Dolce Giardino

Dell stood up and put his arms around her as she looked over his shoulder and said, "I don't know what to think. How can we see Kathryn and Charles' spirits and be so calm about that? How can you be so calm even knowing that you have communicated with your dead relatives? This is all totally preposterous, and yet I stand here believing everything, including the fact that they have watched you and me make love. I should be screaming and running out of this house right now."

"They've been very gentle and patient with us and have proven to us they care about us."

"And seek our help."

"Yes, that too." He kissed her lightly and then said, "Let's get some sleep and tomorrow we'll call Joyce. It's time we told her our story and see what she thinks about all of this. Just maybe we can trade family stories and put some things together for Kathryn and Charles."

"I'm sure you're aware that Joyce and her husband might not believe a word we tell them."

Chapter Thirteen

Joyce and her husband would be at Dell and Carrie's at four, but over coffee about mid morning, Dell answered the phone and heard, "Mr. Philips, I'm calling from Dellwood Assisted Living." Dell knew instantly that something had happened to Aunt Mary, and as he took a breath, she continued with, "My name is Sally Kemp and it's my sad duty to inform you that your aunt died a couple of hours ago while in bed." Dell didn't know what to say as he blinked back his tears and looked over at Carrie. "Mr. Philips, we noticed a letter she was composing to you on her computer, and we'll print that off and send it to you."

"So she died in her sleep?"

"We believe so, yes. Those of us that were closest to her believe she knew the end was nearing, though she would insist that she was feeling just fine when we asked."

"How old was she? I have it in my mind she was in her early nineties."

"She was just shy of ninety eight Mr. Philips."

"Wow, she certainly didn't act or look like she was that old."

"She certainly didn't. We're all going to miss her and her zest for life, and for coming up with something to shock us every so often."

"Could you possibly e-mail that letter to me?"

"Of course, if that's what you would prefer."

"I'm sure you'll find me listed in her computer."

"If not, I'll call you back, but expect it within the hour."

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome. I'm sure you know her eye sight wasn't very good, and her typing skills were pretty rough, so she must have labored long and hard to create that letter to you."

"I'm sure that is true, and that tells me that whatever she wanted to share with us was important to her."

"I'm sure, and again please accept our condolences."

"Thank you Sally, and please thank your staff for seeing to her needs these last couple of years."

"If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me."

Carrie knew from Dell's side of the conversation that his aunt Mary had died, but she listened to his every word as he told her anyway, and then told her about the letter Aunt Mary hadn't been able to finish.

Carrie put her hand on his and asked him, "What can I do for you honey?"

"Nothing really, I'm okay. Damn I was surprised when she told me that Auntie was ninety seven. I don't know where I got the idea she was in her low nineties."

"Now I wish I would have gone with you to see her. Instead, I selfishly didn't want to be in that nursing home environment."

"Don't beat yourself up over that honey. Also, that so called nursing home was like a resort for seniors. Very nice to say the least." Then getting up he said, "I'm going to hang out in the office for awhile and wait for that e-mail."

Carrie waited for about twenty minutes before going back to their office, and she slipped in quietly, but he looked up and said, "It came in a few minutes ago, sit down and I'll read it to you."

Moving her chair closer to him, he began to read. "Dell, I hope you and Carrie are well. My health these last few days has been less than wonderful, but what can you expect considering the miles I have on this old body. I'm well beyond complaining about being tired or about my stubborn aches and pains.

By now you've had the chance to live in and experience Dolce Giardino. It's been so very many years ago that I lived there. After all, I was all of fourteen years old that year when I was so sick and Kathryn took such good care of me. I owe her my life, and one of these days I'll meet up with her and thank her again for saving me.

As I promised you Dell, I've made a change in my will so you'll have the financial help that I promised. I could see in your expression how you feel about that old brick and wood manor. I could see the love and determination in your eyes. Why, at your young age you would take on the challenge of saving the old place, I can only guess. I think sweet Kathryn somehow had a hand in getting you and Carrie out there.

Here is what little more I was able to recall after you left that day. I dare say, I thought of little else. I wasn't gone from there a month when they were found murdered, and I cried for them for days.

