House of Reckoning: John Saul: Disc. 2

[aero63]

Wow, wow, wow!!! I am loving John Saul again, .

It is not the coldest today, but as usual I have plenty of throws and hot drinks for all.

Well, the drawings continue with more intensity. I have to say that these are two extraordinarily brave kids. I mean, if any of the events like the dog had happened to me, I would have been scared to venture outdoors! I am very saddened by Nick's father. He, as well as many others in this small community, are so obsessed with appearances, that they terrify their own children. Poor Nick, that hospital stay really must have been hard. Not that any stay is not hard, but particularly so on a teenager. I am really surprised that these bullies are getting away with so much violence and no one has tried to curtail it. I mean, this can be the first student they have treated this way. Nick's voices are also sharing a deeper connection to Sarah.

Sarah is a tough little girl. Defying Angie Garvey isn't something that I would consider after the first punishment. But, she is pretty desperate to find things out and also to help Nick. Sarah also is beginning to notice how connected and drawn to Bettina's house she is. She has begun to want to draw and Bettina is catering to that need also.

Bettina's house seems to be coming alive. She says physically it is the same, but different. Maybe less sinister as things are being revealed. The animals are so in tune and sensitive to the things going on, like animals are in reality. But, at times they seem to be protecting some evil, and at others clinging to Bettina. So the couple of excerpts from the manual and in the dream. I am thinking maybe, just maybe, the pregnant girl (Honoria) is the one that is assaulted in Bettina's dream and someone with a jealous nature thinks the child is the result of something else. Maybe Sarah, since we found out was adopted, is a descendant trying to let the ones that have past rest in peace. I still can't figure Nick's place in this besides the voices.

So, I feel so sad for Ed Crane and the predicament he is in. The struggle between keeping it together with Mr. Garvey and protecting Sarah, or just letting go.

I am also just so confused that the social worker is so so blase about the glances at Angie Garvey. I so wanted her to see something amiss after her visit. Her preoccupation with other cases, which happens in reality too, is blinding her to some things I think.

I have to admire Bettina for remaining in that house. I would have preferred to sleep in my car somewhere,

Well, that's it from me for now.

[mary57]

I too am astounded with what is happining. Sarahs drawings, and Nicks voices are so strong, and then Bettinas 'need' to care for Sarah is tying them together to face what is coming. I'm thinking that somehow they are conected by past history.

The bully, Conner and his gang are probably getting away with lots of things because his dad is sherrif of this small town. The event with the dog was unbelievable, but shows that the 'spirits' will protect him until 'their' story is told. They didn't however come to his aid when he was beaten in retaliation for the death of the dog. Perhaps it wasn't as life theatening to him as the dog would have been. Hopefully by the end of the stroy Conners dad will have his eyes opened to the true nature of his son.

I really feel sorry for Ed, to be in prison, his hands (and mouth) effectivly silenced, not able to help his daughter is terrible. With both Angie and Mitch using their so called power, against both Ed and Sarah, and then using the 'church' to justify the cruellty is beyond terrible. I do wish that the case worker would listen to what she 'feels' and not to what Angie shows/blinds her with.

Sarah and Nick are both such brave kids, I know I would be curled up screaming if it were me.

With Bettina starting to read the manuscript, and seeing Sarah's drawings and Nicks voices telling her the same story must be so frightening, that I have to give her major credit for staying in the house and trying to both protect Sarah and solve the mystery. Going down into the basement, and finding rows of file cabinets will have to help her in this quest.

I think that whatever terrible thing happened in this house when it was a hospital/prison is about to come out and blow this smug town out of the water. I hope that Sarah and Nick are kept safe and that Bettina is able to keep them under her wing when all this comes out. I'm sure that they are all related in some way.

Can't wait to finish.

[susanny]

You guys missed it....when Bettina saw the date of Sarah's birthday (and found out that she was adopted) she said the date was one that she'd remember forever. I believe that Bettina had a baby and gave it up for adoption, and that Sarah is that child. Why else would that date be so memorable and be clicked in Bettina's mind when she saw it? I hope I'm not wrong on this because it would be great for Sarah to have someone want and love her like her adoptive mother did. She has the talent from Bettina, which her father told Bettina he had not idea where she got it from (because she was adopted.) She also has the guts to sneak out of the Garvey's and face their wrath, which is like Bettina, too, in her guts to stay in the house after all the crazy, SCARY, things that have been happening there. And to go into the basement after all that door slamming..... she's nuts! I'd be afraid to pick up a drawing utensil, if I were Sarah, too. She has no idea what's going to be there when she's finished, only that she's not going to like it at all.

One thing that does bother me is Bettina supporting Sarah sneaking over to her house and then having her spend the night. In reality, no teacher in their right mind would have a student go behind their care-givers backs, at least without a phone call to let them know where she's at. I understand why, just know that if the board is looking for an out for her contract, when/if they find out about the meetings and all going behind the Garvey's wishes, this will be the end of her career at that school.

I hate the Garveys. What a wicked family. Don't like Nick's father, either, but at least he thinks he has Nick's well-being at heart. I wonder how old Nick was when this whole thing started with him. I haven't figured out Nick's connection to the house's hauntings yet, either. It doesn't seem to be enough that his father works at the prison. Could it be possible that both Nick AND Sarah are Bettina's children, that she had twins? They never really described the kids so we don't know if they are similar in appearance, but then twins don't always look alike. I could be way off on this one, of course. Just mulling over possibilities. It would explain their instant connection with each other.

