Clawful Reflections

by Harper Lin

  I chuckled as my aunt pulled the door shut. I’d decided to hang around until Bea was awake. Little did I know how long that would take.

  22

  Say His Name

  “Where’s my cat?”

  I saw Treacle lounging lazily on the mantel of Bea’s fireplace when I came downstairs from my shower wearing one of Bea’s cozy sweat suits.

  “Don’t tell me you cleaned yourself,” I said to Treacle. “We don’t know what that slime was. I think you need a bath.”

  “I don’t need a bath.”

  “Ugh. Of course you do. If you digest that stuff, it might change you into a horrifying monster or maybe even a dog.”

  “I don’t need a bath, Cath.”

  “Yes, you do. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You decide.”

  Treacle didn’t like the water. But he slowly stretched, yawned, and finally hopped off the mantel and followed me into the bathroom, where I filled the sink with a little warm water.

  “See, you don’t even have too much of this stuff on you,” I soothed as he hopped up on the counter.

  “What are we going to do now?” he asked, closing his bright-green eyes as I took a washrag, wet it with a little water, added soap, and gently stroked his fur where the goop had started to dry.

  “Well, I think we should wait around until Bea wakes up. But I don’t have any idea when that will be. Why? What were you thinking?”

  “I was just asking.”

  “Do you mind being here?” I asked him.

  “No.”

  “You sound like something is on your mind, big kitty.”

  “We’re missing someone,” Treacle said and looked up at me. He adored Tom, and I knew he missed seeing him.

  “Tom is still in the hospital. For as good a girlfriend as I am, he could be dead, and I wouldn’t know it.”

  I stroked him as I watched him shrink in size as the water matted down his fur. He looked like a little kitten again.

  “I wasn’t talking about Tom.”

  “Really? Who were you talking about?” I asked aloud. I knew exactly who Treacle was talking about and felt funny even entertaining the thought of calling Blake Samberg to come over here at a time like this.

  “What are you getting all upset about? I didn’t say anything.”

  “I’m not upset. I just don’t think that thinking of myself right now is the right idea. Plus, what would I tell him? And look at me. I’m in Bea’s sweats. And believe it or not, these pastel-pink things were the least girly-girl pair she had. I look like a cream puff.”

  “What did I say? I didn’t even say his name.”

  “You didn’t have to. I know you are talking about Blake.” I roughly inspected the rest of my cat’s body for the sticky goop. I’d gotten most of it off, so I grabbed a towel to dry him off.

  “Blake would probably appreciate a phone call or something.”

  “I’ll leave that for Jake to do. He’s his partner, after all.” I vigorously rubbed his head while Treacle purred madly. His green eyes twinkled. “You are lucky you are so cute, cat, or I’d have made a coat of you or something. I’ll have you stuffed and mounted in the front window.”

  I kissed his head when I was finished. He quickly sprang off the bathroom counter and darted out the door. Whatever it was about getting wet that made animals run around the house was always good for a couple of laughs.

  Without thinking, I dropped the towels in the hamper and went to Bea and Jake’s room. Jake was still next to her, talking to her like she was wide-awake. Peanut Butter was curled up at her feet, purring softly. I stroked the cat as I stood at the end of the bed.

  “How is she?”

  “I can’t tell.” Jake smiled sadly.

  “How are you?”

  “My eyesight is coming back.” He smiled. “You are a big pink blur.”

  “That’s right. I am.” I took a seat next to him on the bed. Bea looked like a red-headed sleeping beauty.

  “She’s going to be fine, Jake. She would never let something like a spell keep her from you. You guys have that weird radar love thing going on.” I was trying to cheer Jake up, but it wasn’t working.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do without her, Cath.”

  “What are you talking about? She’s right here, and she’s going to be fine.” I folded my arms and looked at my cousin. “And see, this really makes me mad. Even after all she’s been through with a spooky trying to sink his mitts in her, she still comes out looking ready for a photo shoot.” I shook my head. “You’re a lucky man, Jake.”

