The Keeper

53

The Keeper

By: TNT Corlis

Chapter 1

The storm was building. The flashes of lightning were exploding into the inside of the lighthouse. The thunder gave a deep shudder through the floor as he lifted the cello from its well-worn case.

As he looked down at it he paused for a moment as it triggered memories set deep within him. An inherent painful expression covered his face before he walked toward the fireplace on the opposite side of the room. He turned the heavy, leather cushioned chair to face its warmth. The flickering light was randomly interrupted by the blinding bursts of lightning followed by the tremble of thunder. As he lowered himself to the chair and spread his legs, he carefully placed the cello. He rested the finely crafted timber of the neck back against his left shoulder. He sat motionless and looked deep into the shimmering flames of the fire before he turned his head down slightly and looked to the iridescent red coals. He could see the heat as it moved across the coals like a wave that changed its colour from deep scarlet to almost black, pulsing, reminding him of a heartbeat.

An intense erratic flash of light cast its beam in through the windows followed by a thunderous crash. He closed his eyes instinctively as he placed the bow lightly on the strings. A loud rumble resonated through the air followed by the sound of the wind howling as it curled the edge of the mat up on the inside of the door behind him. He could hear the rain hitting the window as it’s blown hard against the pane with a raspy thrash. He pulled the bow across the strings silently as he leaned into the cello. He paused motionless, as if waiting for a break in the thunder and lightning. He wanted its first sounds to be clear.

With a slight dip of his head he began to move the bow as the fingers on his left hand fell into motion and he slowly started to play.

The air began to hum as the sound drifted its way out, filling the room and echoing as it flowed up into the large cavity of the spiral staircase. His body began to gently rock as the music flowed. His head was now gradually nodding, as if agreeing with the beautiful, sad sound. His mouth was slightly ajar as he turned his left ear lower to the cello. He kept his eyes closed as he continued playing. His face; very forlorn as a solitary tear broke from the corner of his right eye and rolled down his cheek.

She could feel how tense her horse was - Its whole body was almost frozen with fear under her as another bolt of lightning surged its path to the ground violently. She readjusted herself in the saddle as she tried to guide the horse between the trees. The noise of the storm was scaring her. It was so loud and powerful. The rain was so heavy she can almost feel every drop as it hit her shoulders stinging them.

Cautiously she pulled her right foot from the stirrup iron as a large crack of thunder rumbled. The horse pulled its head back and struck at the ground in agitation. Its tension highlighted as it mixed with fear. She can see the mist blowing from his nostrils as he threw his head around with revolt. He gave out a high pitched squeal that blended with the daunting sound of the storm and tightened the muscles in his hind quarters before he reared. She struggled to remain seated as she clenched her legs before he kicked high again with his rear legs unseating her. The motion threw her to the ground on her back with her left foot hung up in the stirrup iron. He took fright again as another flash of lightning whitened the sky above them and then the jagged chain of electricity began searching lawlessly for the ground. The horse immediately lunged forward and dragged her. He galloped toward the closest tree and ran his shoulder along its trunk tearing her foot from the stirrup iron and she contacted the tree heavily. She rolled on the ground shaking with fear, as she looked up at the sky now alight with chains of lightning.

The thunder crashed and the streaks of lightning continued tearing away at the air, wavering across the ominous darkness. She clambered back to her feet slowly and looked around and she shrouded her eyes from the stinging rain. She could see the beam of light as it flashed from the lighthouse beacon rotating in the distance. The roar of the wind was constantly blowing the trees around obstructing her view. With the next bolt of lightning she could see the outline of the top of the lighthouse. It’s crossed peak almost resembling a crucifix. Then the sweep of light passed above her again as the light rotated.

‘I have to do it, I can’t take this anymore,’ she said out loud as she staggered toward the clearing that lead to the cliff beside the lighthouse.

She could hear the waves as they crashed into the rocks at the base of the cliff. She licked her lips and she could taste the saltiness of the ocean as the mist blew up and covered her.

Between the powerful gusts of wind as it ripped away at the coastline she struggled to approach the edge of the cliff and stared out into the darkness of the ocean. The tears were streaming from her eyes as the wind continued to rupture off the rocks and surge against her as if driving her back from the cliff. She closed her eyes and paused for a moment as she steadied her feet. Suddenly she heard a very distant sound from the lighthouse that broke her thought.

