Dear Diary,

April 1

2pm

Dear Diary,

I came back up to my room after class, I thought I was going to just attach a few entries from my moms diary… and that is my plan, but I found something else… something that I just… I can’t…. just read it for yourself…

I think I’m going to call Cliff, maybe he can take me to the store so I can buy these candles, and April 3^rd is two days away, not even. I know this is crazy but, I believe my mother and everything that she wrote. Time to call Cliff; if I find out anything else I’ll be sure to post.

*Madison Rhodes*

Dear Diary,

April 1 (I already glued James morning coffee to the table, good old April Fools day)

7am

Dear Diary,

It’s been a few days since I have written anything down. Things have been very hectic, I had a couple of tests in home schooling, and my year will end quicker then regular High School. I studied my butt off for at least a day. Mr. Burke is now in the study grading my exams, they are preparations for my finals, another thing I need to study for. I get my grades today for the testing I just took; and I’ll admit I am a little nervous.

There is so much that has happened; I cannot wait to write it all down. First I’ll start with my “date” with Cliff, which started out a little strange.

The other day while I was studying Cliff had been sitting by my side in the dinning room reading through the books I had taken out of the library. He patiently waited for me to finish so that he could take me on our “date”. Once the words started blurring together I knew it had been time to stop.

We drove to his house; it wasn’t too far from mine just across town. The property was surrounded by a red brick wall, and a big black metal gate stood tall in the center. He also had to buzz in to get into the property.

We slowly crept up the long recently paved driveway. I looked around me, the property ran for miles. The grass was in perfect condition for it just having been winter, and all of the trees had just bloomed with new buds. The prettiest trees were the random pink and white colored ones scattered throughout the lawn. We pulled up to a circular part of the driveway with a fountain in the middle. About three steps lead up to a huge brick mansion. Windows covered the length of the front, as well as a huge one directly above the door.

Standing on the steps in front of a giant arched wooden door was an older gentleman. He informed me as we came to a stop that it was his father. His father is a very tall man with locks of brown hair on his head and a receding hairline on top of that. He stood with his hands behind him. I was about to open the door when I noticed it pulling open. I turned my attention to Cliff who must have raced around the car to open the door. I knew I was blushing, but I couldn’t help it.

He put his arm against my lower back and led me up to the stairs. His father acknowledged me with a nod.

He stuck out his hand and shook mine, and told me it was a pleasure. We had to go inside for a few minutes, and I was just blown away. The main room had tall ceilings a humungous chandelier and a sun roof high above. The floors below me were green and white marble that shone in the sunlight.   

This is when the strange part comes to play; I was standing there admiring the tall ceilings and gorgeous art work along the walls, when I heard the sound of a tiny motor. I looked towards one of the entry ways and an old man in a black motorized wheel chair was headed for us. He seemed like a disgruntled old man. His lips were pursed; he had lines on his forehead from squinting, and was mumbling to himself in a low angry tone as he stopped in front of us. (Things kind of went like this…)

Cliff: Grandpa

Grandpa: *huff*

Cliff: This is my friend Madison

Grandpa: *looks up at me and his eyes go wide* huzza … wazza… she … humma …. A …. Wa wa wa …. Wi … wit…. Witc…… witch.. she … pow … pow… stole… stole …

(his voice increased with every  humma wa) *This is what it sounded like he was saying*

Cliffs Dad: Dad, Dad calm down. *turns to me* I apologize Madison, he’s a little senile at his old age.

Me: Oh, it’s okay.

Cliffs Dad: Cliff, why don’t you bring her out to the car I’ll be out in a minute *he grabbed the wheel chair and pushed him out of the room, he finally was able to get the words out and the entire way to the door I could hear him scream witch, and magic stealer.

When Cliff led me back to the car he explained that his grandfather had lost it years ago. I just nodded, but deep down that day I wondered if the old man knew more then I did, or if he was just senile like Cliff’s dad had said. Everything after that went pretty smooth. Cliff’s dad came out ten minutes later and hopped in the backseat. We drove for at least a half an hour until we reached a small airport. I kept asking Cliff what he had planned for us but he would not spill his guts.

We parked close to a couple of small planes with covers over them. Cliff helped me out of the car and led me over to them, his father not far behind. He brought me over to a small white plane under a tan tarp. He and his father uncovered the plane and his dad hopped in. He refused to answer where we were going, but first asked me if I had a fear of planes. Luckily I was okay about it.

