Rose through time, p.19
Rose Through Time, page 19
"Let's swing by your mom's first then."
Nicole and I sipped our coffees then headed over to my parents’ house which was only a fifteen-minute drive. Mom was asking us to stay for breakfast, but I waved away her invitation, even though Nicole gave me the side eye. She loved the pancakes my mom made; they were a frequent occurrence whenever Nicole and I had sleepovers when we were teenagers.
"Did you have to make us miss your mom's pancakes?" she whined when we were back in her car with the key to my place in my jeans pocket.
"I know, I just didn't feel like talking. I'd want to say something but what good would it do? You know how crazy my story sound."
"Hmm, I guess so," Nicole said. She tapped her phone and pulled up a list of breakfast places near us. "I don't have long; I'll have to go in to work soon but how about we grab something to eat here before I drop you off," she said, showing me the page.
"Sure," I nodded. "Sounds good to me."
We ate at a breakfast and brunch place that specialized in egg dishes; Nicole stuffed herself with pancakes drizzled with blueberry syrup and a side of bacon and scrambled eggs. I ordered a southwest omelet with tomato, Cotija cheese, and avocado. After that filling meal, we stopped by my apartment so I could grab my keys, then she took me back to the place where our morning started. I waved goodbye to her from the driveway and climbed into my own car.
Next stop, the bank. I spent my entire morning and most of my afternoon getting a new bank card, then got a new phone and synced it to the cloud so it had all my data again. My final errand was picking up some groceries: yogurt, bread, tortilla's, ground beef, and some random fruits and snacks. Once everything was stored either in the fridge or pantry, and I sat down again on the couch, the mundane nature of the day sinking in. If I had never ended up in Westbridge, then I might not have even realized how boring my life really was. Work, cook, eat, clean, sleep, repeat. Nothing more than the same things repeated ad infinitum. Sure, life there could be monotonous as well, but mostly, there was so much to learn and explore— social engagements and balls, learning how to cook and bake from Mrs. Avery, hiking and horseback riding, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. It was also the first time people were interested in me as a person where what I said and did mattered. Here, I had Nicole, and I was grateful for her, but on the whole, people here lived their lives never fully connecting with one another, only drifting past each other on their way to various obligations, sometimes forgetting to see each other in person at all. Just a “like” on a shared picture as a reminder that they are still there.
Checking the messages on my phone, a notification that said I had a new voice-mail popped up. I pressed play and held the slim metal case against my ear, a familiar voice started speaking.
"Hey Ro, I know it's been a while since we talked, and I just hate how we left thi-" I had to pause the recording. What the hell did Michael want, calling me after the way we broke up? I continued the message again. "-ngs that day. We both said some things we didn't mean, and you know I always cared about you. I just, I've been thinking that we should give it another go. Whaddaya say?"
My jaw about hit the floor. He wanted to get back together after he cheated on me and called me boring? The thing was, if he'd asked before I went to Hawthorne, I probably would have said yes, would have justified his cheating as somehow being a symptom of me not being everything I should be in our relationship. However, that Rose was gone. I learned I could be resilient and strong and that I didn't need a man like Michael to feel like I'm fulfilling some path to adulthood. I tasted something rich and sweet in Hawthorne and it's my fault I am missing out on that; John was upset for good reasons and I should have fought to stay, to explain to him. Instead, I took the cowards way out. I accepted Melinda's offer and was whisked back to a safe time and place that offered me only stagnation.
Shit, I really did lose it all. I looked at the green book Nicole put on the dark wood coffee table draped in a large doily, picked it up, and weighed it in my hands. I wondered if I should read it. Perhaps it would give me some closure. Or, it would ram home how much I gave up. The idea of all the people in Westbridge being reduced to words on paper bothered me. They were real people with hopes and dreams, and I couldn't imagine a world where I couldn't see and hear Beth's loud laughs or Johns cocky struts, and winks that he seemed to reserve only for me.
I decided that even if it hurt, at the very least, reading my story would be like reliving some of it. The parts with John definitely came across the same on paper, his thawing towards me and the glimpses of vulnerability. Then I reached the part of our fight at the ball. He felt so betrayed and disillusioned, it was hard to read with my regret still so fresh. I expected that to be the end of the book but there were still some pages left.
John, together with William, left for Hawthorne. London was too far to go back to that night. John went to check on Beth but found her room empty. I read on with shock and dawning horror; she had left a note.
Dear brother and Rose, I apologize for the deception, but I do have some great news. When I return, I shall be Mrs. Danby. We have been meeting in secret and due to some unfortunate family trouble, my Ambrose wanted to keep our impending marriage between us secret. I do hope you will be happy for us and welcome us both with open arms. Yours faithfully, soon-to-be Mrs. Beth Danby.
John had accused me of being in league with him but after the revelation of his character, I never thought he managed to get to Beth. I knew she liked him, but they'd hardly seen each other and then only in public. She'd been heading out hiking a lot, I thought. Maybe that's when she'd meet with him. The rest of the pages weren't much better news; John and William set out to find them but had no idea where to start. In the end, Beth returned to Hawthorne alone with her dowry and virginity gone and her husband off to scam new unsuspecting women.
