Jane fought the heavy blanket of
darkness that covered her mind. She
could almost see a shimmering place
above her, she knew it was
consciousness. Struggling to concentrate
on the fiery pain in her leg, helped her
focus her mind. She felt warmth, on one
side, and made the connection that it
was Pete, laying next to her. His whines
acted as a beacon for her mind, she grew
closer to that shimmering goal.
Outside the storm raged on, the point
was now a scene of devastation. Five
trees had been levelled by lightning.
the generator shed destroyed, and the
shoreline was being eroded by chunks.
The sky was pitch black and the
shoreline in all directions was dark and
powerless. Long time residents of the
lake shore will remember this as one of
the darkest nights in memory. Only
flashing lightning illuminated the land
and the churning waters of Lake
Michigan.
Pete was barking,
loudly and that was what pulled Jane up
to the surface of awareness. Her leg
screamed at her in agony as she tried to
move. Pete, wagged his tail furiously as
he saw her move, He quickly licked her
face, and then spun towards the door and
continued barking. The iron door was
swinging back and forth a little in the
wind, but was closed most of the way.
Jane laid her hand on Pete's back and
started to sooth him, when the door flew
open.
Jane was startled and
cried out in pain as she moved her leg
in surprise. An eerie whiteish/blue
light flooded into the doorway, as
Amanda Grey stood looking down at Jane.
Her face was sad beyond words, but there
was something else in her expression.
Jane saw it as determination. "Amanda,
I'm hurt, My leg is broken." Jane said
to the spectral vision in front of her.
Amanda gazed up the stairs and back down
at Jane. "Not again" was all she said in
that hollow, distant voice. She floated
by Jane and started up the stairs, her
light spilling onto the walls as she
went higher into the tower.
Jane
gritted her teeth and dragged herself to
the doorway and half way out to look
outside. Rain pelted down on her
upturned face as she strained to see the
tower. She could follow Amanda's climb
from the light that spilled out of the
windows in the stone tower. Shafts of
brilliant light shot out of each window
as she passed by. Pete, continued to
stand close by his fallen mistress, but
no longer barked, sensing there was no
danger to Jane. Finally Jane could see
the lamp room illuminated in a blaze of
white light. The whole top of the tower
gave off a glow, but through the center
of it cut a sharp and focused beam of
light out towards the raging
waters.
Jane began shaking with
a mixture of excitement, exhaustion, and
a chill from the dampness and wind. A
soft ghostly moan could be heard echoing
down from the upper reaches of the
tower, Jane listened to it, feeling the
exertion Amanda must be putting forth to
send out her light. In that low moan,
Jane heard pain, longing, and
determination, it brought tears to her
eyes. Dragging herself back inside the
tower, she curled up in a ball on the
floor, hugging Pete, and saying a prayer
for Brian, lost somewhere out in the
turbulent darkness.
As she
slipped back into the world of dreams,
the radio inside her coat
crackled.."Eagl...oint, Your ..eem
...visib..., Will make...arbor, Over."
Jane paid no attention, she had slipped
once more beneath the blanket of
darkness, to escape the pain in her
leg.
Out in the turbulent lake,
Brian strained to keep the boat running
in a straight line. Huge swells rocked
and tipped the Albatross like a toy
boat. The pumps were running full, to
keep up with the water that rushed over
the sides of the boat. He had gambled
on making Bass River Harbor before the
worst of the storm had arrived. 30
miles out, he ran into some of the worst
weather he had ever navigated in. The
surging lake constantly pulled him out
further away from shore. He could not
run the coastline because the breakers
were incredibly powerfull, and they had
began further out from the coast due to
the fierce winds. As a result, Brian
steered over each giant swell and headed
out further into the lake. He figured
the beacon from Eagles Point would alert
him when to head towards land, and Bass
River. A little over an hour ago he
knew he should be seeing the Tower's
light and felt a chill run down his
spine when all he could see was darkness
where lights should be seen. He had
radioed Jane and got no responce.
Clearly she would be riding the storm
out, but he desperatly needed to see
that familiar flashing light. The days
of navigating by sextant, or even
compass had passed by with the arrival
of lorean satelite systems. Cost as
well as his desire to keep some of the
old mariner's traditions alive had
prevented him from installing the high
tech gear. Now as he was thrown side to
side in this raging storm, he wished he
had made other choices. He grew weary
from struggling with the wheel of his
craft, and had radioed again to Jane a
few minuets ago, again failing to get a
reply. Then out of the darkness, a beam
of light cast it's warmth on the water.