We both sat in the seats behind his father, and after a good while of him doing what he needed, we were headed down to the runway. I had been in a few big planes but never small ones, the take off was a little rough but once up in the air I had stopped squeezing Cliffs arm so hard. He pointed below as we past certain land marks, both of our homes and then in the clearing was a view of New York City.

We landed in a small airport on Long Island. Once we had landed there was a black town car waiting for us. Cliff’s dad stayed behind and told us he’d meet us back here a few hours from now.

The car took us to several places on Long Island; first we hit a horse stable where he taught me to ride a little. I had never been on a horse and it had been an amazing experience. Then he took me “Out East” as he had called it. We visited a town called Greenport; it had tons of small shops and amazing restaurants, including a merry-go-round. Which of course I made him take me on.  We had ice cream and ate dinner together too. Afterwards he took me to one of the beaches, it was a little too cold, but it didn’t bother me. We collected shells and walked around barefoot on the sand for at least an hour before the sun set. It was beautiful. We sat down in the sand, there was no space between us, and I could feel the warmth of his body through his jacket.

The sun was amazing it had this weird glow to it, orange with a little purple dancing off the clouds. It was the perfect end to an amazing day.

This really is me trying to remember the whole day, but I know I left a few details somewhere along the line, so sue me it was a long day and I am honestly still in shock because of what happened next.

We got back around eight o’clock. Before dropping me off he took his father home, I thanked him for flying us out to Long Island for the day. He seemed like a nice man. I could not stop babbling in the car ride home about the day, I kept going through the shells we had collected, and was happy with the new black beret hat he had bought me at a shop in Greenport.

We pulled into my driveway and Cliff shut the engine off. Once again he went around and opened up the car door. I stepped out and he shut the door behind me. Once at the door we both stopped, he took both of my hands in his. They were warm.

Cliff: Thanks for coming out with me today

Me: No, thank you for inviting me, for the dinner and for this cute new hat

Cliff *he laughed* yeah it’s definitely cute on you *he pushed my loose hair behind my ears* (EEP)

Me: Well I should get inside, I want to get up early see if I can do more garden research, I am going to get to the bottom of this whole thing, I just have to. *I went to turn and he grabbed my shoulders*

Cliff: I am going to do something really stupid right now, please feel free to slap me *Stupid was right, but what did I care, I’m a 15 year old girl and deserve some sort of boy to EEP about)

THE KISS!! The kiss was AMAZING!!!!

Crap! I have to write the rest later, about how I got the book open… I have to get to class now… and then I am going to the garden to try it out… I promise I will write later, it’s CRAZY!!  And in regards to what Cliff’s grandpa said maybe it’s not far from the truth after all …

*Madison Rhodes*

Dear Diary,

March 29^th

6pm

Dear Diary,

The articles that Cliff had given to me were incomplete, and according to him this was all there was ..
(AN: Click on the pictures if you cant read them fully)

 After that date there had been no more, I guess my father had won. On the topic of my father, he had a lot of things… 

Before I get to what I have learned in what turned out to definitely be mom’s diary I need to blab on about my father’s stupidity.  He ended up actually showing up today, he wanted to show off his new girlfriend… and by the girl part I could literally mean that. My father is thirty-six years old; he brought home a twenty-one-year old college girl. SHE’S AN INTERN FOR CHRIST SAKES!!!! Good old dad sleeps with an intern from the law firm. Makes me miss the days when mom was still here, he was different. He had this love in his eyes for my mom and her only. Then he’d pick me up and I’d get a piggy back ride almost everywhere. I know I am too big now for that, I just wish I had my dad back.

Oh, and get this her name… her name is Clarissa who on earth names their daughter Clarissa? This girl was your typical- “sleep your way to the top”, type. With her flowing blonde hair, perfect size double-zero waste, dressed in a sexy secretary way, while flaunting her double d’s to the entire world.

I had my father alone for all of thirty-seconds, I questioned him about the articles by shoving them clear in his face. We stood at the kitchen counter; he was quiet for a few seconds. Then asked me where I had gotten them, I told him, and he yelled at me for the remaining twenty-seconds and then stormed out.  I had to watch him leave through the dinning room window.

The pages of this book are going to be soo crinkled; I can’t tell you how many times I have cried into this diary. I could pinpoint every tear stained page.

