Archive: The Present (Penned on this site’s inception, 3/18/02)

As stated in the page about Nick, I’m currently in the process of packing up and getting ready for relocation into my new TechStar condominium, in Seattle WA. They’ve done a “fast track” construction of a large number of condos there. Essentially “Lego” construction with a brick facade. I doubt it’s the highest of quality but I don’t care. I’d pay anything to be on the spot where my love disappeared in May. And most people will pay huge amounts to be on the location, perhaps the best spot in all of Seattle, for view and proximity to places of business.

The date the condos should be ready is mid-April ‘02. Less than a year from Nick’s disappearance and just over 7 months from the date Rose Red was razed. Amazing how fast construction goes up in desirable areas; and amazing how a corporation with enough money can get the ball rolling at lightning speed. TechStar is one hell of a well-oiled machine!

I’m bringing all of our belongings, every last one. Most of our furniture is old and shabby–we picked it up at garage sales and hand-me-downs from my family. But it was ours, and it was so special to us. The chairs where we relaxed, the bed where we slept, and made love…I cannot bear to part with any of it.

It’s taken me these long 10 months to put together our story for all of you to read, because it’s been intensely difficult for me to cope with Nick’s absence. I feel like he’s so close–in my dreams, in my thoughts–but so very far from me when I’m awake. It’s my hope that moving to the Rose Red site will help me be physically “with” Nick, while at the same time working to free his soul from that which binds it. If he can pass on and wait for me in paradise, he and I both can be at peace.

Since Nick’s disappearance I’ve become close with the survivors of the Rose Red expedition. I’ve heard their tales. I’ve shared in their sorrow. Steve is adamantly against my moving in to the TechStar condo, afraid that whatever possessed Rose Red may still be there. He’s kept his concerns between us, as the transaction is a done deal, no sense worrying anyone else. Unlike him, I’m hopeful that whatever possessed Rose Red is still in the ground, in the air, and moving in to the new building! I could face it, head on, and save Nick.

Annie is attending the special school for autistic teenagers, as Sis had hoped, and is doing exceptionally well. Sis has moved into her own place and it seems that all is going splendidly for the two of them. Emery’s free of his mother’s clutches, and with the sale of their house, free of her debt. He roomed with me in my townhouse for a few weeks after selling his house, while he was looking for an apartment in the area. He’s a changed man since the weekend at Rose Red. The freedom from his mother and the worries she brought him, as well as the humbling experience of losing his fingers and facing his worst fears head-on, have softened him. He’s more compassionate. Less lazy. He’s lost a good thirty pounds since then. He’s putting his psychic talents to good use, helping his local police force solve a couple old crimes.

Steve is Steve–sweet and kind. I’m hoping he and Sis will hit it off someday. They certainly would make a great couple. He’s got a fair bit of cash since the sale of Rose Red & the Rimbauer property. That piece of land was worth a great deal to Tech Star. He’s been responsible about it, though (aside from one week of a shopping spree for the newest, hottest electronics for his pad, and a new car). He’s invested wisely, with the sound advice of Seattle’s top financial planners. He’s not let it go to his head. He may never have to work again, with the planning he’s done. I imagine he will, though, there’s a side of him that hates being bored and uninvolved.

Cathy’s wonderful. She calls me every week to see how I’m doing. She feels incredibly indebted to Nick, because he saved her life. From what she has told me, he gave himself to Rose Red so that she could escape. She’s been interviewed on all the local morning shows and in several newspapers. I know she’s amassed a small number of regular clients for whom she does automatic writing. She attends church services every day without fail. She says she owes it to God. She tells me that Nick’s soul is in her prayers every day. I don’t doubt it.

When I’m not writing for local papers (I do book reviews for newspapers for several Seattle and Oregon cities), I’m studying–voraciously–matters of the paranormal and the occult. Based on clues from Ellen Rimbauer’s diary, I’ve also been studying the Native Americans that once populated this area. As much as I can find about their customs and ways, particularly spiritual and religious, I’ve memorised. Ellen seemed to think that it was a Native American curse that caused Rose Red to behave the way she did. Based on the fact that the Rimbauer property was Indian burial ground, it’s a reasonable assumption. We shall see…

Thanks to the Internet, I can work from home, with both my writing and my research. My days now are spent packing, and surfing the web. When I’m not doing either of those, I’m reading newly released books to review. Needless to say, I’ve been getting a lot of mileage out of my reading glasses.

I’m going to be starting an online “journal” of my study and my experiences pertaining to Nick, and to Rose Red. Please check back frequently for new entries. I really, really need your help in solving this mystery…in helping Nick (and the rest of the people lost to Rose Red) cross over to the other side.

Posted in: Personal | |
Post tags: annie, cathy, ellen, emery, nick, sis, steve, techstar

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