Ghosted" Hayward Manor (Part II)

Ghosted" Hayward Manor (Part II)
“Are you sure this is the way, Robert? The houses around here are pretty fancy. I heard there’s even a mansion here.”

“Yup, I’m sure,” Robert said as he looked out the window of the cab, his thoughts miles away. “And you’re talking about the Hayward Manor. It belonged to the people who built this town.”

“Yeah, that’s the one,” she said. “There’s like all these legends about it, though with everything I’ve learned in the last few hours I’m not so sure of what’s real and what isn’t.” She shrugged. “Anyway, if you live around here, then you must have done really well for yourself.”

“You have no idea,” he murmured. “I’m starting to think this was a bad idea.”

“Robert, why do I have the feeling that there’s something you aren’t telling me?”

He turned and faced her, grabbing her hands. “Molly I–”

“Hayward Manor up ahead sir,” the cabbie said, interrupting their conversation. Molly’s body went rigid as the large mansion’s black iron gates came into view. “It really is a beautiful place, which is surprising considering that no one has lived in it for a while. Apparently, though, the staff remains and are required to keep the place in tip-top shape.” So deep in his ramble, the cabbie didn’t notice that Robert and Molly remained silent as church mice in the back. Arriving at the gates, the cabbie rolled down his window and inspected the code box. “Sorry, guys, but it looks like there won’t be any tour today.” Robert exited the cab, walked up to the box and pressed a few numbers. The groan of the enormous gates caused the cabbie to jump in his seat as Robert returned. “How the hell did you know the code?”

“Lucky guess.”

“Guess my ass.” He squinted. “You know, I didn’t see it before, but you look just like the guy who used to live here. You know him?”

Robert shook his head. “No, but you’re not the first who told me that. I guess I just have one of those faces.” He leaned forward. “You think we could continue though? We have a tight schedule.”

A chill went up the cabbie’s spine, leaving him eager to have the two people out of his cab. “Of course,” he said, and sped up the winding road to the mansion. “We’re here.”

Robert gave him a genuine smile. “Thanks a lot,” he said, checking the meter to see how much he owed. Reaching into his wallet, he pulled out a crisp hundred-dollar bill and handed it to the cabbie. “Here you are. Keep the change.” 

“T-that’s an eighty-dollar tip…”

Saying nothing, Robert smiled again, and he and Molly exited the cab. As they watched it depart, he reached out for her hand, and she jerked it away. He exhaled. “I know you have questions, but please let me explain.”

“Explain? Who the hell are you?” she said, shaking.

“I’m still me, Molly. Please just let me explain.” She didn’t want to hear it, but for the sake of their baby she needed to know. “You’d better tell me everything.”

“I will. Let’s go inside, and we can talk more.” Walking up the large stone steps, Molly’s legs threatened to give from under her. The mansion was massive, and the cabbie was right; it was immaculate. She could tell from its brick and columns that it was generations old, but by its flawless design she could also tell that it had been renovated to suit current times. As they entered, Robert called out. “Estelle, are you here?”

A portly woman with her auburn hair pulled tightly in a bun appeared. She smoothed her white apron. “Three weeks. Right on time, Mr. Hayward.”  

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me!” Molly shouted. “You’re a Hayward?!”

“The last,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well…until now.”

“Until now?” Estelle asked, interrupting the two. 

“Until now,” Robert repeated as his eyes traveled to Molly’s stomach.

Estelle dropped the ring of keys she’d forgotten she’d been holding. With her mouth running a mile a minute, she spoke in a language that Molly could understand. She grabbed her chest. “This is incredible. You’re carrying a Hayward?” She shook her head. “I apologize; that was completely rude of me. I’m Estelle. I am the supervisor of staff for the manor. Mr. Hayward was gracious enough to allow me to stay after his passing.”

“You’re the best at what you do,” Robert said. “And you crack a whip like nobody’s business.”

“Oh, you…” Estelle said, pinching his side. “Now, are you going to continue to be rude, or will you finally introduce me to this beauty over here?”

Molly’s face flushed though she didn’t want it to. Estelle reminded her so much of her grandmother. Warmth radiated from her in a way that she hadn’t felt in a long time. “Thank you for the compliment,” she said.

Robert placed his hand on the small of her back. “Estelle, this is Molly. She’s my…uh..well–”