Keep the Door Open

By L. L. Cardell

You might think that twins would be close throughout their lives. Not true with Alydia and Olivia, fraternal twins whose personalities from birth were destined to clash. Keep the Door Open enfolds the reader into the lives of a family marked with betrayal, secrets, favoritism and tragedy through the mid twentieth century. Alydia who finds comfort in conformity, discovers her calling in her youth as a medium who communicates with the deceased. Olivia, labeled by her Father as a wild child, forges her own dangerous path as she balances individuality with being a twin. The youngest child, Carl, who grew up with a zest for life and an unshakeable devotion to family, finds it all crashing down on his eighteenth birthday. He learns a long-held, hidden secret that will change his life for years to come. Father is slipping away into senility and Mother, a strong nurturer, is clinging to to what she has known. Keep the Door Open will have the reader guessing its twists and turns as the Hilts family struggles to keep the family unit together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. L. Cardell
• Release date: Feb 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005625221

Book preview

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KEEP THE DOOR OPEN

Is Dedicated To My Grandmothers

Florence Emma

And

Ada Mae

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

To my father, Robert Carl who rooted me on and provided many details of life on the other side whether true or false. His memory lives on.

To my sons, Jason and Benjamin who are my rocks. Countless times, I called them after getting myself into a mess while working in writing programs. They were always there to provide a way out without losing my entire manuscript!

To Marcia, a lifelong friend, for her editing and insight.

To my friends and acquaintances who inspired me with a You Go Girl! and to one friend who told me when I began working on the book to not worry because the book will write itself. She was right on!

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 September 17, 1960

Chapter 2 1937

Chapter 3 1940

Chapter 4 1940

Chapter 5 1942

Chapter 6 1942

Chapter 7 1942

Chapter 8 1945

Chapter 9 1945

Chapter 10 1947

Chapter 11 1949

Chapter 12 1949

Chapter 13 1949

Chapter 14 1950

Chapter 15 1950

Chapter 16 1950

Chapter 17 1950

Chapter 18 1951

Chapter 19 1951

Chapter 20 1951

Chapter 21 1951

Chapter 22 1951

Chapter 23 1951

Chapter 24 1951

Chapter 25 1951

Chapter 26 July 1951

Chapter 27 1951

Chapter 28 1951

Chapter 29 1951

Chapter 30 1951

Chapter 31 1951

Chapter 32 1951

Chapter 33 1951

Chapter 34 1952

Chapter 35 1952

Chapter 36 1952

Chapter 37 1954

Chapter 38 1954

Chapter 39 1954

Chapter 40 1954

Chapter 41 1954

Chapter 42 1955

Chapter 43 1955

Chapter 44 1955

Chapter 45 1959

Chapter 46 1959

Chapter 47 1959

Chapter 48 1959

Chapter 49 1959

Chapter 50 1959

Chapter 51 1960

Chapter 52 1961

Chapter 53 1961

Chapter 54 1961

Chapter 55 1961

Chapter 56 1961

Chapter 57 1961

Chapter 58 1961

Chapter 59 1961

Chapter 60 1961

Chapter 61 December 15, 1961

Chapter 62 December 17, 1961

Chapter 63 1961

Chapter 64 1961

Chapter 65 1962

Chapter 66 1962

Chapter 67 1962

Chapter 68 1962

Chapter 69 1962

Chapter 70 1962

Chapter 71 1962

Chapter 72 1963

Chapter 73 1963

Chapter 74 1963

CHAPTER 1 SEPTEMBER 17, 1960

"My name? They called me Mary Katherine Blaine Mosher. Rarely though, am I called by name here. In fact, for some time now I have not been able to relate to my name.

I like to look at the place I was born as Mary Katherine. It is in the good, old U S of A and in the central region of New York known as the Mohawk Valley. I grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Titus Falls. My hometown is nestled among the other villages in this Valley. Titus Falls has one of the most breathtaking waterfalls that I had ever seen. Not that I was able to travel in my youth to other such wonders of the world. My birthplace is a pleasing little burg, or at least it was, when I was living there. The people were friendly and hard-working and raised their families with pride and love. Other areas of the state viewed our valley as backward and repressed. I never thought so. I loved growing up and raising my family right there.

