Chapter 21
Time was moving very slowly for Maeve. She held both Max and Barnabas' wrists while they lay unconscious on David's bed. As she looked between both of them, Maeve sensed a movement coming from Max. Feeling her pulse beat faster and her eyes twitch, Maeve called out to her.
"Max, can you hear me, dear?" She watched Max's eyes slowly open as she also lifted herself to a sitting position. Max looked down at Barnabas still unconscious then looked at Maeve.
"What happened?" she asked, still groggy. She started to remember her bonding experience with Barnabas. She noticed Maeve was holding her wrist.
"Do you remember anything?" Maeve asked, watching the puzzled look on Max's face as she looked at Barnabas and then at her wrist.
"I am beginning to. It's slowly coming back to me. How is Barnabas?" She looked at his inert body and reached over to touch him. "He's cold. But," she stopped when she touched his other wrist. Max quickly looked at Maeve. She could feel his pulse, however, weak. Was that possible, she wondered.
"Yes, I feel it too." Maeve held up Barnabas' other hand. "I just can't let go of his wrist yet." Max stood up, touched Maeve's hand on her wrist. Instantaneously, Maeve's hand released Max's wrist. Bewildered, Maeve looked at Max then at her other hand holding Barnabas' wrist. She tried to let go of him.
"I still can't let go of him," she said.
Max walked around Maeve to stand next to Barnabas on the bed. Grabbing Maeve's hand that held Barnabas' wrist, Max said to Maeve, "You can let go now."
Maeve's hand released the wrist and dropped to her side. Maeve stared at Max and wondered how she did that. 'Something happened during their bonding that I have to know about,' she thought. 'Be patient, all will be understood in due time,' the voices said in her mind.
"As soon as I understand it, so will you," Max said as though she read Maeve's thoughts. "But right now, we have other things to worry about."
"Oh?"
"Someone is coming up the stairs to this room and Barnabas is still unconscious." Max walked to the locked door and then looked over her shoulder at Barnabas on the bed. As she unlocked the door, Max took a few steps backwards to stand next to Maeve. They positioned themselves in front of the bed so whoever came in would not see the bed so easily.
"Are you sure? I don't hear anyone coming," Maeve asked.
"Yes, I heard them walking up the staircase and now down the hallway. I even know who it is," Max said looking at Maeve as they stand in the middle of the room facing the door. The handle started to turn and as the door opened, a creaking sound reverberated throughout the second floor.
From a Midwest major hub airport, a half-loaded Boeing 737 took off for the East coast destination. One man worried the whole time about events forthcoming. As the huge jet landed at West Bangor Airport, the passengers got ready to disembark. Collecting his duffel bag and jacket, the nervous man left the plane after several hours of agitation. It wasn't from anything external, just his disquiet thoughts.
In the terminal building, the man made his way to a taxi that would take him to the train station. His trip was not complete until he rode the train to his final destination, Collinsport, Maine. As he looked out of the window, the countryside sped by as fast as his thoughts changed from one idea to another. 'What am I going to say to him? Should I tell him the truth? Why did this have to happen?' He looks down at his watch and thought time was standing still. 'I know it's my entire fault. When I was young, I wanted to travel, see the world and make money anyway I could. I didn't choose my friends very wisely, though. Greed ran my life, doing and saying whatever I wanted, not caring if I hurt anyone.' He shook his head, trying to shake the feeling of self-pity. 'But that's what got me in all this mess.'
"Excuse me sir," the train conductor said interrupting the man's thoughts.
"Yes," the man looked up as he chewed on his lower lip.
"Your stop is coming up next, sir. Can I help you with your baggage?"
"No thanks, I can manage," the man smiled weakly thinking about what the future might hold for him and those he loved. He bent down and pulled out his small duffel bag. Standing up and moving out into the isle, the man walked slowly towards the door of the train car. He grabbed the pole to steady himself as the train slowed down. An announcement over the loudspeaker identified his stop.
"Next stop, Collinsport. Thanks for riding with us on the Northeast Railways."
The train came to a halt and the man stepped off the train. Placing his bag on the station platform, he reached inside his jacket pocket and nervously pulled out his cigarette pack. Looking down at his shaking hands and pulling out a cigarette, he paused for a moment then placed it in his mouth and lite it. Looking up and down the empty platform, he thought, 'I never believed I'd be back here where it all began.'
After picking up his duffel bag, the man continued over to the station depot to look for a Collinsport taxi.
"Carolyn," Max said, "How nice to see you. Is everything alright?"
As Carolyn walked into the room, she said, "Well everyone is wondering if Barnabas finished dressing and when will all of you return to the brunch?"
"We can go downstairs now," a voice said behind them. Max and Maeve turned to see Barnabas standing and looking quite refreshed. As he walked between the two women, he took Carolyn's arm and smiled, "Shall we go?" Max and Maeve looked at each other and quietly followed.
Everyone sat in their previous seats while Anita and William served the different courses to each person. Barnabas slowly tried each dish and was surprised that he wasn't sick to his stomach. Looking at Max, they made eye contact and smiled. Maeve recognized the bonding effects and felt some satisfaction.
After the meal was over, Roger suggested everyone join in the drawing room for some sherry. As everyone mingled into the room, Barnabas stood by the fireplace, daydreaming of his experience with Max. Lost in thought, he was unaware of everyone gathering around staring at him. A voice broke the silence.
"Maeve, would you close the doors so we can have some privacy," Max asked rather sternly. Maeve stared at her for a moment, wondering where this was leading. Walking over to the double doors, she looked into the empty foyer as she closed the doors.
"Max, what is this all about?" David asked seriously, walking up to stand next to her. He wasn't use to guests giving orders in his own home. "What's come over you? You seem different."
"Oh David," Max said excitedly placing her hands on his chest affectionately. "Barnabas has a very interesting story to tell everyone," she blurred out, "Don't you, Barnabas?" Smiling, she turned to face Barnabas standing near the fire. All eyes fell upon Barnabas, as he stood befuddled by Max's announcement. He swiftly turned to look at Maeve and saw she too was confused by this announcement.
"Excuse me?" Barnabas asked, looking back at Max.
"Barnabas, you have to tell us about your family and your life story. It MUST be such an exciting one, full of love, mystery, tragedy, death and rebirth. Your," she looked around the room at David, Carolyn and Roger, "lineage, so to speak."
"Yes," David said, bewildered and captivated at the same time, "I'd be very interested in knowing more about our English cousins. Your father never talked about them." David helped his father sit on the sofa as he made himself comfortable next to Roger. Carolyn sat on the chair near the fireplace while Maeve stood next to the doors. Before joining the others, Maeve listened if anyone was coming unexpectedly.
"Please don't leave anything out, Barnabas." Max walked closer to him and stood facing him. "Start from the beginning." As she smiled at him, she bent closer and whispered, "It WILL set you free." She walked towards the bar and said, "I'll play hostess and serve everyone some sherry." Looking at David, she asked, "You don't mind, do you?"
The drawing room fell quiet; one could hear a pin drop. Maeve thought, 'What is Max up to?' She worried about Barnabas as she sat down. Unnoticed by anyone in the room, the door to the secret staircase behind the far wall opened slightly.