Ripples

by John Mc Caffrey

stay and have dinner with us? He’d be thrilled.”

  “I see,” Dori said as she stood up. Barbara reached a hand out to stop her. The older woman held Dori’s gaze for a moment and motioned with her head to sit back down. Dori hesitated a moment then complied.

  Barbara turned to Natalie.

  “Natalie, would you mind if I took a look around your house? You two probably need some time alone. I might sense something if I do.”

  “Sure,” Natalie said, but her eyes remained on Dori.

  The older woman stood and walked across the living room to the stairs but Natalie barely noticed as she leaned forward to speak in a low voice to Dori. She reached her hand out and took one of Dori’s in both of her own, speaking low. “Dori, tell me what’s going on with you. Tell me why’d you bring this psychic here, what do you hope to accomplish?”

  Dori leaned forward.

  “Come sit by me please Nats.”

  Natalie rose moving to the couch. She was glad Barbara had the grace to leave them alone a few moments.

  “Tell me Dori please.” Natalie said again.

  “Natalie, Barbara isn’t here to try and contact David.”

  Natalie opened her mouth to speak but Dori held up a hand, stopping her.

  “Let me finish Nats, I have to talk to you about something while she’s away.”

  Natalie nodded.

  “Barbara’s here to try and ascertain if there are any entities in the house. She’s sensitive to such things and will be able to tell whether or not you’re alone or if something is here with you.”

  “With me? What do you mean by with me?”

  Natalie turned as she heard Barbara make her way down the stairs. The heavy set woman looked at Dori and raised her eyebrows in an almost shrugging gesture, then looked at Natalie and smiled as she stopped a moment on the last stair. She said nothing, as she continued walking, moving down the hall stopping occasionally and stretching one hand out as if she might lose her balance, the other she covered her mouth with. When she was down the hallway out of sight, Natalie turned towards her sister-in-law and spoke in a fierce whisper.

  “Dori what in Gods name are you mixed up in? Do you realize what you’re saying here? You think this woman is going to find a spirit in my house? Are you serious? I suppose your parents know about this?”

  “Yes,” Dori said softly. “Yes they know. They asked me to bring her over to check your house because they know you’ve stopped seeing Dr. Hendrickson and you need this Nats. They think it’s possible because they believe in such things. I disagree and want you to go back to your doctor. You need to know that this is all in your mind okay honey? Let Barbara go through the house then we can all talk.”

  As if on cue, the heavy set woman appeared in the doorway and looked to Dori, “It seems clear. I can’t be sure though, so many disruptions it’s hard to tell.”

  Dori looked at her, the question obvious on her face.

  The older woman shrugged as she sat in the seat Natalie had occupied earlier, “I felt some vibration but its minor, few weird smells but I think its from outside.”

  Natalie was confused, and looked at them both.

  “Natalie,” began Dori, “You said you were making dinner for Alex and you.”

  “Why do you keep asking me that same stupid question? What difference does it make? The important thing is you, and what has led you to begin to seek the help of charlatans.”

  Barbara smiled, but said nothing. Dori looked to the older woman for help, but she remained quiet. Dori exhaled loudly and looked down at her hands. She moved her right thumb over her forefinger and said in almost a whisper “Nats, why would you cook dinner for Alex?”

  Natalie let out an exasperated sound, “Because he’s a growing boy and needs to eat Dori why else would I cook for him?”

  Dori raised her eyes, reaching her hands out she took Natalie’s in hers, “Because Alex is dead Natalie.”

  Natalie recoiled as if she’d been slapped.

  Barbara stood and held her hands out indecisively as if she wanted to grab Natalie should she hurt herself, concern written on her face. Dori held Natalie’s hands and spoke in a firm voice.

  “Natalie, honey you’re not well and you need to go to see Dr. Hendrickson again, you need to get help.”

  Natalie looked at Dori closely, trying to figure out what she was trying to say to her. None of it made sense. She stood but Dori stood with her, keeping a grip on her arms.

  “Natalie when was the last time you saw Alex? When was the last time you spoke to him?”

  Natalie stood almost motionless but she was not looking at Dori, rather she was looking at a spot just above Dori’s head. From somewhere in the outside, Natalie heard a car start, its engine idling low.

