Secrets of the Spiral Tower (3 page)

Chapter 3

While driving along Highway 61, fifteen miles over the posted speed limit, Connor’s mind was far away and preoccupied when he received a phone call from Willow. To his surprise, she was twenty minutes away from landing at the Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport.

“Can you meet me at the airport?”

“I can be there in fifteen minutes,” he said, slowing down to turn his car around.

“Great. See you then.”

A relaxed smile crossed Willow’s face as her plane descended across the flatlands of Louisiana toward the airport.  It was a bit overcast as the chartered Lear jet streaked down runway 18, turned, and taxied back to the terminal.

Willow stepped out of the plane, spotted Connor, and gave a big wave that always reminded him of President Nixon stepping off Air Force One. He didn’t know exactly why Willow was coming home, but none of that mattered at the time.

Connor thought
what a beautiful woman
.

When Willow reached Connor, she threw her arms around him just like she had done many times before. Connor reveled in the feel of her body for a moment, and then pushed her back, holding her at arm’s length.

“Willow, it is so great to see you. It’s been a while. I see you’re still flying in style. Haven’t you spent all of that trust fund your daddy set up?”

“Yes, I have, but being in business for myself for the past thirty years, I’ve made some pretty good investments. I’m on my own nickel, or should I say my hundred dollar bill?”

Connor looked admiringly at Willow. “You’ve been gone too long. Aren’t you about ready to leave that hassle and come home for good?”

“Yes, you’re right. And all of that is about to change.”

“How so?”

“Well, let’s get going and I’ll tell you. Where’s that green Ford pickup of yours?”

Connor pointed to the parking lot. “Right over there. Let me take your bags.”

Willow wasn’t used to tall pickup trucks any more.  She stumbled getting in and fell back into Connor.

“Oh, excuse me.”

“No problem. It was my pleasure. Love your perfume.”

As excited as a teenage boy, Connor put Willow’s luggage in the truck bed, skipped around the back, opened the door and slid under the steering wheel. As the pickup rumbled toward Interstate 20, Willow said, “First I want to surprise Daddy. You didn’t call him and tell him I was coming home, did you?”

“No, Willow. As always I followed your instructions to the letter. Your Daddy’s health has stabilized quite a bit since his second stroke. He’s somewhat paralyzed on his left side, but otherwise okay. His mind is as sharp as ever, except that he occasionally has a senior moment trying to remember names. Times and dates, on the other hand, he can recall better than I can.”

“Connor, I have problems remembering names of former acquaintances. But the question is, will he recognize me?”

“Willow, I understand. And your Daddy isn’t showing any signs of dementia, but who knows how fast that may develop?  I’m sure he would love for you to come home permanently. He respected your desire to be successful and didn’t want to put any pressure on you to move home.”

Willow cleared her throat.  “I know you’re right, Connor. I knew he was disappointed when I went to New York, but tried not to show it. He has always encouraged me to spread my wings.”

“You’re right. Your father is a very proud man, one who doesn’t show much emotion. But in your case, every time your name is mentioned, he swells up with pride.”

“So, what’s the prognosis?”

“His doctors are realistic and recognize that with each stroke, his condition will worsen. He may last another ten years, but on the other hand he could go tomorrow.  By your coming home, I can tell you his condition will improve, just because of that fighting spirit and strong intestinal fortitude.”

“I didn’t expect to hear this. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Willow, you know your father. He is the eternal optimist and didn’t want to worry you. He made me promise not to tell.”

“I know Daddy is a very proud individual and doesn’t want to burden anyone with his problems. He prides himself in taking care of his affairs in his own way.”

“Yeah, he’s been a great mentor to me, but more than that, he’s like a second father.”

“I want to go see him.”

“Willow, he has his routine and is watching his favorite game show on TV at this time. I suggest you wait until after lunch and his nap.  He’s usually awake around half past three in the afternoon. That would be a better time and the least disruptive of his planned day.”

