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Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!
Last time, Violet Trotter—with the help of her brother, Uriah, and his wife, Annie—told the tale of Mia Duomo’s first visit to Vista Falls. She explained that Mia had come to town with a hidden agenda and that Mia’s daughter, Lily, as an act of revenge had caused an explosion that had injured many of their friends. Miss Trotter insisted that Mia Duomo was manipulative, vain and not to be trusted. Violet was so against Mia’s visit to town that she had decided then and there to pay the woman to leave town and not return. Several of the people in the group disagreed, stating that Mia had every right to be in Vista Falls if she wanted to be. Violet turned her attention to the level-headed Mrs. Joan DeLorca, asking for advice and guidance. Mrs. DeLorca considered her brief acquaintance with Mia Duomo and how rude the former model had already been in such a short time. However, being a fair person, Mrs. DeLorca was also aware that Mia did, indeed, have a right to visit Vista Falls if she so desired. Did Mrs. DeLorca support Violet Trotter’s plan to pay Mia to leave? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 6:
Of Right and Fright
“Everyone calm down,” Mrs. DeLorca said.
“Joan DeLorca, you statue saver supreme. Your opinion means much. I’ll take your advice on this matter. What do you think?” Violet Trotter asked.
Mrs. DeLorca thought for a moment. In the brief time she knew Mia Duomo, the woman had already proven to be insulting, rude and selfish. Mrs. DeLorca wasn’t looking forward to having to deal with Mia about the building on the corner. Nor was she looking forward to hearing more of the woman’s strange insults. She also knew that Sarah had already seen Mia acting suspiciously. However, Mrs. DeLorca knew that Mia had every right to stay in Vista Falls if she wanted to.
“I’ve reached a conclusion.” Mrs. DeLorca said coolly.
“So, how much should I offer her to leave town?” Miss Trotter barked the question. “Her make-up bill alone must be staggering.”
“I don’t think you should offer her anything.” Mrs. DeLorca said, shaking her head. “Not right away. Let’s give it time and see what Mia does.”
“Time! Torturous, tempestuous, terrible time?” Miss Trotter stammered. “If given enough time, there’s no telling what mischief and mayhem that maudlin model may make!”
“We have to be fair to the woman, Violet.” Mrs. DeLorca smiled. “She may have made mistakes in the past. And, clearly, she’s not someone with whom I’d care to spend any short amount of time. But, still, as the others say, she does have a right to stay in Vista Falls if she so desires. Throughout our lives we will all come across people that we don’t particularly like. But, it’s important that we still treat them with respect and give them a chance. If I don’t like Mia, really, that’s my problem. So, I’ll stay away from her. I suggest we all do the same.”
“Your answer surprised me.” Violet Trotter growled. “I thought you of all people would support me. After all, you’re the one who has broken up bands of criminals and brought justice to thieves and robbers.”
“All of the people that I’ve fought to expose as criminals have done horrible things. They’ve stolen, they’ve hurt people. So far, all I can see is that Mia’s crime is that she’s unpleasant. After all, she didn’t cause the explosion. Her daughter did. We can’t be judged for things that other people have done. If Eben were to rob a store, I would hope that I wouldn’t be sent away for his crime.” Mrs. DeLorca explained.
“I don’t think you have to worry about it.” Eben laughed.
“Of course not. That’s just an example.” Mrs. DeLorca also laughed.
“Fine.” Miss Trotter sighed. “Your lovely logic leaves me cautiously considerate. I will do as you suggest. We’ll wait to see what Mia does.”
“Well, I say, then,” Mr. DeLorca spoke up, “Now that that whole ordeal is settled, what say we all take a moment to reflect on what’s truly important?.”
“That’s right, Father.” Eben nodded.
“So, if you will, please, all assist me in finding a bucket of bait for my pelican. Furthermore, I’ll require a pie of large proportions for myself, a basket of tomatoes and a crock of potted cheese.” Mr. DeLorca nodded.
“Perhaps it’s a little late for a bucket of cheese.” Mrs. DeLorca shook her head.
“A bucket of bait, my lovely dear.” Mr. DeLorca corrected his wife. “Shakuntala can’t eat cheese. You know she has a problem with dairy. And, certainly, a man can’t eat a bucket of bait. Not at my age, at any rate. Too slippery and all that. But, perhaps Eben might like some.”
“No, thank you, Father.” Eben shook his head.
“Ah, Joel, dear, it’s time for all of us to go back to Mrs. Conn’s and go to sleep. It’s very late. Besides, we should get these youngsters home to their parents.” Mrs. DeLorca said gently.
