Guitar

By Sidney St. James

The idea for this story actually happened on Christmas Eve in 1968. Three of my girlfriends and I were riding around in my 1954 Ford, I called her Beulah, and as we made our fifth trip around the Dairy Delite, we began talking about the old house in Matthews. Linda D. shouted from the backseat above the Turtles singing "It Ain't Me Babe" on KTSA AM Radio. I couldn't afford the new FM radios yet, but no matter, it sounded good playing from the twenty speakers I installed before "surround sound" became a thought in anyone's mind.

Well, I've always been creative in my mind. I suppose that's why Terry Causey and I wrote a science fiction novel in the sixth grade, which I wish I could find in all my keepsakes. No such luck.

But, back to my carload of girlfriends. I told Linda D. she was crazy to even think about exploring the old house. We might get caught. Almost simultaneously, Loueva K. and Frances H. said, "chicken!"

Well, do you think a first-string linebacker on the Eagle Lake High School football team was going to back down from that? You've got another thing coming.

So, off we went to Matthews, Texas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BeeBop Publishing Group
• Release date: May 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201015688

Sidney St. James

Sidney St. James is an extraordinary author who has made his mark in the world of science fiction suspense. With a creative mind that knows no bounds, St. James weaves captivating tales that transport readers to thrilling and otherworldly realms. His unique ability to blend the elements of science fiction with heart-pounding suspense has garnered him a dedicated following of readers eager to embark on their next exhilarating adventure. Born with an insatiable curiosity and a love for all things speculative, St. James found his calling in the realm of science fiction. From a young age, he was drawn to the limitless possibilities and unexplored frontiers of the genre. Influenced by literary greats and inspired by the wonders of the cosmos, St. James embarked on a writing journey that would push the boundaries of imagination and captivate readers with their visionary tales. St. James' science fiction novels are a testament to their boundless creativity and meticulous attention to detail. With each page, readers are transported to intricate and fully realized worlds, where technological advancements, extraterrestrial encounters, and moral dilemmas abound. His skillful storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats, as they navigate through a maze of suspense, intrigue, and thought-provoking concepts. In addition to his literary accomplishments, St. James is an avid pickleball player. This dynamic sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, serves as a source of balance and inspiration for St. James. The strategic gameplay and the camaraderie of the pickleball community provide a welcome respite from the boundless realms of science fiction that occupies his mind. As St. James continues to push the boundaries of the science fiction suspense genre, his unique blend of imagination, suspense, and pickleball prowess sets him apart as a true force to be reckoned with. With each new novel, readers eagerly anticipate the next thrilling journey that St. James will take them on, whether it's unraveling the mysteries of distant galaxies or engaging in a high-stakes match on the pickleball court. Sidney St. James is a true visionary and an author whose stories and pickleball skills will leave readers and opponents alike in awe.

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Published by BeeBop Publishing Group

Georgetown, Texas

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations come from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible in the public domain.

All song lyrics reflected in this novel were written before 1923, not copyrighted, and are part of the public domain.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of the publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or changes after publication. Further, the publisher does not control and does not accept any responsibility for the author or third-party websites or their content.

Copyright © 2021 by Sidney St. James

All rights reserved. No part of the book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage the piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

FIRST EDITION

Truth is Strange Series

BOOK 1

This novel's jacket format and design are protected trade dresses and trademarks of Sidney St. James and the BeeBop Publishing Group.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

COMING SOON IN AUDIO

Dedication

For my classmates, Loueva K., Linda D., and Frances H., who, together, explored the secret of an old, dilapidated house in Matthews, Texas.

*Waves*

Prologue

The Beginning

WHEN I FIRST ENCOUNTERED spirits in my restored home at North McCarty Avenue and Stockbridge's corner, I was unnerved and doubtful of my sanity. After all, if I were out of my mind enough to tackle this third restoration project in three years, then maybe I could be crazy in other ways as well! However, time and an open mind have helped me accept and enjoy these small meetings between the present and the past; now, a home would never really be a home without these unexplainables. Right?

In 2015, my wife and I moved into a three-story 1860 Colonial home to begin our third and most ambitious restoration. The structure was built as a gracious home for a state senator and then served as Doctor Laughlin’s home and office, a school superintendent's house, and twenty-five years as William Kell's home. It stood unattended for almost two years before we purchased it.

I’m not here to tell you the story of what was hidden behind the walls or the footsteps on the roof late at night. It’s something you can read about in one of my earlier writings, This Old House.

I am here to explore a passed down haunting story from a dilapidated old house that sits in the middle of the prairie outside of Eagle Lake, Texas, a mere four miles from downtown

The idea for this story actually happened on Christmas Eve in 1968. Three of my girlfriends and I were riding around in my 1954 Ford, I called her Beulah, and as we made our fifth trip around the Dairy Delite, we began talking about the old house in Matthews. Linda D. shouted from the backseat above the Turtles singing It Ain’t Me Babe on KTSA AM Radio. I couldn’t afford the new FM radios yet, but no matter, it sounded good playing from the twenty speakers I installed before surround sound became a thought in anyone’s mind.

Well, I’ve always been creative in my mind. I suppose that’s why Terry Causey and I wrote a science fiction novel in the sixth grade, which I wish I could find in all my keepsakes. No such luck.

But, back to my carload of girlfriends. I told Linda D. she was crazy to even think about exploring the old house. We might get caught. Almost simultaneously, Loueva K. and Frances H. said, chicken!

Well, do you think a first-string linebacker on the Eagle Lake High School football team was going to back down from that? You’ve got another thing coming.

So, off we went to Matthews, Texas.

Every Halloween, there were stories of many of the students driving out to the old house. Everyone knew it was haunted. There was no running water nor electricity, and the windows were single-pane blown glass. There always appeared one light shining from a third-floor room.

Many students would return to high school the day after swearing that they visited the home and swore they got chills as unseen specters passed through them.

The old house was supposed to be uninhabited. But, when we pulled down a dark gravel road, we stopped outside and were surprised to see that same one window aglow on the top floor. Again, what could I say after hearing three doors slam shut on the old Beulah. Those girls were ‘crazy.’ But I went along with their investigation.

Linda stopped and turned around. The other two girls followed her lead. As soon as they reached me, they kept rushing to the car. I wasn’t going to keep going, so I followed their lead.