It had to be Eagle's Point, but there
was no signiture flash to it. The color
was also very unusual, but none the
less, it was the signal he needed to
guide him to safety. Wiping water from
his eyes, he steered the boat towards
the shore, and where he knew safe waters
awaited behind the town's
breakwalls.
Jane opened her eyes,
still somewhat disoriented, and in
considerable pain. The first pale light
of dawn was visible outside the swinging
tower door. She sat up, slowly,
mindfull not to move her leg anymore
than she had to. The upper reaches of
the tower still had that unearthy glow,
but it was diminished. Pete whined, and
licked her face, while wagging his tail.
Jane noticed the light shift in the
tower, and saw Amanda, slowly descend
the stairs. She looked worn and seemed
to be in distress. The glow she gave
off was no longer brilliant, it was
faded, and Jane sensed Amanda had given
more of herself than she ever had before
in her visits. She paused in front of
Jane and looked down with sad, vacant
eyes.
"Forget not my love, when
your's returns." she spoke in her hollow
distant tone.
Jane whispered
"Thank you" as Amanda floated out the
door. She watched Amanda glide across
the lawn. She stopped a few hundred
feet from the tower, glanced out over
the lake, and simply winked out of
existance. Pete jumped to his feet and
stuck his head out of the door, looking
in all directions, and barking. Jane
reached over to him and patted his ong
shaggy hindquarters. "That's OK boy,
she's gone." Pete spun around and
curled up next to Jane. She settled
back on the cold damp stone floor and
wrapped her arm around Pete, enjoying
his warmth. "Help will come, we just
have to wait." Her long time companion
sighed, and settled in with her.
Just as Jane promised, help did
arrive, but not until 5 long hours had
passed. The Coast Guard had sent a team
of officers to inspect all the towers
along the coast that day, and they
arrived at the upper parking lot around
10 that morning. Pete raced up to meet
them, barking wildly. By 10:30 Jane was
being carried up the path on a strecher,
when Brian arrived. He followed the
ambulance to Saginaw county Hospital.
Brian sat in the waiting room for what
semed an eternity, until the head Nurse
came to tell him Jane was going to be
admited overnight, and was in her room.
He walked into her room and she smiled
warmly at him.
"Do you know how
glad I am to see you?" she said in a
scolding tone. "Come here,
You."
Brian walked over to her
smiling, at her high spirits, it was a
good sign that she was not seriously
hurt. Jane threw her arms around him
and kissed him softly on the mouth.
"That, is from Amanda, You'll get my
greeting at a later date," she said with
a wink. "Now you have to leave on an
urgent favor for me. I want you to go
call Captain Jeffers from the Coast
Guard and have him here in two hours
time. Tell him I want the point closed
to everyone until he and I can get out
there Tommorow or the day after. He
must close the point before he comes
here."
Brian started to protest,
but was cut off quickly.
"Please
do this with no questions now. It is a
debt both of us owe, but that is a long
story." Jane said giving him a peck on
the cheek.
Brian was better than
his word, not only did he call the
Captain, he personally picked him up and
brought him to the hospital, but not
before hearing him giving the orders
that the point was to be left untouched.
Jane , though tired and feeling the
effects of a mild case of exposure and
exhaustion, told her tale to both of her
visitors. When she finished, Brian said
nothing, thinking back on the quality of
the tower's light that guided him to
safety earlier that morning. Jeffers
broke the silence in a polite but
doubtful tone of voice.
"Ms
Tolenz. That is quite a tale, and one
that you no doubt have no proof of.
However, I will personally investigate
the body you say is out on the cliffs.
The Dr.s tell me you will be released
Tommorow, and I see no reason that I
can't give you another day to recover
before I come out with a crew to the
point. For the record, I want to
personally commend you for extrordinary
service during a crisis situation. Your
actions saved the life of Mr. Chappman
here. Not only that but your light was
one of but only two that remained lit during this
massive storm and power outage. It is
my belief that you personally kept the
light burning with a kerosene lamp and
fell coming out of the tower near dawn.
The resulting trauma of breaking your
leg and knocking yourself out, gave you
the oppertunity to imagine the
rest. Jane glared up at him from her bed, but bit her tongue. She was finished trying to convince non-believers.
Two days later, Jane was back at the point, burdened with a plaster cast up to her knee. Her upper leg was wrapped with a support bandage as well. She was confined to a wheelchair for the next week. At which point she could walk and stand for limited periods of time. The Lighthouse society offered a week's worth of volunteers to give tours while Jane was laid up. The State had approved of this even before Jane had been released from the hospital. Jane could not fault any of them for how she was treated. Even Mr. Thorton was nice when he stopped by the day Jane came home. Now looking out the window towards the lake, Jane wondered who they would find among the rocks. She just knew it was Randy Grey, but even Brian told her the possibility was slim that he would have remained so close after being swept away in that storm so long ago.
