The Wall People

by AnneMarie Dapp

  Just as she was preparing to step down, her head began to swim. For a moment the room spun completely out of focus. She quickly grabbed the side of the top canopy, almost toppling headfirst onto the hardwood floor, steadying herself just in time and lowered herself down from chest to the edge of the bed.

  Her body shook and a light film of sweat covered her face and neck. Perhaps it was time to call it a night. What she needed now was a nice hot shower, her flannel pajamas, and a good book. She walked back to the livingroom and turned off the lights. Back in her bedroom, she hunted around for her supplies. Finally discovering her toiletries inside one of the open boxes, she was ready. She made her way into the bathroom and locked the door. The room was exceptionally chilly. She organized all of her creams and facial washes. A set of teal green towels was hung on the rack next to the shower. Her dirty clothes were stripped off and dropped unceremoniously to the ground. She turned on the faucet and the hot water sprayed out in strong, heavy streams. The water pressure was amazing as she carefully stepped over into the claw-foot tub. It had a pleasant, natural odor. Jets of warm water ran down her back and legs, easing the muscles and loosening her tired joints. She poured a generous amount of shampoo in her hair and lathered. She followed it with a lavender scented conditioner. After a considerable amount of time, she reluctantly turned off the shower and dried herself. The new towels felt wonderful on her skin. Afterwards, she applied moisturizers and brushed her teeth. Her flannel pajamas and slippers were like a nice hug. She unlocked the bathroom door and went back into the bedroom. The temperature outside had dropped considerably. Her slipper feet padded down the hallway as she headed over to the thermostat.

  The furnace clicked into action. Warm air began to drift inside the room. She discovered her silver brush hidden in one of the boxes next to the closet. She carried it back to the vanity and sat down. She began to run the soft bristles through her hair. The auburn curls flowed down her shoulders with each stroke. There were gray strands mixed in. It had been a long time since she had been to a salon. Perhaps she would treat herself. A little cut and color would be a nice little lift. After all, the house was getting a makeover. Why not get one too?

  Katie looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was glowing from the recent shower and pampering. A rosy blush shone on her high cheekbones. A hint of the young girl she had once been gazing back at her. There was something in her eyes that she hadn’t seen for a very long time. The look of resignation had been replaced by the beginnings of hope. She stood up and stretched. The box of classic novels was stacked in the corner of the room. She briefly considered her options. Victor Hugo was the obvious choice. Les Misérables was a masterpiece. Who could compete with a hero like Jean Val Jean?

  She kicked off her slippers and slid under the soft covers. Her petite body had ample room in the king-sized bed. After plumping up her pillows, she dove into her beloved novel. Fifteen minutes later, her eyes were struggling to stay open. After reading a sentence for the third time, she reached over and turned off the light. The moonlight shone through the edges of the curtains. The wind outside whipped against the cabin wall. Rain pattered the windows and roof. A deep-throated frog gently croaked outside the bedroom window. Another answered the call from a distance. Within minutes, a frog choir had taken over the entire yard. She drifted off with the gentle sounds of amphibian love.

  CHAPTER 4

  Katie was standing in an open field. There were tulips as far as she could see. Their scarlet color was so rich and vibrant that they appeared to be bleeding from their petals. They rested on slender green stems the color of emeralds. She wore a dress of silk white satin. It was old fashioned, elegant. Her long sleeves rolled down her arms and flared out across her small hands. A thin, gold cord was tied gently around her delicate waist. The dress billowed down to the ground in a long, flowing train. Her bare feet softly explored the rich soil and grass. It felt like soft, downy feathers. She reached up and caressed the locket, which hung between her breasts. The gold was cold to the touch. Her heart drummed in anticipation. She had to hurry. It would soon be dusk. Someone was waiting in earnest for her arrival.

