Finding Elizabeth (10 page)

"I will stay with you. There's no way you
will be able to take care of yourself and get everything ready for
the store," Jen said thoughtfully.

"No you will not, I will be fine. I know you
have a lot going on and you need to get back home. I don't expect
anyone to put their life on hold, for a silly little sprain,"
Claire said with a smile.

"Claire is right, we are all here and would
be happy to help her. She will be back up on her feet sooner than
you think. But right now you need to rest. Is there anything we can
bring you?" Janet asked.

"I just need my laptop, my cell phone and
Elizabeth's journal. I left the journal in the second floor turret
room on the table next to the sofa. My laptop and cell phone are
probably still in my bedroom," Claire said with her sweetest
smile.

Daniel and Jen walked upstairs to get
Claire's things as Janet and Steve went to the kitchen to start
dinner. When they returned Claire was sound asleep.

***

Claire woke to the sound of Daniels soothing
voice as he gently rubbed his finger along her cheek, "Wake up
sleepy head. You have slept most of the day and it's time for more
medicine and some food."

Claire sat up slowly, trying not to move her
foot any more than necessary, "What time is it? How long did I
sleep?"

Looking at her with concern on his face
Daniel said, "It's almost five. You have been asleep for almost six
hours."

"Are you serious? How the heck did I sleep
that long?" Claire asked with a yawn.

Just then Janet came in with a tray of food,
"Here you go, I made you some homemade chicken noodle soup."

Claire happily accepted the tray, "Wow it
looks delicious and that is more than just chicken noodle soup.
Janet, you amaze me, you need to teach me to cook."

"It's really very easy and I would be happy
to teach you. But eat up so you can take your medicine," Janet
firmly replied.

Claire took a small bite of the bread,
"Where is Jen and Steve?"

"They are in the basement. Daniel repaired
the step and the three of them have been down there all afternoon
going through everything," Janet said.

Claire groaned, "Oh that stinks, I wanted to
see everything."

"We knew you would, that's why they have
been bringing everything up to your staging area. Maybe in a couple
of days you can go take a look," Janet said sweetly.

"I just don't know what to say about all of
this. You are all so wonderful. I just hate to put everyone out.
You all have jobs and lives and better things to do than baby sit
me," Claire said with a frown.

Janet sat down on the bed beside Claire,
"It's not a problem. Besides that Steve and I work for you. Most of
our work is from home anyway, and Daniel will be off until the
weather gets better. That's just a drawback from being a
contractor."

After Claire ate her food and took her
medicine, she looked around the room for Elizabeth's journal. As
Daniel walked back into the room with a new ice pack she asked,
"Did you forget the journal?"

Sitting down on the bed Daniel slowly
unwrapped her ankle, "Jen and I both looked in the turret room and
it wasn't there. I was just heading back upstairs to look
again."

After placing the new ice pack on her ankle
and loosely wrapping it to hold it in place, he went in search of
the journal.

While she waited for Daniel to find the
journal Claire decided she would pull up the Van White family tree
and see if she could find anything else. After nearly an hour of
searching she had found nothing. She closed the laptop and set it
on the bed just as Daniel walked in waving the journal in his hand,
"I found it!"

"Where was it?" Claire asked.

"I found it in laying on the bed, in the
pink room. The one at the top of the stairs on the second floor. I
know Jen and I searched that room. I'm not sure how we missed
it."

With a confused look, Claire said, "I don't
understand, why would it be in there? I read it this morning in the
turret room just before Jen and I came downstairs to start on the
basement."

"I'm not sure, but that's where it was.
Maybe Jen was playing a trick on you," Daniel said.

Claire nodded her head in agreement, but
knew that Jen wouldn't have hidden it from her. Now more than ever
she wanted to read the journal and try to solve the mystery of what
happened to Elizabeth. It was a little strange that the journal
keep getting misplaced. She was the only one who had been reading
it. Maybe Elizabeth keeps moving it, she thought.
Come on Claire
be serious. There is no such thing as ghosts.

Deciding Elizabeth must want her story told,
Claire opened the journal and began to read.

April 4, 1886

Dear Diary,

Things around our home have improved a great
deal since father has left on business. Mother's headaches have
mysteriously left her, and she is once again feeling like resuming
her usual activities.

As it is the beginning of spring mother has
asked William and I to help her plant a new English flower garden
in the back yard between the hedges. I am happy to help mother and
to spend time outdoors with her and William. I think it shall be
lovely with bright flowers every color of the rainbow, and then
some. As I write this William is collecting stone to make a path. I
know it makes him feel like a man to do these activities, but I
worry he will somehow be harmed.

Mother and I have also started work on my
new dresses. The original pattern will have to be altered to fit my
expanding size. But we are hopeful they will conceal my shame for a
while longer.

I must go, Annie is heating water for my
bath.

Elizabeth

April 10, 1886

Dear Diary,

Father returned today in an especially foul
mood. Again he smelled of whisky and was spouting off about how the
louse stole his money. Mother suspects father has taken to the
gambling house, but does not know that for fact. Actually I do not
know what father does for a living but suspect it is something that
would bring shame upon this family if we ever knew.

The English garden is coming along
splendidly. Some of our stable hands have been helping William
collect large flat stones and they have begun putting them in the
ground. I think it shall look grand winding through the colorful
garden. Although we have months before the new flowers will bloom,
it should be a sight by mid summer. I can picture us sitting on
Williams new patio, under the large oak tree sipping lemonade, as
we enjoy the fruits of our labor.