Brian arrived at 9am and he and Jane were just finishing a light breakfast of Muffins, tea and fruit when the Coast Guard crew arrived. Capt. Jaffers supervised the unloading of the gear, as Jane and Brian came out of the cottage. Jane sat in her chair, and asked Brian to start taking her down to the shoreline. They sat on the edge of the lawn near the cave in for several minuets before the Captain walked towards them. He looked down at Jane and greeted her.
"Ms. Tolenz, I hope you are feeling better. If you could tell me where to start looking. I hope to have my men out of your way quickly, and give you a chance to rest up some more."
Jane described the area to the best of her memory, and the crew was down the bank and set up in a matter of minutes. Jane held Brian's hand and waited for some word from the crew. Several moments later she heard some yelling, and then several men climbed up the bank and headed towards the truck. Capt. Jeffers peered over the edge of the embankment and called out to Jane, "We found it! There is definately a body down in the rocks."
Sounds of hammers and chisels could be heard and then the two men returned from the truck with a stretcher and a black plastic body bag. Jane could hear more conversation, muffeled by the rocks, then the Captain climbed up onto the lawn. He stood up and walked over to Jane. "Ms. Tolenz, from our initial observations, it does indeed appear as if the body may be that of Randy Grey."
He placed a small tarnished item on her lap. Jane looked fown at it with no comprehension of what it was. The effects of years of weather and dirt hid it's true form.
"That is most likely, Randy Grey's lighthouse service badge. It was found mixed in with the bones, exactly like it had been worn on the chest area. It will take 2 weeks for us to run dental record checks on the body, but I do believe Randy Grey has been found."
Word of the find at the point spred quickly, Mr Thorton arrived the next day and spoke at length of the State's desire to honor Randy Grey in some manner. The Lighthouse Society had their historian come and keep a record of all the events surounding this discovery. The Coast Guard had crews out at the point for the entire time, scouring the embankent for other relics or clues to this find.
Every day during those 2 weeks, Jane grew stronger and had almost constant visitors of one type or another. Finally on the 13th day after the body had been lifted up to the lawn, and then carried away in the Coast Guard truck, Captain Jeffers arrived with Mr. Thorton, and the Deputy Governor. Jane invited them all into the small cottage and put on some water for tea. As they sat in the tiny kitchen, Mr. Thorton was the first to speak.
Ms. Tolenz, or if I may, Jane. You have surpassed the expectations of our Summer Tourguides in many different ways. You have displayed a dedication to Eagles Point I would have not thought possible when we first met. Therefore a most unusual descision has been made, and I will let the Deputy Governor tell you himself."
Mr. Haskins smiled broadly at Jane and she sensed it was not a practiced politician's smile, but one that was truly genuine. "Ms. Tolenz. The State of Michigan takes pride in their lighthouses. We do have in fact more of these wonderful places than any other state in the country. So when a person displays the same dedication, it is not lost on this administration. Therefore it is my personal pleasure to offer you a perminate position here as our summer Guide and caretaker. Your duties will be outlined later by Mr. Thorton, but you would be busy well past the October Closing Date and begin early again each spring. On behalf of the people of Michigan, I hope you will accecpt this offer."
Jane fought to find her voice. "Mr Haskins, I would like to thank you and everyone here for this honor. I will need only a few days to completely work out any personal details, but I can assure you now, I see nothing that could stop me from accecpting this wonderful offer. I do have to ask, though what was the findings of the body found here? Was it in fact Randy Grey?"
Captain Jeffers looked at his companions and said, "Gentlemen I will respond to this if it pleases you. Jane, You did indeed discover the body of Randy Grey. Forensic tests have been concluded and the idenity confirmed. After contacting the surviving family of Mr. Grey, we have decided that his body will be laid to rest here on the grounds alongside the stone marker that will be dedicated on Labor Day. The details will be worked out through Mr. Thorton's office and with the new Caretaker of Grey's point." He said with a smile. Then he continued. "We hope to be able to announce your appointment on that day also."
They sat for at least another hour, drinking tea and talking about the upcoming dedication. When her guests left, Jane waved goodbye and then raced to the Radio, in hopes of reaching Brian. He answered in a few moments, telling her he was just docking at Bass River. She excitedly asked him to hurry over with a bottle of the best wine in town, to hear what had just happened. Looking out at the water of Lake Michigan, Jane knew in her heart that she needed no extra time considering the offer. She would gladly leave the life she left behind at the begining of the summer. No matter what developed between her and Brian, after the divorce became final, she loved this place and somehow felt she belonged here.
