Chapter Five
Not being able to scream, I used my second instinct- to bite. Hard. "Ouch, Susannah what are you doing?" a familiar voice said. I rolled over to my side and found myself face to face with none other than Jesse.
"Jesse?" I asked in total confusion. "What are you doing in my room?"
"It's the only way I can talk to you without someone overhearing. Follow me." He then slipped out of the room and waited outside the door. "Susannah why aren't you coming?"
Let's see. My night gown may not be Playboy material but it sure is bordering on it. A bit embarrassing don't you think?
But instead I said, "Well you'll have to let me get changed Jesse. I mean it's not like I have a dressing gown."
"Alright Susannah, I'll go get you mine." And then he turned and walked out of the room. Suddenly I was hit with a realisation. Jesse hadn't asked how I had known his name. Only his mom called him that and she hadn't called him that while I was there. Jesse must know me. But why was he acting like he didn't? That hurt more than a hoop skirt ever would.
Jesse came back with this royal blue thing that was slightly oversized and trailed on the floor. Jesse was convulsed with laughter when he saw me in it but quiet laughter since we weren't out the house yet.
As soon as the door closed I turned around angrily and said, "Spill, de Silva. You acted this morning like you didn't even know my name but yet you don't question the fact I call you Jesse when only your mother does that. And if I remember correctly she hasn't called you that, has she? Are you pretending not to know me or do you really not know me?"
I expected Jesse to act all confused at this, he might have thought I'd learnt his name when he wasn't around. I could be completely mistaken considering how crappy my life was going at the moment. But to my relief he answered differently.
"Susannah, I do remember you but I have had to be careful. I've been sensing something not quite right in this house. Someone is not who they seem. I am sure it is to do with you ending up here but I don't have proof."
"Yeah but what does that do with you pretending to not know me?" I demanded.
"Susannah, we are not supposed to have met yet. One person knows I know you. The rest don't. How would I explain it?"
"Oh that sounds reasonable. But if you said you knew me you should've just said that and the non-suspicious ones would have asked how you knew and bingo, you'd have your answer."
"Susannah, this person is smarter than that. They got you here didn't they? They'll be watching you and ask the same questions as the others."
"Oh that's great. I finally get my own stalker. I must be really famous as a mediator now. Heck I can even guide the horses of this world to their afterlife."
"What?" Jesse said looking extremely confused.
"Well, you know that foal that died today? It paid me a visit. Maybe I should contact the Horse Whisperer to come help me. I repeat what the horse says, the horse whisperer tells me what it means and I guide the thing to heaven for horsies."
"Susannah, you're babbling."
"I know."
"Why don't you go back to bed and get some sleep? We'll talk some more about this in the morning. Somewhere private though, okay? How about the hay loft in the stables after breakfast?"
Somewhere private with Jesse. Count me in. "Okay."
"Good night Susannah."
"Night night Jesse."
~*~*~*~*~*~
The hay was making my nose itch. Inside the stables didn't smell too good either. I was sitting on the hay bale in the most comfortable position you could get into in a hoop skirt.
I heard the sound of steps on the ladder and a few seconds later Jesse hauled himself into the hayloft. "So what's the plan?" I asked, feeling the need to sneeze, and wanting to get out of this place quickly before I blew the loft down.
"We wait and watch. Sooner or later we will notice things that don't quite fit and we'll get things back to normal."
"Jesse, have you gone nuts? Last night you said this person was smart so they most likely won't slip up. I'll be stuck here for a few centuries!"
"And would that be so bad?" Jesse asked.
That sounded suspiciously like Jesse was very into the idea of us being together, both alive this time, but loving Jesse or not there was no way I could stay in this time. "Sure it'd be fun to hang around with you Jesse but there is about a million reasons for me to go back. My family, my friends not to mention the fact your sister Elizabeth hates my guts." I didn't add that Maria would also be making an appearance in the near future. I didn't even want to mention that bitch's name aloud much less actually see her.
"Hate is a strong word Susannah. Elizabeth was let down badly by her boyfriend. She was expecting him to propose and he ran away. I would've thought you would have been sympathetic since you were with Heather. If I remember she tried to kill you but you had compassion for her situation, why can't you show it for Elizabeth?"
