LADY OF THE LIGHT- Part 23
Jane
awoke
to
a sudden crash of
thunder. The small keeper's cottage was
pitch black and silent. It took a
moment or two for her to know where she
was. Clumps of a dream still clouded
her mind and the violent storm outside
matched the one in her dream. A
brilliant flash of lightning illuminated
the cottage and she could see Pete
laying on the floor by the
fireplace, staring at her . She glanced
at the clock by
her bed and saw it was blank, the power
must be off.
She got up slowly
and made her way to the kitchen.
Hanging on an ancient square nail was a
hurricane lamp. She managed to find it
and light a wooden match from the box
near the stove. The warm glow of the
lamp filled the small cottage and help
drive some of her disorientation away.
Pete came next to her and rubbed his
head against her leg. He had done this
ever since he was a puppy. Somehow he
was trying to tell her not to be afraid.
These terrific storms never bothered
him at all. Jane on the other hand had
always disliked any such displays of
natures fury.
Jane looked out the
window to make sure the Light was still
flashing in the tower. The automated
backup generator was running the tower
from the small shed on the backside of
the tower. She could see angry swells
sending spray into the air as they hit
the rocks . The rain was passing the
window in a sideways pattern being
driven by the wind.
She made her
way over to the table where the radio
was set up and switched it to the
Battery setting and turned on the unit.
She set the dial for the N.O.A.H weather
radio station. She set a pot to boil on
the propane stove and listened to the
report. A huge low pressure system was
edging down over the Great Lakes from
Canada. Slow moving and somewhat
horseshoe shaped, this mass of damp,
cool air was colliding with a warm moist
air mass from the south east. The Storm
tonight was expected to rage on till
dawn, when a quiet spell was forecast
due
to the area falling within the
horseshoe. Jane thought it almost like
an eye of a hurricane. The backside of
the storm was expected to bring severely
unstable air with it and storms that may
exceed tonight's in intensity.
Forecasters expected the second wave of
storms to arrive in 48-72 hours. Small
boats were advised to stay off the
waters for the next 4 days and all other
ships were to be on a marine advisory.
Brian was due back in 3 days, but Jane
felt sure he would be delayed, and ride
the storm out in port up the
coast. She left the radio on, set to
pick up any transmissions on the general
band. She drank a cup of cocoa hoping it
would make her sleepy and then she
climbed back into bed,and tried to catch
some more sleep.
At 6 am Jane
gave up any hope of sleeping further,
and got up. She was dressed quickly and
ate a quick breakfast of bagels and tea.
Tossing the last bite of the bagel to
Pete, who snatched it up in one bite,
she got her Jacket and went out the
door. Pete was right behind her and ran
off on his morning route. Jane walked
the grounds making a visible inspection,
checking for damage from the storm. The
sky was a ugly mixture of dusty rose &
grey. Clouds still hung low over the
lake to the north. The wind was still
blowing with force from the west and the
air still had the smell of rain to it.
Making her way to the shoreline, Jane
was dismayed to see debris and driftwood
scattered all along the lawn. One
section of lawn was falling down the
embankment from the waves eroding the
edge of the property during last night's
storm. There was no doubt, she would
close the property to tours today. With
any luck and a bunch of work, she may
have the grounds back in shape in 2 or 3
days.
Jane worked all morning
lifting huge pieces of logs and wood
that had been driven up on the lawn.
She had a huge pile of driftwood built
up and ready for a full nights burning.
She was loading the last of the logs
onto the pile, when she saw a station
wagon pull into the parking lot. Jane
was about to walk up and tell whatever
tourist that the grounds were closed,
when she saw 3 familiar faces looking
down and waving to her. The 3 members
of the Lighthouse Society who she had
been working with lately called out in
unison, "Hi Jane!! Helps Arrived."
Jane Laughed and waved back, "Great,
there's plenty for
everyone."
Jane dashed inside and
pulled out a large package of Walleye
fillets to serve her helpers for dinner
that night. She walked up towards them
and greeted each one warmly. In a
matter of minutes they were paired up
and working on the front lawn of the
grounds. They worked straight until 5
raking, picking up branches, and
inspecting the flowerbeds for any damage
from the heavy rain. They stored the
tools in the tool shed, and Jane
insisted they stay for dinner.
"Now before we quit there is one
last task, The generator needs to be
refilled, and I thought you all would
enjoy an inspection of the tower and
Lamp Room.
All were thrilled
with the offer and Jane led the group up
the stairs to the Lamp Room. The tower
was dry inside despite the driving rain
and waves. Jane took note of that and
knew the windows had all survived the
storm. As they stood huddled around the
Frenzel lens in the Lamp Room the view
of the lake was fantastic yet eerie. A
stillness hung over the lake, dark grey
skies draped over the water in layers.
The surface of the lake was almost
smooth, flawless. Off to the Southwest,
distant flashes of lightning flickered
on the horizon. Jane opened the steel
door that led to the catwalk that ringed
the tower and stepped out. The others
slowly joined her, marvelling at the
view
and the feeling one can only get from a
Lighthouse's railing.
They spent
the evening dining on Cajun oven fried
Walleye, Salad and parsley potatoes.
Jane turned on the radio and they drank
coffee afterwards and chatted. A Lake
Freighter bound for the U.P. radioed a
greeting to "Eagle's Point" and advised
that rain was already falling in the
middle of the lake and headed inland.
The small group broke up for the evening
around 8 pm and by 9 Jane was sitting in
a chair, sipping tea and reading when
the first rumble of thunder sounded
overhead. Jane got up and checked to
make sure all the windows were secure.
Looking out of the one in the pantry,
Jane froze. Out on the lawn stood
Amanda Grey. She appeared as always,
long flowing dress, torn and rumpled,
however this time there was a
difference. She seemed to make contact
with Jane's eyes, and was motioning for
Jane to come to her. The sadness in her
face, and the sound of her sobbing tore
at Jane's heart. Lightning was now
flashing all around the point, and the
rain began to fall. Jane stood fixed at
the window for several moments, before
she decided to get her rain slicker, and
go out into the approaching storm.
Making sure Pete stayed inside, Jane
closed the door and secured it. Turning
towards the shoreline, she looked
through the driving rain and saw Amanda
on the edge of the lawn, imploring her
to come closer. Jane gathered her
courage,and walked towards the
apparition, as the storm continued to
brew. Amanda's wailing could be heard
above the rising wind and crashing surf.
Jane noticed a difference in it's tone,
it was more urgent, more intense.
Jane paused halfway , and considered if
she really wanted to continue.
Gooseflesh broke out all over her body
as the entire point was lit up in a
brilliant flash of lightning. A twin
bolt of power shattered a nearby tree
top, sending it crashing down onto the
lawn to her left. Jane stood there
shivering, getting soaked , in what
would be called the storm of the
century. Eagle Point's resident ghost,
continued to beckon Jane as nature's
forces gathered overhead.......<
TO BE CONTINUED MAY 15th
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