I was sickened by what has been happening with the bullies. I don't like to think there are people out there like that, but reality is there are too many of them. I am worried that something bad is going to happen to Sarah, which they have threatened. Why doesn't the father open his eyes?!!! I know Conner is his son, but he must know he's one of the culprits that beat up Nick. Those kids must have been terrified when the dog came after them, but I don't understand why they aren't pointing the fingers more strongly at Conner, et company. I guess it's because neither one of them feels they have any adult support.

It really ticks me off about the social worker, too. She has a feeling that something isn't right, but isn't delving into it deeper, fast enough. I realize that is real life, too, and maybe that's why it makes me so mad. I have something to post over in Caring and Sharing that will help to explain why this bothers me so much.

I feel really bad for Ed, too, esp. now that he knows how Sarah is being treated by the Garveys. I just can't imagine how he is coping with everything.

I'm afraid to say any more as I read a chapter in my enthusiasm. I'm sure ready to get on with it, though, as soon as we get Blossom's input here. My book is due back on Tues, so am going to have to remember to renew it. I have it written on the calendar.

[susanny]

I decided not to post in the Caring and Sharing. It is too upsetting and disgusting, but is in regards to social workers not doing their jobs and a tragedy that has occurred here because of it. It involves the disturbed student that I was a personal aide with for 3 years and I am really upset over it. It would never have happened it the state had done their job and I certainly hope that something comes out of it that forces these social workers to wake up. But I doubt it.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Keep going guys..... I'm way ahead in the reading. Sorry. Blame Antoinette for picking a good book for us to read. ;D


This book hit home for me a little bit as well. I was a foster child at 13 1/2 , ward of the province, all that good stuff. Some of the foster homes, well, let's just say when you're that age, like Sarah you are in fact quite often expected to be the maid and the babysitter.... etc etc

I had a couple of loo loos and liars for social workers. I use to refer to the one as a painted circus horse. You could chisel the make up off her. Hated that woman.....

[mary57]

Sue, I did catch Bettinas reaction to Sarahs DOB, and thought of that conection, but it slipped my mind when I was writing. Actually, I kind of think that Bettina was raped, and the conection to Nick might be that it was his father, something else to think about.

[susanny]

Now there's a thought I hadn't entertained. The rape part I had, but not who might have done it. Considering the way that the whole town treats her it's entirely possible that the person who got her pregnant might have started rumors to ruin her reputation and it just ballooned throughout the town.

[aero63]

I was wondering what part or who Honoria plays as pregnant. Still wondering, . I noticed that fact of the date Bettina would never forget but made no connection. Some good ideas as to family lines and causes.

I kinda got the feeling that Conner's dad didn't always immediately take his son's side and that he truly wanted to be fair, but that small town mentality that surrounds him took over.

Thank you Jackie for sharing that very personal experience you had, it must have been horrible.

Sue, I also worked with many ED students and MD students and they were wards of the state. Many were given back to parents, only to return to the cottages in back of the school (residences). Even the social worker in the school angered me and I guess legally I can't really get into it. Just, they give up also, they very often have supervisors that dont' listen or shove them and push them to close cases all too quickly.

Well, I thought that since we were all either finished the book or reading on...we could meet again on Friday.

[susanny]

Yeah, I finished the book today and will return it tomorrow, right on time!

Well, Jackie, your experiences, while no doubt extremely difficult, also helped shape you into quite an remarkable woman. You overcame so much and became a strong and independent human being with a heart as big as the world. I would never have guessed you'd been in such a situation as you were, and thank you for sharing that with us. It brings us all a bit closer as friends and 'family'.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Ladies; thank you but...... in retrospect (you know, you get wiser with age... or hope... ) I really hold no grudges about any of it even though I lost (now deceased) and from the fall out before and after; 2 brothers.

What it did do was reinforce my resolve, in my youth... as a person. I've been on my own since I was . (The housekeeper, "me" finally left after 5 foster homes and one Home for Girls) With the help of Dave; (2nd marriage) I've raised two very well educated and successful children, started and worked a couple of very successful businesses, I've travelled, I use to write (had my own column and did feature pieces for the newspaer & was an active member of the Cdn Author's Association).... I'm not complaining. I did a LOT of things....

Social Services did what they had to do at the time and under the circumstances.....

You know..... lemonade from lemons. I won't argue that it wasn't hard at times, and sometimes quite scary but even then, I stayed involved in my brothers and sisters lives though we didn't get to remain together when SS stepped in. Even as a young teenager I got onto the "Dept" many times intervening on thei behalf) (they were much younger than me) and frankly; I became, even at 14, a pain in the A** for Soc Services. But; never bad enough for them to do the "Juvie Hall thing." It used to drive them wild! They earned their money with me..... I assure you.

So; thank you for the kind words but.... ....
you're right Sue. It helped shape me.

[mary57]

Jackie, You certianly have been through a lot, especially with the 'system' when you were younger. It has only made you stronger and more certian of what kind of person you did not want to be. Big hugs, and congratulations on being the wonderful woman you are, I am honoured to know you.