The stranger sat down at Julia Masons table in the Diner.
"I haven't been able to take my eyes off you, beautiful lady. The minute you came in I said, 'Johnny, here's the girl for you!'"
Taken aback by this man's brashness, Julia held her breath as he reached over and extended his hand and exclaimed, "My name is John Agar."
"Excuse me, John. You're sure direct."
He laughed. "At my age, I can't afford to beat around the bush." He took a lusty slurp of his coffee and winked at her. "I bet your name is something pretty, like Rose or Amber maybe."
By now, Julia felt comfortable and charmed by the man's easy manner. She smiled and said Julia, Julia Mason."
"Well Julia, where are you from?"
Julia swallowed uneasily, and thought, relax. He looks like a nice guy. "I'm from Minneapolis," she said then.
"Well, I'm sure you're glad to get away from all that snow. How long will you be here Julia?"
"Two weeks." As she raised her cup of coffee, her hand trembled slightly. Now she worried, maybe she was telling him too much.
"Just enough time."
"Just enough time for what?" Julia asked curiously.
"Dinner, dancing, cruising on the water. Anything you want." He waved a hand in the air as he spoke.
"Well, you really don't waste any time do you!"
"Nope," he smiled. "Listen there's a wine tasting party this evening down in Shelter Cove Harbor, would you go with me?"
She scanned his face, tried to read his mind. He looked honest.
He leaned over and lifted her chin. "I promise, I'm nice. Where are you staying?"
Julia gave him the address.
"I'll pick you up at five then. I've got to run for now, but I'll see you tonight." And after that whirlwind he disappeared out the door of the Diner and down the street.
After he left, Julia sat back and bit her lower lip in doubt, but flattered by all the attention she thought, well why not, a vacation romance might be fun!
Follow the adventures of Lindy Lewis from the day her house burns....
Monday, May 27, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Escape to an Adventure (4)
Julia Mason checked her watch. Ten minutes went by, then thirty, forty and then about an hour. She stopped and listened. Had she walked right by the place she was staying at? She stood bewildered. Her clothes were wet, and her hair hung in wilted strands around her face.
But no --, she began to hear voices, and familiar sounds. A car door slammed and voices echoed through the billowing gray. Cooking odors wafted from a restaurant's kitchen. Suddenly a familiar sign loomed just in front of her that read, Surfside Beach and Tennis Club! She was safe!
The next day dawned clear and Julia stood on the balcony of her condo and watched the sun come up over the ocean. For a few moments just then, the world was cast in pink. Tiny clouds formed a network of white lace in front of the glow. A long v-shaped parade of gulls glided by and gently tipped the white capped waves in their flight.
The island was twelve miles long and shaped like a high top shoe. The brochure had said one main street ran through the length of the town. No advertising or street signs were allowed to clutter the landscape except on each corner, a small discreet listing of the businesses was displayed on a subdued colored sign. The suburbs were called plantations with locked gates and twenty-four hour guards. Each area contained businesses, homes and golf courses, The colors were muted shades of greys, browns and blues, so as not to distract from the uniqness of the blazing plant life.
Julia decided to have breakfast first, on her way to explore the island. She dressed with care, wearing another of her new outfits. This time a long avocodo skirt with fringes on the botton, an overblouse cinched with a gold belt and gold and white sandals. She pinned her hair up in a knot on the top of her head and glancing at herself in a mirror, she now looked like a completely different person. Great, she smiled at her reflection. No one knows me here, I can be anyone I want to be.
She called Reno and his white limousine sped up to her door a few minutes later.
"Good morning Miss Mason. Where to?" He asked importantly and his eyes lingered on her as he held the car door.
"Reno," she said, "Would you take me to a nice restaurant please."
"The diner then," he remarked and they drove off.
"How was your first day," he asked and swung around quickly in his seat for a peek at her as he drove. "Do you mind if I call you Julia?"
He sure was getting friendly, Julia thought uneasily but went on. "Well, " she grimaced,"I got caught in the fog when I went out to walk by the water,"
"Oh no--," and he clapped a hand to his forehead, "I forgot to warn you, bad weather comes in fast here by the ocean. What did you do?"
"I panicked!"
"Julia," he said then, "I live near here right off the beach, Why don''t I come by and get you and go with you on your walks. I can keep you safe."
Her eyes met his in the rear-view mirror. He was young, and much too intense.
