Epistle of the Damned

by M. Lee Mendelson

Meredith explained that she’d had a dream, but this dream was real, a living nightmare. She relived the terribly tragic event that had killed Mike’s best friend Frank and paralyzed Cynthia from the waist down.

  As she was reviewing the tragic events, Meredith became more upset. Yvonne decided it would be a good time to try hypnotherapy again.

  “Okay Meredith, I want you to relax . . . ”

  Yvonne spent the rest of the session helping Meredith deal with the tragedy of Frank and Cynthia’s accident that was upsetting her so.

  “Okay Meredith, I’m going to count backwards from ten. When I get to one, you’ll awake, feeling refreshed and better than before, with full recollection of everything that happened. Ten . . . nine . . . eight . . . sev . . . ”

  Meredith woke up and Yvonne asked, “How are you feeling, hon?”

  “I’m feeling better.”

  “Do you recall everything?”

  “Yes, Doctor.”

  “Okay. I want you to go home and relax. Doctor’s orders!”

  Meredith stated, “I believe my parents are going to have Cynthia and Nancy over for dinner. They were going to have them over on

  Saturday, but decided that tonight would be better.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  “I’m scared, but glad at the same time.”

  “I believe that will be therapeutic for all of you. How is Cynthia handling her loss?”

  “Better than I am. She’s very strong.”

  “I’m glad you’re reconnecting with Cynthia and Nancy. Don’t be afraid to open up to them. Remember, everyone is feeling similar pain as well. You’re not alone. It’s okay to share your feelings with each other. They need you as much as you need them now.”

  “Thank you, doctor.”

  “Okay, then. I still want to see you on Friday. Is that good for you?”

  “That would be fine. Thanks again for all your help.”

  “It’s no problem. I’m glad we’re making some progress. Have fun tonight.”

  Later that evening, Meredith was sitting on the couch when she heard a knock on the door.

  Henry called out, “I got it!”

  It was Nancy. Henry answered the door and the two hugged.

  Nancy asked, “How’s Meredith?”

  “Doctor Stark says she’s making good progress. How are you doing, pretty lady?”

  “I’m still in shock. I can’t believe my sweet Michael is gone.” Nancy began to sob and Henry hugged her tightly, reassuring her that they were there for her as well.

  He comforted her by saying, “We’ll get through this together as a family, hon.”

  “Thank you, Henry. Can I see her?”

  “Yes, yes of course. She’s in the living room.”

  Nancy entered the living room carrying a small gift bag. Meredith jumped up and ran toward her. The two embraced and wept in each other’s arms for several minutes.

  Nancy declared, “Come, dear, let’s sit down. I have something for you.”

  Nancy handed Meredith the gift bag.

  “What’s this?”

  “Open it and see.”

  Inside, Meredith found a gold heart-shaped locket. Inside was a picture of Mike on one side and Meredith on the other.

  “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Nancy.”

  “It’s very old. It belonged to my great grandmother. It has been passed down ever since. My mother gave it to me after Big Mike was taken from me, with a picture of him inside. It has helped me through the past several years. You can keep Mikey close to your heart. I want you to have it.”

  “I love you, Mom, and I love the locket, thank you. I’ll cherish it forever.”

  “I know you will, sweetheart. I love you too.”

  Henry was listening in from the other room. Smiling, he then went into the kitchen with Rebecca.

  “I think she’s going to be okay. She and Nancy are having a nice talk.”

  “They both have been through so much,” Rebecca said. “What time did you ask Cynthia to be here?”

  “She’ll be here in about an hour. I wanted Nancy and Meredith to have some time to catch up.”

  “Good idea. So, what’s on the menu?”

  “Honestly Henry, you and your stomach.”

  “Hey, a man’s gotta eat.”

  In the living room, Nancy and Meredith continued their conversation.

  “But Nancy, now I won’t have a daughter to pass it on to.”

  “Then it’s yours to do with as you wish. You’re my daughter now, and it’s yours. I pray it helps you as much as it has me.” After about an hour, the doorbell rang.