I did not receive much schooling back in the 1800s. As an alternative, I would read any book I could lay my hands upon. Day and night, I would curl up on my pallet bed to read unless I was called to do chores. Chores seemed to take up the remainder of my time for so many of my young years.

My favorite topic was geography. I learned as much as I could about my area of this state. I recall learning that the Mohawk Valley area is a natural channel running east to west through central New York State. Villages and cities weave around the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal. It is snugly fit into the mountain ranges of both the Adirondack to the north and Catskill Mountains to the south. It encompasses around six thousand miles. I read that this picturesque land had been populated by the Iroquois Confederacy in the days prior to the Europeans who came in ships to this rich new land. The Iroquois nation, amongst them the Mohawk tribe, were slowly rousted out of their villages and sent to Canada and elsewhere. In the seventeenth century Dutch people moved onto the land and in the following century the Germans settled their families here to farm. Such villages sprang up as Palatine Bridge named after an area in Germany and Amsterdam after a city in the Netherlands. The area is largely suburban and rural with only a few small cities found here and there. Route Five and the old Route 5S are main thoroughfares running east to west. Villages are scattered along these routes. When driving from the west along State Route 5S and onto State Route 5 you come upon one town after another.

At this moment, I am keeping an eye on the small party that is taking place at my daughter, Florence’s home. It is my son-in-law, Everett’s sixtieth birthday and the clan has congregated. I regret that the party is not going too well at all. What is it about families? They bicker, complain and break their ties with one another."

Everett Hilts sat in the leather chair he had rested in for the past twenty-five years. His eyes were glazed over staring at some object on the opposite side of the room. It was his birthday and his wife, Florence had invited a few family members to celebrate with him. A bleak, cloudy day had shown its face that morning. It fore casted the bleak, cloudy demeanor in the elder Hilts home.

Everett’s, at one time, thick auburn hair was now thinned iron grey. His long legs appeared even longer due to his extreme loss of weight. His face with deep set light blue eyes was gaunt. His long thin arms hung down the sides of the chair. His height once topped six feet. After years of hunching forward in his chair his spine had curved and left him shorter. His frame even now surprised his children who had always known him as tall and formidable.

Olivia sat in the living room on the couch with her mother. Only a moment ago, they had finished designing and frosting the sheet cake. It read, Happy Birthday to the best husband and dad. Olivia had suggested to print only To Dad and the best husband ever. Her mother had refused.

Family is on their way, Dad.

Family, he repeated.

It’s your birthday, Dad. Mom told you earlier. How can anyone forget his birthday?

He remembers, don’t you, Ev? His wife directed the question to him.

He did not acknowledge his wife and repeated a portion of his daughter’s words, Your birthday.

Dad, no, it’s your birthday. You are a whopping 60 today, Olivia repeated.

You are Liddy.

No, I’m your other daughter. The one you don’t like. Blast it. Olivia abruptly got up and walked out of the living room.

Everett’s eyes changed in an instant from cloudy to sharp and glared after the young woman who left his sight. What’s wrong with her now?

Nothing, Ev. Liv is trying to make your birthday special.

She’s gained some weight, he observed.

I did too when I was carrying the twins, remember?

What does that mean?

It means, Florence continued, that Olivia is with child.

No one told me.

Olivia re-entered the room with a glass of beer. Yea, Dad. You’ve only been told at least five times.

Liv, stop. He doesn’t intentionally forget.

Right, Mama. Everything is wonderful because it’s dad’s birthday. Olivia stormed out of the room again. Florence wearily followed, OLIVIA, please…

Everett looking confused and mumbled, Dad’s birthday.

He fumbled with the old, cotton strap around his lower chest which was linked and tied around the back of the chair. He grabbed hold of the arms of the chair and lurched his body forward once, twice, and by the third lurch the strap loosened from the tie that held it. He pulled it up and squeezed through. As he lifted himself, he stumbled and regained his bearing and froze. His mind was blank. What was it that he intended to do?

