Letters in Time, Reiss Susan [read me a book TXT] 📗

do, not that I could manage much. The aide took care of cleaning and cooking and getting me to appointments.

At first, I was happy to sit on the balcony of my city condo and feel the sun on my face. Then I started watching the people down below, clutching their briefcases and phones as they dashed around with someplace to go. I had no idea when I’d be able to slip back into my life again. That’s when depression set in. I’d never been in analysis, but suddenly, I was sitting across from a stranger who asked, Why do you think you’re sad?

I wanted to scream. A troop of monkeys would know. Why don’t you?

When he offered me a prescription for even more medication, I knew I had to get away and focus on getting better… my way. The doctor was resistant, but his office found an outstanding physical therapy practice fairly close to the Cottage. The rest was a matter of organization and money thrown at the problem.

Now, sitting at this beautiful antique desk, an unseen adversary was trying to wrest control of my life away from me, again.

Not on your life, Buster or Daniel or whoever you are. You’re messing with the wrong woman. This is my desk. I won't share it.

I pulled open a small drawer and took out my Waterman rollerball pen, another gift from Uncle Jack.  I slid a small stack of paper in front of me to protect the wood while I block printed the words.

Dear Sir,

Who do you think you are? I am not your dearest. You must never write to me again.  Do you understand?  NEVER!

Emma Chase

Under normal conditions, I would slide this note into an envelope, address it and stamp it for the mail. But this situation was anything but normal. How do I address a letter to an unknown person…or a ghost?

GHOST? 

My skin went cold as if a chill breeze had blown over me. Ghost? Where had that idea come from? The rational part of me replied:  What other explanation is there?

I sat very still in the chair.  Who would know for sure? Thoughts of a medium, tarot card reader, even a priest, raced across my mind.  Outside the window, a blue heron squawked its arrival on the creek. Its distinctive cry, like fingernails on a chalkboard, jerked me from those mystical thoughts.

No, I decided. That approach will only invite more strangers to the Cottage.  Gossip would spread like wildfire. Whatever I did, I'd have to do on my own.

How do I send the letter to a ghost? I reached for the original letter from Daniel. Maybe if I put the two letters together on the desk, they would find their way back to the original sender.

I couldn’t help but reread his original words:

If I may still call you my dearest…think so badly of me.

This war…deprivations…waiting…paper.

Assure you of my faithfulness now and always.

I scanned my terse response and crumpled the paper into a tight ball. Even though this stranger, this Daniel, was intruding on my life, he didn’t deserve to be chastised. I’d accused my physical therapists of taking out their frustrations on my battered body. Now, I was about to do the same thing to someone else.

Never mind. He didn't deserve it. I took a blank page and wrote:

Dear Sir,

Please, who is writing to me? 

Respectfully,                           

Emma

That was better. I put the pages together and placed them where his letter had first appeared. What happened to the two letters would tell me a lot. I sat back. I knew I was right when I told the doctor I didn’t need the anxiety medication anymore. I bet he’d flip if he knew what I was doing now. I—

Two toots of a horn outside interrupted my revelry. Time to get back to the real world. TJ was back with the new locks. I pressed my palms to my eyes. Thank goodness I didn’t say anything about the letter to him. It would remain my secret.  I looked back at it and my response and wondered if I would hear from Daniel again.

Chapter Seven

“I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on until I am.”

— Jane Austen

I was at the door by the time TJ walked up, juggling the new locks and his tools, followed by his enormous white dog.

“That didn’t take very long,” I said, trying to be gracious. “I appreciate you doing this so quickly.”

“It’s not a matter of choice now. We need to make sure you’re safe.”

I thought I saw him wince as if he didn’t mean to be so honest. Somehow, the mysterious light I’d seen the night before didn’t worry me as much now that TJ was taking care of the locks and I had dealt with Daniel.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine. Again, I appreciate the work you’re doing.” I set off down the hall. “I’ll be in my writing den if you need me.”

“Have you started your book already?” He sounded impressed.

“I wish.  I drafted a note or two. It’s a start.” I hid my smile. If only he knew my secret.

It didn't take long for frustration to replace my confidence. My computer and printer were connected and working perfectly, except for one minor detail. I had no connection to the internet. I didn’t want to interfere with TJ’s work so I went back to the desk and gazed out the window while some anti-virus scan ran on my computer.

“You’re deep in thought.”

I nearly jumped out of the chair.

TJ added his apology. “I’m sorry. I’m used to creeping around quietly because your Uncle Jack often fell asleep in his chair. I