That couldn't happen to Beth. John had to find her before it was too late. She had such a bright light, and that man should not be the reason it was snuffed out. I stuffed the book into a bag, snatched my car keys, and drove to the dollar store I had reappeared at. The same homeless man with his veteran’s sign was sitting out front, leaning against a sign.
I got out of my car and started shouting “Melinda” and “I need to go back”. My hands raised and I pleaded at the skies, subsequently worrying every person in my vicinity about my sanity. I couldn't give up even if I looked like a crazy person. Somehow, I had to get back, and if her and her store had found me once, they could do it again. I stared at the empty storefront then angrily walked around the buildings, but nothing happened. Upset with myself, I plopped down on the sidewalk not too far away from the homeless person.
He was looking at something behind him then yelled, "That's it. I've had enough, I’m out of here."
I got up. The empty storefront was gone. I walked into the building and in the middle of it stood Melinda.
"You didn't have to shout, you know," she said.
"Can you take me back?" I said urgently.
"If that is your wish, then I can make it happen. But I hope you understand that I don’t run a taxi service."
"I do. And it is; I just need a moment," I said, pulling out my phone. I was going to leave home, more than likely forever, and I wanted Nicole and my family to know where I was going and that I'd be alright. I texted Nicole and asked her to explain it to my parents.
“I love you Rose and I want you to be happy. Go live your adventure,” she texted back. Her support felt good even if it might mean that I'd never see her again. I pulled the book out of my bag after I put the phone back in my pocket.
"Are you ready?" Melinda said, as she stepped towards me and tapped the book with her fingers. She handed it to me. The cover exuded heat in my hands.
"I am," I said and opened the page.
32
Wild Goose Chase
I stood in the middle of the gravel driveway. Mrs. Ashbrook’s brick home, with large symmetrical windows framed by shutters, and an entrance way embellished with ivory columns, loomed in front of me. The party was still happening, no time had passed. I didn't care that I now looked out of place, my feet pounded down the gravel. It was imperative that I found John.
"Excuse me, have you seen Mr. Easton?" I said to an elderly man moseying around in the foyer.
"Err, I'm not sure," he said, bewildered by my appearance.
"Okay, thanks," I said, moving on down the hall. Anne was walking down the hallway talking to her mother. I tapped her shoulder. "Hey, have you seen John?"
"What," she murmured as she turned around and took in the sight of me.
"What in God’s name are you wearing?" her mother uttered with shock.
"That's not important right now," I said, waving away her question. "Do either of you know where Mr. Easton is?"
"Why do you need to know?" Anne said suspiciously.
"Do you or do you not know?" I said. I didn't have time for her attitude.
"Did you have a falling out?" She quirked her brow.
"Anne, can you answer the question?" I said scowling.
"Fine, I believe I saw him out in the back garden talking to his friend."
"Thanks," I said and ran off. The look of surprise on her face was almost comical, if I had had the time to laugh.
Her mother shook her head and muttered to Anne, "I can't believe she is the heir to this place."
At the doorway, I hesitated for a moment. The ballroom was still packed with guests so there was no way I could sneak by unnoticed. Screw it, I thought, and I walked in, head held high. A hush fell over the room; even the musicians stopped playing their instruments, notes ending falsely. The gathered guests who were socializing in small groups here and there were now all gawking at me. Mrs. Ashbrook had returned to the dance floor and stood arm in arm with an older gentleman in curtails wearing his hair greased back; she looked displeased with what she probably thought was a dramatic social faux pas on my end.
"Where is her dress?" a lady with blonde curls piled high upon her head gasped. I pretended I couldn't hear the low murmuring gossipers as I strode deliberately through the crowd, cutting across the dance floor and out the double doors. The band picked up a new tune, but their music was now overshadowed by the loud discussions the guests were having about my appearance and what it would mean for my social standing.
"Now, now. There must be a good reason. It might be a new fashion choice for ladies in America," I heard Mrs. Ashbrook say as she tried to do damage control.
John was talking while William waved around a cigarette that he was busy smoking. I strode briskly towards them.
"What are you still doing here?" John said, at the same time that William said,
"What in heavens name are you wearing?"
"I'm sorry, William, I need to speak with John," I said.
"I have nothing more to say to you," John said, pointing in the direction of the driveway. "You should leave."
"John, perhaps you should hear her out?" William said, dropping the cigarette bud to the ground and extinguishing it with a twist of his shoe.
"How can you defend her after what I told you?" John snapped at him.
"You didn't give me a chance to talk," I said. John shook off William’s hand.
"No, I didn't need to. I heard enough."
"No, you presumed to know," I said pointedly.
"You said it yourself. You lied to me. And Mrs. Ashbrook confirmed that you were trying to seduce me into marriage."
"She doesn't know the full story."
"So, there is more?" John said, uttering a laugh utterly devoid of humor
"What is the full story?" William frowned.
"I just, I, dammit." I tried to think of how to explain it to William, but I didn't know how, and I thought it was easier if I just got John alone. "John, this is about Beth. I need to talk to you alone."
