Subj: Crossing Over Time Chapter 6
Date: 3/16/99 8:45:19 PM Central Standard Time
From: MsAnn

Chapter 6

"Hello, Vicki," said Burke. "How are you."

"I'm… fine, Burke. I guess I was startled to see you."

Barnabas was startled when he looked upon the face of Burke Devlin. Burke's face was the mirror image of that of his late Uncle Jeremiah. Barnabas had deeply regretted the tragic ending of Jeremiah's life, even though he knew that ultimately Angelique was the cause of it. If Burke stayed around in Collinsport, perhaps he would befriend this 20th century version of Jeremiah and perhaps in some way make amends for his earlier actions.

Sensing that Burke and Vicki wanted some privacy, Barnabas and Elizabeth quickly excused themselves from the drawing room. Upon turning to leave, Barnabas took a quick glance at both Burke's and Vicki's faces and got the distinct impression that there was something of long standing between them. Once he was in the foyer, Barnabas turned to Elizabeth and said, "I hope nothing terrible has happened."

"So do I. Vicki is like a daughter to me. I would hate to see anything else happen to her. Mr. Devlin told me that he was an old acquaintance of Vicki's from the orphanage in Boston. I get the feeling from their exchange just now that they might have been more than that."

"So did I," Barnabas replied sadly. He would hate to lose Vicki when he had only just began to try to win her affections, but considering what happened in the past, if Vicki choose to be with Burke, he would have to live with it.

The opening of the front door interrupted Barnabas' and Elizabeth's musings.

"Carolyn, there you are. I've been looking for you. I wanted to introduce you to your cousin Barnabas."

"Hello, Barnabas," said Carolyn as she extended her hand for him to shake.

Having been taught that modern people of both genders generally shook hands upon greeting, Barnabas accepted the proffered hand and gently shook it. "I'm pleased to meet you, Cousin Carolyn. Your mother has been telling me all about you."

"Good things I hope," replied Carolyn with a smile.

"I assure you that they were."

"Cousin Barnabas, if you will excuse us, I need to speak to Carolyn for a moment."

"Of course, Elizabeth. I need to go up and see Father anyway before he goes to bed. If you ladies will excuse me," said Barnabas as he walked up the stairs.

In the study, Elizabeth turned to her daughter with a worried expression on her face. "Carolyn, I'm worried about Vicki. A man from her past named Burke Devlin has come here tonight and I got the distinct impression from both of them that something is terribly wrong. Vicki was visibly upset when I left her in the drawing room. Would you mind keeping an eye on Vicki for me?"

"Do you think it's that bad, Mother?" asked Carolyn with concern. "She seemed fine every time I've talked to her. Can't you just ask her what's bothering her?"

"I have been for the past month, but Vicki always insists that nothing is wrong and refuses to say anything more on it."

"Alright, mother, if you think it's that serious. But I still think that it's just your imagination," replied Carolyn as she began her ascent up the stairs to her room.

The following day, Willie Loomis stopped by the Great House to check on his newfound friend Barnabas and ask how he was doing. To his surprise, he found Barnabas and David in the study watching television.

"What are ya' watching?" asked Willie as he entered the room.

"Zorro," responded David.

"Zorro! Hey I remember that show. I used to watch it every week. What's goin' on in this one?"

"Capitan Monastario has accused an outlaw named Martinez of betraying him by distributing stolen gems in town," responded Barnabas.

"And Don Diego and Bernardo are going to stop him," added an enthusiastic David.

"You know, this television thing is very interesting. Being able to watch a performance within your own home is unbelievable. Earlier, I found Mrs. Johnson watching something called 'Guiding Light,' which she said was a 'soap opera.' That was most confusing. She tried to explain it to me, but I still had no idea of what was happening in it. David's show was much simpler to understand."

"Barnabas, don't feel too bad. My sisters watch those soaps, and sometimes I would catch a peek at them, and I had absolutely no idea what was going on, even when they explained them. I think it's another one of those things that only women understand."

"So, what brings you by here today, Willie?" asked David.

"Barnabas' father asked me to bring him some food from McDonald's so he would be spared another one of Mrs. Johnson's dinners. Say, is he still gonna open up his own restaurant?"

"Father is still devising plans for the restaurant. He was up late last night reading up on modern business practices. This morning Father and I looked over possible sites where we could build. I believe he wants to call the restaurant Collinburger. Last night he was complaining about Mrs. Johnson's meals, so I'm not surprised. Frankly, I agree. Dinner was atrocious. Mrs. Mapes seemed to be the only one who really enjoyed dinner last night. Are meals like that every day?"

"Afraid so. But I took pity on both of you and brought you some extras," said Willie as he handed David and Barnabas the food.

A short time later, Vicki came into the study to tell David it was time for him to do his homework. Although she said nothing to indicate it, he movements indicated to Barnabas that something had happened between Burke and Vicki during their conversation. Willie also noted the slightly disturbed look to Vicki, but decided not to comment on it until Vicki and David had left. Instead he turned to Barnabas saying," I heard you went on a date with Vicki last night. Did it go well?"

"Yes, it did. We went to see a move called 'Gone With the Wind.' Vicki seemed to really be enjoying herself until we returned to Collinwood. When she saw a man named Burke Devlin, she just froze. Something about him is disturbing her."

"Is he some old boyfriend of hers?"

Barnabas inwardly added the word "boyfriend" to his new 20th century vocabulary. To himself, he thought, 'Whatever happened to the English language to cause the word "boyfriend" to exist?' Outwardly, he shook his head. "Not that I know anything about. Vicki doesn't speak of her past, and I don't dare bring up the subject until we actually finish inventing a believable one for us."

"Hopefully it's just a case of the jitters from seein' an old boyfriend. Vicki Winters is a nice girl. I'd hate to see anything bad happen to her."

"I know. Neither would I," said Barnabas.

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--to be continued...