by Katy

Melanie had taken the vacation at the recommendation of her friends. They felt she needed to get away for a while, that a change of scenery would make all the difference for her. Several had offered to go with her, but once Melanie made up her mind to go, she decided that going alone was what she wanted. It was a first for her, she’d never gone anywhere alone before, but it could just be the beginning of a lifetime of solo things.

The city was a small classical southern town. It attracted her because it seemed caught at the turn of the century. The people were charming and the woman at the Bed and Breakfast had recommended a guidebook. “There are so many unique things to see here, that you would miss otherwise. I think it will be most helpful for you.” She smiled at the young woman who was staying with them.

After Melanie had left for a day of sightseeing, she remarked to her husband. “There is just something so hauntingly sad about her. I don’t know what it is… but I bet she’ll wind up with a visit from Cora Lee.”

“Hmmmppf… really Betty Sue, that is just a bunch of hysteria invented by the Chamber of Commerce to get people here for Halloween. I personally don’t believe a word of the stuff. But, you are right… there is some deep sorrow in our guest from the North.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Melanie decided to start at the center of town, and investigate the historical buildings first. There was so much Civil War history here, and that had always been a favorite of her and Jacob. The thought sent a pain of anguish clear through her heart. Well there was nothing to be gained in rehashing old thoughts. He was gone and not coming back. She must get on with her life.

By lunchtime she had fallen in love with the town. Thoughts of perhaps even moving here twirled in her brain. It might be just the thing she needed.

Hunger drove her into a small neat restaurant with wonderful old cheesecloth covered tables. She sat down and a waitress immediately gave her a hand written menu.

“How are you today? Just passing through?” she chattered as she set a glass of water and silverware on the table.

Melanie couldn’t help but smile, she was so used to the impersonal service of the city. “Why yes, I’m spending a few days here on my way to Savannah. The town is so pretty I just had to stop and see more.”

The smiling woman, whose name badge announced her as Sue Ann, laughed. “We get so many people here that way. Since you’ve never been here before, I recommend you try Francie’s chicken salad and homemade vegetable soup. It is wonderful and just the thing for a late October day.”
“Thanks, that sounds wonderful, I’ll have that, and iced tea.” Melanie handed the menu back.

“Sweet or un-sweet on the tea, hon?”

“Oh sweet is fine.” Melanie had yet to get used to being asked that at every restaurant south of Ohio.

Lunch revived her spirits and Melanie checked the book to see where she wanted to head next. There was so much to see Melanie knew she’d have to spend more than one day here. Finally she decided to do the oldest homes and tomorrow she’d do the rest. She really did have to get to Savannah by the weekend.

The first house she wanted to see was on Cemetery Street. Melanie smiled… must mean there is a cemetery nearby. Sure enough she walked right past one on her way to the house. Something about it caused her to stop and look through the old dark wrought iron fence. There was nothing unusual about it, but for some reason a shiver went through her. Quickly she went on to her destination.

It was just beginning to grow dark when Melanie headed back to her car, once again passing the cemetery. Again she had an odd sensation, and this time thought she heard a child’s voice, but could see no one around. Shaking off the sensation she hurried on to her car and back to the B&B.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

That night she had dreams of things she’d not thought of in years, all of course centering on Jacob, and their marriage.

Jacob wasn’t happy at all with her. They were trying to save money for the down payment on their dream home. Melanie wanted it as much as he did, but some things just demanded she buy them. Today it was the cutest sweater.

“Melanie, how many sweaters do you have?” he was pacing back and forth in their bedroom.

“The number doesn’t matter Jacob, I don’t have one like this. I won’t buy anymore I promise.” Melanie was trying to diffuse his anger and disappointment.

“You promised me the last time, and the time before that. Obviously you can’t keep those promises without some motivation. What did I tell you would happen if you broke the budget again?” Jacob stopped in front of Melanie and looked down at her sitting on the end of the bed.

“Ummm….” Melanie’s face grew red remembering that conversation. Surely he wouldn’t really do it.

