Beyond the Veil
“I don’t know about this, Uncle James.” Winthrop Frayne shook his head. “You don’t know him like I do. My son is very pragmatic. He isn’t going to fall for it.”
James Winthrop Frayne glowered at his nephew. “Oh, he’ll fall, my boy. He has to. The future of the family depends upon it. It is foreseen.”
“You don’t know that, for certain!”
“Look at the evidence, Win. My parents met when my father was nineteen. Your parents fell in love when your father was nineteen. I gave my heart to Nell when I was nineteen.” The old man glanced shrewdly at Win. “And how old were you, when you fell in love with your Katie?”
“Nineteen,” Win conceded with a sigh. “But just because Jim hasn’t let himself admit it yet, doesn’t mean the Frayne line is doomed. He loves her, I can see it.”
“Well, if he won’t admit it, it doesn’t do any good. The boy’s got eight months left to prove himself, and it isn’t looking promising. I can’t take that chance. All Hallows Eve is the one night when the veil is thinnest. It’s the only opportunity I have to visit, and at least have a chance of being heard. Tar nation, but I wish the house hadn’t burned.”
“I know I can’t stop you,” Win said, “but my son is not easily swayed or pushed.”
“Leave it to me, my boy. Leave it to me.” James Frayne leaned back on his heels and laughed. “I’m a little less than saint, Winthrop, but I’d not cause the boy harm. Trust me.”
“I will.” Win clapped his uncle on the back. “But know that you will deal with both my wife and yours, should you mess this up.”
“Angels they are,” James agreed, “but both have the devil of a temper. Don’t worry. I am not going to fail.”
Trixie Belden sighed and adjusted her halo. The silver tinsel shimmered over her curly blond hair, and the white marabou of the headband secured it to her head. Matching white wings sprouted from the back of her pale blue robe, crossing her breasts with narrow silver ribbons. She gazed at her reflection in the large mirror over Honey’s dresser, and stuck out her tongue.
“Why did I get stuck in the angel costume?” she asked, somewhat petulantly.
“Because you drew it out of the hat, that’s why,” Honey Wheeler reminded her best friend for the third time. She peered around Trixie, and tucked a stray strand of golden brown hair up under her tangled black witch’s wig. “Just like I drew witch and Diana drew Wonder Woman. Suck it up, Trix. It’s only one night.”
“Can I at least wear vampire teeth?” Trixie asked hopefully.
“No!” Diana Lynch returned to the room in time to answer. She adjusted her bustier, and zipped up her boots. Wonder Woman, indeed, in all of her star-spangled glory. “We all agreed to draw a costume out of a hat, and wear it. You drew the angel; you are the angel. Jim got the vampire.” Diana’s violet-blue eyes twinkled wickedly. “Of course, if Jim’s vampire teeth should end up in your possession, far be it from me to complain.”
Trixie snorted, a most non-angelic sound. “Like that will ever happen,” she complained. “The closest Jim’s teeth will get to my mouth is when he kisses my forehead.” The blue eyes clouded. “He just doesn’t like me like that.”
“That isn’t true, Trixie.” Honey jumped to defend her brother. “Jim loves you. I know he does, he’s just...slow about things.”
“He’s more than slow,” Trixie pointed out. “Case in point. Last night.” She thought back over the previous evening. “There we were, the eight of us, having dinner, laughing and having fun. It was going great, right up to the moment we paired up to carve the pumpkins. There you and Brian are, Hon, his arms around you while you decided on a face. Then there’s Mart and Diana,” Trixie shot a glance at her dark haired friend. “I don’t even know how they managed to get the pumpkin carved, with all the tickling and giggling that was going on.” Diana blushed prettily. Trixie glared. “As for Dan, those two didn’t even get their pumpkin carved. They got a single triangle carved, and POOF! Off they went for a moonlight…whatever. Did you notice what Jim and I were doing?”
“Um. I don’t really remember.” Honey averted her eyes, guiltily.
“Of course not!” Trixie rolled her eyes. “We carved a happy face on our pumpkin, while Jim patiently explained to me the different Halloween customs of Sweden, Germany, Ireland and Japan.” She snorted again. “It was like listening to Mart. Did you two know that they don’t celebrate Halloween in India?” Honey and Diana shook their heads. “Well, now you do. So do I. Evidently Tarun, one of Jim’s classmates is from there. Tonight will be his first Halloween. Isn’t that exciting? Wonderful to be so well educated, isn’t it?” Angry tears welled in Trixie’s eyes, and she brushed them away. “I’d rather be well kissed, like you.”
Honey looked at Diana. Diana looked back at Honey. Simultaneously they moved to embrace Trixie.
“I am so sorry, Trixie,” Honey whispered, her hazel eyes welling with tears. “I had no idea my brother was being such an idiotic ass.”
