Charon's Crossing

"Well," Dr. Whalen said thoughtfully, "I suspect you need to find closure for what happened."

"Yes, all right, but how?"

"You still own that property on Elizabeth Island, do you not?"

"The land, yes. The house..." Kathryn swallowed hard trying not to remember the flames. "The house is nothing but a pile of rubble."

"I would advise you to sell the property."

"Sell Charon's Crossing?"

"Yes. Get it out of your life, once and for all. Sign it away, physically, and there's an excellent chance you'll sign it away emotionally, too."

"But—"

The psychiatrist looked at her watch. "I'm sorry, Kathryn, I do have another patient scheduled." She stood up, smiled pleasantly, and held out her hand. "Sever your ties with that house, and you'll have both feet firmly planted on the road to complete recovery."

* * *

Amos was delighted to hear from her.

Everyone missed her, he said, and hoped she was feeling well.

Kathryn smiled at his delicacy, lied and said she was fine, and then got down to business.

"Amos," she said, "I very much want to sell Charon's Crossing."

"Really," he said, and chuckled. "That is wonderful news, Kathryn, truly wonderful. Olive's had an offer, you see, but we didn't know whether or not to contact you about it."

Kathryn sank down on the sofa in her old-fashioned living room. What had only been an idea had suddenly turned into a reality. She tried to feel happy about it but she could feel a knot of tension forming in her stomach.

"An offer?"

"From a hotel chain. They want to raze the ruins and put up a luxury retreat. I must say, they've made a most generous offer."

It was more than generous. It was extraordinary.

"Kathryn? Shall I fax you the necessary papers?"

Kathryn took a deep breath.

"No."

"No?"

She could hear the confusion in Amos's voice and she almost told him he was no more puzzled by her sudden change of heart than she was, but she didn't.

"I—I'll have to think about it," she said, and hung up the phone before the attorney could say anything more.

An hour later, she called him back.

"Sell it,"

she said quietly.

Amos hesitated. "Are you sure it's what you want, Kathryn?"

She nodded. "Yes. Send me whatever documents need to be signed and let's get it over with."