Alison wears a short black dress that hugs her exceptional body like a second skin. Her long, lustrous, blond hair gleams in the sunlight cascading through the living room’s windows, her scent smells exotic and her make-up is perfect. David, still reeling over his strange visit from the F.B.I., goes into the living room to confront Alison.
“What the hell are you doing here?” David asks. From around a corner comes Mouse, she favors Alison with a look a real mouse might give a cat.
Alison grins at Mouse. “Hello Rodent, how are things in Looneyville?”
Mouse looks at Alison defiantly, she then goes over to David and hugs him about the waist.
David drapes an arm about Mouse’s shoulders. “Call her Rodent again and I’ll drag you out of the house by your hair.”
“My my, you’re so protective of her. Tell me David, what is it about her that attracts you so? It’s obviously not her sex appeal—she has none.”
“You mean other than the fact she’s not you?”
“Ouch! You can be so cruel at times David, and here I only stopped by to give you a belated Christmas gift.”
“How did you know where to find me Alison?”
“That sweeper lady, that Mrs. Johnson, she was ever so helpful, my but she loves to talk. She told me some interesting things about your cousin there. The most interesting thing is that she is your cousin. Kissing cousins I take it?”
“Take it however you wish. I don’t care what you think.”
“I also understand that the poor thing is a mute, how interesting that you would be attracted to a woman who can’t speak her mind.”
“It’s been nice Alison, it’s too bad you must be leaving now.”
“Don’t be rude. I still have to give you your present.”
“It must be the world’s smallest gift, I don’t see anything in your hands.”
“It’s actually a two-part gift. Part one is strictly informative. I came by to tell you I’ve moved, but don’t worry, I’ve kept the same phone number and e-mail so you can keep in touch.”
“Thank you for that information, it saves me some trouble. When hell freezes over I won’t waste time going to the wrong apartment. Now let’s move this along, what’s part two?”
“Part two is a visual aid. When you tire of this insipid little waif I want you to remember what’s waiting for you whenever you want it.”
And with those words Alison deftly removes the short black dress, revealing her nakedness. David stares at Alison in stunned, but aroused silence. Mouse on the other hand is motivated to action by Alison’s exhibitionism. Mouse hops up onto the coffee table in front of Alison and reaches down to grab the bowl of guacamole dip, she then turns the large bowl upside down and sticks it on Alison’s head.
Alison screams and makes a grab for Mouse. Mouse is too quick however, and makes it back to David’s side.
Alison screeches at Mouse as she removes the bowl. “You little bitch!”
David is rolling in laughter as the green goop covers Alison’s face and drips onto her body, while Mouse hugs him with a satisfied grin covering her face.
“What in the hell is going on here?”
Everyone turns to see Carol standing in the doorway with a puzzled look on her face.
This too strikes David as funny and he begins laughing harder.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on, that bitch over there attacked me.”
“Why are you standing in my living room naked Alison?”
“She’s not naked Carol, she’s wearing guacamole.” David says between laughs.
Carol sighs in exasperation and takes off her white examination coat. She goes to Alison and tries to help her by using the coat to remove some of the mess on her hair.
Alison screams at her. “No you idiot, you’re just pushing it into my hair, stop!”
Carol bends over and snatches up Alison’s dress, she then grabs Alison by the arm and drags her toward the front door.
“You can’t just throw me outside Carol—I’m naked!”
“Sure I can Alison, I’m an idiot remember? I don’t know any better.”
Carol opens the front door and pushes Alison outside, she then throws the black dress in her face, followed immediately by the slamming of the door.
“Davey what in the hell was that?”
“That was Alison’s idea of enticing me back into her arms by using her womanly wiles.”
Carol turns to Mouse. “Did you dump the bowl of dip on Alison’s head?”
Mouse looks up at Carol apprehensively and nods her head yes.
Carol gives Mouse a big grin. “Good for you honey, she had it coming.”
David wipes tears from his eyes. “I’m sorry about the mess, but believe me it was worth it.”
“Alison should really seek professional help.”
“She’s annoying but basically harmless, besides, I think my girlfriend here set her straight once and for all.”
At his utterance of the word “girlfriend” Mouse’s head snaps up and she stares into David’s eyes.
“I think someone’s waiting for clarification on your use of the word ‘girlfriend.” Carol says. “And on that note I think I’ll go and get the rug cleaner, I’ll take my time by the way.”
Carol leaves and David looks down into Mouse’s inquiring eyes.
He had called her his girlfriend. And why not? he loves her. Beyond all sense or reason he loves this mute woman-child with all his heart.
What if this is as normal as she ever becomes? What if she never speaks? What if…?
As he looks into her perfect, beautiful face all questions fade to nothingness, for he now realizes something that his heart has known for months: This is his woman. This is the one. No matter what. No matter what if.
“Mouse, I would be honored if you would have me as your boyfriend.”
Mouse looks up into his face and David sees that this time it is all woman looking back in full muliebrity. Mouse slowly nods her head yes as a sweet smile comes upon her face. David leans down as Mouse lifts her head up to meet him, and they kiss.
