Philip Dampier's Blog

Episode 11

Meanwhile, Wanda decided to head towards the house with the attic. Darkness was falling, and she wanted to be off of the streets. She sensed that the people who wore the white coats would be looking on the streets for her. She was still mad at the daycare lady, but it wasn’t the most important thing. The most important thing was to dispose of Arvie and rescue Jill.

Once outside the house, she looked for their car, but the driveway was empty, and so was the parking space at the edge of the street. She walked up on the porch and tried the door. Unlocked, just as she had left it. She went inside and turned on a light in the kitchen.

She was glad to see that Arvie had partially stocked the pantry and fridge. Wanda was hungry and immediately fixed herself something to eat. There were peanut butter and jelly and a loaf of bread. She loved PB & J. So did Jill. The thought didn’t make her sad; it made her mad.

She went looking for a drink. There was no booze, which was disappointing but she thought she could make it at least one more day without it. It was just something else to hate Arvie for.

While she was eating, she was trying to figure out how she could get Arvie to come to the house and bring Jill with him. She would finish him once and for all and then take Jill and the car and disappear. She stared into space, her eyes focused on nothing visible to the natural eye.

Her head hurt, and all she could think of was how Arvie had become a devil. She had a list of things that he was doing wrong, but the major one was taking Jill away from her. Sometimes she wondered why she had married him to begin with. She was proud of her ability to size people up, but she had to admit, she had really missed seeing him for what he was.

The truth about him, the kind of person he really was, had come to her early in their marriage when she caught him trying to sneak the garbage out of the house. She had to put a stop to that as there was no telling what he would be taking away. She had been right too. He had taken Jill. She knew he was evil, but she never expected that. She glanced at the large knife on the counter and smiled. It wouldn’t be long before she rid the earth of one Arvie Anderson.

Arvie and Jill finished their supper at a nearby cafe. Jill was full of stories about what happened at daycare, and Arvie tried his best to pay attention. But he was worried and what he worried about was distracting him from listening to Jill. What would Wanda do next? Where could he put Jill that she would be safe? How did Wanda know where Jill was anyway? He needed a plan by morning. They were back in the car when he had an idea. He turned around and headed towards their neighborhood.

Martha Smith answered the doorbell. She flashed a quick smile.

“Well, hello Arvie. What brings you and Jill over this late in the evening?”

“I’ve got a problem. May I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure, come on in. Jill, Frannie is in her room playing with her dolls. Why don’t you go join her?”

Martha led Jill down the hall and motioned for Arvie to go into the living room. Martha soon returned, and the two of them sat down. Martha stood back up.

“I’m sorry. Can I get you something to drink? I just made some coffee. It’s decaf.”

Martha looked expectantly at Arvie, and he sat up straight in his chair and cleared his throat.

“No thank you. I need to explain something, and I hope you will be patient with me.”

“Sure,” she responded. What is this all about, she wondered.

“My wife began to drink too much and then she just went crazy. She’s tried to kill me twice. I think she may have killed a telephone employee at my new house. She was locked up in a forensic unit but escaped. She tried to kill me again today. If my neighbor hadn’t rescued me, she would have. She disappeared, and the police are looking for her. They just called to tell me she went to the daycare today and tried to get Jill. I’m scared to death for myself and Jill. Wanda is a very sick person, and the police can’t seem to find her. I’m afraid to put Jill in a daycare facility until Wanda’s caught. We’re staying in a motel room at present. I can’t leave her there alone. I don’t have any family. I was hoping you might let her stay here tomorrow until I can find a new place for her that’s safe. If not, I’ll have to quit my job, and we’ll have to move to another town.”

“My goodness,” Martha said, her hands flying to her face. “Of course you can bring her here tomorrow. You poor man. The poor child! Frannie will be excited to have her here. Is there anything else I can do to help?”

“No,” answered Arvie. “I just need to know that Jill is safe. I’m sure the police will find Wanda soon and get her back into custody.”

“Bring Jill over here on your way to work. We’ll take good care of her.”

“Thanks, I’m so glad I ran into you at the park.”

“Me too. How about the coffee now?”

After Arvie and Jill left, Martha shared the exciting news with Frannie. Martha laughed to herself. Frannie didn’t know it, but she was as happy as Frannie was. While Frannie was getting ready for bed, Martha began to think about what she would wear the next morning when Arvie came.

Wanda lay the large knife on the counter, turned off the light and made her way into Jill’s bedroom. She didn’t want to sleep on Arvie’s bed, and she missed Jill. In a few moments, she was sound asleep. But the sleep didn’t last long. Wanda sat up straight in bed. She was sure she heard a noise in the attic above her. The house was dark, and she had no idea what time it was. She waited, sitting still but all around was silence. She lay back down and closed her eyes.