Those 70ish Girls

I must have drifted off to sleep while reading about all the children. What happened to them? What part did Uncle Charles play in all of this?

I looked at my watch and saw that dinner would soon be served. I hoped that Mandy and the little housemaid were back from their walk. I splashed some cool water on my face, put on some lipstick, and started across the hall to retrieve my daughter in time for dinner.

I started to knock on the door, but something made me stop. Mandy was talking to someone, and it wasn’t her sitter.

“Mandy, everyone thinks you’re Amanda. You look just like her, but you aren’t her. I don’t know what happened to her,” the voice said. “The doll maker made dolls in our likeness. There’s a doll for everyone but Amanda.”

Who was that talking to Mandy? I opened the door enough to see Mandy with the doll made in the likeness of Abby Ann. I decided to take a chance and enter the room. Mandy’s eyes grew wide and she hugged the little doll close. “Mandy,” I said. “Tell Abby Ann that she can trust me. I have read her story and the stories of the other children who were taken from the school. I want to help find all of them. Please,” I said, “Tell me what happened that day.”

“I have no choice but to accept your offer,” a voice said. I didn’t know if it was the doll talking or Mandy. It didn’t matter.

“We were all so happy here,” I knew the voice was that of Abby Ann. ” We had been a family for three years. Amanda’s Grandfather had helped us all. I learned to sign and read lips. Andy did too. He could hear, but he didn’t want to speak. He signed to us that voices tell lies and hurt people.”

“Alice was trying really hard to stop stuttering. We knew we had to give her time to finish what she was saying, that way she wouldn’t try to talk too fast. She was doing so much better.” The voice…telling  of these truths, went on.

“We stopped pitying Tony. How can you feel sorry for someone who doesn’t feel sorry for themselves. He was so happy that he could stand tall. He knew how proud we were of him.”

“And you Abby Ann? What about you?” I remembered her story in the album.

“I can’t hear,” she said. “I don’t know what voices sound like. I can’t hear a bird sing or a song being sung.” She went on to say this. “I can’t hear people I love arguing, or a scream. I can ‘t hear a child or a poor little animal cryout in pain, but I can see laughter, and love, and sunshine. I can feel everything good and bad.” I have been given more than most dream about because of Amanda and her Grandfather, Mr. Sanders.”

“You have talked about everyone but Amanda,” I said. “What was her affliction?”

The voice I heard sounded so sad. “She didn’t have a tangible weakness, but she felt our pain, and fear. She was our strength. She had enough faith for all of us, and she knew how to be a friend.”

Where are these children? Where is Amanda? I knew the answers were in the school house, and in the tortured mind of Uncle Charles. I went to the playhouse and gathered all of the dolls. I knew they needed to be together.

TONY

Tony was the youngest and smallest of the school children. He was barely four when he arrived at the country estate. The first thing everyone noticed about Tony was his cute little ears. He had a beautiful smile that he shared with anyone and everyone he saw. Mr. Sanders learned about the little boy when he was visiting a friend in the hospital. Tony was there to have an operation. He was born without legs and was having surgery in preparation of the first of many prostheses he would need throughout his life.

Mr. Sanders thought Tony a brave little soul to share his smile so readily in the face of such difficulty. Tony was an orphan, and was currently in the care of an Aunt who was both financially and emotionally unable to care for her nephew. Charles became the legal guardian of this exceptional little boy and Tony had all he needed in the way of love, medical attention, and safety. He was an eager student in preschool and was in the first grade when two people he had especially been devoted to failed him. 

ALICE

Everyone adored little Alice. She was the darling of the clan, and the third child to arrive. Alice’s parents were very wealthy, but without compassion for their little daughter. No matter what methods they tried or disdain they showed, they couldn’t stop Alice from stuttering. In fact, the harder they tried, the worse her affliction became. They were relieved, if not happy that Alice had been accepted by the school and would be moving to the estate. Less fortunate, Mr. Sander’s believed, can mean more than low income. Alice was experiencing the kind of happiness she had never known in her young life. A happiness that would soon be snatched away from her.