“It’s okay.” Trixie pushed her friends away and swiped at her eyes. “I appreciate your sympathy, but there isn’t anything you can do. I just wish I didn’t care so much.” She forced a trembling smile. “Now let’s get on down to the party before the guests arrive.”
“You’re right.” Honey dabbed her eyes with a tissue and placed a green velvet witch’s hat on her head. Diana fluffed her hair and picked up her golden lasso.
Trixie picked up Honey’s broom, and made a sweeping motion. “Let’s go!”
They linked arms and headed for the stairs.
Trixie scooped up a handful of candy corn from a plastic pumpkin sitting on the sideboard, and looked around the room.
The ballroom was exquisitely decorated. Silky spider webs hung from every doorway and corner. Rubber bats swung from the black crepe streamers draping the chandeliers, while black and orange candles flickered, casting an eerie light around the room. Spooky music was being piped in through the intercom system, making it reverberate around the room, while the banquet table groaned under the weight of all the food the Wheeler’s cook had prepared. Costumed guests wandered about, sampling food and enjoying the company and atmosphere.
“Looks good, doesn’t it?” Trixie jumped as the voice from behind startled her.
“Dan!” Don’t sneak up on me like that, especially on Halloween.” Trixie turned to find her friend, fully outfitted as Zorro, from the top of his broad-rimmed black hat, to the tips of his black leather boots. His dark blue eyes gleamed behind his half mask. “Wow!” Trixie exclaimed. “You look great!”
“Thank you.” Dan Mangan swept his arm down as he bowed. Grinning, he gave Trixie and appraising look. “You look positively angelic,” he said. “I find that very sexy.”
Trixie blushed. “Coming from you,” she said, “I feel flattered.”
“I mean it, Trix. You look beautiful.” Dan leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“You should see Diana,” Trixie informed him. “Your eyes will pop.”
“I have, and they did.” Dan chortled. “If Mart weren’t already dressed as a ghost, he’d be one now. He almost had a heart attack when he saw her.”
Trixie leaned back against Dan for a moment, asking, “So, Zorro. Where’s your date?”
“Swapping ‘chicken skin’ stories with your brothers.”
“Chicken skin?” Trixie wrinkled her forehead. “Couldn’t you date a normal girl?”
“I’m perfectly normal.” Trixie turned to see Lili, Dan’s latest girlfriend. She was dressed as a cat. A black cat, in a skin hugging bodysuit with black fur cuffs, ears, and a long curved tail. Lili’s pale gray eyes were outlined with dark liner, and black nylon whiskers sprouted from her pink-painted nose. “Chicken skin is just another way of saying spooky. You know, a story that gives you chicken skin.”
“Like goose bumps?” Trixie wondered aloud.
“Exactly!” Lili smiled, her teeth gleaming, including the pointed fangs she wore.
“Where did you get those teeth?” Trixie shrieked.
“Bev, the costumer,” Lili told her. “The whole costume is from Cats. Leftovers, mostly, which is why she let a lowly dancer like me borrow them.”
“Speaking of dancers,” Dan said, “I think the dancing is about to start.” He held out his hand. Lili took it willingly, and followed him out onto the dance floor.
Trixie jumped again, as a hand landed on her shoulder. “Jim!” she exclaimed. “You startled me.”
“Sorry.” Jim removed his hand and Trixie suddenly missed its warmth. “I thought maybe you’d like to dance?”
“I’d love to.” Trixie said, following him out onto the dance floor. Almost immediately, the DJ put on a slow song. Jim held Trixie carefully, almost at arms length. She looked into his eyes and said boldly, “You can hold me a little closer, Jim. I don’t bite.”
“I...uh...” Jim stammered. Suddenly, he felt a shove, right in the middle of his back, and he stumbled, instinctively pulling Trixie close to his body. Spinning her around, he looked to see who had pushed him. There was no one there. In the mean time, Trixie allowed her body to melt into his, her head resting just under his chin. Gritting his teeth, Jim tried to ignore the scent of Trixie’s hair, and the feel of her body pressed close to his. “Statistics,” he thought desperately. “The incident of breast cancer in women is greatest in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine...” The DJ put on a second slow song, and Jim stifled a groan, as Trixie stroked his flushed cheek with one tender finger.
“Jim?” Trixie asked innocently. “Are you feeling okay? You seem a little warm.”
“I...I...” Let’s go outside for some air, okay? It’s a little warm in here.”
“Okay...” Trixie shot Jim a curious look. “I feel fine, but if you’re warm, we’ll go. Let me grab my jacket.”
“Here. Take my cape.” Jim untied the black satin and nearly threw it around Trixie’s shoulders, eager to escape into the chill of the evening.
