Your son,
Carl
Kate let out a loud wail and the door flew open. Anna came running in and over to her. “It’s going to be alright, Kathryn. Joseph’s awake. He wants to see you.”
She couldn’t believe what she just heard. “He isn’t dead?”
“No, he isn’t. I just talked to Mr. Johansson. He was in the kitchen getting more water. It’s a miracle Joseph’s alive.” Anna took Kate’s hand and pulled her up from the bed.
They both walked out into the hallway and parted at the stairs leading to the family living quarters. Drew was leaning on the wall in the upstairs hall. When he saw Kate he quickly came to help her up the stairs. She wiped the tears from her eyes as her heart pounded. Her mind felt like a scrambled mess, trying to sort everything out.
She walked into Maya and Carl’s bedroom. Carl Sr. sat in a chair next to the bed. He had a pan of water on the dresser and was squeezing out a washcloth over it. He then put the cloth on Carl Jr.’s head, like he knew he was caring for his son. Kate gasped when she looked at him lying in the bed. There was a large bump and cut on his forehead plus bruising and scratches on other parts of his body. Carl Jr. slowly turned his head when he heard her.
“Hey, sis, I’m not supposed to be here. The river will be mad.” He sounded like he was trying to make a joke.
“The river’s not a living breathing soul, Carl. It did not want you. Thank goodness you’re alive!” Kate ran over and carefully placed his hand in hers. She brought it to her lips and lightly kissed it. “I never would have made it through life without you. Don’t ever do anything stupid like that again.”
“I’ll wait until next year. Tell Drew he only has to have his dream another year.” Carl sounded half-serious.
“Carl, the river did take someone today. One of the men who went looking for you fell in and was swept away. They’re still searching for him. I don’t want the river to take anyone but if it’s fate, then maybe the right person was taken today. I hope I don’t sound like a horrible person, but I’m glad it wasn’t you or Drew.”
“Fate. That’s quite a heavy word. People use it so casually, don’t they? They don’t realize what fate really means. It was fate I met Rachel and it was fate I was to lose her to another man. Fate, fate, fate. Tired of that word.”
“Shhh, you’re talking too much. You need to rest.” Kate placed his hand back on the bed. She looked at Carl Sr. “Thank you. You’ll never know how much this means to Maya.”
“Oh, Maya knows alright.” Kate heard a familiar voice at the doorway and turned to see her standing there. Kate ran and hugged her tightly, but didn’t feel any hug in return. She stepped back.
“Oh, Maya, please don’t be mad at us, at me!” Kate looked at her with tears in her eyes.
“Give her my letter, Kate.” Carl Jr.’s voice floated across the room.
Kate still clutched the letter in her hand. She slowly unfolded her fingers from around the paper and handed it to Maya. “I’m sorry, but I read it. I thought Carl was gone.”
She walked out into the hall to wait with Drew. It seemed like hours before Maya emerged from the room. She looked at Kate sternly at first and then her face crumbled as if she was going to cry. Raising her arms up, she motioned to her. Kate ran into her arms and they hugged for a very long time.
“I’m sorry, Maya, can you ever forgive me?” Kate looked at her with tears in her eyes.
“Of course, I do. I was never mad at you. I was angry with myself. I handled this all wrong. He had the right to come here and I kept it from him. He’s a grown man and can make his own decisions. I still think of him as the baby I need to protect; every mother does.” Maya’s voice trailed off. “I’m just so grateful he’s alive.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about him coming back here again.” Kate told her truthfully. “You read about Rachel.”
“Yes, I did. She’s a very sweet girl and I’m happy that my Carl met her and even fell in love with her.”
“Maya, you have a granddaughter that’s older than you.” Kate couldn’t help herself.
“Now, that one is a shock.” Maya shook her head. “When Carl is better, we’ll work this all out. When dusk comes, I’m putting a book in his bed and take him home...with his permission, of course.”