  “Spoke to him? He doesn’t speak to me anymore. He blames me for the crash. He’s angry with me. I think he feels if not for me his father would be alive today. I think he feels I should’ve died that night.”

  She heard the car door open, then close.

  Alex?

  She swayed back and forth as she listened to the car outside. Dori began to weep softly and pulled Natalie gently down to sit with her. She sat like an automaton but still her eyes were vacant and unfocused, staring at a spot somewhere above Dori’s head.

  “He won’t speak to me anymore Dori, he just stays in the basement.” She looked now into Dori's eyes as if she had suddenly appeared before her.

  “Natalie,” Dori began, “Alex died in the hospital shortly after the accident. He isn’t here with you, he never returned home. Don’t you see? He never regained consciousness. Don’t you remember? He was in a coma and died in the hospital. He can’t talk to you.”

  “Your wrong,” she said softly, “You lie just like that doctor lies.” She wrenched her arms from Dori’s grip and stood up.

  “Wait Nats please, mom and dad are so worried about you. You never call or come see us anymore and now we find out that you’ve stopped seeing Dr. Hendrickson as well.” Dori began to weep, “Natalie we’re worried. You’re drinking too much and not taking care of yourself. It’s not your fault what happened. You’ve got to let go, please honey. I know it’s hard for you to bear but you have to let go. David and Alex are gone and you can’t continue with this fantasy you have in your head.”

  Barbara reached over and gripped Dori’s arm. She then stood and reached her arm out to Natalie.

  “Listen Natalie,” she began, “I’m an old friend of the family and I’m here because Marge, your mother-in-law, asked me to help. I am not a parlor Tarot card reader that gazes into a crystal ball, cheating old women out of their money. I'm a medium that deals in the paranormal. My husband and I research hauntings and visitations. I would need some more time to investigate to be certain, but I suspect your house is clean.”

  Natalie turned to the heavyset woman, a look of puzzlement on her face.

  “Clean means I don’t think there is a presence here.” She looked at Natalie for a moment, “I am sorry,” she said as she sat back down.

  Natalie stood alone now.

  Stupid silly people.

  “Alex is here, he isn't dead. He’s here and he’s angry, and that’s why he won’t speak with me. He’s mad at me for sending David out that night. He’s mad that I lived and David didn’t.”

  Natalie stopped speaking and looked down at Dori.

  “He’s here Dori, he didn’t die. You believe the same nonsense that Dr. Hendrickson spoke of and it simply isn’t true. He’s here.”

  Dori opened her mouth to speak but Natalie held a hand up to stop her.

  “If he isn’t here then who plays with his toys? Who sleeps in his room? Who’s in the basement Dori? I hear him in the halls at night, and he whispers through the door. He’s here and I don’t know anything about anyone dying in a coma in a hospital.”

  She went on, her voice now held strength of conviction, and her eyes were focused.

  “Dr. Hendrickson has gotten you all to bel
ieve in his lies. Now I’d like you both to leave.”

  The engine revved up, the pitch climbing then fell back to a soft idle. She listened for a moment, her head cocked to one side. She walked to the door, and placed her hand upon the knob, looking out the window for the car. The tree lined street was vacant of people and the few cars that sat at the curb looked empty.

  “I appreciate your concern but I don’t think there’s anything you can do for me.” Natalie said, still staring out the window.

  She opened the door and turned to her two guests, but her eyes were on the stairs. The bottle of scotch on the nightstand would start her off. There were a few more in the bottom of the tallest dresser. Alex would have to manage without her tonight. She would place his dinner in the refrigerator and when he was ready to eat he could put it in the microwave.

  She turned to the two who hadn’t moved. Both looked as if they wanted to say something more but the stare she gave them left little room for doubt.

  Barbara stood first, Natalie could see she held a hand to her mouth as if she smelled something bad, as she held Natalie’s eyes with her own. Dori, sighed deeply and stood as well though her eyes looked everywhere but at Natalie.

  Barbara crossed the room, “I am glad to see you again dear,” the older woman said lowering her hand, “I don’t know that I can do anything for you but if I could I would, and gladly.”

  She stepped out the door Natalie had opened and crossed the cement porch outside to allow Dori and Natalie some privacy. Dori walked to where Natalie stood, and raised her arm up to grab the door,