Don't Go

Kitty put toothpaste on her brush and began brushing her teeth.  She brushed for a full two minutes, then bent over, filled her mouth with water and spit into the sink. She raised up and saw herself, a much older self, in the mirror.

“Don’t go,” the image said.

Kitty, age thirty-five, covered her eyes with her hands.  “Well, I am losing it.  Got to reduce the caffeine and sugar.”

Kitty was not diabetic, but she was prediabetic.  She pulled a diabetic blood meter from the bathroom drawer and had just pricked her finger and inserted the strip into the meter when 14-year-old Brandy charged into the bathroom without knocking.

“Brandy!  Don’t you knock anymore?”

The blood meter beeped, and Kitty looked down at it.  Normal sugar level.  Since Kitty had learned that she was prediabetic, she checked her sugar levels three times a day.

“Mom, I need to be at school fifteen minutes early today.”

Kitty looked at her lovely daughter, and her irritation dissipated. Brittany had long brown hair hanging past her shoulders, dark brown eyes behind long dark lashes and a small upturned little nose.  Fresh peaches and cream complexion made Brittany look wholesome. Kitty was thankful that Brittany had not yet started begging for piercings, tattoos or pink hair.  “Okay, darling, no problem.  Why so early this morning?”

Brandy, her backpack already on, “Glee Club, to discuss the dress for the Saturday night performance.”

“Okay, grab a breakfast sandwich and I will be right down.”

Kitty grabbed her long auburn hair, twisted it around and around, then fastened it with a scrunchy.  She examined her face in the mirror, trying not to look for the image.  Just mascara and a touch of lipstick this morning. Kitty was a natural beauty who did not require makeup. Auburn hair flowed past her shoulders. She considered her hazel eyes her best feature, but her husband thought her smile was her best feature. At five foot two, she was not a tall woman, but her confident air made her appear much taller.

Monday was the day she did errands. Kitty ran downstairs into the living room and approached two large dog crates. Two very playful german shepherds started whining as soon as they saw her.

“Okay, quick potty this morning.”

She opened both of the crates doors and the dogs came running out, jumping, and competing for attention.

Kitty opened the back door and off they ran.

“Quick guys.”  She watched from the back door as they both did their business. Then they began wrestling and running around like crazy dogs.

Kitty opened the door and called them. “Crate.  Who wants a treat?”

Both dogs came scampering back in, dancing around the kitchen floor and doing zoomies.

Kitty removed two homemade chicken treats from the canister, threw both in the air, and each dog caught one. She retrieved both dog bowls from the floor and filled them.

“Breakfast in crate this morning, puppies.”

They both entered their crates, and she placed the food inside.

Kitty rushed to the kitchen, grabbed her purse off the counter, got her keys, and went to the car.  Brandy was in the car with her earbuds in, waiting.

“About time.  Where is Daddy?”

“Early morning meeting, but he will be home early this afternoon.”

Kitty’s husband, Dan, often went to work early but was home every evening so he could spend time with Kitty and Brandy.

Kitty drove Brandy to school and, after Brandy got out of the car, Kitty pulled into the school visitor parking lot so she could examine her to-do list. The list was manageable: dry cleaners, post office, grocery store, produce market, and then, not on the list, lunch with Robbie.

Kitty put the car in reverse, looked in her rearview mirror, and the image reflected in the mirror.  Kitty pulled the car back into the parking spot. The reflection looked like her, but with wrinkles, silver gray hair and wearing glasses.

“Don’t go!”

Kitty would not engage with a delusion. She ignored the reflection, putting the car in reverse.

“You are in danger. You must listen to me, Kitty.”

Kitty backed out of the parking space and noticed that the image was gone.

Kitty arranged her errands in her mind in order of the opening times of the businesses.  It was 7:45. The dry cleaners were open now, and she soon pulled into the dry cleaners parking lot and tried to switch off the car.  Kitty could not get the ignition to the off position, it just kept running.  Kitty turned the switch back and forth. Nothing happened.  Frustrated, Kitty slammed the steering wheel with her hands.  She looked up. The image was back.

“Kitty, please listen to me, darling. This is important and will affect your future life.”  

Kitty left the car running and entered the dry cleaners. Lisa, the owner’s daughter, was behind the counter.  They had been schoolmates.

“Kitty! How are you?” but as Lisa looked at Kitty she said, “Are you okay?  You are white as a sheet.”

“I am fine, Lisa, just a little tired. Too many chores today.”

As Kitty was leaving, Lisa said, “Take care Lisa, you know we are not getting any younger.”

As Kitty stepped outside she thought, geez, when did thirty-five become old enough for that statement? 

