Read A Ghost of Brother Johnathan's for Free Online Page B

looked into the hall, as if debating where to go to next. “Shannon, follow me, I know just the place for it.”
I followed her into the front living room, then through the kitchen which was warm and inviting with sumptuous aromas, and then through a short hall to another room, that I guessed had been a back parlor and now was set up as a guest bedroom.
Marta pointed to the queen-size bed. “Set it there, please.”
I set the packaged clown on the bed. With my attention turned to Marta, I couldn’t help but to wonder why she hesitated to open it. I know that faced with her choice, I wouldn’t be able to contain my excitement.
“You wouldn’t mind if I open it now?” Marta asked.
I smiled and then replied, “Please do.”
Marta opened the box top, and lifted out the clown. Holding it in both hands, she held it up to her eye level. “Hello Jonathan Rupp. What a curious looking clown you were.” She looked up at me and said, “It’s quite substantial, I suspect it is porcelain, except for the drum he’s sitting on, that must be wood?”
“I’m not sure. The clown head and body seem to be a type of porcelain. Also, Marta, I don’t have documentation on its age. My friend who found it said he thought it was from the Victorian period, probably 1860s, and he and his father deal in antiques.”
“Hmm, I do recall my grandmother on the Rupp side saying she saw a clown figure like this when she was a little girl, and it was old, even then. Heck, it could be this same clown that she saw. Where did your friend find it?” Marta held onto the clown, hugging it in both arms. I suspected she had no idea whatsoever that her image resembled that of a young girl holding a cherished doll.
“My friend, Seamus O’Kelley and his father Connor, are entrepreneurs in different markets. They are best known for buying old warehouse-like utility buildings and transforming them into dinner and entertainment venues that have unique themes, such as magic, vintage stage theater, and circus and carnivals. They buy, usually at auction, authentic props, furniture and decorating items to use for ambiance. Connor was at an auction in San Francisco and saw this clown. He recognized it as the likeness to Brother Jonathan, and having in mind that I’m working on an assignment pertaining to Jonathan Rupp, he purchased it and sent it to my hotel room.”
“Your friend was correct, this is an exact portrayal of Jonathan Rupp in his clown character,” Marta said.
My curiosity was getting the better of me, so too were the delicious aromas wafting out from Marta’s kitchen. I heard my stomach rumble in protest of waiting to be fed and that prompted me to segue into dinner. “Marta, what will you do with the clown?”
She turned around and said, “I want it right up there on that bookcase, second shelf from the top, that is, if you would do me the honor and place Brother Jonathan there.” She handed the clown to me.
I set him on the shelf and stood back. Marta’s eyes glistened. I imagine she felt that a part of her family history had finally come home. She turned to me and said, “I’ve prepared a family-recipe dinner of Rinderrouladen, more commonly called Beef Rouladen, with red cabbage and Spaetzel.”
“I’m not sure if I can pronounce those names,” I chided, “but judging from the aroma coming out of your kitchen, I suspect I am in for a very flavorful treat. Are you expecting others?”
“No. Just the two of us. Did you think other guests would be here?”
“No, um, I thought you might be expecting additional visitors, because your house is so warm and invitingly well-lit.” I bit my tongue on that reply, hoping I had not slighted Marta.
Marta chuckled and dismissed my curiosity with the wave of hand. “Oh, that. I always leave the lights on, for the others, you know. Well, let’s eat. Follow me, dear.”
Huh? For the others? And this is why she has the house illuminated like a Christmas tree, out of season? What others? I kept