Dad. He recalled his agenda a moment later. He shuffled four feet into the parlor.

As Olivia was setting plates on the dining room table, she thought she had heard a grunt coming from the front room. She looked around the doorway and scurried into the room. Mama, she yelled out. She grabbed at Everett’s right arm but missed. Everett swatted at her landing a half fist to her eye and cheek. She let out a cry and fell backward. She caught herself with her arm as she hit the floor. Never blinking an eye, Everett continued his shuffle forward.

Coming from the rear of the house, Florence positioned herself in front of her husband, managed to hook one arm around his left shoulder and gently tried to pivot him around using both arms. Liv, are you okay? Ev, where in God’s name do you think you are going?

No, I am NOT okay, her daughter barked. Dad wouldn’t care one iota if he caused my baby to die.

Florence turned to gain sight of Olivia. Without warning, Everett slammed his wife with his right arm. Florence flew backward into the coffee table and landed with a force on her hip. Her arm tried to catch her fall but not in time. The side of her head forcefully hit the front the couch. Olivia quickly got to her feet to go to her mother. Watching his wife hurtling across the room took mere seconds of Everett’s time. He regained his bearing, refocused his attention on the front entrance to the house and shuffled on. Olivia’s thought was to attend to her mother and worry about her father later. Everett’s gait had steadied and quickened. He reached the front door, pinpointed the doorknob and turned it. He continued his trek to nowhere.

Olivia had managed to assist her mother to her feet. Does anything feel broken?

I don’t know. My neck may have twisted. My hip and thigh hit hard. It may bruise badly. This isn’t the first time. Although, it’s the worst. She groaned and began limping. Where in God’s name is he?

Looking at Florence, one could almost imagine the once striking young woman she had been. She was blessed with shoulder length curly dark blonde hair, moon-shaped face, full lips and large penetrating slightly slanted brown eye. She was graced with a figure of which women were known to be envious. At age fifty-three Florence usually sported a french twist. Her hair had turned to an attractive multi-colored grey and blonde with darker shades mingled in. Her facial appearance displayed a lined forehead and wrinkles under her eyes. Her once perfect mouth had a downward cast with deep lines on each side. She had gained thirty pounds courting the extra weight in her abdomen, thighs and face. Florence had been both vain and humble in her early years. She recognized her beauty yet was insecure about herself. Compliments were not accepted. As most women of her era, she wished only to be married and have children. After high school she registered for secretarial classes. She told her parents that this will provide her with a living until she married. At a Veteran’s Day parade, Everett walking proudly in his uniform stood out to her amongst the lines of marching men. She pursued him with earnest and they married within a year’s time. After marriage, she miscarried two babies and went through a period of depression. When she found herself again with child, she became overwrought with anxiety. This continued until she reached a period in her term when she could relax. Her intuition told her that this birth will produce a healthy baby.

They reached the door as Olivia recalled, He’s been lucid so many times. In and out, in and out. You HAVE to find a better strap to keep him in his chair.

The escapee struggled while taking the two porch steps with both feet. He dragged his feet to the lawn. He spied the two-toned, 1957 Chevy 150 in the driveway to his right. Get there. He aimed his slippered feet toward the vaguely familiar vehicle.

Just at that moment, while mother and daughter limped to the porch edge, a 1955 red Ford Fairlane pulled up to the curb in front of them. The driver’s door swung open and a short, dark haired, attractive, husky young man emerged.

Carl, help us. Olivia screamed.

Shhh. The neighbors, Liv.

The young man called Carl, zipped around the car and took off after Everett. Olivia and Carl reached Everett at the same time. They both grasped his arms. Everett, unprepared for his capture, let his body go limp. Feet loosened their grip on the earth and he landed hard on his bottom. Olivia and Carl went down with him.

Dad, let’s go back to the house now, Carl softly suggested.

Florence knelt beside her husband, physical and emotional pain clearly showed on her pre-aged face. Her head bent to touch his forehead.

