Shadows

As the shadows of the trees stretch over the house, devouring the last remnant of light from the sun—a chilling reminder of why I am here, a request by a friend asking me to come. A favor that I had owned and one that I chose to answer, though it would be easier to ignore simply by forgetting the promise

‘You can’t do that, I thought to myself, fumbling for the key in my coat pocket, unlocking the door. It creaks as I push it open. Sitting on a table, the light from the lantern flickers from the night's air as I walk inside,  Whisks of shadows stretching down from the walls to the floors—shades of gray that hide secrets of the past from prying eyes.

“Hello?” I said, holding the lantern to illuminate the room when a mouse scurries across the hardwood floor, its footprints forever immortalize in the dust, leading the way to a small hole next to the cabinet.

“No one,” as I trudge toward the kitchen, where I catch a  whiff of a particular odor coming from the refrigerator. Taking in a tiny breath of air, I slowly pull the handle—quickly shutting its door.

“Well, I guess I won’t be eating dinner tonight.”  

I plod down the small hall, stopping in front of a closed door. A bedroom, perhaps? A thought occurred to me, What if I am not alone? I unlatched the door that exposes a gloomy room. A musty smell overpowers my senses. My sleeve is wet from covering my mouth as I pull the door shut.

“Why did I come? I said, partly to myself and this mystifying home.

 A question I ponder as the lantern dangles from my slender fingers, its light dances across the floor, following my footsteps. I should be home lying in my comfy bed with my soft pillow instead of finding myself here and alone.

 ‘Oh, no,’ thump as my body hits the floor, glass splinters, the flames start licking the walls ---- when my eyes open, I discover that I am lying on the couch covered with a blanket.

“Huh?” I said, glancing over to where the lantern had initially been when I had first arrived. Everything is the same. There's no evidence of a fire or smoke in the house.

What did happen? Thoughts racing through my mind, questions whether I am alone or is someone or something here? I breathe in slowly, tenderly rubbing my throbbing temples to relieve the stabbing pain traveling across my forehead from not eating. Then I remember the crackers that I packed in my suitcase, a tiny morsel, but enough to fill my empty stomach.

I was wiping the crumbs from my mouth, holding a bottle of warm water, when I notice Mrs mouse staring up at me as she gobbles up the few crumbs.

“Good morning Mrs. Mouse.”  I watch her disappear back toward the small hole in the wall as the first rays of the light filter into the room. I saunter out onto the porch, a cool autumn breeze coming through the trees, tilting back my head to drink in the warmth of the sun.

“Ah, peace,”  leaning back against the lounge chair

“You made it,” Jazz said, her face beaming as she ran up the porch stairs.

“Yeah, of course,” I answered, “Where were you?”

“I -  I stopped by your place this morning to pick you up, but you weren’t there.”

Of course, I wasn’t home,” I replied, “I was here all night by myself with nothing to eat or drink.”

“I – I apologize, Pau’red, I – I don’t know what to say”

“Well,” I said, turning around before I went back inside the house, “ Don’t say anything.”

It wasn’t that I blamed her, I thought, but she wanted me to come, and now Jazz shows up as if everything is fine. Still, if she believes that I will accept her apology- closing my suitcase- um, I’m not too sure about that.

“Pau’red?” Jazz said cautiously, her dark hair tied up in a bun, “I – am—sorry,” as she darts in the kitchen, reaching for the handle of the refrigerator.

“I wouldn’t do that. -“

“What?

“Open up the  refrigerator door, that’s all.”

“Oh?” –

“Yeah, there’s a terrible odor, as if something died inside.”

“Oh- um- o – o -okay.”

Jazz busies herself, checking the kitchen, opening and shutting the cabinet doors, as I lean against the doorway of the kitchen. She switches her search to the drawers. As I am watching, I couldn’t help but wonder what Jazz was hoping to find something.

“Humph?” Jazz said to herself, brushing past me and down the hall to the back room. It is starting to become clear to me that she is desperately searching for whatever it is.

 ‘But what?’ I thought, shadowing her steps, “Jazz, what are you looking for?”

“Huh? What? ’ She said, “N-n -never m-m- mind.” Closing the door behind her, strolling back to the living area, standing in the middle of the room, tapping her left foot. 

“Jazz, What are you hoping to find?”

 Jazz swiftly turns around and asks, “Are you hungry?” “I have a cooler in my car with some sandwiches and cold beer.”

“Sure, but what in the world are you hunting?” I said, watching the Jazz amble out toward her car, retrieving the small ice-cooler with our food.  A perfect picnic lunch, I thought as Jazz spreads out the table cloth on the floor, systemically unpacking the cooler. 

After a few minutes of silence, I ask her, “Are you okay?”

“N-n-no, I’m not.” Tears swelled in her soft brown eyes as she told me the whole story of why she wanted me here. Her husband, Jeff, of twenty years of marriage, is leaving her for someone else.  Her heart is breaking with every tiny intake of breath as the tears fall against her red cheeks. For the first time, I saw Jazz in a new light, the one person who had been strong. Now she needs someone to help pick up the broken pieces.

“I’m…, s-sorry, - “ Jazz said

“If there is anything I can do, please let me know.”

“T- t- thank you.”

“Where are you going?”

“I, um, n-need some air,” Jazz stood up, staring off in the distance, “I’ll um..., b -b -be back soon,” she said, before driving away in her car.

However, after waiting for Jazz’s return, I had almost given up hope that she would come back, then I heard a sound of a car coming up the driveway. I rushed out to the porch.—

“What are you doing here?” I said

“Hey, is that you greet a friend?” he said

“Jeff, I’m sorry, but I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Paula, I’m looking for Jazz. Have you seen her?”

My name is Pau-“

Yeah, I know, but was my wife here?

“Why?”

“Hey, I want to know whether she was here or not.”

“Um.., “

“Well?”

“No, I haven’t seen her since the other day.”

“You’re sure, right, Pau’red.”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Jeff asks in a softened tone, “Pau’red, please help me. I’m desperately looking for Jazz. You see, we had a terrible fight, and I need to talk to her.”

“I haven’t seen her,” I answered, scurrying back in the house, breathing a sigh of relief, as I  peered through the curtains watching him drive away.  She’d be back. I said to myself while starting to load up my car. As the sunset appeared over the horizon,

Shielding my eyes as I search the road leading up from the woods, hoping for Jazz’s return. But I couldn’t wait any longer and drove back home, my thoughts racing about what did happen to her. Was she okay? “What happened?”

Days have melted into one another, and with each passing of time, it seems that I may not see Jazz again,  especially now that Jeff called to tell me that she never came home.  After our brief chat, it seems odd that Jeff didn’t report Jazz missing. But when I insisted that he do something, Jeff said, “Don’t worry, I will.”

My thoughts race with questions like shades of gray, chasing after shadows that keep secrets hidden in the corners of a person’s soul.

“Was it all a consequence that he had shown up at the country house on that day she disappeared?  

“Could he have been hiding somewhere?”

“Did he-?

“I wonder?”