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2021-02-25 01:36:59New York City
With high school nearly at an end, Charlie was glad to be back at home for one final weekend before his end of term exams. Then, he’d have the summer off before he attended Harvard in the fall. Though it had been a difficult decision for him to make, his father assured him that Harvard’s business program was one of the best in the country, and if he wouldn’t be attending his father’s alma mater, then Harvard was the next best thing.
Walter would be attending New York City University, and Charlie was a bit concerned about not having any friends at his new school, though he did know of a few others from his school who would be attending. It wouldn’t be the same not having Walter around, but his mother had recently taken ill, and he wanted to stay close to home. Charlie had also considered NYCU but in the end, he just didn’t feel there were many schools in the same league as Harvard, and NYCU certainly didn’t meet th
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Ghosts of Southampton Ball
SouthamptonMeg pulled up to the large estate in her uncle’s motor coach, which he insisted on driving himself despite her mother’s embarrassment at having Mr. Bitterly sit beside him in the front seat as if the auto was his, and stared at all of the finely dressed people.She had never been to a ball before, but now that she was fifteen, she would be allowed to attend, though there were certain rules she had to follow as she had not yet had her own coming out party. She absently wondered what the point of that might be since she was already promised to someone, but as she took the offered hand of a young man dressed in high-fashioned servant’s clothes and made her way out of the backseat of her uncle’s prized possession, her focus was on the people, the lights, the music, and the dancing.She could hear the musicians from outside. The house was lit so spectacularly, one might think it was daytime. Though the majority of the lighting was
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Scene
Though she didn’t dance herself, Meg quite enjoyed watching the others spin around the room. Alise was asked to dance by her own father, which was a bit of a faux pas in some stricter rule books since she was so young, but Meg found it endearing. She was hopeful that some of these ridiculous rules would begin to change. After all, she should be able to get up and use the ladies’ room without having to wait on an escort. Watching her young friend spin around the dance floor with her loving father was both joyful and melancholy. How she longed to have the opportunity to dance with her own father once more.She watched her own mother dance as well, though she had no idea where her uncle might have gone off to. She assumed he would be getting his fill of the spirits and other alcoholic beverages Mrs. Edgebrook had on offer. There were not too many times in her life when she could actually remember being proud of her mother, but watching her twirl so gracefully around
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Stella
Cambridge“It’s not quite like a ball; it’s more like a dance,” Charlie’s roommate, Quincy, insisted. “There aren’t so many of those ridiculous rules like you’re used to. You have to experience it to believe it.”“Why would anyone allow their daughter to attend a ball without following the formalities we’re all accustomed to?” Charlie asked, still unable to fathom precisely what his friend was describing.“Why not? Are American gentlemen so unruly that we can’t be trusted? Besides, most of the girls will be from Radcliffe, and their parents are far away. Listen, Charlie, just come for a bit, have a drink, and if you don’t want to dance, that’s fine. You’ve just got to liven up a bit, old boy. You live like an old married man, and you’re not even formally engaged yet!”While Charlie had a scathing response ready, he bit his tongue. Perhaps Quin
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Daniel
SouthamptonMeg entered her room and noticed an envelope on the desk, something she hadn’t seen for several months, and was a bit surprised to see that Charlie had finally written her back. The last time he had corresponded he had seemed quite distant. He’d discussed his classes at Harvard and a few of his friends, but the letter was short and not very personal. She wondered if it was in response to the sort of letter she was forced to send him, but she couldn’t imagine what it might have been that had changed his tone.She picked the letter up and was about to open it when she heard footsteps behind her. Setting it back on the table, she found Kelly approaching her bed, the expression on her face quite serious. “What is it?” Meg asked, sitting down next to her.“I have something important to tell you, and I’m not quite sure how you’re going to react,” the redhead said with a heavy sigh.Meg was quite
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Announcement
Turning away, Meg took a deep breath. Clarity began to sink in, and she couldn’t help but hope that her mother was out for the day or else she’d likely be upstairs giving them both the what for. She knew she needed to be happy for Kelly, but it was so difficult when it seemed that Kelly was realizing everything Meg had always wanted for herself. She’d fallen in love with a good man—one she’d chosen for herself, and even though he was a simple carpenter, he was a hard worker who loved her back and wanted to do whatever she needed to be happy. Now, she was talking of going to America, and even though that had always been Meg’s dream, she hadn’t bothered to tell Kelly that she hoped one day they would both go off to America together, to start again, as sisters, to find love and happiness together. Now, here she was, all alone again, wondering if she had the strength or courage to defy her parents and run away to America on her own.It cr