The light inside was just visible from the window as she looked out from under her hood. The ferocity of the wind and rain seemed to be distorting the light, as if trying to wash it away. She kept her focus on the window as she struggled against the wind and the unrelenting pounding of the rain. As she inched closer she could hear the faint deep sound of the strings.

After wiping the window with her heavily clad arm she looked inside. She could see the man sitting on his chair in the firelight. The expressions on his face were very sorrowful as his body flowed with the instrument. It looked like they were one. She could not only see the pain, but she could hear it. She had never seen or heard an instrument played like it. For the briefest of moments her troubles eroded while she watched him. His body even appeared to weep. With the storm bearing down on them he seemed so entwined with the sombre sounds as it blended with his thoughts.

The powerful storm outside had faded from his mind until he finished playing. He slowed the bow as he reached his last stroke and then paused. He gave a faint nod toward the cello as if agreeing with what it had just said.

She stood motionless and watched as he sat there staring down at the strings. She could only see a part of his face as he looked toward the fire.

The light continued its fluid motion. The beam attempting to penetrate the rain as it interfered with its brilliant stream of light. The sheeting rain washed in every direction as the wind blew it across the beam. He rested the cello back against his shoulder and lowered his right hand with the bow still in it toward the ground.

He lifted his head and focused into the fire.

‘Come on Ivy,’ he said as he gently pressed his foot against his Labrador as she rested on the floor in front of him. She tapped her tail at the ground but kept her head resting on the comfort of her foreleg. He stood and walked back to the case. He wiped the cello with his hand and placed it carefully inside. He released the tension from the bow and placed it back in its holder. He latched the lid after he closed it and rested the case against the wall. She could see him as he looked at his watch and then lifted his eyes to the staircase that led to the light.

‘Come on girl,’ he said as he patted his leg when he reached the first step.

She watched as the dog painfully rose from the floor and walked over to him. He looked down at her as she rested her head up against his leg gently and looked up at him.

‘Alright, you stay down here and watch the fire. I’ll do the work up there,’ he pointed up to the light. Ivy slowly turned and walked back to her rug in front of the fire. He nodded at her as she dipped onto her shoulder and lay down slowly. His shadow grew larger as he climbed the spiral staircase until he disappeared.

He lifted his rain cheater from its hook and he slipped it over his shoulders. He drew in a large breath as he raised the hatch above his head and climbed out onto the light deck. He buttoned up his cheater as he watched the massive light rotating before him. He could feel the heat warm his back as the beam crossed his body. The wind was howling over the railings and the rain was slapping at the lens windows as he stepped out onto the narrow walkway in the rain.

As he looked out at the ocean he could see the waves as the lightning lit the sky in the distance. The wind was causing the ocean to spray up over the side of his lighthouse. He could see the white tops of the waves in random flashes before he shut his eyes. The mist was flowing from his mouth with every breath. He removed a rag from the inside of his cheater and he started to wipe the windows from their salty ocean wash. He worked his way around the glass and then looked back out at the ocean.

She stood and watched as he wiped the windows. She had walked to the edge of the cliff and turned to look up at him. She could see the outline of the lighthouse as the beams of light reflected off it. The lightning continued to flash and he turned to look at the ground.

He could see something shimmering in the flashes. He lifted his collar to block some of the light from behind him. He leaned against the railing as he focused into the night. Another flash of lightning blazed across and he saw her, standing there looking back up at him. He froze. She stood there motionless looking back at him. He reached out over the railing and screamed as she turned and disappeared over the edge of the cliff.

Chapter 2

‘Not today please!’ Laura pleaded with a distinct sound of panic in her voice as she looked across at her alarm clock. ‘You old piece of junk,’ she shouted as she pushed it off the bedside table and it crashed onto the floor. Laura threw the blanket across the bed with her left hand before she rolled out the right hand side and rose to her feet. She flicked the radio on that was sitting on her dresser as she reached into the drawer for her underwear. She rolled her toes and arched her left foot as she moved from the rug and stepped onto the cold tiled floor. She looked down at all of the packing boxes she hasn’t even opened yet. She closed her eyes and gave a small shake of her head.

