“No. But it doesn’t matter to me,” said Cassidy. “I’d love to finish what Morgan started. You know, we also have some pretty amazing doctors at our clinic. We could ask them to take a look at Fletcher.”
“That’s very kind of you,” said Knox giving a sad smile to his wife. “Unfortunately, we know that Fletcher only has a few weeks. His internal organs are shutting down and he’s in pain. We can’t see him in pain any longer.”
“Of course,” said Cassidy. “I’ll get started right away. Let me get the canvas and everything I need and I’ll be back here in the morning at nine.”
“That’s perfect,” said Blair. “We have a video call with his doctor’s at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis at eight. I’ll make sure they know downstairs.”
The silence in the car ride back to Belle Fleur was suffocating. Lily could barely hold back the tears, Cassidy seated beside her, holding her hand. When they pulled up to Belle Fleur, they’d hoped to not see Morgan, or at the very least that she was verbal.
She was not.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“I don’t understand it,” said Cassidy. “I would have thought for sure that the portrait of Fletcher somehow triggered her suicide.”
“She doesn’t seem to be changing at all,” said Eric staring at the young ghost. “In fact, she looks even more sad.”
“Do you want us to take a look at the boy?” asked Jane.
“His parents say the doctor’s at St. Louis Children’s Hospital have said his organs are shutting down and he’s suffering. I don’t think there’s anything to do,” said Lily.
“What do we do about her?” asked Joseph.
“I have no clue,” said Eric. “I think we just keep doing what we’re doing, hoping that if we finish the undone work, she’ll be able to move on. Until then, we just keep trying with her.”
After filling everyone in on what was happening with Morgan, Luke asked the tech boys to dig a little further into Morgan. They had missed something. Somewhere in her history, in her past, there was something that they didn’t understand or didn’t identify.
“Maybe we take a step back from this for a day or so,” said Eric.
“That little boy may not have that kind of time,” said Cassidy. “No. No, I’ll head down there tomorrow and get to painting him. I know now why she had a blanket over the bottom half of the body. She didn’t want to show him in a wheelchair.”
“Do his parents want that?” asked Joseph.
“I’m not sure. I’ll ask them tomorrow. If not, I guess I’m starting over,” said Cassidy.
“Honey, why don’t we leave this for now,” said Cade. “Let’s just enjoy a nice family meal together.”
They all nodded, heading inside to enjoy their meal but it didn’t escape them that Morgan, now the lone, solitary ghost was standing outside looking as forlorn and lost as always.
Although they tried to laugh and enjoy the meal, her face was something they couldn’t erase from their minds. There was a heaviness around them that couldn’t be ignored. She was literally transferring her sadness and burden to them.
“I think we get a good nights’ rest and hit this again tomorrow,” said Lily. “I’ll go with you to the Cordel’s. I’m sure Cade will be coming.”
“And me,” said Bull. “I might be retired but I’m not letting you do this alone. Plus, maybe little Fletcher likes music.”
“Oh, Bull,” said Lily hugging her husband. “Thank you. That’s a wonderful idea.”
They headed out the following morning to the Cordel’s apartment. The boy was struggling this morning but they gave the go ahead for Cassidy to begin her painting. They were fine with the blanket idea and she moved quickly to try and finish the portrait.
Bull started to play a soft lullaby in the corner and Fletcher seemed to calm almost immediately. At first, he only hummed, not wanting to disturb Cass or Lily, who was helping her to mix her colors and touching up the edges. Then when Fletcher began responding, he started singing.
Joseph and Cade sat at the door, waiting for orders should they need anything at all.
“They’re both wonderful,” said Blair standing behind them. Cade and Joseph started to stand, but she waved for them to stay seated. “This is the first time I’ve seen him look as though he’s at peace in a long time.”
“Bull is amazing and I’m sure Cassidy and Lily will create a memory for you and your husband,” said Cade.
“Yes. But it will just be a memory, won’t it? Nothing more. Nothing less.”
