Whitman River

by Maeve Ashfeld

  When Robert grabbed a few bills out of his wallet, a picture of Glenna fell out. He quickly stuffed it back and handed the bills to Albert.

  “I miss my little girl.”

  “Yeah, she’s a mess.”

  “Does she read my letters?”

  “I’d like to think so but couldn't tell you.” He polished off his beer and stood.

  “You heading out so early? I just got here. I’ve barely had any of my drink.”

  “Yeah, you know how women are.”

  Robert nodded, “You know, I have someone I’d like for Glenna to meet. If you could set up some sort of thing for all of us, that’d be great.”

  “Like a double date? Alright, I see you.”

  “Not really, but-”

  “I’ll see what I can do Mr. Whitman.” Albert folded the envelope and extra bills before stuffing them into his back pocket.

  “I could always just come by, you know. Just for a few minutes to say hello.”

  “That won’t work.”

  “Well, why not? We wouldn't have to meet in this cafe anymore. The staff is wonderful but it’s not what I’m here for.”

  “I get that. But it’ll just take some time. You know she’s very shy and all.”

  “I just want to see her. It’s important.”

  Robert could see the apprehension in Albert’s eyes.

  It’s a lost cause.

  He pulled out some cash and left it on the table.

  “Nah, I got us.” Albert put the money back in Robert’s hands and motioned for the waitress to come over. He asked for the bill and gave her his credit card.

  Maybe he’s not so bad after all.

  When the waitress returned with the receipt, Albert took his time writing in the tip and signing. He handed the receipt and pen back to her and winked. She gave him an uncomfortable smile and walked off.

  “Alright, Mr. Whitman. Till next time.”

  “Next time will be at your place.”

  The smile on Albert’s face fell. He headed back to his car and pulled off into traffic. His tires squealed as he tore down the street and disappeared.

  Robert leaned back in his chair and stirred his drink. He contemplated just hopping in his car and following Albert to see Glenna. But, he didn’t want to invade her privacy. He didn’t want her to hate him even more.

  “I’ll just start mailing letters again.”

  The Funeral

  The gathering was held on a cold Wednesday morning in Woods County, where Glenna grew up. The drive took well over an hour. The roads in Woods were mostly dirt - except what was in city limits. There was a bank, grocery store, and a few restaurants. There used to be a church but it had been converted to a theatre many years ago. So, they all met at the park and sat at the picnic tables.

  When Glenna and Albert walked up, she noticed that most everyone was looking at them. Some tried to steal peeks and look away quickly. A lot of the older people just stared directly.

  “Why are they doing that?”

  “Well, you are the dead guy’s daughter.”

  “Thanks, ass.”

  A few more people that Glenna remembered showed up and brought snacks. They shared their condolences and hung around the tables. There were even more people that Glenna didn’t know. Everyone was nice.

  “Glenna, is that you?”

  Glenna looked up to see a short, grey-haired woman. She smiled and grabbed Glenna into a hug. She spoke softly.

  “Robert was a good person. He spoke very highly of you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You don’t remember me, do you?”

  Glenna hated when people asked that question. But she kept that to herself. “No, not really.”

  “I’m Guthrie. You used to come over and play with the animals I was caring for.”

  “Oh, yes! You’re right.”

  “Yeah. Listen. I’m sorry things weren’t better between you two. Robert loved you so much.”

  Glenna nodded.

  Albert looked at Guthrie. They locked eyes for a split second before Albert turned away.

  Guthrie smiled, “He said he was trying to get in touch. I know he was planning to come see you soon.”

  “Yea, I got his letter. I was going to write him back, but… I just.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “They say if someone dies when you’re mad at them, they haunt you forever,” Jody said as she sat at the table. “So, he’ll never really be gone, will he?”

  Glenna smiled. “You remember Jody?”

  “Of course I do! She used to help me bake.”

  “I still make that strawberry cobbler.”

  Guthrie grabbed Jody into a hug. “Let me know when you want me to run everyone off.” She winked at Glenna and walked to another table.

  The gathering didn’t last much longer. A few people came up and told Glenna how much they would miss Robert. They talked about how he contributed to the community and made sure to participate in everything. As a whole, this made Glenna uncomfortable.

  Maybe they had the wrong guy?