I started to feel a bit ashamed. I had actually defended her, even after the psycho bitch had tried to kill me. What had Elizabeth done to me except call me a witch? Hardly groundbreaking stuff. Plus the whole being left behind by your true love thing would suck. Especially if you thought you were going to get married, even at 16. She must really had been in love.
"I suppose so. But how am I going to do anything remotely interesting when I have to help a horse to the afterlife, patch up a fight with your sister and get myself out of here?"
"You'll have time Susannah, relax." Jesse said with a smile on his face. He stretched out like a cat on the hay, totally peaceful and serene. How he could be happy around something that made you sneeze like there was no tomorrow? I watched him as he picked up a strand and twisted it between his fingers. He looked so at home here. I could have watched him for hours.
Jesse caught me looking and said with a curious expression on his face, "What are you looking at Susannah?"
I flushed at being caught so unashamedly staring. "I was watching the horses," I said which wasn't a complete lie. Behind Jesse there was this little window and out it you could see the meadows.
Then acting on complete impulse, or it might have been the effect the hay was having on me, I threw some of the hay in Jesse's hair. I got up laughing as Jesse looked quite funny with it in his hair.
Jesse started chasing me then with a bundleful of hay and just as Jesse had advised I began to relax. It seemed so surreal to be mucking around with Jesse like this. Jesse corned me and then stuck the hay into my hair.
"Jesse," I squealed, "that will take ages to get out!"
Jesse moved closer to me and suddenly the hay didn't matter. He was about an inch away from me. Then he leant over and started picking the hay from my hair, which wasn't totally unpleasant. As he straightened up he gazed into my eyes. I gazed back and got myself ready, for what I was certain, was going to be a kiss. As Jesse lowered his head I felt my nose twitch. And at the worst possible moment I sneezed, nearly sliming Jesse.
"Sorry," I said mortified. Why did my timing in life have to suck?
"Do not be sorry querida," Jesse said and then he quickly leant over and gave me a short, sweet kiss on the lips. "I will see you lunch time at the piano for songs?" Jesse asked. I nodded my head, still in a stupor, even thought the mention of piano and songs would normally have had me gagging. "I have to go help my dad now. See you at lunch time Susannah." Then he turned and went down the ladder. I shook myself out of my love struck fog long enough to have good look at his butt, which was exceptionally fine in those tight, black pants.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After lunch the family gathered around the piano. But not just the de Silvas, there were about 10 other people there.
"Um, hi," I said, wishing Jesse had told me about these people. I had no idea who they were but what I really needed to know was if I was supposed to know them.
Jesse must have seen my discomfort and said, "Susannah, you remember the Clunes and the Macfarlanes? Our neighbours?"
"Oh sure," I said, grateful for the save. "How are you all doing?''
"Fine, thank you," came a smooth voice from my left. I turned to see a brown haired boy, totally tan and muscly and with the attitude of a guy who always got what he wanted. And at the moment, judging by his look, what he wanted was me.
"Okay I'm going now, talk to you later maybe?" I said, knowing I had absolutely no intention of talking to this creep again. I started to walk off but he followed me. I noticed Elizabeth shooting me dirty looks. It mustn't have done much for her confidence seeing guys going for me. But this guy was a sleaze who'd go for anything with two legs and a skirt.
I walked over to Elizabeth hoping to clear up our little fight and also to get rid of this loser who was trailing me everywhere.
"Can I talk to you for a sec?" I said.
Elizabeth shot me a surprised and confused look. "Okay, where do you want to talk?"
"Outside would be best." I said gesturing to the boy who was standing there with his hand on my arm. I brushed it off and walked outside with Elizabeth following me.
When I got outside she asked me point blank, "Why do you want to talk to me? You've made it pretty clear that you think I'm irritating and stupid." She sounded on the verge of tears.
"Look, I want to get this cleared up. I was in a bad mood because thing weren't exactly going my way. I'm sorry for hurting your feelings but I think you need to get wise. If this boy left you, it means he wasn't ready and if he doesn't come back and beg for your forgiveness, he's not worth it and you should leave him alone. What jerk leads a girl on like that?"
