Subj: A Collinwood Carol
Date: 12/12/00 12:31:19 AM Central Standard Time
From: Julianka
Elizabeth put down the phone rather harder than usual. Another Collinsport charity looking to her to finance their misguided attempts! What did they think she was? An bottomless well? If there were underprivleged familes in Collinsport, it was their own fault and none of her concern. There were jobs aplenty at the cannery and on the fishing fleet too! The Collins family didn't get where it was giving away their wealth!
Her head was beginning to pound. Even her much beloved daughter Carolyn was at her again this year to "celebrate the holidays". Elizabeth told her to go buy anything her heart desired and Elizabeth would pay the bill. After all wouldn't Carolyn get just what she wanted that way? Elizabeth was slightly hurt when Carolyn said thank you, but it wouldn't be the same Mother.
The sound of music greeted her ears as she went into the kitchen to give Mrs. Johnson a list of errands to do. Elizabeth stood frowning watching Mrs. Johnson singing and dancing along with a terrible christmas song coming from a little transistor radio on the table as she mopped the floor.
"Just heard those sleigh bells ringing...."
"Mrs. Johnson!"
"Ooooh! Mrs. Stoddart! Pleeease excuse me! I must of gotten carried away with the Christmas spirit!" Mrs. Johnson smiled as she turned off the radio.
"Indeed. If you don't mine Mrs. Johnson I can't abide that hideous noise! In the future please do not play your radio where I might hear it."
"Of course Mrs. Stoddart." the housekeeper stammered. "It won't happen again mam."
After giving Mrs. Johnson the list and verbal instructions, Elizabeth added, "See that it doesn't."
After leaving the kitchen, Elizabeth stopped in amazement seeing Roger still sitting at the dining room table drinking coffee.
"What are you doing here Roger? Shouldn't you be at the cannery by now?"
"Waiting for you Liz. There is a family matter that I feel we must discuss."
Sitting down across him, she helped herself to a cup of coffee. "What would that be?" she inquired.
Clearing his throat Roger began, "Elizabeth, I know this is a touchy subject for you, but do you think we might have some sort of...well..perhaps could we..."
"Speak up Roger! You're acting like a timid little boy! But let me warn you, if you are about ask about a Christmas celebration, save your breath!"
"Really Elizabeth! How can you be so cold!"
"Let me remind you brother just who owns this house! I am in charge of this family. Don't make me remind who holds the purse strings here! As long as you work for me and live under this roof, you won't broach this "holiday" nonsense with me again! Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal". said Roger. And as he left the room, Elizabeth hear him mutter under his breath, "Bah-humbug"!
Elizabeth felt a cold shiver race down her spine and caught a fleeting glimpse of a shadow from the corner of her eye. What was that? Shaking her head, she decided it was nothing. She mustn't let everyone upset her.
Going to the study to take care of some correspondence, she again felt as if the dark shadows of the room reached toward her. Glancing at the window, she noted how bleak the weather was. Heavy clouds overcast sky. And a cold wind rattled the bare branches of the tree outside the window. One more week and all the stupidity would be ended for another year, thank goodness.
At that moment a blast of wind roared down the chimney extinguishing the fire. The room darken and when she clicked on the desk lamp there before her stood herself!
"It can't be!" cried Elizabeth aloud. Squeezing her eyes tight closed, her thoughts swirled.
Peeking out from in between her fingers that covered her face, she gasped, No it was still here!
Taking command of her quaking body, she looked at this specter. No this person was only faintly like her. She was dressed in an old fashioned gown. The woman looked older than Elizabeth's age. A scowl deepen the already many lines on the face. The woman's form was a little blurred and she seemed to glide across the room.
"Is this some kind of joke?" demanded Elizabeth.
"A joke?" Frowned the woman. "I think not. That would be more in my brother Carl's line."
"Are you a ghost? Why have you come to me?" She cried as she backed away from the advance of the ghostly figure.
"I come to bring you a warning. Once I was much as you are. Blind to what I was missing. Even though I gloried in my wealth and power, I was miserable. You see after life is done, you must go on paying for not just your sins and mistakes, but also for the missed opportunities."
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth stammered. "I don't understand!"
For the first time an expression other then a frown crossed the spirit's face. A pitying smile graced her features. "You will my dear. Yes, indeed you will. Tonight three spirits will come to you. Make sure not to squander the chance you are being given."
Elizabeth passed out with those words ringing in her ears!