Across the room, Dan was overcome by a need to show Lili the Wheeler’s stable of horses. He didn’t know where the idea came from; it was just a niggling thought, like a whisper in his head. Shrugging, he suggested the idea to Lili, who willingly agreed. Taking her by the hand, he led her out the side door, and down the path.
Near the banquet table, Mart was munching on a caramel apple, watching as Diana danced with Nick Roberts, whose chefs hat kept falling down over one eye. Suddenly, Diana stopped, whispered something to Nick, and marched determinedly toward Mart. Unwrapping her golden lasso, Diana draped it over Mart’s head, and winked. “Come on Mr. Ghost-man. Let’s go discover the truth.”
Mart, caramel apple still in hand, followed her outside, his mouth agape.
Brian swung Honey around the dance floor, admiring how the chiffon skirt of her witch costume swirled around her shapely legs. He leaned in to kiss her, laughing as the brim of his pirate hat knocked against her witch hat. Pushing his hat back, Brian dipped Honey back and kissed her, breathing in the scent of her skin. “Roses,” he said, pulling her up. “Let’s go see the roses.”
Honey was perplexed. “Brian?” she asked. “Are you okay? The roses are gone. It’s the end of October.”
“I know.” Brian said, shrugging. “But I have this overwhelming urge to visit the rose garden. Right now. Please?”
“Okay.” Honey giggled. “Let’s go. I’ll tell you, though. People who think you’re boring really haven’t a clue.”
Hand in hand, they left the ballroom.
Jim tucked his hands into his pockets and breathed in the crisp air. His palms itched fiercely, and it was taking most of his considerable willpower to keep them from reaching for Trixie. He looked over at her, wrapped in his Dracula cape, and his hands itched even more. She was so incredibly beautiful, his angel, trudging alongside of him, having no idea why he needed to walk outside.
“Beautiful night,” he said.
“Yes, it is.” Trixie glanced at Jim, as he walked two feet away from her, his shoulders stiff. “There’s a full moon tonight, perfect for ghosties and ghoulies.”
“And lovers.” The words came out of Jim’s lips. He felt them leave. He heard them. He had no idea how they had gotten into his mouth in the first place.
“Obviously.” Jim followed Trixie’s look. There, next to the pool house, were Mart and Diana. Mart appeared to be tied to the white wrought iron gate with a golden rope, while Diana attempted to assure herself that he was indeed flesh and blood, and not the spirit he imitated.
“Uh...uh...” Jim tore his eyes away, searching for a distraction. “Let’s go see the rose garden. Mother had a new fountain installed. You need to see it.”
“But, Jim...” Trixie didn’t have a chance to finish, as Jim grabbed her hand and dragged her down the garden path.
Jim stopped short. There, in front of him, entwined on a cement bench, his sister and his best friend were engaged in a serious lip-lock. Brian was wearing the pointy hat that had previously adorned Honey’s head, while his own pirate hat hung from a neatly clipped rose bush.
Turning quickly, Jim neatly blocked Trixie’s view of the amorous couple. “I…uh…heard a noise coming from the stables. Let’s go make sure the horses are okay.”
Trixie looked at him as if he had completely lost his mind. “All I heard was an owl. And some heavy breathing.”
“No, it wasn’t the hoot owl. It was something else. Let’s go.” Jim hurried her toward the stable. As he rounded the corner, he heard the low murmur of a masculine voice, and a girlish giggle. Dan’s Zorro sword was stuck in the ground outside the stable door, with his hat rakishly set on top of it.
“Jim! Stop. This is ridiculous.” Trixie had had enough. “I’m tired of being dragged around. What is going on?”
“You were right, Trix.” The words came out in a rush. “Let’s go back into the house...and play some games.”
“What games?”
“Spin...” The words started out of his mouth again, but this time Jim managed to stop himself. Fighting, he managed to spit out, “Apples! Bobbing for apples. I really want to bob for apples.”
“You want to bob for apples?” Trixie was incredulous.
“Yes. Yes, I really want to bob for apples. It is very important to me, Trixie. Please, Angel?”
The suspicion in Trixie’s eyes wavered with the endearment, but she remained wary. “Okay. You can bob for apples, but I’m just going to watch. Honey and Di slathered on the mascara tonight, and I’m not going to do anything to make it run.”
“Great. Great.” Jim cast an anxious glance toward the stable. “Let’s go.”
They were two of the mere four people standing around the washtub. Red and green apples bobbed merrily in the water. Trixie had returned Jim’s cape upon re-entering the house, and he slung it back over his shoulders as he prepared to dunk his head in pursuit of an apple. Hands clasped behind his back, he leaned forward. Trixie shook her head, and moved closer to the tub. Without warning, Jim surged forward, his face surging into the water, and sending a cascade of cold water out of the washtub and all over Trixie.