  She looked into the distance. A circle of cherry trees could be seen on top of the hill. Her bare feet traveled over the soft valley. The tulips rolled gently against the front of her legs and back of her calves. They brushed her skin as she made her way through the meadow. The light was thinning. As she walked across the terrain she became aware that something was very wrong. Looking over her shoulder revealed a vision. What she witnessed made no sense. The tulips behind her were turning into paper. The entire field resembled an aged black and white photograph. The brilliant scarlet flowers had been replaced by black and white. Their solidity began slowly breaking down until they were no more. The wind cruelly whipped through the meadow. The transparent skeletal remains disintegrated until there was nothing left but a vast, deadly void. Her horror mounting, she realized that whatever had transformed the flowers was quickly flowing towards her.

  Feeling as though her heart were going to burst, she began to run toward the circle of trees. The tulips snapped under her feet. The ground began to lose its soft, malleable quality. Jagged rocks cut her feet as sharp branches tore at the sides of her legs. Her panic was primitive, raw. The clearing was almost in reach. Her foot caught under a heavy root in the ground. She fell forward with an agonizing force. Her brow struck the hard, solid earth. Blood streamed down the side of her face. Just as she began to lose consciousness, she felt the touch of hands under her back and legs. She was lifted into the air as if she were weightless. As the last of her awareness left her, she heard the voice of a man gently whispering her name in her ear, “Katie, Katie.”

  CHAPTER 5

  The morning sunlight was streaming through the open spaces of her bedroom curtains. Birds were greeting the day with harmonies. Katie opened her eyes, completely disoriented. It took her a moment to realize where she was. Her muscles were stiff from the move. The remnants from last night’s dream swam in her head. The images were at once lovely and horrifying. Yet one part remained vivid in her mind, the voice of the man in her dreams was oddly familiar. She could feel the hands even now gently touching her skin. The voice had been so gentle. For a moment, she considered trying to go back to sleep to revisit the dream. No, there was too much to do today. Reluctantly, she got out of bed and stretched. The open curtains revealed a glorious morning. The sun’s rays embraced the lake in the distance. This was what she’d been waiting for.

  She slipped on her fuzzy bedroom slippers and headed down the hallway. She opened the curtains over the kitchen and dining room windows. Warm sunlight streamed into the cabin. She brought out a coffee mug and prepared the water. A box of Entenmann’s doughnuts was in the cabinet next to the sink. There were two chocolate and half of a glazed. She chose the chocolate and placed it on a small serving plate. She took a seat in the nook and enjoyed her breakfast. As the caffeine began working its magic, Katie admired the forest outside the window next to the table.

  A large raven rested in the branch of an oak tree. He cocked his head sideways and appeared to be watching something moving down on the ground below. The bird’s feathers appeared to have been dipped in black ink. The raven quickly dove down onto the forest floor. It grabbed something under the scattered leaves and flew back to the tree. It quickly gobbled up its prize. Katie wondered what it had caught, perhaps a lizard or other small creature. The raven began to call out with a series of caws. He was obviously proud of his hunting skills. She went back to her kitchen and placed her plate in the sink and quickly refreshed her coffee mug before heading back to her bedroom. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. Her small feet slipped inside a pair of worn out hiking boots. After hunting for her house keys, she let herself out of the cabin.

  It was surprisingly warm considering the recent storm. The sharp scent of pine and forest flora was fresh from last night’s rain. She walked past the breakfast nook. The p
roud raven continued to roost in the oak tree. He did not seem concerned by Katie’s sudden appearance. His black eyes followed her as she made her way down to the lake. The forest floor became soggy and muddy as she approached the bank. There was a considerable collection of colorful cattails surrounding the golden water. Several noisy black birds darted between the thick reeds. They called out their love calls. Glimpses of scarlet hues accented their ebony shoulders. They flashed their colorful feathers in hopes of attracting the females. Katie slipped through an opening in the tall willows to get a better view. She noticed several flat sandy areas surrounding the lakebed. The dark water gently lapped up against the sides of the bank. Golden rays highlighted the quiet currents. The water edge was thick with green algae. A large tadpole quickly rose to the surface of the water and took a breath of fresh air. His little mouth formed an inquisitive circle. He seemed to be asking a question. By the size of him, Katie guessed he was a bullfrog tadpole. She imagined that the adorable pollywog was the offspring from last night’s amphibian choir. The limbless creature quickly made its way back down to the hazy bottom. A swirling cloud of mud and sediment rose to the surface.