Not knowing how to get out of this situation, Julia replied, "well maybe--".
***
The Diner was in a upscale hotel. The host sat her at a table and placed a menu in front of her. The room was full and the air delicaately laced with the cool air-condioning and the expensive colognes from the people sitting around her. All were elegantly dressed and their conversations spirited.
Self-consciously, Julia tucked her Timex watch under on her wrist and was glad she'd bought her new clothes even if they'd been on sale. She took out the same pack of cigarettes she'd brought from home, but instead of using her old Cricket lighter, she reached for the book of matches on the table suplied by the resaturant. And then even though her fingers shook she dared take the long elegant cigarette holder she'd bought on a whim out of her purse and in inserted it over her Marlboro. Carefully taking a small drag of the cigarette so she wouldn't cough, she blew the smoke out and toward the ceiling. Damn she must look good, she decided.
She ordered an omelette, then jumped in alarm as a man's voice said "paardon me lady, may I join you for coffee?"
Julia looked up into the steely eyes of a tall stranger, dressed in white shorts, a white t-shirt. His legs were tanned and powerfull.
"Well--," she said hesitating as a chill moved up her chest, and not even waiting for her answer, he pulled out a chair and sat down.
But no --, she began to hear voices, and familiar sounds. A car door slammed and voices echoed through the billowing gray. Cooking odors wafted from a restaurant's kitchen. Suddenly a familiar sign loomed just in front of her that read, Surfside Beach and Tennis Club! She was safe!
The next day dawned clear and Julia stood on the balcony of her condo and watched the sun come up over the ocean. For a few moments just then, the world was cast in pink. Tiny clouds formed a network of white lace in front of the glow. A long v-shaped parade of gulls glided by and gently tipped the white capped waves in their flight.
The island was twelve miles long and shaped like a high top shoe. The brochure had said one main street ran through the length of the town. No advertising or street signs were allowed to clutter the landscape except on each corner, a small discreet listing of the businesses was displayed on a subdued colored sign. The suburbs were called plantations with locked gates and twenty-four hour guards. Each area contained businesses, homes and golf courses, The colors were muted shades of greys, browns and blues, so as not to distract from the uniqness of the blazing plant life.
Julia decided to have breakfast first, on her way to explore the island. She dressed with care, wearing another of her new outfits. This time a long avocodo skirt with fringes on the botton, an overblouse cinched with a gold belt and gold and white sandals. She pinned her hair up in a knot on the top of her head and glancing at herself in a mirror, she now looked like a completely different person. Great, she smiled at her reflection. No one knows me here, I can be anyone I want to be.
She called Reno and his white limousine sped up to her door a few minutes later.
"Good morning Miss Mason. Where to?" He asked importantly and his eyes lingered on her as he held the car door.
"Reno," she said, "Would you take me to a nice restaurant please."
"The diner then," he remarked and they drove off.
"How was your first day," he asked and swung around quickly in his seat for a peek at her as he drove. "Do you mind if I call you Julia?"
He sure was getting friendly, Julia thought uneasily but went on. "Well, " she grimaced,"I got caught in the fog when I went out to walk by the water,"
"Oh no--," and he clapped a hand to his forehead, "I forgot to warn you, bad weather comes in fast here by the ocean. What did you do?"
"I panicked!"
"Julia," he said then, "I live near here right off the beach, Why don''t I come by and get you and go with you on your walks. I can keep you safe."
Her eyes met his in the rear-view mirror. He was young, and much too intense.
Not knowing how to get out of this situation, Julia replied, "well maybe--".
***
The Diner was in a upscale hotel. The host sat her at a table and placed a menu in front of her. The room was full and the air delicaately laced with the cool air-condioning and the expensive colognes from the people sitting around her. All were elegantly dressed and their conversations spirited.
Self-consciously, Julia tucked her Timex watch under on her wrist and was glad she'd bought her new clothes even if they'd been on sale. She took out the same pack of cigarettes she'd brought from home, but instead of using her old Cricket lighter, she reached for the book of matches on the table suplied by the resaturant. And then even though her fingers shook she dared take the long elegant cigarette holder she'd bought on a whim out of her purse and in inserted it over her Marlboro. Carefully taking a small drag of the cigarette so she wouldn't cough, she blew the smoke out and toward the ceiling. Damn she must look good, she decided.
She ordered an omelette, then jumped in alarm as a man's voice said "paardon me lady, may I join you for coffee?"
