Slow Dance in Purgatory(53)

“Oh, no, Miss Honeycutt. Miss Margaret isn’t into any of that. Something is wrong, but it isn’t that.”

“Then what, Gus? I can’t help her if I don’t know what has happened.” Irene was understandably distraught. She had awoken at an ungodly hour, one of the plagues of old age, and discovered that Maggie had never come home the night before. She hadn’t known where to look, and Maggie had the car, so she had called Gus, seeking his help, and he, in turn, woke Shad. Shad had been the one to suggest they start looking at the school. Gus told Irene they would check and get right back to her. When they had seen Irene’s car parked all alone in the big front parking lot, they had immediately commenced their search.

Gus was silent. He worked the brim of his hat around and around, chewing something over in his mind before he fed it to his old friend. He sighed, knowing it just wasn’t in him to keep secrets. She was going to think he was a crazy old man.

“It didn’t take us a long time to find her,” Gus started to recount the event for Irene. “She looked like an abandoned doll, all dressed up and tossed aside. When I first saw her,” his voice dropped to a whisper, “I thought she was dead.”

Irene gasped and held her hand to her trembling lips.

Gus winced sympathetically. “I’m so sorry, Miss Irene. I’m just trying to help you understand what I saw.”

Irene nodded, urging him to continue.

“It scared me to death, and I cried out to Jesus and ran to her. I think Shad thought the same thing, ‘cause he held back, probably afraid to see the truth. When I got to her, I saw that she had been crying – probably for a long time. But from what I could see she wasn’t injured or harmed. I told Shad, ‘She’s sleeping, Shad, just sleeping.’ I thought that poor boy was gonna break down right there. He’s had too much sadness in his young life. He sure don’t need anymore.” Gus put his hat on his head and took it off again.

“I kept patting her cheeks and shaking her, trying to wake her up. She was sleeping so deeply. I said to her over and over, “Miss Margaret, tell old Gus what’s wrong. Wake up, child.” She didn’t even stir. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to wake her up. I thought I could probably carry her, but it was a long way to the truck, and I needed her to wake up so I could make sure she was okay.” Gus paused then, just for a moment, and with a deep breath he waded back in.

“All of a sudden, she kind of sat up, almost like somebody was helpin’ her. It was the strangest thing. She just kind of eased up, eyes still closed. Then she said something, and it was loud and clear. I know I didn’t misunderstand.” Gus stopped short and looked at Irene.

“What? Did she tell you what had happened?” Irene’s eyes were wide, her hands clenched in her lap.

“No. She just said one word. She said….Johnny.”

“Johnny? What’s that supposed to mean, Gus? Who’s John…” Irene’s voice faded off as she realized who Johnny was. “Gus! That’s crazy.”

“Shad and I both heard her say it. It scared the boy. He was shaking like a leaf. That reminds me…” Gus scratched his head, as if realizing something for the first time. “Shad was giving Miss Margaret a hard time about something the other day, saying something about going steady or some such nonsense. Asking if that’s how they did it in the ‘50s.”

“Did what?” Irene was completely bewildered.

“Shad was teasing Miss Margaret about a boyfriend.”

“I don’t understand what you are insinuating, Gus.” Irene was starting to get frustrated. Gus was growing agitated as well, but not for the same reason. He stood and began to pace the floor, still worrying his worn hat brim.

“Shad and I were able to get Miss Margaret up, and I asked her if she had the keys to the car. She kind of pointed towards the ladies’ locker room, and I sent Shad off after her things. She was pretty disoriented and shaky. I helped her along and just as we were about to the doors, she said his name again…Johnny.”

“This is bizarre!” Irene cried, her hands trembling again.

“I kind of felt strange, like someone was watching – you know the feeling – and I glanced over my shoulder as I held the door for Miss Margaret….and…I saw him. He was standing there, watching us.”

“Who??”

“Johnny Kinross. It was him, clear as day. He looked….terrible…just terrible.”

“Terrible how?” Irene had an image of a skeletal face peering out from a hooded black robe or a red-eyed demon sneaking up on her defenseless niece.

“There was so much sorrow in his face. I’ve never seen such a sad face.”

“What does this all mean, Gus?” Irene asked softly, believing her friend and wishing she didn’t.

“Tell me, Miss Honeycutt, has Miss Margaret ever mentioned seeing…ghosts?”

“Goodness, no!” Irene huffed. “She’s the most down-to-earth girl I know...“ Irene’s voice trailed off. Her eyes grew thoughtful, and she tipped her head slightly as if remembering something from long ago.

“My younger sister, Lizzie, Maggie’s grandma, used to tell me the strangest stories when she was a girl. At least I thought they were stories….” Irene lost herself in the past once more. After a moment she resumed speaking.