Yes, I did watch them stroll their beautiful gardens while they were naked save their soft slippers that they wore to protect their feet. Charles always wore an old pair of dark weathered leather slippers, and Kathryn wore...well they always put me in mind of ballerina shoes. Yes, and like I said, I got a real education. I even watched them as they enjoyed some intimate times, and believe me, that fact was something I never shared with anybody until now. One time I even slipped out naked when nobody was there just to see what was so special about doing that. I did like it, though I didn't get as much out of that experience as Kate and Charles obviously did. How did I manage to see so much you may ask. Try looking out through the large window in the attic. You'll have a perfect view of the garden area. There, now you know one of my most guarded secrets. I never even shared that story with Hank."

"Hank was her husband wasn't he?" Carrie asked.

"Right. He died a good twenty years ago. I wasn't more than maybe sixteen at the time."

Dell looked back at his monitor and continued to read. "I'm not sure how to explain this next part, but I'll try. I went back to that house less than a year later, just before it was sold to some stranger, and I spent an hour or more just wandering around, crying and reliving my time there, and remembering Kate and Charles. Now think kindly of me as I confess this next part, because I'm serious. I think Kate and Charles are still there, or at least sometimes. I never saw them of course, but I could feel them; their presence. I can't begin to explain that in any sane and logical way, but I truly believe that just the same. By the time I left there that afternoon I felt better because it felt like in their own way, they would be okay.

I thought about it more later, and Elmer did live in the carriage house for some time just as said. He had the old run down little house down the road, but even the humble interior of the carriage house was a great improvement for him. There was something about his kids too, but I just can't remember those details now. Oh, and while I'm on the subject, dig through things in the carriage house. Just maybe previous owners didn't destroy everything out there and you'll be able to find signs of Elmer having lived there. I still say he was the murderer, but I'll only know for sure after I've left this world for the next one. Maybe a reputable psychic could pick up on something. Just beware of those that charge a big fee. They are nothing more than crooks."

Dell smiled and looking at Carrie said, "Can you believe that? Sweet Auntie believed in psychics."

"There was a lot more to her than I would have ever guessed."

"No kidding. I'd love to know more about her life when she was a young adult. I'll bet she was hell on two legs."

"She had to be."

"Anyway, that's as far as she got. It must have taken her days to write that much."

"Will we share this with Joyce and her husband?"

"Maybe, because of the comment she made about believing she experienced Kate's spirit if nothing else."

"Maybe we better encourage them to enjoy a lot of wine before we even start our story."

Chapter Fourteen

Joyce arrived right at four o'clock, and they got comfortable in the living room, and Carrie saw to it that Joyce's glass was never empty, and for that matter she kept hers and Dell's full too. "I was surprised to see your husband didn't come with you."

Joyce smiled and told them, "Tom isn't my husband, he's my brother. We've divided the house into two apartment I guess you could say. At least to some extent. My husband died about three years ago, and his wife just a year or so ago in a tragic accident."

"I'm so sorry."

"Thank you. Maybe one day I'll cross paths with the perfect man and that arrangement will change, or Tom will fall for some good looking woman, but for now, this arrangement works well for us." Then she tasted her wine and asked, "Did you learn anything from the items that were delivered to you?"

Dell put his glass down and said, "Not very much I'm sorry to say."

"Dell," Carrie said, "Why don't you tell Joyce about Aunt Mary and I'll print her letter." Then turning to Joyce she said, "This will make sense for you in a minute I promise," and she left them as Dell walked Joyce through an abbreviated version about his aunt, and his meeting with her before she died.

Carrie returned, and read a little of the letter, and then she and Dell would explain a few things before continuing with the letter. By the end, Joyce was ignoring her wine and almost stared at Dell and then Carrie in surprise. "But there's more to share with you Joyce," Dell added.

"So your aunt was convinced that...that you have a ghost?"

"Oh yes."

"And she was convinced that Elmer killed your family members then."

"She was, but I'm not convinced. Just because he knew where the shovel was kept doesn't mean much as far as I'm concerned."

"Have you...what do you two think about this ghost thing?"

"Well you may not believe us, but Carrie and I have a lot to say about Kathryn and Charles."

