LADY OF THE LIGHT- Part 21
By 6 o'clock that evening, the
grounds were empty, and the rain that
had threatened all day came with full
force. Sheets of rain were driven
against the tiny cottage by strong
winds. Thunder rumbled in the distance,
and from the kitchen window, Jane could
see the horizon light up frequently.
Even this early in the evening, it was
almost dark from the heavy dark
clouds.
Bach's Brandenburg
Concerto #2 played softly in the
background as Jane prepared dinner.
Besides her Brian chopped vegetables for
the evenings salad.
As they sat
and ate dinner the rain
intensified.
"If the weather breaks,
like they say tommorow, I will be
leaving for Detroit by noon." Brian said
between mouthfulls. "I have to pick up
cargo in both Seu St. Marie, and in Port
Huron. Then drop it off in Detroit and
return with a new generator and other
cargo. The whole trip will take at
least a week and a half."
"I wish
I could come, it sounds like a lovely
trip."Jane replied, "but I know I will
be busy. There will be so much work to
be done on the histories. I will be
meeting with a group from the Lighthouse
Group each evening this week at the
Library.
Brian sat smiling across
the table at her. "You have really taken
off on this project, your whole face
lights up when you talk about
it."
Jane looked at him for a
moment not saying a word, but seemed
deep in thought, searching for the words
she wanted. "This is the first time in
many years that anyone has taken notice
to my work. Years of living with an
indifferent man, and working at tiresome
jobs to make ends meet dulled my
selfworth. It is almost like waking up,
I feel I am making a difference and that
is the best "high" in the world. Does
that make sense to you?"
Brian
nodded his head, "Yep, I do understand
that. I'll miss you, so lets enjoy the
evening tonight. I have a small gift
for you."
"You do???? What is
it?? Jane said excitedly.
"Well
it's in my truck, and will require us to
get a little wet bringing it up to the
cottage."
Jane gave him a
quizical look and said, "Well let's
go!!! I think the longer we wait, the
harder it's going to rain." She got up
and cleared the table quickly and
grabbed her raincoat off the hook by the
door.
Brian laughed and said,
"This may take some time once we get it
up to the house, You're not too tired to
stay up late are you?"
Jane gave
him a sly smile and said, "Not at all,
but if it's real late I was hoping you
might stay the night."
They
stepped outside and the wind almost tore
the door out of Jane's hand. Sheets of
wind slashed at them and bolts of
lightning moved closer across the lake.
They made their way up the path to the
parking lot, batteling the wind and
rain. Where the path crossed some rocks
and was a bit slippery, Brian slipped a
protective arm around Jane. She smiled
warmly at this gesture and yelled
"thanks" above the rising wind and
surf.
Once at the top of the path
they made their way to Brian's truck.
He unlocked the door of the cab, and
Jane saw several boxes stacked on the
seat. Luckily they were wrapped in
shipping plastic so the rain would not
bother them. Jane turned to take in the
scene below. The lake was frosted
completely in whitecaps and low dark
clouds swept over the coast. The Tower
was flashing it's beam of light out over
the stormy waters. Suddenly she gripped
Brian's arm and shouted "Look" as she
pointed to a shimmering light below. A
soft glow hovered just slightly above
the ground between the tower and the
cottage. In the middle of this
shimmering light, the image of a woman
could be made out. The haze of light
wandered around the grounds, as it made
it's way towards the waters edge.
"My God, It's really her!" Brian
shouted to Jane.
"Yes, I have
seen her twice before. If we were
closer, and the wind less, I am sure we
would hear her sobbing." Jane replied,
as she watched the apparition with
fascination.
A huge flash of
lightning exploded overhead,blinding
them for a moment, when their eyes
adjusted to the dim light, The vision
was gone. Brian handed two medium sized
boxes to Jane and he took the largest
one himself. "We better get inside" He
said to her.
Once inside the
cottage, dripping wet, both looked at
each other in wonder at the sight they
had just seen. The boxes were placed on
the table and they removed the
raincoats.
"What in the world do
you have here Brian?" Jane asked with
bright inquizitive eyes.
"Well I
thought the keeper of Eagles Point, soon
to be Grey's Point, should have some
contact with the folks she serves. So
with that in mind, I have brought you a
2 way radio base system, and a portable
unit as well. You will be able to keep
track of me and the other mariners on
the lake."
"Oh wow!! Brian it is
wonderful, but I know nothing about
using them!"Jane said
doubtfully.
"Brian smiled and
said, "It's a piece of cake, come on,
lets get you set up."
Over the
next 2 hrs. Brian ran the wires, set the
dials and made all the adjustments
needed to the unit, as he explained what
he ws doing to Jane. She took note of
everything and was excited at the
prospect of hearing whatever came across
the set. The unit was finished and they
sat drinking tea by 9pm. Brian glanced
at his watch, and a smile came to his
face. Jane was about to ask what was so
funny, when the radio spewed forth a
burst of static, then a clear voice came
through.
"Eagles Point Light,
This is the Waverider, Copy, Do you
read?, Over "
Jane clapped her
hand over her mouth and squeeled with
delight. "What do I say?"
"Just
remember what I taught you., Go ahead,
Keeper Tolenz reply."
Jane picked
up the hand mike and pressed the button.
"Roger, Waverider, This is Eagles Point,
Whats your position? Over.
"
"Ahh.. Copy Eagles Point we are
40 miles north of Chicago, heading your
way. Welcome aboard Jane,
Over"
"Roger that Waverider, Be
advised heavy weather has settled in
over the lake here, Over" Jane said,
with a grin on her face.
"Copy
Eagles point, ahh Tell Brian he owes us
a beer in port, Over and
Out"
Jane hung up the mike and
threw herself into Brian's lap.
Kissing him squarely on the mouth, she
said softly "You are a most thoughtful
man."
"Copy That Jane" he said
laughing.
Later as they lay in
bed, Jane looked at Brian and said,
"What do you think Amanda Wants? Will
she ever find Rest?"
"I have no
idea, until tonight, I was not even sure
she existed." Brian said.
As they
slept, the storm blew itself out and the
morning came bright and clear.
To
be Continued April 15th
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