Fading With Time

Chapter 13

Weary Anticipation

                The next day Elizabeth’s house was a flutter with activity.  There was drilling going on in the attic as the men upstairs got it ready to feed wire up to it.  The workers downstairs had spent the morning putting in the new breaker box and rewiring the existing electricity to it before beginning on the new lines.  Dewy made sure that they marked the box clearly so that if Elizabeth ever had to flip one it would be easy for her to figure out.  She was incredibly grateful for that extra step and planned to write them down on a separate paper once they were done.  If the labels ever faded she would be able to place new ones up with the help of her handmade guide.  She wasn’t usually much of a planner.  Elizabeth was finding out that throwing caution to the wind didn’t always turn out for the best.  She would never admit it but having friends around her that were planners helped show her what life could be like if she had a little more control over things.  She smiled a little to herself as she realized that her own father had been trying to teach her that lesson for years.  It used to exasperate him whenever she would land herself in a new pickle due to reckless actions.  If he could see her now he probably still wouldn’t believe it.  He would be right not to.  While she was learning that some things were better off being prepared a head she still like the appeal of going wherever her instincts lead her.

                Jan walked down the hallway watching as Elizabeth’s gaze drifted to places only she could see.  The secret smile she wore slowly melted away as sadness etched its way onto her face.  Jan’s heart went out to her even if she didn’t know everything that put that look upon her face.  It was time for a little intervention before Lizzy could wallow for too long.  Jan silently crept up behind her stifling an uncharacteristic giggle as she anticipated her friend’s reaction to what she was about to do.  Breathing as lightly as she could Jan inched close enough to her that she could smell Elizabeth’s shampoo.  Just as Jan was about to whisper in her ear she got the shock of a lifetime.

                “What are you doing?”  Clayton asked her from right over her own shoulder.  Instead of the creepy little whisper she had planned Jan let out a scream worthy of any horror movie.  In effect Elizabeth screamed as well tumbling to the ground in fear and distress.  Jan glared at Clayton whose face was smug with retribution.  Both of the women were panting heavily from fright.  Elizabeth was rubbing at the ear that Jan had screeched into while Jan was holding her chest where her heart felt like it was out of control.  Clayton held up his hands in surrender as he looked between the two angry faces glaring at him.  He was glad that looks couldn’t actually kill someone.  He began taking cautious steps away from the pair in hopes of getting far enough away that he could make a run for it.  He had actually made it a few feet and was in the process of turning when he ran into Elizabeth’s little table that sat against the hallway wall.  Clayton howled a few choice words as his thigh connect hard with the corner of the solid piece of furniture.  Both the girls looked at each other curiously before making their way over to see if he was okay.  While Jan was babying him, Elizabeth looked at the little stand.  It stood a good foot and a half away from the wall now.  Although how much of that was from Clayton running into it she wasn’t sure.  What she was certain of though is if the table had been seated where it normally was no one should have run into it all.  She wondered if the work crew had moved it out for some reason. 

                “Are you alright?”  Jan asked gently while trying to gauge how badly he was injured.  Elizabeth turned to watch the two of them stifling her laughter at what she saw.  She was sure that Clayton would have a fairly big bruise later but other than that was probably fine.  What she found so funny though was Clayton resting his head comfortably in Jan’s lap as she tried to assess the damage.  He was clearly fine but ever time that Jan turned her gaze to his Clayton would ham it up.  Elizabeth didn’t know whether to point this out or let Clayton have his fun.  She didn’t have to make up her mind however as Dewy came walking in the back-door hesitating briefly when he saw the pair on the floor.  He took it in stride only making a slight snort of amusement before turning back to Elizabeth.

