shuddered. Meredith couldn’t speak.

  “And then,” said Bernadine, “you – or this perfect twin of you – pointed at me, or really, pointed somewhere behind me. I turned around to look and…”

  “Please. No more,” said Meredith softly.

  “No, I need to finish,” said Bernadine. “I looked behind me and there was a man standing in the back door. He had on boots and an old black suit, and was leaning on a cane. And he was grinning at me like he was the devil himself.

  “And then, I guess, I fainted,” said Bernadine. “Sweet pea, I must’ve done more than just faint. I have no idea what happened next, not until I woke up in this room.”

  Meredith embraced Bernadine, who gently stroked Meredith’s back. “There, there, my dear,” said Bernadine. “I’m just fine now. I just had a real shock, that’s all.”

  “I can’t imagine what you saw,” said Meredith, fighting back tears. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Meredith, look at me,” Bernadine said. Meredith pulled back to look directly in Bernadine’s eyes.

  “There is wickedness afoot in our house,” Bernadine said evenly. “Nothing but pure wickedness from hell. And we aren’t going to tolerate that, are we?”

  “No, ma’am,” said Meredith.

  “And we’re going to pray hard, and we’re going to ask that sweet pastor to pray hard, and we are not going to let this evil continue. Do you understand what I’ve just said?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “We are going to ask God to put a hedge of protection around us and our house, and we will banish this thing. We’ll let Brother Joshua handle this. If he doesn’t know what to do, God will show him, soon enough.”

  “I believe that,” said Meredith. “He’s already asked for help.”

  “It doesn’t matter who he’s asked,” said Bernadine. “His help will come from God alone. And Meredith—“

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “It may get worse before it gets better.”

  Meredith felt as though she were hearing a prophecy. She’d never heard Bernadine speak like this before. “What do we need to do? Are – are you going to move out?”

  Bernadine laughed, her earthy, generous laugh. “Land sakes, sweet pea. You are family, and this is our home. Give me a little more credit than that! I am going to spend a few nights with Rebecca, just as soon as they let me out. I’ve been shocked bad once, but I won’t let it happen again. But promise me one thing.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t want you spending the night there until Brother Joshua says it’s OK to. Now, you better mind me on this. I’m very serious.”

  Meredith could see that Bernadine was, indeed, serious. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Bernadine looked closely at Meredith. “That Brother Joshua is a fine man, isn’t he?”

  “He sure is,” said Meredith.

  “You watch yourself, and mind your place,” Bernadine said.

  “I will, Bernadine,” said Meredith. She wondered what Bernadine was getting at. “I’ll be good!” she said, grinning.

  “Give me a hug, and pass me my juice,” said Bernadine. “I think I need a nap before long.” She returned Meredith’s smile. “It’s not like I’ve not been napping for the last couple of days. Now, don’t you get all caught up in trying to figure out what I’ve just told you. It just happened, and this is the way it happened, and the only way we can understand it is to know that the Enemy is at work.”

  Meredith thought about what Bernadine had seen – a woman who looked just like her. What was she to make of that? “I will, Bernadine. I won’t let it scare me too bad.”

  “Greater is He that is within me than he who is in the world,” said Bernadine.
Meredith wasn’t sure what Bernadine meant, but it sounded comforting, coming from her.

  Bernadine hugged Meredith once more, said, “I love you, sweet pea.”

  “I love you, too,” said Meredith around the lump in her throat.

  “You take care, and I’ll see you later,” said Bernadine. She seemed tired.

  “Bye,” said Meredith.

  Meredith went to the waiting room. The Tracy family rose to greet her.

  “Everything OK?” asked Jimmy.

  “Bernadine’s fine,” Meredith said. “We just needed to talk about some family stuff.”

  “What did y’all talk about?” asked Christine.

  “Nosy,” said Meredith, grinning. “When I want you to know, I’ll tell you.”

  Christine feigned hurt. “I thought we were friends,” she pouted.

  “Friends mind their own business when they’re asked to,” said Meredith. “End of story, Chrissy, OK?

  Christine looked anything but OK, but agreed. “Just whenever,” she said, as they made their way back to the car and home.

  “Josh, I love you lots, but that was one of the worst sermons I’ve ever heard you preach,” said Bethany.

  “Thank you, O assistant to the Holy Spirit,” said Joshua. “You aren’t telling me anything I didn’t already know.”

  Bethany picked at her lunch, peeling the skin from her fried chicken. “I don’t mean to be ugly, but what happened?”

  Joshua shrugged. “I just wasn’t prepared, that’s all.” His sermon had been all over the map – he found himself recycling old illustrations and not able to bring a satisfactory conclusion.

  “And why, my dear, weren’t you prepared?” Bethany was relentless.

  “I guess I’ve been distracted – and don’t you dare say ‘I told you so.’”

  Bethany reached across the table and took his hand. “Joshua – tell me how I can help you.”

  “Here’s what I see happening,” said Joshua. “Precious McRae will be here tomorrow. He’ll do whatever it is he does. I really believe that after his visit, things will get back to normal.”