MRS. GWINETT, MEET MRS. GWINETT....by Terri

Rose looked up at the waiter. "Do you have any menus?"
The man scratched his head. "Menus?"
El said, "What do you have to eat?"
"Turkey legs. Porridge. Lentil stew. Corn pudding."
Rose looked at El and made a face. "Let's just have a tankard of beer."
"Ale, miss. That's it. Ale."
"OK, Ale, then."
Eleanor looked at the man. "What is your name?"
"Mallory, Ma'am. James Mallory."
Rose whispered to Eleanor. "That's Bethia's maiden name. That must be her father! I'm going to tell him he's going to be a grandfather!" Rose got up but Eleanor grabbed her sleeve. "Are you nuts, Rose? Sometimes I think you don't have the brains God gave a goose! You can't tell him about Bethia!"
"You're right. Let's just drink our ale and maybe this Mr. Mallory will give John a message. Rose motioned for Mr. Mallory to come over. "Mr. Mallory, could you please give John Gwinnett a message for us?"
"Certainly, ma'am. What is it?"
"Please tell him Cousin Rose and Cousin Eleanor are in town and we need to see him and to please tell him to wait at his farm and we will see him there?"
Eleanor said, "Where would the Gwinnett farm be, Mr. Mallory?"
Mr. Mallory spun around and pointed. "Hmmmm....let' s see...you go out this door, twenty paces. See that birch tree? That is the start of a path. Take it down until you get to a fork in the road, hang a left. About a mile down the road you will see a log cabin with a lean-to barn. That be the Gwinnett place. Take you about half an hour to walk there." "Thank you, Mr. Mallory. We'll wait on the porch until he shows up." "Young Miss, since you are looking for John Gwinnett, might you be looking for his brother Daniel, too?"
El and Rose looked at each other.
Mr. Mallory continued. "Since they are twins, Tobias would be his uncle too, right? Any message for Daniel?" Eleanor said, "Yes. Yes, there is."
"What, Ma'am?"
"Tell Daniel to go ^%&^^ himself!!"

Rose and Eleanor went out into the sunlight. Rose frowned. "I don't think you should have said that word to Mr. Mallory. He looked like he was going to have a stroke! And if it was Constable Spencer or the Rev., you'd be in the stocks."
Eleanor flicked her lighter. "After we find John, those stocks will be nothing but kindling wood!"
Eleanor counted off twenty paces and saw the birch tree. "OK--here's the start of the path. Let's go! Got the bottled water?"
"Got it, El! Let's go! Nice cardio workout!"
They walked until they saw the fork in the road, took the left path and within a half hour came upon the Gwinnett place. Rose breathed, "So this is where it all began! Hopefully my darling is here. I just want to grab him and get out of here! I'll deal with Daniel later."
El laughed, "Wonder what Montgomery and Henry are doing?"
Rose smiled, "I don't know---too bad there are no cellphone towers. I'd love to call Marthy and find out how it went."
Rose stood at the gate and looked around. "John is quite the neatnik, isn't he?"
Eleanor opened the gate. "OK, let's knock and see if John answers."
They walked up the walk and knocked on the farmhouse door. "Nice work, isn't it? Stones and logs. John can make the kids a treehouse like this...."
The door opened.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
Rose's mouth dropped open. She never expected this. She came face to face with Elizabeth. Elizabeth Gwinnett. You know--her husband's wife. And in 1640---his current wife!

Rosamond's face turned white. She was speechless. She didn't think it through that Elizabeth was there. She just figured if she knocked, either John would answer or no one would. Elizabeth was an abstract idea. And here she was, face to face with Rosamond.
Eleanor quickly determined she would have to be in charge of this whole situation.
"Excuse me, who might you be? We are looking for John Gwinnett." Eleanor asked.
Elizabeth wiped the flour off her hands onto her apron. "I'm Goodwife Gwinnett. You seek my husband. He is not here at the time. Please, come in."
Rose stood rooted until Eleanor pushed her through the door.
Eleanor spoke up. "Mistress Gwinnett, we are looking for John. He is our cousin. We come from Boston about a matter of a will concerning our Uncle Tobias."
"Uncle Tobias? John never mentioned him."
"OH! Our great uncle Tobias."
Elizabeth frowned. "OH! You must be James White's daughter! I knew he had one." To Rosamond, she asked, "And who might YOU be?"
Rose recovered her voice long enough to say, "I am the wi---"
But Eleanor cut her off. "Widow. Rose is a widow. She's the WIDOW of James' son Mathias." She shot Rosamond a warning glance.
Elizabeth said, "I expect John back momentarily. You are more than welcome to wait, Goodwives."
Eleanor said, "Thank you, we will. We will wait on the porch for him."

Elizabeth said, "Oh, no! You must stay here. I insist!"
Rosamond was getting visibly upset. Her eyes were misting up. Because her eyes kept straying to the four-poster bed in the corner of the cabin. Eleanor was shooting her the 'cool it' looks.
"May I get you some refreshment?"
Eleanor said, "That, uh, would be lovely. Just a glass of water."
As Elizabeth turned to fill cups up with water from a pitcher, El whispered to Rose, "Would you get over it? He's bored with her! He loves YOU!"
Rose nodded wordlessly. "I just never expected to see her. Ever."
Elizabeth handed the cups to the women. Rose found her voice. "Have you and cou-cousin John been married long?"
Elizabeth said, "Nigh on thirteen years."
Rose asked, "Where are the children? Outside playing?"
Elizabeth's mouth hardened into an unsmiling line. She said tersely, "We have none."
El shot Rose dagger looks. Just then, John opened the door. "Elizabeth, I fed the pigs and the cow needed milking..."
He stopped in his tracks. Elizabeth got up. "John, darling, your cousins Rose and Eleanor from Boston about a will from your Uncle Tobias?"
John shut the door and took two steps forward. He held his arms out and Rose rushed into them. "How did you know I was here?"
Elizabeth was puzzled. "She's a close cousin to you, John?"
John took Rose's face and kissed her all over it. She laughed and hugged him fiercely. Before John could answer, Rose turned to Elizabeth and said through her tears, "He's my husband."

Elizabeth backed up and hit the rocking chair. She sat down hard. "Wh-what did you say...?"
But Rose and John ignored her.
"How did you know I was here?" he asked.
Rose hugged his neck and wouldn't let go. "It was all a ruse, my love! A cruel trick played on us...and I know who it was! Henry! Billy Bob! And Daniel may have been in there but Lord knows he couldn't have masterminded this devious plot."

Rose pulled out the paper with the telephone conversation written on it. "See here? This is in Montgomery's handrwriting. I know the way he loops his 'y's and crosses his 't's on a slant. They wanted you gone and then someone--either Daniel or they got someone to imitate you---called me and pretended to be you and told me that you were leaving me for another woman."
"They--WHAT??? You mean Daniel is back in New York? He never left?"
Eleanor said, "My guess is that he is still back at that ranch. You know how buddy-buddy he and Montgomery got during that time Julie was born. He never forgave you for taking Rose away and laying claim to that child!"
Elizabeth inched forward. "John--what are these two demented women talking about? Laying claim to what? A child? Hast thou forsaken the vows and sanctity of our wedding bed and begat a child with this...this....scarlet woman?"

John suddenly realized where he was and the precarious situation he was in. He gently pushed Rosamond aside but she still clung to his arm.
"Elizabeth! OH, Elizabeth! There is so much you do not know and do not understand!"
Elizabeth's face grew pale. "Understand? I am beginning to, John. YOU HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN! COMPLETE WITH BABIES!"


STILL LOOKING for ROSE!.....by Coralynn

When they arrive at the Baby Boomer Motel, there's big "CLOSED" sign out front with another sheet explaining it. They read: "Due to the reluctance of the Boomer generation to take shelter in our Motel, which was name specifically for them, the spoiled ingrates, we find it necessary to close our doors. Anyone interested in purchasing the property, please contact our Lawyer at 555-997-1957."
"HUH!" Daniel snorts, "And this place is nowhere near as run-down as the others. In fact, if I were of a mind, I'd check into a room here myself about now."
"Tiring of the search, Daniel?" BB glares at him.
"Ohhh no, no, not at all," Daniel replies weakly.
"Then we must allors!" Henry says with a pompous voice as they walk to the car again.


The Gunrack Motel is rough-hewn and doesn't look like it's ever been painted.
"Seedy enough for you?" BB asks the others as they get out and walk toward the office.
As the door to the office opens, a rank smell assaults their nostrils. The man behind the counter looks up and puts aside the racoon he's been stuffing. He grins at them, "I'm also the local taxidermist," he explains.
"That's for sure!" Daniel whistles as he looks around at all the animal heads mounted on the wall. The place is well-named, as there are guns in racks on every inch of the walls that aren't already taken up with the animal heads.

