***
Geri’s friends came by after church and they all went to Parker’s Hill to go sledding. Chris went back to his models and Cassie sat on the couch, listening to her new radio.
“Cassie, are you okay? You seem a little distant today,” Marion walked over and sat down next to her.
Cassie took out the earphones. “I’m just a little sad, since it’s my first Christmas without mom and dad. Of course, Christmas wasn’t as much fun as being here. I love it here, but I still feel a little lonely.”
“I know how you feel, dear. My first Christmas in Parkerville was amazing, but I was still all alone. It took a while for me to feel safe.”
“It must have been horrible for you, since you were so young.”
“How do you know that?” Marion asked, in a quiet voice.
“Oh, gosh,” Cassie whispered, trying to think of an answer.
“Was it Cookie?”
Cassie wanted to disappear at that moment and she couldn’t look Marion in the face.
“So, it was Cookie? I should have known,” Marion smiled.
“Are you angry with me? I was dreaming at the time, at least I thought I was dreaming, but it really seemed so true at the time.”
Marion looked into her eyes. “Cookie is a very powerful woman, but she’s also a kind and loving person. I’ve held on to my anger with her for long enough.”
“Do you really mean that? She’s such a wonderful person. She reminds me so much of my mother.”
“I can certainly understand. Your mother and Cookie were cut out of the same pattern. They could read one another’s mind. Believe me; I was very jealous of them. I guess that’s why I’ve been so angry all these years. It was such a relief to have lunch with all the ladies and not feel any animosity. I’ve wanted that so much, so if you didn’t come here to Parkerville, we would never had been friends again. I don’t want to keep hurting her.”
Cassie gave Marion a hug. “She really loves you and wants you back into her life. And, I’m also glad you allowed my grandmothers to see me. I know I was a little difficult when I first got here, but I felt like I was all alone, kind of like what you went through.”
“Well, this has been a wonderful Christmas, Cassie, and everything will turn out for the best. By the way, do you have any idea who gave you the radio?”
“I think so. It had to be Cookie.”
“That sounds right. She seems to like you a lot. It’s a shame you didn’t pick a name out of the Wishing Well. Hope you do next year.”
“Well, I didn’t pick one, but I found a name in the snow. I guess no one wanted her.”
“Oh, that’s so sad. Now, you don’t have to tell me who it was, but I’m curious what you sent her.”
Cassie smiled. “It was the perfect gift. I sent cookies to Wilhelmina Baker. The lady in the store said it would make her sweet for a month, so it wasn’t really for her, but more for Bernadette and Rose.”
***
The Wedding Announcement!
“I just love weddings,” Sara mused, “but Laura didn’t want to come, since it would be hard on her. She’s seen this before and I didn’t want her to go through this again.
“Well, this is new to me and I think it should be an exciting Sunday,” Skye added.
Sara and Skye walked along the sidewalk.
“There is nothing like having an excuse for going shopping with my beautiful niece and buying a pretty new outfit for a wedding.”
“And all the painted snow just makes it perfect,” Skye smiled. “How come it’s not all that cold, but the snow doesn’t melt?”
Sara just laughed. “Are you really still curious about our weather, dear?”
Skye sighed. “You’re right, nothing should be a surprise to me anymore.”
Mr. Figg met Sara and Skye at the steps of the church and escorted them in.
Todd was a last minute show and rushed to sit by Skye and Sara.
“Where have you been?” Skye whispered.
“I was having a talk with Bruce, but it didn’t do any good.”
Faith Peach was sitting at the piano looking through her music. She’d pick one up, shake her head, and lay it back down. She continued to do this, much to the chagrin of the Pastor.
“What’s she doing?” Skye whispered to Sara.
“She’s trying to find something appropriate for the occasion, I guess,” Sara whispered back.
During the constant shuffling of music, Chris and Cassie came in and took seats in the last row.
Marion had been watching for the two and looked back at them with a disapproving glare. Geri looked at her big brother with an impish smile on her face.
The church was abnormally crowded this Sunday, due to the announcement of a wedding or two.
“My goodness, I’ve never seen the church this full before,” Sara whispered.
“Yes, well, this is quite an occasion, with two possible weddings in one day. Now that’s something!” Mr. Figg whispered back.
“Why would you say two possible weddings? It’s a done deal, I thought?” Sara asked.
“Let’s just wait and see,” Mr. Figg replied.
