There was a movie not long ago (some of you may remember from a previous blog "In the Night...")and it scared me senseless. In particular, there was a scene where one of the "monsters" was on the porch and knocked. When asked what she wanted, she replied
"Is Tamara home?" A simple enough phrase, but it was all in the moment; and the moments that followed. Not to mention the closing scene when asked why the monsters "did it" , they simply replied "Because you were home." Augh!
Saturday night, my husband had to go out on call; nothing big and nothing new. It was a little late and I was hustling the kids up to get ready for bed from my perch in my favorite chair. I had my scary shows on and I didn't want them watching. It was a nice weekend; warm, breezy so I had the windows open and the slider.
My son was standing at the top of the stairs changing in the hall surveying the lay of the land (our front yard). He came to the balcony and said:
-Hey Mommy! Guess what?
-What Boo?
-There was a man on the porch just now in a hoodie. He knocked and went away.
-What?
My heart stopped. "Is Tamara home?" ...or worse yet "BeCAUSE we were home." My mouth went dry.
He repeated himself. My daughter flew from her room naked as a jay-bird and eyes as big as softballs. I could see the color draining from her onto the the carpet. I'll confess that my stomach tightened and my scalp tingled. The night laughed in my window and pushed the curtains aside to see me better.
I got up on trembling knees and went down the hall. The kids were standing at the top of the stairs hugging Winston.
-I'll be right back guys. Finish getting ready. I said with fake confidence and opened the door.
The streetlight was flickering and the neighborhood was empty. Nothing. No one.
I shrugged and smiled at my own childishness and went back inside.
-All's well. I sighed.
The breeze blew again reminding me that the back door was open. I walked quickly to seal it all up. Through the darkness I heard a thumping. My barn door was open. That sour feeling crept up again. My teeth were stuck to my lips. I was scared. No--I had terrified myself. I just knew that in five minutes the murderer would jump out, whip open the door and I'd be slashed to ribbons. I stepped out onto the porch. Why? I don't know. I headed for the back,staring at the trees trying desperately not to "see" a person. Not even "Katmandu" could save me now.
Half way there. The door creaked and moaned. I was that idiot who thought it would be fun to go swimming naked alone at the lake where the murderer was last seen. I was the stupid chick who heard the noise in the parking garage but kept walking AWAY from the only functioning exit. My teeth chattered. I called myself an idiot.
I made it. I snuck around the corner of the barn and peeped in sheepishly. My hand was dripping with sweat. I closed the door and turned. In my mind's eye I saw the man in my house. Watching me from the kitchen; laughing as he turned to go for my kids. I began to run; or maybe fly. In bare feet, I sprinted to the house. My heart was thudding in my mouth. I leaped through the door and slammed it shut. I locked it again and again. I half waited for the phone to ring and to hear "It's coming from inside the house!!!!"
The kids made no sound. In fact they hadn't moved. I smiled and smoothed out my clothes. I picked pebbles, acorn caps and pine cones from my feet.
-That's that. I laughed and wiped sweat from my upper lip. My hands were shaking.
-But what about the man?
-Where did he go?
-Away.
-GOOD.
We all said. I fumbled for my cell and dialed Cheech. He was five minutes away.
-Fabulous! I sighed.
I paced and watched as my neighbor pulled in. I noticed she was alone. Her husband wasn't home yet. The gears were grinding. I dialed and when she answered I told her everything in typical "Tess" fashion...very quickly. She was teasing me and laughing. I was waiting; for the screams and sounds of a struggle. None came. We pleasantly said goodnight. Cheech pulled up. The three of us raced to greet him and tell the story as fast as our breath would allow.
He took the flashlight and began to walk about.
The phone rang. I stared at it like it was a piece of poop.
-Mommy?
I blinked
-Want me to get it? Maddie Grace reached but I snatched it away.
-NO!
-Hello? I clutched the phone and my ears tuned in like radar trying to hear and memorize even the static.
-Hey Silly girl. I just wanted to let you know. The boys in the neighborhood are playing "Ding Dong Ditch." They got messed up since you don't have a doorbell. Don't be scared. it's okay.
I laughed. -I wasn't scared. Well, don't think too much of it, but Cheech is walking around outside with a flashlight. Don't call the cops on him.
-You know? my neighbor continued with a smile (I could hear it) You really ought to stop watching scary movies when you're alone.
Where's the fun in that?
Have a nice night. Thank you for visiting, Come again.