I realised too late what I'd said. Elizabeth looked up from the patch of dirt she was staring at. "How did you know that? Did my mother tell you?" she said suspiciously.
"No actually it was Jesse."
Elizabeth burst into tears. I stared at her then awkwardly put my arm around her. I had learnt a bit from watching my mum comfort Doc but I didn't make a point of going around touching people without an excuse.
"What's wrong?" I asked, hoping no one would come out and see her crying.
"All the guys like you and me? Plain Elizabeth? Even my boyfriend isn't willing to commit to me." She then started sobbing some more.
"Hey listen to me, Lizzy. You are not ugly, far from it. Who said that you were?"
"My b-boyfriend, he said I was an ugly whore and that I would never get a guy. He said if I left him I would stay a lonely spinster the rest of my life."
I looked in horror at Elizabeth. This guy had pulled out her heart and stomped all over it and told her total lies.
"Look, I bet you that you won't be single your whole life. What I reckon you need is a boyfriend. Someone who cares for you, not uses you. I'll help you look.." I said.
"You'd do that for me?" Elizabeth said, sniffling.
"Sure." Then we walked back to the piano room arm around each others shoulders and I felt a warmth knowing that I had another friend to help me through getting out of here, even if she didn't know that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I never thought I would get a clue from a piano singing session. But I did and I didn't even notice it. It was hard enough to keep a smile on my face let alone actually sing the songs. Songs about cowboys, wishing for a genie to help out on the ranch, sad old love songs. The list went on.
Later on, just before I went to sleep I wasn't thinking anything about the songs. I was thinking about becoming friends with Elizabeth and my kiss with Jesse. If I'm honest my thoughts were mostly 99.9% Jesse. Luckily the foal was nowhere to be seen and I was in my own bed. Maybe giving it a comfortable bed for the night was all it took. But deep down I knew it would come back.
Just before I went to sleep some niggly thought was trying to push itself into my brain but I ignored it and went to sleep.
Then I had the dream and it all became clear...
Not being able to scream, I used my second instinct- to bite. Hard. "Ouch, Susannah what are you doing?" a familiar voice said. I rolled over to my side and found myself face to face with none other than Jesse.
"Jesse?" I asked in total confusion. "What are you doing in my room?"
"It's the only way I can talk to you without someone overhearing. Follow me." He then slipped out of the room and waited outside the door. "Susannah why aren't you coming?"
Let's see. My night gown may not be Playboy material but it sure is bordering on it. A bit embarrassing don't you think?
But instead I said, "Well you'll have to let me get changed Jesse. I mean it's not like I have a dressing gown."
"Alright Susannah, I'll go get you mine." And then he turned and walked out of the room. Suddenly I was hit with a realisation. Jesse hadn't asked how I had known his name. Only his mom called him that and she hadn't called him that while I was there. Jesse must know me. But why was he acting like he didn't? That hurt more than a hoop skirt ever would.
Jesse came back with this royal blue thing that was slightly oversized and trailed on the floor. Jesse was convulsed with laughter when he saw me in it but quiet laughter since we weren't out the house yet.
As soon as the door closed I turned around angrily and said, "Spill, de Silva. You acted this morning like you didn't even know my name but yet you don't question the fact I call you Jesse when only your mother does that. And if I remember correctly she hasn't called you that, has she? Are you pretending not to know me or do you really not know me?"
I expected Jesse to act all confused at this, he might have thought I'd learnt his name when he wasn't around. I could be completely mistaken considering how crappy my life was going at the moment. But to my relief he answered differently.
"Susannah, I do remember you but I have had to be careful. I've been sensing something not quite right in this house. Someone is not who they seem. I am sure it is to do with you ending up here but I don't have proof."
"Yeah but what does that do with you pretending to not know me?" I demanded.
"Susannah, we are not supposed to have met yet. One person knows I know you. The rest don't. How would I explain it?"
"Oh that sounds reasonable. But if you said you knew me you should've just said that and the non-suspicious ones would have asked how you knew and bingo, you'd have your answer."