"What about Beth?"
"Come with me," I said, grabbing John’s hand. "I'm sorry, I'll explain to you later," I told William. He looked a bit perplexed.
"Fine," John said with venom as I pulled him away from his friend. Once we were far enough away that we couldn't be overheard, I stopped. "So, what is so urgent that you had to accost me while I was with William, dressed in whatever clothes those are," John said, crossing his arms. “You were wearing a dress only a short while ago, why change?”
"Okay," I said, swaying a bit from the nervous energy that had been building up inside of me. "This may sound strange, but you have to promise you'll hear me out."
"Why?"
"Please, just promise," I urged. John nodded with suspicion.
"I promise."
"The story I told you and Beth was a lie, that is true, and I deeply regret that I had to do that. However, at the time, I didn't have another option. You see, I'm from the future, almost two-hundred years."
"What are you getting at?" John said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Let me finish. You promised you'd hear me out." John nodded again for me to continue. "When you jumped into the pond and helped me out, I had just been dumped into this year and place; I had no idea what was going on. I lied for my survival when I had no clue how long I'd be here or who you all were."
"That makes no sense," John said.
"Just look at my clothes," I said, gesturing at my denim jeans and teal peplum shirt. "When you left me after your angry accusations, the person that sent me here showed up. She gave me a choice; stay here or go home. I went home."
"If you went home, then how are you here now?"
"I was getting to that. For me, it's been two days since that conversation. I touched a book which led me here and when that person showed up with the same book. I touched it again, and I was back in America, in my own time. But this time, the book had writing in it, everything that happened while I was her and even after I left."
"Rose, that sounds like a fairy tale. How do you expect me to believe that? Your clothes do look different and I don't understand how you could have changed out of your dress and styled your hair differently so fast, but you are asking me to believe in the unbelievable."
"Look," I said, pulling the cell phone out of my back pocket. "This is proof. This is my phone." Johns' eyes were flitting between my clothes, phone, and the place William was standing in the distance, probably because with this unreal bombshell being dropped on him, his only urge was to run. He did the opposite; instead, he stiffened even more. "Here." I handed him the phone. I had unlocked it and opened the photo gallery. "We use it to talk to people that are faraway, just like we are having a conversation now, and to take photos, portraits, of ourselves or our friends or things we like.
"How does this work?" he said in awe. He swiped through the pictures and observed my phone from every angle.
"Well, I'm afraid I don't really know. We just buy it."
"So, you really are from the future?" he said tentatively, staring at me.
"Yes." John held out the phone toward me again although he hesitated, his fingers tight on the metal as if he didn't want to let it go. "John, there is more," I said, taking the phone and putting it back in my pocket.
"What is it?"
"The reason I came back. It's Beth. I read the book and found out about Mr. Danby. John, he took her." My voice filled with urgency. "He seduced Beth into eloping; they could be on their way to London as we speak. We need to go after them right away."
"Eloping? Are you sure?" John said. "They've never been alone together."
"That's not true. Reading the book, I found out that she's been sneaking off to meet him in secret. I did see Beth walking outside a lot but at the time, I thought she was just taking up hiking. I never imagined she was meeting him."
"We'll have to hurry. I'll need to tell William," John said, his eyes wide. John and I ran towards William who was standing around waiting for us to be done with our talk.
"What is going on?" He noticed the worried look on John's face.
"Beth's in trouble; she's eloped with Mr. Danby. They are on their way to London as we speak. William, can you find a driver to take you to the constable? Rose and I will go after them, but we could use the backup."
"Of course. I will go right away," he said, looking at the both of us. "But does this mean that John was right," he said, his question directed at me.
"No, I was wrong; Rose is helping us." John squeezed Williams upper arm. "Now, go and alert the police. We will go after them. Rose and I will explain everything to you after."
William nodded and took off towards the side of the house. John grasped my hand and together we ran towards the stables. Hopefully, Hugh was there with the carriage ready to leave.
We found the gentle groundskeeper and driver resting his eyes, sprawled out across the seat. John tapped the glass and Hugh shot up.
"What's that," he muttered, looking around, then he spotted us through the glass. "Mr. Easton, Miss Rose, how can I help?"
"Hugh, I need you to take us to Hawthorne, post-haste. We have no time to waste. And when we get there, I will need you to saddle the two fastest horses; I think Damian and Brutus will do."
"Yes sir, right away sir," Hugh said. He reconnected the horses in front of the carriage as fast as he could and had us on the road to Hawthorne in record time. John and I were bouncing in our seats with the speed we were moving across the uneven terrain and a myriad of potholes in the road. Hugh drove up the main entrance and stopped so we could jump out, then led the horses around towards the stables.
"I just want to check her room," John said.
Mrs. Avery greeted us pleasantly at the front door. "How was the ball?" she said.
"I'm sorry, but do you know if Beth is still here?" John said.
"What do you mean?" the stout, motherly woman asked, with her hands on her hips. "Beth went to her room early tonight; she wasn't feeling well."
"Let's hope we are wrong, and we find her sound asleep, but we'll have to check," John said to me as he ran up the steps.