“Melanie, I want an answer. What did I say would happen?” Jacob had a look and tone Melanie hadn’t heard before.

In a small quiet voice, just above a whisper she answered, “You said you’d spank me.”

“That’s right.” Jacob sat down on the bed and pulled her over his knee before she had time to even think.

Melanie shrieked as he pulled her panties down and proceeded to blister her bottom. When he finally stopped he pulled her up into his arms and hugged her. That night they made love until the wee hours of the morning.

Never again did Melanie break the budget and 6 months later they were in their wonderful home and expecting their first child. They’d decided to have four.

Melanie woke up sobbing with tears streaming down her face.

Why can’t I let it go? When will these dreams end?

She got up and splashed cool water on her face and took a few aspirin and went back to bed. Surprisingly sleep came again, but so did another dream.

This was the worst of them, and one Melanie hadn’t had in a long time.

Jacob was gone and Melanie was standing looking down at the empty crib. She left the room and shut the door and went to the kitchen. Sitting with a cup of coffee she thought back over the last year. She couldn’t blame Jacob; she was no longer the same woman. In truth would probably never be again. He wanted a family and she wasn’t going to be able to give him one. Every time she thought of the precious bundle that had been her baby, her heart wrenched.

Jacob sat holding her and rocking her, “Melanie, I’m sorry, but there wasn’t anything the doctors could do. Julie didn’t have a chance… she was just too little and too soon. Her lungs and heart couldn’t function. We’ll have others and Julie will always have a special place in our hearts.”

Melanie stiffened in his arms. She didn’t want others she wanted Julie…her Julie. “I wanted her Jacob… just her.”

Everyday Melanie spent looking at pictures of the tiny premature baby that died just 3 days after she was born.

Jacob couldn’t break through the ice that had settled around Melanie’s heart and finally one day told her. “I’m sorry Mel, but I can’t go on like this. I can’t stay and see you tear yourself down. If you won’t get some help, I have to go on.”

“Fine, leave. Who care’s anymore. You don’t care and never did!” Melanie flew into a rage and left the house. When she returned he was gone. That had been a year ago and lawyers had handled the divorce, quietly and peacefully. She hadn’t seen him since.

This time when she woke, dawn was breaking and Melanie knew sleep would never return. A long shower helped ease the dreams from her mind. It was still a bit early for breakfast so she took the guidebook and sat on the porch and read.

There was a section on local folklore and she turned to that. Today was Halloween and there was a special section on a yearly Halloween occurrence.

Melanie didn’t believe in ghosts but this was fun to read. Apparently the cemetery she saw yesterday had its share of spooks that appeared on Halloween. She laughed as she read through them.

At breakfast she asked Mrs. Culpepper about it.

“Oh yes, we are quite famous for our Halloween haunts. I’ve never seen any, but lots swear they have. Are you going to go out and see if you can find them tonight?”

“No,” Melanie laughed, “I don’t think so. I’ve got to be off to Savannah tomorrow, so I’ll finish up some places today and get ready to leave. This is a lovely town though, so peaceful.”

Mrs. Culpepper watched her as she ate. She could see the telltale signs of tears and wondered more and more what it was that was causing such a pretty young thing so much sadness.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Melanie’s agenda today took her to several battlefield sites on the outskirts of town. The history of the area was almost overpowering. She swore she could hear the battle cries and the cries of the poor town folk in the path of Sherman’s troops on their march to Savannah.

Hunger drove her back to the same little restaurant as the day before. Sue Ann was there just as happy and smiling as the day before. “Welcome back, y’all been sightseeing some?” Sue Ann was cheery but could see her customer was not a happy person.

“Since this is Halloween, how about some nice warm cider and Francie’s special chili and grilled cheese sandwich? Looks like you need some warmth inside.”

“Thanks Sue Ann, that sounds wonderful.” Melanie tried to relax and enjoy the lunch, which was as good as yesterday. When she was finished, she decided she’d check out one last monument and then head back to the B&B to pack.

