The Ghosts of Aquinnah (13 page)

“
I thought the word sounded lovely,” she said.

“
It’s a lovely language.” Christopher smiled down at Stella. “Do you know what you are in Gaelic?”

“
What?”

“
Cailín álainn.”

“
What’s that?”

Christopher grinned. “I won’t tell.”

Stella laughed. “That’s not fair. How do I know you didn’t say I’m something scary or ugly? Maybe a witch or a hag?”

“
Trust me, you are neither.”

“
It’s not fair for you not to tell me what you said,” Stella said again.

“
There are lots of things in life that aren’t fair.”

Stella laughed and leaned against the fence surrounding her sheep. She’d nearly forgotten the reason she had come outside was to show Christopher how to shear them.

“
I’m glad Josiah had to go care for a patient this morning,” she said, to her own surprise. She turned bright red and stared at the ground. “Please forgive me, I never should have said such a thing. I don’t know what came over me.”

“
It’s alright.”

“
No, it isn’t. I’ve no right to talk of my husband that way. I can’t imagine what you must think of me.”

“
I think very highly of you. Always have.”

Stella turned away from him, and Christopher was sure he saw the glint of a tear in her eye.

“
Your husband doesn’t treat you very kindly, does he?”

Stella turned back around. “Why do you say that? Josiah has always taken care of me.”

“
Why did you marry him?”

“
What do you mean why did I marry him? Why does any woman marry a man?” Stella stepped back and squared her shoulders. “Listen, Mr. Casey, I do apologize for my earlier words. I’d never criticize my husband. I’m sure now I’ve given you the wrong impression.”

“
And I apologize for offending you, Mrs. Winslow. You and your husband have been very kind to me. Forgive me, please.”

Stella cleared her throat. “I do forgive you, and again ask for your forgiveness as well.” She opened the gate of the field and stepped inside, Henry at her heels. “Shall we get to the sheep now? I fear we’ve wasted enough time already.”

Christopher bowed slightly and followed her through the gate. “I’m at your service.”

****

Josiah pulled Grover over to the side of the road in front of his home and watched Stella attempting to teach the Irishman how to shear a sheep. The sheep kicked Casey with both hind legs and wiggled out of his grasp, which caused him to fall on his rear end as the sheep galloped to the other end of the field. Josiah seethed as he watched Stella laugh so hard she was doubled over and clutching at her stomach with one hand while clutching the fence post with the other to keep her balance.

He couldn’t remember when he’d last seen her smile, let alone laugh. To him, she was a sour and morose child. Her attitude only made him miss his real wife Lillian more.

But apparently the only thing his current wife needed to change her demeanor and make her happy was a strapping young man in her company. He’d always felt twice his age around Stella and regretted more than once his decision to marry her when he needed a wife and she needed someone to take care of her. What had he been thinking, marrying a 15 year old girl at his age?

Josiah knew he’d let his good feelings for Stella’s parents get in the way of his common sense. But in spite of her young age, he’d never imagined she’d make a fool out of him by throwing herself at this mucker who washed up onto their island uninvited and unwanted. He’d had a duty as a doctor to care for the boy, but he’d never intended to bring him into his life and home. Not even in the barn. And he’d certainly never expected to find his wife cavorting with him. He’d thought Stella’s parents had raised her better.

Josiah sighed and rubbed his hand along Grover’s mane. It was just one more in a long line of disappointments in his marriage. Stella was nothing like his beloved Lillian, a God fearing woman of taste and discretion. Josiah himself would never forgive God for taking Lillian away from him.

He winced as he heard the sounds of Stella and Christopher laughing together now as the boy finally managed to hold on to the sheep long enough to shear off a length of wool from its body. He scowled, wondering why he had ever even agreed to let Stella keep the damn sheep. She didn’t make enough from the small amount of wool she sold to make them worthwhile. He’d been a fool to go along with her sentimental attachment to the damn animals. He needed to rectify that mistake.

Josiah shifted on his saddle and winced again, this time in pain. He knew his condition was getting worse, and he wanted Casey to go to town at least one more time to get him a fresh supply of pain medication. He didn’t know if he still had it in him to make the trip clear across the island.

After that though, Christopher Casey needed to vacate his premises. He’d had enough of this foolishness to last whatever lifetime was left to him. And he wanted the boy gone before the spring came and more neighbors would be about. He could only imagine the talk if anyone else saw Stella carrying on like this. He’d be damned if he’d allow his name to be the subject of island gossip.

Josiah gritted his teeth and maneuvered Grover into the drive of his home. He saw the smile leave Stella’s face the instant she noticed him. The sound of laughter immediately died as both she and Casey turned and watched him come towards them.

Josiah took some satisfaction in knowing his return had spoiled his wife’s fun. She’d made him miserable long enough. It was high time he returned the favor.

****

A week passed before Josiah made good on his promise to make his wife miserable. He waited for Stella to retire to bed for the night, then grabbed a lantern and headed outside to the barn. He found Christopher talking to Grover and nuzzling the horse’s snout.