Cassie and Chris were whispering to each other looking toward the front of the church, where the two couples were seated staring straight ahead, not saying a word to anyone.
Skye turned to whisper a silent hi to Cassie, but stopped when she thought she saw a familiar ghostly face standing at the back of the church. Her eyes grew large, as she turned and looked straight ahead. She was shaking a little, her good humor completely gone. Oh no, why is Jackson here? How did he even get here! I don’t think he saw me. She was dying to turn around and take another look, just to be sure, but she didn’t want to take the chance.
Faith had finally found the right music, or so she thought, and began playing, Oh Promise Me, which started one of the brides to start crying.
The congregation started to sing, but they just weren’t sure it was appropriate; after all, this was just an announcement, not the wedding.
Pastor Martin climbed up into the podium with a huge smile and spread his arms in welcome to the entire congregation. He was just about to begin his oration, when one of the walls of the church very slowly started to levitate. The screeching of the wall coming loose from its connection was overpowering Faith’s piano playing. She just stopped and slammed her hands down on the piano.
People began moaning and the sound of men’s shoes pounding down the aisle, were heard throughout the church. Cassie looked over at Skye wide-eyed.
“Oh my, it’s starting again. The dirt buckets are outside to the left,” the Pastor directed. “Make sure you get enough dirt on this wall and put some dirt on the other walls, just to be safe. Quickly please, quickly!” The Pastor yelled.
Skye stared in fascination as the wall on her side of the church slowly started to levitate and glide away. The men quickly threw dirt and snow on the wall, and it glided back into place.
Sara leaned toward Skye and whispered, “I’ll explain later, sweetheart.”
Skye looked back at Cassie, who was just as surprised. Chris was whispering to her and she just shook her head.
“Yes, I know, this sort of thing is very disruptive and disturbing, but it will calm down soon,” Pastor Jim sighed. “It should calm down in a few minutes.”
One of the men came back into the church, to let everyone know the walls were secure.
“Well, now,” Pastor Jim started. “Let’s start with some very good news. We have two young couples seated here in the front row. These couples are here this morning for their betrothals and we want to wish them all the happiness the future has in store for them. We also want to thank our precious Lord for bringing them together.
We all know Bruce Pollock here and Mayla Johnson. Yes, they were children here in Parkerville growing up and now they’ve found each other as lifelong partners.”
Mayla stood up as her mother
came forward.
“I’m sorry, Pastor Martin, but this is all a big misunderstanding. My Mayla has absolutely no intention of marrying Bruce Pollock.” Beth Johnson gestured toward Bruce, who was still sitting with his head down, thoroughly humiliated. “Goodness, we all know she’s had a crush on Leonard, Skeet, as we so fondly call him, since first year.”
Mayla looked around the congregation to see if she saw her one true love. But he still hadn’t made an appearance.
“So, you see, it’s just one of those misunderstandings we can all just forget. Someday, Mayla will marry her one true love and everyone will be happy.” Beth smiled in anticipation of the Pastor agreeing that a marriage between Mayla, a Royal, and the daughter of one of the most prominent storeowners and wealthy entrepreneur in town.
Then there is Bruce Pollock, a box boy at Mr. Pennypacker’s store, who should be out of the question.”
There were two Keepers on duty and present for the announcement. They wore their black robes and headdress, so their identity was kept secret. One of the Keepers stood up and spoke.
“Mrs. Johnson, the rules are quite clear here in Parkerville. Mr. Pollock is perfectly justified in taking Mayla as his bride. Despite the feelings of the bride-to-be here toward Bruce, she let herself be caught. She was out after the alarm and she knew the consequences of her actions. The wedding is approved.”
Mayla broke out in uncontrollable sobs, as she stood up holding a box of tissues in her arms like a baby. Her shoulders were heaving and her mother rushed over to her.
“No, no, no! I won’t marry him. He messed everything up. He wasn’t the one who was supposed to be there. I can’t marry him and you can’t make me!” Mayla cried.
“Mayla, this matter has been settled. Please be quiet and sit back down, and Mrs. Johnson, please take your seat.”
Mayla continued to stand and sob, as she turned and desperately searched the congregation. “Skeet! Skeet, where are you? Please, Skeet, its okay. Come up and take your place. Your rightful place! It’s you I love. You were supposed to be there that night . . . not Bruce! Skeet, please!” Mayla begged.
