“Yes, noon works for us.”
“Okay then, I’ll see you tomorrow at noon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Haines. We’ll be there.”
The next day at noon, as they approached the guard shack, Meredith recalled the incident that had happened the day before with the crotchety old guard. This time, however, as she approached, she saw a different guard who just waved her through the open gate without ever stopping to ask her who she was. She couldn’t make out any of his features from behind the tinted window of the guard shack.
She said to Mike, “That’s odd. I guess Sam must have given a good description of me.”
Mike answered her and said, “That is odd. They would always stop me, even in my patrol car. I always liked this neighborhood. I never imagined we’d be looking at a house in here. I still say there’s something off about this whole deal.”
As they approached the house, Mike appeared to be taken aback by just what an impressive home it was.
“Are you sure this is the place? I expected something altogether different. This is completely changed from the house I remember years ago when I was patrolling the neighborhood. Very nice indeed.”
Meredith gleefully responded, “My words couldn’t do it justice. I’m starting to get a little excited again.”
“Well, honey, we’ve had our hopes dashed several times already with every other house deal. Let’s not let them get up too quickly.
Let’s just take it one step at a time.”
Meredith dejectedly answered, “I know. You’re right, sweetheart.”
They were greeted at the door by Sam, who introduced himself to Mike. “Sam Haines. Nice to meet you, Mr. Carson.”
Mike shook his hand, “Mr. Haines.”
“Sam. Please call me Sam.”
“Okay, Sam. My wife has brought me up to speed on everything regarding this house. I must say, even after her confirmation, I’m
still very skeptical as to the validity of this scenario.”
“Understandable, sir. Can I show you folks around?” Sam asked.
Without delay, Mike answered, “If it’s all the same to you, can we just look around for a bit on our own?”
“Oh, by all means. I’ll be down here should you have any questions.”
Meredith said, “C’mon sweetheart, let’s start upstairs.”
As Mike and Meredith ascended the double winder staircase, he whispered, “That guy freaks me out. Could he be any more of a sleazy used car salesman? Maybe it’s his leering eyes, his icy touch when we shook hands, or maybe the disingenuous tone of his voice, but it gave me the chills when he spoke. I haven’t experienced anything like that since my investigation days, with those terrible investigations and those murdered babies.”
Meredith could see Mike was slipping back into the nightmares of the past and quickly made light of the situation. “I bet ya a million bucks he couldn’t tell you the color of my eyes.”
Mike snapped out of it and remarked, “Yeah, but he probably knows the color, size and designer of your bra.”
Meredith laughed, “Oh, stop it! He’ll hear you!”
“And what’s with all those rings? And that suit? And he smells like a cattle ranch covered by cheap cologne!”
The two laughed as Meredith slapped his arm, “You’re too much.” They continued their lighthearted banter up to the top of the stairs.
When they got to the top Meredith said, “Let’s look at the baby’s room. Wouldn’t this be a perfect nursery? It’s right next to the master bedroom.”
“Yeah, this would be perfect.” As they entered the room, Mike’s blood ran cold when he felt an eerily familiar sensation of warm breath across the back of his neck, and a rushing sound like the haunting legion of voices from the past. “Mmmmiiichaellll.” Mike froze.
Meredith asked, “Honey? Are you okay?”
He snapped to and replied, “Huh? Yeah, I’m good. Sorry, just another blast from the past. I’m okay now.”
As Meredith continued the expedition through the vast estate home, she was more excited about this house than any of the other houses that they had previously looked at.
At the end of the tour, Sam asked, “Well, Mr. Carson? What do you think of our humble abode?”
“I think if it’s legitimate, we just might have a deal.”
Meredith squealed with glee, then hugged and kissed Mike. “I love you, love you, love you!!!”
Dr. Stark listened intently as Meredith then jumped ahead three months, to February 2011, when they were meeting at Mammon’s office for the final signing of the paperwork.