“We’ll all go home, right, Drew?” Kate turned to him and put out her hand. She thought about the beginning of the trip and how it started. It was supposed to become a beautiful memory for her to cherish in the years to come. Drew was so wonderful, sneaking off to decorate the cabin for their first Thanksgiving. Then there was their romantic night together. How did it turn into this scary nightmare?
Maya went back into her room and placed her hand on Carl Sr.’s shoulder. He got up and left the room, stopping first to hug Kate. Kate was so touched by the gesture, she could hardly stand. Her knees began to wobble. Drew grabbed her shoulders and she leaned against him. They walked into the room and sat down next to Carl with Maya on one side and Kate and Drew on the other. They were bound together with a secret not many people knew existed and were aware they would always be a family.
“Carl,” Kate said softly. “Today you spoke a lot about fate. You seem to dislike the word. I think fate has been kind to you. You may not agree with me now, but once you’re home and recovered, I’m sure you’ll agree. At home, you have family waiting for you. You won’t be alone. You can start your life again with a new perspective. I’ll do anything I can to help you.”
Carl seemed a little groggy, but was able to reach out his hand to Kate. “Li’l sis,” was all he said and then he fell asleep.
* * * *
“You realize we just messed up history, don’t you?” Drew paced back and forth in the kitchen at the boardinghouse. “I was supposed to die on Friday and here I am alive and kicking on Saturday night.”
Maya and Kate were seated at the kitchen table contemplating what Drew just said. It never crossed their minds during the weekend that history was suddenly changed. They were just concerned about Carl.
Maya sat with her head in her hands for awhile and then looked at the couple. “You already died, Drew, when you were seventeen. You left this world at that age and now you’re a year older. It’s possible everyone remembers your death and now Carl’s story will be added to that day–the day you were lost to the river and Joseph was saved.”
“What about the rescuer who really died on Friday?” Kate tried to process all the new information. “We swore we wouldn’t change history, but we have.” She began to sob. She so loved this life and didn’t want to disrupt anything. Things were supposed to be a certain way. They were not there to change them, just live them.
“Kate.” Drew sat down next to her. “Remember when Carl told us he wasn’t changing history, but was supposed to be part of this history? Maybe that’s what’s happening now. If I really died when I was seventeen, people won’t remember seeing me today. Plus I can’t recall who saw me and who hasn’t. There’s only one way to find out. We need to get back to the present and call Anna to find out what her memories are about this whole weekend. If she thinks I’m still alive I’ll come back and go down to the river...”
“Stop, Drew! You’re not going to put your life in jeopardy again. I can’t take much more.”
“Sweetie, Drew has a point.” Maya took her hand from across the table. “We need to find out as soon as possible what the story is and decide how to fix it. Drew, I think it’s best if as few people see you as possible. Go on up to one of the guest rooms and I’ll get Katie settled in. See you all back home.” Maya got up and headed for Kate’s room down the hall.
“She’s right, you know.” Drew walked her to the bedroom and then disappeared around the corner.
Katie wrapped her arms around Maya. It felt safe to be in her motherly arms. “Maya, what about Carl Sr.? He’s upstairs and I think he’s the only one who saw Drew since we got back.”
“Don’t you worry about him. He never asks too man
y questions. He figured out long ago something wasn’t right with all the comings and goings but he trusts me.” Maya got tears in her eyes. “He knows some, but not everything. How I wish I could tell him Carl Jr. is lying in that bed.”
“I think he knows.” Kate whispered and that’s the last thing she remembered until she woke in the present.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kate’s phone rang, startling her awake. She was used to bouncing between worlds, but her surroundings always seemed unreal when she first woke up. There was no time to adjust, she had to focus. “Maya...yes, of course we can...I’ll tell everyone, see you soon.”
She bounded down the stairs to find everyone already awake and dressed. “Wow, why didn’t you wake me? Maya called and asked if we’d come to her house. Carl’s still recovering and she doesn’t want him moving around. Plus she made breakfast.” Kate turned and ran back upstairs, took a quick shower, and dressed. She didn’t want to waste a second and hurried back downstairs. “Ready!”