  She continued her walk along the bottom of the lake. After trudging through several yards of tangled weeds and pussy willows, a nice flattened bank opened to reveal waterfowl. Canadian geese, mallard ducks, and delicate coots were enjoying the morning sun in their comfortably private area. The large flock balanced as their feathers dried. She tried to move closer to get a better look. The observant waterfowl sensed her soft footsteps. Several mallard ducks and coots rushed noisily back into the water. The geese stood their ground. One goose cried out in agitation.

  “Sorry guys. I’m just passing through.”

  Respectively giving them space as she walked back toward the other side of the pond. The gander was simply trying to protect his female. It was a sweet thought. Katie had read that geese mate for life. She would make it a point to watch them from a respective distance, especially during the mating season. By springtime, fuzzy goslings would be waddling all over the property. After a quick look back, she continued her casual stroll.

  One goose stood apart from the group. Unlike the Canadian geese, he appeared quite domestic, perhaps an escapee from a local farm or nearby home. His white plumage was striking in the morning sun. Katie stopped for a moment and studied the bird. He was large with bright blue eyes and a dark, pumpkin-colored beak. From the size, she assumed it was a gander. A collection of gray spots covered his long neck and wings. He gazed back with unusual alertness and intenseness. After walking several yards, she had the feeling that she was being followed. Looking back over her shoulder, it soon became apparent that the goose was keeping pace from a safe distance.

  “Hello sweet thing. Are you following me?”

  The beauty of the land was easing her tired mind. She tore herself away from the water’s edge. It was time to begin the day’s errands.

  “Goodbye, pretty goose. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  The gander appeared to understand. She slowly made her way back to the cabin.

  After a quick shower and change, she was ready to head into town. After a moment’s consideration, she headed back to her bedroom and powered up the laptop. The connection was working just fine. She finished writing down the names of the stores and their quickest routes. Now that she had a point of reference, the day’s work seemed less daunting.

  The drive back down the mountain was peaceful without a storm to contend with, and the beautiful countryside had been washed clean from last night’s downpour. The white crucifix appeared at the bend of the mountain. Bright beams of sunlight solemnly washed over the marker. The teddy bear remained on its side covered in mud.

  The town of Napa was bustling on a cheerful Sunday morning. Locals and tourists were taking advantage of the pleasant weather. The downtown area was full of shops and restaurants. The hardware store was first on the list. It was located between a modest hair salon and a used bookstore. The appliance store seemed ordinary, though the inside was a pleasant surprise. Antique Coca Cola signs decorated the walls, and there were several large black and white photographs depicting Napa Valley in the forties and fifties. Freshly picked fruit were available in the entryway. They were divided up between wooden bins, which were built into a large antique table. A silver scale rested on the top shelf. Paper and plastic bags hung on a wooden handle. Old fashioned breadboxes, cutting boards, and kitchen appliances were organized along the shelves throughout the store. Rows of vegetable seed packets lined the walls. Whimsical farm animal figurines and teapots adorned several table displays. The prices had been hand written on small white tags tied with string.

  She searched for several minutes looking for her items. A teenage boy with acne shyly directed her over to the kitchen supplies. The back of the store contained the usual collection of hardware tools such as nails, hammers, and painting supplies. She picked out a drain catcher and a large bottle of WD40. She noticed a sales table near the back door. Several Keurig coffee machines were on sale. They were fairly reasonable. Perhaps the store had purchased them in anticipation for the holiday season. They really have a little of everything, she thought. The idea of having fresh brewed coffee at the push of a button was just a little too tempting. She quickly lifted one of the boxes closest to her and placed it in her basket. She eyed the coffee and chose the darkest brew she could find.

