Free Conjuring Sight (Becky Jo Chronicles Book 1) by Teresa Rae

said:
    ‘My great nephew, Colonel Blair, was a good and decent man who is sorely missed. However, justice was not served the night Gabriel and Simple Henry were lynched for his murder. Neither Gabe nor Henry had anything to gain from James’s murder but, rather, everything to lose. Gabe was James’s most trusted servant.  He fought alongside him during Sheridan’s Ride in an attempt to protect him. He loved James like an uncle and would have freely given his life to save James from harm. Henry was just as loyal. When James was merely seven years old, he saw Henry being auctioned off at a slave market. Henry had been severely mistreated by his previous owner, being beat within an inch of his life. He was childlike for the rest of his life because of it. During the auction, Henry was frightened but sang loudly to calm himself. No one else would bid for the strange, lame boy, but James took the small amount of money a child has in his pocket and gave it to the auctioneer. He then took Henry’s hand and patiently led him home. The two boys were inseparable from that moment on. Yes, Henry was childlike, but he was also very kind. The dogs would run to him as soon as they heard his voice, and he had a way with horses I’ve never before, and I’ll never see again. He never hurt any animal entrusted to his care, sparing the whip even with the wildest horses. Why would he kill his oldest and dearest friend? He was mentally and emotionally incapable of such a task.’”
    Sunny shuts the book. “Colonel Blair told you that Henry was playing with you, but he didn’t mean it in the sense that he is teasing you. He meant it literally. Henry is looking for a playmate. He may be an adult, but he has the mental capacity of a child.”
    “So, what do we do to keep Marina from firing another exterminator?”
    “We give Henry something to play with.”
    *     *     *
    Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star softly starts playing the background. I open my eyes to see lights dancing across my walls. I notice a figure sitting on the floor at the foot of my bed playing with a musical toy. I carefully climb out of bed and sit by Henry. His dark eyes sparkle as he makes the toy play the song again.
    “Pretty,” he says.
    “Do you like it, Henry?” I ask.
    He nods, lifting his hands to catch the lights.
    “You can play with it whenever you want,” I tell him. “Did you see the other toys?”
    “I like the puppy,” he answers, pointing to the stuffed dog at my feet.
    I pick it up and press its tummy, making it bark softly. Henry squeals and claps his hands.
    We spend the rest of the night playing with the toys. Henry is so kind and innocent, I don’t know how I was ever frightened of him.
    He is carefully brushing the manes of the miniature horses Sunny and I bought him, making the horses neigh with delight when he abruptly stops.
    “I go to Massa James,” he says.
    I look at the window and see it’s almost dawn. “Will you be back?” I ask.
    “Yes, Becky Jo is my friend. I come every night.” With that Henry disappears.
    I smile because I never told Henry my name.
    When the boys walk past that morning, Henry is belting out Dixie as loud as ever, but when I peek out the window, he smiles and waves excitedly at me. I have become friends with a ghost.  A ghost I wish had lived a long life because the world was surely a darker place the day he was murdered. I spend the next hour weeping at the thought.
    *     *     *
    The bell rings as the door shuts. I glance around the store, grateful there are other customers. The cashier doesn’t notice as I slip into the side room. I’m disappointed to find a room filled only with antique clothing. I’ve been a complete jerk and need to apologize to Clara. Unfortunately, she seems to also be avoiding me.
    “I’m sorry, Clara,” I whisper softly to myself. “I’m sorry I’m a freak and treated you bad. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and I don’t want to lose