The Shotgun House

By C.K. DeLaughter

Cole, a wealthy Mississippi boy, is drawn to a poor girl from New Orleans. They both have supernatural experiences including a near death experience for Cole and a psychic reading for Rose that leaves clues about their past life together. Obstacles, murder, and tragic events pull them closer. Do they dare believe they could be soulmates?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 7, 2013
• ISBN: 9780615827001

Book preview

COLE

Chapter One

Mississippi Home

The summer sunlight beamed into my room awakening me from an indulgent night’s sleep. I lay in my four-poster featherbed anticipating my twelfth birthday celebration. I jumped out of my bed and felt the warmth of the hardwood floors on my feet, barely missing the remote-controlled car lying by my bed. I could smell the bacon cooking in the kitchen, and my stomach started to growl. I grabbed a T-shirt and my Ole Miss navy sweats and ran towards the kitchen, dodging all objects in my way like a professional football player. Just like any morning during summer break in Mississippi, I was ready for a fun day, but today on my birthday all attention would be on me. In my innocence as a young boy how could I have known what awaited me later that day? The day would start with my birthday celebration and would end with my death. Today would be the day I died.

I never felt the need to answer life’s perplexing questions or try to understand the purpose of my life. Those questions never entered my young mind, but today, whether I wanted it or not, those questions would be answered. I would never forget this day, and this day would change me forever. I would have a glimpse into eternity, a peek into another world, a world that was safe and enticing, a world that awaits us all.

I grew up in what many call homeseeker’s paradise, or otherwise known as Brookhaven, Mississippi. Our family for generations had grown up in this small and close community. Once you get a taste for the South, it‘s impossible to forget. It gets under your skin, in your DNA, just hangs on to your soul.

This life for any boy would be idealistic. I lived on acres of beautiful green rolling hills, surrounded by large pine trees, which almost touched the heavens. I felt secure and safe with the trees surrounding my home. Azaleas bloomed with the brightest pink colors that exploded all over our yard and gardens. Just outside my window were gardenia bushes with flowers as big as my head; the smell was intoxicating as the flowers sparkled in the morning dew. The crepe myrtles along our driveway followed a path deep into the woods. The flowers cascaded off the trees in the springtime with colors of white, pink, and purple. Life was effortless, beautiful, and flowed with unrestrained enjoyment. Later that day, I would be taught that not everyone experiences the same beauty in life; some experience the complete opposite.

As a little boy, that long driveway lined with the crepe myrtles dripping in color entertained me most of the summer. I would use chalk to draw a roadway and ride my bike on it as if it were my own town. Games would include my younger brother acting as a police officer handing out tickets to me and sometimes handcuffing me and hauling me off to jail. Thank goodness the jail was just the nearby barn that housed our boat and other vehicles that kept our family residence immaculate. If we became bored with robbing banks and sitting in jail, my brother and I would play army in the woods out in back of our home. We dug trenches that would make our war games that much more realistic. With all the open land, we could shoot our BB guns as much and as far as we wanted. The open space gave rein to an imagination that was endless. Our games would go into the night when we would catch lightning bugs, put them in jars, and then use them as lanterns. My brother was a year younger than I was, and we were the best of friends. Our friendship would only grow as we grew. We had few rules, and really how much trouble could we get into in such a safe and beautiful place?

At the end of summer we could count on the Ole Brook Festival, which was sponsored by the local Lions Club. This was a week of fun and entertainment that marked our last bit of freedom before school started. We had a permanent carnival in our town right by the softball field. As you rode through town during carnival, the lights and smells of the food drew you to a childhood memory that had been ongoing for fifty years. Of course you can’t leave out the Water Carnival—which involves no water. It’s the swimsuit contest that crowns the prettiest girl in the county; even at twelve I could see the treasure of that competition. Southern girls with their feisty ways, beauty, and charm might be some of the most beautiful women in the world, but I am prejudiced and always would be toward Southern women.

My mother just happened to win the 1980 Water Carnival title, and that was the year my daddy first laid eyes on her. He told me, Son, when you get to looking for a wife, check out the Water Carnival—it worked for me. He was right, later in life I would be torn by two women who were in that pageant. I would fall madly in love with one of them.

Our parent’s relationship was a great example—the most important gift they gave us was their love for each other. Watching them together, I knew someday I wanted the kind of relationship they had. My daddy was very protective of my mother. I watched and learned as he carefully opened the door for her, pulled out her chair, and even as she crossed the street, he would walk with his arm around her standing nearer to the traffic. We were never allowed to disrespect our mother in anyway; even a tone in our voice would cause my daddy to come unglued.