“Wow, can you do that all the time?” Drew teased.
They headed for the Johnson house through the backyards. Maya had her door open and waiting.
“Please, everyone help yourself and let’s settle around the dining room table.” Maya acted very normal. Maybe having Carl home was helping her mood.
Everyone fussed over Carl, helping him to the table and bringing him food. He still had a large bump on his head where he hit the rock. The other bruises were still apparent, too.
Kate’s dad took a step back and covered his heart with his hand when he saw Carl. “I’m so glad you were rescued, my boy. Kate would never be the same if she lost you.”
Carl looked a little forlorn and Kate came to his defense. “Dad, he did what he thought was right. Don’t make him feel guilty.”
“I’m fine.” Carl gave her a nod. “Let’s get on with the business at hand and why everyone’s here today. Make that phone call and put it on speaker.”
Kate hit speed dial on her phone. Anna finally answered her phone on the fourth ring which seemed like an eternity to everyone in the room.
“Kathryn, this is a little early for you.” It was wonderful to hear Anna’s voice even though Kate was afraid she’d hear bad news.
“It’s an emergency, Anna. It’s been quite a weekend and I need to ask you some questions. I have you on speaker. Everyone is here...my family, Drew, Maya and Carl.”
“Hello, everyone, wish I could be there with you. This sounds serious so start asking your questions.”
“What happened on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, in 1927? Tell us everything you remember.”
“Well, it’s a day I don’t like to recall but since you all came back into my life, it’s made things better, easier to think about. Andrew Martin went to the bottom of the canyon to make a solo trip down the Colorado River. He never returned and they never found him. It was decided he was lost to the river.”
Everyone in the dining room looked at each other relieved.
“Wait, there’s more. I’m having another memory...did something happen?”
“You have to tell us, Anna. Please trust us.” Kate’s dad took over for her.
“Joseph heard about Andrew’s trip. I was told he didn’t like the idea of him traveling alone so he decided to go after him. Joseph was standing by the riverbank, then suddenly jumped on a raft and went down the river alone. There was a girl with him but no one knew who she was, just that she was hysterical and wanted someone to stop him. Some men from the camp went after him and rescued him from certain death.” She paused. “How am I doing?”
“You’re doing fine, Anna. Take your time.” Kate’s dad looked at all of them seated at the table. “We’re all listening.”
“I think Joseph fell from the boat and hit his head on a large rock. Somehow he was brought to the boardinghouse and Carl and Maya nursed him back to health. From what I heard about that day, the girl managed to boss those men around and get Carl to safety. Was that you, Kathryn? That was the last time I saw you, it was a Saturday, I believe. I went to your room to see if you were alright. You were so upset over Joseph. I had no idea at the time why were so distraught over someone you hardly knew. Now it all makes sense. Funny, I never thought about this before...wait a minute, did this just happen?”
“Yes, Anna, it did.” Kate waited a moment to let her process everything.
“Carl! What were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t, Anna. I was distraught over losing Rachel. I thought I could give myself to the river in place of Drew.” Kate knew he was telling a little white lie. She thought he had it well planned out.
“That’s nonsense. I’m glad you’re alright.”
“Looking back on it, I am, too.”
“Now I have one more question.” Kate couldn’t wait any longer to ask. “Did you see Drew on Saturday?”
“No, I can’t recall. He had left for his trip already, didn’t he?”
“Historically, yes, but he really was with me.”
“Oh, so you want to know if anyone saw him after he supposedly left...no, they didn’t.”
“That’s a relief! Thanks for all your help.” Kate felt like she could breathe easier now.
“Wait, there’s more. The men felt guilty because they lost track of Andrew and never knew when he left. They think it was some time after Joseph was rescued because Andrew was there during that time. They realized he left when they saw his boat was missing.”
