The Professor and Sean II
By: Scotty
(Copyright 2006 by the author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 8

(Sean narrates)

I was in a happier mood after Ry and I exchanged plans for later that night and each other's butts. It was something that took my mind away from the immediate apprehension of making the phone calls. Knowing that Ry would be there with me, and that he would be on an extension relieved some of the stress. Still, I had a strange foreboding about the entire situation.

I wondered, too, what help Aunt Emily and Father O'Rourke would be. What could they possibly know about the problem? Also, I was alarmed about revealing to them the previous experiences of hearing my parents. I was trying to contain my concerns and anxiety, hoping that I wouldn't lose it and be a problem for Ry.

When we arrived at the study, Ry hugged me and told me not to worry about anything. He assured me that if we didn't find anything of importance from my Aunt Emily or Father O'Rourke, we would leave for home that very day. How I hated the thought of screwing up his vacation! Since I fell in love with him, it seemed that I was always the cause, or at least the center, of problems. When I was pensive and sad, I often wondered how he continued to love me.

"Ry, will you please dial the number. I'm a little shaky right at the moment. I'll talk to them, but it would help if you would do this little thing for me," I told him.

He hugged me again, and told me,

"No problem, Baby. Here goes. He pulled the piece of paper from his pocket on which his mother had written the telephone numbers. He picked up the phone and began to dial. I tried to smile at him, but I couldn't get a smile to stay on my face. I gave up on that, and watched as he finished dialing.

"Pickup your phone, Baby. We can listen together."

I picked up my phone and listened.

"Good morning, this is Mt. Cascade Assisted Living in Putney, Vermont. How may I help you?"

"This is Sean Kelly, Emily Kelly's nephew. I would like to talk with her. Could you please connect me?"

"Certainly, Mr. Kelly. Just one moment."

After a few clicks, I heard the receiver being picked up, and then Aunt Emily was speaking,

"This is Emily Kelly."

"Hi, Auntie Emily, it's Sean. Don't get excited, nothing is wrong. How have you been?"

"Sean, aren't you in Florida?"

"Yes, I'm calling from Ryan's parents' home in Florida."

"Are you sure that nothing is wrong. You sound a little strange."

Ryan jumped in,

"Hi, Aunt Emily. You sound great. How is your health?"

"Ryan Taylor, don't you try to change the subject. I'm fine, but to what do I owe this unexpected call. Let's have it, Sean, what is the problem? I can tell by your voice that something isn't right. Now tell me!"

I took a deep breath and Ryan squeezed my hand, and I asked her,

"Aunt Emily, do you know anything about what might make strange things happen at the cabin. I got a call and the workmen have stopped working because the swear they are hearing voices."

"What are they doing?" came the immediate question.

"Ry and I are having some changes made. You know I told you. Well, as a surprise to me, Ryan told them they couldn't destroy the old cabin. He told them they had to save it. When they tried to move it, the voices started," I told her.

There was a long silence, but I could hear her breathing. She coughed, cleared her throat and asked,

"Did they touch the tree? You know the big maple that is on the knoll behind the cabin?"

Ryan spoke, "They are planning to cut it down so that they can move the cabin to a new location. Is that important?"

"It could be. Sean, there is something you need to know about the cabin, but I'm not the one to tell you. After you know, then I'll discuss it with you. You should call Father O'Rourke. He knows the answer to the questions both of you have asked. Sean, I love you, but I just can't give you any more information. Talk to Father O'Rourke. Then call me back. When you talk to him, you'll understand. Now hurry."

"Thanks, Aunt Emily. Bye," I said to her.

"I love you, Sean, bye," she said.

"Bye for now, Aunt Emily," added Ryan. There was a click and the line went dead.

I sat there with the phone in my hand starring at Ry. He looked at me and I read confusion and questioning on his face. I finally asked,

"Ryan, what the hell is going on? I just don't understand. Why can't Aunt Emily tell us what she knows. I feel like I'm on a wild goose chase."

Ry laughed lightly, hung up his phone and came to me. He took the phone from me and set it in its cradle. He pulled me to my feet, took me into his arms and hugged me, It felt so good, so right. Then he said to me,

"Baby, I really don't know what to think, but I do know what we have to do. We have to call Father O'Rourke. For a reason I don't understand, Aunt Emily doesn't want to talk to you about whatever it is until after you talk with Father O'Rourke. It may have religious overtones, or something. Or it may be that Aunt Emily may only know part of it. Let's try not to jump to any conclusions. Let's wait a bit before we call him. I think we should probably go back and tell the others what we know at the moment."