Carnival had just ended Saturday night, and today was my birthday. It was Sunday, August 31, 2007, and school would start in two more days. Mama was in the kitchen cooking as I ran behind her to grab a piece of bacon off the plate, and with her vibrant smile she greeted me and kissed me on my check.

Happy birthday, Cole. How is my young man? How does it feel? she beamed.

I smiled. Mama, I’m not a man.

She put her arm around me. This is the first day of your manhood. Twelve is an important day. You are no longer a child, much will be expected of you as much has been given to you, sweetheart.

At that moment I knew she was right. It was the beginning of me becoming a man. I took what she said to heart and wanted to be the best I could be for her and for myself. Later that day I would experience a taste of being a man, and I would learn what true love meant.

Mama had made a super breakfast for me on my birthday, like always. My favorites—grits with loads of butter and pepper, homemade biscuits with her homemade strawberry jam, scrambled eggs sprinkled with parmesan cheese, maple bacon, and her famous hot chocolate smothered in whipped cream. She put my breakfast on a birthday plate that was used only for anyone having a birthday. It was so vibrant; it always reminds me how much my mother and all of our family slather everything in color. On the table were some of her beautiful roses—all the colors she loved, and the smell was always present in our home. To this day if I smell roses, I think of my mother and the woman that would change my life forever.

Sam, my younger brother sat at the table next to me and immediately punched me and said, Happy birthday, bro! then dug right into the feast before us, piling mounds of food onto his plate.

I punched him right back. My daddy came to the breakfast table and kissed me on the cheek and said, Love you, Cole. Happy birthday, Buddy. It’s a happy moment for me, and my life seems perfect.

Mama was beautiful; she had long, blonde hair and dressed almost like a hippie. She looked natural—she never wore fancy clothes, wore hardly any makeup, was always barefoot, and her smile lighted a room. She loved working in her garden, cooking with fresh herbs, canning vegetables, and most of all she loved being a mom. She would write articles and blog about being a Mom, cooking, and life in the South. Mama was one of those people that when someone met her they wanted her to be in their life because of her energy. They felt they could somehow capture it by just being around her.

Sam looked like Mama and had many of her traits. He had her big smile, blonde hair, blue eyes, and her great sense of humor and energy. He even dressed a little like Mama—flip-flops, shorts, and a T-shirt. He was casual, funny, and you never knew what Sam might do next. Mama always said Sam would be a heartbreaker and that prediction would come true. Sam loved the water, so it was natural that we had a pool in the backyard, pond in the woods, and a lake nearby. Sam would rather be in the water than on land. The water would give great joy to Sam, but it would soon cause him some terrible heartache.

Our home was beautiful, with two levels of wrap-around porches that took advantage of the scenery. The green and yellow colors of the exterior woodwork with natural stone added to the relaxed atmosphere that we loved as a family. Just outside our family room were two stories of windows that looked out to the pool and a large open pit for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows in the summer. Sam and I spent many hours swimming in the family pool. On the second story, our house had a huge play area for billiards, computer games with multiple gaming areas, media room, and lots of other games stacked in the wooden bookcase. At night Sam and I would sit in the rocking chairs on the veranda and look out in the vastness of the woods. We loved to just hang out and talk. Sam had big plans for his life. He wanted to be professional water-skier or maybe own a ski school on the lake. My plans were simpler; I just wanted to be like my daddy.

My parents were protective; and I believe having every possible form of entertainment at our disposal was their way of keeping us close to home. They would rather our friends come to our house to play so they could watch us carefully. Although we had more than most folks in that area, we had friends from all walks of life. Our home was full of boys and girls from the neighborhood. It was the happening place, as Mama would always say. My mama was always cooking, and we were always eating, and our parents were always watching. They desperately wanted our innocence preserved. Unlike my brother and me, my parents knew of the dangers that can change a person’s life. They were determined to keep us safe, but life never goes as planned.

My daddy was a pediatric physician, a former college football quarterback at Ole Miss, and was a great guy. He was tall, quiet, and good-looking. My mama said I looked just like Daddy when he was young, so I was hoping she was right. Daddy and I had dark hair with some curl, olive skin, green eyes with long eyelashes, and Daddy was tall, over 6’3". I was growing and hoped I would be as tall as he. Because Daddy and I were so much alike, he hoped I would follow his footsteps and go into the medical field. Because Daddy had been a football player in college at Ole Miss, he naturally wanted me to play at Ole Miss as well. He started grooming me early; playing football with me and putting me on competitive teams when I was as young as five.

Mama said she thought Daddy was a snooty, preppy boy, and it’s amazing that they ended up together, but after he saw her win Water Carnival Queen, he pursued her until she finally succumbed to his charm.