‘I hate being late, but I hate being late even more on the first day of a new job in a new town.’ Saying it like it was a regular occurrence. She tapped the chilly floor with the soles of her feet as she leaned in past the shower curtain that she hung yesterday and started the hot water. She watched the water as it fell from the showerhead as if it were raining. Slowly she could see the steam building as the increasing hot water rolled from the showerhead enveloped in small clouds of mist. She stepped under the flowing water and closed her eyes.

‘Hey Laura, I got you some breakfast,’ Steve yelled from the kitchen as he dropped his car keys onto the dining table trying not to lose his grip on his paper bag fresh from the bakers. He could hear the water coming to a halt as the pipes gave a shudder in the wall and then he heard the shower curtain slide along its rail.

‘I’m coming, but I’ll have to eat it on the run, that piece of crap alarm clock didn’t go off.’ Laura came around the corner into the kitchen with a towel wrapped around her head and saw Steve sitting there with a grin on his face.

‘What are you smiling for?’ she asked.

‘Here have a fresh baked croissant and slow down for a split second.’

‘I can’t Steve, I’m late,’ she pleaded. He smiled at her again. Laura took a large bite from her croissant and looked back at him. He quickly removed the smile from his face and looked back at her. He lasted about two seconds before he started to laugh.

‘I’m sorry Laura, but I set the clocks all forward one hour and then I didn’t set the alarm as you asked,’ he burst out laughing as Laura threw the remaining croissant at his chest and charged him with her arms around his waist.

‘I just know how you hate being rushed in the morning so I got off work early to help you get started slowly.’ He was laughing louder as she tried to force him onto the kitchen counter. Steve grabbed her around the waist and ran his two day-old whiskers over her neck and she screamed as he slid his chin up to her cheek.

‘No more, no more,’ she squealed as she laughed with her legs disappearing under her. He held her tight for a brief moment and then helped her back to her feet.

‘Well now - I have to have another shower won’t I,’ Laura looked back at him with a cheeky grin as she motioned with her head in the bathroom’s direction. It was the strangest thing, whenever they had a fight or they needed time to just sit and talk, they always sat in the shower.

‘Besides, you really stink,’ she motioned her hand past her nose and laughed at him.

They sat in the shower for about fifteen minutes while Steve spoke about his night at the sawmill. His boss had been more than happy for him to knock off an hour early today. He had only been there for a week but he had fixed a machine that had been placed in the too hard basket by the previous mechanic. It had been pushed out of the workshop and placed out of sight. It was then hidden behind the pile of scrap timber that had been assessed by the classers and destined for chipping. When Steve had done his sight visit he saw it sitting there and asked the manager about it. The manager looked back at him and shook his head.

Steve had always loved the challenge but he found adjusting to the cold of their new town was harder than anything he had done before, and now it was snowing. They had seen snow before but he and Laura had never lived in it, let alone worked in it.

It was obvious to him that Laura was really nervous about her first day; mind you she was doing a very good job of covering it. Steve sat and listened to her talk about how excited she was and how she was looking forward to working with some new people for a change.

Steve and Laura had been inseparable since high school. They had lived together from the moment he received his first pay cheque. All Laura ever wanted to do was to become a nurse. She just loved helping and caring for people. For the last twelve years they had stayed in their hometown surrounded by both their families and then one day it reached a point where they needed a change.

After a quick trip to the sporting shop, Steve purchased a set of darts, and spun the globe he had on his desk that dated back to primary school. After nine throws each and a lot of laughter Laura’s dart hit St Helen’s, Tasmania and Steve’s hit the same place but fell off. They both fell silent and looked at each other. Steve reached over to the globe and stopped it from spinning. He looked back at Laura and smiled. She looked back at him and shrugged her shoulders. He nodded his head and started packing. It was very well calculated. The hardest part of making their decision was saying good-bye. They had never been away from their families for anything but holidays.

They talked the entire way from Queensland to Victoria about how long they expected to be homesick. By the time they reached Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne the adventure far outweighed the fear.

