Her Thirties Part 83
“Okay,” Abe smiled, “ I sung for my supper—you’re turn.”
My anticipated confrontation had been effectively defused—instead, it turned into a glass bead game. Now I had to show what I had.
“I found out Catherine wasn’t really ‘adopted’ by Ella—they had a previous close relationship—Ella was a neighbor at one time.”
“You’re kidding!” Abe grinned. “I didn’t know that.”
“When Catherine was growing up it was she who adopted Ella—called her Gran, and loved to go through the contents of Ella’s cedar chest, looking at old pictures. It turns out, that’s how she learned about Marilyn Birnam.”
“So, when Catherine couldn’t face the present, she retreated into the past—went back to a happier time and assumed another girl’s identity. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe? What other explanation could there be?”
“I just think it’s a lot more complicated than that, Abe.”
“What makes you say that? The way I see it, Ella loved to talk about her dead niece and in reminiscing about her, unknowingly programmed Catherine’s memory.”
“That might explain some things, but not everything.”
He looked at me as if I had ten heads—then, shook his own as if trying to clear away some cobwebs
“I don’t know about you, Pal—I think you’re reading way too much into what’s a simple open and shut case.”
“Simple?” I fairly shouted at him. “Some sicko’s trying to kill Marilyn for whatever reason and you don’t have a clue who he is or what his motive could be. How is that simple?”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Okay—that part’s not simple—I was just referring to how Catherine became Marilyn.”
“You know what, Abe? Even that’s not simple.”
“How’s that?”
“Well, for one, it doesn’t explain how Catherine got up at the Palais Royale and delivered a professional performance—she’s never been taught to sing or even been on a stage.”
His brow furrowed. “I gotta admit it—that puzzled me.”
“Do you know what Ella told me? She said, it wasn’t just a good performance—it was Marilyn up there singing—her heart, her soul, and her inflections. Marilyn never made a recording—so there’s no way Catherine could have imitated her.”
Abe was suddenly sober—his dark eyes huge.
“There’s something else. I’ve been having flashbacks too—memories of the Thirties—people I’ve never met and places I’ve never been.”
“They’re false memories,” he said lamely, “sort of like when a guy gets sympathy pains when his wife’s in labor.”
“Yeah, I figured that too. But, she calls me Joey—all my life when people couldn’t remember my name, they called me Joey. Face it—I’m joined somehow to her, Abe—it’s as if we’ve always been bonded.”
He squirmed in his chair. “But you’d never have met her, if I didn’t bring you two together.”
“Maybe you’re just a pawn of fate too.”
He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. He looked drained. I knew at that moment, he really did care.
“I’m sorry, Abe—sorry for worrying you—sorry for doubting you. You’re a good guy.”
He laughed wryly. “Well, it ain’t just that, Pal—I’m struggling with the fact that ever since I met you, I felt I always knew you. I knew we were gonna be friends the moment I laid eyes on you. Harry told me the same thing.”
“Harry?”
“Yep. Told me at the Palais he knew a kid when he was young that was the spitting image of you. He wanted to tell you, but thought you’d laugh.”
I shook my head. “So he told you.”
“He did.”
“And what did you do?”
His eyes crinkled. “I laughed.”
Then, we both laughed—the tension between us gone.
The tension has been calmed and everyone trust each other again ... so how does Dr. Lambert fit into all that. It might be time for another trip to the good doctors office and this time secretly record it. What d'ya think?:):):)
sounds good - I agree - he seems to have a motive in wanting to 'protect' Marilyn
a very interesting story. make curious .. it has been to section 83. should membca from the beginning. I have to follow the connection of this story
thanks
you are welcome my friend :)
This feels like the Twilight Zone. Have you ever heard of that show? My husband loves it. An oldie I know. It seems as though Scott (or Joey) and Marilyn have shifted through a time warp. For a minute there I was afraid Abe was not on the up and up.
used to love the Twilight Zone - yes, a rift in time is a possibility
good story
thanks
Some extraordinary pictures taken sir. You did a great job. Loved your pictures. Going nicely
Stay blessed. Would love to read your next blog too.
It is really a great experience .....
BTW nice tip...thanks for the secret..
this is an amazing photography and i love to read it, thank you for sharing @johnjgeddes
I will upvote and resteamed This Posts.
thanks
You got a 2.67% upvote from @postpromoter courtesy of @johnjgeddes!
Want to promote your posts too? Check out the Steem Bot Tracker website for more info. If you would like to support the development of @postpromoter and the bot tracker please vote for @yabapmatt for witness!