Family Dispute Chapter Four
As morning dawned on Bridal Veil Mountain, Jason and Joshua rode up to the old family cabin. They had spent a restless night worrying about Jeremy being alone there.
When their childhood home came into view, both of the brothers inhaled sharply. The look they exchanged was one of terror and heartbreak.
"Great God in Heaven!" Jason roared.
Joshua gulped as his eyes filled with tears. "Jason, I'm scared."
"So am I, Josh. We had better find him fast." Jason breathed a silent prayer for their youngest brother.
They rode into the yard of the old home place and dismounted their horses. The brothers walked on to the porch staring at the gaping hole where the door had been hit by the blast from Jeremy's shotgun.
Jason lifted the door which somehow was still standing with one hinge intact. A little pressure was required to loosen the last hinge. Jason turned and pitched the door out into the yard.
"Jeremy! Jeremy! Where are you?! Answer me! Jeremy!" Jason shouted as he and Joshua walked into the front room.
They did not see anything amiss inside the cabin.
"Jeremy! Can you hear us? Jeremy, please answer! We are scared! Jeremy!" Joshua shouted with a quiver in his voice.
Jason and Joshua stood still and quiet. They didn't hear anything inside the cabin.
"JEREMY!" ANSWER ME!" Jason bellowed.
After a few moments, Jason drew a breath to shout again. Joshua put up his hand indicating for his brother to wait.
"Jason! Listen! Did you hear that?" Joshua asked.
Jason cocked his head and strained to hear. "What is that sound, Josh? I can't quite make it out."
Joshua listened closely again. "It's Jeremy! He's retching."
"Where is he?" Jason asked.
"He is in the woods." Joshua replied.
The two of them went back out and looked around. Suddenly, Josh pointed toward the edge of the woods.
"There he is!" The blond brother exclaimed.
Jason turned and looked in the direction Joshua indicated. Jeremy was emerging from the woods in the direction of the cabin. His clothes were wet and dirty and looked as if he had slept in them.
"Jeremy!" The oldest two brothers shouted together as they ran to him.
When they got to him, Joshua hugged him close. "Jeremy, are you okay? We were scared as hell when we saw the door and when we couldn't find you right away."
Jeremy hugged Joshua tightly for a minute. After the embrace ended, Jeremy took a few deep breaths. He was shivering because of his wet clothing and the cold morning air. Jason took off his coat and helped Jeremy put it on. Jason buttoned up the coat which swallowed Jeremy but helped against the cold.
"Last night, I thought I k-k-killed C-C-Candy. I thought I saw Sergeant Todd coming in the front door pointing his shotgun at me. I screamed at him. Candy screamed at me. I fired my shotgun at the door. Then I heard the sergeant's voice telling me that I had killed her. I looked around and Candy was lying on the floor. I thought she was dead and that I had killed her. Now that I think about it, I don't know why I thought she was dead since I had shot at the door. I guess when you're having hallucinations, it's easy to believe things that aren't logical." Jeremy told them.
"I guess so, Jeremy. I'm sorry you went through that brother. I suppose that means changing the dosage of your medication didn't help." Jason said putting an arm around Jeremy's shoulder.
"I forgot to take my medicine last night. I was so focused on wanting to get some sleep and then Candy showed up just as I was about to go to bed." Jeremy replied.
The three brothers went inside the cabin. They sat down at the table. Jeremy kept the coat on because he was still cold.
"Candy came up here alone last night in that storm?" Joshua asked.
"Yes, Joshua, she did." Jeremy answered.
"Well, Jeremy, I'm going to be nosy and ask why Candy did that." Jason said.
Jeremy studied his brothers for a minute. "Will both of you promise to never and I mean never tell this to anyone?"
"Yes, Jeremy." Joshua said.
"Of course, brother. We would never betray a confidence." Jason answered.
"I don't doubt either of you. This is just so personal and ordinarily I wouldn't say anything but with the hallucinations and everything, I just think you two should know why Candy came here alone at night in a storm." Jeremy explained.
"Alright, Jeremy. You know you can tell us anything." Jason replied.
Jeremy took a deep breath. "Candy came up here because she wanted us to sleep together."
"Well, Jeremy, you and Candy are in love, and you're engaged. That seems logical to me. Not that you need my approval or anything." Joshua told him.
"So, you and Candy were intimate and then you had the hallucination." Jason looked at his youngest brother.
"Yes, the hallucinations were a few hours later. After the one when the old man told me I killed Candy, I saw her lying on the floor. It scared me so much that I ran in the bedroom. For some reason, I latched the door.
