Page 31 of Rett

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Casey rolled over to find that the bed was still empty. She looked at the clock on her phone. 3:17 a.m. Knowing that Rett was with his brothers and the other men, she felt comfortable that they were safe, but that didn’t make her feel any safer.

Heading to the kitchen, she made herself a cup of tea and turned some mindless shopping channel on the television. She wondered how it was possible that the presenters made everything sound like it was the best thing since sliced bread. How was it possible that fuzzy pink slippers would change your life once you placed them on your feet? And how could it be that everything was luxurious and expensive feeling?

“Hello,” said a soft voice behind her. Casey jumped a mile, her tea spilling as she turned.

“Oh, shit! You scared the hell out of me,” she grinned.

“I’m sorry,” said Claudette. “I didn’t want to frighten you. I saw your light and felt you wake. I thought you might like some company.”

Casey smiled at the young girl, nodding. Could ghosts offer company? How could they be companions to the living? Claudette only smiled at her, not letting on that she might be able to hear her thoughts.

“You’re Claudette, right?”

“That’s right. I was raised in the island mansion.”

“I don’t think I know where that is,” said Casey.

“I’m sure Rett will show you eventually. But it was a beautiful home that my father built for my mother. His brother owned Belle Fleur, and he wanted to be close to him. There are gardens similar to those here.”

“And you lived out there as well?” asked Casey.

“I did. Then we all got sick. Everyone was dying around me. Mama and Daddy. The servants. Even my siblings. I was all by myself for a while, then I succumbed as well.”

“I’m so sorry,” said Casey.

“I was sad for a while, then Irene started to visit me, and it was lovely. I tried to keep the house as well as I could, but things were falling apart. She made sure to have the boys fix it up, and now the house is full with Christopher, Patrick, Sadie, Ham, Ramey, and Margo. They each have triplets! Isn’t that the most amazing thing ever? They’re all so beautiful and full of life, running around the island, playing. And smart. They’re incredibly smart. But did you know that I helped to save Liz?”

“No,” smiled Casey. “I had no idea.”

“It’s true. She’d been kidnapped, and Kiel was frantic. She stole a boat and found her way to the island, hiding inside the mansion. That was before the mansion had been fully repaired. Noah, Julia, and Irene could all see and hear me. Julia was busy, and so was Irene, so I got a message to Noah, and they sent help for her. It was great fun!”

“Fun?” laughed Casey.

“Yes. The man didn’t know about me, so I was able to play tricks on him.”

“That’s wonderful,” she giggled, shaking her head. “How old are you, Claudette? Or how old were you?”

“I was fourteen when I died. But I’m more than one hundred and fifty now.”

“Aren’t you and Tony a couple?” she asked with concern.

“We are. It was something Irene was very concerned about. But after speaking with Martha and some of the others, they all agreed that Tony and I were perpetually stuck at our ages, but we were far more mature than most. Living your life without someone in it is lonely, Casey. Tony was the first boy to look at me like I was special. He kissed me, and it was wonderful.”

“You can kiss?” she smiled.

“We can kiss, we can touch one another, we can hold hands, and we can make love. I’ll never have children. Never. But that’s okay. I think I’d frighten my children.”

“I don’t think you would,” said Casey. “You’re intelligent, beautiful, and charming.”

“And sneaky,” she giggled.

“How are you sneaky?” smirked Casey.

“Well, before Tony, I was curious. About men and their bodies. There are some very good bodies here. Very good. Some of the men and boys would touch themselves, and it was very, very exciting to me. Over the years, I listened and learned. I understood what they were doing, but I never thought I would get the chance to touch one, to feel one.”

“I get it,” nodded Casey with a laugh. “I’m glad that you were able to experience that. Every woman should have that chance.”

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