"We seek a fair maiden named Rosamond....with blonde hair and blue eyes. Has a damsel fitting that description checked into your motel?" Henry asks.
"How tall?"
"Ohhhh, about up to here," Henry places his hand flat in the air.
"Natural blond or bottle blond?"
"Natural, I'm sure," Henry replies.
"Are her eyes blue or are they really hazel?"
"Blue, like the sky," Henry is beginning to lose patience.
"What dress size does she wear?"
Henry looks at BB, who answers, "Size 5 or 7."
"Bosomy or flat?"
"STOP it!" Henry thunders, "Is she here or not? Yes or no?"
"Actually, the only guests we have on the premisis right now are guys from a hunting club."
"Why didn't you just tell us that in the beginning?" BB asks angrily.
"And spoil the fun?"

The three men leave, letting the door bang loudly behind them as they march back out to the car.
As BB is ready to put the key into the ignition again, Daniel says from the back seat, "I could sure use some dinner. My stomach thinks my throat's been cut."
"It'll be cut alright, if we don't find Rosamond!" Henry tells him bluntly as Daniel shrinks down in the seat and folds his arms in defeat.


"Look! See? Down that sideroad? Another motel! Of course! Rosamond would choose a motel that is off the beaten path. Much harder to locate her that way. We must...."Henry begins, but is cut off by BB, who says, "Yeah, yeah, Henry, we'll go there. Cool your jets!"
"You act annoyed! Like you don't wish to find her!" Henry is aghast.
"I'm beginning to think we're on a fool's mission," BB retorts, "What are the chances we'll get to her before the pills kill her anyway? It's been several hours now. Surely, if the pills are powerful...."

"NO! We will get to her in time, I know it!" Henry is adamant.
The sound of Daniel's yawning comes from the back seat.
"Art thou bored, young Gwinett?" Henry reproaches him, turning around and glaring.
"Just tired," Daniel replies in a small voice, hoping Henry will leave him alone so he can get a little shut-eye.
They near the motel, and see the sign, which reads: "You don't wanna stay here!" motel.
"Now what kind of name is that?!" Henry huffs.
"Reverse psychology?" BB offers.
This motel is in extremely shabby condition. The roof slopes strangely, and water from the rain two nights before is still pooled up in one of its creases.
They park and walk to the office. The door is an old screen one that's missing one of its hinges. It creaks as they open it and step inside.
"PAW!" a young boy yells from the lobby, "Someone's HERE!"
A round faced man emerges from the back, holding his plate of hamburger helper. Daniel can smell it from where he stands, and he shifts a little closer to the aroma that is making his mouth water.
The man sees this and asks, "Want some?"
"Please," Daniel begs.
The man goes back into the living quarters he has behind the lobby, and Henry smacks Daniel in the back of the head, "Are ye daft?"
"OW! OW! No, I'm just hungry! I told you I was hungry! I'd eat anything about now!" and is rewarded by a plate of hamburger helper. He dives into it with the rusty fork supplied, as BB and Henry scowl.

"Sir," Henry begins, "We are looking for a young woman with blonde hair, who we have every reason to believe has rented a motel room in the area. Might she have checked into your establishment?"
The man begins to laugh. He laughs so hard he has to put his dish down and drink some water to keep from choking.
"Look, bud, didn't you read the sign?"
"We did. It says this is a motel," Henry taps his foot impatiently.
"It also says you don't wanna stay here! And, you don't! It's an old run-down fleabag."
"Then why do you have a motel sign up?" BB asks.
"Gotta look like we're tryin', ya know? The welfare worker comes around every now and again, and if she sees we're a-tryin'.......then we get to keep our benefits. If we're just sittin' around on our tukases, which is what we're really a-doin'....then she yanks us off the list. We have a business, it just ain't a very good business. Take away the Motel sign and we're back to lookin' like freeloaders."
Henry and BB shake their heads in disgust. Daniel, however, has cleaned his plate and sits in an over-stuffed chair, barely missing the springs that have popped up. He puts his head back and closes his eyes.
BB walks over and kicks his legs, "Get up, Daniel! You're in this just like Henry and I are. Now, shape up!"
"He kin stay here if you'd like," the man suggests. "On the house, too."
"We did not come here to drop off this useles man," Henry stands tall and assumes his attitude of authority, "I would like the answer to my question: has the blonde come here or not? Yes or no?"
"Welllll, no! I told ya, the sign is just for appearance...."
Henry and BB start for the door, grab Daniel by the front of his shirt and drag him after them.
"Now that you've had some food, if that can be called such, and a few minutes rest, Daniel, we expect you to pull your weight! Do I make myself clear?" Henry thunders.
"Oh yeah, big guy, clear as mud!" Daniel broods and hopes that there are no more motels in Westchester County, a hope he knows is futile.


ONE WIFE TOO MANY....by Terri

John gently peeled Rosamond off his arm. He whispered quickly to her, "Darling, for the love of God, let me handle this!" Rosamond nodded wordlessly to him but was reluctant to let him go.
"Elizabeth, uh, I do not have another family on the other side of town. Rosamond is my wife, that is true..."
Elizabeth sat down with a thud. John laid a hand on her shoulder gently. "I need to explain some things to you, things you may not understand.."
Elizabeth stood up. "Get these lying, no-good harlots out of my house! RIGHT NOW!"
Eleanor's mouth dropped open and Rosamond stood there unable to even move towards John. This was the mealy-mouth he married? She seems to have a good command of the English language, alright.
John said, "I will let them stay in our guest room while I explain it.."
"NO! OUT THEY GO WITH THEIR LIES!"
"Elizabeth, I can't put them in the barn.."
"No, you can't! It wouldn't be proper."
"I knew you'd see reason.."
'I WANT THEM OFF THIS PROPERTY AND I MEAN NOW!" She picked up a fry-skillet made of iron and started swinging like a Samurai warrior. John pushed the women onto the porch. "I'll be right out..." and closed the door.
After five minutes, he came out. "I'm going to put you up at the Red Goose Inn for the night. I can see it is going to take some time to explain this preposterous tale to her. She is livid. But after thirteen years together, I need to make her understand. I owe her that."
He got out the wagon and the three of them rode in silence to the Inn. John got down and walked dejectedly to the Inn. After a few minutes of talking to Mr. Mallory, he came back. He walked them to their rooms. Rose said bewilderedly, "Why can we not go back NOW, John?" She reached out her hand and touched him pleadingly. "PLEASE! Let's forget this nonsense and just GO!"

He shook his head no. "I have to make her understand. If I left now, it would disrupt the time travel timeline. Now that she has seen me. Willliam told me so. If she doesn't understand by morning, we will just go. One way or another, Rose, we will be out of here by morning."
Rose nodded miserably. "John? One thing..."
"Yes, my love?"
"Sleep in the barn if you have to." She remembered that four poster bed with the handmade quilt on it.
He kissed her gently on the top of her head and said, "Rest easy, darling. I love you. ONLY you!"
And he was gone.


The next morning, Rosamond awoke and splashed water on her face. "What time is it, Eleanor?"
"Nine o'clock. I expect John any time now."
Rosamond paced the floor. "We need to set your timetravel coin for an hour after we left yesterday so we don't miss any time from work."
Eleanor said quietly, "No problem!"
Within a half hour of Rosamond pacing the floor, there was a knock on the door.
El opened it and John quickly stepped inside. Rose took one look at the haggard look on his face and threw herself into his arms. He hugged her fiercely. She raised her face to his. "How did it go?"
John sighed heavily. "About like I thought it would go. She accused me of adultery, lying, cheating, keeping a mistress, having a second family, of being barren--me, not her!--and just about dawn we exhausted ourselves and fell asleep."
Rose's head shot up. "Asleep? As in together? As in the four-poster bed?" She started to pound on John's chest. "How could you?! How could you?!"
John grabbed her hands and said, "Hey! Hey! It wasn't like that! We ended up not talking and just fell asleep. GET A GRIP, Rose!"
Rose's tears started to fall down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I'm just so exhausted! I didn't' get much sleep last night."
John said, "Eleanor, you ready to leave? I for one don't intend to ever come here again!"
Eleanor said, "Before we go, there is something I have always wanted to do..."