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Arrangement
Meg’s mother was nowhere to be found, but when she walked into the kitchen, she found Kelly there scrubbing a pot, and she couldn’t tell if the beads of liquid running down her face were tears or perspiration. She instantly felt awful for how she’d treated her friend.Noticing her entering the room, Kelly shouted over her shoulder, “Don’t worry. As soon as I finish this pot, I’m off to find a stocking.”Leaning on the counter next to her, Meg said, “I’m sorry, Kelly.” She ignored her, still concentrating on the pot, scrubbing so viciously, Meg thought she might tear a fingertip off. “I only said those things because… because I was afraid of losing you. That’s all.”“I already told you that will never happen,” Kelly replied, setting the pot back into the sink and turning to face her.“I know, but you can imagine, from my perspective, how worrisome that mi
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Angry
CambridgeThough it was still rather hot outside for a late September day, Charlie didn’t mind the temperature so much as long as they sat in the shade. Visiting the park in the spring or late fall was always more appealing—even the winter was generally better than the summer—but this was the best place for him to meet Stella without anyone of consequence taking note, so he waited on their park bench for her now, his thoughts darting back between the conversation he’d recently had with his father and the letter he’d sent to Mary Margaret a few weeks ago.The last year and a half had been a whirlwind ever since Quincy introduced him to a new sort of social life he’d never experienced before. While part of him wanted to blame Quincy for being a bad influence, Charlie knew that his friend had only been the catalyst. A young man with money, influence, a new set of wheels, and eventually, alcohol, along with a few girls with coy smiles, a
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Chased
SouthamptonMeg had never liked playing the piano, though she reputedly did it well. Now that her coming out party was over, and no suitors had begun showing up because they felt it was a waste of time, she decided practicing piano could possibly keep her mind off of what was—or was not—happening. After all, the purpose of coming out was telling the world she had learned everything she’d ever need to know. So why keep up the pretenses of studying with a governess who wasn’t any more qualified to give instruction than Meg herself?Her mother had agreed and sent Ms. Cunningham off just a week after Meg’s ball. The event had been a lovely affair, though crowded. Her house wasn’t made to hold so many people, and even though the crowd wasn’t what it might have been if her uncle hadn’t soiled their reputation, there were still nearly a hundred people present.Meg honestly didn’t care, though. None of it mattered, a
Last Updated : 2021-02-25
Latest chapter
Ghosts of Southampton Love
She’d been in Charlie’s bedroom a few times before, but this time was certainly different. Butterflies fluttered around her stomach, some of the nervous variety, but most of them fueled by excitement.They were sitting on the edge of his bed, the door closed and locked, the drapes pulled tightly. She knew that there were a few servants elsewhere in the house, but they would leave the couple undisturbed at least until mid-morning. Glancing up at him, she could see that he felt much the same way that she did.“It turned out quite well, don’t you think?” Charlie asked, clearly meaning the wedding.“Yes,” Meg nodded.“Even though a few guests certainly had too much to drink.”She giggled, thinking of one older gentleman who had made quite a spectacle of himself trying to climb atop one of the tables to dance. He had been escorted out, but Meg was thankful for the diversion. For once, everyone wasn&r
Ghosts of Southampton Married
Ruth looked adorable in her pink dress, which hung to the floor, nearly tripping her as she danced around her parents. Kelly had stood beside Meg, along with Grace, and Charlie had been proud to have both Walter—who turned out to be every bit as silly as Charlie had described—and Quincy on his side.Now, it was all over, except for the reception. Then, Meg would return to Charlie’s house—the house they would share together—and embark on a new adventure, that of being Mrs. Charles Ashton.“Meg Ashton,” she said aloud, once the last of the well-wishers had moved along. “What do you think?”Charlie was already grinning from ear to ear, but his face brightened even more. “I think it sounds remarkable.”“That’s my name now, you know? Meg Ashton.”“What about Mary Margaret Ashton?” he asked, leaning close to her ear.“Heaven’s no. That&rsquo
Ghosts of Southampton Progress
Sitting next to Meg alone in the overly opulent dining room, Charlie couldn’t help but smile. Even though the voices still clung to him, he had a feeling Dr. Morgan could actually help. For the first time since he’d arrived back in New York City, he felt hopeful that he could return to his former self.“You look awfully chipper this evening,” Meg said, as she took a sip of her soup. “I suppose that means Dr. Morgan was helpful?”“It does,” Charlie admitted, noting how lovely she looked in the light blue gown she wore. It made her eyes sparkle. “He really does know precisely what to ask and how to ask it.”“Are you studying him as much as he’s studying you?” she asked, amusement pulling at the corners of her exquisite lips.He looked at her for a moment, his head tipped to the side a bit, seeing if she would break into a giggle. She did. “And what if I am?”&ld
