The Total December Experiment
A glance at his watch told him that she was leaving the hotel fairly late and probably wouldn’t be away long. He made a sudden decision, entered the hotel, and walked to the bar. He ordered a drink and prepared to wait for her return.
#
Manda checked and found her mom’s flight to be on time. To get her bearings, she followed the signs to the security check point, located the nearest Starbucks, and with coffee in hand, found a small table where she would sit and wait for her mom’s arrival.
#
Gary sat at the bar, impatiently waiting and sipping on his second white Russian. He had decided that this one would be the last. Where is she, dammit?
He had tried to call her to see how she was doing after the shock he had given her this afternoon, but the desk clerk told him that she had left the hotel. He had paced up and down in front of the hotel before deciding to wait at the bar for her, thus making a complete fool of himself. The little spitfire vixen who had tried to rip his eye out was getting under his skin….just like a damn splinter… and he didn’t want her there.
He spun on his stool as a hand gripped his shoulder.
“ A little touchy,Gary?”, grinned Mr. Lanier.
“ Oh..hey John, I guess I am. I’m surprised to see you. Do you come here often ?”
“Naw, not too often. Just when I need to wind down a little. It’s nice and quiet here.”
John swung onto the stool beside him.” Can I buy you another drink, Gary ?”
“ Thanks, but no thanks. I’ve had my limit.”
“ How are you John ?”
“I’m OK. Any progress on the investigation?”
“Not much. We’re still gathering information. Lots of people working on it. We hope to have a break through soon.”
“What are you doing here , Gary ? I didn’t know you imbibed.”
“I don’t very often. Guess I’m just doing the same as you. Trying to relax.”
John grinned at him. “ You sure you weren’t drawn here by the little gal in 210 ?”
“I admit that I’m a little curious about her. I was going to ask her a few more questions, but she’s not here.”
“I kn…ah…I know you’ll catch up to her.”
“ Well, I better be getting home. Paperwork to do, you know. Never can get caught up. Ah…see you around, Gary.”
John abruptly stood and walked toward the lobby.
Someone else brushed against Gary, obviously in a hurry.
Glancing around, Gary saw that he was the only one in the bar. Guess everyone decided that I’m contagious with something.
He spun his stool to face the bar knowing that the reflection in the bar length mirror would alert him to her return.
#
Manda craned her neck checking the people who were
streaming past her, looking for her mom. She suddenly saw a
familiar hair style and color and, with a happy look on her
face, moved to intercept her mom.
“Manda, is that you !! Why, I didn’t expect to see you
here. I was going to surprise you.”
“Frank gave you away,Mom.”
“Its SO good to see you,” Manda said while throwing her
arms around Teresa. As Teresa hugged her back, Manda heard
her mom’s voice in her ear.
“Its so good to see you too, Honey,” Teresa said with a
hitch in her voice.
Manda grabbed her mom’s hand.
“Let’s grab your luggage and get out of here.”
They hastened to baggage claim , talking non stop, then
fidgeted while waiting for the two suitcases to spill over
onto the conveyer belt. Finally they appeared; each grabbed
a case and began rolling them toward the door. A few
moments later, they labored to lift the bags into the
trunk.
“ Jeeez, Mom, what did you pack ? Free weights ?”
“ Well, I didn’t know exactly what I’d need, so I packed a
little bit of everything.”
Manda laughed. “No Kidding !!”
They didn’t talk much on the way to the hotel as Manda was
having to remember the route in reverse.
As they drew closer to the hotel, Manda asked her mom if
she was hungry.
“No, I’m fine. I had a snack on the plane.”
DECEMBER 2004
“Well, let me know if you get hungry later.”
Manda pulled up in front of the hotel. Teresa wriggled her
brows at Manda in surprise and delight when the doorman
escorted them inside and a bellboy grabbed the bags.
“Manda, I think I’m going to really enjoy this visit !”
