She Waits
It was a breezy night as eight-year-old Mary Jane Eden sat in the rocker on the top floor of the old Pedro St. James house. It had the best view on the island. The sun was just about to set as she watched its golden rays spread over the azure waters as if to illuminate and warm the sea. She smiled and felt at ease. There was not a cloud in the sky this late September evening. The mahogany wooden floor creaked as she rocked back and forth. The grounds people had left for the day. The tourists had been sparse lately and she had wondered who would show up tomorrow. Maybe someone who would want to stay.
She wandered around the three-tier plantation checking to see if anyone was still there. She peered out of the louvered shutters once again checking the night sky for any hint of a storm. She went from room to room twirling around in her long tattered dress. It looked just the same as it did that day in 1877. She decided to sit on the wooden rocking horse as she rocked away until she became very sleepy.
***
"Now please, please, stay with your guide," Mrs. Taylor urged. "If you get lost then it will reflect on Grand Island Elementary and we will never get to come back to visit."
Mrs. Taylor had been taking her second grade class to Pedro St. James Castle for the past five years. It had been the old plantation house that was the home of democracy for Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.
She tried to settle the children in hopes of gaining their interest on the structure. "Students, as you know in 1831 this island signed its first democracy papers and the government had been formed," raved a tall elderly man who was the main docent for the tour.
" My name is Mr. Dalton. You will first watch a movie on the history of the castle in the movie room and then we will begin our live tour."
The lights all went out. There was only blackness as the big screen rolled down from the ceiling. Mrs. Taylor's students began to scream.
"Ssh!" Mrs. Taylor hissed.
"But, Mrs. Taylor, I'm scared and I don't like this place!" Jessa Franklin clung to Mrs. Taylor's sleeve.
Dana Benson had her arm around Jessa, being they were best friends. "It's okay, Jessa. It's just a movie."
"I can walk her outside, Mrs. Taylor," offered one of the parent volunteers.
"I will be okay, Mrs. Taylor," Jessa said. "I'm going to be brave."
"The movie will be over soon and then we'll be out in the sunshine," Mrs. Taylor assured.
When the movie screen rolled up, the lights came back on and everyone clapped, especially Jessa.
"Okay, students, now that you know the history of the plantation you will get a tour from our guides, Mr. Dalton informed.
"I'm glad, that's over, Jessa sighed as she wiped the sweat off her forehead while they walked outside. The bright sunlight hit their faces like a strobe light causing all of the students to squint.
"Mrs. Taylor, can I use the restroom?" asked Dante Reed.
"Sure, and you know, I think we'll all take a break before heading on with the tour. "Please stay with your group. We'll meet out by the main house when you are done."
" Ya know, Dana, for some reason this place really gives me the creeps. Do you believe the stories of the slaves they kept in the basement and all that went on here?"
