GUEST POST from Don: GHOST CABIN (chapter 3)

GHOST CABIN, Chapter 3

The young women were not encouraged by the ghost’s attitude, but they were “in it” now.  Sadly, there was little choice but to press ahead.

The younger daughter continued, “The second important fact is that sometimes we imagine that the person who mistreated us did so because  of something WE did or said.  We ask ourselves and sometimes we ask the person who hurt us, ‘What did I do wrong?’  However, it may be that we did nothing at all, or nothing sufficient to cause the person to hurt us.  I am not claiming that you don’t carry any guilt or shame.  However, there are often others who carry more.”

Sedona piped up, “That’s right!  Our mom taught us that other people behave a certain way entirely because of who that person is, and it may have little to do with what we said or did.”

The wraith repeated, “Because of who that person is…?”

The younger daughter responded, “Correct.  Even a good person can experience a streak of evil.  Maybe they are angry, or feel misunderstood.  Sometimes they mistakenly believe they are doing the right thing for the right reason, but humans can be wrong.  Even when they are tying to be decent, their acts or words can still hurt.”

The ghost was finally listening, “The hurt be real, even if we don’t know the reasoning of the badly behavin’ person?”

The elder daughter agreed, “Yes.  The hurt is real.  The reason may not matter.  It is acceptable to feel hurt if there was something hurtful done or said even if the other person was unaware he or she was doing something hurtful.”

Charlotte reviewed where they were, “Everyone has choices.  Some choices can help the problem, even if they don’t fully solve it.  And the second thought is that people do what they do for their own reasons, because of who they are; often it has little to do with anything we may have done.”

Sedona agreed, then asked, “What happened?  Tell us your story.”

The ghost began, between sobs, to tell the story.  The sisters were shocked and horrified.  Both were certain they would not sleep afterwards.  Here is what the ghost told them:

“Me and our child were living right here in this cabin by the river.  My lover was here most of the time and everything seemed right and peaceful.  We hadn’t even named our daughter yet.  A few days of joy…  Then, with no explanation and no warning mine lover killed our child … took her out to the river right there and drowned her.  I can’t get that sight out of my eyes.  I was screaming, ‘Stop.  Stop.  Stop,’ but he behaved like he heard me not.”

Together both daughters blurted, “That’s awful!”

The younger continued, “It is hard to connect the beauty of this river with such a horrible thing.”

The wraith continued, “He returned and placed our poor limp child in my arms.  I was weeping and kissing her wet forehead.  Then I yelled, nay demanded, ‘Why?  Why?’  He answered not.  I bowed my head so overcome by grief was I.  It was then he pierced my heart with his hunting knife.  I died with one word on my lips: ‘Why?’  He answered nought.”

The daughters were themselves overwhelmed by the grief and viciousness and were silent for a long time.  Finally, the younger asked, “What happened to your lover?”

The wraith answered, “I  know not.  (sob)  An answer to that I never have found.”

Sedona cautiously replied, “Whatever happened, he is long dead as well.  That was over 100 years ago.  He no longer lives.  We’re sorry about that.”

The ghost responded, “I guessed it be so.  I never will know…”

The older daughter continued, “…Why he did it … maybe he went insane, or was angry, or was facing incredible pressure.  Even sane people can do crazy stuff when angry.  It is even possible he did not know why.”

The ghost responded, “So, you are saying none of the fault was of my commission?”

Charlotte spoke up, “That’s not what we said.  There are times when the victim does bear some responsibility or guilt.  Your daughter, of course, carried none at all.  She made no decisions.  However, you referred to the killer as “my lover,” not “my husband.”  Where and when you lived this behavior was much less acceptable than it might be today.  You participated in creating a child out of wedlock.  We assume you made a choice in that…”

[Watch for Chapter 4 coming soon.]

Copyright 2024 Donald Whelpley

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