Julia looked up into the steely eyes of a tall stranger, dressed in white shorts, a white t-shirt. His legs were tanned and powerfull.
"Well--," she said hesitating as a chill moved up her chest, and not even waiting for her answer, he pulled out a chair and sat down.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Escape to an Adventure (3)
The sun warmed Julia Mason's shoulders and the soft white sand cushioned her feet. The tide had been in leaving behind thousands of sea shells where it had crested, then receded. She looked at the vast expanse of blue water, and realized that it reached over to some far-off country. Probably Morocco, she thought. She began to walk faster as the high waves beat against the sand. Her breath caught as she gazed at the tangled jungle of tropical plants and trees that grew wildly amongst the dunes.
She walked on, caught up in the beauty of her surroundings, feeling the marvelous freedom. And, she didn't notice the fog that had begun to roll in over the water behind her. By now, she was several miles out when suddenly the sun dimmed, and a curtain of damp grayness swept in. In a matter of seconds it caught up to her and began to close around her. She stopped and watched in horror as it swept past her and moved on, spiraling over the beach.
She stood still, smothered in the fog. Everything had disappeared; the sky, the beach and the ocean, and she could see only a few feet ahead of her. The silence only brokened by the crashing waves.
But how far away were they? Was the tide coming in again?
She was lost! Should she scream? Panic began in her chest and her heart raced as the Atlantic Ocean crashed. She was alone in a strange city, and there was no one there to help her. She was truly on her own and it could be hours, maybe even all night before she could get back to her condo.
Don't panic, calm down, she reminded herself, remembering what she'd taught her class of young school children about being lost. Think--, she whispered and start walking. But which way was back? She sagged down in the sand and cried tearfully, realizing she'd forgotten that too. After a few minutes, she got up and determinedly started walking, not at all sure of the direction. But she recalled as youngster, playing with her brothers in the heavy woods around their home and how they'd leave small rocks to mark their trails to find their way back out of the forest.
Follow the ridge of seashells, she reminded herself. And she set off and soon the shells crackled under her feet as she walked on, feeling any minute she should finally step out of the curtain of fog. She checked her watch and saw it was almost seven pm and she wondered how soon it would get dark.
Oh Lord, the thought of still being out there after dark scared the daylights out of her! It had been an hour since she'd started her walk. A little glimmer of hope calmed her as she realized then if she walked for an hour, shouldn't she end up somewhere close to her complex, where she had started out from? That's if she was going in the right direction. She remembered on the way in, hadn't she seen swamps and marshes bordering the water on the other side of the area.
She tried to hum something to calm herself at the thought of the snakes and allgators that would rush at her. The water continued to slap against the shore as she struggled against the fear. The time dragged!
She walked on, caught up in the beauty of her surroundings, feeling the marvelous freedom. And, she didn't notice the fog that had begun to roll in over the water behind her. By now, she was several miles out when suddenly the sun dimmed, and a curtain of damp grayness swept in. In a matter of seconds it caught up to her and began to close around her. She stopped and watched in horror as it swept past her and moved on, spiraling over the beach.
She stood still, smothered in the fog. Everything had disappeared; the sky, the beach and the ocean, and she could see only a few feet ahead of her. The silence only brokened by the crashing waves.
But how far away were they? Was the tide coming in again?
She was lost! Should she scream? Panic began in her chest and her heart raced as the Atlantic Ocean crashed. She was alone in a strange city, and there was no one there to help her. She was truly on her own and it could be hours, maybe even all night before she could get back to her condo.
Don't panic, calm down, she reminded herself, remembering what she'd taught her class of young school children about being lost. Think--, she whispered and start walking. But which way was back? She sagged down in the sand and cried tearfully, realizing she'd forgotten that too. After a few minutes, she got up and determinedly started walking, not at all sure of the direction. But she recalled as youngster, playing with her brothers in the heavy woods around their home and how they'd leave small rocks to mark their trails to find their way back out of the forest.
Follow the ridge of seashells, she reminded herself. And she set off and soon the shells crackled under her feet as she walked on, feeling any minute she should finally step out of the curtain of fog. She checked her watch and saw it was almost seven pm and she wondered how soon it would get dark.