"Okay, okay. I understand. But, Hon, please don't leave my side. I need your strength," I told him.

He kissed me gently and reminded me,

"Baby, you can count on me being by your side. Now, let's go tell the others."

We walked back to where we found the others waiting. It was obvious that they were concerned as their faces betrayed any smiles that they had. Mom especially looked distressed.

I smiled, as did Ryan.

Mom asked, "Well, what did you find out?"

We sat down and Ry began to explain our phone conversation with Aunt Emily.

********

(Ryan narrates)

I took a deep breath and began,

"Mom, Dad, guys, we called Aunt Emily. First, she's fine. We got right to the point of the call because she was able to tell from Sean's voice that something was wrong.

"After explaining the situation in Vermont, and just a little about Sean's previous experience with the voices, we asked her if she knew any reason why the phenomenon at the cabin should be happening. For a moment, she didn't say anything. There was just silence."

Sean began to speak now,

"She told us she wouldn't say anything more until we talked to Father O'Rourke. I sensed that she was a little upset and very cautious. We have to call her back after we chat with Father O'Rourke. We plan to call him shortly, but we wanted you all to know what was happening at the moment. I found Aunt Emily's reaction confusing and a little upsetting. Ry has told me to keep cool until we know more. I can't think of any reason why she behaved as she did."

For a minute or two the group was unusually quiet. Greg broke the silence when he asked,

"Ryan, do you have any idea what is holding Aunt Emily back from telling you what she knows?"

"Yes, I wondered about that, too," added Dad.

Ry looked a little distressed, but he answered,

"I don't know what's happening, but I suspect that Father O'Rourke knows something that may have happened before Emily was involved deeply with the family. But that's a guess."

Mom looked at Sean, saw his concern and crossed over to hug him. She kissed him on the forehead, and smiling, said to him,

"My goodness, Sean, it does sound mysterious, but don't worry your head about it. I am sure that if Emily told you to talk with Father O'Rourke that she had a good reason. My advice is not to worry yourself about it for a minute. I suggest that you go back to the study and call him. If he knows anything, he'll tell you, and then you can relax and decide how to attend to the problem."

Rog, who had remained silent and interested throughout the conversation, finally spoke,

"Ryan, do what your mother says. It's the right thing to do. Sean, take him back to the study and make the call."

I smiled at Rog and Greg, and told them,

"You know I always do what my mother says."

Sean suddenly was laughing, hugging Mom. Dad was also enjoying his wisecrack as were Rog and Greg. It felt good that everyone could laugh at this moment. I walked over to Sean, took him by the hand, and as we walked back toward the study, I turned and said to the group,

"Say a little prayer that Father O'Rourke knows something."

"Please," implored Sean.

********

(Ellen narrates)

I wanted so much to tell them that I knew just a little about what might be going on, but Emily had sworn me to secrecy. I had not even told Gerry.

It had occurred just before Emily left the wedding. She had pulled me aside and told me that she marveled that Sean had turned out to be such a wonderful young man. His life had not been easy, and without his knowing it, there had been another tragedy in his parents' lives. When I asked her what she meant, she withdrew and simply said that was all she could tell me.

I had wondered about that comment since that time, and had wished I could discuss it with Gerry, but I remembered the agreement, and I have never said anything to anyone.

At the moment, I prayed silently that Sean would not have to suffer any more tragedy. I prayed that Father O'Rourke had some wonderful news for him. I had also wondered why the attorneys for Sean's parents had not told him anything that I would describe as tragic. It was frustrating to know something and yet to know nothing.

I heard a muffled voice somewhere in the background, realizing suddenly that it was Gerry.

"Ellen, are you all right? Ellen! Honey, answer me."

"My goodness, I'm sorry Gerry. My mind was a million miles away. I am worried about Sean; he seems so vulnerable. The poor boy doesn't need any more problems. And I'm concerned about Ryan, too. How much can he take? It just isn't fair. It isn't," I said.

Rog and Greg looked slightly alarmed, but my Gerry, cool as ever, just hugged me and reminded me,

"Ellen, don't get too agitated, Honey. Those two guys love each other and you know as well as I do, that they will get through this and will be stronger and closer than they are now, if that's possible. I just trust Ryan to be mature and calm, and I suspect that Sean is much stronger than we know. Let's wait until they tell us whatever they want to share with us."

"You're right, Gerry. You know me, when it has anything to do with my sons, I get upset. I'll try to contain my emotions," I told all three of them.