"Susannah, this person is smarter than that. They got you here didn't they? They'll be watching you and ask the same questions as the others."
"Oh that's great. I finally get my own stalker. I must be really famous as a mediator now. Heck I can even guide the horses of this world to their afterlife."
"What?" Jesse said looking extremely confused.
"Well, you know that foal that died today? It paid me a visit. Maybe I should contact the Horse Whisperer to come help me. I repeat what the horse says, the horse whisperer tells me what it means and I guide the thing to heaven for horsies."
"Susannah, you're babbling."
"I know."
"Why don't you go back to bed and get some sleep? We'll talk some more about this in the morning. Somewhere private though, okay? How about the hay loft in the stables after breakfast?"
Somewhere private with Jesse. Count me in. "Okay."
"Good night Susannah."
"Night night Jesse."
~*~*~*~*~*~
The hay was making my nose itch. Inside the stables didn't smell too good either. I was sitting on the hay bale in the most comfortable position you could get into in a hoop skirt.
I heard the sound of steps on the ladder and a few seconds later Jesse hauled himself into the hayloft. "So what's the plan?" I asked, feeling the need to sneeze, and wanting to get out of this place quickly before I blew the loft down.
"We wait and watch. Sooner or later we will notice things that don't quite fit and we'll get things back to normal."
"Jesse, have you gone nuts? Last night you said this person was smart so they most likely won't slip up. I'll be stuck here for a few centuries!"
"And would that be so bad?" Jesse asked.
That sounded suspiciously like Jesse was very into the idea of us being together, both alive this time, but loving Jesse or not there was no way I could stay in this time. "Sure it'd be fun to hang around with you Jesse but there is about a million reasons for me to go back. My family, my friends not to mention the fact your sister Elizabeth hates my guts." I didn't add that Maria would also be making an appearance in the near future. I didn't even want to mention that bitch's name aloud much less actually see her.
"Hate is a strong word Susannah. Elizabeth was let down badly by her boyfriend. She was expecting him to propose and he ran away. I would've thought you would have been sympathetic since you were with Heather. If I remember she tried to kill you but you had compassion for her situation, why can't you show it for Elizabeth?"
I started to feel a bit ashamed. I had actually defended her, even after the psycho bitch had tried to kill me. What had Elizabeth done to me except call me a witch? Hardly groundbreaking stuff. Plus the whole being left behind by your true love thing would suck. Especially if you thought you were going to get married, even at 16. She must really had been in love.
"I suppose so. But how am I going to do anything remotely interesting when I have to help a horse to the afterlife, patch up a fight with your sister and get myself out of here?"
"You'll have time Susannah, relax." Jesse said with a smile on his face. He stretched out like a cat on the hay, totally peaceful and serene. How he could be happy around something that made you sneeze like there was no tomorrow? I watched him as he picked up a strand and twisted it between his fingers. He looked so at home here. I could have watched him for hours.
Jesse caught me looking and said with a curious expression on his face, "What are you looking at Susannah?"
I flushed at being caught so unashamedly staring. "I was watching the horses," I said which wasn't a complete lie. Behind Jesse there was this little window and out it you could see the meadows.
Then acting on complete impulse, or it might have been the effect the hay was having on me, I threw some of the hay in Jesse's hair. I got up laughing as Jesse looked quite funny with it in his hair.
Jesse started chasing me then with a bundleful of hay and just as Jesse had advised I began to relax. It seemed so surreal to be mucking around with Jesse like this. Jesse corned me and then stuck the hay into my hair.
"Jesse," I squealed, "that will take ages to get out!"
Jesse moved closer to me and suddenly the hay didn't matter. He was about an inch away from me. Then he leant over and started picking the hay from my hair, which wasn't totally unpleasant. As he straightened up he gazed into my eyes. I gazed back and got myself ready, for what I was certain, was going to be a kiss. As Jesse lowered his head I felt my nose twitch. And at the worst possible moment I sneezed, nearly sliming Jesse.
"Sorry," I said mortified. Why did my timing in life have to suck?