Next, Kitty went to the post office.  When Kitty pulled into the lot, she shut off the car.  Was it a delusion earlier, or did the car keep running? Kitty was getting scared.

Kitty ran in and went to the window with a package Dan wanted mailed.  This was a quick chore. Customers were not lining up this early.

Nothing in the mirror as she backed out and drove to the grocery store. This was a sizable task, and she took her time picking the weekly supply of groceries.  Kitty was a little apprehensive as she crossed the parking lot to her car.  Kitty loaded the groceries, got in, started the car, glanced into the rearview, letting out a sigh of relief.  The image was not in the mirror.

Because of the warm weather, Kitty dropped her groceries off at home. She let the dogs out, put up the groceries, tidied the bags, and then ran upstairs. Kitty entered the bathroom, careful not to turn toward the mirror. As she left the bathroom, the image appeared in the mirror. 

Kitty stopped before the mirror and screamed, “What do you want from me?  Go away.”

“I just need you to listen to me for one minute.”

“I will not talk to my imagination, go away,” and Kitty left the bathroom.

Kitty exited hearing old Kitty say, “I didn’t know I was so stubborn.”

This was becoming serious. Kitty could hear the theme from The Twilight Zone in her head.

After she put the dogs back in their crates, Kitty drove out of her driveway and headed to the produce market. They sold many things other than produce, including flowers, statuary, yard decor and a small supply of grocery staples. Kitty selected enough produce for a week and browsed the greenhouse and bought a couple of mums.  

By this time, it was 11:30.  Almost time for lunch.  She headed to Ruby’s Diner to get a table and something to drink.  As she was backing out of the parking space, the car stopped.

“Oh what now!” Kitty wondered.

“Kitty, please listen to me.  Don’t go!  Do Not Go!”  Again, she was there.

“Go where? When?” she screamed.  “What are you talking about?”  This was crazy.

She tried to restart the car and, to her relief, it started and the image was gone.

Kitty drove to Ruby’s, parked and went inside.  Ruby was behind the counter and waved to her.  Kitty went to her regular booth, left side back corner.  There was one other booth occupied.

Dinah, a long time Ruby’s employee, came over to take Kitty’s drink order.  “Your usual?  Sweet tea and ice water?”

“I am going to change it up today.  Decaf coffee and ice water.” She needed to cut back on caffeine, considering what was going on today.

Kitty glanced at the clock on the wall. Still ten minutes until noon.  She removed her phone from her purse and browsed Facebook, checking out Brittany’s page to make sure there was nothing inappropriate there.  She saw nothing.  Brittany was a good kid and Kitty knew she was lucky, unlike a few of her friends who were having issues with their teenage children.

Robbie came bouncing into the diner. He smiled a great big smile and said, “Is this seat taken?”  

They both laughed as he slid into the booth across from her.  Not a handsome man, but his impish grin, boyish face and large stature made him appealing.  Robbie was huge at six foot six and weighed two hundred and seventy pounds.  He was semi fit, but there was a small amount of flab on his forty-year-old frame.  The large man was wearing jeans and a tank top, which showed off his muscular biceps and tattoos. A large tattoo on his forearm said I love Tina.  Tina had an x through her name. Below that, it said Sharon with an x through her name, and below that the name was Janice, also with an x through her name.  The last name was Becca, his current wife, no x through her name.  

Kitty had met Robbie at an antique show a year ago.  She was friends with his nephew, Randy, who was in the antique business and had a lovely store on Broad Street, just off the main drag in Heritage.  Robbie was not in her social circle, but Kitty found him intriguing. She started going to Randy’s antique shop more than usual, hoping to run into Robbie.

Randy had told Kitty Robbie was a dangerous man and she should avoid him. Robbie had a wonderful personality. He was funny, a good listener and always considerate. She could not imagine what he meant. 

 “Listen, Kitty, I love my uncle, but he has some undesirable friends, very undesirable.  Kitty, steer clear of him. Take my word for it.” Kitty pressed him for details, but that was all he said, and Kitty ignored the tip.

Robbie reached across the table, taking Kitty’s hands into his own large hands, and looked into her eyes. They held hands until Dinah came to the table.  Dinah flirted with Robbie and asked him what he wanted to drink.

“Just water darlin.  Are you still married these days or are you looking to upgrade?  I could help you out there,” he said as he grinned.

Dinah punched Robbie in one of his well developed biceps and said, “Oh, Robbie.  You are incorrigible!”

“You know me Dinah, never afraid to ask.”

He placed his drink order and told her we were ready to order.  He ordered the house special liver and onions, and Kitty ordered a club sandwich with a side of cottage cheese.