Rog smiled at me, as did Greg. Rog reassured me by telling me,

"I think we can trust those two to do the right thing. I know they will find the strength to handle this. They are good people."

"You can say that again!" added Greg.

Everyone became quiet, and was lost in his own thoughts, praying that everything would turn out the way we hoped.

********

(Ryan narrates)

On our walk back to the study, Sean held on to me tightly, making it a little difficult for us not to trip over each other. At one point, we almost fell, and thank goodness, that brought a hearty laugh from us both. Laughing was difficult when your mind's working overtime trying to deal with, and understand, how to solve the mystery in Vermont. But it was wonderful to hear my lover laugh a little. How I loved him.

"Will you dial again, Hon?" he asked me.

"I'll do whatever you want me to do, Baby."

With a somewhat reserved giggle, he replied,

"Whatever I want? Are you sure?" and he smiled at me, which immediately melted my heart.

"I said 'whatever you want me to do' and I meant every word of that. So what's your pleasure?" I asked.

Now he really laughed and told me,

"How about we talk with Father O'Rourke first, solve this mystery, tell everyone about it, and then I have a long list of things I want you to do."

By now we were in the study, and I smiled at my lover and said to him,

"I hope that it is a long list of all the things you would like me to do for you. But first, let me dial."

I quickly dialed the number for Father O'Rourke. It took a while for the connection to be made. Then a sweet older voice announced,

"Mt. Carmel Home for Retired Priests, this is Sister Andrew. How may I help you?"

"Hello, Sister. My name is Sean Kelly. I am a friend of Father O"Rourke. Would it be possible for me to talk with him?"

"Just a moment, please," the good Sister said.

"Thank you," Sean replied. I smiled at him as he sat there, phone to his ear waiting.

"Mr. Kelley, Father O'Rourke, would be happy to talk with you. I will transfer you. Have a nice day and God bless you." There were a couple of clicks and then, Father O'Rourke's voice, slightly dimmed by age, came across the miles to us.

"My dear, Sean, how are you? And how is Ryan?"

"We're fine, Father. It's so nice to hear your voice. Are you well, Father?" asked Sean.

"I am doing well for a man of my years. Aches where I don't remember having them; stiff joints in the morning and on really cold days; but other than that, I am fine. And you two, how is life going for you two."

"Everything is going okay, Father," I said.

"Sean, what can I do for you two? I'm sure you didn't just call me to exchange pleasantries."

Sean was quiet; thinking I suppose, about how he would frame that all-important question he wanted to ask Father O'Rourke. I could see that he was getting a little tense, so I spoke,

"Father, Sean has something he wants to ask you, but he's afraid you might not be able to answer it for him. First let me tell you some things that have happened to Sean and me that we have not told anyone until last night, and now to you."

I quickly filled him in on the experiences with the voices. He listened, but did not interrupt for clarification or explanations.

"That's about it, Father," I told him.

"Sean, you're not afraid to ask me any question, are you?"

"No, Father, it's just that I'm not quite sure how to ask you."

"Well, my son, you just ask. And if I can, I will answer. Now what's the problem?"

Sean hesitated for just a moment, and then he asked,

"Father, you don't think I'm crazy because I heard my Mom and Dad, do you?"

"Of course I don't think that. The world and life are filled with mysteries. We can't always explain them, or, for that matter, understand them. But that doesn't mean they don't happen, There are many things we cannot explain, but they do happen. I believe that you heard the voices, Sean. And I know that Ryan has seen evidence of those experiences. Now relax and ask me what you want to know," Father O'Rourke reassured Sean.

"It's like this, Father. They have stopped work at the cabin because the workmen are frightened because they think they are hearing voices. They intended to move the cabin to another location, so that there will be more room for the new cabin. Ryan and I didn't want to lose the old one; it has too much meaning in our lives."

"I understand your feelings. So where is the present cabin going to be moved?" Father asked.

"Father, you know the big maple up on the knoll behind the cabin. The architect wants to cut it down and level the ground for the cabin. We told him it was okay, but when there was an attempt to do it, the voices started. Do you have any idea why this would happen?" Sean asked.

"Oh, no, no, no." came an almost breathless reply from the good father.

Then there was just silence and the sound of his deep, hurried breathing.

To be continued...

The marked improvement in the punctuation and spelling is because of the intelligent and careful assistance I have received from Wayne. This wonderful man is my editor, I thank him here publicly. As Sean would say, "He is awesome!"

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