Blue Macabre

by J. W. DeBrock

  Jenny laughed. “No, Andy and I are the age where every day seems to really make a difference, and we are just in love with the scenery, climate, and people over here. Everyone has been so good to us – and Andy has healed so well! We’ve been talking about this for some time. It’s not been made hastily.”

  “Well . . . this old place has been in our family for lots of years. I hate to see you sell it! Why don’t you let me buy it from you?” Guilt trip, make the voyage.

  She paused and he could imagine the look on her face, memorable since they were children, when she was deep in thought. “Hadn’t thought much about that – tell you what, I’ll talk to Andy about it. It might be that we can get by with just selling his house for now, since mine is paid for anyhow. I’ll let you know.”

  He released his breath without letting her hear. “Great. I do think you should consider my offer before you do anything with this place. I am really enjoying being here, and I do think we should keep it in the family.” They hung up with fond farewells and a kiss across the miles.

  His intestines knotted and writhed.

  They sat at the table in a small conference room, a woman sitting across from them filling out forms on her laptop. The air was thick with legalities. The woman looked up from her screen. “And that will include a commission rate of six percent.” Her gold nametag identified her as Melissa McKinley, Realtor.

  Andy and Jenny looked at each other. “That’s fine,” he said. “Six percent.” He held Jenny’s hand, which she squeezed in support.

  The realtor finished filling in a few more blanks. “I’m printing these out now, and then I’ll show you where to sign your life away. Hah! Just kidding. As soon as we’re done, I’ll email them to my friend Jay at our associate office in Castle Rock.” She left the room and returned in a couple of minutes. “Here we are.” Laying the papers out in order, she said, “Sign here, and here. Jay will get right out there to the lake and put up the sign and check everything outside. Initial here. I’ll overnight him the keys and he can put the lockbox on tomorrow. Sign here again, and here. Initials. Date. Jay’s just great, and he’ll bend over backwards to sell your house!” She stacked the papers together and slid them into a manila envelope. “Jay gets a faxed copy of all of this for his file, but he can proceed using the electronic forms. Thank you so much!”

  She flashed a cosmetically perfected smile as they rose and shook hands.

  Jay Prosper made notes on a legal pad as his associate finished giving him the details of the listing over the phone. He was alone in the building on a warm August Sunday afternoon, and an oscillating fan made lazy waves of air within the glass walls of his office. He listened as his fax machine rang and answered. The first page to come across was the listing contract. “Yes, Melissa, I do know Andy. I don’t think he would remember me, but I know who HE is. You know how it is with small towns – where there’s a good-looking bachelor around, especially one with a badge, all the women in town gossip. My wife included.” He carried his phone with him to the fax table. “Seven pages? Yes, I’ve got six already, and the last is coming through now. Great! Yes, I really appreciate the co-listing. I’ll be sure to keep you updated any time I show it. It’s a great area, wonderful for second homes for city people. In fact, I’ll run ads in both the Vancouver and Portland papers. Ought to go quick. Yes – thanks again. I’ll call you when I get the keys, right away. Bye now.” He hung up and gathered the faxes together, sat at his desk, and read. A puff of breeze from the fan ruffled his graying hair; he reached for his bottled water and drank deeply.

  Chris was out on the deck charcoaling burgers when he saw an unfamiliar, late-model pickup pull into Andy’s driveway. He watched an older man get out, dressed in khaki slacks and what might have been an expensive silk shirt. He watched the man go to the back of the truck where he appeared to be having difficulty pulling something out of the bed. Chris put the lid down on the grill, closed the damper to lower the heat, and stepped down from the deck and walked over. “Afternoon,” he called with a wave.

  The man looked up, sweat dripping from his brow. “Oh, hi there. Say, could I bother you to give me a hand with this post?”

  Chris walked around to help. A large wooden post built in the shape of a lopsided cross rested half in and half out of the bed. “Sure, no problem.” Together they hefted the post up and out, and carried it to the edge of the yard near the street, propping it up against a tree.

  “Oh, thanks so much.” The man stood up straight after they set the post down, lightly wiping his hands on his pants before he offered his to Chris. “These things get heavier every time I use them. Jay Prosper.”

  Chris felt his throat constrict. “Chris Rawlins.”

  The realtor went back to the truck and extracted a fiberboard sign fitted with hardware for hanging. “I’ve just co-listed this house with a friend of mine from Yakima. Say, you must be Jenny Jackson’s brother?”

  Chris looked puzzled, then laughed. “Oh, yes. It just seems strange to hear her name like that. Still haven’t gotten used to her being married.”

  In the truck bed, Jay shoved aside a set of golf clubs and pulled out a small electric auger. He carried it to the edge of the yard and positioned it, flipped a switch, and guided it as it reamed a neat hole for the post. As he shut it off, he nodded toward the white cross. “Would you mind, one more time?” Chris helped him, and the post settled neatly, quite straight. Jay pushed a little dirt and gravel in around the bottom.