Labor Day Weekend came quickly with all the activity at the point. Jane was able to walk with a crutch, even though the cast would remain on for 6 more weeks. Randy Grey was laid to rest, in a quiet ceremony the previous weekend, with a distant cousin in attendance, and a Methodist Minister preforming the ceremony. During the time before Labor Day Jane never saw or heard Amanda. She even called to her on several nights, hoping to make contact with her guardian that stormy night not so long ago. Now on the lawn rows of chairs had been set up and now were filled with people. Even more people stood in the back, almost stretching to the parking area. Jane was nervously adjusting her Keeper's Uniform. Brian sat at the kitchen table and smiled widely at her. "You look great. Let's go get you seated."
The ceremonies started at 2pm. Mr. Thorton opened the program, and after a short introduction, left the podium to Captain Jeffers.
Adjusting the microphone to his level, the Captain greeted the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen. We all know why we are gathered here today. The dedication of this tower, and remaning it to Grey's Point came from the hard work of Jane Tolenz. I am sure most of you have heard of her heroics last month during the savage storm that ripped this area of the coast. On that night she also made a most amazing discovery. So now it is my pleasure to announce that Randy Grey's remains have been found, and now lay at rest here, on the spot where he gave his life in service to the State of Michigan."
The captain motioned for the Deputy Governor to come forward and the two of them stood on each side of the stone marker that was drapped with a black cloth. Deputy Haskins took the microphone and greeted the crowd. "It is my pleasure to be here and to be able to unveil this monument." On cue a Navy drum and Bugle corps started a drum roll. The two men gracefully wisked away the black drape revealing a 4 foot stone marker, with a likeness of a couple standing in front of Eagles Point tower. An Oak plaque was engraved with their names and the date they lost their lives. A lone bugle played taps softly in the back of the crowd. Mr. Haskins started to address the crowd again, introducing Jane. "Now a woman who needs no introduction, Jane Tolenz." The ovation was thunderous and Jane stood and turned to wave before taking the podium. She perhaps had the most unique view of what happened on the lawn that day. The crowd went from applauding and cheering to stunned expressions and wide eyed marvel. Several women shrieked and children jumped up and pointed excitedly. Spining around, Jane almost fell over loosing her balance. Brian Jumped up and caught her, yelling excitedly "Jane Look!"
Shimmering in a pool of brilliant light Amanda Grey looked down at the stone marker. She hovered just slightly above the ground, casting off the most beautiful light Jane had ever seen. Her expression was no longer one of torment. Peace and tranquility was evident in her face. Even above the noise of the shocked crowd, her words came through, in that other worldly tone, but one that also implied peace at last. "Thank You.....I go now to my love" With that, the vision disappeared. Some say she simply vanished, others say she drifted skyward. Still others say it was all a show, projected somehow by a hidden hologenerator. To Jane, it appeared that Amanda sank down into the earth at the base of Randy's Grave.
The rest of the day went by quickly, as the announcement was made of Jane's appointment as perminate caretaker of Grey's Point Lighthouse. Even after the ceremonies, the crowd remained most wandering around the grounds, waiting for a chance to speak personally with Jane. By 6 that evening the grounds were getting empty and Jane was exhausted. Captain Jeffers walked up to her and shook her hand. "Jane, I wanted to personally tell you, I am sorry I ever questioned your tale of Amanda Grey. I guess there will always be much that defies logic and explination in this world." Jane shook his hand and thanked him for his kind words and all that he had done to make all this possible.
By 8pm Jane and Brian were alone, standing by the stone marker. Jane laid a bouquet of flowers at the base of the stone monument and looked into Brian's eyes. "I think she will be at rest now. Today will be the last Amanda ever walks these grounds."
Brian smiled at her and gave her a big hug, "Yes, I think you are right, however she will be at rest, not only because she and Randy are united, but because she knows her beloved Tower has a new "Lady of the Light". Jane laughed and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
Five summers after that incredible beginning to her new life, Jane stood on the pier looking out over the lake. Waves lapped gently at the shore, and soon she could see a familiar shape heading towards the point. Clasping the tiny hand that held hers, she said softly, "Come Amanda, Daddy's coming, lets go get dinner on the table for him." Twilight started to fill the sky and cricketts chirped in the grass as mother and child walked slowly towards the cottage.
THE END- JUNE- 11th 1999
