James Baldwin
Charlotte Thomas
I couldn't wait until we got home to phone Charlotte. I called her on my cell and spoke hands-free while driving.
Kath was getting used to technology and took it all in stride, I mean, after all, she had been transported into the 21st century and had glimpses of what it might mean based on seeing the Jetsons on TV.
By the time we arrived at the house, Charlotte was already there, sitting on the big wooden verandah.
I had only told her something strange had happened and needed her help, but that was enough to make her give up her Saturday and offer support.
I had valued her as a colleague, but now I was seeing her as a friend.
"I just want to warn you," she began, "that I was on my way to Tim Hortons for coffee and came straight here instead."
"I have lots of coffee," I smilingly reassured her, " and plenty of croissants and donuts as well."
She laughed, "Well, then I forgive you, even though it will mean starting over on my Weight Watchers program on Monday."
"Consider it a Wow Day," I consoled her.
I put on the coffee while Kath prepared a basket of cheese croissants and a platter of donuts.
Finally, the coffee was ready and food served and we could seriously get down to business.
"Where did you guys go?" Charlotte asked, between bites of a croissant.
"Kath wanted to see The Village, but wasn't prepared for the changes of the last 60 years."
She looked at Kath with compassion. "That must have been traumatic. Are you okay now?"
Kath nodded, "Not much can really surprise me now considering the era we're in."
"Yeah, Flower Power has died, but it did make an impression for a while, but time moves on."
"I suppose that's the lesson I'm learning--not to be surprised by anything."
She turned to me, "So, what happened in the Village that's upset you?"
"Seeing our old house."
Charlotte arched an eyebrow, "YOUR old house? she asked puzzled, "you weren't even born back then."
"Yeah, that's the point. I have these memories and it was all so familiar―oh, and it turns out Kath's fiance was my cousin who died that summer fighting for America in the Vietnam War. She thinks I'm him."
Charlotte didn't flinch or bat an eyelid. I wondered about that.
"His name was Brad Lockhart," I continued, "and he was my grandmother's son who died in the war. I was always drawn to him because we looked alike and there seemed to be some strange fascination because he was often in my dreams."
"You think you're Brad reincarnated?"
I nodded sombrely.
"Well, I can assure you you're not him returned," she said matter-of-factly. "I said there was an ancestral connection, but never said you were one of your relatives reincarnated. That's not what's going on here."
I was getting frustrated. "Well then tell me, "What exactly is going on here?"
"Kath had a connection with your ancestor, Brad, and you were drawn to him but unaware you had the ability to connect with him across time. Through that connection, Kath was pulled into the present allowing you to interact with her and continue the relationship Brad had started that you were already continuing in your dreams."
"That's how I recognized you," Kath piped in, "I saw you in my dreams too and felt the same pull to you as I felt for Brad. I recognized your house from my dreams and that's why I knocked on your door."
I felt totally overwhelmed by Charlotte’s words and wanted to push them away and declare the premiss impossible—that it flew in the face of common sense—but I couldn’t.
Something inside me responded to her explanation and was a witness confirming the truth. I knew when I saw Kath at the door she was not only familiar, but filled me with longing that tugged at the very depths of my soul.
I couldn’t deny the truth of those feelings without disowning my own soul.