"Oh god. Oh, and what was that about the attic window, is that significant?"

"We don't know, but after we've told you everything, at least as we see it and have experienced things, we'll go up and see about that window."

As they finished telling Joyce about seeing Charles and Kathryn in their office, Joyce said, "To be totally honest, I couldn't decide what to believe, but I can see the intensity in your eyes. I don't believe in ghosts or specters or whatever you want to call them, and yet...well how you two avoided being killed when your tree invaded...well where we're sitting now. It's all so unbelievable."

Carrie told her, "We still struggle with it, and yet we have to accept what we've experienced."

"And Dell, about them turning your chair to..."

"Oh, let me show you their portraits," and he led her to their office.

As soon as Joyce saw Kathryn's image she smiled, and putting her hand on his arm said, "Oh, now isn't she attractive, and I do mean all of her."

He noticed her smile was somewhere between a smirk and a grin as he said, "Yes, isn't she though."

"It's very generous of her to let you see her like that."

"True, but I think Kate has a very playful nature too, and enjoys tweaking people and the occasional prank."

Carrie noticed Joyce was getting uncomfortable, but then she saw perspiration on Joyce's upper lip. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine, except all of a sudden I feel so warm," and she removed her over blouse as Dell smiled and studied Joyce's breasts hidden behind her small bra and a thin spaghetti strap shell.

"I'll get some glass cleaner and we'll go check the attic window."

"You don't feel warm?"

Carrie smiled and simply told her, "No I'm fine. Why don't you sit down for a minute," and she headed to the kitchen.

Joyce dropped into Carrie's office chair and took a deep breath as Dell looked down and his eyes fell into her cleavage. She realized where he was looking, but she just smiled up at him and said, "I don't know where that sudden warmth came from."

Forcing his eyes to meet hers he asked, "But you do feel okay?"

"I feel great, and I'm thoroughly enjoying listening to you two share your experiences, but I'm still quite warm."

"Now if you were Kathryn, you'd probably want to walk the grounds naked." Then he realized what he had just said, and quickly added, "Sorry, I'm sure I just made you feel uncomfortable."

She kept her eyes on his as she said, "You did surprise me, but I'm not offended at all, and just maybe it was like that for Kathryn and Charles."

With Carrie leading the way and Dell lagging behind slightly, they went upstairs and on to the stairs to the attic. "You house if beautiful," Joyce told Carrie.

"Thank you, but I almost feel like it's Kathryn and Charles house and we're just using it."

Dell quite willingly followed Joyce's butt as they ascended the steep steps up to the attic, flipping the light switch along the way. "As you might expect, it's quite dusty up here."

"I'm not surprised at all."

At the window, Carrie sprayed and wiped a large circle in the middle of the upper pane and she and Joyce stared down to the garden area as Dell stood close behind them. He put his arms around their waists and looked over them as he said, "Damn we can see almost every inch of the whole area and even a good part of behind the carriage house."

"So...so anybody could have witnessed them being naked outdoors," Joyce said.

"Without a doubt. For instance," he said as he pressed into Joyce, "That area down there," and he pointed as he told her, "That's where we think Kathryn's personal flower garden was."

Carrie's voice was a little soft as she said, "This means that anybody in the house at about any time could have been the murderer. Anybody that knew of this window could have seen their blatant and daring nakedness, been terribly offended and went off the deep end. I'm less and less convinced that Elmer had anything to do with their deaths. It's just too simple and easy. And now that we know poor Elmer himself was murdered, and pretty much in the same way, makes me more confident that he was innocent."

"What do you think Dell?" Joyce asked as she looked up at him.

With his arm still around her waist he said, "I have to agree. Sadly though, that means we're even farther from solving this old mystery."

Carrie wasn't missing the fact that Dell's arm was still around Joyce's waist and that he was enjoying a very nice view of her anything but small breasts. Smiling, she asked, "Joyce, are you feeling any cooler?"

"Not a bit, but attics can be pretty warm."

"Curious, because I'm quite comfortable," and she smiled before she led the way back down to the living room.

