Turnberry

By Carl M. Namahoe

The drive home had been long and boring, passing the same old land marks that they had seen for years. The sun had just begun to set and both, Jon and Jill, were hungry and tired from a long day at the office.  Their conversation was built up around work and the long awaited arrival of Jill’s father who was returning to the Turnberry Family Farm.

Jill, was the third child of seven born to Homer and Sally Donovan. She and her family along with all of her siblings lived and worked on the 5000 acre farm.

Her mother Sally was born Elizabeth Sally Turnberry, the fourth child of James and Elizabeth Turnberry. Sally passed away a little over a year ago and Homer brought her back to be laid to rest in the Turnberry Cemetery located about a half mile from the Farm.

For months now, the family had been working on their parent’s old two bedroom house that Homer and Sally moved into when they were married, over 57 years ago.

Each child and grandchild had lovingly, cleaned, painted and prepared the house for the return of their father and grandfather.

Jill’s thoughts were broken as Jon began to speak about the upcoming “Harvest Festival and Dance.” They, like the rest of the small farming population in Turnberry, look forward to the harvest celebration.

 It was a time to show their wares and display their individual talents, from cooking, to singing, dancing, the rodeo competition and many more. The festival started on Friday and ended on Sunday evening…and everyone stayed till the end.

They continued their drive home and turned onto “Turnberry Road,” and a short time later, the engine warning light came on, and a few seconds later the truck gave two jerks and rolled to a stop just short of the “Turnbery Cemetery.” Soon after, the lights went off and they were in total darkness.

Not knowing what happened and too tired to care and realizing that they were only a ten minute walk from their home; they got out and prepared to walk home.

 For many years the locals would tell stories about the legend of the “Turnberry Cemetery” and the sounds that can be heard coming from there. Many reported seeing and hearing things that they could not explain. Most people treated the legend as just that…a folklore fairy tale.

Jon searched the truck for a flash light and found one in the glove box. But soon found that the batteries were dead. They began walking, and fortunately for them the Moon was full and helps light their way. They made small talk to help cover their fears but their minds soon drifts to the “Legend.” 

They could see the cemetery and the silhouettes of the grave stones from where they were. The closer they got, the more the fear within them rose.

Jill was the first to hear it; a low cracking noise that sent chills down her spine and raised her fear, two levels. Jon had not heard the sound but he felt it through Jill’s death grip. Before he could ask her what was wrong…he heard it!

They both looked at each other and ran. But the noise began to get louder and seemed to be approaching them. They could see their house and thought “if we could only reach it…we’ll be safe.”

But just as quickly the thought was erased by the sound, which was nearly upon them. Their hearts were pounding and sweat began to pour down their faces, then something burst from the reeds and both screamed with terror.

Before Jon knew it, Jill had jumped on him wrapping her arms and legs around his waist and head, obscuring his vision and his breathing.

Jon still shaken from the experience, and not knowing what came out of the reeds, was battling to keep his balance with a hysterical screaming wife on his back. Then they both caught a glimpse of what had scared them…it was their cow “Daisy.”

Instantly, fear changed to laughter, and Jill released her death grip around her husband, landed on the ground and they continue their walk home.

The figure in the reeds watched as the man and woman made their way toward the house on the hill. Slowly it turned and went back toward the cemetery.

-to be continued-