Before Cliff stopped by and right after my classes with Mr. Burke I turned to mom for advice. I locked my door and sat on my windowsill. The diary felt alive too, and opened easily with my touch. The pages were a yellow color, and the first page was initialed with calligraphy of my mom’s name. Then the stories began ...

This is all I could read before Cliff came, I plan on reading more before bed. I will definitely write down anything else I come across. Now it’s time for dinner, I’ll have some more answers later. I think I might be actually getting somewhere with this whole garden fiasco. I am keeping everything crossed, wish me luck.

*Madison Rhodes*

Oh and P.S. Cliff has invited me out tomorrow, I guess it could be considered a date, but he thinks it will help me clear my mind. I am really excited!!

Dear Diary

March 28
3am
Dear Diary,


You know how kids try to hide being awake late at night? They crawl under the covers with a flashlight and stay up doing the things they love. In my case that would be writing in this diary. Through my white sheets I could still see the bright lightning outside my window. Besides hiding under the covers to do things I love, I also hid under them when I got scared, I still do. The rain plopped heavily onto the roof and the thunder was loud enough to set off James’ car three times.

Tonight not only did the loud roaring thunder wake me, but another nightmare rocked me right out of my bed. I even have the bruise on my elbow to prove it.

The dream started off so great, I dreamt that Cliff and I had lunch in the garden, a romantic picnic. Everything was going great, when out of nowhere the sky turned black. Thunder rumbled as loud as it was in the real world right now. The garden being in full bloom as it had been in prior dreams suddenly turned dead, and the same figure that once destroyed the beauty in the garden appeared again. Cliff had disappeared and it was just me and the dark cloaked man. This time I was brave, the “me” in my dream closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. While doing this I steadily raised my hands into the air.

“I call upon all the beauty that is in the rose, I beg of you to help me fight this battle, help me save the powers that were always ours, and help me save the garden.”

The man was snickering, and I could hear him summoning his own power.

“All the dark forces, of the black rose I call upon thee…”

I could feel the wind whipping my hair in all directions, I wasn’t sure who was making this hurricane but I was pretty sure it was an evil doing. I was suddenly thrown against the monument and the rose in the pot teetered over. I watched myself get up and slide towards the falling flower on my stomach. I was too late the pot broke into millions of pieces and I could feel something pulling out of me. The pain was unbearable. I watched as sparks of light came rushing out of the flower and jumped into the body of the cloaked man.

Then I woke up, after landing on my floor. These dreams have been feeling more real every time I have them. The scary thing is I really am starting to believe there is some kind of supernatural things going on here. I know I am crazy for thinking so, these kinds of things don’t happen in the real world, only in fiction and in movies. But I really feel it.

On a brighter note I found something today in the garden. I decided to go a little further and came across a gigantic pond along side the wall in the very back. In the middle was a large rock with a purple rose painted on it. The pond wasn’t too deep so I took off my shoes and rolled up my jeans. I padded through the shallow muddy water and made my way to the rock. I once again felt that warm alive feeling when I placed my hand over the flower. The stone cracked beneath my hands just as the monument stone had done. I lifted my hand and a hole had formed. I stuck my hand inside and once again another book slipped out. Another leather bound book, this one looked a lot newer then the other one I’d found. On the front cover there were initials engraved into the book.
M.A.G. I knew exactly what it stood for the second I laid my eyes on it, May Anne Gavin... my mother.

The book ended up being her diary; she started it about a month before her sixteenth birthday. Skimming through I noted her writing about dreams, and feelings. The moment I opened the diary I knew that all the answers I wanted lay right here in my hands. So since I can’t sleep I am going to read what I can, there has to be something helpful.

*Madison Rhodes*

Another note: Cliff is coming tomorrow to help me read through the other articles, I couldn’t bring myself to reading them on my own

Dear Diary,

March 27

9am

Dear Diary

I remember one of mom’s sayings, the whole washing all your troubles away theory. Well my mother meant literally, I remember her telling me that if you want to wash it away you need to take a long hot shower. She claimed it helped her literally “Wash all her troubles away”, so that’s what I did.

It’s Sunday, still the weekend so I am free from school work. Although Mr. Burke had assigned me a paper on the civil war, due Tuesday, I just couldn’t concentrate. When I got home last night after my exciting entry I sat down to read the articles that Cliff had kindly copied for me. I had a hard time getting through the first, and had to put the others away for another day. 