The three of them crept down the back stairs of the Red Goose Inn. John smiled grimly, "Wish I could have said hello to Little Feather! He was a good friend."
Rose whispered, "Another time, darling. Please. Let's just go! I want to see the children!"
John grabbed both Eleanor and Rose's hands. "Are you girls ready?"
Eleanor said, "Give me five minutes. You can see me, I won't be out of your sight."
Rose whispered to John, "Better let her go. She won't rest until she does this!"
They watched as Eleanor walked casually across the town square. She bent down, did something, and then briskly walked away.
She no sooner got back to them when they heard a crackle and then a whoosh!
John looked behind him. The stocks were a towering inferno. Eleanor dusted off her hands.
John said quietly, "Burn, baby....BURN!"

"NOW I'm ready to go!" Eleanor said, "Shall we use your time coin or mine, John?"
"Yours, Eleanor. I know you preset yours."
"OK-let's all grab hands."
She started to chant, "Chappaqua, New York--"
when a voice from behind yelled, "I KNEW I WOULD CATCH YOU HERE. I KNEW IT! THAT IS WHY I FOLLOWED YOU! I KNEW I WOULD CATCH YOU WITH THESE HARLOTS!"
"....November 15, 2003...."
And Elizabeth chose that very moment to push John. Instinctively he grabbed her hands to fend off her blows.... And the four of them landed behind the gazebo at 224 Winding Willow. November 15, 2003, to be exact!


BACK TO THE FUTURE (you knew we'd have to use that sometime, didn't you?)......by Coralynn

William is looking out the kitchen window, seeing the last couple maple leaves drop from the trees. He signs, nothing but old man winter coming now!
There is a commotion. Yes, behind the gazebo! John and Rose and Eleanor and.......who in thunderation is that?!
Celeste rushes out of her room, yelling "New time traveler touching down! The needle on my gizmo just flipped all the way to the right! What's the noise outside, William?"
"I think it's the new time traveler, Celeste. See out there, the woman in old fashioned garb who is kicking at Eleanor? What are El and Rose and John doing in those old fashioned costumes as well? What's going on here?" he and Celeste go out the back door, down the steps of the deck and out to the gazebo.

"LET ME GO!" Elizabeth is screaming at Eleanor, who has her in a hammer lock.
"If you'll just calm down, Elizabeth, El will be more than glad to release you," John is telling her calmly.
"Where am I? What have you done, John? You have broken your marriage vows with this harlot with the light hair, and now you've brought me to a foreign land! How?"
She begins screaming again.
Neighbors, outside in their back yards to rake up the last of the leaves, stop what they're doing and gaze over at William's house. Some of them shake their heads and think, well, that place always has something weird going on. Whatever.

"John, you take her," Eleanor tells him, "I have an idea. Be right backl."
John takes charge of retraining Elizabeth, trying to get her into the house, which is one step forward, two back.
El runs down the street to Bethia and Roger's house and pounds on the door. When Beth answers, she blurts out, "Is Roger here?"
"Yes," Roger says as he gets up from his chair, putting the newspaper aside, "You seem upset, Eleanor. How can I help?"
"Oh Roger.....by accident we brought John's first wife, Elizabeth, back from 1640 Southold with us. She's out of control. Would it be unethical for you to give her a sedative? A shot? A very big shot? John can barely restrain her and she's screaming like a wild woman."
"Elizabeth? Here?" Beth is incredulous. "What was John doing in Southold anyway?!"
"I'll tell you later......but first, Roger, can you help us out?"
Roger grabs up his bag and the three of them hurry back to the big house. The yelling can be heard from two houses down.
"That's Elizabeth all right!" Beth says, "But I never heard her make so much noise!"
"She has no idea where she is. She found out John is married to Rose, too, and is wild with anger."
"Oh boy, what a mess!" Beth shakes her head. These timeframes aren't supposed to bang into each other with such ferocity, but....sometimes.....
They reach the small group standing by the gazebo. John is holding Elizabeth's arms behind her back, Rose is upset and crying, Celeste feels very helpless to do anything, and William is watching grimly.
"Roger!" he calls out, "Just the man we wanted to see!"
"You have a 'situation' here, a bad one. I'm going to sedate Elizabeth. So...."
He comes up behind her, where she can't see, and jabs the needle into her arm. She bellows like a stuck pig, but by then it's a fait accompli.
Within a few minutes she ceases her unholyBB and caterwauling, and then becomes limp. Roger picks her up and carries her into the house. Rose throws herself into John's arms, sobbing, "Oh John, what do we do now?"
"I'll handle it, Rose. Just remember, this is 2003, and I'm married to you, just you."
The group is able to get Eliz into the house. Celeste suggests they lay her on her own bed, as it's on the first floor and easier to attend to should it become necessary.

"OK, now...." William puts on the mantle of authority, "Just what do you think you're doing, John, bringing this woman back with you? Your first wife? Isn't life messy enough without introducing another complication? What were you thinking?"
"She lunged at us as we were about to come back. Nobody's fault."
They all sit at the kitchen table while hot chocolate is prepared and the entire story comes out. Beth is amazed. When Eleanor tells about setting the stocks ablaze, the others cheer and laugh.
John sits with his arm around Rose, who has now composed herself and is smiling again, even laughing at the part about El and the fiery stocks.

Meanwhle:

"It's going to be dark soon," BB says to the other two men, "I say we wrap it up for tonight. Let's face it, we failed. Rose's body has probably been found by an alert motel clerk and returned to the big house."
"NO!" Henry objects.
"Billy Bob is right," Daniel agrees, "She's probably laid out at the big house or a funeral home."
"I hope you're satisfied!" Henry storms, "You killed her!"
"I just read a freakin' piece of paper over the phone, I did not kill her!" Daniel finally stands up for himself, "YOU two killed her with your dirty stunt."
"I will not sleep the night unless I know," Henry says with bowed head.
"OK, tell ya what, I'll phone up the big house," Daniel offers, "I can say I want to discuss something about the fitness center with John. If Rose is dead, I'm sure it'll be the first thing out of his mouth."
BB hands Daniel his cell phone. Daniel punches in the numbers and waits.....on the second ring he hears a cheerful voice, "Hi! This is the house on Winding Willow! ROSE here!"
He drops the phone on the pavement of the parking lot, where it smashes into little pieces.

BB and Henry2 look at him in alarm, "What is it? Has her body been found?" BB asks Daniel.
"She's ALIVE! She answered the phone!" Daniel blurts out.
"How did that happen?" BB is aghast.
"Disappointed, Montgomery?" Henry looks at him accusingly, "Did she turn the tables on us? I, for one, am glad she's still live. I'm confused, yes, but glad."
"Oh, we're both glad, too!" Daniel insists, "We just wonder what really happened!"

Meanwhile:

The phone rings again at the house on Winding Willow. This time Eleanor picks up. "Yes! Sharon!.........oh my.....it's all in the story now?......I get it; a 30 minute time lapse......a-ha, then, no wonder......OK, great, I'll check it. Thanks for the heads-up!.......same to you, see you tomorrow on the set........bye."
Everyone looks at El to explain what the phone call was about. She says, "Sharon Kay Penman said that the plot Henry, BB and Daniel, yes Daniel! hatched to get back at Rose is all spelled out in the Story. She's figured out that there's a 30 minute lapse between what happens and when it shows up in the Story. Which means it should all be on there now. Let's take a look."

They all follow her back to her computer room. In no time she has the Story on the screen. They each read silently, with occasional "How dare he?" and "Those scum-bags!" remarks. Marilyn cries out, "I'll deck 'em! They'd better not show their faces around here!"
When they've all read the latest part of the Story, William declares, "I won't put up with these shenanigans! How mean of them. They are forthwith on my Enemies list!"
"Which means......" El begins to ask.
"I'll let you know when I figure it out!" William blusters as they return to the kitchen for more hot chocolate.


CATEGORY FIVE ON THE FUJITA SCALE!....by Terri

The three drove back to Billy Bob's guest house. He opened the fridge and got out the soda water and then drew out a bottle of Scotch from the cupboards. He filled three glasses with ice and poured a generous splash in the glasses.
Daniel put the cold glass to his forehead. "I don't know about the two of you, but I have a headace that would kill a horse."
Henry plopped down. "I can't understand it! That little girl--who looks a lot like the serving wench I lost--said Rose was going to kill herself."
Billy Bob snorted, "I KNEW IT! Rose would never do that. She's so in love with that Gwinnett guy she'd fight like a hellcat for him. Gentlemen? Could we have been had?"
Henry and Billy Bob looked at Daniel. "What? WHAT? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Billy Bob stretched his legs out on the next chair. "We need a mole."
"A what?" Henry asked.
"A spy. Someone who can slip into the house of Winding Willow. Someone who can find out what time they found Rose, who found her, where she was, and what they pumped out of her stomach."

