Welcome to Endo the night. I'm Narri your guide on today's excursion down a
twisted path. Be careful not to get lost. Be it dark or light,
It's easy to lose your way. Are you ready, then let's begin,
Old Lace and bittersweet tea late afternoon, shadows spread across the room,
playing tricks with the old woman's eyes. She knew they were nothing more than
imagining's from her tired memory, but she was drawn to watch them, as
though somehow they'd become real if only she watched them more closely. She rubbed
herknobby hands together, anxiety from long ago expressing itself even now. Time that
cruel, however, and nothing she did would change the past. She knew
that fretting over the mistakes of her youth achieved no rewards, but she found
herself spending countless hours doing just that. The sadness in her demanded that she
try to find some remedy, fruitless as it may be. Lizzie turned toward
the window and stared at the hills in the distance. This is home.
It will always be home. It just should have been so much more.
Years slipped away as she daydreamed about the life she lived and the one she
wished she'd lived. All it would have taken was a different step this way
or that way, and I wouldn't be where I am now, lonely and
feeble, with no one left to share even my memories with. Her lashes
batted away teardrops, and her breath shuddered. In her mind, she saw
the young Lizzie, brash and full of herself, indifferent to the consequences of
her actions. She never intended to hurt anyone, at least that's how she
would like to remember herself. In moments of clarity, however, she had
to accept that she was not a kind person. Selfish and self absorbed.
She believed she was entitled to whatever she wanted. Beauty and a deceitful mind
helped her achieve her desires. However, her efforts only brought what appeared to
be a perfect life. She knew better, and now she had nothing but
time and loneliness to contemplate her deeds. On the dresser sat a photograph of
herself for years gone by. Her violet eyes studied the face within the ornate
metal frame. Her youthful chin cocked upwards slightly to reveal the arrogance. Lily
once possessed. Her hair was quaffed into a bun, and the Victorian style
hat she wore upon her head looked almost too large for a girl of her
thin nature. Still she insisted on wearing it because, as she told her
mother, it made her look like a lady. I was all of twenty.
Then what would she think of me? Now? Would she be horrified
by my appearance? Now? My hands are disfigured, and my back is
stooped, My hair is thin and gray, and if I turned heads at
all to day, it wouldn't be for my beauty. Pity maybe, but
not because of my beauty. The young woman in the photograph already had her
plan in mind. She knew what she wanted, and she knew what she
had to do in order to get it. Was it jealousy or simply self
indulgence that led her to have the one man she, by all counts of
decency, shouldn't have sought. Even after all these years, Lizzie wasn't sure
of the answer. No one would argue that Thomas Granbury was a man to
be desired. Tall, handsome, and full of mischief and enthusiasm. He
was what they called a real catch, Lizzie was only mildly intrigued by him
at first. She had plenty of suitors, and as her mother's favorite,
she saw no reason to pursue a man who didn't pursue her first. After
all, as her mother said, Lizzie, you are a prize. Always
remember that any man would be lucky to have you. Lizzie's younger sister,
Minnie, was not so fortunate. Now. Minnie was as beautiful as her
sister, but she lacked the drive and confidence Lizzie carried. Perhaps that's why
their mother favored her older daughter. Minnie is just too much like your father,
and she will never achieve the great life you have in store for you,
Lizzie's mother crooned, whenever Lizzie needed reassurance. Your father dotes on Minnie
because he sees himself and her, but you are my crowning achievement. Lizzie,
following the advice of her mother, behaved as though she was superior to
all others, including her sister. The damage that inflicted on their relationship rippled
throughout the rest of their lives. It's true Mini stayed in the shadows and
seldom wanted attention drawn to her. I, on the other hand, thrived
on being the girl everyone noticed. Mother thrived on making sure I was in
the spotlight. Looking back, now, I know that Mother must have suffered
her own pains and losses. Otherwise she wouldn't have clung to me so tightly.
I was her baby doll from the time I was born, and she
wanted me to fulfill all her expectations. I hated her for that for years,
but now I know she was doing the best she could. Whatever was
lacking inside her brought many destructive consequences. Lizzie, usually too busy with her
own social life, remembered the day Minnie rushed through the door, breathless with
excitement. What has you so emotional, Lizzie, Promise me you won't say
a word to anyone, Not yet anyway. I promise Thomas is asking Papa
from my hand in marriage. I'm going to be missus Thomas Granbury. Oh
well, isn't that a little sudden? No, silly, Thomas and I
have dated for nearly a year. Has it been that long already it has?
I've dreamed of this day happening. I see Thomas is going to ask
Papa right now. I have a wedding to plan. I do hope you'll
help me, won't you? Certainly, of course I will. Minnie ran
from the room and went upstairs to look through her hope chest. In her
excitement, she missed the look on Lizzie's face that she'd only poorly disguised.
Minnie had every reason to be wrapped up in her own happiness. I couldn't
stand the fact that everyone suddenly thought she was special. It was then that
Lizzie knew what she had to do. That evening, having received Minnie's father's
blessing, Thomas Granbury came to dinner for the first time. Lizzie took notice
of the attractive young man, to her chagrin. Despite her best efforts,
Thomas only saw Minnie. How dare he? No matter what I say or
do, he ignores me. Lizzie desperately tried to hide her anger. She
knew that wasn't the way she would wheedle her way between Thomas and her sister.