“Okay. Then let’s go to Fort Hill.”

“Fort Hill?”

“Yeah. I’ve got an idea.”

Connor laughed. “What’s new about that? Don’t you want to grab some lunch?”

“No, I don’t want to waste any time. I have some exciting news I want to share with you.”

“Listen Willow, don’t keep me in suspense. You know I have a bad heart.”

“Bad heart my foot—you’ll outlast all of us!”

Taking a deep breath, she plunged in.  “Okay … I’m retiring and returning to Vicksburg. You remember that big old house on Fort Hill near the tower, where we spent so much time?”

“Of course, I remember. Those were some of the most joyous and frustrating moments in my life.”

“I want to buy that house and have you watch over the refurbishing, at least until I have time to close my businesses in New York, Illinois and Florida. Will you do that for me?”

Stunned by this turn of events, Connor said, “Willow, you know I’ll do anything for you. But, what if the house isn’t for sale?”

“Connor, I want that house, so it doesn’t matter how much it costs to purchase and modernize it. It is near all of our childhood memories. We can see the river, the spiral tower and our cave.”

“Willow, I don’t know if the cave is still there or not. I’m certain it’s grown over with vines and brush and it could have collapsed by now.”

“Doesn’t matter. If I get near there, my memories will be enough for me.”

“Okay. I believe the family that owns the house lives in Tennessee and they rarely visit, maybe one or two times a year. I do know that either the mother or grandmother living here in Vicksburg keeps an eye on it, though.”

“Good. I want to contact her today and get the real estate transaction moving.”

“Wow, Willow. Why didn’t you call and let me know what you’re up to?”

“Connor, I wanted to surprise you and see that look on your face. Guess what, it hasn’t changed. Those dimples have a few more wrinkles around them, but they’re still there. And that smile never changes.”

“Keep it up. You’re going to embarrass me.”

“Going to? You’ve turned about five shades of red since I broke the subject and each one is getting brighter.”

“Well, let’s get back to the renovation. You know that house was built shortly after the Civil War and may need major reconstruction.”

“Connor, it doesn’t matter. As I said earlier, it’s close to the things in Vicksburg that mean so much to me aside from you and Daddy, of course.”

“There you go again, trying to make me blush.”

“And it worked again!”

As they crossed the Mississippi River Bridge, Willow looked both ways, up river and down river. The look on her face told Connor that it was a nostalgic moment for her.

“I see our ol’ sandbar. How many times did we have a wiener roast and beer bust down there?”

“A bunch. Do you recall the time we got your daddy’s Jeep stuck and had to call him?”

“Do I ever! I believe that was the maddest I ever saw him. He was so mad, but laughed about it later. He wasn’t upset that the Jeep was stuck, he was mad because we could’ve been hurt. He knew how dangerous those river currents are and knew that we could have been washed away in an instant if a tow boat came by and rolled some big waves over us.”

“Your daddy explained that to me in no uncertain terms. But being young teenagers, we didn’t see the dangers and went back many times after that.”

“Yeah, we did, which in retrospect, was stupid and immature. I guess people still use the sandbar, don’t they?”

“Oh yes. Youthful stupidity hasn’t changed.  The kids now are as dumb as we were. I want to take you downtown. You won’t believe how much better Vicksburg looks. The main portion of downtown Washington Street is once again paved with bricks. The old abandoned stores that sat decaying have been rebuilt and now house specialty shops. Remember the old Valley Dry Goods Company? It’s now converted into luxurious apartments. And remember the old ad slogan, ‘Meet me at the Valley’?  That came from the trolley car days where the two lines, South and Washington met. Now you can use that phrase again with a different meaning.”

“You know Connor, maybe I should rent the top floor while we’re renovating or building my new home.”

“That would be a great idea. You’ve got a beautiful view of the river from the top floor and the sunsets are breathtaking. But I’ve got a big house near Redwood, remember. Why don’t you move in with me?”

