The Haunted Stroll by J. A. Whiting

Author:J. A. Whiting [Whiting, J. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Whitemark Publishing
Published: 2018-12-19T05:00:00+00:00

14

It was late afternoon when Viv and Lin met in town to do some holiday shopping before the big crowds descended on the island in the coming days.

“What was wrong with Leonard last night?” Viv asked.

After Leonard cried on the patio of the museum, he straightened up and wiped at his face. “I’m okay. Sorry.”

Viv had poked her head out of the museum door. “We’re ready to leave. Meet us at the front door.”

As soon as Viv disappeared back inside, Leonard dashed to the door. “I’ll use the rest room. I’ll meet you.”

Lin wanted to talk things over with her friend, but it was clear that Leonard was not ready to have a conversation about dancing with the woman or his feeling that he’d betrayed Marguerite so Lin went inside to find Jeff.

“What happened? Is Leonard okay?” Jeff asked quietly.

Lin gave a shake of her head. “I’ll tell you later.”

When Leonard joined them for the ride home, his face was flushed and his behavior was stiff and formal. He didn’t make eye contact with any of them and he sat quietly in the rear seat looking out the window at the darkness.

Walking along the festively decorated Main Street, Lin gave her cousin the details of Leonard’s incident.

“Oh, the poor guy,” Viv said. “I knew it wasn’t a good idea for Marguerite to hang around for so many years. She should have crossed over a long time ago so Leonard could get on with his life.”

“I don’t think either one of them was ready,” Lin said. “Until now. And now it’s going to be very difficult for Leonard to manage his feelings. He’s going to think that enjoying the woman’s company at the museum was the catalyst for Marguerite leaving for good. He’ll blame himself.”

“But Marguerite has been disappearing now for days at a time. Don’t you think she’s been gearing up to cross over for some time? She’s testing how Leonard will handle it by easing away from him.”

“I agree. Leonard will have to be reminded that meeting the woman at the museum had nothing to do with Marguerite leaving the earthly plane. She’s preparing to go. Leonard has a million conflicting emotions racing around inside of him.” Lin stopped walking. “I wonder if Marguerite knew Leonard was going to meet that woman at the party. Maybe this woman is important. Maybe it wasn’t a casual meeting. Maybe Marguerite knows that Leonard will be okay when she crosses over because he and the woman are going to make a connection with one another.”

“So Marguerite is a matchmaker now?” Viv looked skeptical.

Lin smiled. “I guess you could say so. I think she’s ready to cross, but she won’t go unless she’s sure Leonard will be okay.”

“Lin. Viv.” Anton Wilson, bundled in a faux fur hat and a heavy winter coat, rushed up to the young women. “I have some news from my historian friend. Can you spare some time? Shall we sit in a café so we can talk?”

The three went to a coffee shop located on one of the side streets and settled around a table with drinks.

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