Unclean Spirit Read Free Page A

they did enjoy their marijuana and their infrequent acid trips; they neither condoned nor practiced group sex; they had no intention of overthrowing the Government.
                  Because Tamara and Paul believed that Starr was the priority in their lives and should be treated accordingly, Tamara quit her job in order to spend the first year of Starr's life with her. Paul designed and built furniture, unique pieces that he sold to a local specialty store. Since Paul's workshop was in the back of the house, he too was a constant and active participant in Starr's upbringing.
                  By 1965, the core group of The Forsythe House had truly become a family; it was, then, especially devastating when Peter was drafted and sent to Nam. When he was listed as missing-in-action and presumed dead thirteen months later, the grief in the house was palpable. Candace was inconsolable and sank into a state of depression that was frightening in its intensity. She rarely spoke, she wandered the house at night, she ate only enough to sustain her vital functions. Starr was the one person with whom she would interact. 
                  Starr was a precocious five year-old whose intelligence and sensitivity to others was obvious to anyone who met her. Her long, shiny auburn hair, translucent complexion, and startling emerald green eyes accentuated her inner qualities and drew people toward her. It was no surprise to anyone that she was able to comfort Candace in a way that no one else could; what was surprising, however, was how she provided that solace.
                  Candace was wandering through the house very late one night when she heard someone crying. She was immediately drawn to Starr's room where she found the child fast asleep but soaking wet and writhing about as though in pain.
                  "Starr, wake up, baby, it's Candace."
                  Starr sat up, looked wildly about for a moment, then focused on her friend. "Candie, my leg hurts so bad and it smells poopie and I'm wet and cold and..."
                  "It's okay, sweetie, you were just having a nightmare."             
                  "No! My leg, my leg! Look at it, please!"
                  Candace examined the girl's legs but could find nothing wrong. "See, Starr, your legs are fine. Maybe you had a charlie-horse. Does your leg still hurt?"
                  "I don't think so. But Candie, I'm scared. Don't leave me"             
                  "I will stay right here with you for the rest of the night. Let's just wash you off and change your jammies and then get you back to sleep."
                  An hour later as Candace cradled a peaceful Starr in her arms, she began to feel very much at peace herself and fell into the best sleep she had experienced in many months.
                  The next morning at breakfast when Starr dropped her spoon, stared up at the ceiling, and announced, "Peter's hungry," dead silence settled around the breakfast table.
                  Tamara finally spoke. "God, Candace, I'm so sorry! Starr just doesn't understand."
                  "Its okay, Tam, I'm beginning to think that she 'understands' better than any of us."
                  Candace shared with the group what had occurred the night before and concluded with, "Peter's not dead...he's injured, but he's not dead. Starr knows and..."  Candace was cut short by the ringing of the doorbell, which Paul left to answer. When he returned to the kitchen, Paul was accompanied by an Army officer who identified himself as Major David Aiken. Before Major Aiken could state his business, Candace calmly stated, "Peter's alive."               
                  "Ma'am, are you Candace Rosenfeld, wife of Corporal Peter Rosenfeld?"