"Do not be sorry querida," Jesse said and then he quickly leant over and gave me a short, sweet kiss on the lips. "I will see you lunch time at the piano for songs?" Jesse asked. I nodded my head, still in a stupor, even thought the mention of piano and songs would normally have had me gagging. "I have to go help my dad now. See you at lunch time Susannah." Then he turned and went down the ladder. I shook myself out of my love struck fog long enough to have good look at his butt, which was exceptionally fine in those tight, black pants.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After lunch the family gathered around the piano. But not just the de Silvas, there were about 10 other people there.
"Um, hi," I said, wishing Jesse had told me about these people. I had no idea who they were but what I really needed to know was if I was supposed to know them.
Jesse must have seen my discomfort and said, "Susannah, you remember the Clunes and the Macfarlanes? Our neighbours?"
"Oh sure," I said, grateful for the save. "How are you all doing?''
"Fine, thank you," came a smooth voice from my left. I turned to see a brown haired boy, totally tan and muscly and with the attitude of a guy who always got what he wanted. And at the moment, judging by his look, what he wanted was me.
"Okay I'm going now, talk to you later maybe?" I said, knowing I had absolutely no intention of talking to this creep again. I started to walk off but he followed me. I noticed Elizabeth shooting me dirty looks. It mustn't have done much for her confidence seeing guys going for me. But this guy was a sleaze who'd go for anything with two legs and a skirt.
I walked over to Elizabeth hoping to clear up our little fight and also to get rid of this loser who was trailing me everywhere.
"Can I talk to you for a sec?" I said.
Elizabeth shot me a surprised and confused look. "Okay, where do you want to talk?"
"Outside would be best." I said gesturing to the boy who was standing there with his hand on my arm. I brushed it off and walked outside with Elizabeth following me.
When I got outside she asked me point blank, "Why do you want to talk to me? You've made it pretty clear that you think I'm irritating and stupid." She sounded on the verge of tears.
"Look, I want to get this cleared up. I was in a bad mood because thing weren't exactly going my way. I'm sorry for hurting your feelings but I think you need to get wise. If this boy left you, it means he wasn't ready and if he doesn't come back and beg for your forgiveness, he's not worth it and you should leave him alone. What jerk leads a girl on like that?"
I realised too late what I'd said. Elizabeth looked up from the patch of dirt she was staring at. "How did you know that? Did my mother tell you?" she said suspiciously.
"No actually it was Jesse."
Elizabeth burst into tears. I stared at her then awkwardly put my arm around her. I had learnt a bit from watching my mum comfort Doc but I didn't make a point of going around touching people without an excuse.
"What's wrong?" I asked, hoping no one would come out and see her crying.
"All the guys like you and me? Plain Elizabeth? Even my boyfriend isn't willing to commit to me." She then started sobbing some more.
"Hey listen to me, Lizzy. You are not ugly, far from it. Who said that you were?"
"My b-boyfriend, he said I was an ugly whore and that I would never get a guy. He said if I left him I would stay a lonely spinster the rest of my life."
I looked in horror at Elizabeth. This guy had pulled out her heart and stomped all over it and told her total lies.
"Look, I bet you that you won't be single your whole life. What I reckon you need is a boyfriend. Someone who cares for you, not uses you. I'll help you look.." I said.
"You'd do that for me?" Elizabeth said, sniffling.
"Sure." Then we walked back to the piano room arm around each others shoulders and I felt a warmth knowing that I had another friend to help me through getting out of here, even if she didn't know that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I never thought I would get a clue from a piano singing session. But I did and I didn't even notice it. It was hard enough to keep a smile on my face let alone actually sing the songs. Songs about cowboys, wishing for a genie to help out on the ranch, sad old love songs. The list went on.
Later on, just before I went to sleep I wasn't thinking anything about the songs. I was thinking about becoming friends with Elizabeth and my kiss with Jesse. If I'm honest my thoughts were mostly 99.9% Jesse. Luckily the foal was nowhere to be seen and I was in my own bed. Maybe giving it a comfortable bed for the night was all it took. But deep down I knew it would come back.
Just before I went to sleep some niggly thought was trying to push itself into my brain but I ignored it and went to sleep.
Then I had the dream and it all became clear...