ANDY

Andy was the second child to receive a scholarship. He hadn’t lived with his parents and two older siblings for over a year. He had been placed in foster care when he was four, and within the year’s time, had lived with two different families. He was such a special child, but for reasons unknown, he had never spoken a word. He understood everything and even though he didn’t read out loud, he could comprehend, and write quite well for his age. Doctors said there wasn’t a physical reason Andy couldn’t speak, and with time and love, he most likely “would” speak.

The two girls took him under their wings, and since he didn’t talk, they taught him how to sign. What a cute little threesome they were. They were blissfully unaware of what the future held. 

Aunt Beatrice was still breathing, but unconscious. I asked the housekeeper if there was a Dr. close by. She said there was indeed a doctor who had been called to the estate quite often when the children were still here. She left to put in a call and I stayed with Aunt Beatrice. She certainly did not look well.

I had no idea where Aunt Bea had been going with her diatribe. I too was a little nervous about Uncle Charles running around unchecked, but there was nothing I could do until the doctor got there, and could tell me the seriousness of Aunt Bea’s condition.

By the time the doctor arrived, Aunt Bea was making some moaning sounds. It wasn’t long before she started coming around and opened her eyes. She looked at the doctor adoringly, batting her eyes, which coudn’t have been easy considering her heavy false eyelashes.

“Ms. Sanders, it’s obvious that you have been in an overwrought state. Have you been taking  your medication?”  he asked.

“Oh, dear,” she whimpered, “I’m afraid Charles is out of control again. I’m sure that  nurse isn’t keeping him sedated. Where on earth did you find her? Everything has just been so unsettled around here, and of course, I have to manage it all. I did win big at bingo last night, it had been such awhile you know.” she was clearly enamored with the handsome doctor.

 

“You’re just having one of your spells Beatrice,” he concluded. ” I recommend a couple of days bed rest and you’ll be as good as new. You and Gladys really must stay out of the smoking section at your bingo games,”he added. He looked at me when he said, “I have someplace I need to be right now, but I will be back tomorrow morning to check on Charles. It’s very nice to meet you Ms. Allen, I will see myself out.”

After Aunt Bea gained some strength back, the housekeeper and I helped her back on her electric wheel chair and managed to get her back to her rooms. She was asking the maid for a bell and some magazines when I left. I needed to tend to Mandy.

I walked into Mandy’s room expecting to see her playing with her dolls, or reading with the young maid I had asked to stay with her. I didn’t want my daughter alone when she was not with her teacher, her father, or me.

There was no one in the room. It appeared that Mandy had been playing with her dolls, and the huge doll house. Alice and Andy were there, but Abby Ann was still gone, and in her place, was a new little boy doll.

I found the maid and Mandy walking along a path outside that looked like it led to the fenced school yard. I must go take a look at the deserted building that had once been a school, but not now. I wanted to relax with a cup of tea and read about Abby Ann.

——————————————————

Abby Ann was only five years old when she came to live at the country estate owned by Charles Sanders and his spinster sister Beatrice. Mr. Sander’s wanted his daughter Amanda to attend school on the estate, and to that end, he built a little school house. He felt it was important to give his daughter schoolmates, but he was a benevolent man as well, and wished to help children who needed some security in their lives.

Abby’s Mother was widowed shortly after Abby was born. She was a good Mother, and loved her little girl very much. Providing a home and food for the two of them proved to be a near impossible task. It was made even more difficult because Abby had been born deaf. 

In her search for a better life for her daughter, she was made aware of Mr. Sander’s desire to help children such as Abby Ann. She immediately wrote a letter and asked that her daughter be considered for a scholarship. She was accepted and came to live at the estate. Abby was the first to come, and she and sweet little Amanda became very close friends. Both girls were taught sign language and they delighted in playing tricks on the household who didn’t know How to sign or read lips.

They enjoyed a happy life for three years, then when they were eight, two people they knew and trusted, came and took them away.

  

Aunt Beatrice was obviously a little apprehensive, and not at all anxious to be questioned by me. “If you aren’t able to take care of Uncle Charles, then who has been caring for him?” I asked.

