If Catfish Had Nine Lives(53)
“It’s said that Alicia roams the streets every Valentine’s Day, the day she was hung. Twice.” Jake said. He looked at Gram.
“Oh. No, I’ve never met Alicia. I’d like to, though. I bet she was something else,” Gram said.
“Let’s see what her letter says,” I said.
I pulled the paper out of the envelope, unfolded it and read: “Dearest Mother, I just received your letter today and I must say that it has left me terribly frightened and concerned. Please don’t do anything rash. I know all about Daddy, but I also believe his cruelty is tied to his liquor. We knew to run away when he’d been drinking. Give me a chance to come home and see what I can do to help fix things. Please leave him if you need to, but please don’t do the dreadful thing you said you’re thinking of doing. You would break my heart and the hearts of my brother and sister. I’ll be there no later than February 16. I just need to get a few things put in order and make sure Harold and the girls can fend for themselves for a few weeks. All my love, Elizabeth.”
For a long moment, we were all silent. The letter required some digestion.
“Well, that was interesting,” Jake said.
“Considering what happened, it’s probably not good that letter wasn’t delivered, but I suppose that’s one way legends are made,” Gram finally said.
“True,” Jake said.
“So what do we do with this one?” I asked. “I can’t imagine giving this information to anyone.”
“It’s been a long time, Betts,” Gram said. “And we have to deliver it; there’s no question.”
“Yes. Thank you, Miz,” Joe said.
“I’ll be able to find a descendant easily. If I remember the story correctly, Elizabeth did come back to town, too late of course. But I don’t ever remember the stories mentioning that she sent a letter that her mother never received. Of course, like people dying or disappearing, that just happened back then. Letters didn’t always get delivered, or sometimes they were delayed by weather, illness, whatever. It wasn’t too much of a big deal.”
“But Elizabeth probably went back to her family—Harold and the girls.”
“No, she didn’t; that I know, too,” Jake said. “I don’t think they ever joined her in Broken Rope. I think she abandoned them.”
“Like Astin Reagal’s wife?” I said. The story was still fresh in my mind.
“No!” Joe exclaimed. “Astin’s wife didn’t leave him, did she?”
“Not really—she abandoned her son to look for him, though,” I said.
“I see.” Confusion rolled over Joe’s face, but only for an instant.
“What is it, Joe?” Gram asked.
“Nothing, I’m sorry. I’m . . . I’m not sure. Maybe we’re just getting closer to the end of the letters. It seems like I’m remembering things. But not big things—just little unimportant things that bother me. I’m fine. Ignore me.”
I turned to Jake. “How quickly can you find a descendant? I’m sensing that it would be good to find one as fast as possible.”
“Why don’t you and Miz run down to Bunny’s for lunch and I’ll see what I can put together. I’ll call or join you. The ghosts are welcome to stay, of course.”
No one stayed with Jake as he got to work with his fast fingers over his computer keyboard. Gram led the way to Bunny’s, which was located at the end of the main thoroughfare. I followed her, and then Joe and his horse trotted behind.