Blackwood Heights

Chapter Three

 After a week, Piper was driven to school by Seth, and with the way Lydia was acting he pushed nothing on her. He just gave Piper space. She appreciated it more than she let on. 

 Blackwood High was a huge high school. Since most of the families were rich they had a team for everything. Most students in Blackwood were trying for the major leagues when it came to universities. Piper was overwhelmed with the students crowding the front entrance. 

 Seth, was not sure about the step-father thing but decided that she needed a friend and not a father. “It is a huge school do you want me to go in?” Seth asked feeling a little overwhelmed himself. 

 Piper shook her head, carefully opened the car door. She slung her backpack around her shoulder. “Um… I was wondering since I don’t have my bike  can you pick me up after school, please. I don’t want to be a burden.” Her voice was calm but it was weak. It was the first time she ever asked anything from him directly. 

 “You know what, I am going to do something better. Let’s go dinner shall we. I know of this amazing Italian pizzeria that makes its pizza in a stone oven.” Seth asked something in eyes changed. 

 “The way he smiled he seemed kind.” Piper nodded. Man, that girl never smiles he thought. He knew he messed up and he needed to fix it. 

 He drove away and Piper faced the huge school entrance. She missed the first day of school. Now, she was even more nervous.  She was shocked several girls noticed she was alone and. They flocked to her, happily and not in a pretentious sort of way. They each introduced themselves. 

 Emily took a real liking to Piper. She had a vibrant smile, and a real chatter box. “Hi, my name is Emily welcome. This is Blackwood High, home of the Black Hawks. We have fencing, swimming, football, Lacrosse, hockey, chess team, STEM, debate team, we have several clubs French, Spanish, drama, we also have advanced art and science classes. What is your poison?” Emily asked her words rushed and hurried. Piper could not keep up and Tara saved her. 

 “Emily, you overwhelmed her. Since, we are all on the swimming team, let’s just invite her to swim practice in third period.” Tara said looking at Piper sweetly. Piper was confused these girls were all so nice. She had never experienced that ever.

 She realised that parents were kissing their teens on the cheek  good-bye and no one said  anything and no one was teasing them. Everyone seemed included. 

 “What is your first class?” Tara asked. Piper looked at her schedule then looked at Tara and with a smile said, then asked another kid something that surprised Piper. 

 “Hey, Oliver, we have a newbie here, her name is Piper can you help in history, you know how Fisher is talking too fast and not giving out enough notes?” Tara asked if it was no big deal. 

 Oliver gave her a high five and showed Piper the ropes. “See you third period. Piper, don’t worry the school has extra new suits.” Tara and Emily waved and Piper waved back. 

 “Here is a seat next to me; no worries.” Oliver said holding out a seat for her and giving her a book from  the teacher’s desk. This is your book but you were not here. No worries. Hope your knee is okay?” Oliver asked looking at her torn jeans and the bandage that barely peeked out from underneath his jeans. 

 Piper smiled. “Thanks yeah, it’s getting better.” Piper smiled sweetly and Mr. Fisher walked in. 

  “Since we have a new person in the school. The first new person in a long time we are going to discuss Blackwood Heights history and maybe some of you will most likely know some of the questions. Who was the founding person of Blackwood Heights?” He asked glancing around the classroom. 

 “Wasn’t it Marion Blackwood?” Answered a girl in the back whose hair and makeup was flawless. 

 “Very, good Abbey, that is correct.” 

  “What about the legend of Susie Blackwood are you going to tell her about that?” A guy wearing a wild graphic t-shirt asked.

 “Drew, let’s not scare the new student okay.” Mr. Fisher, said as he then turned to another subject about the war of 1812 a little bit of groaning was heard and soon the class was over and the bell rung for next period.  Piper, forgot about the legend and soon it was lunch time. 

 She noticed the school really had no cliques. Everyone got along with everyone and no one got bullied. Piper was not sure if she was in high school or a youth group concert for church. 

