Blackwood Heights

Chapter Four

  Piper found all of her teachers engaging. They respected the students and had the feeling in the classroom is that the students made them good teachers. That teachers were not simply good because they got accolades but the students filled them with real purpose. Piper knew it by the way they challenged the students and the teachers never once said,  things like you are wrong, you are dumb, it was an environment of okay let’s explore that theory. Let’s figure it out together. This was the first time Piper was engaged in all of her classes not just art or English literature. Piper was falling in love with school and friends, suddenly the sadness of the burden of her dad’s death seemed a million miles away. 

 Two o’ clock finally arrived and she had a free period and headed to the school pool. Emily and Tara were doing butterfly strokes in the olympic size pool. The coach noticed Piper. 

 “You are Piper?” Oriental eyes stared at her gently and her voice was happy and sounded almost endearing to her, almost like her mom’s before that dreadful night. 

 “Yes, that would be me.” Piper said shaking her hand. 

 “Well, you can’t swim with the bandage, sorry to hear about your accident. However, I will just make the next swim meets practice for try-outs. By the way, my name is Chloe.” Chloe’s voice was sweet and almost instinctively, Piper did something against her nature. She hugged her. It was the first time she hugged anyone since the accident. 

 Piper, let go of the embrace quickly, because if she held on any longer she would cry. She smiled a shy smile and then went to the library to study up on her history report on the war of 1812. 

  The school library was brand new and so beautiful. Rounded shelves winded around the four thousand square foot space. Brand new computers with that well known logo of an apple went for rows and rows, and the not a single one was available. Students were meticulously researching and typing up papers. Some, students were engrossed in social media.  

 In one section of the library there was a huge sign that read History of Blackwood. Intrigued by what Mr. Fisher said, she decided to investigate. She texted Seth to inform him if he could pick her around four thirty. He sent the word sure with a smiley emoji. 

  Piper, was unsure of what was going on. She just knew something changed. She shrugged it off. Then she found a room with microfiche. There must have been hundreds of old newspapers stored in there. Then she decided to go to the first shelf that read 1926-1933. She stood on her tip toes and opened them and she remembered when her father was working on a case for department. Her father was a detective and showed her how to use microfiche. 

 The first newspaper clipping read the following. 

August 18, 1927 

Allen Blackwood For Mayor?

 The Blackwood family is investing in Canyon Springs. He brought a huge saw mill to Canyon Springs and business is in full swing. The mayor is stepping down and Allen Blackwood is running and people are swarming to him like bees to honey. 

 We at the Canyon Chronicle are suspecting a full win, and Allen Blackwood is bringing in a train station allowing access to all major routes to New York and Boston. Business is booming! Rumours are flying that Canyon Springs will be changed to Blackwood Heights. Allen Blackwood sure is taking our town further than  could ever imagine.

 Piper, flew through the endless articles and then came across a familiar name. 

 June 28, 1928

Reverend  Tobias finds Susie Blackwood Dead

Sad day for Blackwood Heights Reverend  Tobias finds Blackwood Heiresses niece Susie Blackwood dead. Some call Reverend Tobias Father Tobias. After a friend informed him of some startling news it seems that James Blackwood son of Allen Blackwood became enraged of over his sister of attaining guardianship of Susie Blackwood, James took revenge. 

 He seems to have slaughtered both his sister’s housekeeper, James then stabbed his sister and then chased Susie to the pond in their backyard of the Blackwood Estate. Reverend Tobias found the body of Susie Blackwood and then explained to the doctor what happened. 

 Allen Blackwood made a statement that James would be cut off from the family business even if the jury finds him innocent. 

This is a very sad day for the Blackwood family and may Susie Blackwood rest in peace. 

 At this time there is no set day for the court appearance of  James Blackwood. 

 See Susie Blackwood’s Obituary on Page 9

 Piper breathed out and then was startled with her phone going off. It was Seth he was there to pick her up. She wondered why James could kill a little girl. She had to hurry she put the microfiche away and closed the door to the room. She hurried out of the library. 

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                                                                                    Summer 1928

 Father Tobias saw the doctor pull up in his automobile. Father Tobias, watched the doctor grab his black bag with rushed fluid motion. Doctor Klein a kind Jewish doctor rushed up the steps to the porch, checked the housekeeper’s pulse. He shook his head and then hurried into the kitchen where Marion was sweating and shivering.

 “Do not worry my dear, the wound is not deep. You simply are in shock. I have rubbing alcohol and will clean the wound, he missed major blood vessels. You will need stitches and I can do them here. I am going to give you a new drug called penicillin it will prevent you from developing an infection or fight off any infection. It will hurt it comes in the form of a shot and I will stick the needle in your arm. I got this from Europe it is not yet being used here in America, but it has helped a lot of people in England.”  His voice calm and tried to calm her but the shock of the ordeal she just had the pain was too much Marion passed out. 

