The Secret of the Dark

by Barbara Steiner

  “I’m the envy of every male here,” he whispered as we broke for a drink and food, except that I was too excited to eat.

  “How many girls are mad at me?” I asked. “I’m sure you’re neglecting your usual partners.”

  “If there were any, I’ve forgotten them.” He looked down at me and despite my decision, I had to look away. I concentrated on the food.

  “What a beautiful-looking cake. I love coconut,” I said to cover my discomfort. I cut a small piece and slipped it onto my napkin even though I wondered if I could ever swallow it.

  “I guess you left a lot of broken hearts in New York, being gone all summer,” Neal said, teasingly. He took a big slice, not even bothering with a napkin but aiming it straight for his mouth.

  I teased him right back. “Half the city is in mourning.” We laughed and went to find seats near Granny. Someone had filled her a plate, and she was enjoying the sweets.

  Before the break the caller had announced that the next dance would be for cloggers. I saw several people around us changing shoes. A girl close to me, who looked about ten years old, stood up and her shoes clicked on the wooden floor.

  “Clogging goes back to Scotland and England, but it’s most popular now in Appalachia,” Neal explained. “It’s kind of like tap dancing to fiddle music.”

  The music had the same toe-tapping rhythm of the square dances. A fiddler announced the first dance, then went to work on his instrument, making the dancers come alive. There was squealing and yelling along with the clicking of the dancers’ shoes. To begin, all ages were on the floor in a free style. Every dancer was alone and did whatever steps he or she liked.

  “Your turn, Annie,” Fleecy urged. “Show ’em how.”

  To my surprise Granny set down her plate and stepped out onto the floor in front of us. She didn’t have on clogging shoes but her feet stomped out the rhythm.

  Tap-a-tap, tap-a-tap, tap-a-tap-tap-tap.

  Dancers round her stopped and circled her. “That-a-way, Granny.” “You show ’um.” “Look at her go.”

  Only Granny’s feet and legs moved. Her upper body and arms hung loose like a rag doll as she bobbed up and down. If she hadn’t worn a big smile I’d have worried about her. In my thinking it wasn’t an activity suitable for persons approaching ninety. But not in Granny’s. She acted as if she’d danced around like that all her life. And I guess she had.

  When the music stopped the crowd that had gathered cheered and clapped. Granny had become the life of the party. Dr. Gallagher showed up to escort her off the floor and back to her seat She wasn’t even breathing hard, but I whispered to him, “Should she be doing that?”

  He whispered back. “At her age you do as you please, Valerie. She’ll probably outlive both of us.”

  I laughed and shook my head. Neal took me over and introduced me to his mother, the county nurse. Her job was traveling to shut-ins all over the mountain.

  “Can you do that, Valerie?” She referred to Granny’s show.

  “I don’t think I’ll even try,” I confessed.

  “Sure you will. I’ll teach you the basic steps,” Neal said.

  I wanted to try it, but not on the dance floor. I made him show me some steps behind the row of chairs near the refreshment table.

  Soon my feet got the idea, but I wished I could make more noise. My feet whispered in the ballet flats I’d worn. Tappity-tap, tappity-tap, tappity-tap, tap, tap. They wouldn’t brush the way tap shoes would, and they got stuck on the floor, shuffling back and forth in what Neal called the chug. But trying it gave me some idea of how much work it was. Much more work than the square dancing. Granny must be in pretty good shape. I was puffing in a short time.

  “What’s the matter?” Neal laughed. “Too tough for you?”

  “I’d hate for anyone to know how long I’ve trained to be a dancer.”

  “That stuff? This is real dancing.”

  “No argument,” I said. “I fully agree.”

  Neal left me for a minute, and I tapped my way back to the big jug of iced water where a crowd gathered at every break. These people took their dancing seriously. I was impressed.

  “Hey, fog sprite. This my dance?” a voice beside me half whispered in a low, sexy voice. I looked up to see my blond ghost of the morning.