A long moment later they separate and David whispers two words of unforeseen wonder. “Ooohhhh Mouse,”
Mouse then does something that David will cherish above all else for the remaining days of his life. She speaks.
“I love you David.” She says, in little more than a croaking whisper, and then appears utterly amazed that at last her mouth can voice what her heart can feel.
David is overcome with emotion and begins sobbing tears of unbounded joy. Mouse, happy beyond existing, starts laughing. She hears the extraordinary sound that laughter is come from her throat and she laughs louder, which makes David sob deeper.
They embrace and slide to the floor in their opposite expressions of elation. In time, both laughter and tears subside and the two lie entwined on the floor caressing each other. Again they kiss, and this time it is more passion than promise, more truth than hope. Their lips part and they gaze into each other’s eyes.
“I’m not dreaming am I? You talked didn’t you Mouse?”
“I said I love you David.” And once more a look of amazement comes over her face at hearing her own voice.
“I love you too Mouse. I love you more than anything.”
“June, David…David…call me June.”
David looks at Mouse in awe and then kisses her once more. They rise from the floor and lie on the sofa holding each other.
Now it is Mouse who cries soft tears of joy while David starts a happy laughing of wonder and release. The couple lie cuddled together, floating within the first few moments of a newly formed love.
8
Jack drives along in silence down the Saw Mill River Parkway.
Kelly, seated beside him, looks over with a question on her face, at last she decides to ask it. “Why are you being so quiet?”
“I think you did enough talking back at that house for the both of us.”
“What? My flirting with
Manning? That was simply technique. I want him to feel relaxed around me, if he’s relaxed maybe he’ll slip up.”
“He wasn’t getting relaxed Kelly, he was getting aroused, besides, the purpose of this trip was simply to fire a warning shot, to let him know he’s being watched.”
“I think he’s more than he appears to be Jack, in fact, I think you’ve found Mr. Smith.”
Jack swerves the car over onto the side of the road. “What makes you say that with such certainty? I know he fits Smith’s profile in most regards but he’s years younger than the profilers place Smith’s age.”
“I know, but nearly everything else fits, and besides, I just have a feeling about him.”
Jack rolls his eyes. “I noticed that back at the house.”
Kelly stares at him, a smirk lighting her face. “Why, I do believe you’re jealous.”
“I’m not jealous. I just didn’t like your ‘technique.”
“What was wrong with it? Manning will gladly talk to me again now, he may even let something slip out.”
“If he slips something out around you I’ll shoot it off.”
“Oh Jack, my flirting with Manning was strictly business, and besides, he’s cute.”
“If you’re right about him being Mr. Smith then he’s cute in other ways also. The tech guys say Smith’s skill at hacking is second to none.”
“All the more reason to play it friendly with him. David Manning could be a very dangerous man.”
“Dangerous in what way? Smith only uses his skills for the best of reasons. He’s responsible for reuniting fifteen missing children with their parents, that’s a remarkable record. Hell, if we ever do arrest him he might get a medal pinned on before they lock him up.”
“Don’t forget the rest of the profile on Smith. They say that such a person doesn’t even hesitate to invade databases if it will facilitate him getting something he wants. God only knows how many companies and institutions’ records he’s tampered with in the years he’s been active.”
“I know, but I keep thinking about all of those families out there with kids home safe and sound thanks to Smith.”
“No you don’t Jack, you’re thinking about Cathy aren’t you? You wonder just how quickly Smith could find your daughter if he put his mind to it. That’s been your motivation for checking those sales records from the start. It’s always been theorized that Smith uses multiple high-end computers to achieve his level of sophistication at hacking. You’ve been trying to track down Mr. Smith in the hopes that he can find your daughter.”
Jack squeezes his eyes shut for long seconds, when next he opens them, they’re moist.
“I’d give anything to have Cathy back. Anything. You don’t know how much I miss her and how evil a feeling it is in the pit of my stomach to not know if she’s safe, or if I’ll ever see her again.”
Kelly leans across and kisses Jack. “First thing Monday morning I am going to find out everything there is to know about David Manning.”
“Why?”
“If he is Mr. Smith, maybe we can coerce him into finding Cathy.”
“How, by trading him his freedom for his help? Kelly that’s illegal and you know it.”
“I only know that there’s very little I wouldn’t do for you, besides you said it yourself, Manning’s only using his skills for the best of reasons, getting your daughter back certainly qualifies as a good reason.”
“All right, we’ll make David Manning our top priority. If he does turn out to be Smith we’ll decide what to do then, in the meantime, save all your flirting for me, OK?”
Kelly grins. “Flirt my ass, how fast can you get us back to bed?”
Jack’s only response is to slam down the car’s accelerator, creating a scattering of leaves in his wake.
Carol sits on a sofa in her living room with her mouth hanging open, while wondering if she’s imagining things. David and Mouse sit together on the sofa opposite Carol. David’s arm is around Mouse as she leans against him.