As they began to move through the lobby. Manda panicked at
the sound of a familiar voice.
“Ms.Harris, excuse me, may I have a moment ?”
Manda swung around to face Detective Haworth, anxiety
painted on her face as she wildly sought a way to prevent
her mom from finding out about the murder investigation.
She had wanted an opportunity to explain the present
circumstances to her mom without frightening her any more
than necessary.
“Ahh…ahh, Mom, this is a good friend and associate of Mr.
Lanier. Mr. Haworth has been kind enough to help me get
acquainted with Gulf Shores. Mr. Haworth, I’d like to
introduce you to my mother, Teresa Wembly. She just arrived
in town and I haven’t had the chance to bring her up to
date on things.” Mom is tired and we have a lot of catching
up to do.”
After a split second, Gary realized Manda’s concern .
“I’m so glad to meet you,” he said, reaching to shake
Teresa’s hand.
“ I would be honored to take you ladies out for dinner
tomorrow evening. May I call in the morning to make
arrangements ?”
Manda’s facial expression relaxed into relief.
“ Thank you, Mr. Haworth. Dinner sounds wonderful. I’ll
expect your call in the morning.”
“ It’s been a great pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Wembly. I’m
looking forward to getting better acquainted with you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Haworth. It’s always a pleasure to meet a
friend of Manda’s.”
“Well, I’ll wish you ladies a good evening and be on my
way.”
“ Good evening, Mr. Haworth, “ echoed Manda and Teresa as
they turned toward the elevator.
“Manda, You’ve been keeping secrets.”
Manda looked quickly at her mom, noticing the teasing note
in her mom’s voice, to see a broad smile beneath
questioning eyes.
“He’s just a friend of mine.”
“Really? Well, he’s a very attractive friend; sexy too !”
“ Mother, you’re just an impossible romantic.”
“You think so ?” Teresa winked at a blushing Manda as the
elevator doors closed.
DECEMBER 2004 #
He stood on the sidewalk across from the hotel. His insides
twisted up from seeing
the two of them together. Sweat poured from his face even
as he shivered from chills.
What do you want from me ?? I don’t think I have enough
strength anymore. I should be
filled with strength and power from Susan. You must know
the agony I’ve been going through because of her loss. Why
didn’t you grant me those things that I need
and deserve
for doing your bidding ? Why ?
He turned to walk away….his heart so heavy with a need for
peace. He became aware of the heavy beating of many wings
and looked up to see the silhouettes of hundreds of bats
diving, soaring, and swirling against the backdrop of the
streetlights. He turned to run when he realized that they
were wheeling in the air and coming closer to him. He ran
faster with fear clouding his vision. He ran until he could
run no longer. He bent over, hands on knees as he fought to
pull enough air into his lungs. It seemed to take forever
before his heart began to slow and his breathing began to
satisfy his need for oxygen. He slowly stood, seeing his
shadow cast by light from a streetlamp onto the surface of
the sidewalk. His shadow looked as defeated as he felt.
What is wrong with me ! My strength is gone..my power is
gone..my courage is gone !
His shadow began to move as he turned to walk away. He
didn’t notice the malevolent gaze of the solitary bat
clinging to the shoulder of his jacket.
#
After a brief consult with Teresa, Manda ordered a pot of
decaf coffee and several different small loaves of tea
breads to be sent to her room.
Teresa unpacked just the items she would need until
morning. They both changed into comfortable nightgowns and
slippers.
Room service delivered their snack and they curled up in
the two huge chairs; prepared to relax.
“Mom, lets just have a chat now. I know you must be
exhausted so lets wait until tomorrow to cover everything
else.”
“OK, but its going to be hard to wait. I’ve always been an
impatient sort of person, you know.”
“I know, but if we get started now, we’ll be up all night.”
“Did you bring Dad’s genealogy with you?”
Teresa nodded while cutting slices of the breads.
“I hope you get more out of it than I--It’s a little
confusing.”