Oh Lord, the thought of still being out there after dark scared the daylights out of her! It had been an hour since she'd started her walk. A little glimmer of hope calmed her as she realized then if she walked for an hour, shouldn't she end up somewhere close to her complex, where she had started out from? That's if she was going in the right direction. She remembered on the way in, hadn't she seen swamps and marshes bordering the water on the other side of the area.
She tried to hum something to calm herself at the thought of the snakes and allgators that would rush at her. The water continued to slap against the shore as she struggled against the fear. The time dragged!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Escape to an Adventure (2)
Julia left the next day, amidst another snow storm and falling temperatures. And a few hours later, when they landed in Hilton Head SC the pilot had said "the temperature is 83 degrees. Enjoy the sun folks.
She walked out of the airport and was suddenly transported into a world of color and warmth. She threw off her trenchcoat as she waited with her luggage for a taxi. The sunshine blazed on the green palm trees, the palmetoes and yuccas. Julia looked wide-eyed at the brillance of the azaleas blooming everywhere. She could smell the ocean and the lovely dampness of the salt air.
The sun warmed her as she waited near the curb and stepped back as a white limousine swung around the corner and came to a stop beside her. She looked around excitedly thinking some famous person, a movie star even must be there. A young man got out dressed in black and wearing a chauffer's cap.
"Are you Julia Mason," he asked?
"Why- yes I am," she said hesitatingly.
He flashed a big smile and opened the car door. "Well, I'm new at this job and this is my car, so hop in."
"But I didn't ask for a limousine, I can't--," And Julia stepped back suddenly tongue tied by the grandiose situation.
"Don't worry, Miss Mason, my rates are the same as a taxi."
"Well," Julia paused, "okay then." And he closed the door and loaded her suticases in the trunk.
'Where are you staying," he asked then.
"It's called the Surfside."
"Great place, Miss Mason, you'll enjoy it there." And the big car moved out into the traffic. In a few minutes, Julia relaxed and sat back. She fluffed her hair and reached in her purse for the new pair of designer sun glasses. With a grin, she thought, if my friends could see me now!
"Is this your first trip, Miss Mason," the driver asked?
"Oh yes," Julia answered breathlessly.
"How long will you be here?" He asked then as he drove but as Julia happened to glance up she saw that he was staring at her in the rear-view mirror.
"Two weeks," she answered but began to feel just alittle bit uneasy.
"Miss Mason, I can show you around. You'll love the beach. Oh, by the way my name is Reno."
"Well, thank you Reno," Julia said not wanting to offend this brash young man.
Her villa was on the second floor and he carried her bags up to the door, then looked her over openly as she hurriedly paid and tipped him, glad to finally close the door.
The rooms were done in floral prints, the furniture was coral cane and the accessories were tropical. Large glass doors opened out to a deck which overlooked the ocean. The view was breathtaking. Julia had never been this close to the water or this far away from home before, so this was a first.
She threw her suitcases on the bed and began to hang her clothes, but changed her mind. Hell, she thought recklessly, I'll can do this later, I'm going down to the beach.
She slipped out of her sensible brown traveling clothes and put on her new white shorts and a halter top and grabbed her sunglasses and set out. So excited and intent on seeing the water, she didn't notice her new-found friend casually strolling in the same direction.
She walked out of the airport and was suddenly transported into a world of color and warmth. She threw off her trenchcoat as she waited with her luggage for a taxi. The sunshine blazed on the green palm trees, the palmetoes and yuccas. Julia looked wide-eyed at the brillance of the azaleas blooming everywhere. She could smell the ocean and the lovely dampness of the salt air.
The sun warmed her as she waited near the curb and stepped back as a white limousine swung around the corner and came to a stop beside her. She looked around excitedly thinking some famous person, a movie star even must be there. A young man got out dressed in black and wearing a chauffer's cap.
"Are you Julia Mason," he asked?
"Why- yes I am," she said hesitatingly.
He flashed a big smile and opened the car door. "Well, I'm new at this job and this is my car, so hop in."
"But I didn't ask for a limousine, I can't--," And Julia stepped back suddenly tongue tied by the grandiose situation.
"Don't worry, Miss Mason, my rates are the same as a taxi."
"Well," Julia paused, "okay then." And he closed the door and loaded her suticases in the trunk.
'Where are you staying," he asked then.
"It's called the Surfside."
"Great place, Miss Mason, you'll enjoy it there." And the big car moved out into the traffic. In a few minutes, Julia relaxed and sat back. She fluffed her hair and reached in her purse for the new pair of designer sun glasses. With a grin, she thought, if my friends could see me now!