(AN:Click on picture to get bigger image) 

Everything that I read made me feel even worse, like I really had no idea what kind of a background I had come from. I had so many questions like, was my dad hiding these things from me too? Or was he left in the dark. I had a feeling he knew about this incident, but like the terrible father he was, he never told me the truth.

At two o’clock this morning I received a text from Cliff, he was writing to tell me that he had an amazing time, and wondered how I felt. I then text him back asking if I could call him. It helped it really did, getting it all out. Although I cried through our entire conversation, he never once stopped listening, and he didn’t hang up. He promised to call today, and maybe even stop by to check on me. That’s more then anyone had done for me in such a long time. He also said he’d help me read through the articles.

I don’t really know how to react right now; my dad isn’t answering his phone, what else is new. I am pissed that he lied; even lying to protect me was not the right way to do this. I think I need to go clear my head for a while, once I get my thoughts worked out, I will write them all down.

So for now, I will put this journal away until I can sort through things.

*Madison Rhodes*

Oh yeah… still no idea how to open the damn book!

Dear Diary

March 27

9am

Dear Diary,

I need to squeal like a teenage girl, for-oh let’s just say practically this whole entry. Yesterday after the garden I had an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G day.

Let me start from the beginning…

So I left the garden, and actually got the key out, which by the way, I definitely need to find information on why that is. James didn’t question taking me to the library, although he did bring up that my father had returned from his trip. I really wasn’t in the mood to talk to him, especially after he left on business without even telling me, and also the fact that I haven’t seen him in two months. So anyway, James drove me and I must say I was nervous the whole ride, I wondered what Cliff would say about what happened the last time when I ran out on him.

We had to take the back roads to get to town, a spring festival had been going on and there was no other way to the library. When I say back roads, in a town like this I mean a dirt path with barely any room for one car to fit. James dropped me off around the corner since there had been so many cars parked along the road. He said he was going to go back to the house and to call him when I was ready.

I was so nervous; my hands were shaking by the time I reached the door. I nearly jumped out of my shoes, the second I reached for the door Cliff had come barreling through. He looked flustered.  In his hand he held the papers that he made for me. He handed them to me and explained that Mrs. Rush had scolded him for making copies of the book it came out of. He told me that the whole town believed in the witchcraft that came from the Gavin residents, including Mrs. Rush. Cliff also found out that her x-husband had been the mail carrier. He had lived here his whole life, but was young when the incident happened. It had dawned on him after reading the article, who the carrier was. It’s also probably why Mrs. Rush got upset with him for copying information regarding the house.

I was about to read a little bit of the article, but he placed his hand on my wrist and brought my arm down. I can remember his green eyes the way they locked with mine. I could feel my heart flutter, and my stomach fill with butterflies. When he lifted his hand from my wrist I could feel a tingle radiate through my arm, almost like his hand was still there. He invited me to the festival going on up the block in the center of town. He explained that every spring the town has a festival to celebrate “New beginnings”, because spring is like the beginning of something new. A fresh start when plants and animals all come to life again.

We walked side by side down the street to the festival. He had so much to talk about, from the festival to a couple of other books he had found some interesting facts in. They were mainly all about the Gavin Estates; he promised he’d help me. I had no idea why he was being so nice, but I really didn’t care because it was making me happy. I hadn’t been truly happy since I lost my mother, I thought I had my father but apparently he could care less.

The town was crowded, I had no clue the town was so populated. Set up on the sides of the streets were vendors, they sold arts and crafts, flowers, gardening supplies, some vendors had books, and others had food. Down the far end of the street near the grocery mart were various carnival games, it kept all the kids and teens happy. A sign on the American legion across the street said: Casino located in rear.

Cliff took me over to the games. I wanted to race him in one of those games where you squirt water into a tiny hole and a stuffed animal moves across a giant bored, and whoever gets to the end first wins. The bell sounded and we were both in the lead. I was concentrating really hard on beating him when I felt a spray of cold water hit me. I screamed and looked over at him. He was laughing so hard. I couldn’t help it; I laughed back and tried to get him.

The result of that game was soaking wet shirts and an angry person running the booth. We laughed the whole way to the next table, where he promised to win me something. The next game, was one of those, get the ball in the fish bowl games. He claimed he had played basketball all of his life and was amazing at this game. It turns out he really was because right now I am sitting here on my bed staring at Goldie Locks swimming around and around. 

