SWNOVELS Chapter Dr. Kay
Being an only child meant one of two things would happen if things went sideways; she would either get in trouble for doing something her parents deemed wrong, or she would be let off the hook. The scenarios varied greatly, but her parents generally blamed the cousins or Kay pulled out the ‘I don’t have siblings’ card and her parents inevitably forgave her transgressions or gave in to her wants.
Her elementary and middle school years went by in a blur. She was frequently commended for her excellent grades by the teachers while conversely being shunned by her peers for her belief in the paranormal. She did have one super best friend who was just as weird as she was. Heather would often walk around on her toes and whiney like a horse. She also enjoyed singing Blue Suede Shoes, by Elvis Presley, and sliding on her knees across the gym floor. Needless to say, Heather took a lot of the spotlight off of Kay believing in ghosts and haunted houses.
While attending Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies in Gretna, Louisiana, Kay played the saxophone and bass guitar. She also graduated with a 3.665 GPA and went on to earn a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor's in Parapsychology from Loyola University. Her friend, Heather, went on to study veterinary technology and bought a horse farm.
You may be wondering, what makes a young woman like Kay choose these two fields?
Growing up in southern Louisiana meant that Kay had a deep interest in the paranormal. Generally considered the most haunted city, New Orleans is well known when it comes to eerie hotels, ghosts, vampires, and other paranormal activity. Surrounding cities have their own antebellum homes and plantations that experience bumps in the night. Kay had been on every haunted tour that New Orleans had to offer. Some had more activity than others and she always finished a tour wanting more information and wanting to experience more paranormal activity. She even went to Loyd Hall in Cheneyville, Louisiana where William Loyd, a double agent for the Union and Confederates, was discovered tarred, feathered and hung from a tree in his own yard. Unfortunately, Kay didn’t get to see the ghostly apparition of Mr. Loyd hanging from a tree, but she did get to hear the thudding of boots when noone was around to make the sound.
It was growing up with a fondness for these wonderful tours and haunting experiences that Kay realized two things: She wanted to help people with mental disorders and she really loved the paranormal. Thus began her successful journey into Counseling and Parapsychology.
So, while southern Louisiana could have definitely used another budding psychiatrist, or even another paranormal investigator, Kay decided to make the lengthy move to Wisconsin.
Why in the world, you ask, would she choose to move so far away?
Well, Kay did her research regarding the need for mental health providers and which states needed them the most. What you may not know is that Madison, Wisconsin has some wonderfully haunted places that also drew her attention.
For example, three of the most haunted places in Madison, Wisconsin are very near where Kay would be living (as you will soon find out). The Wisconsin State Capitol building's 4th floor of the south wing is well known for doors opening and closing, footsteps, and the feeling of being watched. In 1908 a roof collapsed while workers were doing maintenance and it is believed that they are responsible for the uneasy encounters.
The Forest Hill Cemetery is home to two-thirds of the Madison residents who served in the Civil War, many of which remain unknown, and Wonder Bar Steakhouse (The Bar Next Door) had dealings with prohibition in the late 1920’s and it is believed that the brother of the owner might have been buried behind the fireplace on the second floor in the 1950’s.
Kay was definitely looking forward to uncovering the mystery and intrigue that is the city of Madison.