Dad’s house. Go to Dad’s. Go to Dad’s, were the single-minded words Everett declared to his family. His head fell to his lap and he began sobbing. Tears fell while his wife placed her arms around him, and Carl pulled out the hanky that was falling out of Everett’s pant pocket. He wiped away his father’s flowing tears. Olivia had let loose of her father’s arm, stood with hands on her hips and glared down at him with disgust.

Let’s get him back into the house now. Carl, can you help dad change his wet pants?

Everett had been resettled into the parlor. Carl sat across from him. His arms cradled his head which leaned against the back of the couch. He ruminated, God answer me. Why did I come back to this place? Twenty-four and I could still be traveling the world. Twice over even.

No, you wouldn’t. You’re tied down with us, you foolish man, his wife, Kate replied. She had left the car and with her daughter in her arms she settled in the parlor of the house. She let go of their daughter, who immediately took off to find her grandmother.

At that very moment, the front door flew open. Olivia’s sister peeked in. Mama? Her son, Nathaniel, squeezed through the door.

Grammy, Grampy, he exclaimed and ran into the parlor. Florence had caught her granddaughter, Juliet, in mid-flight. She cradled her in one arm while she pulled her grandson to her with her free arm.

Alydia and husband, Jesse, entered the parlor as Olivia exited moving toward the kitchen.

Nathaniel left his grandmother’s embrace after enduring countless kisses. Hesitantly, he crept toward his grandfather, climbed on to the arm of the chair and looked him straight in the eyes. Happy Birthday, Grampy!

Everett refocused his attention on the boy. Roy. He curled his arm around his three-year old grandson and pulled him onto his lap.

He knows me, see. Nathaniel proclaimed to the group. He wound his little arms around his grandpa’s middle and squeezed up close to him.

Happy Birthday, Daddy. Alydia bent to give him a kiss on his cheek." She decided not to deflate her son’s bubble by pointing out that her father had called him by her cousin’s name.

Yes, the best to you on your birthday, Dad. Jesse added.

Florence began her tired limp to the kitchen calling, Cake and ice cream in the dining room coming up. Olivia is setting it up now.

Alydia and Jesse looked after her. Mama, why are you limping?

Nothing, Sweetie. Don’t worry. I’m fine.

Alydia turned toward her husband and whispered, I didn’t know Liv would be here. My God, she better not be blitzed and ruin daddy’s birthday.

Everett, with hazy eyes announced, It’s dad’s birthday!

Olivia called from the dining room, Time for cake and ice cream.

Jesse leaned down picked up his son off his father-in-law’s lap. He swung him down to the floor. Nathaniel squealed with delight. Jesse leaned into Everett and offered his arm to him, May I escort you, Dad?

Nathaniel and Juliet did not wait for the older kin. Like a shot they were out of the parlor and wiggling into chairs in the dining room. Florence had poured coffee for the adults and had a glass of milk ready for her grandchildren. Jesse assisted Everett to the table. Once everyone was seated Florence said, let’s wait another few momens for Roy and Isma to arrive.

The front door opened and closed. The sound of footsteps was heard coming closer. Roy, his wife, Isma and Roy’s mother, Adah, entered the room.

At the head of the far table, Everett declared, Ted is here. Ted, it’s dad’s birthday.

With his belly bouncing, Roy sauntered over to his uncle. No, Uncle Ev. It’s me LeRoy. Dad is gone. More than ten years now.

Dad, Everett mumbled.

Happy Birthday, Everett. Pearl and Butch will be here shortly. Adah crouched to give Everett a peck on his cheek.

Everett raised his arms high over his head and waved his limp hands, Hallelujah, the gang’s all here!

I’ll slice the cake and Liv will serve the ice cream. If it weren’t for Liv running out to the A&P earlier, we would have no ice cream. Florence glanced to the kitchen and motioned Olivia to come in.

I would have come to help you, Mama, if you had called me. Alydia chimed in.

It’s okay, Liddy. As it turns out, Liv came this morning. We took care of everything.

That’s me, Olivia announced as she brought in the ice cream, the ice cream man or woman and official cake froster." She moved across the room in view of her sister. Alydia’s coffee cup shook in her hand. She lowered it almost missing the saucer. She could not take her eyes from her sister’s abdomen. When did this happen? Mama said she and Marty broke up close to a year ago. Who has she been with, I wonder? Alydia ruminated.