“He has a nurse who attends to him. She is rather strange, but Charles seems to do well with her.” If Aunt Bea was calling someone else strange, this nurse must be a real doozie, I thought.

“How do I go about introducing myself to the nurse and my Uncle?” I asked.

“Yes, introduce yourself,” she said. I would suggest you make your way up the circular stairway and knock on the door. Now…I must go or I’ll be late for bingo. She hopped on her electric wheelchair like it was a motorcycle and managed to hit the round table in the foyer, and the door casing on the way out.

 

There was a door leading to the circular stairway that would take me to the tower. When I passed through the doorway, it was like I had entered another world. It was dark and dingy as opposed to gorgeous and garish like the other parts of the house I had seen so far. I walked up the winding stairs that seemed to go on forever. At the top of the stairs was another door that I assumed was to the rooms occupied by my Uncle and his nurse.

I took a deep breath and knocked. I waited, but got no response, so I knocked again just as I saw an eyeball looking at me through a very large peephole.

Startled, I jumped back…I heard an unfriendly voice ask “Who’s there, and what do you want?”

“I’m Mr. Sander’s niece, I would like to introduce myself to you and my Uncle, I offered. The eyeball disappeared, and I heard someone slide the deadbolt. The door opened and I saw the person the eyeball  belonged to.

The nurse was dressed in a clean, crisp, nursing uniform complete with the cap. I have to say I couldn’t read her expression very well as she waived me into the room, then locked and bolted the door again.

“I was told to expect you,” she said. “Won’t you please be seated?” The room was dark and sparsely furnished. There was a fire burning in the fireplace. I chose a well worn chair next to the small couch. The nurse sat in a chair opposite me.

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I jumped right in. “My name is Andrea Allen. My husband Aaron and I are now the owners of the estate,” I said. “I want to assure my Uncle, that the agreement includes a provision for My Aunt and him. They may continue to live here indefinitely. The assets are sufficient to provide for your services as well.”

“I knew that too,” she said. “Please address me as Nurse Jones.”

“Certainly,” I agreed. “Now, unless you have questions, I would like to meet my Uncle.”

Nurse Jones rose from her chair, as did I. “Mr. Sanders is resting at the moment,” she offered. “He feels best in the mornings. You may come back then if you like.”

Before I knew it, I was back on the other side of the locked door. I started to go back down the stairs when I noticed another door. It was slightly ajar, so I quietly peeked inside. I could see the shadow of a man in a wheel chair, but I coudn’t see his face clearly. Then, my eyes fell upon something else.

What is on that table, I wondered. I stuck my head in further to get a better view. It looked like doll body parts. Was he indeed making dolls? I needed to think about my discovery. What did this all have to do with Mandy’s new friends? Was the man in the shadows my Uncle? One thing I knew for sure, I would be back in the morning.

I looked at my watch and realized it was almost time to meet Mandy’s tutor. Aaron had spent the morning with our daughter acclimating her to our new home. He would be leaving for the airport shortly as he had a previously scheduled business meeting to attend.

The meeting with the tutor went well. I was relieved that she seemed professional and organized. I had no doubt that Mandy and Ms. Jameson would get along just fine.

After dinner, I went to Mandy’s room and spent some time with her before tucking her in.”I’m so happy you like your teacher,” I said. “I’m sure you will miss your school friends, but we’ll find some new friends, I promise.”

Mandy looked at me with a puzzled expression. “I already have three new friends Mommy,” she said. “Andy and Alice are nice, but Abby Ann is my best friend. They all lived here before the doll maker made them into dolls. They think I’m the little girl who used to live here. This was her room before she disappeared.”

I looked around the room and didn’t see the cute little dolls. “Where did you put them, sweet pea? I don’t see them anywhere.” I was starting to get concerned about where Mandy’s imagination was taking her.

“They’re still with the doll maker, but they’ll be back.” She promised.

“They’re already dolls Mandy, why would they have to go back to the doll maker?”

“They have to go back to help the new doll,”she said, “She just came from the place children go before they become dolls.” The place inside the iron fence.”