entrepreneur. Far cry from an actor, huh?
You don't sound very happy about it, Tracy, Jessie said.
Well, I don't love him any less, but you already sensed from your first
encounter with him how cynical he can be. Funny . . . she said, her
voice drifting off.
What is? Jessie asked when the silence lingered.
How we lose our dreams and ambitions. They're like balloons, firm and
full when we're young and optimistic.
As time goes by, they lose air, soften; and then one day we wake up and
discover some strong wind has taken them off. You're left with a limp
string in your fingers and the vague memory of what it was supposed to
be.
I'm sorry, Jessie said softly, reaching for Tracy's hand again.
Oh no, please. I didn't mean to put a damper on our day. Really, I
exaggerate anyway. You mustn't take me seriously. If I ever sound off
this self-pity again, shut me right up. Bob gets furious at me when I
do that. We do have a lot more than I ever dreamed we would.
Besides, I'm feeling very stupid moaning and bitching to someone like
you. With all you've been through, you should be the one moaning and
bitching.
Jessie smiled.
You should hear me when I get started. She patted Tracy's hand. I'm
looking forward to your dinner I'll phone you tomorrow, Tracy said. Just
in case you need any errands run or want to run some your self.
Thank you. Bye, Jessie said, and started down the walk, moving with the
self-assurance of someone who had been living there for years and years.
Tracy shook her head in admiration and then got back into her car and
drove off as soon as she saw Jessie step onto the porch and approach the
front door.
But Jessie didn't open it and enter the hallway. She paused because she
heard the sound of digging far off to her left. It was coming from the
cemetery. Her first thought, of course, was that someone had died and a
grave was being prepared. She stood there for a few moments, mesmerized
by the rhythmic thud of a shovel stabbing at the earth.
As she listened a horrifying vision began to take form.
It was like having a waking nightmare. In it the digging was being
carried out by a skeleton who was trying to return to its coffin. Shreds
of rotted clothing hung from its shoulders and arms. As it worked,
shavings of bone began to peel away from its hands. It fell like
dandruff all about it and made it work with more fury. Finally it
struck the lid of the coffin and fell to its knees to brush away the
remaining soil. It worked its bony fingers under the lid and pulled up
with all its might, but the coffin wouldn't open.
The skeleton threw back its skull and opened its jaw.
A death rattle emerged. Seconds later the spine snapped followed by all
of its appendages. It fell in a pile of bones on the top of the coffin,
and the dirt that had been removed began to fall in over it again.
The grotesque imagery sent her scurrying through her purse for her key.
She entered the house quickly and inserted the key into her front door.
Not until she had closed and locked it behind her did she feel any sense
of relief and security. Then, with her heart still pounding, she made
her way to the bedroom to lie down. Lee's phone call from school woke
her.
Are you all right? he asked.
Yes. I fell asleep for a little while.
Oh, sorry.
No, that's all right, she said. I'm sure I should be getting up and
preparing supper. How are things going today?
Better, he said. How was your day with Tracy?
Very nice. We had a wonderful lunch in the village diner.
I'm glad. I guess you heard them come to take that truck away this
morning, huh?
Yes, there was the sound of a tow truck. Have you heard anything more
about it?
No. I see the Benson kid is present, though. Okay, I'll be home on
time tonight, he promised.
Have a good practice, she said, and cradled the phone. She got out of
bed and went to
You don't sound very happy about it, Tracy, Jessie said.
Well, I don't love him any less, but you already sensed from your first
encounter with him how cynical he can be. Funny . . . she said, her
voice drifting off.
What is? Jessie asked when the silence lingered.
How we lose our dreams and ambitions. They're like balloons, firm and
full when we're young and optimistic.
As time goes by, they lose air, soften; and then one day we wake up and
discover some strong wind has taken them off. You're left with a limp
string in your fingers and the vague memory of what it was supposed to
be.
I'm sorry, Jessie said softly, reaching for Tracy's hand again.
Oh no, please. I didn't mean to put a damper on our day. Really, I
exaggerate anyway. You mustn't take me seriously. If I ever sound off
this self-pity again, shut me right up. Bob gets furious at me when I
do that. We do have a lot more than I ever dreamed we would.
Besides, I'm feeling very stupid moaning and bitching to someone like
you. With all you've been through, you should be the one moaning and
bitching.
Jessie smiled.
You should hear me when I get started. She patted Tracy's hand. I'm
looking forward to your dinner I'll phone you tomorrow, Tracy said. Just
in case you need any errands run or want to run some your self.
Thank you. Bye, Jessie said, and started down the walk, moving with the
self-assurance of someone who had been living there for years and years.
Tracy shook her head in admiration and then got back into her car and
drove off as soon as she saw Jessie step onto the porch and approach the
front door.
But Jessie didn't open it and enter the hallway. She paused because she
heard the sound of digging far off to her left. It was coming from the
cemetery. Her first thought, of course, was that someone had died and a
grave was being prepared. She stood there for a few moments, mesmerized
by the rhythmic thud of a shovel stabbing at the earth.
As she listened a horrifying vision began to take form.
It was like having a waking nightmare. In it the digging was being
carried out by a skeleton who was trying to return to its coffin. Shreds
of rotted clothing hung from its shoulders and arms. As it worked,
shavings of bone began to peel away from its hands. It fell like
dandruff all about it and made it work with more fury. Finally it
struck the lid of the coffin and fell to its knees to brush away the
remaining soil. It worked its bony fingers under the lid and pulled up
with all its might, but the coffin wouldn't open.
The skeleton threw back its skull and opened its jaw.
A death rattle emerged. Seconds later the spine snapped followed by all
of its appendages. It fell in a pile of bones on the top of the coffin,
and the dirt that had been removed began to fall in over it again.
The grotesque imagery sent her scurrying through her purse for her key.
She entered the house quickly and inserted the key into her front door.
Not until she had closed and locked it behind her did she feel any sense
of relief and security. Then, with her heart still pounding, she made
her way to the bedroom to lie down. Lee's phone call from school woke
her.
Are you all right? he asked.
Yes. I fell asleep for a little while.
Oh, sorry.
No, that's all right, she said. I'm sure I should be getting up and
preparing supper. How are things going today?
Better, he said. How was your day with Tracy?
Very nice. We had a wonderful lunch in the village diner.
I'm glad. I guess you heard them come to take that truck away this
morning, huh?
Yes, there was the sound of a tow truck. Have you heard anything more
about it?
No. I see the Benson kid is present, though. Okay, I'll be home on
time tonight, he promised.
Have a good practice, she said, and cradled the phone. She got out of
bed and went to
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