Before Joyce left she said, "I have a great uncle that I'm going to talk to about Elmer, and see what he can remember about that time. He may not be able to help, but it's worth a try. His wife too, but her mind isn't very reliable anymore. If I can learn anything at all, I'll let you know right away," and she slipped her blouse on saying, "Well I'm certainly not too warm anymore. I wonder what that was all about."

Dell glanced at Carrie and then told her, "I have a theory that I'll share with you the next time you're here."

As soon as Joyce was gone and their door was closed, Carrie slipped her arm around Dell's waist and asked him, "Did you enjoy your window shopping?"

"I know you caught me."

"So did Joyce, but she didn't seem to mind."

"And you my sweet?"

"I don't mind either. Actually I was enjoying watching you torment yourself. So about your theory. I think I can guess, but tell me about that."

"In a word, Kathryn."

"I agree. She was having fun with Joyce."

"Makes you wonder what Kate might come up with if Joyce were to be here for say a day or two."

"You're picturing her walking naked in the yard."

"Maybe just in a skimpy gauzy little something."

"Dream on lover."

Chapter Fifteen

Dell and Carrie had dinner and drinks with Mike and Sharon Friday night, and Carrie eagerly told them about Dell's adventure with Joyce, and Sharon was smiling and staring at Dell. "Shame on you Dell."

"I think too much is being made of that. Oh I did look and admire though."

"And held her close to you and what else?"

"Nothing else I'll have you know, and again, it's being overstated."

"I think I'd like to meet her," Mike said, and the women laughed.

Carrie told them, "I talked to Linda last night, and she was so full of questions. In my mind I could see her sitting there absorbing my tale, because she always sits the same way when she's involved in a conversation. In a sort of yoga position that's called sukhasana. Sitting on her crossed legs, but with her back less than straight. Anyway, I've seen her sit like that so many times. She said she could relate to what Joyce experienced because she did too, but not giving it a lot of thought, she neglected to mention that detail to us."

Dell leaned back and said, "Well you have to give Kate credit, because she did get Joyce to take her blouse off."

"You can't really believe that was her goal can you?" Sharon asked.

"I do, and for the sole reason of having a little fun. In fact, I believe Kate would have loved it had Joyce removed more."

"And I suppose you would have objected."

"No, I would have been the good host and asked her if I could help in some way."

"Good man," Mike added as he raised his glass. "Okay, so your goal now is to solve this eighty year old mystery. All I can say is, good luck."

"We don't have high hopes, but we're going to see what we can do."

"Why not, you got to gaze into your neighbor's globes and meet your attractive and naked ancestor. Yeah, I'd say it's worth your efforts. Of course poor Carrie isn't faring as well."

"Thank you Mike for acknowledging that point."

"Maybe you'll get to see Charlie naked."

"Yes Dell, just maybe I'll get lucky too."

"Or maybe see Tom, your neighbor's brother naked," Sharon added and then smiled at Dell.

As Dell and Carrie pulled into their garage later, she said, "You have to admit that you weren't very smooth or suave with Joyce, letting her catch you staring at her boobs."

"I know, but if I was to bring that up and apologize it would just pull more attention to my poor control. Besides, she did smile, so I don't think she was put off too much. With her breasts, I'm sure that isn't the first time a guy has gawked at her assets."

"I'm sure you're right."

As they went in through the kitchen, they saw the blinking red light on the answering machine, so Dell hit the play button as he tossed his keys on the counter. "Hi, it's Joyce and I have a little information to share with you. Let me know if tomorrow afternoon would be doable for you. Bye for now."

Carrie checked her watch and then called Joyce back and they settled for four o'clock again before she hung up and asked, "What do you suppose she came up with?"

"I'm anxious to find out."

Putting her arms around his waist she asked him, "So does Joyce turn you on?"

"That's a little strong, but I confess to enjoying the view."

"And having your arms around each other's waist."

"That too, did any of that bother you?"

"No," and she started to undress as he watched in surprise. "I mean as long as you'd rather see me naked than her."

"Of course I would honey," and he smiled as she pulled her top over her head and tossed it halfway across the kitchen.

"You liar, you get to see me naked all the time, but thank you."

A couple of minutes later they were both naked, and he pulled her into him as he said, "I dare you to step outside with me right now."