I loved football just like my daddy, and it became an important part of my life. I wanted to get a scholarship to Ole Miss and become a star quarterback just like Daddy. My favorite time to play football was after a heavy rain and the yard and ditches would be full of water, and we would play football and slide in the water and jump in the ditches. It was amazing! My dad would get so excited throwing the ball and running, he was just like a kid again on those days.

There were so many advantages to living in the South—the heavy rains for football games, the warm weather for water sports, hunting, fishing, camping, and the clear nights for stargazing—all the things I loved. The nights in Mississippi would be so clear, and we were so deep in the country, far away from any city lights, that the heavens would sparkle like diamonds. We had a large telescope that sat on the veranda on the second level of our home. Many nights our family would look up at the heavens and admire all the stars, planets, and the constellations. I loved to see shooting stars. I always thought that with so much out there in space there must be other planets with people. Stargazing was one of my favorite hobbies.

Even though I loved football and the thought of being a doctor, I loved astronomy even more. Daddy said it was an unpredictable field and I should settle on medicine, but my heart pulled me to the telescope and the study of the universe. It was just too vast and beautiful, and I wanted to know more; I felt drawn to the heavens. Sam had no interest in astronomy and would read Ski magazine while I looked into the telescope. We were so different, but I had such a love for my brother and admired his ability to just fly by the seat of his pants. I planned everything I did and Sam was so spontaneous, but this trait would get Sam in trouble just as it did on my twelfth birthday.

Mama loved our differences and said that is what made our family so interesting. She would tell Sam and me that we must have been born that way because she raised us both the same.

She scoffed, Not one of you boys, including your Daddy want to work in the garden or cook with me. Lord knows I’ve tried. Maybe one day you’ll bring home a young lady that will love the garden as much as I do.

Mama would be right there would be a young lady who loved the garden as much as she did.

COLE

Chapter Two

My Birthday

The morning of my twelfth birthday after our delicious breakfast, our family started loading our boat with skis, wakeboards, life vests, and an ice chest full of water, Coke, and snacks to go to the nearby lake. I was allowed to bring two friends, Tanner and Eric. They came over and immediately ran to the kitchen to eat any left overs; they loved my mama’s cooking. The guys ate up the last of the biscuits and jam. Eric had jam all over his face and used his shirt to wipe it off.

I looked at him with disgust. He mumbled, Geez, Cole, when I jump in the water it will come right off.

I laughed. So true. That’s the best way, dude.

Once we got to the lake, Sam immediately jumped in. He was more excited than I was to spend the day skiing. Sam screamed as he did a cannonball in the water, Geronimo! We all jumped in right behind him. Mama set up our camping area, and Daddy launched the boat with Tanner and Sam. Mama started to read and said she would join us a little later. I ran to the dock to jump on the boat, when I saw Annie. She is a friend of ours from school. I think she is in Sam’s class.

She had a cute little blond Labrador puppy and ran up to show me. Look at my baby. Isn’t he the cutest?

I smiled and rubbed the puppy’s head. Yeah, Annie, he is cute. The dog just about licked the skin off my face.

Daddy drove up, and Sam jumped out to say hi to Annie and play with her new puppy. Sam was laughing at the puppy because he almost fell off the dock. Annie, that puppy has balance issues.

Annie smiled. Sam, he is a baby he can hardly walk. I’m sure he will get his balance. Sam teased Annie and tried to push her in the lake.

Suddenly I heard Mama say, Sam, leave Annie alone. Stop teasing her.

Sam jumped in the boat and called, See you later, Annie. Your dog needs a walker or something. Sam laughed as we drove off. Annie waved goodbye and walked over to say hi to Mama. She loved Mama’s cooking and knew Mama always had good food sitting around.

The sun was out in full force, and we were ready to play. We spent the rest of the day at the lake. Everyone had a blast skiing, wakeboarding, and swimming in the water. One of my presents was a new wakeboard. Sam was so jealous he couldn’t see straight, but I let him and the guys use it when I was resting. After lunch, Mama got in the boat with us. She was taking pictures and took some awesome shots as the skiing was prime and the water was like glass. Tanner, Eric, Sam, and I were best friends, and we were laughing as usual at Sam because he was showing off to the max. He was such a hotdog and was always taking chances. Mama had a worried look on her face as she watched Sam.

Daddy said, Don’t worry. He’s ok. Just relax! It was as if Mama was having a foreboding about things yet to come. She just could not relax that day.

When we left the lake she seemed to calm down, as if getting off the water somehow solved the problem. Usually she is the one driving the boat, jumping in and skiing, but today was different. She spent little time on the lake and was reading and watching most the day. We all thought she was just having an off day, but the intuition of a mother should never be discounted.

