“Thanks, yeah.It’s fine.Poor air quality, overexertion, and emotions are my downfall.Not pets.”Henry cracks a smile when Buster jumps onto his feet and begs for his affection.Henry squats down, but loses his balance when Buster pushes into his arms.
“Buster, Henry didn’t consent to that behavior,” I chide, tugging on the leash.
Olly laughs and joins Buster on top of Henry’s chest, making him groan in playful defense.With one hand tickling Olly and the other Buster, Henry regains control, sitting up.“That’ll teach you to try to take me down.”
Red-faced with laughter, Olly manages, “No, please, stop!”
Henry relents.Buster races to my side again, perhaps not wanting me to feel left out.I scoop him into my arms as I stand and straighten my dress.
“You look nice,” Henry says as he rises and helps Olly up.
I didn’t want to wear my usual cutoff jeans and t-shirt, so I opted for an airy summer dress that Ivy picked out for me last week.
“Thank you.Ivy has made it her mission to advance my wardrobe while I’m here,” I explain.
His eyes skip over my bare arms and the exposed tattoos on my chest, and his smile falls behind whatever he’s thinking.
“Let’s go see the garden,” he says, waving me through the hallway.
“Can I hold Buster’s leash?”Olly asks.
I unfasten it from my waist and tie it around his.“Thank you.Buster would like that.”
The museum has transformed significantly since I last visited.Henry stands by as I slowly move through the large room, taking it all in.New, freshly painted display cases line the walls, marked by retro-style lettering painted around them that divides the displays into sections.
Wilmington in Film showcases movie memorabilia from the numerous films and television shows produced in the area.
Claims to Fame features famous people born here.
Coastal Treasures features interesting finds, ranging from megalodon teeth to cannonballs.
True Tales showcases quirky stories, like an elephant named Topsy who escaped the circus and went on a two-day rampage through the city, and pictures of Wilmington’s World’s Largest Christmas Tree.
War Stories feature artifacts and articles from every war since the Revolutionary.
A Weird but True section boasts grainy photos, articles, and alleged proof of local ghosts, aliens, and creature lore, some of which were collected by Jay, an avid paranormalist.Henry has displayed his uncle’s tools of the trade—an electromagnetic field meter, a spirit box, an electronic voice phenomenon recorder, an infrared thermometer, and night vision goggles.
A side room, still under construction, will become an escape room featuring local lore and history, Henry explains.
In the back, the words The Dark & Disturbing surround another entryway.“Some scary movie props, the Fort Fisher Mermaid, and an entire section about the Wilmington Massacre—I didn’t want to cause little ones nightmares.”He points to Olly over his head.
“Henry, it’s exquisite.I could spend hours here, reading all the stories and placards.”
“Thanks, yeah, it’s amazing to see it finally coming together.”He runs a hand through his hair.“We’ve gotten a lot accomplished.It’s been a good distraction.”
My eyes catch his, and he offers a weak smile.
“I’ve felt the same about Buster,” I admit, as he and Olly loop around us and continue chasing each other around the museum.“I’m sorry if my return has… complicated your life.”
“I’m not.I welcome the complication,” he says.
“That appears evident, given the texting.”
“Is texting okay?”
“It’s…” Ivy’s words about being direct keep circling through my mind.“Confusing.The boundaries we established are becoming blurred.”
“I want them blurred.”He nods and stuffs his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans.“Actually, I’d like to renegotiate.I meant what I said about us being friends, especially now that my son won’t stop talking about you.”
