Whisper

40

"Thanks, Cora. That would be great."

.

"So, Will, me son. What brings you round 'ere tonight?" John wondered, as he shook my hand.

.

"I was hoping that we could have a little chat, John."

.

Cora passed me a glass of wine.

"Then Ise will toddle off to da kitchen and let youse men talk."

.

I shook my head.

"No. Please stay. Its nothing secretive that I want to talk to your husband about."

.

She nodded and joined us.

"Den I will sit be here with youse."

.

"So," John inquired.

"What can I do fer ya, Will?"

.

"I want to buy all the land around the point, where my house is."

.

He gave me a strange look.

"How much be you want?"

.

"What belongs to the village?"

.

John sat back and thought for a moment.

"Let me see, boy. From wheres yer 'ouse is, it goes maybe a 'alf mile or so, south and all da way to da 'ighway."

He looked at Cora.

"Dat be 'bout right, me love?"

.

Cora nodded.

"Yes. Dat is right, but Will, why in da name of God wud you be wanting' dat old land. Most of it be nuttin' but scrub and bog and such. Not be much gud fer nuttin'"

.

"I have my reasons," I smiled.

"So? How much?"

.

John laughed.

"Will, boy. Why'in da hell wud you be wantin' it?"

.

"I don't really know, John. Just woke up one day and thought to myself.

'You should buy all the land around you'."

.

John laughed.

"You be a strange one, sometimes Will, me son."

.

Cora continued.

"That's a lot of land, Will. What wud you be doin' with it?

Most of it not be fit to build on or anything'."

.

I nodded.

"I know. Just seems like the right thing to do. That way, the village doesn't have the worry and I control the land, so that the government can't do anything stupid with it."

.

John laughed.

"Now, Will, me son. When be da guv'ment ever do somethin' stupid."

.

I nodded.

"Will you at least think about it?"

.

"Will, boy. I'se has no problem sellin' youse da land, but, me son, I wouldn't know what price to put on it. I wills 'ave to chat with a few peoples and see what dey says."

.

Cora agreed.

"It not be really wort' anything, John. Not like we's ever would be doing' anythin' with it."

.

John nodded, while sipping his wine.

"Dat be true, me love."

He stared at me for a few seconds.

"Let me tink on dis fer a while, Will. I am sure we can work somethin' out."

.

I nodded.

That sounds great, John. I would really appreciate that."

.

"No problem, me son."

.

I took a deep breath.

I had one other thing I really wanted to get off my chest.

"Look. I am sorry about the way that things worked out between me and Sheila."

.

John shook his head, as he refilled his glass.

"Dat be twix you and 'er, Will. I will be 'onest, though. I am a little disappointed in da way youse 'andled tings."

.

I had to agree.

"I know. I honestly don't know what to say. Something just came over me and I couldn't shake it."

.

Cora patted my leg.

"Don't be frettin' yerself, Will. Da Lord, he works in strange ways, sometimes. Sheila, she be doin' okay. She has met a young man, up dere in Alberta and dey seems to be gettin' 'long well.

So, maybe, it is da way its s'pose to be."

.

I forced a smile.

"I really do wish her well. She is a beautiful woman and she really deserved someone better than me."

.

"Don't be puttin' yerself down, Will. Youse be a fine man. Little confused, at times and even a tad bit strange ..."

.

"John Maynard," Cora snapped at her husband.

"Youse be 'pologizing to Will right away."

.

I laughed.

"Don't worry about it, Cora. John is right. I do tend to come across as a little strange at times."

.

John nodded.

"But, I knows yer 'eart be in da right place, Will."

.

We talked for another half hour or so and I said my goodnights and went home.

.

On my way home, I passed the cemetery, which was at the far south end of the village, heading toward my house.

A strange feeling overtook me and I slowed down and stopped.

.

At the far corner of the cemetery, I thought I saw the brief outline of someone. But it was just for a second and it was gone.

I sat in the car for a few moments, waiting to see if it returned.

It didn't, so I drove off, already deciding that I would return in the morning.