The monument was the highlight of the town. In a circle where Cemetery, Main, Atlanta and Birdsong converged, it was impressive. Melanie spent some time there and then headed back to the B&B. She didn’t know why, but she chose to drive down Cemetery. As she passed the cemetery she felt a pull. A strong urge to stop and go in.

Melanie Connors don’t be silly!

She drove a few more blocks, but with a sigh turned the car around and returned to the cemetery. Parking on the street in front, she wandered through the arched gate. There was nothing spectacular here… just an ordinary cemetery; much like the one her poor babe was buried in. That thought brought the usual heart lurch. A mixture of old graves among the newer ones caught her interest. One could really do a family tree from looking at the graves… families must have bought whole plots… some were even fenced off.

Melanie was most touched by the small tombstones that stood around a larger one… the poor children… babies that never made it to adult hood. Those took her interest more than anything else. One family plot… the Dunstons held her attention the longest.
There were 10 small tombstones. 10 babies died before age 3. The mothers’ graves were there as well. The father of those babes had three wives. The last had outlived him… and from the dates and names on the other graves had given him five children that lived until adult hood.

I guess life was fragile then too. I wonder how they made it… how they lived after so many of their babies died.

Melanie walked on, intending to leave, when a statue in a far corner of the graveyard caught her eye. It was taller than she… of concrete… an angel looking down on a child and holding her hand. For some reason Melanie felt a strong pull to go closer.

The angel almost seemed lifelike in the last of the afternoon sun that was filtering through the trees and illuminating her wings. There was a bench in front of the statue and Melanie sank down on it, her knees suddenly weak.

Staring at the statue, Melanie felt oddly at ease. She looked down at the base and read the inscription.

Cora Lee Doe…Approximately 3 years old. Died October 31, 1920 Unknown to us in life… prayed for in death.

Melanie wondered why there was such a large statue over the grave of a seemingly unwanted child.

She found the reference easily… Concrete Angel… a marker donated by an anonymous donor who believed that Cora Lee helped her heal.  No one knows for sure, but rumor and lore have it that Cora appears every Halloween to someone needing her help. Melanie laughed and snapped the guidebook shut and stood to leave. She stopped at the sound of a child’s voice. If she was right, it was the same voice she heard yesterday.

“Hello… is anyone here?” Melanie called out. There was no answer.

Turning to go, she was face to face with a small little child. “Oh… I didn’t see you… what are you doing here alone at this time of day?” It took Melanie a moment to register the fact that the child wasn’t dressed in current clothing.

“I’m just playing. . .what are you doing?” The child had the prettiest and deepest blue eyes.

“I was just looking at the angel here. I think you should be at home… let me take you.” Melanie reached for her hand only to find it wasn’t really there.

“Who are you?” Melanie sank once again on the bench.

“I’m Cora Lee, you see I never had a chance to live really. Bitter, mean people killed me. But now I have my second chance to help others.” She sat next to Melanie and touched her.

“Julie is fine you know. But Jacob needs you, and you need him. Call him tonight. He’s waiting for you.”

Before Melanie could think the little girl kissed her on the cheek and disappeared into the grave beneath the angel.

Melanie sat there until it was dark crying, then slowly made her way back to her car.

As soon as she was back safely at the B&B, she dialed Jacob’s number.

A sleepy voice answered, “Hello?”

“Jacob, it’s Melanie, I’ve been so wrong, so wrong. I need you.” Melanie couldn’t say more for the tears and sobs.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

One year later Jacob and Melanie Connors was once again a happy married couple. They were sitting on the porch of their home rocking little Cora Lee, in the small town they’d moved to in southern Georgia.

EPILOGUE

Through research, Melanie and Jacob learned that the original Cora Lee had been an unwanted and battered child found dead on the streets. Her real name was never known. The town sheriff had named her after his mother. She was said to appear only on Halloween to those needing her special healing.

 return for more of Katy's stories