I got on the bed and cried and screamed for you two to help me."
"Jeremy? Where is Candy? Did she go back to town or…? Joshua asked.
"Or did I really kill her? Well, Josh, I don't think I really killed her because I remember the hallucinations. The crazy soldier didn't tell me to do it, he told me that I did it, so I don't think I really did it because hallucinations aren't real." Jeremy answered. "But I went in the woods early this morning to see if I had buried her somewhere."
"And?" Jason asked.
"And? What do you mean and, Jason? Wait a minute, you and Josh think I actually killed Candy, don't you? My own brothers think I murdered my fiancé! There wasn't a new grave anywhere in the part of the woods where I looked if that eases your minds any."
"How far did you look, Jeremy?" Joshua inquired.
"How far did I look? I walked all the way to Mama and Dad's graves. There wasn't a new grave there either. I can't believe my brothers are doubting me!" Jeremy replied.
"We aren't doubting you, Jeremy. We are just concerned. What with you telling us what happened and Candy not being here now." Jason said.
"Yeah, Jeremy. We know you didn't kill her. I mean there's no blood anywhere." Joshua spoke.
Jeremy nodded. "Okay. Alright. So, the two of you believe me because there isn't any blood in the floor and there's no new grave. Don't you want to see for yourselves if there is a new grave out in the woods?"
"Now, Jeremy, you're taking what Josh, and I are saying wrong. As I said, we are not doubting you, brother. We trust you. We know you wouldn't kill her." Jason told him with conviction.
Jeremy sneezed and coughed. He was still trembling in his wet clothes.
"Jeremy, you had better change into some dry clothes. You don't want to catch a cold. Josh, let's you and me start repairing the front door. After we get the door back up, let's go home. Alright?" Jason asked.
Joshua and Jeremy agreed with their oldest brother. After Jeremy changed clothes, he helped his brothers repair the door. When the door was back up, the Bolts returned to Seattle.
When they got home, Jeremy cleaned up. He walked to the dormitory to visit Candy and to apologize for last night.
When Candy came out on the porch, she kept her distance from Jeremy. She didn't speak.
"Hello, Candy. I'm glad to see you get hurt when you fell on the floor last night?" Jeremy asked.
"What are you talking about, Jeremy? I didn't fall last night." She asked.
"Last night up at my parents' old cabin, I had hallucinations about that old man and there was lots of screaming and I fired my shotgun and you fell to the floor. I think you probably fainted." He reminded her.
"Jeremy, I was not at your family's old cabin last night. There was a bad thunderstorm last night. You know I wouldn't get out at night alone in a storm and go way up the mountain." Candy responded.
"Now, Candy, if you're angry at me about what happened, I understand.
"I'm sorry about what went on and I know it was scary for you. It frightened me too. But don't say that you weren't there because I know that's not true." Jeremy retorted.
"Jeremy, I was not there last night!" Candy insisted.
"Yes, you were there, Candy! You and I talked about things and then later, we had you know…" Jeremy said angrily. "What do you want to lie for, Candy? I KNOW you were there!"
"Oh, you know, do you? I suppose just like you KNOW that Sergeant Todd talking to you is just a hallucination because of that medicine." Candy snapped.
"What does that mean?" Jeremy looked confused.
"It means maybe you're not hearing that voice because of the Laudanum! It means maybe you're hearing the crazy old man because you are unhinged! It means that maybe you're the one who is CRAZY, JEREMY!" Candy rushed inside and slammed the door.
Jeremy staggered backwards a few steps as if he had been punched in the face. Tears filled his eyes. He stood there a minute catching his breath. He went to the door and knocked.
Candy cracked the door open. Before Jeremy had a chance to speak, she told him, "Jeremy, go away and don't come back."
"For how long?" Jeremy asked her.
"Forever, Jeremy. I don't want to see you anymore!" Candy yelled as she slammed the door.
"Candy, please! Don't give up on me! Maybe I am crazy. I will go back to the doctor and talk to her about it. Candy, I love you! You love me! I need you! I'm sorry I accused you of lying. Candy, please, please, I'm begging, please Candy!" Jeremy sat down on the bench and squalled his heart out.
Jeremy couldn't see Candy peeking out the window at him as he sobbed. He didn't know she had tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked up toward Heaven breathing a silent prayer for him. Jeremy couldn't see Candy wrapping her trembling hand around the pistol that was in her apron pocket.
When Jeremy stopped crying, he walked home to the cabin. Jason could tell by his face that his conversation with Candy did not go well.