Jesse spoke up first, Liv, you are having a baby?

Yep. I’m five months along. I think it’s a girl!

I didn’t know that you and Marty got hitched. Jesse continued.

We split up eight months ago. I live with a friend, Nancy and her son. We’re roomies.

Alydia finally gained her composure, So, Liv, if it isn’t Marty, who is the daddy?

Florence came to the rescue before another of her twin’s infamous squabbles were set into motion. We are here to celebrate your father’s birthday only. Girls, you can talk later.

It had been ninety minutes of Hilts’ family memories and tales when Olivia pushed her mother out of the kitchen in order that her mother could join in on the family chatter. Olivia cleaned up the remainder of the dishes. She dried her hands on her mother’s dandelion print apron, slipped her jacket off the coat hook and exited by the back door. She desperately needed to have a smoke.

She sat down on the edge of the porch deck and glanced about her parent’s yard. The swing, she thought. She had spent hours on it sailing through the air. Then years later she pushed Carl on it as he pretended to be a pilot. The swing had long ago seen its best days. The dangling rope had frayed and thinned. The worn wood seat was crooked and splintered. She recalled the blast she had playing in that yard. The yard seemed so large at the time and now so small. The border along the back-fence line was overrun with weeds. She thought, we are all so caught up in our own lives that none of us has helped mama.

She remembered the wonderment she felt back then with each new day. When did it all go so wrong? And why did she not realize how crazy her life had been before she beat the monkey off her back.

Her mind skipped as it usually did to one quick thought after another. She recalled her seventh birthday party out on the back yard. Tables were set up and most of the class were there. Of course, the party was shared with her twin. It seemed the two of them shared almost everything. She had nothing of her own until she determined herself to be free of viewing herself as an appendage of her twin. She realized that she had been a rebellious spirit and so resolved in doing her own thing in her way. She felt that she and Alydia were like night and day, black and white. She pursued her freedom at seventeen and never looked back. If it were not for her mother and brother, she never would have taken notice of what she left behind. I was finally free to be Olivia. And dad, he can view me in whatever manner he pleases. I’m going to be fine. I have a little one coming. I won’t ever snap at her and belittle her. I will always be proud of her. Olivia thought to herself.

The back door opened and closed. Olivia did not turn around. She knew who was approaching her. She flicked the cigarette butt to the ground. She twisted her body to the right, braced her hand on the floor and flipped to her knees. She raised her growing body onto one leg and then the other. Alydia had sat down on the old adirondack chair on the porch.

Olivia broke the ice. Mama and Dad never did replace their old beat up porch chairs, did they?

Guess not. I’ve never thought about it. So, you’re five months pregnant. How do you feel about it?

I’m thrilled. I can’t wait until she is born.

Will you be able to raise a child? It costs so much these days.

I’m working full time. Nan and I will take care of her son and my baby.

Oh, how long have you been working? Are you making enough?

Several months. Hey, don’t fret about it. I can handle it all.

Well, you can’t go out partying with your pals and take care of a baby too. Alydia confronted her.

Don’t you think I know that? You know I’ve been off all the dope for a long time now. My baby comes first. Olivia countered.

That’s good to hear. It couldn’t have been easy for you. You’ve been a party girl since you were fifteen.

Lay off, Liddy. Don’t pick a fight tonight.

I’m not. Only trying to find out if you are okay with all this. I wonder though who the lucky daddy is since you and Marty split before, you know, you became pregnant. Or have you and he been together again……. Alydia trailed off.

Marty is not the father. Period. Olivia began to feel exasperated by her sister’s prying.

Well, is the daddy local? Does he know?

He knows and that’s as far as it goes. He won’t help me. It was just an affair. Over and done with.

That’s not acceptable. The daddy should take on his responsibility.

Leave it alone, Liddy. Drop it.

No, I won’t. You can’t let this man get away with it, Liv.

I said drop it.

Well, Jesse and I can help you by talking to him.

