The Hathaway

Invitation

When I returned to work I decided to stop in and say hi to Evelyn. She was still ensconced behind her desk, but the pile of papers had diminished in size and she didn’t seem quite as focused as she had this morning. “Did you have any lunch?” I asked as I stuck my head in her door.

She looked up in surprise. “Oh! Joey, hi. Not yet, she smiled. I’m not sure how long I’m going to stay so…”

“Well, we had an extra sandwich. Can I interest you?” I held up the basket, and when she didn’t immediately refuse, I walked in and set it on her desk. “Just turkey with a little mayo and mustard. Nothing fancy.” I pulled it from the basket and offered it to her. “Please.”

Her eyes twinkled as she took it. “I must admit I’m a little peckish.”

I sat and made small talk with her, finally asking, “So you remember the Hathaway from when you were a child? I’d love to pick your brain about it.”

“I’m afraid there isn’t much to dig up,” she apologized. I pretty much told you everything I remember. I only ever saw the building from the back and never got too close. It was so big and imposing, like a castle to a little girl like me.”

“Do you know anything about the religious community that lived on the property before the Hathaway was built?” I asked.

“There are some folk tales about a group of magicians who lived somewhere in those woods, but nothing concrete.” She thought for a moment and ventured, “I vaguely remember a family story about when Union House was built. It incorporated the remains of an older structure that was the first building on the site. I’m not sure how many generations it went back, but it was built by my ancestors as their first home. Supposedly these magicians helped them build it, but shortly after that they sent an evil spirit to plague them and the first house was partially destroyed by fire.”

I had not shared the dream I had had during the night with anyone yet, and I realized that her ancestors were probably the family that the congregation had built the roof for. “Is there any documentation around the building of Union house or the house before it?” I asked eagerly.

It’s on that map from the early eighteen hundreds, and I have seen some tax records that go back to before that, but there is very little from that era.”

“Heather has been looking for an early religious community from the mid to late seventeen hundreds. I think they may be the magicians in these tales. Are you interested in finding out more? It does seem to have a direct connection to your family.”

“Heather has already asked me, first thing this morning. I was busy catching up so I told her to come back this afternoon. I believe she found something at the tribal archives of the Indian reservation up north. I think she wanted to discuss it with me before showing it to you.”

“Really?” I asked with enthusiasm. “This is getting good!”

She chuckled, “I love it when people get excited about history.”

“Well, you live in a historic home, and so do we. By the way, have you’ve never seen the inside of the Hathaway?”

“Heavens, no!” she laughed. The only kids who went in there were troublemakers who were looking for a place to smoke or drink, or...well, you know…” she looked both ways before whispering, “...have sex.”

I chuckled, “Well, it was a brothel in it’s day. It only seems fitting. She managed a smile for my sake, but clearly did not approve. I thought for a moment and decided, “I think it’s time you saw the place up close and personal. Come to dinner tonight, bring your son if he’s still around. I’d love to show you around and have you meet the kids.”

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to impose. Besides, what would my ch...Have you been bothered by the protesters at all this week?”

Her sudden change of topic caught me off guard.  In truth, I had been so wrapped up in events within the Hathaway and the Boarding house, that I hadn’t really been paying attention. “I’m not sure,” I admitted. “I haven’t seen them myself, but I suppose they could have shown up during the day when I wasn’t around.”

“I’d be surprised if they did. When the pastor made it clear they were no longer welcome in the church, we all asked them to leave our homes the next day. I’m not sure where they went, but I’m pretty sure they hightailed it out of town first thing on Monday. I think they were worried that since the tide had turned against them that they were vulnerable to lawsuits themselves.”

“Are there still people at your church that want to shut us down?” I queried.

“Of course, but only a few. They were the ones that invited the protesters in the first place, but it was the protesters who fanned the flames. Most of the church disapproves, but was not up in arms about it.”

“And how about you?” I asked, choosing my words carefully. “Did you disapprove?”

She was silent for a long moment. “I did.” She quickly added, “I wasn’t angry or anything, not until I started listening to the preacher who was staying at Union House. But I had always been taught that...well that people like you were evil. But I had never known anyone like you. I didn’t know what to think, I’ve always been a good girl, doing what was right and never talking back. When I got to know you it was confusing. You were supposed to be evil, but you were always so kind and understanding. I really didn’t know anything about Hope House except that the others thought you were bringing corruption into our quiet little town.”

That’s why I want you to come to dinner.” I reached over and patted her hand. “I want you to see for yourself, make your own decision. Get to know these kids and appreciate just how strong and wonderful they are. Please say you’ll come tonight.”

She thought for a moment then turning to me as if she had made a definite decision, she said, “Yes, alright, I think I would like that. What can I bring?

I laughed outright, recognizing the etiquette I had extended to Andrew. “I tell you, if you show up with a pizza, the kids will love you for ever.”

She laughed as well, at this unexpected answer, “Really?”

“But I think it’s a pork roast tonight, plenty for everyone. Just bring whatever you’d like to drink.”

Ben showed up about an hour later along with the lady from the church. We both reiterated our gratefulness for including the kids in the cruise, and she chatted for a minute before heading back to finish her tasks at the church.

“I gave the last sandwich to Evelyn and invited her to dinner tonight. Can you let them know that we will be having one or two guests?”

“Sure thing.” Ben grinned. “That ought to make for an interesting evening, especially if Helmut decides to be himself.”

“Shit! I hadn’t thought of that,” I laughed. "So what did Andi have to say?”

“She thought it was pretty cool, actually, and wasn’t worried at all.”

“Yeah, well, she’s not the one getting dry humped every morning.”

“It was only once,” he protested, then added, “Every other time it was real fucking.”

“Or jerking,” I continued.

“No, she thinks what has been happening to you and I, and even Helmut, is different from what has been going on with Kevin. She thinks that it is all originating with Kevin, and that the rest of us are just experiencing the fallout of what’s happening with him.’

“Quite the fallout! Is there anything to do about it? I just don’t want him exhausting himself every night without knowing what’s going on, and I’d like to know when I’m fucking you so I can enjoy it.”

“Me too!” he agreed. “She’s going to come over tonight and stay in one of the extra rooms so she can confirm her suspicions before trying anything.”

“So what are her suspicions?”

“She wouldn’t tell me,” he frowned, “She doesn’t want the energy of the space contaminated by conjecture.”

“But won’t her presence change the energy of the space? Won’t the kids be suspicious?”

We’re going to tell them that her room is being worked on and she had to find another place to sleep so we invited her over since we already had a handful of empty beds.”

I nodded. “Another untruth on top of the story we’re telling them about Helmut staying there tonight. I really don’t like misleading the kids, even if it is for their own protection.”

“Well, we can’t tell Kevin about it, not yet. He would probably feel humiliated and that would really change the energy of the place. We can come clean once we have an answer, but we’ll never get tot he bottom of it if we don’t tread lightly.”

“I know. Did you tell her about the music I heard in the ballroom last night?”

“What music?” Ben looked perplexed.

“Shit, I forgot to tell you about that, didn’t I? And I haven’t told you about the dream either.”

“You had another dream?”

“A major one. I think I have almost all of the story now, I’m just not sure how it ends. Plus, Evelyn had some more oral traditions that have been passed down through her family. We’ve got a lot to piece together. What time is Andi coming over? We can have a council meeting and put what we have so far on the table.”

“Probably about eight, after supper at the boarding house.” He looked at his watch and jumped. “If I’m going to give them a heads up I need to get back home soon.” He grabbed the basket and gave me a hasty kiss before running out the door. I thought it was a bit abrupt, but I loved how impassioned he got when he really cared about something.