"Is this your first trip, Miss Mason," the driver asked?
"Oh yes," Julia answered breathlessly.
"How long will you be here?" He asked then as he drove but as Julia happened to glance up she saw that he was staring at her in the rear-view mirror.
"Two weeks," she answered but began to feel just alittle bit uneasy.
"Miss Mason, I can show you around. You'll love the beach. Oh, by the way my name is Reno."
"Well, thank you Reno," Julia said not wanting to offend this brash young man.
Her villa was on the second floor and he carried her bags up to the door, then looked her over openly as she hurriedly paid and tipped him, glad to finally close the door.
The rooms were done in floral prints, the furniture was coral cane and the accessories were tropical. Large glass doors opened out to a deck which overlooked the ocean. The view was breathtaking. Julia had never been this close to the water or this far away from home before, so this was a first.
She threw her suitcases on the bed and began to hang her clothes, but changed her mind. Hell, she thought recklessly, I'll can do this later, I'm going down to the beach.
She slipped out of her sensible brown traveling clothes and put on her new white shorts and a halter top and grabbed her sunglasses and set out. So excited and intent on seeing the water, she didn't notice her new-found friend casually strolling in the same direction.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Escape to Adventure
The blow lashed across her bare chest and wrenched a scream through her swollen lips. She twisted in pain but the bonds held fast.
"Please let me go," she whispered.
But the man didn't stop, didn't listen to her pleas. He raised his arm again, this time holding a knife.
She closed her eyes in horror and her world tumbled as she realized she was going to die now, alone and far away from home. Her clothes were torn, her body battered and her vacation had turned into a nighmare.
****
Julia Mason was forty-four years old. As a teacher, she was usually content to stay at home after busy days dealing with children and sometimes, upset parents. Years ago, she'd had a relationship with a fellow teacher, but that had ended abruptly and left her devastated with grief. Julia was a conservative person and her wardrobe consisted of no nonsense styles, all in drab colors. Her brunette short hair had strands of gray and laugh lines framed her brown eyes.
Time flew by for her as she went about her busy life, though for a long time she'd had a fantasy. But, to act meant stepping out undaunted into the unknown.
Could she really do it, she pondered? While not to, meant never knowing the jewels of the future. In a few years she would be fifty years old, and what had she done with her life? She made up her mind, the time had come.
The northern winds tore at her clothes as she ran into her house. The skies were gray and leaden with freezing rain and the predicted snow. It was December and Christmas loomed ahead with time-off from school. She tossed her heavy coat on a chair and called her friend at the travel agancy.
"Maryann, this is Julia."
"Hi, whats up?" Maryann greeted her in her usual cheerful voice.
"Listen girlfriend, I've decided to go on a two week trip, to Hilton Head, South Carolina."
"Well, for God's sake, its about time you went somewhere. But what made you decide to go there?"
Julia took a deep breath and replied excitedly, "I've always dreamed about seeing the south."
"Well, my friend, you'll love it! The weather is tropical and the history goes back to the Civil War."
"Wonderfull and I'd like to leave tomorrow Maryann. And can you find me somewhere to stay, right by the ocean?"
"You know, Julia, I've just gotten some new brochures and there's a lovely complex with villas for rent right on the water."
"Thats it!" Julia's heart beat faster as she began to dream about her adventure. She was going! The south, with its plantations, the ocean and the warm sun beckeoned.
This called for a celebration and ice clinked in a glass, then brandy and mix splashed as she made a manhatton. The bottles were old, left over from a party she'd had years ago. Her phone was glued to her ear as she reached into the back of a drawer and found an old pack of cigarettes she'd hidden from herself and only saved for special occasions.
"You're lucky to be able to leave now," Maryann exclaimed, "if I ever get my bills paid up, I'm going somewhere too."
"Marry that man or finish that book and either way you'll be rich!" Julia reminded her friend and took the first swallow of her drink and wrinkled her nose.
"Well maybe--" Maryann ventured. "I'll call you back with your itinuary, it probably will be a few hours"
Julia took her first drag of her cigarette and coughed and sputtered, then sat back and relaxed. Now she'd have a chance to wear those clothes she'd bought on a whim last year. Daydreamed of using them someday. And after a few sips of her drink, thought daringly, maybe I'll even meet a man!