Mammon said, “Congratulations. I knew everything was going to work out for you two.”
Meredith proclaimed, “Oh Mr. Abaddonus, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for us.”
“I just have a few documents I need to have you sign to finalize the deal.”
“Of course, the paperwork,” Mike stated. “Have to keep everything legal, right?”
“Especially in a room full of lawyers,” Meredith touted.
Jokingly, Mike said, “All this paperwork! Feels like I’m signing my life away.”
Smirking, Mammon avowed, “So it would seem, Mr. Carson. So, it would seem.”
Mammon went on, “And one last document, I’ll need each of you to sign concerning the final condition to the will. If at any time during the first five years, and if for any reason during this time you should abandon the property, there’s a clause of first refusal which allows the estate to buy the house back at the original sale price from the bank, regardless of the home’s current market value. Beyond that five years, your legal obligations to this estate will cease and the home will be yours to do with as you will.”
From across the room, Meredith heard a comforting voice say, “Okay Meredith, I’m going to count backwards from ten, and when I get to one, you’ll awake, feeling refreshed and better than before, with full recollection of everything that happened. Ten . . . nine . . . eight . . . seven . . .”
When Meredith awoke, she had a contented smile on her face.
“How do you feel, Meredith?”
“I feel good.”
“That sounded like a very happy time in your life.”
“Yes, that was a very happy time. We really love our house. Mike’s always telling me he can’t believe how lucky we were to have found it. It’s so perfect. He always says it feels like we must have made a deal with the devil.”
“Well, I think we made some good headway today.”
For the next hour, as they waited for Rebecca to return from Mike’s service, Yvonne kept the conversation light. She had come to really care about Meredith and truly wanted a positive outcome for her.
Rebecca arrived and Yvonne asked to speak with her alone.
“We made some good progress today. Try not to talk about Mike unless she brings it up, and even if she does, don’t go into detail. She’s still in denial and not ready to deal with the horror of what she witnessed. We have a long way to go before she’s ready to confront his death, but she’s stronger than she seems. I’m sure we can help her. I scheduled her for a one o’clock appointment on Friday. Can you have her here then?”
Rebecca said, “I will, Doctor. Thank you.”
“Rebecca, we’ve known each other long enough now. Please, call me Yvonne. I really do want what’s best for Meredith.”
“Thank you, Yvonne.”
Yvonne turned to her patient. “Okay Meredith, I want you to go home and get some rest. I’ll see you Friday.”
THE TRUTH HURTS
T hat evening after dinner, Meredith was sitting in the living room with Henry and Rebecca.
Somberly, Meredith inquired, “So how was the service?”
Rebecca and Henry glanced at each other. Henry shrugged his shoulders and Rebecca told her, “It was respectful and in good taste.”
“How is Nancy? I miss her.”
Henry said, “She’s doing as well as can be expected. She’s
worried about you, though. If you’re up for it, maybe we can have her over tomorrow night for dinner.”
Rebecca changed the topic and said, “Cynthia asked for you.”
Meredith perked up. “Cynthia? Oh, my goodness, she made it to the service? How is she?”
“Yes, her younger brother brought her. Peter, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Peter. He’s so sweet.”
“He certainly is. Anyhow, he brought her in that new van she got. I understand that after a little more therapy, she’ll be able to drive it on her own with the hand controls. She misses you. She really wants to talk with you. You two have always been there for each other, and she feels sort of left out.”
“Maybe I’ll give her a call tonight.”
Rebecca said, “I think that would be nice. I know she would love it, but only if you’re up to it.” Rebecca had forewarned Cynthia not to bring the subject of Mike up unless Meredith brought it up first.
Later that evening while upstairs in her old room, Meredith nervously called Cynthia on the phone.
On the other end of the line, a feeble yet familiar voice answered,
“Hello?”
“Cynthia? Hi, it’s Meredith.”
“Oh, hi Merry. How are you feeling? I’m so sorry I haven’t been there for you through all you’ve been through.”
