House of Darkness House of Light by Andrea Perron Read Free Book Online Page B

Mr. Kenyon first extended a firm handshake to Roger; then held Carolyn’s hand tenderly in his own while they spoke, not wanting to release her delicate fingers from his grasp. Exchanging pleasantries, their children loaded up as a resounding chorus of thank you and goodbye rang out from their car. Then pulling onto Round Top Road from the far side of the circular driveway, everyone waved as they passed, leaving dear old Mr. Kenyon standing alone in his front yard. Carolyn looked back longingly toward the sympathetic solitary figure; a man for whom she had developed an abiding affection; an isolated man who now seemed quite frail, somewhat smaller than she had previously perceived him to be. As they departed, Carolyn again became plagued by the same insidious sadness which seized her on the lawn. The vision of him as they drove away infused her consciousness. Committing him to memory, as if he was a poem, the haunting image lingered. Her troubled soul had sensed its own captivity, caught in the clutches of an inescapable remorse she could not comprehend. She could not bear to leave him behind and did not want to leave the farm.
    As expected, the girls promptly fell asleep. The parents felt drowsy enough to do the same while traveling at light speed. It had been quite an adventure. Roger kept his eyes focused on the unfamiliar roads, searching for landmarks or memorizing the route, for future reference. He did not utter a sound until Carolyn asked what Mr. Kenyon had said as they walked off together. Roger leaned toward her, whispering, so as not to be overheard from the back seat.
    “He wants us to have it; he’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
    With a single glance, the light in her husband’s penetrating eyes released a surge of adrenaline through Carolyn’s veins, causing her to shudder. Though appearing aloof, unattached to the notion, she easily read his tone of voice; Roger wanted the old farm just as much as she did, maybe even more. As the weight of self-doubt lifted, her spirit soared. She was suddenly wide awake. The couple remained silent for the duration of the lengthy ride back to their little house in the crowded suburbs and did not speak of it again until much later in the evening, after their children had gone off to bed.
     
    Having checked in on the girls, Carolyn rejoined her husband in the parlor. Settling in on a sofa together, there was much to discuss. They spent the rest of the night relaying impressions and exploring their options. A conversation began with an unexpected announcement.
    “Andrea asked me why we went where we did today; if it was because we were moving to the farm.” Exasperated, motherly sighs escaped as her lungs collapsed. Their eldest daughter was known to be precocious and a bit too perceptive at times…and this qualified as one of those times.
    “What did you say to her?’ Roger was concerned. Neither of them wanted to set their girls up for another loss or disappointment, especially considering the devastating events they had endured that summer. Neither was willing to make a promise they might not be able to keep.
    “I told her to get some sleep and we’d talk in the morning. I put her off.”
    “She knows.” Roger appeared distressed, his furrowed brow as evidence.
    “She knows nothing yet…that’s why she asked.” Carolyn reassured him.
    “ We don’t know anything either…so what are we going to tell them?”
    “The truth…” Roger nodded in agreement. “…we’ll tell them the truth.”
    The children had not asked any questions that morning. They were thrilled just to go somewhere, anywhere with mommy and daddy. The nature of their excursion prompted suspicion in the eldest as Mr. Kenyon was a stranger to them, not among a group of friends with which she was familiar. Andrea had observed the way he’d spoken with her parents; the way they spoke with one another. Naturally curious, by the end of the trip she was listening for clues,