Before I am Famous

literature is something we infer after the story is told

Seaspring Briar part 9

Posted on | October 18, 2007 |

“How?”

“I don’t know. I was hoping you’d come up with something,” Briar said.

“I will.”

“Phil, I still want to do July 4th.”

“Okay your call,” he said distractedly.

“Do you want to go ahead with it?” she asked.

“Yeah I do, if everything is going to be okay.”

“You’ve never had a problem before. Anyway they loved parties, Anastasia said so in her diary.”

He cleared his throat.

“Phil, what’s wrong? What are you thinking?” Briar asked.

“I’m thinking about your safety. Maybe you could stay with me,” Phil said.

“why don’t you stay with me, you know before Seaspring Briar no longer exists. You shouldn’t be scared Anastasia will keep you safe as she can.”
He squeezed her hand, “I don’t want you alone at the house. I’ll be with you.”

“Okay, Phil.” she said and kissed him.

He brought her back up to Seaspring. Briar was safe and comfortable with him.

“Hey guys,” Christine said, “we’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. We’re going to try to get a little more data. But let me tell you, I hit the jackpot with this house.”

The house was quiet for the most part, the extra sensitive equipment picked up some minor disturbances. By noon the following day, they were gone. She went with Phil to the historical society to work on the exhibit of Anastasia’s paintings.

When they got into the office, Lyanne was waiting.“Hi Lyanne, what are you doing here?” Briar asked.

“I was hoping to talk with you again,” she replied.

The walked to the park and sat in the late June sun.

“What’s up, Lyanne?”

“Remember what I said about the walls have ears? Did you say anything about anyone that did you wrong or hurt you?”

“Well yeah. I told Phil about Gabe.”

“Who’s Gabe?”

“My ex-husband. Where’s this going, Lyanne?” Briar asked.

“I got a weird notion while I was there that something bad was going to happen. Not you but could affect you. Is Gabe coming to the fundraiser on the 4th?”

“Lord no. It’s not his thing. It would be more Brian’s thing, he loved Maine. Brian would really have to convince him to come. Plus they live in Vermont, too far to drive,” Briar said.

“Make sure. Please Briar. Because if he is even or even Brian. They are in danger,” Lyanne pleaded.

“Okay, I’ll make sure.”

The ladies parted and Briar went back into the historical society.
“Hey Darcy, do you have a guest list for the July 4th fundraiser?”

“Yeah, right here. Why?”

“Can you see if there is a Gabriel DiStephanous as a guest?” Briar asked.
Darcy scanned the list, “no.”

“What about a Brian Spencer?”

“There’s a Spencer. Sylvia Spencer plus one. She’s been coming forever. She lives in Portsmouth but loves the Maine coast. Has a summer home in Ogunquit. Gosh, she’s gotta be like 80 now. I think you’ll like her, Briar.”

Spencer was a common name. She was pretty sure that Gabriel and Brian would not be at Seaspring Briar. She was relieved and became more excited about the festivities.

Three days before the 4th, the house was abuzz with activity. Darcy and other members of the historical society were up to the house cleaning. Phil went to town to tie up loose ends with the fundraiser. The ghostly guests were quiet and the sun shined. They were probably looking forward to the party thought Briar.

That night, Briar and Phil slept peacefully in her room. There were no footsteps or broken glass. Briar dreamt of living at Seaspring Briar for the rest of her life.

Two days before the fundraiser, the historical society donned the home with 1930’s era patriotic decorations. They hung 2 large 1930’s American flags between the columns on both sides of the front door. The caterers came by and dropped off dishware and buffet tables plus other equipment they would need. Phil said the party would start at 7 pm, the fireworks were to be 9pm, and food and drinks all night long. He said the party should end around 11.

The day before the party, Phil took her back on the boat.

“So Briar, do you want to still destroy the house?” he asked as they drifted by Seaspring.

She fought with herself on this. When she thought about it outside the house, she wanted to go ahead with it. Inside, she could not bear to let it go.

“Phil, I ‘m going to tell you, if I were to change my mind. It’s not me, take me outside and ask. So to answer your question, yes I do want to destroy the house,” Briar answered.

“I’ve thought of a way, that won’t get you arrested for arson. It would labeled as an accidental fire,” Phil said.

“Okay, so what is it?”

“Well you blow the main fuse and the power goes out. So you light candles. Before you the power goes out you turn on the stove on low and forget to turn it off. You leave the house to come to mine and forget to blow the candles out. When finally the gas filled the room. Boom.”

“Sounds like it would work.”

“When we come back to the house it should be in flames. You have to be willing to lose your clothes and stuff to make it look realistic.”

“I like the plan,” Briar said, “it’s really good.”

They ate fresh lobster at Seaspring that night. The house remained quiet as if the spirits of Lincoln and Anastasia never roamed through time.

Category: seaspring briar

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