by Una Tiers
The letter should have sent them packing.
"This is not the time William, my husband, your father just died."
A sharp rap on the front door drew everyone’s attention, but no one moved.
Grateful for any interruption, even a bible salesman, Eleanor finally stood up.
“I’ll call you all about the memorial,” she said exhaling in emphasis that the family meeting was over.
Not one of the children took the hint.
"Thank you for stopping over," she added with her sarcasm creeping in.
“I could use a drink, and I'm hungry, it’s just hit me, I'll never see my father again. Where do you keep the liquor? I have a few ideas about the funeral," Alan spoke in a reasonable tone of voice without a flicker of sincerity and as if he didn't hear Eleanor.
Eleanor kept her voice even and calm.
“I'll call you when the plans are set. Thank you for coming."
The rapping came louder the second time and in four steps Eleanor opened the door relieved to see their neighbor, Dan Utz.
He stepped inside, ducking slightly in the doorway.
Dan’s nod to the children appeared menacing. His shortly cropped blond hair and wire rimmed glasses were incongruous with his brawny body. The golf shirt strained to conceal his biceps. As he breathed, his arms raised and fell a few millimeters.
When he continued to eye the boys, they slowly got to their feet, walking in a wide arc, behind Eleanor.
They slithered out. Alan called over his shoulder, "I'll have to swing by tomorrow for my father's car, his checkbook, you know and his address book.” He jammed his words together, pretending he was in charge with the last word in the matter.
William left on his brother’s heels trying to button his collar.
Catherine spoke softly, mimicking Eleanor. “Mother, after I pick up little Gene from the sitter, we'll come back."
“No thank you Catherine,” Eleanor said quickly and more harshly than she intended. The last visit from her wildebeest grandson included him running up and down the stairs, bookshelf ladder and leaping off the kitchen counters. Anthony suggested a leash for the child.
Eleanor looked over at Mildred.
"Mother I wanted to see the letter," Mildred whispered." How could you let them take it?"
"It was a copy Mildred."
Mildred's shoulders slumped when she realized she too was being asked to leave.
Oddly, Dan hadn't spoken. He closed the door quietly. “Do you need anything Eleanor?”
Eleanor managed a weak smile and shook her head in a no.
“Thank you. The refrigerator is full of food, please take anything you like. In fact please take as much as you can carry.”
He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
“It’s still so hard to believe,” he said apologetically to cover a lie. "I came by last night, but I could hear you had company, so I didn't knock."
“Thank you.” Eleanor whispered. "I didn't thank you for coming to the party, as grisly as it ended." Her thoughts drifted back to the cruise and the dinner. When she returned to the present, Dan was gone. He must have gone out through the back door.
END OF SAMPLE
About the Author
Una Tiers (nom de plume) is an avid reader and attorney in the Chicago area. Her early reading enthusiasm exhausted her school library and she was introduced to the magnificence of the downtown Chicago Public Library.
Years later, she had the honor to take writing classes with Harry Mark Petrakis, downing a bowl of cheddar chowder after class. This class was at the temporary library, occupying the old Sears Building on State Street in downtown Chicago.
Over the years, creative writing took a backseat to drafting legal documents. After one particularly brutal day in court, Una wrote a story murdering the problem judge (on paper). Feeling better, she returned to work. Adding additional victims proved to be a stress reliever making Una smile. The story grew into Judge vs Nuts.
Judge was initially published in 2012 by a small press. In 2014, the rights reverted to Una and she polished the book to the second edition. The art work for the cover was taken on Wabash Street, in Chicago. Can you identify the two major objects?
Una then tried short stories, and was thrilled at the response.
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