I still have not heard of Thomas, and I have
asked Annie to speak with the hands to see if they have word of
him. I am hopeful they will have news.

Just as I write this I can hear mother and
father yelling. I will close for now.

Elizabeth

April 12, 1886

Dear Diary,

A couple of days ago when father was in one
of his sour moods he beat mother so badly, we feared she would die.
Mothers chamber maid Rose and I have stayed by her side night and
day while we nursed her back to health. We had to clean and doctor
the many wounds and bruises and administer laudanum for her
pain.

It concerns me to see mother in this state,
she is like a shadow of the person she once was. I remember as a
child how she would sing happily as she played the piano. Her
glorious voice reminded me of a beautiful bird as it perched
happily on a limb.

When Andrew and I were children she would
even play outside with us playing hide and seek. As the years go by
father gets angrier and she becomes less and less herself.

Father took quite the liberty last evening
of entering her bed chamber and professing his love for her. He
spoke of his sorrow for putting her in such a state. He brought her
flowers and a gold charm bracelet and said, "As God is my witness,
I will never lay a hand on you again. Please forgive me Olivia, for
I was not myself."

As I stood there listening to fathers words
I grew hopeful he could change, but hearing the slurring of his
speech, I knew it was not to be.

There is still no word from Thomas, and
sadly I do believe he has forgotten me. Since mother is in bed I
have turned to Annie to help me devise a plan. I fear if I leave
mother that father will kill her, but if I stay I fear he will kill
me and my child. I wish I knew what to do. Oh heavens, I am at such
a loss.

Elizabeth

April 13, 1886

Dear Diary,

It is with deep sadness that I write this
entry. My dear mother succumb to her injuries this morning. As I
was heading into her bed chamber to bid her good morning, I heard
dear Rose scream. It was an ear piercing scream that I shall never
forget. As I entered her room father was holding her and
crying.

As she left this earth for her heavenly
home, I could envision the angels in heaven singing. For they must
have as they have gained the most beautiful angel of all.

I feel such despair at the loss of my dear
sweet mother. My fears for myself and my child as well as that of
my precious baby brother have become dire. I know my time is coming
and if father should kill me, what will happen to William. I have
prayed to God every day that he would send a solution, but I think
even God has forgotten me.

We will lay mother to rest tomorrow. I have
tried to comfort William, but the poor boy is inconsolable. As soon
as he learned of her death he took off running into the woods. I
wanted to run after him, but father told me to let him go. I am not
sure what to say to comfort the dear boy. I hope he does not
question mothers death, for I do not know how to tell him that she
died at fathers hand.

I must go, the house has been abuzz with
activity and I need to be there to greet our neighbors and to care
for William.

Elizabeth

April 15, 1886

Dear Diary,

Mothers funeral was yesterday. Father chose
a piece of land near the back of the property for her resting
place. He is enclosing it in a fence as I write this. I shall plant
flowers on her grave very soon. I am hopeful that William will feel
up to helping me. The poor boy has barely even taken a bite to eat.
I have tried to soothe him the best I know how. I am hopeful that
tomorrow he will want to go to his attic space. He always seems so
happy there, perhaps it will lift his spirits. I have sat by his
bed each night as he cried himself to sleep. I just feel so
helpless.

Now that mother is gone I have decided that
I must put a plan in action to protect myself, my child and my dear
William. I was thinking I could wait until father left home on a
trip and William and I could slip out into the night. I could style
my hair in a more matronly fashion and wear one of mother's suits
and her wedding ring, in hopes that I could pass as Williams
mother.

I fear if I return to Boston that father
will be alerted and we will be returned to him. I can only imagine
the horror I would face if something like that happened. I shall
take a few days and try to consider my plan.

Elizabeth

April 18, 1886

Dear Diary,

William finally visited mothers resting
place. He helped me plant mothers favorite flowers. We chose
beautiful pink peonies, the largest I have ever seen. I know she
would have loved them. I am also going to plant a rose bush so it
can climb the lovely fence that father built.

I am hopeful as father seems to be a changed
man. He visits mother daily and sits quietly by her grave. William
is beginning to feel better, although I know he will always miss
mother, as will I. He still has not spoken of her, but I know he
will when he is ready.

I was thinking on it the other day and it
troubles me that William will not have the same memories of mother
that I have. For all of his ten years he has seen a different woman
than I knew. My mother was fun and full of energy and she chattered
like a little bird and her beautiful infectious laugher was like
music to our ears. Williams mother was sad and fearful and spoke as
little as possible, to avoid angering father. I am conflicted if I
should tell him of the mother I knew or if it would only sadden him
to know he never knew her too.

I must go now, it is time to help William
with his studies.

Elizabeth

May 25, 1886

Dear Diary,

My fears have come true. Father discovered
my condition and after a severe beating, I was forced into hiding
in Williams secret attic room. Annie cared for me as I was in a
state and could not quit crying for fear that my baby had been
harmed. But finally I felt the baby move.

I have been held here for weeks without
seeing anyone but my sweet Annie. She was finally able to slip my
journal out of my room and bring it to me. Father continues to
watch every move Annie makes. I believe he knows that if she is
given the chance, she will help me escape.