The day ended with birthday cake, ice cream, and more pictures. It was getting dark, and Mama and Daddy were relaxing on the couch watching a movie. The guys had other plans. We got our flashlights and headed for the woods.

Summer nights in the dark in the woods in Mississippi can be scary to those who have not lived there, but since Sam and I had walked the woods since we were little, it had been a natural place to play and learn about nature. The sounds of the night echoed—the crickets, owls, frogs, and even our feet crushing the branches and leaves. We laughed and pushed each other. Sam immediately headed to the pond. As always, he was drawn to the water. We threw sticks in the pond, then started to play spotlight—shining the flashlight on a frog, possum, or armadillo to stun the animal, making them easier to grab. Sam was phenomenal at this game, and before we knew it he had a bag of frogs and was chasing an armadillo.

Tanner said, Let those frogs go, Sam, I’m not in the mood to eat frog legs tonight.

Sam pulled out the biggest bullfrog and started dancing, kissing the big frog on the lips, Where is Cinderella you dag-blasted frog! We laughed so hard that Eric fell on the ground and was covered in mud.

The armadillo raced past him, and he screamed like a girl. Tanner piped in, Hey guys, let’s get in the boat and go out fishing. The best time to catch fish is at night. There are fishing poles and equipment near the dock just waiting for us.

Sam and I knew for a fact that Mama and Daddy did not want us on the water, especially at night, without them; it’s one of their rules. Sam and I are pretty good about following the rules, but Tanner persisted and Sam started to give in, so I suggested we go put a tent up in the backyard.

Once in the backyard, Mama and Daddy came out and started a fire in the pit so we could roast marshmallows. Daddy helped us put up the tent, Mama brought out blankets, pillows, and a lantern.

She kissed Sam and me goodnight and whispered in my ear, Cole, you know to stay in the yard; it’s late so don’t venture out.

Ok, Mama, we will be going to sleep soon. She still had that worried look on her face and wanted us safely asleep.

Sam was cracking everyone up with his imitations and jokes, and the last thing I remember before falling asleep was Sam plotting, Let’s birdseed somebody’s house. And then the darkness of sleep hit me.

Eric grabbed me by my shoulders and shook me with force. I must have been asleep for about an hour. Frantically he yelled, Cole, wake up, wake up! They’re in the water!

I was half asleep, but as I woke up I realized Sam and Tanner weren’t there, I knew they must be at the pond. As Eric and I were running to the pond, Eric said breathlessly, The boat tipped over! Sam and Tanner are in the water!

I knew I had little time. Eric, go get my Dad! I looked at the pond and saw Tanner, who looked panicked, but I didn’t see Sam. I screamed, Where is Sam?

Tanner shook his head. He went under, Cole. I can’t see him!

Running toward the water I screamed, Tanner get out of the water! and I jumped in the pond. I knew the water—every inch of it as I had been swimming that pond since I was two years old. I swam right to where Tanner had been and dove under the water, using my hands to find Sam. I looked desperately and was praying silently that I would find him. I looked and looked; I knew time was running out for Sam, and I would not leave until I found him. I was running out of breath; my lungs were burning, but I knew if I went to the surface I might lose my spot, and I didn’t have time to repeat areas; it was just too dark. I felt a shirt; Sam was stuck on a branch. I ripped the shirt off, cutting my hand on the branch and pushed Sam up. Then I started to feel as if I had taken my last breath, time stopped, and all the chaos slipped away.

The sounds, the screams, and voices started to fade away, and I felt as if I were floating. I wasn’t scared—it was weird. For once, I just let go. My lungs were no longer burning, and I felt as if I could breathe under water. I felt very powerful and free at that moment. My vision became very sharp, and, being in a cloudy pond in the dark, I knew that was odd, but I didn’t question it. I just enjoyed the sensations that were taking over my body. As I was looking around, I realized I was above my body looking down at it. What was happening to me?

COLE

Chapter Three

Six Minutes

All the changes were happening quickly, and then I saw a bright light, so I went toward it. I was engulfed by a bright, white light and felt so much warmth and love. I knew I was leaving my family behind, but I desperately wanted to be a part of that light. I looked at my body and moved away from it. Quickly I moved toward a tunnel, and the closer I got to the tunnel the slower time seemed to move, but time didn’t exist. When I came out of the tunnel, I immediately saw three people—two men and a woman—who moved closer to me. I didn’t recognize them, but knew they were significant in my life somehow. They didn’t communicate with their mouths, but with their minds. The woman was beautiful—perfect in every way, and I recognized her smile, her energy. It was my grandmother,