  Henry came rushing out, “Don’t get up, I got it!” It was Cynthia. Her brother Peter had driven her over.

  “Peter, won’t you stay for dinner?”

  “Thanks, but no, I have some things I have to do. Besides, I don’t want to overwhelm Meredith. I’ll talk to her tomorrow when I pick up Cynthia.”

  “Okay Pete, thank you for driving her.”

  “It’s my pleasure. She’s close to driving on her own. She’s getting really good with those hand controls. Cindy, call me tomorrow when you want me to come get you.”

  “I will. Thank you, Pete.”

  Henry helped Cynthia inside. Their house was not exactly wheelchair friendly. Cynthia motored into the living room with her electric wheelchair. Meredith jumped up from the couch and ran over to her yelling, “Cynthia!” She hugged her best friend for several minutes.

  Henry went up to Nancy, “Why don’t we let these two catch up?

  We’ll keep Rebecca company and let those two talk.” Smiling, Nancy answered, “Good idea.” Henry and Rebecca left the room.

  Cynthia asked, “Are you sure you don’t mind me spending the night?”

  “Oh Cynthia, no. I’m so happy to see you. Please forgive me for being so distant the past few weeks.”

  “Oh Merry, I love you. You don’t owe me an apology. I’m here for you now, and for as long as you want me.”

  About thirty minutes passed, and from the other room Rebecca called out, “Who’s hungry?”

  Cynthia told Meredith, “I’m actually starving.”

  “Then let’s go eat. Can’t let my bestie starve.”

  That evening at the dinner table, Meredith seemed content for the first time since Mike’s death. She was able to laugh and smile with her family surrounding her. Rebecca and Henry avoided the topic of Mike’s passing and kept the conversation light.

  After dinner, Henry and Rebecca talked to Nancy privately.

  “So, Rebecca and I we were wondering, why don’t you consider moving to Florida? We hate the idea of you being alone all the way up in Kentucky.”

  “I’ve been considering it for some time, but haven’t given it any more thought since all this happened.”

  Rebecca said, “Well, we would love it if you moved down. The weather is great. It’s a little hot in the summer, but beautiful in the winter.”

  “I do dread the snow.”

  “We would want you to stay with us until you found a place of your own.”

  “I couldn’t impose.”

  Henry said, “We’re family, sweetheart. It’s no imposition. You could sell your house and pay cash for something down here. There are a few nice homes for sale in the neighborhood.”

  “I may do just that. But for now, I’m going back to the hotel and get some rest.”

  “We’ll see you for lunch tomorrow then?”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Later that night in the downstairs guest room, Meredith and Cynthia were talking like old times.

  “Merry, how are you doing? For real.”

  Seriously, Meredith answered, “I can’t stop thinking about everything that’s happened. Things were going so well, right up to the time we moved into that house. After that, strange things started occurring . . . ”

  It was quite late, and Meredith had taken one of the sleeping pills Henry had given her. As she talked, she drifted t
o sleep, and she started to dream about the time when she and Mike moved into the house.

  She was transported back to the first day in the new house.

  “Well, this is it, honey. We’re home.”

  Mike picked her up and carried her across the threshold.

  Meredith declared, “I love our life. Can things get any better than this?”

  “As long as we’re together, it can only get better, my love. Every day with you is better than the day before. I love you so much.”

  The two kissed, and suddenly the power went out. Mike laughed, “Seems someone doesn’t agree. I’ll go find the breaker panel and reset it.”

  Mike came back after a few minutes. “Huh, that’s strange. The panel was fine.”

  He looked across the street and the power seemed to be on there. Shortly afterward, their power came back on.

  Meredith said, “That’s weird. I hope that doesn’t keep happening.”

  “Probably a power surge or something.”

  That night, Meredith and Mike made love. It was a very special time for both of them. They could now start working on their long-awaited family.

  Two weeks passed, and Meredith missed her period. Without saying anything to Mike, she bought a home pregnancy test. She couldn’t wait to get home and went into the pharmacy’s restroom. From inside the stall, a happy shout was heard. An elderly woman was washing her hands and asked, “Is everything okay, dear?”

