Mysterious Caller
I wait at the table to see if either of them are coming down. As I am about to stand, I see them descending the stairs. I rush to Hunter and give him a hug. He pulls me into a tight squeeze. I laugh as he ruffles my hair like I am still a little kid.
“How is my favorite daughter?” he asks.
“I’m you’re only daughter” I laugh and poke him while I look at him.
“Well, there is a good reason for that because, you’re so special” he says teasing. I roll my eyes as I clear my place at the table.
“Have you eaten dinner?”
“Yes mother, it was incredibly good. Thank you for cooking” I say to her with a smile. She blushes, and I see Hunter whisper in her ear.
“Yes, my sweet, thank you for dinner and dessert” he says lowly. I make a gagging sound. They both looked at me stunned that I heard what Hunter said.
“You know, I love you being together but, I do not want to know if you both shagged!” I groan as I walk out the door into the backyard.
I shake my head and push the thoughts of them two being intimate from my mind. I stand up and walk towards the woods of the yard. I have always felt drawn to nature for some reason. As I stare into the beauty of the woods. Just as I am entering the nature pathway behind my house. I hear a car start in the driveway. I walk towards the entrance of the house, and I see Hunter pulling the car out. I realize that he is leaving to go home. I wave him farewell. I will miss him until he returns. I watch him drive down the street. After he has turned the corner on to the main road, I walk about inside. I find my mother sitting in the parlor with a book in her hand. There is an interesting emblem on the cover.
“Hey there, what are you reading?”
“Oh Molly, this is an ancient book of enchantments and recipes. I have been thinking about letting you read it so, you can learn the practice.”
“What practice?” I asked her curiously.
“The secrets of the world, and the power in your blood that goes back generations through our family.”
“Are you a witch or am I in a movie?” I begin to laugh but she does not find it funny.
“How about you show it to me later? I had a long day, and I am tired.”
“Okay, if I get the chance to.” I nod my head at her cryptic remark and walk upstairs to my room. After a while of being in my room listening to the Beatles. I hear her bedroom door open and close. I presume she has gone into her room for the evening.
I feel like I am a tad hungry still. I start my descent. I want to look in the kitchen to see if we have any dessert. I spotted some chocolate cake that my mother made the other day. I quickly pulled it from the ice box. I find a plate and serve myself a piece. I also decided to find some paper. I want to make a list of everything that I will need for our camping trip Hunter mentioned yesterday evening. I am almost finished writing when the phone rings. I sprinted to the living room to answer the telephone and see who was calling.
"Hello?" I waited for a bit and heard no one answer.
"Hello?" I hear a gasp on the other end and a man answers, "Is there a Ms. Lucinda Fawns at this address?" I am curious who this could be.
"Yes, this is her daughter, my I ask who is calling?" I heard another shocked gasp.
"Is she available?" I frown, I do not know this person, and I do not believe my mother does either, something feels off.
"No. I am sorry; she has just gone upstairs to lay down" the man whispers.
"Oh"
"Is there something sir that you require?"
he groans "No, tell her that an old friend is calling, she needs to call me back" I look in confusion.
"Why must she do that?" I know I should not pry but, something seems very off.
he says in an angry tone "because she needs to talk to me, tell her to call me."
I have no intention of relaying the message to my mother but, I decided to play along.
"May I have your name so I can make her aware?"
He sighs "my name is Mr. Drury" I get a cold shiver run up my spine at the tone of his voice, he is trying hard not to give too much information.
"Sure, I will give her the message" I lie to the man.
At this moment, my mother is coming down the stairs.
"Molly, is there someone on the phone?" I quickly hung it up.
"Yes, I think it was a wrong number". She looks at me, nods her head and walks back upstairs.
The phone rings again, and I answer it without thinking. The voice on the other end is gruff.
"Lying to someone little girl? Didn't your mother teach you better?" I start to shudder at the threatening tone of his voice. Something about this man screams dangerous.
"Now, I thought you said your mother was taking a nap? Why do I get the feeling that you are keeping me from speaking with her?" he says in a dark tone.
I gulp and try to form a reply.
"If it is important, since I am her daughter, why not just tell me?" I answer when I can find my voice.
"The reasoning is simple, it has nothing to do with you, now be a good little girl and go fetch your mother! Let the grown-ups talk about matters that are beyond your knowledge" I am irritated, the nerve of this man! I am nearly eighteen for God sake! I growl at him,
"I have no interest in letting that happen and I suggest you do not call again, or I will inform my stepfather!" I was just about to hang up when his reply sent me over the edge.
"I doubt your pathetic stepfather could do anything!" he says with mockery.
I coldly said, "Hunter Eldridge has more balls, connections, and money to see to it that a man such as you stay away from his woman!" I hung up as I heard him growl and spit out Hunter's name.
I slid down the wall, shaking. The phone starts to ring again, and I have no interest in answering it. I hear my mother moving around upstairs, then I hear her talking in a hushed voice, she must be on her bedroom phone. I cannot stop the fear that grips my heart. I have never been such a nervous wreck in all my life! Who was that man and what does he want with my mother?