Meredith expressed, “Don’t you mean what we’ve been through?”
“Yes, what we’ve been through. I miss you, girl! You were there for me all along after the accident. I hope you know I’m here for you too, sweetheart.”
“I know that, Cynthia. I’m sorry I haven’t called you till now.”
“Honey, you have no reason to apologize. I know what you’re going through. I didn’t want to talk right away either. When you’re ready, we’ll talk more. Just know I’m always here for you. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there physically by your side, but I’m still trying to get used to this damn wheelchair.”
“Ugh, I can’t believe what we have been through this past year.”
“We’re gonna get through this together, Merry. I promise you we will.”
“Thank you, Cynthia. I love you. I’ll call you in the morning?”
“You call me anytime, day or night, just like I did to you. I love you too.”
Meredith had trouble falling asleep. She went and talked to Henry, who gave her a sleeping pill to help her relax. She drifted into a deep sleep . . .
She suddenly found herself in her living room . . . Mike’s there, too. The phone rings.
Mike answers the phone. From across the room, Meredith hears a thunderous voice from the phone yell out, “What’s up, douche bag!?”
Mike is laughing and yells, “MOOSE!!”
Meredith laughs and listens to the conversation.
“Yeah, of course she’s here . . . okay, hold on. I’ll put her on. Honey,
Frank wants to talk to both of us. Grab the extension.”
Meredith picks up the phone, “Hi, Frankie.”
“Merry! How the hell are ya, sweetheart?”
“I’m good Frankie, how are you?”
“If I was any better, honey, I’d be in heaven! How’s the new house?”
“We love it, Frankie. In fact, it feels like we’re in heaven here.”
Mike concurs, “I have to admit that despite all the early skepticism,
Meredith really pulled this one off. What a great house and neighborhood.” Meredith asks, “How’s Cynthia? I haven’t been able to get hold of her in a few days.”
“And what makes you think I would know anything about Cynthia?”
“Frank, did you forget she’s my best friend? She tells me everything.”
Frank laughs, “FYI, you’re on speaker phone.”
Suddenly, from the background they hear, “Not everything!”
“Oh my God, Cynthia? What are you guys up to?”
“We’re coming down for a visit.”
Frank chimes in, “Yeah, and we’d be making better time if I wasn’t stuck behind this damn moving truck that’s in my way.”
Meredith asks, “Cynthia Sanders, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“Actually, it’s Cynthia Peterson now.”
“Huh? Wait, WHAT?! AAAAAAHHHHH, ARE YOU FREAKIN’
KIDDING ME?!”
Mike laughs and yells, “WHOA! MY BEST FRIEND IS MARRIED!?”
Meredith shouts, “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT, WHY DIDN’T YOU GUYS
SAY ANYTHING?”
Frank replies, “We wanted it to be a surprise. So, are you surprised?”
Mike says, “I think it’s safe to say we’re both blown away. We’re so happy for you guys! This is indeed a great surprise.”
Frank says, “The surprises aren’t over, my buddies. I hope you’re sitting down. Douche Bag, do you remember when I came down in
March?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Remember that house down the street that was for sale?”
“Yeah.”
“Have you noticed that the ‘for sale’ sign is missing?”
Meredith shouts, “NO WAY!”
“Well, Cynthia and I are the new proud owners of 2450 Red Oak
Circle, at the end of your street.”
Cynthia added, “Frankie bought it as a wedding present. He said I won’t ever have to work again if I don’t want, so we’re on our way to Florida. Besides, he said if we’re going to be godparents we need to be closer to the baby.”
Meredith, now crying, replies, “I’m so excited. Our lives will go from dreamy to perfect with you two here with us. Now when you guys start your family, our kids can grow up together.”