  Meredith responded, “Oh yes, ma’am. Everything is perfect!”

  When Mike came home after working late at the office, he walked in and found the lights dimmed and candles lit throughout the house.

  Meredith could hear Mike calling out, “Merry, honey? Where are you?” She left a note on the kitchen counter that read: Meet me upstairs. I’m waiting for you.

  She could hear Mike running up the stairs. He burst through the double doors of the master bedroom. Meredith was waiting for him in bed, wearing a sleek, red negligée with lace along the bosom. Mike immediately started taking off his clothes. “Baby making time?”

  Meredith smiled seductively. “You’re too late for that, you horny little devil.”

  Mike was so excited that her words didn’t register with him right away. He jumped onto the bed, and as he was kissing her he abruptly stopped. “Wait . . . what? Too late? How could I be too late?”

  Meredith laughed. She reached under her pillow to reveal a white plastic stick. At the end of the stick was a window with a pink plus sign.

  Meredith said, “Too late for baby making. You did that already. I thought that tonight we would celebrate.”

  Mike leapt from the bed and screamed, “WE DID IT!? MY BOYS DID THEIR JOB!? I’M GONNA BE A DADDY!”

  “You’re going to be a daddy, all right. But for right now, you’re my daddy. Come here and help me celebrate, my gorgeous man!”

  In her dream, Meredith then fast-forwarded four months and everything seemed to be going perfectly.

  She was starting to show her belly and Mike was a proud, happy father-to-be. The nursery was already decorated in neutral colors. They had spent countless nights mulling over names for boys and girls. Meredith was happy with naming a boy Mike, and Michelle if it was a girl, but Mike said it was too common of a name. He wanted his son or daughter to have an uncommon name that would stand out. Eventually, they settled on the Nordic spelling for Mike, Mikael if it was a boy and Mikaela if it was a girl. It would be a good compromise for both of them.

  One afternoon, they were at the obstetrician’s office for an ultrasound. The technician applied the gel to Meredith’s belly and probed around with the sensor until she got the best view.

  “Well, have you folks decided if you want to know yet? Or do you want it to be a surprise?”

  In unison, Mike and Meredith said, “Tell us!”

  Mike was holding Meredith’s hand when the technician asked, “Ready?”

  Meredith squeezed her husband’s hand tightly when they heard, “It’s a boy!”

  Mike shouted out, “Woohoo! A boy! Mikael it is, then.” He was so excited.

  Afterwards, Mike drove Meredith home and returned to the office to finish prepping for an upcoming case. When he returned home that evening, he surprised her with some blue flowers, blue balloons and a box of candy.

  Meredith heard Mike call from downstairs, “Honey, I’m home!”

  She ran out of the bedroom, and as she headed toward the stairs, she replied, “I’m here, darling. I’ll be right down!”

  As she neared the top of the stairs, she thought she heard an angry voice whisper from behind her, “He’s mine, you whore!”

  Suddenly, she felt a push from behind and tumbled down the stairs. Meredith let out a scream as she fell belly first, coming to a stop on the middle landing, lying face down. Mike hurried to her, “HONEY! OH MY GOD,

  NO! HONEY, ARE YOU OKAY?!”

  Confused, she said, “M-my belly hurts so bad.”

  Mike looked down and could see that her white pants were now saturated with blood.

  “I’m calling 911. Just stay right there honey, don’t move.”

  Mike got his cell phone and returned to her. “Yes, I need an ambulance sent to 2701 Red Oak Circle . . . yes, it’s my wife. She fell down the stairs and now she’s bleeding badly . . . I think from her vagina. She’s also saying her belly hurts very badly. She’s four months pregnant and she seems confused. PLEASE HURRY!”

  Ten minutes later, an ambulance pulled up and Meredith was rushed to the hospital. Mike was by her side when the doctor came in and broke the bad news to them.

  “It appears that you have suffered a mild concussion.”

  Mike said jokingly, “That’s not so bad. I’ve had many concussions in my day.”