  “But what if she isn’t the same Bea when she wakes up? What if she still…feels the same way about…me?”

  “Oh, right.” I sighed. “You mean how are you going to handle the several missing days of smooches and I-love-yous that got skipped because of her ailment? That’ll be something the two of you need to work out.”

  “You know what I mean, Cath. What if she still wants a divorce?”

  “Of course she doesn’t. Look, we can only wait. She’s probably not eaten right in the past couple of days, and sleep was not on her list of things to do. Give her a chance to heal herself. Once she does, you guys will be back to your old-fashioned, disgusting selves.”

  Jake smiled as he took Bea’s hand in his and gently stroked it.

  “Aunt Astrid said you were covered in some kind of membrane when you came out of that vortex thing. I’d have paid money to see that.”

  “Oh, Jake. It’s all in a day’s work.” I sniffed, cleared my throat, and adjusted my collar. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not covered in slime at least once at some point.”

  Jake chuckled.

  “It was like gray boogers. It was totally gross. But it could have been worse.”

  “Yeah. You could have been pooped out.”

  “Thanks, Jake.” I stifled my laugh so as not to disturb Bea.

  She did look like she was just sleeping. Just taking a rest, I thought to myself as I scratched Peanut Butter behind the ears before leaving the room. I puttered around the house and talked with my aunt about things of no real importance. We were all waiting for Jake to call for us to tell us that Bea was awake or that her eyes were open. Something. But each hour that went by only led to another hour and another.

  “Is this normal?” I asked my aunt.

  “I don’t know what’s normal in this case,” she admitted. “I don’t have a reference that tells what happens when a person is pulled from the maw of the abyss.”

  “Maw of the abyss? Yikes.” I looked at Aunt Astrid with my nose wrinkled.

  “Well, that’s what it was. You should know. You were in it.” She pulled her lips down at the ends and shrugged.

  “I feel so helpless. And Jake asked me what he’s supposed to do if she wakes up and is no different. What if she still wants a divorce and hates him? Heck, hates all of us?” I furrowed my eyebrows.

  “We just won’t know until we know.” My aunt stroked my hair. “You don’t have to wait here. You can go home if you want.”

  “I might. Just to get the mail and change into my own clothes. Call me if there is any change?” I asked as I walked to the door, scooping up a sleepy Treacle in the process.

  “Of course.” My aunt waved as she grabbed the tea kettle and took it to the sink to fill up. I expected to hear from my aunt later that day. Then, when the sun started to set, my gut said that would be the time. I’d get a phone call, or maybe even Jake would come by and tell me she was awake. But nothing happened.

  “Do you think the Medusa bugaboo still has its hooks in her?” I asked Treacle as we tried to eat a cup of soup and watch an old movie.

  “I didn’t sense anything. Besides, you blew it to bits. Remember? That would be one tough hombre if it still had staying power after it was disintegrated into a million pieces.”

  “Oh yeah. I tried to put that out of my mind,” I said, trying to focus on the movie. It certainly wasn’t what I needed to
keep my mind off Bea. Not to mention that I hadn’t heard anything about Tom. “Tom is in the same boat as Bea. I wonder how he’s doing.”

  “I just love Tom.” Treacle purred.

  “I know you do,” I said sadly. Without uttering another word, I quickly slipped on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. “I’m going to go out for a while.”

  “I wouldn’t go to the hospital alone if I were you. Remember, Patience is still there.” Treacle sat up on his haunches.

  “I’m not going to the hospital. I’m going…to see Blake.”

  23

  Gray Aliens

  “Really?”

  I didn’t like Treacle’s tone.

  “I’m losing my mind just waiting around,” I told Treacle. “I need something to distract me from worrying about Bea and Tom, and this is as good an option as any.”

  “Are you sure? Television is a good option and doesn’t usually get you in any trouble.”