“Aw, do we have to?” Sarah moaned.
“I think what Mrs. DeLorca says is best.” Mrs. Conn agreed. “Why don’t we all go congratulate Chief Colbert on his award and his engagement to Officer Jenny Littlepoole? Then, Uriah will take you all home.”
“And, we must get Eugenia Victoria settled in at the mansion.” Annie said quickly, remembering their houseguest.
“There’s much to do, then.” Mrs. Conn nodded. “And, remember, we have big plans for tomorrow. We’re all going to spend the morning with the DeLorcas at the Old Vista Falls Museum.”
“We’ve been looking forward to it.” Nancy nodded.
“So, have we, Nancy.” Eben smiled.
“And, then, I must discuss the sale of that property on the corner with the DeLorcas. So, I think a good night’s sleep is in order.” Mrs. Conn continued.
“Oh, all right.” Sarah frowned.
“I say, does that mean no bait or cheese or pies?” Mr. DeLorca pouted.
“Not right now,” Mrs. Conn said. “But, I’ll see what I can do for breakfast. I’m certain I don’t have any bait. But, I’m sure Fritz and Nora can come up with something for Shakuntala.”
“Perhaps she can do some fishing in the stream behind the mansion.” Uriah suggested.
“Jolly good idea.” Mr. DeLorca smiled.
Shakuntala flapped her wings.
“I’m sure Sheridan is wondering why I’ve been gone so long.” Eben worried about his dog. “Luckily he’s with Fritz and Nora and Mrs. Conn’s dog, Harpo, so surely he’s enjoying himself.”
“Well, then, we’d best find Chief Colbert.” Mrs. DeLorca said.
“I think I saw him walking toward Old Martin Creek with Jenny Littlepoole, Mr. Dinello and some of the kids from the Junior High.” Kathy said.
“You’re right.” Nancy nodded. “Let’s go over that way and find him.”
“I’m so excited that Sam Colbert and Officer Littlepoole will be getting married.” Annie smiled.
“I hope their wedding is as lovely as ours was.” Uriah hugged his wife.
“Well except maybe without all the drama.” Miss Trotter joked, remembering her brother’s wedding day and the mystery that they were all solving at that time.
“Do you remember our wedding?” Mr. DeLorca asked his wife. “Thirty-six years ago this month.”
Mrs. DeLorca nodded. “It was beautiful.”
“We had a six tiered cake. It was made entirely of pie. If only Shakuntala had been there, she could have sat on top of it.”
Mrs. DeLorca shuddered. “Yes, that would have been interesting.”
Since no one had anything to add to that statement, they all began to walk toward Old Martin Creek in search of Chief Colbert when, suddenly, Kathy screamed with terror.
Mrs. Conn rushed to the girl’s side. “What is it, Kathy?”
Kathy couldn’t speak, she was so terrified. All she could do was point.
The group followed Kathy’s finger. Immediately, they all stopped in their tracks, their mouths falling open at a horrific sight.
There before them, stood a ghostly woman. She wore a long, elaborate gown of gray silk which shimmered with glass beads. Her face was the same gray color as her gown and shone with an unnatural, eerie glow. The area around her eyes was simply black circles and her hair was a wiry shock of grizzled gray.
The Woman in Gray moaned in a terrifying way upon seeing the group that stood before her. “Stay away!” She howled. “Stay away!”
“Children, stay back.” Mrs. Conn said, putting her arms around Isaac, Kathy, Sarah and Nancy.
“Who are you?” Mrs. DeLorca asked bravely.
“Who I am, everyone knows. Where I’ll be, everyone goes!” With that, the Woman in Gray appeared to float away toward Old Martin Creek.
“What was that?” Eben asked.
“The legend.” Miss Trotter croaked.
“It couldn’t be.” Uriah shook his head.
“What? What?” Annie asked nervously.
“Moss told me about her.” Mrs. Conn shivered, remembering the stories her late husband had told her about his boyhood in Vista Falls. “He told me all about her. He said that his parents used to tease him that if he didn’t eat his vegetables, the Woman in Gray would get him.”
“I don’t eat my vegetables.” Isaac trembled. “Will she get me?”
“And tomatoes are technically a fruit!” Mr. DeLorca said nervously.
“No one is going to get anyone.” Mrs. DeLorca said calmly.
“There was something familiar about that ‘ghost’s’ voice.” Eben frowned.
“I thought so, too.” Mrs. DeLorca said.
“The legend.” Miss Trotter repeated.
What happens next?
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