Анна Керн - A Paw-sible Theory

I saw myself as a young woman in my parents’ living room. There were colored lights and pleasant sounds. The sounds were familiar voices. The colored lights swimming in front of me organized into a continuous string wrapped around a Christmas tree.

The dream was pleasant and I didn’t want to wake up. I saw my brother with a movie camera; his wife was directing the action. She told everyone to get up and dance. “Try to look like you’re having fun,” she said. Everyone got up and pretended to dance, pretended because there was no music, and laughed for real.

That scene faded into darkness, and another picture emerged. It didn’t take as long to recognize the house that Bob and I lovingly renovated right after we got married. I was looking down at the beautiful, angelic face of a baby boy––our baby. Bob had his arm loosely draped around my shoulders, and cold as steel, his empty blue eyes cut through me to the core. I could feel my heart thudding. I fought to wake up from the nightmare, but descended into a deeper darkness instead. Suddenly, another scene emerged. This time, I was sitting on the couch with an arm around a ten-year-old boy who was crying softly while his father was trying to explain why he was moving somewhere else. Overcome with unbelievable sadness for the boy, I felt real tears streaming down my cheeks, the sadness turned to anger, and that’s when I woke-up.”

“You should write it all down before you forget it.”

“That’s why I told you. I learned that if I tell someone my dreams as soon as I wake up, I don’t forget them, and since you recorded it, I won’t forget for sure.”

“You gave us quite a scare, sweetie. I’m glad you’re going to be all right. I know Ethan will be happy to hear the news; he’s been worried about you.”

“And I’m worried about him. I didn’t see anyone or hear anything before I was hit in the head, Saturday morning,” she said, trying hard not to sound hopeless. “All I know is that I was sitting at the kitchen table waiting for you and Ethan, and the next thing, I’m in a hospital bed.” Her voice broke and she pulled a tissue from the box on her side table.

“Maggie,” Alyx said, “I’m sure Ethan didn’t do this. It’s so unfair. By keeping him in prison, they are punishing him without a trial. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?”

“I know what you mean. I guess the judge looked at the evidence and decided Ethan could be a threat to you, or could leave town or both.”

“Ethan wouldn’t have done either of those things because he’s innocent,” Alyx asserted in frustration.

Just then, a young man about Ethan’s age, wearing khakis, a black shirt and a striped blue, yellow and navy tie walked in.

“Ms. Hille, my name is Tony…Tony Mallory. I’m an investigator from the State Attorney’s office. I’d like to ask you some questions.”

Maggie got up to leave. Alyx put her hand out signaling her to stay. “Is it okay if my friend stays?”

“No problem, if that’s what you want.”

Maggie sat back down while Alyx told the young investigator the same story she had told Smarts and Maggie.

Then, the young man showed Alyx pictures of the pieces of pottery found on the kitchen floor. I stretched my head out from behind the screen, trying to catch a glimpse of the photos. “Just one more question, Ms. Hille. Here is a photograph of the presumed weapon used, the earthenware pot; do you recognize it? Do you remember where it was?”

“I’m sorry,” replied Alyx, “I still feel a little disoriented. I can’t quite picture it or where it might have been displayed.” She lay back on the hospital bed.

“Is this necessary? Can’t you come back tomorrow?” questioned Maggie.

“It’s all right, Maggie,” said Alyx, sitting up, “just let me focus for a moment. Ethan made several pots and I have them all over the house. Right now, I have no idea. All I see is pieces of a broken pot.” She shook her head in discouragement.

“Dogs have owners, cats have staff.”

–– Unknown

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Sentimental Expressions

She couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for it, but Alyx agreed to Maggie’s offer to read her get-well cards and the gift tags on the flowers, no doubt to cheer her up, although, she didn’t say so.

I saw Alyx wipe away an errant tear. “Since I rarely hear from anyone, I’m surprised and touched by all the cards and flowers from my family. I was always the one to initiate contact, and when I stopped calling, no one else picked up the phone. At first, I excused it by telling myself they were just busy, caught up in their own lives and families, but I was busy too and somehow I managed to find the time. After a while, I just didn’t think about it at all. As you know, the only one that keeps in touch with me is my older sister, Kathy, and that’s only a few times a year, usually around the holidays.”

“I think they mean the sentiments expressed in these cards, don’t you?” Maggie asked.

“Yes, I do and when this mess is straightened out, I’m going home for a visit, and I’d like you to come. Ethan too, if he can take off work,” Alyx said with resolve.

“It’s a deal,” Maggie said as she picked up a colorful watering can filled with daisies. “I think these are my favorite. They’re so cheerful.”

“You know how much I love flowers; they’re all beautiful to me. Who sent those?”

“Charvette said they’re from Justin Marks, the dealer you met at the antique show in Georgia––the guy you never mentioned to me.”

“I never mentioned him because there was nothing to mention. We had coffee a couple of times and then we lost track of him. Why is he sending me flowers?” Alyx said.

Maggie opened the gift tag and looked up puzzled. “That’s weird; there’s no name on the card. How did Charvette know who sent them?” she questioned. “It just says ‘I wish you a peaceful rest.’ That’s a strange thing to say, don’t you think?”

Alyx wasn’t paying attention, didn’t answer her question, and asked one of her own instead, “Do they allow prisoners to make calls whenever they want?”

“Not whenever. They have certain times when they can make calls. I’m sure Ethan will call as soon as he can, once he knows you’re awake.”

“Can I call him?”

“No; they’re not allowed to receive calls and they can only make collect calls out.” Alyx looked around, dazed and leaned back on the bed. “Alyx, you’re starting to fade out. I’m going to take off so you can get some rest. Is there anything you want me to bring you from home when I come back?”

Alyx appeared to think about it, and then asked for a few things: toothbrush, hairbrush, lipstick and mascara, and some bedclothes that didn’t expose her to the world. She pulled the cover up to her neck while Maggie gathered her things and was asleep before Maggie left the room.

Maggie didn’t say where she was going, and if she went home and didn’t find me there, I’d have a big problem on my hands. I faced a dilemma. When Bob had left, he said he was going to see David Hunter, and I heard him on the phone out in the hall making an appointment to meet him at an outdoor coffee shop within walking distance of the hospital. It was important that I know exactly what was going on with Ethan from the lawyer’s point of view and also ascertain if Alyx was in any danger. I started to think maybe I’d made a mistake by thinking I could handle it all. I quickly dismissed that negative thought and decided to take a chance with Maggie. I still had an hour before Bob’s appointment with the lawyer and decided to stay where I was for the time being.

Alyx was lying with her back to the door, so she didn’t see anyone come in, and didn’t know anyone was in the room until she heard whispering. Her brother Tom and his wife Susan had entered and were at her side.