After a reenactment weekend, Goose Tucker inadvertently brings home Civil War soldier Jefferson Eaves’ diary and is shocked to discover Jefferson’s spirit has come along, too. Through the diary, Jefferson tells Goose about his true love, Calvin, who was a former slave who fought for the Union. With no record of Calvin’s death or service found, Goose figures Jefferson might not want to cross over until Calvin receives due recognition. Jefferson also speaks of an acorn planted as a sign of commitment to their future. When reenactment leader Patrick O’Hanlon calls looking for the diary, he tells Goose about his plans to return down south to protest the chopping down of an old oak tree. Is this the tree that grew from Calvin and Jefferson’s acorn? Goose, with Jefferson in tow, decides to go with Patrick to find out. What happens between the four men once there is a lesson in healing and love.

Ghost Writer

“Why is Jefferson here?” I asked Siri.


She didn’t understand the question, which wasn’t much of a surprise. Google didn’t offer much help, either. The site brought up the third US president and George and Weezy. I could have played “Movin’ On Up” on YouTube, but that wasn’t going to help us out much.


“I guess it doesn’t know everything,” I said sadly.


I did. The name written on you is the same. I thought you were Goose.


“Written on me?” I didn’t have a single tattoo. “Written?” I looked down, “Oh,” and had to laugh. “This is very Lorraine and Marty in Back to the Future.”


Chapter 23