Daniel looked at them defensively. "And what makes you think they'll let me into the house?"
Billy Bob said, "They certainly aren't going to let ME in there! I'll bet she got that restraining order renewed." Henry said, "Well, don't look at me! Eleanor threatened me with the law. They will think I am out to kidnap my son!"
Billy Bob picked Daniel up by the scruff of his neck. "Guess who is elected?"
"But...but..but...."
Billy Bob threw him out the door and slammed it. Then he opened it again. "Meet us here at 9:00 AM with a full report!"
And slammed the door again.

The 'hot chocolate' bunch were winding down their conversation.
Marilyn said,"I swear, if Daniel so much as sets foot in here, you will be making funeral arrangements, John!"
Rose reached for a biscotti. "I have an idea. Wasn't that an old war slogan? 'KNOW YOUR ENEMY'? I say if Daniel comes around, we act like nothing is wrong. Like none of this happened. That would drive the three of them absolutely bonkers. I thik we can find out more of what they are up to if they let their guard down."
Marilyn scowled, "I would SO much like to fix it so he can qualify for the Vienna Boy's Choir!"
Celeste laid a hand on Marilyn. "Patience, my dear. I think Rose is right. Let them trip up!"
Rose looked towards Celeste's closed bedroom door. "Besides, I have bigger problems than Daniel right now..."

"What are we going to do with her, John?" Rose asked tentatively.
John sighed, "Damned if I know, darling. Somehow I have to get her back to 1640."
Celeste stirred marshmallows in her hot chocolate. "I am working on a memory loss potion. I haven't got it quite right yet."
William shook his head disgustedly at the three of our time travelers. "You should know better than to take an unwilling passenger!"
Rose said defensively of John. "It wasn't his fault! That shrew stalked John and then pushed him just as we began to swirl and glow! GOOD GRIEF, WILLIAM! Do you think I said to John, 'Oh, honey! Wouldn't it be just ducky if you brought your ex-wife---or current wife--along for the ride? Oh, come on, darling! We've got room and I SO wanted an older sister growing up!' " She looked at William with disdain. "Get real, William. How long have you known me?"
William shrugged. Rose said, "Have I suffered the presence of another woman willingly?"
William opened his mouth and Rose stood up and banged her fist on the table.
NO, I HAVEN'T! And I don't intend to start now!" And she ran out of the room, up the stairs, and slammed the bedroom door.

Celeste, Marilyn, Bethia, Roger and Eleanor looked at John. William looked over his reading glasses at him. John looked at all of them, threw his napkin down and sighed. "Guess I'd better see to her." Bethia shook her head. "THAT was not the Elizabeth I knew! She was always so docile...so quiet."
Roger said, "Fear is a primitive instinct, love. She seems to be of a fragile emotional makeup. I think when that sedative wears off, you will see a very docile person. For one thing, she will be wrung out physically. The 'fight or flight' adrenaline rush will leave her wasted." Bethia said, "How long will she be out?"
Roger said, "That rhino tranq should knock her out until tomorrow morning."

Eleanor said, "Enough time for Rosamond and John to sort out their emotions."
Everyone looked up at the ceiling.
Marilyn said, "Awfully quiet up in Rose and John's room."
William said, "Like the eye of a hurricane."
Bethia said, "The calm before the storm."
Eleanor said, "Anyone ever see an F-5 tornado?"
They all shook their heads no. She grinned. "Bet we see one tonight!"

John cautiously opened up the bedroom door. "Hi, sweetheart," he said hopefully.
Rose quietly and calmly changed the sheets on the bed. "I forgot to get Will's school clothes together for tomorrow and Julie needs a winter snowsuit so I have to go shopping for that and.....WHAT THE HELL ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH YOUR WIFE HERE?"
John sat down on the bed with a thud and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know, Rose. PLEASE let's not fight about this. We're in this together."
Rose bit her lip to keep from crying. "John, I will not stand for her staying in the same house while Celeste figures this out."
John spread his hands placatingly to her. "What can I do? I can't very well kick her out! She's in a different world! Bad enough she is out of her home, let alone a different time frame!"
Rose said resolutely, "She was willing to kick ME out into the cold cruel world without a by-your-leave!"
John crossed his arms. "What do you want me to do? I am open for suggestions."
Rose folded Julie's baby blanket. "She's such good friends with Bethia, let her stay there."
"But Rose, she isn't Bethia's responsibility."
Rose retorted, "Nor is she yours. Your loyalty lies with me and the children. Remember the children, John? The children I gave you---not HER!"
John frowned, "That's a pretty low blow, Rosamond."
Rose burst out crying. "I have had a totally rotten day, John. You left for Southold without so much as a note! I had to drop what I was doing and go with Eleanor into a place with SO many bad memories. I risked everything for you and do you appreciate it?"

Downstairs, the hot chocolate brigade had moved on to putting cinnamon sticks in their hot chocolate and adding whipped cream. They heard the muffled shouting and door slamming emanating from Rose and John's room. Marilyn said, "Rose had better watch it. John has had a bad day and has an even worse situation on his hands. She needs to be more understanding."
Eleanor was defensive of Rosamond. "But Rosamond has an exwife who while she is still alive is a wife. Or is she an unwife like Rose was married to Billy Bob? And if Elizabeth is his wife, and Rosamond is his wife, is he a bigamist? And if he is a bigamist, is this a pattern with Rose?"
Roger joined in. "Willl Elizabeth ever make it back to her timeframe? If she doesn't, can she cause trouble between John and Rose? Will Rose go back to Billy Bob? Or start fresh with Daniel, the evil twin? Can John juggle two wives? Will they all live happily ever after? For the answer to this and other questions, stay tuned to the real life version of....AS THE PLANET TURNS!"
Unfortunately, Roger was the only one laughing.
Because John came downstairs with a duffel bag. He said stiffly, "It has been decided that it is in the best interest of all concerned that I spend the night in my new house down the street. Goodnight." And he walked out of the house.


THE MOLE..............by Coralynn

Marthy, who has been silent throughout the afternoon and evening, speaks up, "I think Rose is having a hard time. Here she comes now...."
Rose slowly walks down the stairs into the living room and collapses on one of the plush leather couches she so carefully chose three years ago. She's glad they're so soft they almost swallow a person because she would like nothing better than to be somewhere, anywhere else right now.
Eleanor joins her and, taking her hand, suggests, "Come in the kitchen, Rose. We saw John leave. I think you need some t.l.c. right about now." She pulls Rose off the couch and leads her into the kitchen where the others look up and smile.
William pats an empty chair, "Come sit by me, Rose. Things will work out, now come here and let Poppy William soothe your mind."
She breaks a weak smile at the Poppy William part and dutifully sits in the chair, but still has a woe-begone expression that immediately returns.
William puts his arm around her and lets her lean her head against him as fresh tears course down her face.
The doorbell rings. They all look to each other, "You expecting anyone?" Nobody is.
Marilyn jumps up and runs to the front door. Flinging it open, she sees Daniel standing there. This is a test, she thinks, the universe is tempting me to deck this guy, but I have to pretend all is well.
"Daniel, what can we do for you?" she says as sweetly as she can muster.
"John here?"
"Not right now."
"Rose here?"
"Yes, what do you want with her?"
"Is she OK?"
"Not exactly, but what concern is it of yours?" whoooops, Marilyn, she thinks, that sounded beligerant, better watch it.
Daniel steps just inside the door and sees the others from a distance, sitting in the kitchen. Think! he commands his brain, now what do I say?
"Did they have to pump her stomach?" he asks. Ohhh, Marilyn thinks, of course! He still thinks Rose tried to kill herself. "Come into the kitche, Daniel," she says sweetly, "I'm sure Rose will be glad to tell you what happened. Come on, I won't hit you!" she laughs, thinking, oh but I would dearly love to!