“
Trying to take my horse from me, Casey?” Josiah asked.

Christopher jumped, startled at Josiah’s interruption. “I hadn’t realized you’d come in the barn, Doctor Winslow. Do you need something?”

“
How about an answer to my question to start.”

“
About Grover? He’s a fine horse, no question. I can’t deny I’ve become fond of him.” Christopher forced a smile onto his face. “We’ve become friends sharing our living quarters.”

Josiah stared at Christopher with undisguised hatred.

“
Is there something I can do for you, Doctor?” Christopher asked. “Did you get the bundles I picked up for you at the apothecary today?”

“
I did get my order, yes. What business are those bundles of yours, boy?”

“
No business at all. I just thought perhaps there was a problem.”

“
And what makes you think I have a problem?”

It was clear to Christopher that Josiah was not interested in a logical conversation. He cleared his throat and tried to defuse what had become an unexpectedly tense situation.

“
I don’t, sir. My apologies if I misspoke. What can I do for you?”

“
What you can do is remove yourself from my property. Your debt is paid here.”

Christopher was disheartened to hear this but not entirely surprised. He knew Josiah wouldn’t keep him around forever, in spite of the free labor he was getting. He’d never hidden his feelings about his former patient, although Christopher had never understood what he’d done to offend the man.

“
I understand,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me to make reparations to you and your wife. I’ll make arrangements to leave and will be gone as soon as possible.”

“
You’ll be gone now.”

“
Sir?”

“
You heard me. I want you gone now.”

“
In the dead of night? It’s pitch black outside.”

“
Are you afraid of the dark?”

“
No sir, but..”

“
No buts. This is my home and I make the rules.” Josiah glanced around the barn. “It’s not as if you have anything to pack up, is it? So get out. Off my property and out of my home.” Josiah sneered. “And away from my wife.”

Christopher tried unsuccessfully to swallow his anger. “That’s what this is about then? Mrs. Winslow?”

“
It’s not about anything but the fact that I’ve had enough of you and I want you off my land. I don’t need a squatter here.” Josiah turned away and waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal. “You wanted to make amends to me and you have. Now get out. I don’t want to see you here in the morning.”

Josiah departed the barn, but not before he grabbed Christopher’s lantern and carried it out with him. Christopher fumbled in the dark trying to find the hat and gloves Mr. Mayhew had given him. He’d need all the warmth he could get out on the road at this hour.

He wanted to take the blanket Stella had given him along, but resisted the urge to do so. As angry as Josiah was, it wasn’t difficult to imagine him accusing Christopher of stealing. Christopher buttoned up his coat and tried to glance around the barn. He could no longer see the horse, but he could hear him.

“
Goodbye, Grover,” he said into the dark. “You’re a much better fellow than your owner.”

The horse whinnied and stomped the ground with his hoof in response.

Christopher walked outside into the night and lifted the collar of his coat up around his neck. Although it was cold enough for his breath to be visible in the frigid air, he was in luck as the night sky was crystal clear and the blanket of stars provided more light than he expected. He walked to the road and looked back at the house noticing a lantern go out in the bedroom window. Josiah had obviously retired for the night.

Christopher felt a pang of jealousy as he imagined Josiah warm in bed beside Stella. He wondered if Stella knew of Josiah’s decision to get rid of him. He couldn’t say for sure, of course, but he liked to believe she didn’t.

He looked up and down the empty road and wondered which way to turn. As always, he felt drawn to the sea. He’d heard Stella talking of the harbor in Chilmark called Menemsha, and he wondered if it was similar to his home of Galway and the harbor he loved. He didn’t know where Menemsha was, but he knew one direction led “down island” towards the towns of Cottage City and Edgartown. Since he’d never come upon Menemsha in his travels that way for Josiah, it was logical to assume the other direction was the way to go. If nothing else, he’d eventually find his way back to Mr. and Mrs. Mayhew and Aquinnah.

Christopher took one last look back at the Winslow house and said a silent goodbye to the beautiful girl inside. The “cailín álainn,” as he’d called her. He wondered if she’d ever learn what he’d meant. He doubted it, as it was unlikely to find any other Gaelic speakers on this overwhelmingly Anglo island.

He walked out onto the road and headed towards what he hoped was Menemsha, walking quickly to keep warm and in the hopes that he’d make it to his destination by daylight. He felt sure he’d never see his “cailín álainn” Stella Winslow again.

****

“
Good morning, Josiah,” Stella said as she prepared breakfast. “Did you sleep well?”

“
I did,” Josiah said, sitting down at the table. “Better than I have in a long time.”

“
I’m glad for that. I’ve got coffee ready for you.”

Stella moved to the table and poured a cup of hot coffee for her husband. She removed two additional mugs from her cabinet and set them on the table next to her plate.

“
Are you expecting company?” Josiah asked.

“
Why do you ask?” Stella asked, confused.

“
Do you need two mugs of coffee for yourself?”

Stella looked at the mugs in front of her still puzzled. “No, of course not. I’ve just got this down for Mr. Casey. I bring him his breakfast after we eat. You know that.”