Secrets of the Spiral Tower (23 page)

“Woody, you have done quite well. Seems like you and Olga are perfectly matched.”

“Yes, I think we are. One of my main concerns when our relationship began to bloom was how Anne would react toward Olga. I was concerned as to how they would share me. I must say, these two females don’t have a problem. Olga has been a wonderful stepmother and cares for Anne just as if she were her own biological child.”

“Have you and Olga thought about a child?”

“Yes, we have discussed that possibility, and if it happens that’s great, but we’re not doing anything to increase the odds.”

Woody stopped his truck about fifty feet from the garage. As he pressed the remote control button, the security doors rolled up and out of sight. Setting in Willow’s full view was a Fire Engine Red Ford Mustang with a khaki convertible top.

“Woody, that is one beautiful set of wheels. And, it matches your personality to a ‘T’.”

“I really love driving that mean machine. When I take it out on the road, I have to be very conscious about my speed. It has so much power and will jump up to 80 mph in a few seconds. It attracts a lot of attention from the cops.”

“Are you sure you want me to drive that 'stang'?”

“Yes. I think you’ll enjoy it. I’ll let the top down, so the wind can blow through that beautiful blonde hair. It will help clear your mind.”

“Okay. I’m game.”

Willow sat under the steering wheel and fired up the engine. Since the garage had doors on both sides, she was able to go forward and follow the circular drive way back to the street.  As Willow entered onto the street, she gave the gas pedal a slight tap and the engine roared to life making that patented, distinctive Mustang sound.

Willow thought,
This is fun and I’m sure Tony
will
like it also. Maybe we should drive to New Orleans in it
. When she arrived at 530 Windward Way, Mamie was sitting with Mrs. Bray on her patio.

Mrs. Bray called out, “Come over. I’ve got some fresh iced tea. Would you like a glass?”

“Mrs. Bray, that would be very nice. I do have one phone call to make. Give me a couple of minutes.”

Willow went inside and dialed information for Manhattan, New York. When the operator answered Willow said, “I need the number of the Manhattan Transfer Company.”

The operator connected Willow to that number and she placed a request for the company to ship her Jaguar to Vicksburg.

“I need to make arrangements for you to pick the car up at my condo and deliver it to me in Vicksburg, MS.”

She gave them the necessary information on whom to contact at her condo and a detailed description of the car to include her license plate, WIL K MC, and address to make the delivery.

“When can you deliver and what will it cost?”

“Ma’am, I can have it on the road within two hours and it will arrive at your destination within twenty-four hours. It will cost you $1.50 per mile.”

“Good, I’ll be expecting it. Here is my credit card information. Put the charges on it.”

“Will do.”

“Thank you.”

Willow joined Mrs. Bray and Mamie for that glass of iced tea.

“Ms. McKenzie, do you want me to come back tomorrow?”

“Mamie, I’m not sure exactly what we’re going to do, but yes, I would like for you to come every day for a few hours until I’ve had time to settle in.”

“No problem. I’ve been coming three times a week. I could come five days a week with no problem.”

“Good. Mr. Woody has told me how good you’ve been to Daddy. I sincerely appreciate that. I want you to continue.”

“I usually carry your daddy a good home-cooked meal two times a week. He likes my cooking better than what he gets at the assisted living home.”

“Then, maybe we should increase that to five times a week, maybe lunch and dinner.”

“I would be happy to do that. Just let me know. Do you want me to cook for you, also?”

“That would be super. To have a Southern home-cooked meal once a day sounds like an outstanding idea.” 

“Thank you, Ma’am. I really need this job. My husband is gravely ill and unable to work, so I’m the bread winner for our family.”  

“Mamie, I’m sorry to hear that. Does your husband need medical treatment?”

“No Ma’am. We’re getting all we need through Medicaid.”

At that moment, Mrs. Bray returned and poured Willow a glass of iced tea.

“Thank you. It is so nice to be home and sit under a big live oak tree and enjoy Southern hospitality again.”

“It is time for me to go home. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at eight, if that is okay.”

“I’ve got a guest coming in late tonight. Please wait until noon tomorrow.”

“I can do that. Thank you.”

For the next twenty minutes, Willow and Mrs. Bray recounted some of Willow’s childhood antics. They both laughed when recalling a time when Willow fell out of the tree and broke her right arm. It wasn’t funny then, but in hind sight, remembering all of the hustle and bustle, it was hilarious.

Standing up, Willow said, “Mrs. Bray, this has been absolutely delightful. But, I must go unpack my bags. I’ll visit again very soon.”

“Before you go, I have one question. What has happened to Connor? You haven’t mentioned him and as I remember bygone days, you two were inseparable.”

“I think it is enough to say, we’re no longer a couple.”

“Well, Okay. It is great to see how you have grown into a beautiful woman. I’m glad you’re back home.”

When Willow stepped inside and closed the door, a wave of emotion flooded her senses. There she stood, in her childhood home, alone in the house for the first time in her memory. In the past, either her daddy or Connor was always present. But, not this afternoon. She thought,
I want to sit in my old chair, watch WLBT
Channel 3 news and
sports
. The stillness was almost too much to bear. Sitting in her favorite chair, memories of bygone days caused tears to well in her eyes. Those memories were quickly replaced with the realization of what lay in front of her. After the news, Willow thought,
since I have about two hours of daylight, I think
I’ll take a trip to the spiral tower. I’ve
been wanting to do that and it is for certain that I’ll have to go it alon
e.
Connor obviously isn’t going to go with me
.

All Willow had in her traveling bag were pantsuits and she didn’t want to ruin those climbing up and down the bluffs. 
I’ll just
stop at the Outlet Mall and get a pair of jeans, a flannel shirt and a pair of walking shoes
.

