Page 58 of Dreams of Falling

Meghan smiled hopefully. “It’s a beautiful piece of land and a great site for a house if you want to rebuild it. You may or may not be aware that the Library of Congress has drawings, plans, and other records for many old houses in South Carolina and the rest of the country. I know they have an architectural rendering and a landscape survey prepared after 1933 that you might find helpful if you decide to go that route.”

Bennett moved to stand closer to me. “Are there any other options? Besides selling to developers?”

Meghan made a face as if he’d just asked her to saw off her leg with a dull penknife. “That should be your last resort. The National Forest Service might be interested in acquiring the land without the house to protect the area from development. They did that with Tibwin Plantation in McClellanville back in the nineties. Sadly, with all the forest fires out west, the Forest Service is a little strapped for cash right now. And, of course, Tibwin had a house that was preservable, which made it more valuable to the NFS, although between you and me, I think they’d prefer the house to just collapse and go away. It’s an expense and responsibility they’re not really prepared to deal with. So they wouldn’t want the ruins of Carrowmore. They’d just want the land it stands on to protect it from development.” She looked genuinely disappointed. “I’m sorry I don’t have better news.”

We all thanked her and said good-bye, watching her slip out of her boots into cute kitten heels before she got into her Jeep and drove away.

“So, what do we do next?” I asked.

Everyone looked at the house, with its blackened roof and sagging porch, as if it held all the answers. Ceecee said, “We wait for your mother to wake up, and we let her know the options. And then we’ll collectively make a decision on how to move forward.”

I nodded, and then we all said good-bye before piling into our respective vehicles for the ride back into town.

“Well, that’s not exactly what we wanted to hear,” Bennett said.

I liked his use of the word “we,” yet it couldn’t rouse me enough from my despondency to respond.

“I’m guessing the developers already knew all that before they even approached Ceecee. Still, I’m glad we looked into it.”

I managed a nod before turning to look out the window.

“At least we have the information now to present to your mother when she wakes up so we can make an informed decision as to what we should do. Not that we have to do anything, really. We can do nothing, and wait for Carrowmore to collapse. And then hold on to the land forever, rebuild, or sell. Whatever it is, we certainly don’t have to decide today.”

I figured his continued use of “we” had to be on purpose, so I faced him, unable to suppress a smile. “‘We,’ huh?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, well, I kind of feel involved. Our families have been connected for a long time.”

I continued to look at him as his gaze remained fixed on the road.

“And, you know. Us.”

“Us?”

“Yeah. We’ve been friends forever.”

“True,” I said, recalling something from the night he’d walked me home. I sat up. “You said something about finding some newspapers or pictures in your mother’s attic. Something to do with Carrowmore.”

“You’re remembering our conversation from that night?” His cheek creased in a grin.

I crossed my arms but resisted the impulse to jut out my chin. “Not all of it. But I do remember that part.”

He glanced at me, his expression making it clear that he didn’t completely believe me. “It was a few things that belonged to my grandfather. Wasn’t really sure you’d be interested.”

I thought of the broken porch swing at Carrowmore, the sense of loss and disconnect I’d felt. I didn’t want to move forward without questioning the past, which was how, up until now, I’d lived my life. “I’d like to see what’s in those boxes, if that’s all right.”

Keeping his eyes on the road, he said, “Well, that can be negotiated.”

“Negotiated? You already told me I could see them.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t expect you’d take me up on my offer.” His lips quirked upward.

“You want me to pay you?”

“In a manner of speaking. The Shag Festival is coming up on May first. Go with me.”

“But...”

“I know, you might not be here, but if you are, you should go with me. You’re the best shag dancer in Georgetown.”