Very slowly, with his head held down, Skeet Renshaw got up from his seat in the very back of the church.
“Skeet Renshaw, come to the front of the room,” Pastor Martin thundered from the podium.
“Whoa,” Skye said, with a soft laugh, and nudged Sara.
“Oh my, this will not look good in the Johnson’s family album. I love it!” Sara smiled.
Others in the congregation accepted this news with both glee and shock. There was tittering and whispering throughout the congregation, as Skeet slowly made his way up the aisle to the pastor.
The whole time Mayla was making a scene, the other couple, who were destined to be together, were sincerely happy they were being ignored.
Pam and Jack sat behind Bruce, and just stared at the scene she was making, feeling very sorry for Bruce. Then, all of a sudden, Jack stood up.
“Alright! That’s enough. This is our day, too, Pastor Martin. We deserve some time in the limelight. We love each other. And Bruce here loves Mayla, for some strange reason, and I don’t think she deserves him,” Jack stated glaring at Mayla.
When Skye saw who it was, she held her breath and her eyes grew wide. “No,” she whispered.
“What?” Cassie said from across the pews. Then she leaned toward Chris, whispering, as she continued staring at Jack.
“Come on, they’ve always liked each other,” Todd whispered to Skye,
“Yeah?” Skye whispered, “if it were the right each other.”
Todd just shook his head and continued to watch.
Pastor Martin looked down at Jack and smiled condescendingly.
“I know Jackson. This would normally be a very happy day with congratulations abounding for both couples, but we have a disagreement here that I will soon settle. Please have a seat and I will get to you and Pam next.”
“Jackson, sit down you’re embarrassing me,” Pam said.
Jack looked down at Pam and narrowed his eyes. “It’s Jack!”
Pam recoiled from his glare, as Jack sat back down.
Skeet came up and stood by Mayla. He looked at her sadly and then looked up at the Pastor.
“I’m sorry, Pastor, but I guess I just got cold feet. I should have at least showed up and told her. That way she would have been safe.”
Skeet was a good-looking boy, with blond hair in a crew cut. He was never really sure he wanted to catch Mayla and she assured him he did. At this point Bruce stood up, angered at all that was being said or directed at him.
Bruce Pollock was a big guy with mousy brown hair and brown eyes. He was a hard worker, but didn’t have much to offer a girl, just his love and a few dreams he’d kept to himself.
“What do you mean; Mayla would be safe from me?” Bruce yelled at Skeet.
“Yes, she would be safe from you and anybody else not good enough for her!” Skeet yelled back.
“Well, you didn’t step up to the plate, so I did!” Bruce shot back.
“Good for you, Bruce,” Todd whispered.
“Well, I . . . just,” Skeet stammered.
“You just what?” Mayla glared at him.
“I don’t know, I just needed to think about it more, I guess.” Skeet looked sheepish and scratched his head.
“Alright, now, I have the three of you before me. I will ask the congregation what they believe is fair. All of you, who believe that Bruce caught Mayla fairly, please stand up.”
Mrs. Johnson wore a smug look of satisfaction until the majority of the people got up from their seats.
“No! Most of you are our friends! How can you do this to Mayla?”
Among those standing were the Royals.
“She was too stupid to belong to our group, anyway.” Linda smiled.
“Well, then, I believe the rules still apply. There will be two weddings . . . Bruce and Mayla, and Pam and Jack. Let’s all congratulate them.”
There was applause throughout the church, as Mayla sadly took Bruce’s hand and returned to her seat.
Skeet walked down the aisle of the church and a few booed him, but the rest were silent as he passed, then everyone once again took their seats.
Someone fanned Mrs. Johnson, who had fainted in her pew.
Outside the church, and if anyone was watching Skeet, they would have seen him do a cartwheel on the church lawn.
Jackson
The announcements were made. Two weddings would take place, but that wasn’t good enough for Jack.
“I want to be married right now. I don’t see any reason to wait, Pastor Martin. Why can’t you just do it right here and now?” Jack demanded.
Skye whispered something to Todd and he looked at her in awe. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” Skye said, glaring at Jack. “That’s not the real Jackson.”
Skye looked back at Cassie, who was shaking her head. She had been secretly writing out the story of Jackson, once she saw Jack sitting next to Pam. She turned to Chris and handed him the note. Chris couldn’t believe his eyes.
“So, that’s not my friend, Jackson?” he whispered.