Daniel steps into the kitchen and sees a bedraggled Rose with her head on William's shoulder. She sure looks like she could have had her stomach pumped, look at her!
He meekly sits on a nearby chair and asks her, "Did it hurt a lot, Rose?"
"Did what hurt a lot?" she spits at him.
"The stomach pumping," he replies.
"WHAT?!"
"You know, when they had to get the powerful pills out of your system to save your life."
"Oh, that!" she gets into gear, "It was painful and humiliating."
"They just barely saved her!" Eleanor tells him, "She was thissss close..."
Daniel shakes his head in sympathy. So, he thinks, we were right all along....she did try to off herself.
"Did a motel clerk find you?"
Marthy can barely restrain herself from busting out laughing, so she goes into the downstairs bathroom and splashes water on her face while she laughs, hoping the sound of the water will cover.
"It's late, Daniel," Bethia says in a subdued done, "Maybe you'd best be going."
As he stands up to leave, they hear a voice coming from Celeste's bedroom, then see Elizabeth slowly making her way out of the room, leaning against the walls for support.
Daniel stops dead in his tracks.
Elizabeth's weak voice then calls out, plaintively, "John! John! Take me home!"
She weaves about on her legs but does manage to walk over to Daniel and throw herself into his arms.
Daniel's eyes all but pop out of his head as Elizabeth clings to him, then slowly falls in a heap at his feet.
"Time to get our little patient back to bed," Celeste says crisply as she and Roger carry Eliz back to the room.
Roger whispers, "Occasionally a sedated person will wake for just a minute or two, then go back under. I certainly hope it doesn't happen again....at least till morning."
"You and me both!" Celeste agrees, resolving to work on that memory-loss potion again first thing in the morning so John can take Eliz back to 1640 and wipe out this bizarre memory for her.
Daniel makes a beeline for the front door and dashes out. Elizabeth? John's first wife, Elizabeth?! How did she get here?!
Rose is sitting stiffly upright after seeing Elizabeth's brief appearance and says resolutely, "That woman is going BACK, do you all hear me? BACK! If I have to take her by myself!"


LAYING THE TRAP.....by Terri

Rose stood up and said, "And now there is something I have to do. Trust me." She ran outside. "Daniel! Daniel! Wait up!" Daniel was just about to get in his car when he turned around and saw Rose standing there in her silver fur coat. "Should you be outside in this, honey? I mean...you just had your stomach pumped."
She bundled herself up in the coat. "It IS awfully cold out here. Would you mind if we talked in your car? I-I don't want the others to hear me."
Daniel opened the door of his car with a flourish. "Entrez, madame!"
Rosamond slid over to the passenger side. She ran her hand up and down the leather interior. "I didn't know you were into vintage cars, Daniel. A '69 Chevelle Supersport!"
Daniel closed the door and pushed the seat back as far as it would go. "OK, honey, what's on your mind?"
Rosamond assumed her most woe-begone look. "Daniel, I am so ashamed of myself. It is no secret that John and I have been having trouble. It seems to have started right after we got married. I got a phone call from him that he was leaving me for another woman. I thought it was a joke. But I got home and his clothes were gone. I-I don't know what happened. I sort of freaked out! Sort of? I DID!" At this point, Rose whipped up some tears. "He denied it when I confronted him but then he told me he needed to get away. OH, DANIEL!" she wailed. "How was I to know he was going to TIME-TRAVEL to get away? He--he went to Southold but in 1640!"
With that, Rosamond dissolved into a torrent of sobs.

Daniel reached over and pushed Rose's hair away from her face. He brushed the tears from her face. Then he reached over and drew her towards him and hugged her. "Oh, sweetheart! I can see you're a mess! Come on, tell Daniel what happened next!"
Rose continued to sob. I am SOOOO GOOD, she thought. I deserved the best actress award!
She dried her eyes with the sleeve of her coat. "H-he brought back his wife! He brought back Elizabeth! He wanted to look at his old farmhouse and she was there."
Rose whipped up some hiccups to go with the crying. Daniel gave her some bottled water he had. He continued to hold her and stroke her back. "There, there, darliing. I'm so sorry!" and made little comforting noises.
Rose hiccuped, "The worst part is that he moved her into Celeste's spare room! Gave her a tranquilizer until she is acclimated to our time frame. HE INTENDS TO KEEP HER HERE! Oh, Daniel! Worst of all is that he is moving her into OUR HOUSE! The one I worked so hard on to restore!"

Daniel burst out with, "THAT BASTARD!" Rose leaned towards Daniel and made herself shrink down to a needy little violet. She looked up at him with a tearstained face. "I am afraid I took too many pills when I found out. I checked into the Bide-a-wee motel. The one that rents by the hour? I-I didn't want to lay dead for too long."
Daniel thought, Bide-a-wee? Damn! That was the next one on the list when we gave up.
"I called William to say goodbye but I had too many pills by that time to realize that William could trace my call. He got there in the nick of time! They took me to the hospital and pumped my stomach. OH, Daniel! What am I going to do?"
Daniel drew her head to his chest and said softly, "Just lean on me, babe...lean on me!"
Rose pulled back and smiled weakly. "Thank you so much, Daniel! What would I do without you?" She gave him a hug and got out of the car.
Daniel said, "I'll help you through this, Rosamond."
Rose pressed her fingers to her lips and said, "Thank you, Daniel. I knew I could count on you!"
Daniel started up his car and said, "YESSS!"
Rose walked up the stairs to the house and said to herself, heh, heh, heh! One down, two to go!

Rosamond came back in the house. Everyone looked at her expectantly. She hung her coat up, yawned and said, "I have had a full day and I didn't get any sleep last night. I am really tired! OH! And I hear Julie crying. Eleanor, would you do me a favor and read Yertle the Turtle with Will? We are supposed to spend fifteen minutes a night reading. And I am afraid I don't have the strength for it! I'd really appreciate it." She raised her eyebrows at Eleanor.
"Huh? Oh! Sure, hon!"
Bethia got up too. "Roger, it's time we went to bed. My back is starting to hurt."
Roger pulled the chair out for her. Roger took Rosamond by the elbow and backed her away from the others. "Look, Rose, it's not my habit to intrude on the marital affairs of my friends. But why did you kick John out?"
Rose said wearily, "It's not what you think. Oh, OK, so it is! But it is not as BAD as you think. I told him he isn't spending the night under the same roof as that ball and chain and if he did, I'd be gone! We discussed it..."
"...loudly..."
"...OK, Roger, so we are a bit vocal. It was decided because the children were here too, that John would be better off at the new house. For tonight. He took Jake for company. OH, don't give me that look! We are so crazy in love with each other. I just don't want any bad jiu-jiu in my life. And that woman is loaded with it!"
Roger kissed the top of Rose's head and said, "As long as you know what you are doing!"

El stopped in at Will's room and then marched down to Rose's bedroom. Rose was rocking Julie. "OK, Rose, what's the big idea? Will is sound asleep! And what is the big idea running out like a dog in heat after Daniel?" El narrowed her eyes. "You have something planned, don't you?" Rose looked like she was a cat with a mouthful of canary feathers. "Who? Moi?"
El sat on the bed. "OK, spill your guts...and I'll know if you're lying!" Rose sat down with her, crossed her legs Indian style and said, "It's like this, El..."

"I have Marty's condo's number here." Rose pulled out her addressbook. Eleanor asked, "Think he's 21st century enough to figure out how to use it?"
Rose said confidently, "I have yet to meet the person who could refuse to answer a ringing phone!"
Eleanor sat on the bed in eager anticipation of what to expect. Rose punched in the numbers and whispered, "Just watch!"
"Hello?"
Rose put on a really distressed voice. "H-hello? Henry? Is that you? Thank God!"
"Hello?"
Rose rolled her eyes at Eleanor. "Henry? Henry! You have the phone upside down. Turn it around....that's right...."
Eleanor covered her mouth to stifle her giggles.
"Uh, Rose?! ROSE! Oh, my love! You are alive!"
Rose's voice trembled. "Oh, Henry! Barely! I-I need to talk to someone. Someone who cares!"
"What's wrong, my darling? Please! Let me come to you." Rose said quickly, "NO! I don't want to have you run into....him! The brute!"
"Rose, please. What did he do?"
"Oh, Henry, it is so awful! He has left me for another woman. His first wife, to be exact. He brought her here and has flouted her under my nose. Brought her to our own house! I don't know how much more I can take. Now I understand how Eleanor felt when you took me to Woodstock. Her favorite manor!"
Henry said soothingly, "Oh, my darling! Are you alright?"
"N-no, I'm not! I-I tried to end my life tonight!" That brought a fresh round of tears from Rose. Eleanor mouthed to Rosamond, Is he crying too? Rose nodded yes. El rolled her eyes.

"Henry, I wanted to end it all. I made such a mess of my life! John brought his concubine--sorry, wife--into this century, and expected me to step aside. I realized then that I belonged with you. ONLY YOU! But I had treated you so shabbily, love, and that you would never want me again. I-I don't blame you in the least. I knew my soul was bound up with yours. A love that transcends time and distance. I did a foolish thing, Hal."
Henry sighed. "Rosamond, my love, do you remember the first time you asked me if you could call me 'Hal'?"
Rose caught her breath. "How could I forget? It was after....our first time together. You thought I was setting you up. The loss of being a maiden for a royal favor."
Henry laughed. "And all you wanted was to call me 'Hal'. That was when I fell in love with you."
Rose crossed her eyes and put her finger down her throat. Eleanor almost choked on her laughter.

