1980

I was happy Stratford hired Jimmy Norman as it's newest History teacher, he would do well if this town didn't stir up old memories. Once before I said time marches on like a diligent soldier and it does, seventeen years have passed, I was months away from my thirty-third birthday and Jimmy my one link to that horrible day just finished his Bar exam at the tender age of twenty-seven. My nightmares still come that day was never going away it lingered in my mind for me to reflect on as my mind wished was always at the worst times.

I gave birth to our son in 1963 he just turned seventeen, he was such a good mix of us both but with the build of his Uncle Joseph who passed in the Vietnam War in 1968, it was a harsh blow my parents never recovered from. Both passed not but two years ago, I sold their properties, business and could live a travel-filled life and never worry about money. But I stand at my desk, I tried every day to save lives, one who would be cut to short.

Peggy called, "Dr. Monroe, earth to Lizzie," everything snapped back to me seeing her freckled face filled with worry. "Sorry, my mind has been off lately," ever since Jim came back my nightmares increased by ten.

She gave me a look filled with pity, "I can imagine, I am heading home tonight,"

I don't know why, but I was agitated. "Tell your husband don't come back, I don't know why but to stay far from this town. Something is happening," Muller told her some very demonic things Lawson and North were into.

Her green eyes narrow as she gives me a nod, "I will make sure of it, you and Landon be safe here. In fact, leave town and come with me just for a little,"

"I think it best we leave for a while too; I will be to New York within two weeks," it was safer for Landon away from here, I should have left but I couldn't. I lived in the estate with my son, the same one I grew up in.

I planned to see Jimmy after school since I wanted to know who Landon was fairing in public school. The school day was nearly done, I wouldn't bother Landon he would drive home without knowing I was even here. My heels clicked on the floor as I walked to Jimmy's class, it was about to let out so we could have a few moments to talk since he been here nearly two weeks.

Like clockwork the old school bell rang, I just stand off to the side trying to blend in but this place was filled with so many memories, some boss and some not. I watched Landon walk from the class laughing, he was walking with a girl with raven black hair her clothes screamed punk and his upper class. He looked like Vinnie, his eyes such a swirling mix of a bright green and blue, none of the earthy hazel like his father. His hair was again a mix of the what I thought of a fake bleached hair and my own brown, but on our son, it fit. He was taller than his father, a trait from my side of the family but his smile and at times his laugh was that of his father. He knew his father passed before he was born, never wanted him to resent him.

I walked in before every student filed out, "Jimmy," my voice hesitant but he smiled at me, his dark hair was longer, and he wore a nice suit as he was packing his case up.

He was tired, not only could you see it but you could hear it in his tone. "My god, Elizabeth Monroe. One of the last times I saw you was at his funeral," his arms wrapped around me, his voice whispering in my ear. "He is back," confused until the hug broke and his eyes traveled to the door, I turned fully to see.

It was Lawson, in no other words, it was him. The same clothes as the day he died, his hair slicked back and a smoke resting behind his right ear just as it was in 1963.

He spoke, "Just transferred from Mulford, had a blast in class Mr. Norman," Jimmy walked form class leaving me here staring at the greaser who was long dead.

Moved forward, "Not even hell wanted you, Lawson."

He smiled, "Still a tough chick, now listen to me, sweetheart. You ain't what I came for now if you stay out of it you will live, we have some payback," I grabbed him shoving him from me.

"Watch it, Lawson, I helped kill you seventeen years ago and am ready to do so again,"

"I knew Vinnie had the hots for you, didn't know you two love birds had been dating,"

I cut him off, I was not that girl anymore. "For two years, but in the end, he died with you he made sad choices," I moved to the door.

"Don't mess with me, I found all your dirty secrets and you don't want me to use it. If I bring someone back, he kicks your ass once again," now I was going to make myself heard, grabbing the scruff of his white tee, "You even so much as look at my son, I will step in and ruin your plans and we know you will be stuck in hell. Have I made myself clear, Lawson?"

I pushed my face closer, my mind ordering his body to fall in line. Retreat would be a disaster, a show of weakness an inlet for the enemy to surge through. Nothing in my face betrayed my real fear, it was a mask of defiance and surety, that's why I was a leader here in town. The fear would need an out, of course, I wasn't going the way of the others gibbering in their hammocks, but there was a time and a place and this sure as hell wasn't it.

"Crystal, you and your boy are safe," I had to get Landon out of town, Peggy would take him but I was staying, if they are coming back or even if it was him he had to die.

I walked out if the school seeing Jimmy, he was so young then maybe he just thought they looked familiar. I smiled at him, "Let's do dinner tomorrow, bring Sally and Scott," he gave me a nod before I walked to my cherry red Ferrari F40, I gave in and got it, it was choice.

Even his car came back as he drove off right behind me, but this time his car had nothing on mine. I had calls to make and paperwork to get done tomorrow, this was my choice now.

Landon was in the backyard, with a few of his little friends, "Landon, would your friends care to stay for dinner?" I was ordering out not cooking for a horde of football players.

"Your mom is tubular, we sure would Dr. Monroe," Kyle stood he was a flirt and not my type.

I waved them on as I walked back into the house, heading to the master room in all its glory. A photograph, that was all it took for the tears to burst my dam of restraint. Clutching the solid wooden frame tight in my hand, able to see a ghostly reflection of my own face in the thin sheet of glass that covered it. I looked past my own dreary eyes and stared upon his face that had been caught in a moment of perfection. It was the happiest memories that hurt the worst, they were the ones that cut me deepest. I focused in on his eyes, they were glistening with the twinkle of laughter that once I loved. Now, they laughed and mocked me. They reminded me of what we had lost. I clutched the frame tight, pressing it hard to my breasts wishing to feel his head resting upon them one last time. It was in that moment I realized I no longer knew how I felt. I was numb, yet somehow in agony. I longed to be free of him, yet I wanted him back more than I'd ever wanted anything.

I whispered, "Please don't come back,"