  “I … I …”

  “Come on. You still scared of me? I’ll prove I’m real.” He took my arm and pushed me toward the dance floor where squares were forming again.

  Why not? I thought. If I was going to practice being popular — the life of the party — I needed more than one guy to practice on. But I looked back, hoping Neal wouldn’t be upset. I had pushed this ghost — I giggled at the idea — from my mind, but here he was again as big as life and equally as cute as Neal, even though he was a different style of guy.

  Where Neal was quietly attractive, this guy was slightly arrogant and full of himself. Neal was sleek and neat — this guy slightly shaggy and playful. He wore tight jeans, a gold corduroy vest, and a cowboy hat as if he’d been born in them. His was a style I’d usually ignore, but to my surprise I found I was attracted to him, too. He was like a puppy who knew you couldn’t resist him.

  “Do you have a name?” I asked, pretending to be proper and not too impressed with his self-assurance.

  He laughed. “Rick. Rick Biddleman.” He bowed slightly. “Your neighbor, should you ever need anything.”

  “My neighbor? I’ve seen no house close by.”

  “My dad and I own the property to the east of Granny, Miss Wreyford. Call and I can be there in minutes.” That smile again. It made me feel special.

  I guess he knew my name, but I said it anyway. “Valerie Wreyford. I’m living with Granny this summer.”

  “I know. I’m glad. My luck is changing.”

  The set started and there was no more time to talk. I had to pay close attention and then over and over I went the wrong way. Everyone laughed and was good natured about it, though, so I didn’t feel like I was ruining the dance.

  As we finished and shook hands, Rick put his arm around my waist to lead me off the dance floor. Flirt, Valerie, I reminded myself. Here’s your chance.

  “Are you always this friendly to girls you hardly know?” I took his hand away from my waist and stepped away but smiled as I did so.

  “If I like them. No sense wasting time pretending.” He pulled me close again and what could I do in so public a place? I laughed, but as I looked up my eyes met those of Neal.

  He wore a slight frown but stepped in beside me as we walked toward the refreshments. “I should have known better than to leave you alone,” he said to me. And to Rick, “I see you waited till my back was turned to steal my girl, Biddleman.”

  “Your girl? Where’s any sign that says she’s taken? That she’s your property? Are you Neal’s property, Valerie?” he asked me.

  “You guys are being silly. I’m not anyone’s property.” I made that clear even in a light-hearted manner.

  “You guys,” Rick teased. “Listen to that New York accent. I figure your answer means you’re free to come and let me show you my cave tomorrow.” Rick took a plate and helped himself to two different kinds of cake and a piece of chocolate pie.

  “Your cave? You own a cave?”

  “My dad does. It’s for tourists but being from New York, you won’t know the difference.”

  “I’ve never been in a cave,” I said. I wanted to go, but I’d have to make arrangements for Granny.

  “Caves are very dark,” Neal said. “Are you going to trust your life in the hands of this thief? I think I’d better go along.”

  “You weren’t invited,” Rick reminded him. He was still smiling but it was obvious he didn’t want Neal to go along.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t go underground — in the dark — with either of you, much less both.” I tried to tease them out of the quarrel I suspected might be brewing. Two boys interested in me was one thing, fighting was another.

  Rick grinn
ed again. “She’s not as naive as she looks. Okay, you win. Gallagher can tag along. Maybe we can lose him.”

  Did I look naive, inexperienced at having guys quarrel over me, even if lightheartedly? Maybe I hadn’t fooled anyone with my new image, but it looked as though I’d stalled a fight or hurt feelings.

  Were Rick and Neal really interested in me when a month ago no one was? This was all new to me, but I found I liked it. And I was surprised that I was attracted equally to both guys. What was wrong with me? Was I going to get all silly and boy crazy at my age? I got hold of myself.

  “Hey, I can’t go anywhere with either of you. I can’t leave Granny alone.” I thought of the cigarette smoke, Granny’s visitor. No, no matter how badly I wanted to go, to be with either of the guys, I’d not neglect Granny.