  I scooted off the end of my bed, leaving Treacle right in the middle, where he quickly curled himself up in a tight ball.

  “How can I get in trouble with Blake?”

  It felt good to be behind the wheel of the car. A person could be on autopilot and clear their head a little. I had the window rolled down, and the cool nighttime air was pleasant.

  Funny, I wasn’t tired, but I didn’t really have that much energy. My mind was alert, but I couldn’t stay focused. And there was nothing that Blake could do to help me. I just wanted to talk to him. Part of me said I would find an answer there. But I didn’t even know what the question was. At least I didn’t want to admit what the question was. Not yet.

  I showed up at the police station, happy to see Blake’s car was still in the parking lot. I knew where he lived, but showing up at his bachelor pad was something I wasn’t ready to do. When I walked inside, I saw Steve Furdeck, the guy who seemed to always be manning the front desk.

  “Hi, Steve. Is Blake around?”

  “What do you need to see him for?” he asked.

  “Well, we’ve been planning on opening a whorehouse in the middle of town. I wanted to see if he got all the paperwork.” I put my hands on my hips.

  “Jeez, Cath. No need to be so rude.”

  “No need to be so nosey, Steve.”

  I lazily paced around the bright lobby. There was a display of badges posted on the wall of officers who retired over the past fifty years. Across from it was another display of several officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty. It included one canine.

  I always thought it was a beautiful thing that they recognized what the dogs did and treated them like regular members of the force. If only they knew how much those animals loved their jobs, they’d be even more amazed by them. I heard Roxanne, one of the newer German shepherds, barking her love for her partner while nearly chewing the padded arm off his training suit. It was so touching. But I had to keep it to myself. The Wonder Falls Police Department wasn’t ready to know I talked to animals.

  “Cath?”

  When I turned around and saw Blake, my heart jumped. He looked like he’d had a shower and changed into a different brown suit. The usual loose tie around his neck was missing.

  “Hi.” I looked at Steve, who was watching both of us.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Yeah. Is there somewhere we can talk in private?” I bugged my eyes out at Steve, who quickly looked down at the papers in his hand.

  “Sure. Let’s go outside.”

  The stars were out, and there weren’t any clouds. Crickets were chirping, and I could hear the hoot of an owl off in the distance.

  “That always has been and always will be a spooky sound,” Blake said as we walked toward his car.

  “What, the owl?” If only he knew what that wise old bird was saying, he’d blush with embarrassment.

  “Yes. You know, some people consider owls harbingers of death. My grandmother used to say if you heard an owl hooting at night, it meant someone was going to die.” Blake looked at me. “She was the comedian of my family.”

  I looked up at him with my nose wrinkled until I realized he was telling a joke. Then I scoffed and smiled.

  “Some people also say they indicate where alien sightings take place,” he continued. “UFOs are spotted where there are high populations of owls, especially those white ones that resemble the gray aliens.”

  “Do you believe in aliens?” I asked.

  “Let’s just say I haven’t ruled them out completely.” He put his hands on his hips, and I could smell his cologne. Why did he have to smell so good? And the way the light from the station highlighted his square jaw and cheekbones. This was a totally unfair advantage he had, and I wasn’t even sure if I was playing the game.

  “I don’t know why I came out here,” I muttered, suddenly feeling terribly foolish. “I know Jake is out. Have you heard anything about Tom? Has his condition changed?”

  I hated the fact that my voice held almost no emotion when I asked about Tom. Blake would have to be a total dunce to not have noticed it himself.

  “One of the nurses there said she’d call me immediately if there was any news. I haven’t heard from her.” He still kept studying me.

  “Well, no news is good news, they say. I guess I better head back home and see how Bea is feeling.” I started to walk to my car. “I’m sorry I bothered you, Blake. I know you’ve got crime to fight.”

  “I can’t do it on an empty stomach,” he said, rubbing his belly.

  “You haven’t eaten today?”

