The Leafing: the 2nd book in The Green Man series

by Sharon Brubaker

  “I love Percy,” she thought and said aloud next.

  The ring stopped and started to swing around and around in widening circles.

  “One more,” she breathed as the ring swung around. She grabbed the ring with one hand and held it to still it before she stated, “My father is alive.”

  Slowly, the ring went back and forth, back and forth in the ‘no’ position.

  Sylvia sat back on her heels in front of the fire. This dowsing or pendulum stuff was amazing. It was magical, but also hard to believe.

  Sylvia crawled back into bed and pulled the quilts and blankets around her shoulders as she contemplated both dowsing and the now dancing flames. Sylvia yawned. Her restless night was catching up with her. She tried to wrap her head around the fact that dowsing really predicted the truth.

  There was a sudden rustle of leaves and the Green Man appeared beside her on the bed, propped up on one elbow.

  “Tsk, tsk,” he said in his deep baritone voice. “Ye of little faith.”

  Sylvia turned to him still snuggled under the blankets. She breathed in his warm, woodsy scent.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “You,” he said, “not believing in the truth of dowsing.”

  “But, if it’s so easy,” she argued, “why doesn’t everybody know about dowsing?”

  “Sylvia,” he said, chiding gently, “think about it. Most humans really don’t want to know or see anything outside their little bubble of life. It’s like those bubbles children blow. Some pop right away and do not experience life. Some cluster together and sink to the ground. Some—singularly or joined together, go out and explore and reach higher.”

  He paused and she thought for a minute.

  “And what type of bubble am I?” she asked him.

  “Right now,” he said, “you’re on your own, and you are soaring steadily higher,” he told her. His eyes were sparkling in the firelight.

  “Hmm,” she murmured. She was getting sleepy and fading with the conversation, feeling quite comfortable with the Green Man beside her.

  “Sylvia,” he said, his voice a dusky whisper that filled her, “the dowsing is real. You also have the gift of changing the negative to positive with dowsing.”

  But, Sylvia had drifted off to sleep while the Green Man was talking. She didn’t remember him kissing her on the forehead or tucking the blankets around her. She sighed a contented sigh in her sleep and slept more deeply.

  A few hours later she woke with Percy’s nose pushing at the edge of the bed. He was whining softly. Sylvia’s eyes flew open when she felt another presence in the room. It was Owen. He was building up the fire again. She stretched in the bed and sat up.

  “Good morning,” she said to Owen and wiping sleep from her eyes.

  He had been focusing on the fire.

  He turned, “Good morning,” he said.

  The air had turned chilly in the bedroom again. Owen was working to get the fire going.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “No problem,” Owen told her.

  Sylvia snuggled back under the covers. Percy was whining again.

  “He’s been out already,” Owen told her. “I don’t know why he’s whining.”

  “He wants to come up on the bed and snuggle,” Sylvia told Owen, “but, I think this four poster is too high.”

  Marian’s antique four poster bed was so high that Sylvia had to use a step stool to get into it. Percy couldn’t make the leap and it was inconceivable to Sylvia for him to use the step stool.

  “Okay, Perc,” Sylvia told him. “I’ll come to you.”

  Sylvia got out of bed and moved towards the fire. She sat on the floor a few feet from Owen. Percy lay between them and put his head in Sylvia’s lap.

  “Did you know he slept with me?” Owen asked. “I hope that was okay.”

  Sylvia nodded. “I wondered where he was,” Sylvia said, “I missed him.”

  They were quiet and watched the fire. Sylvia had her hand on Percy’s head and Owen patted his back. They were quiet and watched the fire.

  Finally Owen said, “Sylvia, if you could get through a little bit of your hurt,” he said earnestly, “and give me a little bit of a chance…” Owen trailed off.

  There was silence for a couple of minutes. Sylvia glanced at Owen and saw that he was tensing up and waiting for her answer.

  “Okay,” she said softly. “What’s next?” she asked.

  “Maybe we could take it slow,” Owen said, “and go out on a couple of dates?” he asked.