It’s none of your business. You want to be a part of my life now? You suddenly care about my wellbeing? Forget it.

Don’t be stupid. Let me help. For the baby’s sake. I can’t believe you are going through with this anyway with no daddy involved.

Because I WANT this child. And I can handle it alone. What a bitch you are being. Olivia was stung by her sister’s words. Like a bumble bee that had been swatted at, she stung back. Back off. I’m warning you, Liddy.

How can that man be worth a plug nickel. You may not be thinking clearly. Carrying a baby screws up things like a woman’s emotions and reasoning.

You know, I am quite through with you! What a goody two-shoes you are. Although I agree the father IS NOT worth a plug nickel. Nine years ago, he left town because he got a seventeen-year-old girl pregnant. Since you want to know so badly, how about I give you two guesses of who the father is? Push some more, Liddy.

Alydia whispered, Not Jesse…

Nope. Only one guess left, Sis. Make it a good one.

Alydia was mystified. Her large brown eyes dilated. What do you mean? You’re not making any sense whatsoever.

An angry Olivia spit out venomously to her sister, Come on, daddy’s girl. You can do a heck of a lot better than that. Think back to when you were nineteen. Back to when you were so young and innocent. Come on, Liddy, you can do it. Think.

Alydia’s entire demeanor transformed into a cat ready to pounce on its prey.

Olivia noted her sister’s transformation. There you go. I think you got it. Olivia pointed her finger at Alydia. Alydia’s face turned pale and displayed both fear of what she was thinking and anger spontaneously.

Alydia flew out of the chair. She took two steps toward Olivia. Her face two feet from Olivia’s face. She screamed at her sister. How dare you! Damn you. She lunged her arms forward and pushed her sister. Off balance Olivia tried to break her fall. She barely was able to grab the porch railing. One foot caught the porch step. She firmed her grasped on the post to lift herself back up onto the porch deck.

How could you do this? How could my twin sister do such a despicable thing?

Olivia shouted in response to the push. Me? I’m pregnant. You could have killed my baby.

Alydia, with heart racing, looked aghast at Olivia. Olivia looked daggers at her sister as she leaned up against the back wall of the house breathing deeply and attempted to calm herself. How did their relationship become so hateful?

Within the house, everyone had heard the shouting. Jesse assured them, Don’t worry. I’ll handle it. He walked through the kitchen and out the back door. Honey, are you all right? What in God’s name is going on?

He saw Olivia holding her abdomen in her arms. He reached out to draw Alydia into him.

Don’t know …, his wife stammered.

Olivia brushed past the two and opened the back door. As a last thought, she decided to regain her dominance over her sister. She turned and eyed Alydia with malice. I wasn’t aware that you still held a torch. Why should you care who the father could be? You have Jesse now.

CHAPTER 2 1937

It was an unusually humid June morning. Alydia halted her hopscotch game on the sidewalk when her mother called her inside for lunch. She continued her hop scotching up the steps of her family’s two-story Victorian style home. She opened the outside screen door and pressed the latch to swing open the inner mahogany venetian door with the glazed glass insert. She wiped the perspiration from her brow. Next, she laid the box of chalk on the entry table and hop scotched into the family parlor. The room was accented with a mantle and fireplace along the exterior wall opposite the entrance. The mantle displayed framed pictures of the family. The hoof foot pine wood coffee table took its place in front of the dark green sofa that sat along the front wall to her immediate left. On each end of the sofa were two double tiered pine end tables. On the tables rested matching brass lamps with white satin shades. A matching sofa chair and floor radio were positioned to her right. She breathed in a faint smell of smoke as she made her way past her father’s smoking chair which was next to the doorway to the dining room. To the right of his chair was a smoking stand. Alydia liked the smells that came from that table because it always felt like home.

Walking through the dining room, she rubbed her hand along the long mahogany table. Six matching chairs were shoved in around the table. The captain’s chair at the head of the table was her father’s chair exclusively. Alydia pulled out one of the chairs banging the china closet behind it. Whoops. Mama, I kinda-wanna sit here to eat, she called.

"In here, young lady. You are