“ACK!” Drenched all down the front, Trixie looked in shock at Jim.
“Trixie! Oh! I am so sorry!” Jim stammered. “I swear, I didn’t mean to. I...I swear. Someone kicked me!”
“Who?” Trixie was beyond furious. “No one was anywhere near you! Have you lost your mind?”
“No.” Jim looked around. Sure enough, there wasn’t a single person within range of his posterior, yet he was certain he had felt a foot, dead center. “At least, I don’t think so.” Jim looked desperately at Trixie. She was soaked, the pale blue silk clinging to her, almost translucent. Scratch that. It was translucent. Unable to tear his eyes away, Jim hastily pulled off his cape, wrapping it around Trixie. Despite her sputtering fury, Jim picked her up, slung her over his shoulder and beat a hasty retreat to the Wheeler library.
Depositing the five-foot-five inch ball of sopping wet rage gently into a leather armchair, Jim quickly turned on the gas fireplace, and turned to help Trixie dry herself.
She pulled away, her anger still inflamed. “What is your problem?” she asked, not for the first time. “You come back from school and practically ignore me. You drag me around the grounds with no sense of rhyme or reason. Now you deliberately drench me, and drag me off like some caveman. Are you insane?”
Jim looked at the girl he had loved for four years. Her eyes were bright with anger and emotion, and smudged with running mascara; her curly blond hair was dripping water onto her nearly see-through costume, the angel wings twisted out of shape, and her halo completely askew. He had never seen anything more beautiful. I won’t say it, he told himself. I won’t lose her. I won’t, and you can’t make me.
“Oh can’t I?” Jim heard the voice, as loud as could be. He turned around, but there was no one else in the room but Trixie. A pillow rose from the sofa and flew through the room, smacking Jim in the shoulder.
The anger left Trixie’s face, and shock replaced it, as the library ladder zipped around the shelves, and books started to rattle. She shrieked, as Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow came hurtling past her head and struck Jim squarely between the eyes.
“Jim!” Trixie cried, running towards him as he fell.
Jim heard her with one part of his brain, but the other was under assault by the voice yelling inside his head, “Tell her! Tell her!” Opening his eyes, he saw Trixie’s worried face, and superimposed over it, a face he had seen only in photographs. Startled, he crab-walked a few steps, and the ghostly visage vanished.
Trixie crawled after him. “It’s me, Jim. It’s Trixie. I don’t know what just happened, but everything is going to be okay. Jim? Talk to me, Jim.”
“Trixie?” Jim’s voice was shaky. Looking into her china blue eyes, clouded with concern, he whispered, “I love you, Trix. I love you.”
“I love you, too, you dolt!” As the grandfather clock struck midnight, Trixie threw herself into Jim’s arms, reveling in his embrace.
As All Hallows Eve faded into All Saint’s Day, the veil between the realms thickened. James Winthrop Frayne watched his great nephew allow himself to fully risk his heart for the first time since the death of the boy’s parents. James Frayne watched his namesake until the veil became too opaque to see. Pulling himself away, he tripped across the heavens, whistling gaily. Dang, but that boy was stubborn. He somewhat regretted hitting Jim with the book, but desperate times called for desperate actions. He chuckled. Those two would raise a fine brood of Fraynes. Reaching his abode, he called out, “Nell? Mission accomplished!”
Author Notes:
This is completely self-edited , so Word grammar and spelling check is the only thing/person other than me who can be blamed for errors.
Elements were:
A conversation about the background of Halloween
James Frayne gave a version in his discussion with Win.
What, if anything, other countries outside the U.S. do for Halloween
Jim gave Trixie a complete run-down on several, but it was too dull, so I just skimmed over it.
Someone from a different culture/country celebrating Halloween for the first time
That would be Tarun, Jim’s friend from India. I think he came dressed as a cowboy.
Midnight The clock struck it
Mask Dan wore one
Candy corn Trixie ate some
Pumpkin carving The BWG’s did it
A black cat Lili’s costume
An owl hooting Trixie heard one
Bobbing for apples Jim’s fiasco
Someone wearing a superhero costume Wonder Woman
A ghost Mart (and James)
A witch Honey’s costume
A broomstick Also Honey’s
Spider webs Decorations
A full moon Shining for lovers
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by Washington Irving Hit Jim
A costume party Did you read it?
Spooky music Ambience
Someone telling a ghost story Lili. Mart & Brian
Caramel apples Mart ate one
A bat Decoration
Wonder Woman’s golden lasso made people tell the truth. Lili, for those who might wonder, is a reoccurring character in my Universe. She showed up unexpectedly here, and told me that she was coming as Dan’s date. All of the other characters belong to Random House, and I am not profiting from their use.
