The Girl in the Graveyard

By John Paulits

Judy Lang, age nine, is spending the summer vacation at her grandparents' house in the country. Strange occurrences—toys mysteriously appearing, a strange voice beckoning to her, and finally the unlikely presence of a girl her own age. Judy listens in horror to the tales her new friend, Suzy, tells her about the people she was forced to live with—until that arrangement abruptly changed. Judy chooses to help Suzy deal with her impossible situation and hopes she will be able to help her through her troubles. They come up with a plan. Now, will it work, and will it bring Suzy peace?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781597055420

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Dedication

For Becky Lou

Brigantine Beach Princess

One

The gloomy, gray days were spoiling Judy Lang’s summer. She had been at her grandparents’ house in the country, an hour’s drive from her home in Philadelphia, for a week and so far, there’d been five days of rain. Judy knelt on the sofa and pressed her nose against the living room window. Everything outside appeared bent and wiggly through the raindrops streaming down the glass. Her grandmother had promised there would be another girl her age, Suzy Chapin, to play with this summer.

Judy noticed a slow procession of four cars approaching, their headlights on, windshield wipers waving back and forth. She only half-heard the grownups’ conversation behind her as the cars passed by, heading in the direction of the cemetery a half mile farther on. She knew they were taking Suzy Chapin to be buried.

I was afraid something like this might happen, said Mr. Lang, Judy’s grandfather.

The things the poor child had to put up with, Mrs. Lang agreed, her voice soft and sad.

How long had Suzy been with the Graymores? asked Kevin Lang, Judy’s father.

About a year; maybe longer, the older Mr. Lang answered. I remember first seeing her last summer. What a pleasant child she seemed. Then.

And what a changed child when she died, his wife added.

How so? asked Judy’s father.

You must remember the Graymores from when you were a boy, Kevin, Mr. Lang said.

Sure. Keven chuckled. None of us would ever go near their place. We called Mrs. Graymore ‘The Witch.’ I remember them all right. And I remember the time when Mr. Graymore came running after Bruce, waving a long stick because he’d caught Bruce up in one of their trees picking cherries. They were a miserable couple.

They’re no different now; the same right to this very day, said Mr. Lang. After Suzy’s parents died, she came to live with the Graymores. Seems they were her only relatives. He shook his head and sighed. She was such a cheerful girl, but a year of living with those two people...At the end she ran off night after night. No one knows where she went. The Graymores didn’t care enough to go out and look for her. When the child got home, I’m sure they punished her, hit her even, because she’d appear the next day with marks on her arms, legs, everywhere. So I was told, anyway. She was polite when she arrived, but toward the end, she ignored anyone who tried to talk to her.

The final car in the short procession passed, and Judy strained to follow the cars through the raindrop spotted window.

Mr. Lang went on. Joby caught her stealing from his store, and when he confronted her about it, she yelled at him in the worst kind of language. The Graymores took her home in a hurry. It was from then on, we didn’t see her again, did we, Edna?

Not once, Judy’s grandmother confirmed.

Soon, we heard she’d taken sick, and only yesterday we heard she’d passed away. No one knows how. No doctor ever went to the house, as far as I know.

Such awful things can happen in this world, said Mrs. Lang with a shake of her head.

Judy bent her neck to watch the final red taillight vanish in the misty rain. With nothing outside worth looking at, she faced about on the sofa and caught the attention of the three adults seated on chairs nearby.

What were you looking at? Judy’s father asked.

I saw the funeral cars go by..

Already? her grandfather asked.

They didn’t waste any time giving her to the Lord, said Mrs. Lang.

Everyone sat in silence for some time.

Finally, Judy asked, Who am I going to play with now?

Don’t worry, her grandfather said, smiling. We’ll try to keep you entertained. There may not be as many things to do here in the country as you have in the city, but I’m sure we can keep you busy.

What was Suzy like? Judy wanted to know. Would I have liked her?

I think you would have gotten along very well, her grandmother said. I’m certain of it. But heaven decided otherwise. I found her to be a very lovely girl when given a chance. Why don’t you go and find something to do, sweetheart? We have to talk to your father for a while. Then we’ll have lunch and Daddy will be going.

What’s for lunch? Judy asked.

It’s a surprise, Mrs. Lang said, grinning. One of your favorites, though.

Judy walked out to the kitchen to see if she could spot any of her favorites. She heard her father say, I’m afraid it will be too much trouble for you to keep Judy this summer. Especially since she’s lost her playmate.

Not at all, her grandfather argued. I’ll tell you a secret. We’re picking up a kitten for Judy tomorrow. She doesn’t know it yet, but tomorrow morning I’m going to get her to take a ride with me. We’ll pick it up then.

Shhh, not so loud, her grandmother said. You’ll spoil the surprise. Don’t worry, Kevin, Judy will have a good time here this summer. We’re happy to have her. You and Joan work hard fixing up the new house,  so Judy’ll be happy there when school starts again. A summer in the country never hurt anyone. Now, I suppose you and your father want to talk, so I’ll go see if Judy will help me with lunch.

Judy smiled from behind the kitchen door. She’d heard everything they said. I’m getting a kitten, she thought, a smile forming. I wonder what color it will be. I hope it has four white paws so I can call it Boots. She heard her grandmother coming and moved to the kitchen table.

I’m getting a kitten tomorrow, she thought again. How nice. How very nice.

Two

"J udy, honey. Judy. Wake up. Hey, sweetheart. What’s wrong?

Judy opened her eyes. She lay in bed in her grandparents’ house, her grandfather sitting next to her, holding her hand. She closed her eyes again. What a dream she’d had!

Her grandfather said, Hey. Are you going to wake up today or sleep right on through till dinnertime?

Judy sat up and yawned. Oh, I’m awake, Pop-Pop. I had a dream. A scary dream. I’m glad you woke me up. What time is it?

It’s time for breakfast. Your grandmom will be throwing our breakfasts outside for the birds if we don’t get downstairs quick. You get dressed. After breakfast I want you to take a ride with me.

The kitten! I’m getting a kitten today, Judy remembered. She wasted no more time getting down to breakfast.

Well, there you are. Finally, her grandmother said when Judy walked into the kitchen.

"I had a bad dream, Mom-Mom. It wouldn’t let me