“What do you mean ?”
“Well, I haven’t really studied it, but something is
nagging at me. I think some dates are wrong…not sure
though.”
“We’ll work on it tomorrow. Maybe between the two of us, we
can figure it out.”
They sat nibbling, relaxing and enjoying each other’s
company as they talked about
mundane things.
“How long can you stay,Mom?”
“As long as you can stand me, honey.”
“You’re going to be here a while then. We have so many
interesting things to talk about, see, and do.”
Teresa was overcome by a lip splitting yawn. “Sounds good
to me, but I do believe the day is getting to me. I’m going
to have to sleep this tea bread off. “
“Me too. Do you need any help getting settled for the
night ?”
“No sweetheart, I’m not decrepit, you know.”
Manda grinned at her.”I know, Mom-you can still run rings
around me anyday.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that.”
They stood and after a hug and kiss, Teresa , yawning, made
her way to her bed.
Manda wrapped the rest of the bread, tidied a little and
prepared for bed.
Shortly after she lay down, she smiled, pleased that her
mom was with her, but the smile turned to a sober
expression as she thought of the disturbing things she
would have to share with her tomorrow before Detective
Haworth took them to dinner.
#
Jesse stood in the center of the living room. Everything
looked the same as it had several months ago, except for a
thin layer of dust covering everything and the stale smell
of a place that’s been closed up for a while.
Tomorrow morning would be soon enough to clean it up and
make it feel like home again. He carried his duffle bag
into the small bedroom, tossed it on the bed, and began to
unpack. He’d only brought a few things with him; he’d get
the rest after he cleaned and stocked up on groceries
tomorrow.
He walked around the house throwing the windows open for
fresh air and switched the ceiling fans on to aid in
circulation. He closed the door on the spotless
refrigerator, plugged it in , and started her up-enjoying
the familiar hum.
He walked onto the front porch and let the outdoor scents
and sounds that he had missed so much, bring him home
again. He had felt so disconnected since he’d had to move
off the estate after Nanny May died.
Jesse had been glad when Mr. Lanier called him and asked
him if he could return to his job. About time. Jesse had
called the other two guys and was very relieved when they
said they could come back to work. He desperately needed
their help. He had done all he could do by himself, but had
been able to keep up with only the basics. It would be
great to get the place back to what it had been when he’d
moved out.
He took several deep breaths enjoying the smell and taste
of rich earth, evergreens, and roses before he turned
to enter the house and get ready for bed. He had a lot to
do tomorrow.
ADD TO CD###############
DECEMBER 2004
#
Teresa and Manda had slept until 8:30. After quick wake up
showers, they hurried to the dining room for breakfast.
They caught up on the latest news while they ate. Teresa
did most of the talking, regaling Manda with her
experiences at the hospital where she was a volunteer.
Over a second cup of coffee, Teresa studied Manda’s face.
“Did you sleep well last night ? You have shadows under
your eyes.”
“It was a little hard getting to sleep, Mom. I think I was
just so excited about you being here.”
“I’m glad to be here, but we better hit the sack early
tonight so you can get some rest.OK ?”
“Sounds good,Mom.”
“What are we going to do first today ? See Live Oaks ?”
“I thought we’d have a nice talk first so I can fill you in
on everything. We can’t leave until Detective Haworth
calls, anyway.”
“Did you say Detective, Manda ?”
“Yeah, that’s one of the things I have to talk to you
about.”
Teresa opened her mouth to speak but Manda stopped her with
a wane smile. “ Let’s have coffee sent to the room and
we’ll have us a gab fest, Mom.OK ?”
Teresa, with worry shadowing her eyes, slowly nodded as
they stood to leave the dining room. The trip up in the
elevator was silent. Teresa watched Manda and Manda watched
the floor indicator.
How on earth am I going to explain all this weird stuff to
her? Somehow, she’s going to have to adjust all
at once to
things that I’ve had over a week to try to comprehend.