  “Nice job. You must do this a lot.”

  Jay laughed. “Been doing it more years than I care to admit.” He picked up the sign, fastening it to the pre-set hooks on the post. It was professional, well-made, and attractive. He nodded at Andy’s house. “Nice place, this. A little dated, but when you’re talking vacation property, who cares? Retro is in style again, anyhow.” He shrugged and laughed.

  Chris looked at Andy’s, and then at the realtor. “That’s true. And those front windows are great. The view is awesome.”

  Jay crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll be advertising in the Portland and Vancouver papers – think it’ll sell fast. Could I leave you a couple of my cards, in case anyone stops to ask about it – until I get the lock box on and some flyers made?” He pulled a business card holder from his front slacks pocket, withdrawing a few cards. His franchise information and picture were painted in bold colors.

  Chris accepted them with “Sure. Happy to help out.”

  Jay offered his hand again. “Great then, Chris, thanks again – good meeting you. Gotta run, still have a tee time. Aren’t long summer evenings wonderful?” He headed for the driver’s door, flashing perfect teeth and a winning smile. “Seems to have cooled down a bit. Perfect!” They waved to each other as Jay drove away.

  He found his burgers shriveled and burnt.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Jay Prosper’s advertising netted him two showing appointments for Andy’s house in mid-October. As he arrived at the house there was a definite chill to the breeze and hardwood trees in the area had blended with colors of autumn. He pulled up in the driveway of Andy’s house, got out and stepped up onto the deck, and checked its condition, glancing around the yard. Seeing no unnecessary debris, he unlocked the glass door, leaving it open to freshen the inside air.

  Pulling his coat sleeve up a bit, he glanced at his watch. His first appointment was due in ten minutes. He turned on most of the lights in the rooms, and milled about looking at the condition of the window, drapes, carpets.

  Hearing another car arrive, he dashed outside to greet his clients.

  He was disappointed to see the car he’d heard was Chris Rawlins’ small compact in the next driveway. He was about to turn and go back inside when he noticed Chris going to the passenger side and helping someone out. He stood and watched a young woman who wore a loose-fitted sweater and jeans. He leaned against the deck railing.

  Suzanne puttered around her house. She’d given herself the gift of three full days awa
y from her office, and she straightened closets, purged cupboards, and gave her home a thorough cleaning. She paused from her tasks at various times to look out a rear window of her home. The sky was overcast, a dramatic backdrop for several colorful hardwood trees in her backyard. Her special favorite was a young maple – and although a passing front had forced most of its leaves to the ground, a few days ago it had displayed spectacular colors of red, orange, yellow, and green – and all at the same time. She’d gathered some of the most vibrant leaves, and tucked them carefully between the binders of her flower press.

  She was also using the time off to ponder some unusual vibes she’d been picking up concerning Jenny. They’d been the subject of many hours of consideration and meditation. Although she’d been in touch with Jenny in her new location, and she was quite sure Jen and Andy were happy, Andy healing nicely, there was another vibration coming to her from Silver Lake. It was disturbing.

  Throughout August and September, she’d left several voice mails at Jenny’s house. Chris returned most of them, generally giving her the same excuse for not being available as he did to his sister – he and Karin going out and doing things together, just hanging out. Each time he and Suzanne did actually speak she could sense uncertainty carried back to her through the phone line – and something more nebulous as well, an energy she didn’t like. In her thinking, Chris had become adept at fielding the conversation toward her own family matters, the upcoming holiday season, her busy professional practice. Rarely did he give details about anything they did up there. They also talked at length about Rachel, how fast she grew, what she did and didn’t like, and so forth. She strongly felt he was avoiding something for some reason – and she also felt a degree of resistance, a feeling of being pushed away. And for some reason, Karin never answered the phone.

  The plaintive wail of her daughter drew her to the nursery; the tiny infant raised its head and searched for her. She lifted the baby tenderly. “Rachel,” she murmured, “don’t cry, Mommy’s here.” She sat down in the wicker rocker and cuddled the baby to her breast with soothing whispers. Rachel began to suckle and Suzanne relaxed into the chair as she felt her milk flow, nourishing and warm.

  When the baby finished, she rose and walked down the hall to the window with the beautiful view. She cuddled Rachel against her shoulder, patting her back.

  Picking up the phone, she dialed her mother’s familiar number. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hello dear. How are you two?”

  “We’re fine, are you and Dad okay?”

  “Why, certainly – Dad’s outside raking leaves. Is anything wrong?”

  “No, no – some things have been a little off lately and the sound of your voice always makes me feel better.”

  She placed the baby in her swinging bassinette, along with her blanket and a pastel-colored bunny. She wound the timer knob and Rachel was rocked back and forth in gentle motions, gurgling and cooing. Suzanne resumed her post by the picture window and stared out at the trees, absently fingering the yarn of the sweater she was wearing.