Jeremy slumped down in the armchair. He leaned his head back against the chair and closed his eyes.
"Jeremy, do you want to talk about what happened?" Jason asked gently.
"There's not much to talk about, Jason. She said she wasn't at the old cabin last night. I said she was there. We argued. She said maybe I'm crazy. I agreed and said I would get help. Candy said she never wanted to see me again. I cried and begged her not to give up on me. Then I came home." Jeremy sighed deeply.
"I'm sorry, Jeremy. I don't think you are crazy. However, is it possible that you dreamed that Candy was at the old home place last night? You told Josh and me that you were about to get in bed when Candy knocked on the door. Maybe you got in bed then and had a vivid dream that she was there." Jason wondered.
Jeremy gave some thought to what his brother told him. "I guess it's possible. But if it was a dream, it was the most realistic dream I ever had in my life."
"Whatever it was, brother, let's pray that it doesn't happen again, Jeremy. I'm going up to the camp. Will you be alright by yourself? I will send Josh home if you need or want one of us here. Do you think Candy really broke up with you? "asked Jason.
"Candy was really mad. I hope she didn't mean what she said. I'm alright, Jason. You and Josh can work without worrying about me." Jeremy answered.
Jason studied Jeremy's face. "Are you sure you will be okay alone?"
"Yes, I will be fine, big brother. Don't worry, if I get lonely, I will go visit Lottie."
"Alright, Jeremy, you do that if you can't sleep or have a nightmare or a hallucination. I realize they don't usually happen during the day, but just in case. Josh and I will see you later this evening." Jason patted him on his arm.
"Okay, Jason. Don't worry. I'll see you and Josh later." Jeremy said.
After Jason left the cabin, Jeremy began to drift off to sleep in the armchair. He decided he would rather sleep in his bed. He went in his bedroom and took off his clothes and his boots and socks. As Jeremy was getting into bed, there was a knock on the door. He put on his pants and went to the door.
When Jeremy opened the door, he was stunned to see Candy standing there. "Hello, Candy."
"May I come in, please?" She asked timidly.
"Yes, you may." Jeremy held the door as she came in.
"Jeremy, I was just awful to you earlier. I'm so sorry. I lied when I said I wasn't at your parents' old cabin last night. You are right, Jeremy. I was there and we made love. I'm sorry I said those awful things about you being crazy. You're not crazy. And I'm sorry that I said I never wanted to see you again. That was a lie too. Will you please forgive me, sweetheart? Will you have me for your fiancé again?" Candy pleaded.
"Yes, I forgive you, Candy. And yes, I will have you for my fiancé again. Why did you lie and say all of that to me, Candy?" Jeremy looked into her eyes.
"Last night when you started screaming and pointing your shotgun at the door, I was scared of you, Jeremy. It was such a strange frightening feeling; I just couldn't stand it. When you fired the gun, I fainted like you said earlier. When I woke up a few hours later, I left the cabin and came home." Candy explained. "When you came to the dormitory, I was still scared and seeing you again made me very nervous. That's the reason I lied and said all those awful things to you."
Jeremy sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He gazed at Candy as he said, "I'm sorry I frightened you. The thought of you being afraid of me breaks my heart." He took a step toward her and stopped.
"Don't stop, Jeremy. I'm not scared of you anymore. I love you." Candy walked over and put her arms around his neck.
"Is it okay for me to kiss you?" He asked softly.
"Yes, it is fine, and you don't have to ask." She whispered.
They shared a passionate kiss. "Jason and Josh are at work. They won't be home for hours. Do you want to?" Jeremy motioned toward his bedroom.
"Oh, yes, sweetheart!" Candy kissed him hard on his mouth.
They went into the bedroom. They were like hungry wolves trying to devour each other. When it was over, Candy held Jeremy close as he cried.
"I love you, Jeremy. You are so precious to me, sweetheart. My precious darling." Candy breathed the words softly into his ear as he cried.
As his tears subsided, Jeremy whispered, "I love you, Candy, forever and always."
Jeremy and Candy drifted off into peaceful dreamless sleep.
Later that evening, Jason and Joshua arrived home from the camp. Jason went to the back of the cabin to get some firewood. Joshua walked inside the cabin.
"Oh, hell! Jason! Jason!" Joshua shouted.
Jason dropped the firewood he was carrying and ran inside the cabin.
"Shakespeare's sun bonnet!" He bellowed. "Josh! What on earth happened?"
"I don't know, Jason. I don't know." Joshua and Jason exchanged a look of terror.
Candy was lying unconscious on the floor of the front room. Jeremy was nowhere to be found.