As he drove the car onto the ferry Steve watched the directions that the deck hand was giving him. The fog on the windscreen was starting to block his vision. He could see the man’s heavily clad hands directing him. He reminded Steve of the men that stand on the tarmac directing the plane with what he believed were ping pong paddles. He gave an audible laugh as he turned the cars steering wheel.

Laura wasn’t allowed in the car when it was loaded. All passengers had to board from the main deck, which Steve was a little apprehensive about. But once he saw the deck hand move his hands to a double flat palm, and then tell him to place the park brake on as tight as possible, it was obvious. Three strands of Laura’s hair wouldn’t have fit between the passenger side door and the next car. Steve shut his door and locked it. He looked around his car as the deckhand leaned over to him handing him some wheel chocks and motioned for the rear wheels. Steve looked at them puzzled and then he saw the deckhand lean down and chock the front wheels as well. Steve leaned down and placed them at either side of the rear wheel and kicked them in with the toe of his boot.

‘It can get a bit rough out at sea mate, it pays to be extra careful.’

Steve watched as the deckhand motioned over his shoulder toward the ocean with his glove-covered hand.

‘We’re expecting some big swells tonight.’

Steve thanked the man with a look of apprehension before rubbing his cold hands together. He could see the gentleman from the previous car walking out the doorway of the main cargo area. He looked back at the deckhand who just pointed to the doorway and gave an approving nod as he started to guide the next car in. Steve turned through the doorway and climbed the stairwell that led to the main foyer where he saw Laura sitting there waiting for him. She had the boarding pass in her hand and a very happy smile on her face when she spotted him. Laura gave him what seemed like one of the hardest hugs she had given him for some time. Then it dawned on him, it was the first time she had been completely alone in a foreign place, ever. He gave her a strong hug and then lifted her up with the straightening of his back so that her feet left the floor. He could hear her breathing had an anxious sound. She was a little upset but trying to cover it.

‘Listen lady you haven’t seen my wife around here have you, she’s about five feet six with long brown hair pulled back into a pig tail, and she’s probably missing me?’

The vulnerability in her was so visible that he not only saw it but he could feel it. She buried her head, pulled him even closer and wept into the breast of his heavy coat. They held each other through the entire night as they looked out the porthole from their cabin until they could see the first signs of light coming from the port of Tasmania.

Steve dried himself off and wrapped the towel around his waist. He watched as Laura tried to see herself in the mirror as she used her eyeliner pencil around the bottom lid of her right eye. He carefully walked behind her and opened the door.

‘Just wait and I’ll let some steam out for you,’ he said as he swung the door. Laura wiped the mirror with the hand towel and gave him a thankful smile. Steve smiled back and swung his heavy night shift laden legs to the bedroom to get dressed. He pulled his track pants up and poked his arms through his jumper and slumped onto the bed backwards. Laura could hear the familiar sound of the bed.

‘You go to sleep and I will wake you when I get home this afternoon,’ she called. Silence fell on the bedroom as he drifted.

Laura gently rolled the covers up over him as she pushed her right arm up inside the sleeve of her coat. She could tell that he was beyond tired; he still hadn’t gotten over the two-day drive and then the overnight boat ride here. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, wiped the hair from his face and paused while she looked down at him.

She grabbed her bag from the dining table and headed for work. Laura moved the transmission into neutral as she looked around the car park of the nursing home. She could see the long sprawling garden, the trees had lost all of their leaves and there was fresh snow sitting up on the limbs and scattered over the ground. Her eyes settled on the large sign at the base of the stairs. She smiled as she read it, The Laura Jameson Garden Settlement.

‘Well the name sake is good enough for me,’ she said as she closed the car door. Laura opened the front door of the building and was welcomed by a very inviting front foyer that had a large slow combustion stove. It had a generous piece of scented timber with flames gracefully wrapping themselves around it and then dropping away as they starved of oxygen. It reminded her of the grass fire they had watched from behind a road barricade when they travelled through outback New South Wales when she was a child.

She looked down the wide hallway and she could see pictures of what seemed like local areas, mostly with beautiful streams, hanging from the walls and beneath them were small tables with artificial flowers in vases.

‘Can I help you?’ the voice asked from behind the counter beside her.