  “Hello, Andy? This is Jay Prosper from Castle Rock Realty. How are you?”

  “Fine, Mr. Prosper. How are you getting along?”

  “Good, Andy – thanks for asking. And call me Jay, please. And your wife Jenny?”

  “She’s fine too. What can I do for you?”

  Jay cleared his throat. “I just wanted to bring you up to speed on a couple of showings I had at your place this afternoon. I had one couple come up from Portland, and one from Longview – I think they both have potential, but I’m more interested in the Longview couple, as they appear to be cash buyers. The others would need to secure at least partial financing.”

  Andy motioned for Jenny to MUTE the TV. “That sounds good! We sure do appreciate your help on this.”

  “Happy to do it, Andy. It’s what we do. Tell Jenny, too, that I met her brother a few weeks ago. Good-looking young man! You and Jenny haven’t been up here in the past few months, do I have that right?”

  “Yes, we’ve been really busy here getting settled in our condo, and what not. Timing never seems right to make a trip over.”

  “Well, as I said, that’s why we co-list and cooperate with each other’s offices. You’ve picked the right man for the job.” Jay paused and added, “By the way, does someone else live with Chris too?”

  “Jenny’s old roommate is still living there.”

  “Oh. Just wondering. When I was out at the house today I saw Chris helping a woman out of a small car. She kind of looked like she might be pregnant – but I’m not a hundred percent on that.”

  “Really? Must have been another friend. Karin’s not pregnant, to our knowledge.”

  Jenny snapped to attention. “WHAT?”

  Andy hung up and relayed Jay’s evaluation to his wife. She promptly picked up the phone and dialed her house.

  Chris was nursing his fourth beer of the evening when the phone rang. Karin was settled on the sofa, her stuffed bear cradled in her arms, the TV on a cartoon station. “Hello.”

  “Hi brother dear. How goes it?”

  “No problems, sis. How goes it there?”

  “Fine, in fact we just got some good news from the realtor who’s handling the house there. He had two different sets of buyers come look today.”

  He paused, straightened up in his seat, and set the beer bottle on the side table. Danger, Will Robinson. “I thought I saw him over there today. Any luck?” A knot tightened in his belly.

  “He seems fairly optimistic about one of the couples – a cash buyer. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!”

  “Cash is ALWAYS good,” he laughed. He rubbed the knot.

  “And, he said he saw you with a woman who looked a little pregnant. Anyone we know?”

  The corners of his mouth turned down as the knot tightened. “Oh, that – I went to pick up a friend of Karin’s this afternoon so she’d be here when Karin got home from work. She is pregnant, as a matter of fact.” He chewed his lower lip.

  “Oh – is Karin there now?”

  He looked at the woman sitting beside him on the couch. “No, she and her friend went back out after she got home.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose.

  “Oh, okay. Well, tell my girlfriend that I called, and miss her. I’d like to catch up with her! You did tell her we decided to not sell my house right now?”

  He rubbed his temple. “Of course, and we’re both happy. It is home to us too, you know.”

  “I know. I just don’t know if we can afford to keep it. We’ll see what happens, I guess.”

  “Okay. Well, I gotta go – something on the stove calls. Talk to you soon.”

  “Okay, dear. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Jen. Bye.” He pushed the button to disconnect. Evening had fallen and the room was painted by the bright colors projected from the TV.

  He stared at the picture without seeing it.

  Late October’s visit with Dr. Simmons brought something new and exciting. Karin was allowed to see inside her own body through the miracle device of an ultrasound machine. She was really thrilled, and asked if Chris could please come in and see too. The doctor was amazed to see her so animated, and readily agreed to her request. Dr. Simmons was supportive of anything that could excite his unusual patient – during most of their visits she’d come across as one of the most bland women he’d ever known, especially for someone young.

  The nurse returned with Chris in tow. As he entered the tiny room and saw Karin lying on the table, he quickly asked, “Is anything wrong?”

  The doctor laughed, his relief obvious to his nurse that someone in Karin’s life possessed normal responses. “No, Chris, everything is fine. We just wanted to show you something.”

  Chris stood holding Karin’s hand. She smiled up at him as the doctor pulled the sheet back, exposing her belly, and spread a bit of lubricant across her tanned skin. He picked up a smoothed wand-like device, attached to a nearby machine with a keyboard and screen. “Ready?�
��

  As he placed the wand on her belly and moved it back and forth, an image of the baby inside her congealed on the screen. “I know it’s a little tough to make it all seem like something – but here’s the heart, and the arms, and legs . . .Karin just wanted you to be able to see her baby too.” Dr. Simmons pushed the wand around and various tiny body parts became more recognizable. He pushed a couple of buttons on the keyboard.

  Chris was totally mesmerized. “Wow . . . I can’t believe it. I’ve never seen something like this before!” He kept asking questions of the doctor – what was this, and that – until the doctor finally shut off the machine. “I think that’s about it for today,” he said.