"I was so devastated. Not at the loss of John but I thought I had destroyed the love we had for each other."
"Never! Never, Rose."
"I was so distraught I took a tincture of henbane and hemlock and attempted to do away with myself..."
at this Eleanor raised her eyebrows and Rosamond shrugged.
"....and just end it all. I had lost everything. Mostly I had lost you, Hal."
"Rose, darling, it's not too late. Let us grab Will and make haste. You and I can build a life together, away from that shrew Eleanor. We can move anywhere we want to...we can go back to the 12th century and you shall be my queen and we shall rule a greater Britain than any in history!"
"Henry! OH, Henry, you DO love me still! But at the time being, we need to play it cool..."
"play it cool?"
"pretend that nothing is amiss whilst I get my affairs in order. Please! Not a word to anyone. If Gwinnett knew, he would spirit Will away and we should never see him again."
"But Rose, darling, we could always have another child..."
Rose mouthed, are you believing this guy? Instead, she said, "But Henry, I have become rather attached to Will. Let us keep this burning love to ourselves. When you see me at reheasal, remember--this love will prevail in the end, we just need to keep it quiet. For both our sakes."
"I understand, love. Untill the morrow. And I shant breathe a word to any soul!"
Rose gently hung up the phone and looked at Eleanor. "Why do I feel like I need an hour-long shower?"
El laughed and said, "They sure blew it when they passed you up for that award! I have a newfound respect for your acting skills!"
She blew Rose a goodnight kiss and shut the door, laughing all the way down the hallway.

THIS ONE NEEDS A DELICATE TOUCH....by Terri

Rose took a hot bath, blow dried her hair, and artfully applied makeup. Heroin chic, I believe they call it.
She knocked on Eleanor's door. "ROSE! Are you sick?"
"No, silly! But I am saving the trickiest and most deserving for last. I need you to come to my room for a minute. First I need to know, can you keep your mouth shut about this one? And can you watch the children for a while?"
"Yes! Yes! On both counts!"
"Henry was a piece of cake compared to THIS one!"

Within a half hour, Rose slipped into her Miata and tooled down highway 141. I am really surprised he agreed to meet me. Almost eager.

She pulled into the lot. He's here already? She parked her car and as she went in, her eyes adjusted to the darkness. She saw a familiar form at the bar. Yeah, I'd know him anywhere. She walked up to him and whispered, "I knew you wouldn't let me down. You never did."
Billy Bob turned around. "I was surprised to get your call."
Rose grabbed his hand. "Let's sit at a booth." Billy Bob headed for one and Rose said, "No--over here. It's more....private!"

Billy Bob's eyebrows raised as he slid into the booth. Rose had changed into a black lowcut sweater, jeans and her boots. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail but she looked pale. Deathly pale. Circles under her eyes. Very pale lips. (thanks to Max Factor's retro-Mary Quant look) She's so..delicate. Like a small wounded bird. It made BB feel very protective of her.
He ordered two beers and a Tequila Sunrise for Rose. "Oh! Hey! I'm sorry--I suppose with your pumped out stomach you shouldn't be drinking this. Do you want spring water?" He motioned for another drink but she quickly stopped him. "No, it's alright. In fact, I think the alcohol will relax my stomach muscles. It was quite an ordeal. I have never come so close to death before!" She forced her eyes to mist up.
I'd better drink alot of water tomorrow, all this water loss, I am going to dehydrate!

She made herself tremble and shake slightly. Billy Bob grew concerned. "Sugar, are you allright?"
"Yes. NO! NO, I'M NOT ALRIGHT!" OK, time now for the full-blown treatment!
"Oh, Billy Bob, you were so right! Everything went wrong. He--he cheated on me! I should have known. He was willing to cheat with a married woman. What did I expect? I-I had fallen under his spell! Oh, I am so sorry for what I did to you! It's Karma come back to bite me in the butt! You know, what goes around comes around? I am being paid back for the misery I put you through. How can I ever say I am sorry?"

Billy Bob was taken aback. He expected her to meet him and then read him the riot act. Is it possible that the trick we pulled was no trick after all? Some kind of pyschic phenomena where it was the truth, some parallel universe? Dang, I have GOT to stop watching Twilight Zone!
Rose twisted the glass in her hands and then took a drink. "Please let me talk. It was oh so wrong from the beginning. On our honeymoon I caught him under a catamaran with a Fijian woman. He SAID they were looking for conchs to make a soup. And I believed him! I think I married him because I honestly believed you were dead." She laid a hand on his arm and looked pleadingly up at him. Nice touch, Rose!
Billy Bob's mouth hardened. "What about the affair, Rose? Explain that--if you can."
"I-I don't have an explanation except that I was under some kind of spell. I can't explain it. Tonight was the last straw. He brought his wife into the house."
She cried on his shoulder. "Oh, Billy Bob, I did it again! I married a bigamist! But this was no error like you and I. OH NO! This one he brazenly moved right in the house."
She cried harder. "I couldn't take it anymore! I-I was so humiliated and made such a mess out of my life! I threw happiness away with both hands. So I checked into motel and drank a bottle of Jack Daniels and then a bottle of Southern Comfot to wash down the bottle of Xanax I had. The desk clerk noticed the air conditioner was not on and he opened the door and found me. The ambulance rushed me to the hospital and I had my stomach pumped."

"I am so embarrassed and humiliated." Rose let a tear slip down her cheek.
Billy Bob hugged her and said, "Poor baby. Oh, Rose--I am so sorry. For everything!"
He kissed her. "Darling-can we try again? Can we find a way back to each other? Start anew?"
Rose drew back and looked deep into his eyes. "I have never seen things more clearly as I do right this moment, William Montgomery! But I have to tread carefully. John Gwinnett's name is on the baby's birth certificate. OH! And to think that I changed it!"
Billy Bob kissed her hair. "We'll find a way, love."
Rose slid out of the booth. "I-I'd better go before I am missed." He said, "I'll walk you out."
"NO!" she said quickly. "I don't think we should be seen together. PLEASE! Not a word to anyone. Until I figure a few things out!"
She walked briskly to the door, put her hand on the door handle and looked back. Billy Bob kissed his hand and waved to her.
She smiled. Enjoy it now, Billy Bob! Because now I am getting even for your rotten tricks.


CAMPING WAS NEVER LIKE THIS!......by Terri

Rose sat in her car in the parking lot of the Dew Drop Inn. Am I taking this too far? NO! The three of them tried to break John and me up AGAIN! I'll show them! But what to do next? Oh, well, something will come to me... She drove home and used the stairs outside the balcony to her room. She opened the door and half expected to see John in their bed. She checked on the children, both sound asleep. Good. Poor kids. They don't need this turmoil in their lives. She saw a light under Eleanor's door and knocked softly.
Eleanor said, "Come in!"
Rose opened the door and quickly shut it behind her. Eleanor looked at her triumphantly. "I take it the wheels have been set in motion!" Eleanor put her bookmark in and patted on the bed. "Tell me what went on!"
Rose smiled, "He took the bait---hook, line and sinker!"
"Shouldn't that be---STINKER? What now, Rosamond? You have those three salivating like Pavlov's dogs. Waiting. And each doesn't know what the other one knows?"
Rose shook her head. "I am in the middle of forming a plan. How to do it is just something else. It will require split second timing." And Rose proceeded to outline a plan to Eleanor. She clapped her hands. "I love it! I love it!"
Rose stretched her arms over her head. "Elizabeth will only be a minor annoyance by that time. I just hope she doesn't join forces with Wanda Sue and Sally!"
She looked over at the clock by Eleanor's nightstand. "Is it really 11:00 PM? I need to wash this pasty death-mask off. Eleanor...can I ask a favor of you?"
"Sure, dear. What do you need?"
"Could you listen for the children? There are some amends I need to make!"
Eleanor made a purring cat-growl."Go get 'im, girl!"
Rose laughed and said, "I'll be back by eight-thirty. And the kids both love their Aunt El!"
She waved and closed the door. Jumping in the shower, she dried off and put on her prettiest lingerie. No need to bother with a dress. The silver fox fur will do nicely.
She brushed her hair out, used her most expensive body lotions and perfume, and slipped her coat and her boots on. It is really getting cold, could there be snow this weekend?
Rose slipped down the balcony stairs and walked briskly to the new house. Quiet.