In a flash, she was out the door and, equally as fast found suitable clothes for her adventure to the tower.

*   *   *

After parking the red Mustang, Willow stood at the base of the tower trying to determine the best route to the cave. With flashlight in one hand and a walking stick in the other, she carefully eased her way down the bluff to the cave’s entrance. Although the briers and other vegetation made her trek difficult, she was determined to go inside the cave. The blackberry vines grabbed at her flannel shirt as she slowly moved downhill.
I should have brought some gloves, too.

Every short, flat, prickle on the vines seemed to hang her at every move. Soon, she was at the entrance and with the flashlight illuminated, she entered. There were a few spider webs at the entrance, but she was able to brush them away with the cane. Willow had gone about thirty feet into the cave when she stumbled on a large wooden box. That was new to her. No such box was there the night she left the cave thirty-five years ago. She flashed the light along the floor and walls, seeing the sheet of plywood with all of the plastic bags of jewelry still attached. The bed was still there, just as she remembered. But what was missing was the ‘limb cross’ they had placed on the baby’s grave.  This was getting to her, so she decided to retreat.
I’ll come back with help the next time
. Her curiosity and sense of anxiety had been satisfied. She knew for certain what her plan would be. Carefully, she climbed the bluff and returned to her car.

It was after sundown when she arrived back at 530 Windward Way.
I need to take a nap so I’ll be fresh when Tony arrives
. She set the alarm clock to wake her at eleven-thirty and finally drifted off to sleep.

When the alarm sounded, she jumped up, rushed to the bathroom, and took a warm shower. She was exited that Tony was coming and looked forward to his visit.

As Willow was stepping from the shower, her cell rang. Looking at the number displayed, she recognized it as Tony’s.

 “Hello, this is Willow.”

“Hi, Willow. I’m leaving Jackson and headed your way. How long did you say it would take me?”

“You can make it easily in an hour. Don’t exceed the speed limit and attract the attention of the Mississippi Highway Patrolman.” Laughing, Willow added, “With your Yankee accent, they might detain you for a while.”

“Think so?”

“No, I’m kidding. According to my watch, it is twelve-seventeen. I’ll meet you at the Waffle House between one-fifteen and one-thirty.”

“Sounds like a winner. Bye.”

Slipping into the loosest fitting blouse and pants she had, she stood in front of the mirror and admired her slim figure. She brushed her hair back and forth alternating from a bouffant style to a more hippy look.
I really do look good
for my age considering the miles I’ve traveled
.
Connor will regret what he’s lost. But, I’m
moving forward and I’m certain somewhere along the way Mr. Right will show up
.

Putting her hair into a pony tail, she thought,
I need a baseball cap to top this look off
. Looking around her bedroom, she spotted a Mississippi State University cap. She wondered
how many years it had been since she last wore it. Putting it on and pulling the pony tail through the band, brought back memories of years ago. Looking in the mirror, she was satisfied with her appearance. All of her years of exercising and eating the right foods were paying off.

Shortly, she was out the door and seated in the red mustang. She thought,
it surely is dark
and looking around discovered that the street light was out.

She had been seated at the Waffle House less than five minutes when her cell rang.

“Hello, Tony. Where are you?”

“I think I passed a sign that read Bovine. Is that right?”

“I think you pronounced it incorrectly. The last letter is an ‘A’ not ‘E’. But, you’re almost here now. Take your time. I’ll be watching for you.”

In six minutes, Willow saw the rental car turn off the frontage road. She stood up and walked to the door. Tony saw her and waved as he parked next to the red mustang.

Stepping out, Tony said, “Hello, Willow. It is so good to see you.”

Hugging him, Willow said, “It is great to see you, too.”

Tony, held her at arm’s length.  “My, My. I’ve never seen you dressed like this. It is very becoming.”

“Tony, this is my ‘Southern girl’ look. And remember, flattery will get you everywhere. Come on in. Let’s get a cup of coffee.”

Tony locked the rental car and followed Willow to a corner booth.  “This weather is so much better than that mess I left in New York. This is really nice.”

“Yeah. We do have nice weather most of the year except in the summertime when it is so hot and humid. During the summertime, it would be nice to escape to the Adirondacks. But, year round, I’ll take this weather over any other place I’ve ever been.”

“Do you want an omelet with your coffee?”

“Good idea. I didn’t take time to eat before I left New York, and as you know, nothing is served on the flights these days.”

In about thirty minutes, Willow and Tony had finished eating, and a second cup of coffee.

“Let’s go to my house,” Willow said. “Follow me. I’m getting out on Interstate 20. I’ll try not to run too fast, but this machine loves to run.”

“Whose car is this?”

“It’s my Cousin Woody’s car. You’ll have to meet him soon. He is a cool dude and I’m sure you’ll like him. He has survived some tough times, having been kidnapped and imprisoned in a Mexican jail for a while. He’s got lots of stories to tell. But, enough.”

Tony left a $10 tip on the table and as they walked out, the waiter said, “Thank you, sir. Come again soon.”

Waving, Tony said, “Will do. Thank you.”

Willow cranked the Mustang and goosed it a couple of times, and smiled at Tony. Pulling up to the frontage road, Willow hit the accelerator and peeled out leaving two black streaks on the pavement.

Smiling, Tony realized she was really enjoying herself. 

Before she got to the traffic light at Indiana, a City Patrolman flipped his blue lights on. Willow thought, d
amn I didn’t see that guy sitting in the parking lot
.

The policeman walked up to the side of her car asking, “May I see your license, registration, and proof of insurance?”

Willow opened her wallet and handed the cop her New York license.