She needed to pretend to be as sweet as her sister, and that
was a task in and of itself, regardless of how interested she seemed in
conversation with Thomas, How I he treated her with nothing but cordial regard.
That evening ended with Thomas and Minnie taking a ride through the countryside. I'm
not sure how to say this, Minnie, but your sister seemed like she
was trying a little too hard to be noticed tonight. Is this how she
is all the time? Oh? Yes, She's always been the center of
every social gathering, and mother encourages it. I've always known that my place
wasn't in the limelight. Thomas leaned back and looked at her. Don't ever
say something like that again, Minnie. You are the center of my world
and nothing will ever change that. You're wonderful and it's a shame that your
mother doesn't see that. Focusing on Lizzie alone does nothing but hurt both of
you, hurt both of us. How is Lizzie hurt by mother's behavior?
She gets everything she ever wants. That might be, But do you think
that in the end Lizzie is becoming a better person because of your mother's favoritism,
because she's not. That kind of lopsided parenting only leads to heartache.
Just watch and see. He paused and looked at the stars. Tonight,
however, is about you and us? And we aren't going to spend another
minute talking about your sister or anyone else. The next several months, Minnie
and Thomas were happier than they'd ever been, and Lizzie became angrier than she'd
ever been. The local tailor made Minnie's wedding gown, and it was a
work of art, airy, flowing, chaste and lacy. It was the
type of dress every girl dreams of for her wedding day. I must do
something to stop this. This waning is in a matter of weeks. Even
mother has been paying more attention to Manny than she has me. Lizzie paced
the floor of her bedroom as the late afternoon shadows gave way to the glowing
hues of sunset that streamed through the window. Those very same shadows landed on
the very dress she had been thinking of. It hung in the corner of
the room, a constant reminder of that fateful night. A pang of melancholy
washed over her, but she knew that no amount of tears could undo the
devastation she caused in all their lives. I was foolish and terrible. Looking
back, I not only destroyed their lives, but I can find myself to
a life of misery too. That night was a blur of emotions and regret.
The lie she told Thomas that she needed his help began the chain of
events that she set in motion. She offered him a drink of sweet tea
with a generous dose of alcohol added, just to thank him, of course,
for his help. Thomas Granbury, however, was not known to hold
his liquor well. Within an hour or two of Lizzie plying him with endless
drinks, he reached the blackout point. Her plan was working perfectly. She
guided him into bed. Thank you, Minnie, I've missed you tonight.
I'm so glad you're here with me now. Of course, my love,
I'm here to take care of you. From there, she continued to pretend
she was Minnie. Lizzie used to her advantage the many similarities that they shared.
The next morning, Thomas awoke in bed next to Lizzie. Oh God,
no, this can't be happening. But Thomas, it's true. You
took advantage of me last night. I wasn't able to fight you off.
I'm ruined. My reputation is ruined. Thomas wretched both from the alcohol and
from the realization of what had occurred. You've ruined me, Thomas. I
only hope that you will do the honorable thing and marry me. She looked
at him resolutely, as though he had no other option. Within an hour,
her mother made the same demand. Looking at Minnie's wedding dress. Their
mother said, at least you're the same size as your sister, so you
will still have a beautiful dress. Even under these circumstances. Minnie was inconsolable.
Lizzie stared at the dress in the corner as the sunset faded and only
darkness remained outside. Minnie never married, and I'm to blame for that.
Yes, Thomas was my husband, and yes we had two daughters, but
we did not have a happy marriage. I stole the possibility of happiness from
all of us. Perhaps there was a man I was supposed to meet,
but instead I was trapped in a shell of a life. She wept for
all of them. I can't blame Minnie and Thomas. They were always in
love with each other. Did they commit a sin, the sin of continuing
their affair in later years, Yes they did, but it's understandable. I
kept them apart, but their love drew them together. Sweet little Addie was
the product of that affair. I know Thomas and Minnie faced scorn for what
they did, but I was the one to blame. They should have been
married, not me. Lizzie wept. No one heard her cries, and
if they did, they chalked it up to creaking stairs or the settling of
an old home filled with history. The lives of three people were destroyed in
that house. In death, however, only one remained trapped in the past.
Thomas and Minnie were reunited and they had eternity together now. But Lizzie
faced a different fate. She was forever trapped in the house, or her
jealousy and self centered ways destroyed the very people she should have protected. Lizzie
stood at the window and watched the moonlight pouring down. Its glow made her
ethereal body even more translucent. In life, she may have had Thomas Granbury,
but in death Lizzie Granbury had no one. Now she was nothing more
than a lonely spirit left in this realm to relive her heartaches and trespasses.
Thank you for joining me for this episode of the Into the Night Anthology podcast.
Written by Caroline Giamanco, narrated by Nari Quak, theme music by Nico
Rodriguez, all other original music, sound design and editing by Omenhawk Studios.
You can find our links in the show notes. Into the Night is on
your favorite podcatcher, so make sure to like, subscribe and leave a five
star review to help other excursionists to join us. I'll see you next time,
and remember, whether in the shadows or in the daylight, all twisted
paths lead you into the night. Into the Night Anthology is a Creative Typo
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