 Oliver, Tara, and Emily were waving to her for lunch. “We have lunch off campus, want to come to D’s. Amazing burgers, I tell you.”  Oliver, said licking his lips and rubbing his stomach like he had not eaten in forever. 

 Piper, giggled and then put her hand over her mouth it was the first time since she laughed since her dad  was gone.  She nearly cried. Emily just instinctively knew to hug her. Their behaviour seemed aline-like to Piper. 

 She remained silent and then they walked the short block to D’s. 

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                                                                                 Summer 1928

 Father Tobias was exhausted from the ice cream social. His age was catching up with him, but he loved seeing Susie happy and content. He prayed for his whole congregation and was thanking God that Susie had gotten a second chance. It was real symbolism that the cross gave everyone second chances if they were just open to them. 

 The night was quiet and a full moon was out and crickets were chirping the perfect ambiance for the perfect sleep. He was at peace and sleep that night was gentle a cloud passing through the sky with a gentle breeze pressing it ever so tenderly forward. 

 His sleep was interrupted by a huge pounding on the door. He quickly threw on his dressing gown and unlocked the door that led into the parish and then the parish door, and to his surprise it was Simon Goldhammer. 

 “Good morning Simon, how are you?” Father Tobias asked. His eyes were half stiff from the bright sun, but he did not mind the awakening. 

 “Father, Tobias, no time grab your clothes, and hurry, Jim Blackwood was in the pub very late last night grumbling about killing his daughter. My, father was making a delivery there and asked the bar made who is daughter is and she said the little girl is Susie. My father, forced me to leave early this morning I raced my horse here.” Simon, explained his words rushed out and as he spoke Father Tobias halfway collapsed where he stood. Simon was forced to steady the reverend on his feet. 

 “Wait here, Simon, I am going to rush to Marion Blackwood’s mansion it will only take a few moments I want to know all of the facts before I jump to the worst scenario.” Father Tobias was calm but his tone was serious and Simon did nothing but go in and knelt on bended knee to pray for Susie Blackwood. 

 Father Tobias quickly saddled his horse and spurred her hard and she took off a bolt of lightning striking the green fields. He would cross several properties instead of taking the main road; to get there faster. 

 What seemed like five lifetimes and then some; he finally reached the pond of the Blackwood property. He reached the back pond and then skirted his way very fast to the front door. Only the butler and the cook lived on the property full time all other staff lived in their own homes. Their shifts would not have started yet. 

 On the front porch the head cook was stabbed and the blood was pooled there was nothing for him to do, all he could do was scream! He went through the massive foyer and then saw Marion holding her side. Father Tobias took a closer look the wound was not deep, and Marion was able to talk. 

 “Father Tobias, Fredrick, is not here, I gave him the week off to spend time in New York for his sister’s wedding. I think Mildred is dead.” Her voice was cracking under the pain. Father Tobias told her not to talk. He got to use her phone and called the doctor and explained what happened. He asked the doctor who lived by a constable to get an arrest warrant out for James Blackwood. 

 As he looked by the pond through the back window he noticed a figure in a lace nightgown. He ran and found Susie Blackwood. Father Tobias broke down and cried. He was not sure what purpose her death was going to serve but all things work out for good. 

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Piper, walked with her new friends and for a moment, just a slight moment she forgot the pain of her father’s death and she for at least that hour during lunch, she was not the girl whose father died, but the girl laughing about the fact Oliver loved to play with his food as much as eating it. The other kids were not nosey or pushy they just allowed Piper to observe and be who she was at  the moment an onlooker. They allowed her to just move in the moment and join in the laughter without having to answer a myriad of uncomfortable questions. They seemed happy to just have her there period, no questions asked. 

 Soon, it was time to return to school and they finished off their scraps of fries and guzzled down the last sips of their shakes, the best Piper had yet to come across. 

 Piper, was thinking to join the swim team, she would not be able to swim; but she would at least hang out poolside in the suit and see what it was all about. Piper felt happy, and in that moment happiness she refused to feel guilty. She allowed the sadness to escape her shoulders in that moment, she was learning the art of grieving and did not even know it.