“Connor, since we have lived separate lives for so long, don’t you think you would get tired of me under foot every day?”

“I don’t think so.”

“But what about you?” Connor asked with a devilish smile on his face. “Can our love survive with us living together under the same roof?  I would certainly be willing to give it a try.”

“That’s a good question. And one we need to answer before we make too many rash, hasty decisions. Regardless, Connor, I want to buy or build a house on Fort Hill. You know that has been a dream of mine since our high school days.”

“Oh, I remember. And do you remember my dream was to buy a house high up on the hill that wouldn’t flood each spring when the river rises?”

“Yes, I remember, and I want to go to your mansion, high on the hill, soon after we visit my dream house on Fort Hill.”

“That won’t take long. You know, I haven’t been up there in a couple of years myself. I sort of lost interest in going there without you.”

When they arrived at Fort Hill, Willow said, “Pull over and stop. I want to get out and enjoy the view.”

Willow stepped out of the pickup before it came to a complete stop.

Fort Hill is the highest point in the National Military Park with the Spiral Observation Tower standing sentry over the Confederate Army Cave.

“I’m so glad to be home. I feel this is right. I’ve thought about this moment for years and now it has arrived. I’m ready to buy that big house or build one right here. And I’m ready to face my demons. I guess all that stuff is still in the cave isn’t it? It is time to settle up no matter what the consequences. I’ve lost enough sleep and worried too much about those foolish things we did so long ago.”

Connor, standing nearby and listening intently, exclaimed: “What? Are you crazy? We can’t open that can of worms. I’m not about to confess to anything to anybody. If word got out, my reputation would be shot and who knows where the judicial system would carry it?”

With the warm updraft wind currents blowing across her face, Willow turned her back to Connor. “I will do this with or without you.”

“Willow this is crazy talk. You have no idea how you would be persecuted in this small community. If Rupert found out, and he will, he would surely lose his will to live. Have you forgotten about his pride and ego?”

“No, Connor, I haven’t. But, the guilt I’ve lived with continues to haunt me. I guess I should have sought professional help and confessed my secrets many years ago. Maybe that would have healed my soul.” 

Chapter 4

Back in the day, the Vicksburg National Military Park was the perfect place for teenagers to gather and cruise through the sixteen miles of paved tour roads, untold miles of hiking trails, and more than 1,300 monuments honoring the Confederate and Union soldiers who fought and died during the siege of Vicksburg in the Civil War.

There were so many places for dating couples to play hide and seek. The three spiral observation towers were situated at strategic locations for Civil War enthusiasts to climb and view the battlefield, but they were even more interesting for romantic interludes.

Many times during those high school years, Connor and Willow slipped away from their friends, taking a blanket to the highest floor so they wouldn’t get cold when the north winds blew.

Immediately below and to the south of one tower were caves dug by Confederate Soldiers for storing food and military supplies. One particular cave extended more than 100 feet deep into the hillside and provided a great place to escape the all-day rains during winter and the sudden, severe thunderstorms during the summer.

Connor and Willow discovered that cave one winter day while slipping away from friends. The entrance was grown over and barely visible. Willow, always the more adventurous one, said, “Let’s go inside.”

Connor was reluctant and apprehensive, but Willow put on her “enticing face” and he couldn’t refuse.

Connor grabbed and tugged at the vines as Willow cautioned, “Don’t completely uncover it. I want this to be our secret spot.”

Connor parted the vines just enough to stick his head in.

“We’re going to need a flashlight or lantern.”

Willow looked in beside him.  She took Connor by the hand. “Aw, c’mon. I can see.”

The south facing entrance to the cave was partially blocked by many years of soil erosion. But, once inside, even six-foot-tall Connor had no trouble standing straight, except for ducking an occasional spider web.

For the next several minutes, the young couple cautiously explored part of the cave that would become a secret and special hideaway, one they would visit many times during their teenage years.