‘My name is Laura Eames. I was due to start work here today.’ Laura reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Her hands visibly showing signs of her nervousness, she was shaking.

‘Hello Laura my name is Michelle,’ she said as she opened the door beside the counter.

‘Come in and sit down while I get onto Mavis.’ Laura sat on the chair at the end of the desk. She kept her eyes to the wall opposite as she listened to Michelle talk on the telephone.

‘She’ll be right here Laura, she has been very eager to see you start. We have had such a hard time getting staff here over the last five years.’

Laura just looked back and smiled as she heard the wind blowing outside. She could feel the draft and pulled her legs back tighter under her chair. Michelle looked at her and smiled. ‘Don’t worry you’ll get used to the cold, just give it time.’

‘It’s a sunny thirty two degrees right now where I come from, but I’ll get used to it,’ she gave a nervous smile back. Laura could hear the faint sound of a door closing from out in the hallway and then the increasing sound of footsteps as they approached. She could feel her heart rate increase. She didn’t understand why, bloody nerves she thought. The door opened and she was surprised to see the small lady standing in front of her.

‘Hello Laura, my name is Mavis Akins. I spoke with you on the phone last week.’ Laura stood and extended her hand out to her and they shook.

‘My god, your hands are like ice, and you know what they say, cold hands warm heart,’ she smiled as she looked up to Laura to see her face light up.

Laura was surprised it was the same thing her grandmother used to say to her when she was very young.

She had pictured Mavis in her mind but was completely taken as she looked to the lady that stood before her. During her phone interview Mavis had told Laura that she was approaching retirement age in the next couple of years but she looked at least ten years younger. And her voice definitely didn’t fit the frame. The largest part of her was the clipboard she held in her hands.

‘Thank you Michelle,’ Mavis said as she opened the door for Laura and they entered the hallway.

‘We are so happy to have you with us Laura, good help is ever increasingly hard to find.’

Laura could tell by the sincerity in her voice that Mavis meant what she was saying. It settled her stomach as they walked to the first door at the end of the hallway. Mavis swiped her identification card that hung around her neck on a multi coloured strap. She waved her hand in front of herself as if inviting Laura in.

‘Thank you,’ Laura said as they entered into the main wing of the residence. Mavis walked up beside her and pointed to her office on the left hand side of the hall.

‘Come in and let’s have a seat,’ Mavis said as she closed the door behind them and Laura sat in the seat opposite her desk. Laura removed her folder from her bag that was slung over her shoulder and opened it. She shuffled through her documents and removed her nursing registration papers. She handed them over to Mavis who smiled back at her.

Mavis flicked over the pages and placed them on the desk in front of her. She opened the drawer on the left hand side of her desk and removed Laura’s new identification tag and handed it to her. She handed Laura her contract that was tucked away in a large white folder.

‘Read over it during the next few days and if you have any questions please feel free.’

Laura could tell she was going to enjoy working for Mavis, she had learned to trust her instincts.

‘How do you feel about taking a walk around the place first and see what you think?’ Mavis asked from behind her large rimmed glasses.

‘If we hurry we can see all of the beautiful little dears that we have here in one hit as they are all in the dining room.’ Mavis lifted her eyes from her very old looking broach watch that was pinned on her blouse as she checked the time.

Laura was surprised when she entered the dining hall following Mavis. There were a lot of people sitting at tables that were sufficiently spaced and very well set. At the far side of the room there was a long counter that had a team of four people standing behind it that were serving food to those that could manage to collect their own meals. She also noticed other kitchen staff being directed by nurses with set meals to various tables. She could tell that the working environment was very well structured but also relaxed.

As she stood with Mavis and watched, Laura noticed how smooth everything flowed. On the six pillars that were spaced evenly through the centre of the room there was a television placed on a shelf, each one displaying a different channel. Some had the news on them and others had the early morning soap opera.

The room was very well lit with natural light entering from the eastern side that had large colonial windows the entire length of the hall. The direct lines of the long walls were broken with various pictures and evenly spaced indoor plants. Laura paused for a moment, looking out the window at the small flakes of snow as they drifted aimlessly, carried at the pleasure of the faint breeze coming across from the distant ocean.

If first impressions were anything to go by she would happily work here for a very long time. Laura felt in her own