Frank starts to tell about their plans. “We’re just about two hours away, just outside of Tampa now. We’re going to take a cruise next week for our honeymoon. I know how much you guys enjoyed yours when you finally got to it. So we just wanted to say we . . . ”
In the background, Mike and Meredith heard a scream. “FRANK, LOOK OUT! NOOOOO!” followed by a horrible crashing sound, then total silence. Over the open line, they hear the squealing of tires and other people’s voices crying out, “Call 911!” Then, “He has no pulse. I can’t get him out, he’s trapped.”
Mike cries out, “FRANK!”
Simultaneously, Meredith cries, “CYNTHIA!”
No response. After several minutes, the phone line becomes disconnected.
After repeated attempts at calling both Cynthia and Frank, they still get no answer.
Several hours pass by, and still no response from either of them. Mike and Meredith are consoling each other, fearing something terrible has happened to their closest friends. At six o’clock, Mike turns on the evening news.
“Topping tonight’s headlines, I-75 just south of Tampa is completely shut down due to a major vehicle crash. Fox’s own Joshua Billing is on the scene of this tragic accident. Joshua?”
“That’s right Monty, the scene here is horrific. It would seem that a tractor trailer lost control and crossed over the median, striking several vehicles, including a large moving van . . . ”
Stunned, Mike and Meredith are watching the television. Footage shows household items strewn all over the highway from the overturned moving van.
“ . . . Also, before coming to a rest, the tractor trailer collided head-on with an SUV. It is confirmed that the driver of the SUV was killed on impact . . . ”
Mike collapses to his knees, wailing bitterly; he recognizes Frank’s SUV. The overhead shot from the hovering helicopter shows the remnants of a large black SUV. The impact with the enormous tractor trailer caused the front end of the vehicle to be pushed all the way into the passenger compartment. The wind causes the white and now red blanket hanging from the driver’s door window to blow back. While the camera is unnecessarily zooming in for a close up of the tragedy, a large, bloody arm is revealed with a barely visible gold band on the ring finger glistening in the sunlight. On the ground is a large pool of blood mixed with vehi
cle fluids, metal and broken glass.
Meredith is hugging Mike and crying hysterically as they watch the horrifying images unfold before their eyes.
“ . . . The passenger, a young woman, was airlifted to the trauma center after being ejected. The driver of the tractor trailer was transported to the hospital by ground.
“I spoke with the FHP trooper investigating the crash, who advised that they are waiting to contact family members before any more information would be released.
“With me now is Amir Micpani, driver of the moving van. Amir, what can you tell us about the crash? I understand you were moving for the couple in the SUV, is that correct?
“Yes, that is right. I feel so bad for them. They were newlyweds and after they moved into their new home, they were supposed to start their honeymoon. This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. They were so nice.”
“So, very tragic news out here on the interstate. Back to the studio.” Meredith woke up screaming, “NO, NO, NO! FRANK, NO!”
Henry and Rebecca rushed in. Rebecca cradled the inconsolable
Meredith. “Shhh, it’s okay sweetheart, it’s okay.”
Meredith cried, “I need to talk to Cynthia.”
“Are you sure, honey? It’s very late.”
“Mom, please! I need to hear her voice!”
“Okay, let me get your phone honey, hold on.”
Meredith called Cynthia, and they talked long into the wee hours of the morning.
The next afternoon, Rebecca was disclosing to Dr. Stark about the bad night Meredith had. She explained about the accident and the loss of Frank. Yvonne had not been aware of that until that moment.
“I see. I know I had her scheduled for next Friday, but can you get her here on Monday morning at nine?”
“Of course, Yvonne, thank you.”
“I would love to address that today, but we’re in West Palm. I hope this doesn’t set her back. Okay, let me get started with her on Monday. I’m going to reschedule my ten o’clock to give us a little extra time.”
“Thank you, Yvonne.”
On Monday morning, Dr. Stark greeted Meredith warmly. “Well Meredith, I understand you had a rough night on Friday night. Can you tell me what happened?”
Epistle of the Damned Page 27