 “Don’t worry, Reverend Tobias, sleep will do her well. Would you mind now after I am done washing my hands taking me to see the body of Susie?” Dr. Klein’s voice choked as he was trying not to cry. 

 Reverend Tobias nodded slowly and waved his arm to let the good doctor to know to follow him. 

 The morning was still foggy and it seemed cooler for being early summer. The grass was soaking wet; the Doctor Klein nearly broke his ankle as the little hill sloped steeply leading to the pond. 

 Susie’s nightgown was dirty she was on the edge of the pond and the dirt was wet from the dew. A single bullet hole was on her upper left shoulder blade. Dried blood seeped through her nightgown and pooled eerily in her arm. Her body was frozen stiff and her skin had a blue hue that rested on once rosey cheeks and soft baby pink lips. 

 “She was such a happy child so, full of life and love. She, loved everyone.” Father Tobias cried openly with huge tears flooding his shoes there was no reason to put on airs or try to hold back. 

  “I will go and call the undertaker and have her taken on his cart, he can drive you back to start the funeral proceedings. We will keep her body in the ice house until a coffin can arrive from the city, and why you are at it order two I know Marion Blackwood will pay for both, she is a kind woman don’t worry.” The doctor spoke while placing his hand gently on his friend’s forearm. 

 Father Tobias cried as he scooped her shell up and cradled her ever so gently, whispering himself the twenty-third psalm over and over again. What seemed like an age and then another lifetime Mr. Digs as he was so commonly known in the town arrived and quickly slipped his cap off his head. 

 “Animal, her father was, I tell you what. You be okay Reverend, you always be saying that kids get a free pass there to them pearly gates.” Mr Digs was a simple man but had a deep faith that nothing could shake not even scarlet fever taking his wife and newborn baby a few years prior. He willingly quit his job at the mill and started his own funeral home, he was convinced that dead needed as much care as the living. 

  He built all the coffins for the people of lower and middle class, dug the graves, and Mr. Peabody did all of the paperwork They went into business together when Mr. Peabody almost lost his daughter by drowning. That is when Mr. Digs became sort of like extended family in the community and he took his job to heart leaving no details out. He was the best undertaker one could ever ask for. His real name was Peter Banks but the nickname that the kids gave him the name Mr. Digs simply stuck. He paid it no mind at all. 

  “Yes, Mr. Digs you are correct, on all accounts. The doctor said that we should put her body in the ice house until the coffin can be built. Can we carefully carry her unto your flatbed?” Father Tobias asked the words seemed to make his soul feel like sand, all the love and joy he felt just a few short hours ago was now drained. He felt hollow. 

 “Yes, reverend, we sure’s can.” As, Mr. Digs spoke he gently carried her to the driveway and placed her gently on the flatbed, Father Tobias would sit with her shell until they reached the icehouse. 

 What seemed like hours upon hours the truck finally made it. Father Tobias gently handed her off, and there was a wooden box that was kept in a separate room from the ice where a couple of corpses could be stored without contaminating the ice. 

  The funeral home had a basement and once the embalmer got there he would start the work on her, then she would stay in the basement of the funeral home until Mr. Digs either built a coffin or one would arrive from the city. 

 “You now reverend, God be telling me to make two coffins. I made some beautiful ones for Miss Blackwood’s housekeeper. It shines like a mirror made with cherry wood and then I used a lighter pine to make a cross with thorns around the top of the cross. It is my most beautiful coffin ever. Mr. Peabody put in a goose down pillow covered the goose down with soft pink silk all the way from China.” As he spoke he went into the wood shop were several caskets were being constructed with delicate hands. 

 “I think Mr. Digs that is perfect for Miss. Moore. I know that Mrs. Blackwood will pay you handsomely for it, no doubt there my friend. Seeing this one gives me an idea if you don’t mind my two cents?” Father, Tobias asked looking up at Mr. Digs who was hanging on every word. 

 “No, I don’t mind one lick.” Mr. Digs said taking notes. Father, Tobias smiled. It seemed Mr. Peabody taught someone how to read and write. That small gesture made Father Tobias beam and reflect. That the most precious gifts are not store bought but just time given to a friend in need. 

 “Have a lamb sitting with a little girl, and underneath have it say, blessed are the little children.” Father Tobias said in a gentle reverent tone. 

  “That is a fine idea reverend it might take me a couple of days to complete it. Will that be okay by Miss Blackwood?” The reverend nodded and he would give Miss Blackwood a little while and then go and explain the plans for her niece. He knew that she would not object one bit. 

 He took reprieve in the chapel and instead of going through the little door to his home quarters he knelt on the light coloured pews bowed his head and wept, until it was around the dinner hour. He heaved and the bell rung slowly with shaking legs moved to answer the door. A few woman gave him stew and bread invited them in and in silence they ate in reverent respect. 

