Beverly Sims Menage & More 09 Caroline's House

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others. I don t know. What do you think?
Besides the fact that you need to leave here, right now, I suggest we
talk to Larry. You said you have seen him with the ghosts by the forest two
different times. Right? Georgia asked.
Instantly, Caroline drew herself up to refuse, but before she could say a
word, Georgia had picked up the phone and started dialing. Georgia spoke
quietly. Larry, this is Georgia. I am at Caroline s house, and we have a
problem. I think you can help. Before you say a word, just listen. We both
know that you have had contact with those invisible people that come out of
the woods. Caroline has seen you twice with them. So you must know that
they are here, in her house, too. And that they are creating a living
nightmare for her. No, don t talk! You should see what they have done to
her rooms upstairs. Completely ruined it with water and& .
This time Georgia did the listening, saying only a hummmmm or a
no, I don t think so, or such. She started to hang up the phone but said,
Wait, stop someplace for some whiskey and vodka. It could be a long
night. She dialed again. Hi, Honey. Look, Caroline has some real
problems here, and I think I will stay the night. Larry is coming. She
102 Beverly Sims
listened and then spoke again, Okay, honey, if you want. I could sure use
you, myself. I love you, Doc.
They are both on their way. Whether or not you want Larry here, he is
coming and he can help. So let s go down and wait. It is kind of soggy
here. With that, Georgia laughed and led her friend back downstairs to the
living room.
Caroline did not argue this time. When they were down, she went to the
dining room and returned with a stack of photographs. Here, Georgia, look
at these.
Oh, My God. Is this Malcolm? He is positively gorgeous. Wow! No
wonder you did not put up a fight, if that would have done any good
anyway. Hey, Malcolm, Georgia shouted, did you hear me? I think you
are handsome. If you want to feel my breast again, you are welcome to do
so. Caroline was not sure if her friend was joking or serious, but either
way, the ghost failed to take her up on her offer.
Caroline s House 103
Chapter 22
As soon as the men arrived, in separate cars but at almost the same time,
Georgia ushered them in. Doc got a big hug and a noisy, mmmmmm kiss
from his wife. Caroline and Larry merely nodded at each other. Georgia
spoke first. Okay, fellows, I think we need to start upstairs. You in
particular, Larry, need to see what happened this afternoon when whoever,
whatever got upset with Caroline.
They went up in single file, Caroline first, and then Larry behind her.
Georgia took Doc s hand to slow down his progress so that the first couple
had a few seconds alone.
My God, Larry exclaimed, What the hell happened here? He turned
to Caroline for an explanation as the other couple entered the bedroom.
Hey, Caroline, nice waterbed you have there. Doc s joke did relieve
the tension a bit. His reward was a little punch from his wife, whom he
pulled to him and hugged.
This is hard to tell, but I must ask first how long and how expensive it
will be to make the repairs, Caroline asked. I don t want the crew to think
they were at fault in any way for the damage, but I want it fixed as soon as
possible. Larry, please. Can it be done right away?
It depends, Miss Fleming, he answered, on how truthful you are
about it. Tell us exactly what happened.
Georgia moved to the other couple, who were practically nose to nose,
Larry definitely furious. Come on, you two. Back off Larry. Give her a
chance and stop bullying. Now that you have seen the mess, let s go back
down to the living room, or better yet, the kitchen, pour some drinks and
start the tale at the beginning. I have a feeling it s going to be a long night.
They did as she had suggested. Once the cocktails were poured, they sat
around the kitchen table. Caroline started, Larry, right after we started the
renovations here, I saw you out by the forest talking to a group of people. I
104 Beverly Sims
did not know at the time they were not living people. No, don t say anything
yet. Then this morning I saw you again, but you went off into the woods on
an old logging road. You were supposed to be in Portland. Would you mind
explaining that?
We are not here to discuss my whereabouts, Larry started to protest.
Georgia stopped him. It s a legitimate question. and I would like to
hear your answer myself. If we re going to get anywhere with this, everyone
has to be truthful. So please, Larry, will you answer?
Slowly, he nodded. I did go to Portland for a couple days but came
home yesterday. Yes, I was out by the woods both times Caroline apparently
saw me. Yes, they are not living people. They were buried in the old
cemetery deep within the forest, most for so long no one even remembers a
cemetery being there. It was an old Indian burial ground and then a pioneer
cemetery, not exactly together, but close enough for the spirits to not take
exception to the later burials.
I came across the place several years ago, Larry continued, right after
I settled here. I was deer hunting. It got late and started storming when I
realized I was lost. I tripped over what I found later to be a tombstone. In the
meantime, I hunkered down by a large log, planning to wait out the night.
My mistake was not realizing the log was the home of a very large, unhappy
bear that was apparently planning to spend the winter there. Next thing I
knew, I was tossed in the air like a child. When I landed, my leg was under
me and snapped. The sound is one I hope never to hear again. At the time, I
though I was going to die, so the leg wouldn t have mattered anyway. The
smelly mound of fur ran toward me, snarling, and then suddenly stopped
dead in its tracks. It snarled some more and then turned to run back into the
forest, leaving me broken and scared shi& ,oops, sorry, ladies. It was too
dark to see anything now, under the heavy tree limbs and raining so hard I
was soaked, every inch.
Larry continued, I felt myself being moved by hands I could not
see& hands I could feel. The hands were gentle as they carried me deeper
into the woods. I was in and out of consciousness, so I had no idea of the
time. When I finally awoke, it was starting to lighten. I found myself in an
old, rotten cabin, probably some pioneer place, long abandoned. My leg hurt
like hell, but when I reach down to feel it with my hands, I found it wrapped
in old rags around some wood pieces like a splint.
Caroline s House 105
No one spoke as Larry continued. I leaned against the cabin wall,
wondering how I was going to get out of wherever I was. My gun was next
to me, so I unloaded it, put the shells in my pocket, stuffed leaves in the
barrel to keep out the dirt, and used it as a crutch. As I limped out into the
woods, there were transparent people everywhere, but they were not
frightening. They offered by gesture to carry me, but my pride was too
dumb-headed to agree. They walked with me, helping me up when I fell, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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