  Fleecy walked up to us. “We’ll be calling it a night, Valerie. I’m a’ comin’ over to see Granny tomorrow, about two. She promised to find me her pattern for her double-wedding-ring quilt someday and now that you’ve cleaned up some, it might be a good time to find it.”

  “There’s your answer.” Rick laughed. “Problem solved. I’ll be there at two o’clock. Dress for hiking.” He walked away before I could say no. I guess it was okay, though. But I’d talk to Fleecy.

  Neal took us home and insisted that he walk us to the door. “I don’t think you want to get involved with Rick Biddleman, Valerie,” he said when Granny went inside.

  “Hey, don’t tell me who to see. And aren’t you going with us?”

  “I guess I just sound jealous but —”

  “Yes, you do.” I laughed. “Do Arkansas men always move this fast?”

  Neal laughed too. “Don’t tell me guys from New York are any different. I guess you’re used to guys fighting over you.”

  “Happens all the time. It’s a real nuisance. So stop it.I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I hurried inside before the real Valerie told the truth. My head spun and not from the dancing.

  “I used to go dancing all the time,” Granny said when I came in. “Boys fought over me, too.”

  Maybe Granny saw more than anyone thought.

  “What did you do about it?”

  “Laughed. Just laughed at them and did as I pleased.” Granny turned to go to her room. “I had yaller hair then and.…” She kept remembering as she took off her dress and gave it to me, changing to her nightie.

  I stopped listening but laughed as I climbed the stairs to my nest. I guess you didn’t have to have “yaller hair” to be popular.

  CHAPTER

  6

  GRANNY and I both slept late Sunday morning.

  When I woke I found my legs a bit tired and sore and knew I’d neglected them. But memories of the dance came back, and I lay there thinking for a few minutes before I got up. Valerie Wreyford had two boys interested in her. I must write Pam. She’ll either not believe me or hop the next plane, thinking it’s easier to meet guys here than in New York.

  Mrs. Butterworth interrupted my daydreaming. She leaped onto the bed and sat looking at me for a minute, then bumped my chin with her head and meowed on my chest. “Get up, you sleepyhead,” she was saying. “I’m hungry.” Granny was right. We didn’t own her. She owned us.

  I was surprised to find Granny rummaging around in the kitchen when I got downstairs. Maybe the dance had got her going again. She wore an apron and had oatmeal bubbling and coffee perking.

  “We’re out of a heap of needments, child. Why don’t you go fetch some things today?”

  “It’s Sunday, Granny. We’ll find a way to town tomorrow.” Dr. Gallagher had encouraged me to get Granny out when he saw her all dressed up at the dance.

  “I used to go to church. But I misdoubt I could set there so long now.” She scooped oatmeal into bowls, then added butter and brown sugar.

  The cereal was creamier than I make it, but it was full of plumped-out raisins. I found I was really hungry. I was going to get fat if I kept eating like this without enough exercise.

  “Hit’s a pore meal, child. But there’s no bacon and only one egg. I used to have chickens. They was a purty sight, strutting around in the yard.”

  I was glad Granny didn’t have chickens now. I wasn’t quite ready for farm life. She went off then, mumbling again. I sipped my coffee and let my mind wander ahead to the afternoon. A cave, and seeing both Neal and Rick. I started to feel wiggly inside with excitement.

  The phone ringing startled both of us. It seemed so out of place here.

  “Hello.” I expected it to be Fleecy.

  “Beware … of the dark.” The voice was low and muffled but the words distinct. I hung up quickly.

  “Fleecy’s coming,” Granny said, when I got back to the kitchen. “I reckon I’ll give her my quilting patterns. I misdoubt I can ever see to quilt anymore.”

  “Why don’t you wear glasses, Granny?”

  “They don’t help none. I threw ’em out.”

  “Did you make all the pretty quilts, Granny?” I wanted so badly to think of something else. Forget the phone call. The ugly voice.