  Sylvia contemplated this. “All right,” she told him. “That would be all right.”

  He grinned and looked relieved. “Let me go and get us some coffee,” he told her. “I’ll be right back. Stay warm by the fire.”

  When he left, she asked Percy. “What do you think, Percy? Did I do the right thing?”

  Uncannily Percy snuggled and leaned in closer to Sylvia moving his head up and down in a ‘yes’ motion. Sylvia chuckled. She didn’t want to laugh too loudly and disturb the almost asleep dog.

  Owen returned with coffee. Carefully he handed it to her so that it wouldn’t spill onto Percy. Balanced on top of the cup was a small plate that had a few of Marian’s shortbread.

  They nibbled and sipped and began to talk. Outside the trees creaked as snow began to fall off them in the ever brightening and warming day. The tension between Owen and Sylvia was beginning to melt a little bit, just like the snow outside in the remains of the storm.

  Chapter 28

  The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.

  Max Lerner

  Empty coffee cups in hand and a plate clear of crumbs, Owen, Sylvia and Percy made their way to the kitchen. Sunlight streamed in the windows. The polished oak cabinets gleamed. Jon was reading at the table. He stopped and looked up, peering at them over his half-moon glasses.

  “Looks like things are warming up,” he commented, glancing at the sunshine and then back to Owen and Sylvia coming into the kitchen together.

  Sylvia wondered if he meant the double entendre, but before she could lightly glare at him, they heard a noise. The generator turned off and the electricity kicked in. The appliances hummed happily.

  “Finally,” Marian said. “Electricity.”

  Marian pulled something that smelled warm and sweet from the oven. Sylvia went over to the stove to turn on a kettle of water to heat for coffee. She asked everyone if they wanted more coffee and prepped the individual coffee presses and waited for the water to boil. She looked at the large casserole Marian had pulled from the oven and sniffed appreciatively.

  “Marian,” Sylvia said, “that smells wonderful. What is it?” she asked.

  “Baked oatmeal,” Marian said in reply. She caught Owen wrinkling up his nose.

  “Don’t make any judgments until you try it,” she scolded Owen.

  “Okay,” he said.

  “Sylvia,” Marian asked, “be a love and spoon some of that into dishes.

  Sylvia filled the coffee presses and took them to the table before she spooned the baked oatmeal into dishes. Sylvia noticed it was studded with dried fruits and walnuts. There was a pitcher of cream already on the table.

  “Wow,” Owen said as he took a tentative bite, “this is great!”

  “I told you not to judge it too harshly,” Marian said.

  “I should know better,” Owen admitted, “Marian; I don’t think I’ve ever not liked something you have cooked.”

  “Thank you, dear,” Marian said with an appreciative chuckle.

  “I wonder if the electricity is on at my house,” Sylvia asked.

  “With this bright sun, I would think you could go over safely. The roads should be fairly clear by now. I’m not sure if the state of emergency has been lifted.”

  “Why don’t we all go over,” Marian suggested. “I don’t know about you, but I have a case of cabin fever.”

&
nbsp; Sylvia packed up and they made their way to their cars. Marian rode with Sylvia in her SUV and Jon and Owen in Jon’s luxury SUV. When Sylvia saw him pull out of the garage, she realized it was the same as Tony’s car.

  As they drove, they began to see damage. There were fallen trees and debris everywhere. Few cars were on the road and emergency crews from the local power company were working on clearing downed trees and limbs that would create future problems for them. One road to Bayside was completely closed and they needed to drive around until they came to the alternate route into the development. Snow was piled high on the sides of the roads. It glittered in the bright morning sun and was almost blinding.

  “I’m wondering if this will freeze tonight,” Marian commented.

  “I suspect so,” Sylvia said, “the roads seem deserted.”

  True enough, they only saw one other car and also a salt truck spreading salt on the road into Bayside. The small road by the river was only a lane and a half wide. When they pulled up to her house, Sylvia was surprised to see the driveway completely clear of snow.

  “What?” she asked astonished, as she pulled in.