Our night was cut a little short; both of us were standing at Murphy Farms booth eating a container of strawberries when a bolt of lightning lit up the sky. He guided me towards where he said he parked, before we could get to his car the sky opened up. Rain started pouring down in chunks. Cliff tore off his light spring jacket and held it over my head as we rain through the newly formed puddles. My jeans were soaked and so were my converses. I could say that I actually cared, but really I didn’t this wasn’t ruining my night, not one bit.

I haven’t even gotten to the best part; he offered to drive me home too. I called James in advance to let him know, and he was okay with it. Thank god, the past few months he had been more of a father to me then my own. He has yelled at me a few times, kept me in check and he also has been there for me. Anyway-off of James, the ride home… we talked the entire way to my house. James buzzed the gate and let us through. He pulled up in front of the circular drive-way. I laughed when he made a comment about the random statue of a guy in the middle.

So, he gets out of the car and walks around to open my door. He threw the jacket over my head again, and then guided me up the concrete steps towards the gigantic archway and porch. Once on the porch he pulled the jacket down and I came face to face with his smile.

Here’s our conversation:

Cliff: I had a really fun time, we should do this again.

Me: *shocked* Yes, yes of course I would love to; I have no one here to be a teenager with. I live with a forty year old maid, and ancient butler, my twenty-something year old tutor and some maintenance workers. It would be nice to hang out with someone close to my age. (Yeah I had a little word vomit, I know)

Cliff: Great, maybe I could help you with some research too, maybe not at the library after what happened today, but maybe for lunch or something…

Me: You could come over here too, that would be cool.

*Hesitation*

Cliff: So I will call you then. *More hesitation*

Me: Yes please *Slap hand to mouth* I mean, yes I’d like that.

Wow! Just wow! It was such a perfect day.

*Madison Rhodes*

Mission for today: Figure out how to open the book I found, and read the papers Cliff copied.

Oh-and squeal like a little girl!!!! :) :) :)

Dear Diary ..

1pm

Wow! This place is so big; I really don’t think I can conquer it all in one day. I have been walking around aimlessly; there is so much to see here. Right now the flowers are all in their early spring mode, they haven’t started their full bloom yet. Some trees have small buds nestled on the edge of their branches, and others are still bare. I felt a relief to know that when I walked through the gates the garden didn’t magically come to life. I did however; feel a strong energy once inside, it radiated much stronger than when I had stood on the other side of the wall.

I sit now in what I believe is the center of it all. A long path led me here underneath a metal archway consumed with brown vines waiting to come alive.

It took me about five-minutes to finally get the courage to open the gate. My hands trembled as I placed them over the necklace. While still shaking I took the key out of the necklace, then reached for the Iron Gate searching for the key hole. This time it wasn’t hard to find a way in, I guess the key helped guide me.

I hesitated at first, but then slowly put the key in, and the gate opened without me pushing on it. I tried to get the key out, but it was holding it tight inside the keyhole. Maybe I had to wait until I left to remove the key. I guess I’d find out later.

The path I walked on under the archway was made of random stones; they sparkled every time a ray of sunlight hit the surface. Somewhere deep inside I had felt comforted by this, and the garden had given me a welcoming feeling.

At the end of the archway, which is where I am now, there is a round stone monument with a huge rose sitting in a flower pot on top; just like my dream. I am sitting on the edge of the monument, normally stone feels cold, but this had life in it like everything else in this place.

… Something strange just happened, while keeping my hand steady on the stone I felt a small crack against the side. I hopped off the side and kneeled down to check it out. The crack ran in a square, which was very unusual for a crack. It almost had looked like the outline of a brick, the stone was actually slightly different, the gray was darker then the rest. I rested my hand against the square; this is when things get weird. I could feel the stone moving to the right from underneath my hand. It made a hole the size of two bricks. I didn’t hesitate to reach my hand inside, my hand rested upon a leather object. It felt like a book. I grabbed the object and pulled it out, I guessed right; it was a beat up old black book with a leather cover and a black strap across it to keep it shut. There was no title on the book, and when I tried to open it, it wouldn’t budge.

… Wow, I am just experiencing all kinds of weird things today, that was just Cliff on the phone. He claims he got my cell from the library directory. The first day I was there, I had to sign up for a library card in case I needed to take out anything, so I guess he wasn’t lying. He said he had found a couple of books about the town’s history, and that this house had a whole chapter on its own. He made copies and was holding them for me at the front desk. My heart is pounding with joy, I think I’ll end my garden session for the day, now I have two things to do, read the history, and try to open this darn book.