Lazy Lion
Used Books & More
146 South Main Street
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
(919) 552-9639
info@lazylionbooks.com
Monday 10 to 3
Tues -
Wed 10 to 5
Thu - Fri 10 to 8
Saturday 10 to 5
Closed Sunday
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The Visitor by Mary
Justice Blades
“There! I heard it again! What is that? It’s like a
scratching noise downstairs.”
“Now dear, you’re just hearing things. Come on back to bed,” George said as
he patted his wife’s empty side of the mattress. Julie had abruptly vacated
that spot when she first heard… that sound - that irritating sound.
She stood in the center of the room, a quizzical look on her face as she
inclined her head to one side and listened. Satisfied for the moment, she
once again crawled under the covers. She sighed and contended, “Okay, maybe
it was nothing.” George’s cheek was the recipient of her kiss as she bid him
good night. She rolled over to get cozy, and feeling the need for security,
she scooted closer to her dozing husband.
Julie’s eyes popped open. What was that?
“Oh, God, please make that sound go away,” she whispered in the dark.
“George? Are you awake?” His gentle snores were the only response to the
question.
She lay absolutely still, and then chided herself, thinking, “Either go back
to sleep or be brave and go investigate.” Julie’s bare feet had just touched
the coolness of the hardwood floors when… there it was again.
“Oh, God… George? George?” she said in a desperate hiss. She angrily
informed her slumbering mate that he could sleep through anything, his
continuing snores hummed agreement.
Julie made the trip across the bedroom and into the hallway on legs that
refused to stop trembling. Listen! Chills ran up and down the full length of
her spine. The sounds were coming from the back porch, perhaps at the back
door. “Oh, I really don’t want to do this,” she moaned only to herself,
adding, “But, I will.”
With that determined, she ran down the steps and through the house. She
silently crossed the cool tiles of the kitchen floor, reaching for the light
switch as she neared the back door. She peered through the back door’s
curtains once the warm glow of the porch light came on.
“Oh, Prince, how did you escape from your fence?” Julie asked with absolute
relief of the neighbor’s dog that was lying on her porch. “Go make noises at
your house,” she admonished the animal. With relief flooding her body, Julie
made the return trip to her bedroom. As she snuggled once again to George’s
sleeping body, she thought she heard a yelp. She smiled, decided she had
heard enough for one night, and drifted off to sleep.
In the back yard, a large silhouette silently began to drag the lifeless
animal’s body towards the woods. Perhaps, it had been a very good idea for
Julie not to open the back door; very wise indeed.
©2003 Mary Justice
Blades
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