  At the end, Guthrie helped put covered dishes in the back of Albert’s car. “So, you thought about what to do with the property? I know it’s a little early, but-”

  Glenna shook her head.

  “It’s okay, I get it. Let me know if you need anything.” She gave out another round of hugs one last time before hopping on a horse. Glenna and Albert watched as she rode away.

  “How’d she get up there?”

  Glenna shrugged.

  “You know, Horse Lady’s got a point.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We do need to figure out what to do with it. We can’t stay here. There’s no internet. Everything is ten miles away. If you forget your milk in town, you’re screwed.”

  They got into the car and drove off. Glenna stared out the window.

  Maybe I could stay here?

  “We could get a lot from selling.”

  She looked over at Albert, “Well what if I want to stay?”

  “You can’t be serious. We have to make decisions as a team, now.” He grabbed her hand with his free one and kissed her fingers. “We do things together. You and me. Glenna and Albert.” He put her hand back down and looked forward. “Speaking of, why didn’t you introduce me to Horse Lady?”

  “I did.”

  “No, you didn't.”

  “Well maybe I wasn’t thinking about that.”

  “You introduced Jody.”

  “She already knew her.”

  “You didn’t know that.”

  “Okay. What do you want me to say? It was an honest mistake.” Glenna looked over at Albert. He was staring a hole through the woods in front of him.

  “Are you cheating on me?”

  Glenna could feel her blood boiling. “Why would you even say that?”

  “You guys are too close. It’d be pretty hot, admittedly. I’m down for a threesome. Just ask, I mean-”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You and Jody.”

  “I can’t believe this. She’s my best friend. Can I not have a best friend.”

  “Shouldn’t I be your best friend?”

  Glenna rolled her eyes.

  He has a point.

  “I’m sorry, Glenna. It’s just that all of this is getting to me. You don't really open up to me. You’re always so distant.”

  “I’m distant? Me?”

  “Yeah, you are. You’re always on your computer.”

  “I'm working. Sometimes I have to bring it home.”

  “I have a job, too, you know.”

  “You’re a glorified receptionist. I swear we're like apples and oranges sometimes.”

  “It’s a job. What’s going on with you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Okay.”

  The rest of the car ride was spent in silence. Glenna stewed about Albert and his accusations. She’d never even cheated on a test. And why would he assume Jody? C
an people not be friends without wanting to fuck each other? She was glad that Jody had gone to the picnic. It was nice to not feel on her own versus everything going on in her life.

  An hour later, they were back home. They both sat in the car for a while. Albert got out, closed the door, and poked his head in the window.

  “Glenna, I love you.”

  He walked away before she could respond.

  The Possum Demon

  Glenna opened the door to Robert's house. The lights were still on. A cup of coffee was on the kitchen table next to a pen and piece of paper.

  Waves of emotions came over her. The home felt so familiar and foreign at the same time. Still the same furniture from her childhood. Just hidden under piles of papers and stacks of books. It was cluttered but clean. The stacks were in neat little rows. She shut the door behind her and placed her bags on the coat rack.

  It was a lot of stuff to go through, but it had to be done if they wanted to sell the house. They planned to do a little cleaning to make it somewhat presentable. Glenna’s job had approved two weeks of vacation time. That would be enough for the two of them to get started. She arrived a day early just to get a break.

  She sat at the kitchen table and pulled out her phone.

  “ I'm here.”

  “Okay. You okay?”

  “Yeah. It's not so bad.”

  “Alright. I'll be down tomorrow. See you soon.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  When she put her phone on the kitchen table, she noticed a letter. The letter was full of false starts, scribbles, and correction tape - just like the first one. This one had more fatherly advice. One line stuck out in particular.

  Not everyone can be taken at face value.

  She folded the piece of paper in half.

  “I miss you.”

  If only he could hear me.

  When she put the letter back down, something furry brushed against her leg.

  “Oh gosh, what was that?”

  She jumped up on the table. A blur of grey shot from the table to under the couch.

  Glenna screamed.

  A hiss came from under the couch.

  “Just what I need. An angry possum.”

  Glenna gingerly stepped down from the table and scanned the room. There was a broom next to the fridge. She slowly walked to the broom, keeping her eyes on the couch. Goosebumps spread up her arms and her eyes began to water.

