Читать книгу Real Hauntings 4-Book Bundle - Mark Leslie - Страница 32

I have a tendency to be a little bit impulsive, and sometimes I struggle to contain my enthusiasm. I occasionally say things before I think them through, and I often get tangled up in the moment. Keep that in mind as you read on.

It was just another day at the office when I first “met” Mark Leslie. During business hours, I am the entertainment and lifestyle reporter for Northern Life, Sudbury’s community newspaper. Mark and I had an interview lined up to talk about his book Haunted Hamilton. I’ve always loved reading about ghosts and paranormal stuff, so naturally I was excited about the phone conversation we had scheduled.

During the interview, we talked about his childhood fear of monsters in the closet, and we talked about his career as a professional writer. We talked about growing up in Onaping Falls, and we talked about the family names we both knew. It was my job to ask the right questions to make the former Sudburian’s book relevant to the local folks reading the paper. It only seemed fitting that I ask if he had plans to write a similar book about his hometown. According to my recollection, the conversation went something like this:

Jenny: Have you ever thought about writing a collection of short ghost stories about Sudbury?

Mark: Huh. (Pauses to think about answer)

Jenny: Well, I think it’s a great idea! If you want to do it, I’ll even help!

Mark: Ok.

Jenny: Cool!

I’m not entirely sure how serious either of us was about the idea initially. But we must have both thought there was some value to it, as did Mark’s connections at Dundurn Publishing, because, well, you are reading the result of that conversation.

Looks like that damn inability to keep my mouth shut has, in fact, worked out for the better. During the last few months, I’ve gotten an entirely different perspective of the city I know, love, and call home.

I already knew there were some amazing people living here and making the city a better place. What I didn’t know was just how many non-living beings had stuck around.

The stories people have shared are nothing short of spectacular. After learning about Sydney Brown, I made a point of whispering “hi Syd” every time I walk into the Sudbury Theatre Centre. I no longer shrug off the vibes I get whenever I drive by the old hospital on Paris Street. And I certainly had a few sleepless nights along the way as well.

It’s probably fair for me to tell you that I have never personally come in contact with a ghost. I’ve been in situations that left my skin sharp with goosebumps, but none of these experiences have ever made me think, “I just experienced something paranormal.” Despite my scatterbrained nature, I like to think I’m at least a little bit logical.

During the writing of this book, author Jenny Jelen has gained an entirely different perspective of the city she loves.

Jenny Jelen

“There has to be a reason the cat keeps fixing his stare toward the living room, meowing that awful screechy meow. He probably just sees something outside. Maybe he’s just bored.”

Maybe there is more to it, but for the sake of sleeping comfortably at night, I choose not to explore it.

That being said, I’m open-minded about this sort of stuff. Just because we can’t see or feel these things doesn’t mean they don’t exist, right? If you disagree, consider the same questions while contemplating the existence of your brain.

After compiling stories for this project, I think I would like to one day meet a ghost.

Who knows, maybe I’ll even become one!

Jenny Jelen

Sudbury, Ontario 2013