  “Not yet. When you work nights, it is a little harder to stay on a schedule. But on the flip side, there is rarely a rush, and I never have to wait long for my food.” He took a step toward me. “Care to join me for lunch at…twelve forty-five at night?”

  “I could eat.” I smiled.

  Yes, part of me thought I should have a scarlet letter stitched across my chest. But another part of me looked down at my bare ring finger. I wasn’t married. I wasn’t even going steady. I was a grown woman, and I wanted to have something to eat with the handsome and intelligent Detective Blake Samberg. Was that a crime?

  “Do you like hamburgers?” he asked as if the answer could possibly be no.

  “Of course I do.”

  “Great. I know just the place.” We got into his unmarked sedan and drove to the outskirts of Wonder Falls.

  “There sure are a lot of wooded areas and tall grassy places along this route. You think there are any bodies dumped back there?”

  “It’s always a possibility,” Blake replied without skipping a beat. He also went on to tell me a couple of interesting statistics regarding the usual dumping grounds of serial killers. It was fascinating.

  “Serial killers are so selfish,” I muttered matter-of-factly. “It’s bad enough they are doing what they are doing. But they leave their families holding the bags. Like that guy in Wisconsin who was eating people. His dad was a nice man. He was heartbroken when that all came into the light. You’d think that maybe they’d consider how it might affect their parents before they went off the deep end.”

  “If only it were that simple,” Blake said as we walked into a greasy spoon where the waitress waved to Blake and the short order cook called out hello.

  “I know. It never is. I’m talking like I know, and I know nothing about it. Heck, I know nothing about pretty much everything.” I chuckled as I slid into one of the many open booths.

  “That isn’t true,” Blake said as he slid in across from me. “You have that gift like what’s his name. Doctor Dolittle.”

  I swallowed hard and looked for signs of teasing in his face. There were none.

  “What are you talking about?”

  Just then the waitress who waved at Blake as we walked in came to our table to take our orders.

  “Hey, Detective.” She smiled, her eyes practically disappearing in the wrinkles caused by her chubby cheeks. “Your usual?”

  “Make it two, Bernice. Bernice,
this is Cath Greenstone. Cath, this is Bernice.”

  I reached up to shake her hand as she got wide-eyed. Her hand was soft except for the rings she wore on just about every finger.

  “Greenstone. Do you know the folks who operate that cute little café downtown?” Bernice gushed.

  “Yeah. My aunt owns it. I work there too.”

  “We saw that place in the paper and have been dying to stop in. I just love tea. I am just dying to try the lavender mint tea with the infused honey I read about. It sounds wonderful.”

  “That is my cousin Bea’s specialty.” For some reason, the mention of Bea to this sweet waitress made the waterworks burst to life.

  “Oh dear. Did I say something wrong?” Bernice’s face was shocked and distraught.

  “No. I’m sorry. My cousin is sick. That’s all.” I looked at Blake, who I’d never seen look so worried. “I’m sure she’ll be just fine. I’m just worried about her.”

  “I’m sorry, honey.” Bernice was just beside herself.

  “It’s all right, Bernice,” Blake said. “We’ll take those burgers to go. Throw in a couple of sodas too.”

  “You got it, Detective.”

  Bernice hustled back behind the counter, and I could see her telling the cook what had happened, shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head. The poor thing had no idea what set me off. Heck, even I wasn’t sure except that the overwhelming guilt I was feeling was just becoming too much.

  “I’ll take you home, Cath,” Blake said.

  I nodded as I blew my nose in a paper napkin. This was awful. Here Blake was being super nice, and all I could do was fall apart over the mention of Bea. I guess the whole day had taken its toll on me, and I barely realized it.

  When Bernice brought us our takeout, I apologized to her. She didn’t do a thing wrong. I just said quickly that my cousin was sick and I was worried about her. She was such a good person. I invited her to the café and hoped she’d accept. When we walked out of there, I was sure the woman was probably telling the cook, “I’m not going to that café if they are serving up crazy on a platter like that.”