 He thanked them led them out, and made a longer trek without his horse to the Blackwood Manor. Someone saw him, shook their head and offered to drive him the rest of the way. Kindness carried him that day in ways he could not utter. 

 He walked up to the arched doorway and rang the bell. A small light clicked on and Miss Blackwell, forced a pitiful smile. She allowed him in and he explained in full detail all the casket arrangements. She wrote out a bank note of what seemed like a large fortune to him. 

 “Reverend, Tobias can you please give this to the Peabody and Banks Funeral Home?” She asked. I would do it myself but I have a lot of calls to make. My father’s family has to come from New York, and my mother’s family is coming from Boston. The funeral will take place in four days. Can you let them know?” Her voice was tender and then Father Tobias thought of something. 

 “What should you bury them in?” He asked very gently like he was trying to walk on a garden path and attempting to not step on a single flower. 

 She sighed and with forced effort went upstairs and in a few moments came back down. “This is for Miss. Moore, this was her Sunday best Please have them put his hat on her she just bought it.” She displayed the dress as if she was dressing an angel. 

 “I loved her so! She in truth was my best friend. I had a treat for her and her husband to go to Paris for a week. It was going to be a Christmas surprise but I guess that will not happen. He traveled so much as a horse trainer. He loved the fact she was safe here.” As she spoke, Father, Tobias could tell she wanted to take the words back. Her face grew ash white. 

 “I have to call him. I have to tell him.” Her voice wracked with grief. Father Tobias shook his head. 

 “I will call, do you have the number?” He asked as he reached for the phone. She nodded and then listened as the call was connected by the operator. She then heard the words of sobbing she knew that he knew. His life would forever be different. The phone clicked silent, like death had entered the house and was never leaving. 

 After, moments of calm silence, she handed him a smaller dress and hat. “Can you please tell them to dress Susie in this? This is her favourite doll can you be sure that this is in her casket?” Miss  Blackwood’s hands were shaking violently. 

 She gave him a little sack to put the belongings and then it was time to go. He drifted off the front porch oblivious to the fireflies that were twinkling about. He made his way to his mare in a way that mimicked a drunken stupor. With all his effort he pulled himself up onto the saddle and turned away, he felt the house light click off. The dark one that day, the light was killed. 

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 Piper, thought about what she read but pushed it aside, this was the best day she had in a long time.  As Piper came out of the school, a lot of parents were there to pick their children up from school. They exchanged hugs and the parents seemed intrigued about their kid’s school day, in what they achieved and learned. It seemed odd to Piper. Most teens wanted nothing to do with their parents yet, these teens were overjoyed to see them. To Piper, Blackwood Heights had a kind vibe about it. The town was calling to her and intriguing her. 

 Seth was there, he kindly opened the door for her. “Piper, I am really sorry, about the other day on the road. I was avoiding an animal on the road. I am so sorry it seemed liked I yelled at you.” Seth’s voice was very apologetic. 

 “I am sorry, I have not been engaging with my mom….It is hard to explain. I would be angry at anyone right now, any guy she just seemed to replace my dad.” Piper finally broke down. Tears of pain that she had kept secret for so long overwhelmed her. 

 Seth, leaned in to hold her unapologetically. He was now furious with Lydia. Why had she not gone to get Piper, and what was the deal with all the booze she was consuming? He allowed Piper to cry and wail for as long as she needed to. Within twenty minutes she finally came up from air, his shirt a soaked mop with her tears. 

 “Just introduce me as Seth. I am really down with that. Dad, is not a title you need ever again. I am really okay with just being Seth your friend or big brother whatever role you need or require, okay?” His voice was calm it soothed her open wounds a balm of hope and freedom.

 “Can we try a pizza joint?” Piper’s voice sort of cracked she was hoarse from the crying.  Seth nodded. 

 The pizza joint was crowded it was the busiest pizza place in all of the towns that surrounded Blackwood Heights. A huge line snaked around the building it would be a little bit of a wait before they could get in to stuff their faces with fire roasted pizza. 

 None of the girls from the swim team were there suddenly she had an urge to introduce Seth to them.  A very nice waitress seated them. She was a pretty asian girl that had the longest hair that Piper had ever seen, and it was pulled up even then the long strands cleared her bum completely. She sat them down at a booth that pulled you in close allowing you to feel welcome. Soft jazz hung in the air giving it a more old fashioned vibe. 

 For once Piper was not uncomfortable with Seth. He cleared his throat, and he decided to play a game of twenty questions. He wanted to know things about this girl that he would finish raising, her quirks, fears, and hurts, but more importantly her dreams and help her accomplish them. 

She loved the game and the way she smiled made Seth envious of her dad. Piper’s father  was lucky to get the first title of dad, Seth, was glad he got the title of friend and protector.