She put her key in the door and softly shut it behind her when she walked in. There in the middle of the living room floor, John was curled up on an air matress, tucked in a sleeping bag. Rose's heart melted. He should be home and in bed, with me curled up next to him. Instead he is in this construction site, no heat except for the remains of the fire in the fireplace. Rose tiptoed over and placed a log on the grate, it immediately caught and began to burn with a warm glow. She quietly walked over to the sleeping bag, dropped her coat on the floor and slid into the sleeping bag.
John stirred, "Wha-a-a?" he mumbled, half-asleep. Rosamnd put her fingertips to his lips and whispered, "Don't say a word, darling....."


STRAIGHT TALK...........by Coralynn

When morning comes, the house on Winding Willow is quiet except for William sitting at the kitchen table, reading his five newspapers, muttering "idiots" and "I could do better that that, in fact I did!" remarks about the people in the government.
He hears a stirring..........ahhhhh Celeste is up. She comes into the kitchen yawning, stretching and remarks, "I hardly slept last night, William. Kept one eye and ear open for any movement from the other bed. Nervous that Elizabeth would wake up again."
"According to Roger, she'll probably wake up this morning," he comments.
"And who is going to talk to the woman? Who can assure her that she hasn't been taken to a terrible place and time?"
"Beth!" William says, putting aside the third of his five newspapers. "She was friends with Elizabeth back in 1640 Southold. She may be the only person Elizabeth will listen to."
"I'd better phone her. Think it's too early?" Celeste glances at the clock, "Being pregnant, Beth may try to sleep in."
They hear the front door open, and Beth walks back into the kitchen. "I would have rung the doorbell, but I didn't want to awaken anyone," she apologizes.
William shakes his head, "How many times do I have to tell you that you're family and you can walk in here any time you want to."
"I know, I know. But it seems impolite. However.......Roger said Elizabeth should be waking up this morning, and I wanted to be here to talk with her. She knows me."
"Our thoughts exactly," Celeste says as she places a cup of coffee down in front of Beth, who smiles up at her, takes a sip, and sighs, "Even if she sees me as an old friend, though, it's not going to be easy for her to get her mind around what has just happened. It sounds so weird......so impossible........but I have to give it my best."

They hear stirring sounds coming from Celeste's room and look at each other sending 'here she comes' warnings. Sure enough, Elizabeth, still wearing the clothing she had on when she was so unceremoniously whisked into the 21st century, appears at the kitchen door, looking totally confused.
"Where am I?" she asks in a small, plaintive voice. When she sees Beth, she peers at her intently, "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
Beth walks over to her and, taking her arm, leads her to a chair and waits for her to sit on it before she replies, "Yes. I'm Bethia. I used to be married to Caleb Adams, remember?"
"You disappeared, I remember. You were either kidnapped by the Indians or were eaten by a bear in the woods........nobody can figure out which. But you went away. Is this where you went, Beth? Where IS this anyway, and how did I get here?"
"This is the 21st Century, Elizabeth.....it's almost 400 years later. I don't suppose you've ever heard of time travel."
"Is it some sort of witchcraft?" Elizabeth looks frightened, "Why would John be doing witchcraft, and where is he? Where is my husband?"
Beth reaches over and takes her hand, "It's not witchcraft, it's just a phenomenon most people don't know about or understand. William here knows about it and brought us to this century......didn't you, William?"
He nods.
"See how kindly he is. Would he do a bad thing? No! We're here because the time in which we lived was too dangerous or inappropriate. I left Caleb and I haven't been beaten once since then. In fact, I'm now married to Roger who is the soul of goodness and gentleness."
"You married another man? Just like John married another woman? That's sinful!" Elizabeth mutters intently.
"Look, Elizabeth. Since it's almost 400 years later, the time difference makes a huge difference. Caleb Adams has been dead for 350 years......I even saw his grave........so how can I still be married to him?"
"NO! I just saw Caleb the other day. He's not dead. Did John think I was dead, too? Is that why he married the bad woman with the light hair?"
"She's not a bad woman, Elizabeth. She and John have a wonderful marriage and family. If you knew her, you'd like her. But yes, you had been dead a long, long time."
"Then why isn't John dead?"
"Because he came here, and being a time traveler, he'll never get old."
"Now that is witchcraft!"
"Elizabeth, you know me well. Would I dabble in something like that?" she looks up at Celeste pleadingly.
Celeste nods and grins. If Elizabeth ever saw my crystal ball, she'd go ballistic. Better cover it and move her to another room so she doesn't notice my strange paraphenalia, she thinks.
"What am I to do?" Elizabeth asks in a sad voice.
"Try to stay calm is my first suggestion, Elizabeth. Take my word for it, these are good people who mean you no harm. They didn't bring you here on purpose, either. You touched John as he was about to time travel, and got dragged along accidentally."
"Then, he doesn't really want me here. He doesn't want me at all," Elizabeth's eyes fill with tears. "He has a woman who can have babies and I can't. How can I win against something like that?"
"It isn't just the babies," Beth knows she's treading on shaky ground, "it's more that John and Rose were meant for each other. You know that you and John had more of a brother-sister relationship than a marriage."
The tears fall more rapidly from Elizabeth's eyes, "Yes. We didn't have much holding us together. Even at the time I wondered if he would have been better of with someone else."
"Right," Beth says as compassionately as she can.
"But what happens now?"
"If you'd like to return to 1640, all you have to do is say so and you can be back there instantaneously."
"Not yet, Bethia. I'd like to find out why John prefers the 21st Century to the one we were both born into.......I might like it better myself. I'm confused, so for right now, would you let me stay here with you?"
"Certainly," Beth says brightly, "In fact, you can even stay at MY house down the street. Whatever you prefer."
Elizabeth looks at William suspiciously and wonders if she'd be better off in Bethia's house where strange men don't lurk.
Going back to the question she asked before, she says one more time, "Where is John?"
"He's staying at another house right now, but he'll no doubt come over to see you today. You can have a nice talk with him then. OK?"
"OK. You're a good friend, Bethia."
Beth pats her shoulder and asks, "Ready for some 21st century breakfast, Elizabeth?"
"Yes. But only if you cook it!" she replies as she again looks at William with a jaundiced eye.


MORNING MUSINGS....by Terri

Rose woke up as the morning light streamed through the skylight. She stretched out luxuriously. As luxuriously as you could sleeping double in a single sleeping bag.
Then she curled up next to John, snuggling deep in the down-filled bag. John yawned and drew her closer to him. He murmured, "And all this time I thought you were a dream!"
Rose hugged him tightly and said, "I'm so sorry, John. I had no right to suggest you sleep here. I was being spoiled and selfish and self-centered...."
John kissed her and said, "That's alright. I remember how I felt about Hots when we brought him back accidently."
"I never noticed! You never said anything."
"That's because we walked into the Billy Bob Death Scene. You were so upset and preoccupied."
"What are you going to do with Elizabeth, John?"
John said, "First we have to go back home...." "...NO! I don't want to! Let's stay here forever...."
"...and now that everyone is rested, it will be easier to talk without emotions flying out of control."
Rose said in a small voice, "Is it sinful to wish she was far, far, away?"
"Not sinful, love, just that we have to have compassion now. She just had the rug pulled out from under her."
They slipped out of the sleeping bag. John grabbed his jeans and sweater. Rose just reached over and grabbed her silver fox coat and slipped it on. "I must say, Rose, you are full of surprises!" He looked her appreciatively up and down.
Rose let a small smile play on her lips. "You have no idea, John....no idea how surprising I can be!"

John locked the front door and Rosamond entwined her arm through his. John said, "I have a great idea. Marty is shutting down As the Planet Turns for a few weeks and he said he can delay your scenes, just concentrate on the French part of the story--the part with Louis and his advisors. That means everyone we know is off for a few weeks. Why don't you and I take the kids to Steamboat Springs for skiing next week? Just you, me and the kids. A regular family vacation like we've never had! Marty has a condo there.."
"....where DOESN'T Marty have a condo?.."
"...and he said we could use it. Are you ready to get away, honey?"
Rose kissed him impetuously. "More than you know, love! More than you know!"
And to herself, she thought, PERFECT! JUST PERFECT!