  “I’m afraid there’s more. Please accept my condolences, but you have also lost the baby. I’ll need you to stay overnight for observation.”

  Meredith looked up at Mike and cried, “I’m so sorry, honey. This is all my fault. Mikael . . . oh my God, honey, please forgive me!”

  “This is not your fault.” Mike hugged her tightly as he wept with her.

  “Will she be okay, doctor?”

  “I see no reason to expect anything less than a speedy recovery.”

  Meredith suddenly awoke from the dream. She had been crying in her sleep. She awoke to see Cynthia lying next to her in the queen-sized bed.

  “Are you okay, Merry?”

  “I’m sorry if I woke you, Cynthia. You’ve been through so much. I feel guilty for carrying on like this.”

  “My poor Merry, don’t think twice about it. You were talking about Mike and fell asleep. I didn’t want to wake you. You’ve listened to me go on and on after Frank died. I’m here for you, sweetheart. I’m confused about your fall. You were talking in your sleep and mentioned something about being pushed?”

  “I did?”

  “Yes, you did. You also said you heard a voice before you were pushed.”

  “I don’t remember. I get these bizarre dreams lately. I don’t recall them most of the time. I’m sure the fall was just an accident, my own stupidity. Oh Cindy, this is more than my heart can handle. Frankie, your accident, my precious husband and baby, all within a few months. I don’t think I can take it!”

  “Merry, you and I are going to make it. The boys would want us to. We’ll do it for them.”

  “Thank you, Cynthia. I’m so glad you’re here tonight.”

  “I’ll always be here for you, hon.”

  “And I for you.”

  The rest of the night was spent reminiscing about old times. Cynthia kept the conversation lighthearted. Henry and Rebecca would occasionally hear giggling from downstairs.

  “It’s good to hear her laugh again. I’m glad you thought of having everyone over tonight. It was good for her. I guess mother does know best.”

  “Well, Dr. Know-It-All, you may know the body, but I know my little girl. My heart is still broken for her.”

  “Mine too
, my love.”

  Eventually, everyone in the house fell asleep.

  FACING THE PAIN

  T hat Friday, Meredith met with Doctor Yvonne Stark again.

  “Okay Meredith, today I think we’re going to start addressing some tough issues. We’ve made a lot of progress. The last time we talked about the loss of Frank, and your friend Cynthia’s terrible injuries. How did your dinner go the other night?”

  “It was wonderful. You were right, doctor. Seeing Nancy and Cynthia again helped me a lot.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. Today, I want to start delving a little deeper into you and Mike. How do you feel about that?”

  Meredith’s eyes watered, and Yvonne decided it was best to utilize hypnosis once again to help her to relax.

  Once Meredith was relaxed, Yvonne asked her to go back to a time after they had moved into the house.

  “We were home in bed the first night after coming home from my accident, and I awoke to the sound of a baby crying….”

  It sounded to Meredith like it was coming from the nursery. She got up to investigate. Her hands were trembling as she reached for the door knob. When she opened the door, she suddenly heard a woman screech, “He’s mine now, bitch!!!” and the door slammed shut, hitting her hand in the process. Meredith screamed in horror.

  Mike came running to her. “Honey, are you okay? What happened?”

  Meredith was crying bitterly. “I heard our baby crying, then the woman…”

  Bewildered, Mike said, “What woman?”

  “I don’t know, but she’s in that room with our baby.”

  Mike stood up and opened the door. The room was empty. He turned on the light and showed Meredith. “Honey, the room is empty. I think maybe you were having a bad dream. C’mon, let’s go back to bed.” Meredith was still visibly shaken as they went back to bed.

  She then recounted the tragedy with Frank and Cynthia. She also reviewed the incident when she fell down the stairs.

  Yvonne made a special note as she again spoke of being pushed from behind.

  Then Meredith went on to talk about other strange occurrences that happened after she got home from the hospital.

  Meredith then recalled how the stress of losing Frank and the baby were starting to get to Mike. One night when she couldn’t sleep, she was downstairs on the phone with Cynthia, when all of a sudden Mike came into the den.