                “The walkway lighting just showed up.  Do you want to come see?”  Elizabeth smiled nodding excitedly.  She knew what they were supposed to look like, but it wasn’t the same as seeing them in person.  Stepping around the couple on the floor, Elizabeth followed Dewy back outside.  The boxes were laid out on the back lawn.  A couple of the crew were slicing them open to check out the contents making sure each one was in good condition.  Elizabeth and Dewy made their way over so that he could show her inside one of the first boxes that had been opened.  She marveled at the mini lights that looked like old lamplights.  They were better than she could have hoped for.  A little thrill of glee went through her as she imagined her back walkway looking like something from old time London.  She never realized before the pleasure she would get from making the house her own.  If she had figured that out earlier she might have gone with a house instead of an apartment back home.  She’s glad she hadn’t at the time though or there would have been too much to uproot and move.  If that had been the case she may never have moved to Crystal Springs to begin with.

                “So, what do you think?”  Dewy asked her although it was apparent from the look on her face that she loved them.

                “I think they’re going to look amazing and I can’t wait to see them lit up.”  She offered just barely containing her enthusiasm.  Dewy smiled broadly at her before nodding to the crew member waiting for their approval.

                “Why don’t you head back in so we can start setting them up.”  He offered.  Elizabeth nodded quickly while hustling out of the way.  Back inside she was surprised that Jan and Clayton weren’t still on the hallway floor.  Either Clayton had finally given up the act or Jan had figured it out.  She made her way down the hall giving the little table a wide birth while eyeing it wearily.  She briefly glanced into the open rooms on the way keeping an eye out for her wayward friends.  She didn’t want either of them getting anymore ideas of scaring her.  By the time she had reached the living room she still hadn’t seen either one.  Glancing up to the next floor Elizabeth figured they may have headed up stairs to check on the progress of the electricity.  They wouldn’t be able to move any equipment back up until the room was finished and cleared of workers.

                On the second floor Elizabeth still didn’t see Jan and Clayton.  She was beginning to wonder if they were still even in the house with her.  Deciding to breach the last level she made her way up the stairs to the attic.  She hoped she wouldn’t be hindering their work if she entered it.  Once up the stairs she found Jan at least.  Instead of Clayton however Elliot was there with her.  They were talking to the man who was clearly in charge of the group wiring the attic.  Elliot was pointing things out as Jan was adding her input.  Elizabeth took a moment to watch them.  She had never seen Elliot so serious before.  He was always such a goof that it made this version of him seem like a completely different person.  Jan looked over catching sight of Elizabeth and waved her over to join their small group.

                “What’s up?”  Elizabeth asked when she reached them.

                “We’re going over what we need up here.”  Jan answered as Elliot and the contractor discussed fixtures and outlets.

                “How did you manage to change Clayton into Elliot?”  Elizabeth teasingly asked knowing that Elliot had obviously shown up while she had been out back.  Jan rolled her eyes shaking her head at Elizabeth’s lame attempt at humor.

                “Clayton had to get back to work.  He had just been stopping by to check on things before Elliot got here.” 

                “Sure, that’s what he was doing.”  Elizabeth agreed even though by her tone of voice it was evident that she didn’t fully believe her.  Jan blushed lightly looking away as if she hadn’t heard her remark.  Elizabeth chuckled enjoying Jan’s discomfort.  Elliot gained both of their attention as he joined to the two of them after the contractor walked away.

                “Their going to rig up the main room up here but I didn’t know if you had wanted anything put into the two side rooms.  Their going to leave them for now and if you decided to add electricity later they can come back.  It should be done by this evening.”  Elliot announced still eyeing the room around them.  Elizabeth thought about just having them do the two other rooms as well but stopped herself from saying anything.  She still thought her trip to the past was nothing more than a dream.  On the off chance that it wasn’t however she would rather not have anyone else discover her secret.  She would have to wait until the crew was finished for the day though before she could search the other two rooms.  She just hoped that the hidey hole that Annabel would use wasn’t going to be in the main attic itself.

                Elizabeth was the last of the trio to vacate the attic.  Before she headed back down the ladder she gave the room a weary look over.  She wasn’t sure how she would feel if she did indeed find a letter hidden there.  She was going to be a nervous wreck all day until everyone left so that she could search in secret.