John and Rose came in the kitchen door. Celeste had Julie in the highchair and was feeding her strained apricots. She was wearing a bib and was slamming her little baby hands on the table and then putting her fist to her mouth, smearing apricots all over her face.
"Bethia! What are you doing here? Not that I'm not delighted you are here!" Rose said.
"I thought Celeste could use a hand with the uh, 'accidental tourist'. I just showed her how the shower works. And I gave her a robe of yours to wear. I hope you don't mind, Rose."
Rose opened her mouth to say something, caught the pleading look in John's eyes and said in clipped tones. "Sure. No problem. It's only fair. She gets my robe. I get her husband."
John sighed. "Rose, remember what we talked about?" Rose was immediately ashamed of herself. "I'm sorry. Sure. Get her what she needs." John poured a cup of coffee for himself and got Rose a cup of tea with lemon.
Rose leaned over to Julie and crooned, "And how is my little sweetheart this morning?" Julie rewarded her with a smack of apricots on the side of her face. Rose laughed and wiped them off.
John sat down and took a long drink of his coffee. "How is she, Beth?" Beth grabbed a slice of toast and buttered it. "Not too good. She's beginning to realize that you are no longer her husband. That she's been dead for over 350 years. But I think the worst part for her is knowing you have a little family.The one she could never give you."

Eleanor came down just then. "Good morning, everyone! My, isn't it a glorious morning?"
Rose stood up. "I need to take a shower and get dressed. I can't sit here forever in my fur coat."
William was on his fourth paper and said absentmindedly, "Just take your coat off and stay awhile, Rosamond."
Rose got a wicked gleam in her eye. She said, "Thanks, William! I think I will!" She stood up and threw her coat off. There she sat in her Victoria's Secret lingerie.
William shouted, "Rose! For the love of God, cover up!" and threw the afghan over her. Everyone laughed at William's discomfiture. She stood up, wrapped in her afghan and asked, "Is Elizabeth in my shower?"
Celeste said, "No, Eleanor said she could use hers."
Rose nodded. "I think maybe the less we see each other, the better for both of us."
Rose kissed the top of John's head and said, "I'll be down in a bit. John, could you please take Julie out of the high chair? I think she is way overdone on her apricots."
John said, "Sure, honey." Celeste said to John, "I'm still working on that memory-erasing potion."
John reached over and picked Julie up out of her high chair. Julie squealed with delight. John bounced her up and down on his knee and nuzzled her little neck.
He said, "How's daddy's little angel?" and Julie said, "Da-da! Da-da!"
At that moment, Elizabeth walked into the kitchen.


MAN IN THE MIDDLE........by Coralynn

John looks up and sees Elizabeth and smiles, "Did you get a good night of sleep, Elizabeth?" for want of anything better to say.
She sits and stares at Julie, "So this is your child. It is your child, isn't it, John?"
"Yes, she is. Her name is Julie."
"So it looks like I'm the one who can't have a baby. I was hoping it wasn't true."
John feels sorry for her. She looks so cowed. He's seaching for something more cheerful to say when she asks, "So you time traveled here, that's what Bethia told me. Is that some form of witchcraft?"
"No, no. Not at all. Did Beth also tell you about the 400 year time difference?"
"Yes. So, if it's 400 years later, and, Bethia said, I would be dead for a good 350 of it, I guess you would re-marry. She did."
"Yes, yes, she did. Roger. Splendid chap."
"She had to get away from Caleb Adams because he beat her. But, John, I never did anything awful to you. Why did you have to get away from me?"
John is thinking, should I tell her she runs off with Reverend Jackson or not? When she did that I had no reason to stay. What to do, what to do!!
He looks her straight in the eye and tells her, "Elizabeth. You have a liking for Reverend Jackson, is that right?"
Fear shoots through her eyes very quickly, then is gone. "Yes, I like him. Everyone likes him."
"Does he not favor you, though, more than others?"
"What have you heard?!" she begins to get agitated, "Lies! All lies!"
"Let's be straight with each other, Elizabeth. Because I have some knowledge of the future, because your future is in the past, looking at it from 2003, I know you and Rev. Jackson move to Rhode Island together."
"He asked me to. How did you find out?!"
"Don't be frightened. I'm not going to accuse you of doing anything wrong. But, the truth of the matter is, or was, that our marriage was pretty much dead at the time I left, would you agree?"
She nods and tears begin to run down her cheeks.
"So, Elizabeth, now is not the time for either of us to throw accusations at each other. We can be friends, we just can't be husband and wife."
"But....but....."
"I know. You're in a strange time and place. If you would be more comfortable in 1640 Southold, just say the word and it'll be done."
"Can I think about it first?"
"Of course. Just let me know. Uhhhh, one other favor, Elizabeth.....can you accept and treat Rose as my wife and a possible friend for you? She has nothing against you, she's just shocked that the two of you are in the same timeframe right now. You can imagine how shocked she was."
"Me, too."
"You most of all. Just rest and enjoy today and we can decide what to do tomorrow, OK? Marilyn is getting up now......she's a super nice person. She can show you how the televison works, and the dishwasher and all kinds of things you've never seen before. OK?"
"ok," she says in a quiet voice.
John takes Marilyn aside and tells her the latest progress with Elizabeth, and she nods her understanding. After they've discussed it, he goes upstairs to change clothes and Marilyn says cheerily, "HI, Elizbeth, may I call you Liz?"


LAYING IT ON THE LINE....by Terri

Rosamond was coming out of the bathroom, towel drying her hair when John came into the bedroom. Rose asked quietly, "How are things...downstairs?" John pulled his sweater over his head and Rose's heart skipped a beat. "I had a talk with Elizabeth. She's trying to grasp the knowledge that we are no longer married."
Rose said,"Did you look that good in Southold? Because if you did, I can't blame her!" He swatted her behind with his sweater. "No, I didn't look this good in Southold. Why do you think I bought a fitness center?"
Then John grew a little sad. "She saw the baby. I think it really depressed her. She realized that she was the reason we didn't have children. Or when she did conceive, she lost them early. She was always delicate and it took its toll on her health."
Rose said quietly, "John, I still don't like this situation."
John shrugged. "I didn't like the situation with Billy Bob but what could I do?"
Rose said, "But he wasn't in the same house."
"Might as well have been."
Rose said, "Let's not go there, John."
"Agreed. I'm going to take a shower and shave and then I have to go to work."

Rosamond walked downstairs and picked Julie up out of the playpen. "How's my little princess?" She took Julie into the kitchen with her. Julie hugged her neck and said, "Ma-ma! Ma-ma!" Rose kissed her nose and laughed. "Yes, angel! Mama!" She looked up and saw Elizabeth standing in the doorway, totally miserable. Rose felt sorry for her. She said quietly to Ellizabeth, "Please sit down. May I call you Elizabeth?" Elizabeth shrugged. "I don't know what else you would call me. Certainly not Mrs. Gwinnett. That's YOU!" Rose ignored the veiled barb. "I think we need to get something straight. I don't want you to think that John left Southold 1640 and you for me. That is not the way it went." Elizabeth looked down. "Would you mind telling me the way it DID go? For my own peace of mind."

Rosamond drew a deep breath. I hope I can keep my cool and make John proud of me. "It was in June 1640. For reasons I don't care to go into, William, Eleanor and I left our timeframe and intended to come to New York in 2001. William has a time travel coin. He made a mistake--it can happen, even with William--and we landed in Southold 1640. We ran into trouble with the Puritans and to make a really long story short, a few people helped us out. John was one of them. Bethia was another. Now, don't get offended but when we were leaving--and it was sudden--John got a letter from you saying your marriage to him was not legal, that you were running off with Reverend Jackson."
"I NEVER!!"
"Sorry, but you did. I saw the letter myself. Turns out you WERE legally married, the Reverend just told you that. John and Bethia both found no reason to stay and on an impulse, they time-traveled with us. Both found it to their liking and stayed. I want you to understand this, Elizabeth. I never---I mean, John and I never--not while you were around---what I mean to say is that we fell in love. I'll be honest with you. I wanted him the moment I saw him but he did't act on it until you left him." Elizabeth sat there trying to absorb all the information. She sat there desolately and said, "You gave him what I couldn't. A baby. A family."
She looked up at Rose. "Is he happy?"
"Yes, Elizabeth. He is happy. We both are. We are building a life together. I'm sorry. I love him. And I am going to fight for him."
Elizabeth nodded slowly. "May I hold John's baby?"
Rose stood up and gave Elizabeth the baby to hold. She couldn't help herself, her eyes misted up. For Elizabeth's grief.
Elizabeth held Julie and tears coursed down her face. Rose patted her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. So sorry."
And Rose turned away to hide her own tears. What a mess, she thought.

Rosamond was heading up the stairs with Julie when she passed John coming downstairs. "Everything OK?" he asked.
Rose buried her face in Julie's neck to hide any emotion she may have felt. She didn't want John to see her cry.
"It's alright, John. I have to meet Murph at the house this morning. Maybe you'd better go downstairs to see to your....Elizabeth."
John stood there puzzled as Rosamond rushed past him.

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