"Please let me go," she whispered.
But the man didn't stop, didn't listen to her pleas. He raised his arm again, this time holding a knife.
She closed her eyes in horror and her world tumbled as she realized she was going to die now, alone and far away from home. Her clothes were torn, her body battered and her vacation had turned into a nighmare.
****
Julia Mason was forty-four years old. As a teacher, she was usually content to stay at home after busy days dealing with children and sometimes, upset parents. Years ago, she'd had a relationship with a fellow teacher, but that had ended abruptly and left her devastated with grief. Julia was a conservative person and her wardrobe consisted of no nonsense styles, all in drab colors. Her brunette short hair had strands of gray and laugh lines framed her brown eyes.
Time flew by for her as she went about her busy life, though for a long time she'd had a fantasy. But, to act meant stepping out undaunted into the unknown.
Could she really do it, she pondered? While not to, meant never knowing the jewels of the future. In a few years she would be fifty years old, and what had she done with her life? She made up her mind, the time had come.
The northern winds tore at her clothes as she ran into her house. The skies were gray and leaden with freezing rain and the predicted snow. It was December and Christmas loomed ahead with time-off from school. She tossed her heavy coat on a chair and called her friend at the travel agancy.
"Maryann, this is Julia."
"Hi, whats up?" Maryann greeted her in her usual cheerful voice.
"Listen girlfriend, I've decided to go on a two week trip, to Hilton Head, South Carolina."
"Well, for God's sake, its about time you went somewhere. But what made you decide to go there?"
Julia took a deep breath and replied excitedly, "I've always dreamed about seeing the south."
"Well, my friend, you'll love it! The weather is tropical and the history goes back to the Civil War."
"Wonderfull and I'd like to leave tomorrow Maryann. And can you find me somewhere to stay, right by the ocean?"
"You know, Julia, I've just gotten some new brochures and there's a lovely complex with villas for rent right on the water."
"Thats it!" Julia's heart beat faster as she began to dream about her adventure. She was going! The south, with its plantations, the ocean and the warm sun beckeoned.
This called for a celebration and ice clinked in a glass, then brandy and mix splashed as she made a manhatton. The bottles were old, left over from a party she'd had years ago. Her phone was glued to her ear as she reached into the back of a drawer and found an old pack of cigarettes she'd hidden from herself and only saved for special occasions.
"You're lucky to be able to leave now," Maryann exclaimed, "if I ever get my bills paid up, I'm going somewhere too."
"Marry that man or finish that book and either way you'll be rich!" Julia reminded her friend and took the first swallow of her drink and wrinkled her nose.
"Well maybe--" Maryann ventured. "I'll call you back with your itinuary, it probably will be a few hours"
Julia took her first drag of her cigarette and coughed and sputtered, then sat back and relaxed. Now she'd have a chance to wear those clothes she'd bought on a whim last year. Daydreamed of using them someday. And after a few sips of her drink, thought daringly, maybe I'll even meet a man!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Soon!
I will be bringing you another short story to while away your time until we do get spring!
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Blinded (5)
"Abby, Abby open your eyes! Take a deep breath." And Abby moaned, then opened her eyes.
"You're okay, now just breath slow and easy," a familiar voice comforted her.
"Olaf, what-," she tried to sit up, then saw she was lying outside on the ground in her front yard. The scenery swirled around her and she had a spliting headache.
Holding her head as she sat up, she managed to ask, "what hapened?"
"It's the furnace. Just stay still while I'm go back in and open doors and windows and air your place out. I'll be right back."
Her feather down-filled blanket was under her on the snow covered ground and Abby pulled it around herself and lay still in a daze.
"Abby, I'm taking you home with me and Emma will make you something warm to drink," Olaf said as he helped her to his truck. She was still too confused and weak to argue. Getting there, both of her neighbors fussed over her and settled her on their couch for the night.
"You sleep and I'll go over and lock up." Olaf reassured her.
The next moring, Abby awoke with a start. She draped a blanket over her shoulders and followed the mouth-watering aromas of fresh coffee and cinnamon rolls into the familiar country kitchen where Olaf and Emma sat talking in hushed tones.
"Good morning," Abby said. "I'm sorry I don't know what hapened last night."
"Here sit down and eat something." Emma smiled at her young friend and brought her a cup of coffee and a roll.
"Abby, you were gassed!" Olaf boomed unable to contain his news any longer.