“Could you say that again please?” Carol asks Mouse.
“Hello Carol,” Mouse says again in a sweet, soft voice.
Carol begins to cry as she croaks out. “Davey how…?”
“I don’t know. We kissed and Mouse spoke to me. She told me that she loves me.”
“A kiss? My brother is Prince Charming.” Carol mutters, still in shock.
“Carol you’re being rude, you never said hello back to Mouse.”
Carol lets loose a nervous giggle. “Oh, I’m sorry, hello to you too Mouse.”
Carol goes over to Mouse and hugs her while kissing her on the cheek, she then sits beside David.
Mouse says in a halting, somewhat delicate voice. “Carol call me June…I think…that might be my name.”
“Mouse, uh, June honey do you remember your past?” Carol asks.
“Everything before David…is cloudy, scattered?…I’m sorry…am I speaking right? Does what I say sound normal? In my head it makes sense, but out of my lips it sounds—weird?”
David kisses Mouse. “We understand you honey, it might seem strange to you but your words make sense, and they are the sweetest sounds I have ever heard.”
“Do you want to be called June now?” Carol asks.
“I may be June. I have memories of…others, and they looked like me, it must have been April and May. Ever since I saw…photos of them I’ve been getting drawings in my head…of them, but small, young…and of a woman in a bright red hat. I think that woman is my mother.”
David nods in agreement. “Maybe that’s why you bought that red hat? A memory of your mother.”
“June sounds so much nicer than Minnie, and I won’t even comment on Mouse.” Carol says, while glaring at David.
“June, my girlfriend June,” David says, trying it on.
“My boyfriend David,” June says back to him.
“Ever since I first saw you two together I knew you belonged that way. My brother loves you very much June.”
“I know…I knew before he did, and I love him just as much, I have to pee.” June says.
Carol and David look at each other and laugh.
“I wasn’t supposed to say I had to pee…was I?” June asks.
“No honey but don’t worry, appropriateness is something you’ll learn in time. For now say anything you want, I can’t get enough of your sweet voice.”
“Thank you David.” June says, she then kisses David, afterward, she rises from the sofa and heads toward the bathroom.
“Davey this is so amazing. Mouse can talk, I mean June can talk.”
“Carol it was like watching someone be born when she opened her mouth.”
“June still has a lot of recovering to do, you take it slow with her.”
“Of course, I feel like now we have all the time in the world.”
June returns and takes her place next to David and sits quietly.
“Mou—June say something, I can’t get enough of hearing you talk.” David says.
June gets a sly smile on her face. “I’m hungry and Alison took all the dip with her.” She then starts laughing with David and Carol joining in.
Monday morning at the clinic finds Dr. Meyer elated at June’s recovered speech. David and June sit with the doctor in her office and inform her of Mouse’s new name.
“I also think June is a much nicer name than Minnie.” The doctor says. “However I may be biased, June was my mother’s name.”
“I guess we can forgo the sign language classes doctor, there’s no need for them now.” David says.
“No I suppose not, the good news is that being able to speak should improve June’s ability to learn to read.” Dr. Meyer says.
June takes David’s hand. “I want to tell the doctor all…the whole truth.”
David looks uneasy with that idea. “Maybe we should talk about this first June, telling her could cause some major problems.”
Dr. Meyer leans forward. “What are you two discussing? What’s
this ‘whole truth?”
“David she’s all right, you know I can tell these things…and something tells me to do it. Do you trust me?”
David looks into June’s beautiful brown eyes and smiles. “I trust you beyond anyone else in this world.”
They tell Dr. Meyer their story. They start at the beginning, outside the bistro, move on to the discovery of April and May Davenport and finish with June’s recovered speech.
The doctor simply stares at them for long moments. While they were telling her the truth about Mouse, the doctor did not interrupt, she simply sat expressionless and listened. Now at last, she speaks.
“June, your instinct to tell me the truth was a correct one. I will not reveal it to anyone else. However, I am annoyed at you and Carol for deceiving me in the first place David.”
“I’m sorry doctor but we thought it the best way to get Mouse, uh, June help. I was only trying to protect her. I love her.”
“David your love for June was never hidden, except perhaps from yourself.”
“Does this information change June’s diagnosis?”
“No, you and Carol kept June’s story close enough to the truth to help us select the right therapies. In time though I might suggest a session of hypnosis to bring out her memories, however I still think it best if she recover those on her own.”
“Doctor, June hasn’t decided yet whether or not to make contact with her family, do you have a professional opinion on the matter?”
“I would just say June for you to follow your instincts. Reuniting with them after so long a time could prove very traumatic, even more so considering who they are. Given the Davenport billions they may at first view you as an imposter and treat you in a hostile manner, I advise waiting and getting stronger first.”
“I’m in no…quickness? Rush? I think I mean rush. David and I are happy.”
“David, about June’s insurance information and identification, how did you manage the feat of acquiring those?”
David arches an eyebrow. “Do you really want to know doctor?”
Dr. Meyer looks back at him silently for long seconds, then she smiles.
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