“Thank goodness, I remembered to untie my boat before we left. I thought it had to be part of the new memories.” Drew interrupted. “Sorry, Anna, continue.”
“Later that evening Rachel came to the boardinghouse, wanting to see Joseph. I had no idea how she got word of his injuries. There was something strange about the way she acted, but she begged me to trust her and tell no one she was there. I let her go upstairs. She was gone for quite a while. The sun just started to set and it was dark by the time she came back down. I asked her if she was able to speak with Joseph. She said he slept the whole time, but she wanted to stay until the sun set and the moon rose in the sky. At the time, I thought it was crazy talk but I know now what she meant. She stayed with him until he returned to the present. She knew all about you, didn’t she, Carl?”
“Yes, Anna, she did.” He could hardly get the words out. Tears were streaming down his face. “She was with me right up until I returned to the present and I have no recollection.” Pounding the table, he let out a sorrowful wail that penetrated the soul. His head sunk into his arms and he wept.
“Anna, I’ll talk to you later. I think we need to hang up.” Kate got up and walked over to Carl, resting her head on his back. She could feel the pain radiating from him as his shoulders shook with each anguished sob. The room was silent except for those cries.
Drew’s voice cut through the silence. “Carl, remember what you told us the week after the wedding? You said you were supposed to be a part of the canyon history. I scoffed at it then, but now I’m in complete agreement. You didn’t mess up history. You were the part that was missing. I’ve been arrogant in my thinking and I beg your forgiveness. Kate and I did our share of changing history, too. I justified it by saying it was supposed to happen. Now I have to give you the same benefit.” He stood up, patted Carl on the shoulder and left the room. Everyone slowly left until Kate and Carl were the only ones in the dining room.
“Carl, did you hear what Drew said? You know what this means. You have the choice to go back every summer just like I do. You will see Rachel again. It may not be the way you want it but she can still be a part of your life.”
He lifted his head and wiped his eyes on his shirt sleeve. “I wanted a life with her, not a few short months. I told you I accepted everything and how it has to be. I will never go back there. It’s too painful.”
“Don’t say that. You told me you felt like you belonged there, Carl.”
“I belong here now...in the present. I have Josie.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Doing homework felt normal. Kate was back to a routine after all the drama she’d been through the past month. Carl recovered from his injuries and was making plans to take Maya to Texas for Christmas. The Johnsons usually spent Christmas with Kate and her family but everyone understood he needed to go.
“I feel like I’m abandoning you.” Carl had said during one of their phone calls.
“You’re not. I totally understand your need to see Josie and your grandson. Maya needs to meet them.” Kate loved that she had her brother back.
“Who’s going to protect you when I’m gone?”
“My husband, that’s who.” Kate laughed with him.
She leaned back in her chair and thought about that conversation now. It was good to hear Carl laugh and sound like his old self again. Her daydreaming was interrupted by a loud a bang in the kitchen. It startled her because she thought no one was home. Drew was at a football meeting, her mother at work and her father went to the store. Maybe Drew’s meeting finished early.
“Drew, I’m up here.”
“It’s not Drew.” Kate recognized the voice.
“Ty! You scared me! How did you get in?” Her heart began to beat a little faster.
“Backdoor was open.”
“You came around back?”
“Well, sometimes you sit on the deck when it’s nice, even if it’s cold. I thought I’d catch you.”
That made sense. Kate did like to sit out on a sunny day and think. Still, he had no right to break in. “So what’s up?” She asked as he took a step into her room.
“I think I want to break up with Erin and need someone to talk to.” Ty gave her a sad face.
He looked sincere. Kate got up from her desk. She didn’t want him in her room and was nervous he let himself into the house. “Come on, let’s go downstairs.” She fidgeted with her 1927 wedding ring.
“I notice you have a promise ring from Drew-ski. You would never wear the one I gave you.” Ty changed the subject.
Call of the Canyon Page 20
