CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“I don’t understand it,” said Cassidy. “I would have thought for sure that the portrait of Fletcher somehow triggered her suicide.”
“She doesn’t seem to be changing at all,” said Eric staring at the young ghost. “In fact, she looks even more sad.”
“Do you want us to take a look at the boy?” asked Jane.
“His parents say the doctor’s at St. Louis Children’s Hospital have said his organs are shutting down and he’s suffering. I don’t think there’s anything to do,” said Lily.
“What do we do about her?” asked Joseph.
“I have no clue,” said Eric. “I think we just keep doing what we’re doing, hoping that if we finish the undone work, she’ll be able to move on. Until then, we just keep trying with her.”
After filling everyone in on what was happening with Morgan, Luke asked the tech boys to dig a little further into Morgan. They had missed something. Somewhere in her history, in her past, there was something that they didn’t understand or didn’t identify.
“Maybe we take a step back from this for a day or so,” said Eric.
“That little boy may not have that kind of time,” said Cassidy. “No. No, I’ll head down there tomorrow and get to painting him. I know now why she had a blanket over the bottom half of the body. She didn’t want to show him in a wheelchair.”
“Do his parents want that?” asked Joseph.
“I’m not sure. I’ll ask them tomorrow. If not, I guess I’m starting over,” said Cassidy.
“Honey, why don’t we leave this for now,” said Cade. “Let’s just enjoy a nice family meal together.”
They all nodded, heading inside to enjoy their meal but it didn’t escape them that Morgan, now the lone, solitary ghost was standing outside looking as forlorn and lost as always.
Although they tried to laugh and enjoy the meal, her face was something they couldn’t erase from their minds. There was a heaviness around them that couldn’t be ignored. She was literally transferring her sadness and burden to them.
“I think we get a good nights’ rest and hit this again tomorrow,” said Lily. “I’ll go with you to the Cordel’s. I’m sure Cade will be coming.”
“And me,” said Bull. “I might be retired but I’m not letting you do this alone. Plus, maybe little Fletcher likes music.”
“Oh, Bull,” said Lily hugging her husband. “Thank you. That’s a wonderful idea.”
They headed out the following morning to the Cordel’s apartment. The boy was struggling this morning but they gave the go ahead for Cassidy to begin her painting. They were fine with the blanket idea and she moved quickly to try and finish the portrait.
Bull started to play a soft lullaby in the corner and Fletcher seemed to calm almost immediately. At first, he only hummed, not wanting to disturb Cass or Lily, who was helping her to mix her colors and touching up the edges. Then when Fletcher began responding, he started singing.
Joseph and Cade sat at the door, waiting for orders should they need anything at all.
“They’re both wonderful,” said Blair standing behind them. Cade and Joseph started to stand, but she waved for them to stay seated. “This is the first time I’ve seen him look as though he’s at peace in a long time.”
“Bull is amazing and I’m sure Cassidy and Lily will create a memory for you and your husband,” said Cade.
“Yes. But it will just be a memory, won’t it? Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“You know, Blair, Cassidy gave me the gift of a portrait of my mother once. She committed suicide, just like Morgan and my brother and I struggled with accepting that we didn’t have something to do with it.”
“I’m so sorry,” said the woman.
“We’ve learned it wasn’t us at all. She was sick, just like Morgan.
But that portrait, the way Cassidy painted it,” he said shaking his head with a small grin, “it was like she saw the happy mom we knew. She was smiling and her eyes were bright and full of mischief and love. That painting made me remember mom the way she was before she got sick. It’s helped me through a lot these last few years. ”
“Thank you for telling me that,” said Blair. “I know that this will help Knox and I as well. I’ll send in some lunch in a little while. I have to run out for a about an hour but the nurse is here and Knox is working in his office if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” he nodded toward the woman.
He looked around the apartment, realizing just how massive and abundant the surroundings were.
Cade knew enough about antiques and paintings to know that the Cordel’s had money.
They were able to afford this apartment, the furniture, the art, and taking their son to a world-renowned children’s hospital for treatment.
It should have been a happy life for young Fletcher. It should have been filled with the best of everything. Bicycles, top schools, girlfriends, college, and so much more.
Frowning, he turned to see a photo on the wall of a younger Blair and Knox, holding the sweet newborn boy. Maybe this is what Morgan saw. Maybe she felt the loss, knew the horrible end facing this family.
After lunch was served, Cassidy rubbed her fingers, stretching them, cracking them.
“I think that’s all I can do for today. But the good news is we’re almost there,” she said smiling at the sleeping boy. She turned the painting for the others to see and it was nothing short of miraculous.
The face of the boys was perfection. His smiling, sweet face filled with mischief and laughter. One of his hands was reaching upward, as if hoping to grab something.
“Oh, Cass,” said Cade wiping tears.
“Fuck me, Cass,” said Joseph. Eric could only nod.
“I know,” she said smiling. “It’s one of my best. I just have a few more things to do on it and we’ll be done. They’ll have their portrait.”
“Let’s hope it pleases Morgan,” said Lily.
“What if it doesn’t?” asked Eric. They all looked at him, not one of them with an answer. Finally, Joseph said it out loud.
“We keep trying.”