  There at one edge of the driveway by the garage was Tony, scooping snow in large shovelfuls. When they pulled into the driveway he stopped shoveling and leaned on the shovel, breathing a bit heavily. Sylvia parked and hopped out of the car.

  “Tony!” she cried, “Thank you so much!”

  Involuntarily she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Tony grinned. He had a heavy shadow of a beard and looked extremely sexy.

  “I can’t believe you did this,” Sylvia said, giving him another hug.

  Tony shrugged. “It wasn’t a problem,” he said. “I was feeling cooped up and thought I could do some good out here.” He was definitely all smiles with her attention.

  Jon got out of his car and shook Tony’s hand. Owen and Tony nodded at each other.

  “Will you all come in and get something warm to drink?” Sylvia asked.

  They went in, stomping their boots on the landing and headed inside the kitchen.

  “Let’s drape the coats over chairs in the study,” Marian suggested and Sylvia agreed.

  It was good to hear the hum of the electricity. The heat pumped gently through the registers.

  “I never thought I would like hearing that sound,” Sylvia commented, “but, I do now.”

  Everyone agreed with Sylvia. She excused herself and went out to the kitchen. Marian followed and so did Percy. Sylvia looked into her refrigerator.

  “I have cider,” she told Marian, “we could heat that up. What do you think?” she asked.

  “Sounds perfect,” Marian told her.

  Marian pulled out a large pot and Sylvia took the gallon of cider from the refrigerator.

  “I usually just heat it up in the microwave, but I guess with a crowd, I should put it in the pot?” Sylvia questioned.

  “I think so,” said Marian. “Do you have any mulling spices?” she asked.

  Sylvia looked at her blankly.

  “They have packets of spices for cider, or do you have cinnamon sticks and cloves?”

  Sylvia grimaced, “What I have is very old,” she admitted. “I guess I’ll have to pick up some on my next trip to the store.”

  Sylvia rummaged in the refrigerator and pulled out a chunk of cheese. It was smoked Gouda, and cut it into slices along with cheddar. Marian crisped crackers in the oven that she found in the cupboard. Carrying laden trays they returned to the living room where the men were talking. Owen looked tense and was looking around the room and not really concentrating on anything. Tony was looking down at clenched hands. Jon was asking questions. Jon looked up when he heard them step into the room and immediately took the heavy tray from Marian. Tony and Owen jumped up too, nearly hitting each other, but Sylvia bypassed them and set the tray on the coffee table. Sylvia handed full mugs of hot cider to each person and passed the plate of cheese and crackers before Jon resumed his conversation with Tony.

  “Son,” Jon said, “I think you should hire an attorney here in Maryland.”

  Tony looked up at him with surprise registering on his face, “Why?” he said. “The creep that killed and robbed Joyce is the one who needs a lawyer. I have one on retainer for my business, but…” his voice trailed off.

  Jon’s voice was stern, “How many times have the police been to see you and question you, Tony?” he asked.

  Tony looked up at him. “Why?” he asked. “I wasn’t near here when Joyce was killed. Sylvia saw me the next day, I was frantic, wasn’t I?” he asked a little desperately looking at Sylvia.

  She nodded. “He’s right, Jon,” she corroborated his story, “Tony was pretty frantic looking for Joyce. We ran into each other while taking a walk. That’s how I started watching the big guy,” she said fondly, looking at Percy whose head rested on Jon’s knee.

  “Still,” Jon insisted, “I think you should have an attorney in Maryland. I can recommend someone if you need an attorney.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Tony said, draining his mug, “but, I hope that isn’t necessary in the least.”

  Tony stood up and put his mug on the tray. “I need to go,” he said. “Thanks for the cider,” he said to Sylvia.

  “You’re welcome,” she said. “Thanks for shoveling my driveway!” She walked with him to the study where his coat was hanging over the wingback chair.

  “Are you okay?” she asked softly.

  “I will be,” he said, his voice having an edge of stone, “once that guy is caught.”