  “You’re fine, Glenna.”

  She took a few more steps.

  “Absolutely...”

  Hiss.

  “... fine.”

  When she bent down to look under the couch. Two bright red circles stared back.

  This is it. This is how I die. Death by possum demon.

  She slowly put the broom handle under the couch and inched towards the eyes. The possum demon screamed and hissed and batted at the handle.

  “Nope. Nope, nope nope.”

  Glenna jumped up and backed towards the table. She looked over and picked up her phone. She pressed the flashlight on and grabbed a skillet.

  “Alright demon, let’s dance.”

  She bent down again and shined the flashlight under the couch. The red eyes turned blue and squinted.

  Wait.

  Glenna turned off the flashlight and sat on her knees.

  “Merlin?”

  I must be crazy.

  After a few moments, the possum demon shuffled from under the couch. The grey-haired cat sat on its haunches and stared at Glenna.

  How?

  Merlin walked up to her and pressed his cold, pink nose on her. Then he purred and brushed her arm. Tears fell down Glenna’s cheeks. She reached over and pet Merlin. He arched his back and purred.

  “I’ve missed you, too.”

  Glenna thought back to the letter she received from Robert.

  This must be what he wanted to tell me about. Why did he never tell me?

  Glenna bit her lip. She thought about how she treated Robert the last time she saw him. She slammed the door in his face.

  But he deserved it. It wasn't just about losing my cat. It never was. So he deserved it, right?

  Glenna woke up to the sound of birds chirping. Light filtered in from the living room window. She looked down and saw Merlin curled up on her legs.

  How long was I out?

  She looked at her cell.

  9:35a? Geez. I slept like a baby.

  Merlin lifted his head.

  “I'm sure you helped.”

  Glenna stretched and rose to leave. She had to get breakfast and unpack the car. Then she had to start cleaning to prep for the sale.

  She walked over to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. There were steel bottles filled with water and clear glass bowls with what looked like leftovers.

  Nothing to really eat.

  She checked the freezer, cabinets, and counters with no luck.

  Not even a box of cereal.

  “Alright, sir. I’m heading out. Be back in a bit.”

  Glenna grabbed her purse and keys and set out to the grocery store. Driving around in the daylight was so different from driving in the dark. She could see the trees and the grass and the dirt. So much dirt. But the aired smelled so much better here. By the time she reached Haviland’s, she was starving. She slung a basket over her shoulder and walked in.

  “Welcome to Haviland’s. Can I get you anything?”

  Glenna looked over at the teenager arranging oranges.

  “No, I’m okay. Thanks.”

  “Alright. Well, let me know.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Glenna shopped around for the essentials: frozen vegetables, flour, a bag of apples, tofu, and some soy milk. She was greeted five more times before leaving the store.

  I’m not sure if that’s nice or annoying.

  When she was unloading her basket she thought about Merlin. Surely if there wasn’t human food, there wouldn’t be cat food.

  Robert’s been gone for a week so Merlin has got to be starving.

  She called Albert. It went to voicemail.

  She called Jody.

  “Hey, you make it okay?”

  “Yeah. Hey listen. What kind of food do your cats eat?”

  “What?”

  “Cat food.”

  “Did you get a cat? You’re there for less than a day and you’re already picking up strays?”

  “Har. Har. I'll tell you later. I'm starving and have to get back. So, what food?”

  “Neko Munchies. Green bag. Orange cat.”

  “Awesome, thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. If you feed them, they stay.”

  “Haha. I hope so.”

  When Glenna returned to Robert’s home, her first order of business was to feed Merlin. She couldn’t find his food and water bowls so she pulled some from the cabinets.

  Merlin sat at her feet and watched curiously as she not-so-gracefully wrestled with the Neko Munchies bag. Little bits of cat food flung around the room.

  “Shit.”

  Glenna scooped up the bits and placed them in the bowl. She then filled it the rest of the way from the bag. She put cold water in another bowl and left Merlin. She made her own breakfast, a tofu scramble with spinach.

  Thankfully the old man left some spices.

  Merlin walked over to her. He rubbed up against her leg and purred. She scratched him behind the ears.

  “I guess it’s you and me, pal. Just like old times.”