Ghosts of Southampton Help
Dr. Morgan’s office was on the third floor of a five story building, nestled between two similar looking offices, and Charlie attempted to be discreet as he slipped inside for the first time. He knew that the field of psychiatry was growing in acceptance, yet he didn’t necessarily want to make an announcement to the world that he needed help. However, the accompanying chorus of voices that stepped off of the elevator with him was a reminder that he hadn’t been capable of getting better on his own.The receptionist was an older woman with a nice smile. She asked Charlie to wait one moment while she informed Dr. Morgan that he was there, and though there were a few leather bound chairs to choose from, Charlie chose to stand instead. He peeked beneath the curtains at the few autos and pedestrians traveling about below and wondered if any of those people belonged in here as much as he did.“Mr. Ashton!” Dr. Morgan said, his quiet voice still s
Ghosts of Southampton Gown
Meg sat on a plush sofa in Maurice’s shop near Columbus Circle. From here, she could see the people outside bustling by on a warm June day, and she wondered where they were going and if any of them would mind if she went along. She’d rather be just about anywhere else.“I like the taffeta,” Grace was saying, “though with that tulle underneath, it seems a bit too… poofy, don’t you think?”It wasn’t Meg she was speaking to, so she remained silent, watching a plump, older woman proceed down the sidewalk with a little boy who she believed might be the woman’s grandson. He seemed reluctant to walk, and Meg imagined they must have had a disagreement. Perhaps he wanted a snack from one of the many street vendors, and Grandmother had said no….“Meg? Are you listening?”She turned her head to see Pamela addressing her. “I’m sorry—were you speaking to me?”
Ghosts of Southampton Analysis
“The brain is still quite a mystery,” Dr. Morgan was saying as he sat across from Charlie in a plush velvet chair, Dr. Shaw seated nearby. Circles of smoke lingered around them from the cigars of several dozen gentlemen seated in similar groupings, discussing business and other inconsequentialities. Jonathan and Edward were sitting across the room, and Charlie glanced in his friend’s direction every once in a while, noting that he seemed unusually amused about something.“I’ve been reading Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis,” Charlie said with a nod. “Do you think there’s any truth to his findings? Particularly regarding the unconscious mind?”Dr. Morgan nodded. “I can’t say that I completely agree with all that Freud has to say, but I do with his theory that the unconscious mind plays a larger role in our actions than we previously understood.”“Do you believe memories can be tr
Ghosts of Southampton Encounter
The First Class dining experience aboard the passenger liner they’d booked the next day to take them home was nothing compared to Titanic, and the ship was much smaller, which made the rocking more obvious, but as Meg sat next to Charlie at dinner, she was just happy to have him with her. She had been right in thinking he’d be more at ease on the way home.They’d insisted on having Jonathan and Carrie accompany them, and no one had objected. Dr. Shaw belonged there with them as much as anyone else, but Meg enjoyed watching Carrie’s face as others served her for a change, and Meg thought she looked lovely in one of her gowns.They’d spoken at great length about all that had transpired, and yet, from time to time, someone would still muse aloud, bringing the most astounding topics back to the conversation. Meg hadn’t allowed herself to shed a single tear for either Bertram or her mother, and she was hopeful that Ezra would get
Ghosts of Southampton Over
Mildred only raised her eyebrows at Charlie but didn’t say a word about his blunt statement of what Meg certainly saw as the truth. “I shall go upstairs and fetch Bertram for you,” Mildred said, glancing at the detective before she turned to ascend the stairs. “It will give me the opportunity to say goodbye to him privately.”Meg was certain that last comment was a jab at her, her mother implying what Meg had always known was true, that the relationship between her mother and uncle was more than either of them were ever willing to admit to, but Meg ignored it. The emotions running through her mind were too much, even for her carefully guarded compartments, and she felt like she might begin to crumble at any moment.“Miss Westmoreland, we are prepared to take your statement whenever you are ready,” the detective said quietly, a weak smile pulling at one corner of his mouth out of politeness.“Give her a few moments,
Ghosts of Southampton Considerations
They began to make their way through the kitchen, and Meg noticed Tessa had moved on to some sort of baking. She offered a smile but said nothing as they passed through. Meg made a mental note to make sure that Tessa received enough money that she wouldn’t have to work anymore. It was the least she could do for the woman who’d served her mother and put up with her uncle for so long.Mildred was standing in the foyer speaking to an officer Meg didn’t recognize. The other officers Det. Weber had mentioned must have arrived, because several men in uniforms stood both inside the entryway and on the porch. Officer Brown was speaking to the ones on the porch, and Meg decided to wait for him to notice her rather than announce her presence and be forced to get on with her report of what happened with her uncle any sooner than necessary.“Mary Margaret,” Mildred said, turning to face her daughter. “You’ve returned. Did you get everythin