  Sylvia gave Tony a hug. She turned to kiss him on the cheek and he turned swiftly so that the kiss ended up on her mouth. She tried to pull away as it started to deepen.

  “Ahh,” Tony said as he pulled away too.

  Sylvia looked down at the floor. “Sorry,” she whispered.

  Tony nodded his head and went out the front door. A tear slipped from Sylvia’s eye when he left. Quickly she wiped it away and returned to the living room putting on a bright smile. They were discussing Tony.

  Jon said, “I think it’s very foolish of him not to retain an attorney here in Maryland.”

  “But, why?” Marian asked.

  “In my experience, nine times out of ten they feel it’s the estranged spouse that has committed the murder. Although Tony seems to have an air tight alibi, the police have questioned him a few times. They haven’t found Joyce’s lover yet and they are going to want to pin this murder on someone.”

  “But, he wasn’t even here!” Sylvia protested.

  “Are you sure?” Jon probed.

  Sylvia was confused.

  “So he says,” Jon said. He looked at Sylvia’s flustered face. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, “once an attorney…”

  They all sat in ponderous silence for a moment. Owen, first looked tense, then bored, as he fiddled with the phone. It vibrated in his hand and he nearly dropped it.

  “Hey,” he said to Sylvia, “we’re off tomorrow.”

  “What?” Sylvia

  “There are a lot of places without power still,” Jon said. “I was catching a bit of the news before we came over here.”

  “Check your cell,” Owen told her.

  She did and had the same text. “Cool,” she said, “I think. I have a lot of work to do and I didn’t bring it home.”

  “Relax,” Owen advised, “It will be there when we get back. Everyone is in the same situation with the snowstorm.”

  “I guess so,” Sylvia said.

  “We should be getting back,” Marian suggested.

  They bundled up in their jackets and went into Jon’s SUV, then carefully made their way down Bayside road. Sylvia and Percy stood at the door for a few minutes, but the chilling breeze caused her to shut the door fairly quickly. The temperatures were starting to drop again and the damp breeze from the bay scooted past her into the house. Percy backed up and went back into the living room as Sylvia shut the door. She went to get her favorite sweater and heated more c
ider in the microwave. The house had chilled without its central heat for the past few days. The furnace was working overtime. Sylvia took a wool throw and curled up on the couch. Percy jumped up beside her and leaned against her as she sipped her cider. She called her Mom to let her know she had returned home and then called Carol to see how she was making out.

  “This snow sucks!” Carol cried when she answered the phone. “Do you have electricity yet?” she demanded.

  Carol and her Mom were still huddled in front of their fireplace. They still did not have electricity, but it was promised by morning. Sylvia offered for them to come to her house, but Carol was concerned about the roads icing up as the afternoon wended its way forward. They chatted until Sylvia heard the doorbell ring.

  “I need to go,” Sylvia told Carol. “My offer still stands. Please come if you can.”

  “Our development hasn’t been plowed yet, Syl,” Carol told her, “or we would be there. See you soon, I hope!”

  Sylvia went to the door. Joe was standing there in his uniform.

  “Joe!” Sylvia cried. “Come in!”

  “I only have a few minutes,” he said. “I wanted to check to see how you were making out.’

  ‘I’m fine,” Sylvia told him. “I came home early this afternoon. Marian was kind enough to put me up.”

  “Good, good,” Joe said. “Things are still pretty nasty out there.”

  “I know!” Sylvia said, “I just talked to my friend and she said her development hasn’t been plowed and they still don’t have electricity. We’re off work tomorrow too.”

  “Not surprised,” Joe said. “Everyone is working twenty-four/seven to repair the damage from the storm. I was pulled off of detective detail to do the street beat,” he told her.

  “Do you have time for a cup of coffee?” she asked.

  “I would love one,” he told her, but I’m not sure I have the time.”

  “Another time,” she said. “Thanks so much for coming over,” she told him sincerely.

  “No problem,” he said. They hugged.

  No sooner had she shut the door, when her phone rang. It was Tony.

  “Hey, Syl,” he told her cheerily, “how about coming down for cheesesteaks and old movies?”