“No, and I can’t remember the boy’s name who took over his body,” Cassie also whispered.
“Well, I have a pretty good guess.”
Todd stood up and walked up the aisle to the pastor. He whispered something in his ear, and both of them took a long hard look at Jack, who was now feeling uneasy.
“Well, now, Jack,” the Pastor approached the couple in the front bench. “Todd just reminded me you have a best friend, who has been seriously ill for some time. I would think you would want him present at your wedding, since you’ve known him all your life. Let me talk to his parents and see if we can arrange a date where your friend can witness your marriage.”
Jack looked terribly uneasy now. He wasn’t sure what to say.
“That’s true.” Pam looked at
Jack sincerely. “It would be so wonderful to have all our friends and family present at our winter wedding.”
“No! I mean, I hear his parents have just about given up on him. I don’t see how he could possibly make it. But hey, it would be great if he could,” Jack stammered.
Chris stood up in the back of the church. “Well, I hear Norman is doing much better. I’m sure you would want your best friend at your wedding?” Chris was trying to stir things up.
People were nodding and encouraging this idea of waiting until his friend could attend the wedding.
“But that’s impossible,” Jack said wide-eyed. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him, from the back of his head. “You know . . . sure, I would love it if my old best bud could make it to my wedding and watch me marry the girl of my dreams.” Jack was squeezing Pam’s hand until it was numb.
Pastor Martin resumed his place behind the podium and the sermon began. He looked down at the two couples every once in a while. Three of them seemed extremely uncomfortable, except for Bruce, who was smiling from ear to ear.
After church, the four gathered outside the building.
“Well, now that we’ve stirred that up, what are we going to do?” Todd asked Skye.
“We’re all going over to the cafeteria and put our heads together with the real Jackson.”
“Wow,” Chris said, a little shaky, “I’ve never met a ghost before.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m a pro when it comes to talking to ghosts,” Cassie laughed.
The four made their excuses to their families and hurried out of the church.
“There is no way we’re going to get that sleazy jerk over to the cafeteria, and I can tell you right now, he is not going to be happy about switching back to his own ugly self,” Todd warned.
It was a brisk walk to the school and Cassie showed the boys where the secret entrance was to the main hallway, leading to the cafeteria.
“How in the world did you know about a secret door,” Chris whispered. “We could never find one.”
“Well, a little birdie showed me.”
“Oh, yeah, a little birdie with a cowboy hat . . . right?”
“Does it really matter?” Cassie stopped in front of him. “Come on, we don’t want to get caught again.”
The girls were quietly walking down the hallway, as Todd and Chris seemed a little strange to be back in their old school.
“Okay, now be really quiet. We don’t want to scare Jackson,” Skye warned, as she quietly opened the swinging doors into the cafeteria kitchen.
The four walked in.
“Jackson?” Skye whispered.
“Please come out, Jackson,” Cassie called.
“Not until those two guys go away.” A voice came from beside one of the big refrigerators.
“Hey, they’re here to help you,” Cassie answered. “We’re all here to help you.”
Todd and Chris couldn’t hear Jackson, but Chris thought he saw some kind of mist coming out from behind the refrigerator, but he couldn’t be sure.
When Jackson finally showed himself to the girls, they all sat down at the long stainless steel table.
Why are you here?” Jackson said quietly.
“Well, let me tell you something,” Skye began. “You should have seen the awful way Norman was treating Pam this morning in church. I’ll bet he’ll beat her after they’re married,” she threatened.
“No, not that, he wouldn’t be so mean?” Jackson yelled.
“Oh, yes, he would,” Todd caught himself saying.
Skye looked at Todd amazed. “You heard that?”
“Yeah, I guess I did,” Todd said, scratching his head.
“I think I heard something, too,” Chris added.
“Wow! You can be heard, Jackson? You just have to yell,” Cassie said smiling.
“Okay, look, we’ll get Jack here somehow before next Sunday, then you can take his place with Pam. So what do you think?” Todd asked.
“That would be too much to hope for, but I’m in if you can do it,” Jackson sighed.
“What did he say?” Todd asked.
“He’s in!” both girls cried out.
The girls reassured Jackson everything would fall in place and not to worry, but Jack was nowhere to be seen and they heard he had been staying home all week sick with a cold.
“I’ll just bet he didn’t catch a cold,” Skye said, a little irritated. “He’s working on something, I’m sure of that.”