The Crossroads

“Not another word!”

“But, Momma…”

“You’ll get us both fired!”

Early that same Monday, Sharon was down at the Spratling Manor carriage house visiting her mother and son.

“I swear I saw her, Momma. Last week. The woman in white. The one folks talk about…right in the crossroads!”

“Do you want Miss Spratling to think you’ve gone mad?”

“I know what I saw, Momma.”

The baby began to wail and kick.

“Now look what you’ve done. You woke up Aidan.”

“I’m sorry, Momma.”

“Sharon, you listen to me, girl: You are not to say another word about this. Not to anyone!”

“Yes, Momma.”

An old intercom box mounted on the wall buzzed. Sharon’s mother depressed the talk-back button.

“Yes, Miss Spratling?”

“Send Sharon up to the main house immediately!”

“Yes, Miss Spratling.”

Sharon’s mother took her finger off the button. “Hurry! Go!”

Sharon kissed Aidan goodbye and raced out the carriage house door.

It was another Monday.

Time to visit the roadside memorial.