When Dinah retreated, Robbie said, “Have you thought about me at all this week?  Have you thought about spending an evening with me, you beautiful thing?”

“I don’t know, Robbie. It is difficult for me to get out in the evening.”  This was a lie. Dan never questioned where she was going.

“Tell you what, meet me at the Haven, tomorrow night.  I would like to treat you to drinks and dinner.  If that is all our evening amounts to, I will respect your wishes. We will still be friends.  Okay?  Come on, we have been having lunch together for months.  Let’s have dinner together and see what develops.”

Kitty fingered her wedding band as she thought. “Okay, but I am not promising anything, just drinks and dinner.”

Kitty and Robbie chatted while eating lunch, occasionally becoming quiet, staring into each other’s eyes. They never ran out of conversation and Robbie could tell the funniest stores from his days in the Marines, his days as a bar owner, his days as a fitness club owner, and other various events in his life. Kitty was always relaxed with Robbie and he was a good listener.  Something that didn’t always happen when you were married and raising a child.

When it was time for Kitty to leave, Robbie leaned over the table and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.  “Kitty darlin, I want more, but it will be your decision.”

When Kitty returned to her car, she looked in the mirror, making sure old Kitty was not there.  She drove home.  There, she did the usual household things.  Ran the vacuum, tidied the living room, and turned out the dogs.  She retrieved her mums, went to her potting shed to get a small shovel and planted the mums in her front bed.  Once done, she watered them, as well as the other plants in her bed.

She returned to the house and fixed supper, deciding on pork chops and baked veggies.  Brittany was home by now and Kitty was timing the meal to coincide with Dan’s arrival. 

The rest of the evening passed quickly, with Brittany doing homework and talking with her friends on her phone.  Dan ate supper, fell asleep in his recliner, but he woke up long enough for them to watch television before bed.

The next morning, Kitty was on autopilot as she did her morning chores.  Kitty told Dan a lie.  She said she had to meet with some of the church ladies concerning the bake sale, raising money for the local orphanage that evening.  Kitty had never been unfaithful to Dan, and she didn’t know whether she would tonight, but meeting Robbie for lunch was questionable. Cheating in her mind was as bad.

Kitty baked a lasagna and placed it in the fridge for Brittany and Dan’s super.  It was 4:30 by this time. Kitty raced upstairs, jumped in the shower, being sure to shave her legs and under her arms, and then she put lotion on her entire body.  She should get her make-up going.  The mirror was steamy, and she took her towel and wiped the mirror.  She threw her towel in the hamper and turned back. There she was, in the mirror.

“Who are you? What do you want?”

“Why Kitty, I think you know.  I am you, thirty years from now. I have something to tell you.  It is imperative that you listen to me.  Do not go to The Haven.  It is dangerous for you.  Something life altering will happen if you go tonight.”

“Like what? For crying out loud.  What could happen?” Kitty asked the reflection.  She studied the reflection and wondered if she would look like old Kitty at sixty-five.

“Kitty, if you meet Robbie tonight, your life will alter forever, and not for the good.  You value your life and your family. You are just bored right now.  Focus your energies elsewhere.”

“I have done everything I can do. It is up to you now, Kitty,” she said has her image faded and was gone.

Kitty sat down on the toilet and contemplated this.  Old Kitty, or her own conscience, was right.  She should not do this.  It would be irreversible.

Kitty took the clothes she picked out earlier and put them back in her closet, opened her dresser drawer and removed a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt. Kitty dressed, ran downstairs, took the lasagna from the refrigerator and placed it in the oven to warm.  

When Dan arrived, she called Brittany to come to dinner.  Dan asked if she was going to the bake sale meeting.

“No, two girls couldn’t come. We rescheduled.”

“Can you guys help me with my science fair project, then?” their child wanted to know.

The family spent the evening working on the project, a volcano, trying to get it to work. They placed Brittany’s tiny play houses along the slope of volcano mountain and they squealed and laughed when the volcano erupted and poured over the small houses.

When Kitty went to bed, she said a prayer, thankful she had stayed home, but it wasn’t until the next morning she realized the gravity of the warning.  

The morning news was reporting a major drug bust. Overnight, the FBI arrested a drug kingpin and charged him with seventeen counts of drug trafficking.

Here in Heritage?  That didn’t seem possible to Kitty.

When Robbie’s picture was filling up her television screen, Kitty had to sit down.  Robbie flashed that impish grin, even in his mug shot.

Kitty ran up the stairs and looked in the bathroom mirror.  Nothing there but her own face.

“Thank you old Kitty.”