Emma shushed him. "Let the poor girl eat."
"What?" Abby looked askew at her friends unable to comprehend.
Olaf's fist hit the table. "Someone tried to kill you Abby! When I went back last night to lock up I checked the furnace. And do you know what? I found a loose gas pipe." He hit the table again with his fist. "I can guarantee it wasn't like that before." His face was beet red.
"I know you had the gas company check the furnace this fall Olaf." Abby said trying to console him.
"This was done recently. On purpose! Lord, it's a good thing I saw your car and decided to go over tonight and bring you some wood. Jesus, I recognized that ungodly rotten egg smell as soon as I got up to the door! You'd have been a goner if I had waited until today to come over!"
Reaching over for their phone, Abby said, "I better give them a quick call and get them over to make repairs."
Olaf was still shaking his head and said,"your sister and that handyman of yours, didn't have any trouble when they were here a few days ago, course they didn't stay over there too long."
Abby's hand froze in mid air as she was dialing the telephone. Her face paled, as she asked, "Lisa and Jonathon were here?"
In a curious way, this still hadn't felt real until he told her that. Until now, she hadn't connected this to her own personal safety.
But good Lord, had her own sister really done this? She had to face it, that it was true! It wasn't just a childish whim of Lisa's to take over her business, but her sister and the man who was Abby's former lover, had been deadly serious about getting rid of her too!
Sickened by their betrayal, Abby fought back her tears while her good friends fussed over her sadness. Then she made a decision and without a doubt in her mind, declared, "they will not get away with this. Olaf would you please call the sheriff for me?"
"You're okay, now just breath slow and easy," a familiar voice comforted her.
"Olaf, what-," she tried to sit up, then saw she was lying outside on the ground in her front yard. The scenery swirled around her and she had a spliting headache.
Holding her head as she sat up, she managed to ask, "what hapened?"
"It's the furnace. Just stay still while I'm go back in and open doors and windows and air your place out. I'll be right back."
Her feather down-filled blanket was under her on the snow covered ground and Abby pulled it around herself and lay still in a daze.
"Abby, I'm taking you home with me and Emma will make you something warm to drink," Olaf said as he helped her to his truck. She was still too confused and weak to argue. Getting there, both of her neighbors fussed over her and settled her on their couch for the night.
"You sleep and I'll go over and lock up." Olaf reassured her.
The next moring, Abby awoke with a start. She draped a blanket over her shoulders and followed the mouth-watering aromas of fresh coffee and cinnamon rolls into the familiar country kitchen where Olaf and Emma sat talking in hushed tones.
"Good morning," Abby said. "I'm sorry I don't know what hapened last night."
"Here sit down and eat something." Emma smiled at her young friend and brought her a cup of coffee and a roll.
"Abby, you were gassed!" Olaf boomed unable to contain his news any longer.
Emma shushed him. "Let the poor girl eat."
"What?" Abby looked askew at her friends unable to comprehend.
Olaf's fist hit the table. "Someone tried to kill you Abby! When I went back last night to lock up I checked the furnace. And do you know what? I found a loose gas pipe." He hit the table again with his fist. "I can guarantee it wasn't like that before." His face was beet red.
"I know you had the gas company check the furnace this fall Olaf." Abby said trying to console him.
"This was done recently. On purpose! Lord, it's a good thing I saw your car and decided to go over tonight and bring you some wood. Jesus, I recognized that ungodly rotten egg smell as soon as I got up to the door! You'd have been a goner if I had waited until today to come over!"
Reaching over for their phone, Abby said, "I better give them a quick call and get them over to make repairs."
Olaf was still shaking his head and said,"your sister and that handyman of yours, didn't have any trouble when they were here a few days ago, course they didn't stay over there too long."
Abby's hand froze in mid air as she was dialing the telephone. Her face paled, as she asked, "Lisa and Jonathon were here?"
In a curious way, this still hadn't felt real until he told her that. Until now, she hadn't connected this to her own personal safety.
But good Lord, had her own sister really done this? She had to face it, that it was true! It wasn't just a childish whim of Lisa's to take over her business, but her sister and the man who was Abby's former lover, had been deadly serious about getting rid of her too!
Sickened by their betrayal, Abby fought back her tears while her good friends fussed over her sadness. Then she made a decision and without a doubt in her mind, declared, "they will not get away with this. Olaf would you please call the sheriff for me?"
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