  An elderly woman was helping customers at the front counter. Her silver hair was pulled in a neatly styled bun at the back of her head. The line was taking longer than she expected. As she made her way forward, one more table caught her attention. It was filled with ceramic teapots, cups, and saucers. She reached down and picked up an ivory cup decorated with violets.

  As she held it, she recalled a similar looking cup flying past her face, shattering into tiny pieces as it hit the dining room wall. Her eyes burning with tears as she stared at the ruined antique. Her grandmother had passed down the heirloom shortly before she’d died. She’d knelt down in grief, Jake’s shadow descending.

  Katie’s hands shook as she placed the teacup back on its saucer. She took a deep breath and tried to collect herself as the line moved forward. Finally, she had made it to the front register. An assortment of glass jars filled with candies rested on the counter. Old-fashioned saltwater taffies, gumdrops, chocolates, and swizzle sticks filled the containers. She had not seen some of the varieties since she was a little girl. Might have to add those to the list as well, she thought. The old woman smiled warmly at Katie. The teenage boy with acne bagged her purchases. He helped her add a pound of mixed candy to the order. The cash register was an old antique, possibly dating back to the twenties. The cashier smiled as the teenage boy continued bagging up the groceries.

  “Are you visiting Napa today?” the elderly woman inquired.

  “Actually, I just moved here yesterday.” Katie answered.

  “Oh that’s wonderful. I’m Edith and this is my grandson, Carl. It’s his first day of work,” she added proudly. “My family and I all pretty much grew up in this store.”

  The owner’s eyes were filled with nostalgia as she busied herself ringing up the purchases.

  “Be sure to come back and visit us next weekend. We’re having a sale on all of our fine china and tea sets!”

  “One tea set did catch my eye. It’s ivory, with violets.”

  “Oh yes. That set’s from the Galway Collection imported from Ireland.”

  Katie smiled at the elderly matron. She paid for her things and pushed her cart outside. Carl helped her carry out the new ladder. After her bags were loaded in the jeep, she walked over to the hair salon and peaked through the window. There was a large sign that read, “The Main Event.”

  Men and women were being treated to haircuts, beauty treatments, and manicures. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their pampering. Several customers were waiting for their appointments. Katie inquired about the rates of a cut and color at the front de
sk. The prices were quite reasonable. They were booked up for a few weeks. After checking the calendar, the front desk assistant penciled her in and gave her an appointment card.

  Next, she headed to a large grocery store a few blocks south of Main Street. Cool air greeted her as the automatic doors slid open. Her shopping had worked up her appetite.

  The produce department was in the back of the store. She found the organic section and chose some fresh tomatoes, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and a large avocado for her salad. Grocery store vegetables did not compare to her homegrown produce, but it would be a few more months before her garden would be ready. In the mean time, she would have to make due. A large salad with some garbanzo beans would be perfect for tonight’s dinner. She had some canned beans back at the house. A glass of wine would go nicely with the simple meal.

  Katie found the wine aisle and took her time examining the various options. She couldn’t decide on red or white. Finally, a rich cab along with a bottle of Napa Valley Chardonnay made the cut. There was a fresh-baked bread display by the cash registers. Perfect. Her grocery cart was soon filled to the top with food and cleaning supplies. It was a nice feeling to stock up on groceries. She was one step, closer to bringing her life to a state of normalcy. She paid for her items and made her way back to her jeep. It was a pleasant ride back to the cabin.

  CHAPTER 6

  Soft afternoon light spilled through the open spaces of the forest as she turned into her front yard. The leaves of the trees were beginning to turn a mixture of bright orange and canary yellow. The intense colors made her yearn for paints and a canvas. Pulling up to the driveway, she was startled to discover a white van parked in front of her cabin. She was not expecting visitors. Katie parked her car. A gorgeous woman with three children climbed down from her porch steps and smiled happily as they made their way over to the jeep.