  “Certain, child. My stitches used to be the envy of all the ladies in the guild. Six-seven to the inch, I got. Why I remember.…”

  I guess I’d better be glad Granny wasn’t aware of the call. Would the person have said the same thing had Granny answered? Or was the message only for me? It was a childish trick. But frightening.

  I cleaned up the dishes and went back upstairs. Putting on a practice record, I did my exercises, concentrating on stretching and the music. The morning passed.

  At one-thirty the phone rang again. I didn’t want to answer but it could be Fleecy or even Rick or Neal.

  Granny was near the phone, and she didn’t hesitate. “I’m here,” she said loudly. I smiled at the way she answered. “I’m fair to middling, thankye.” She listened. “I showed ’um all right, didn’t I? They think I’m getting old, but I showed ’um.”

  I guessed the comment on the other end had been about Granny dancing, and she had certainly “showed ’um.”

  “She’s right here.” Granny handed the phone to me.

  I recognized the voice at once. “Valerie, it’s Neal. I have to back out on our date. Call Rick and get another time. The Widow Dickerson has got to go to the hospital, and Dad has an emergency at his office. I’m sorry. But listen, Mom says she bets you’re out of groceries. I can come by in the morning and take you to the store.”

  “That would be great, Neal. I was going to get a taxi.” The taxi. It still sounded funny. I’d welcome Neal’s help.

  “Okay, about ten, unless I call and say differently.”

  I said fine and hung up. I was sorry not to see him today, but I understood.

  Before I could move away, the phone rang again. I stared at it but on the second ring I grabbed it up. I wasn’t going to let some silly prankster make me nervous. It was probably kids. They didn’t have enough to do here on summer vacation.

  “Valerie, it’s Rick. Look, I can’t get away right now to come get you. Can you walk over alone?”

  “I guess so. If you give me directions.” I was glad he didn’t have to cancel, too, and I wasn’t going to back out because Neal couldn’t go.

  “It’s easy. Take the path you were on yesterday and keep walking. You’ll come to a fence. Turn right and follow it right to my door.”

  “How far is it?”

  “’Bout a mile, I suppose. Too far for a city girl to walk?”

  “Of course not. I just wondered.”

  He laughed. “See you soon then.”

  A mile? And he considered himself a neighbor? Was there no one living closer?

  Fleecy was a little early, so I left her and Granny digging through a box of material scraps with an envelope of patterns beside them on the kitchen table. Granny had taken a morning nap and was obviously feeling good. Even Fleecy noticed she was more alive and energetic.

  “The dancing done Annie a heap of good.”

  “Maybe I
’ll get her to show me how and we’ll practice,” I said. “It will do us both good.”

  We laughed and I set off, saying I’d only be gone till four-thirty. “I don’t like leaving Granny alone, so I’ll get back before you leave.”

  “Hit’d be all right, Valerie. She just needs someone living with her. Hit wouldn’t hurt none to go off and leave her. You need some time with your friends.”

  I didn’t mention to Fleecy that someone had come by the one time I’d left Granny. For all I knew it could have been a friend of Granny’s since she never remembered who it was. But I still didn’t like the idea.

  It was a hot and sunny day, the kind of weather I’d expected in Arkansas. I started to sweat after walking only a short way. I had on shorts and a tank top with little pink flowers on it. I hoped I wouldn’t get wilted.

  It was strange to walk and not see one person. I felt so alone. The path was well marked, so at least I didn’t have to worry about getting lost.

  No birds sang. Maybe they’d gotten out of the heat. I was glad for some shade when the path led into a stand of pines mixed with leafy trees of several types. I had stopped for a minute to wipe my face with the bandanna I’d put in my pocket, when a rattle in the underbrush startled me.

  Looking all around, I laughed at my nervousness. There were dozens of things that could rattle leaves in the woods. A mouse, a rabbit, a lizard, a deer. But I’d see a deer if it were close.

  I jogged a little. But when the trail started downhill, I ran. At the bottom was a fence. I turned right where the woods were thick and leafy again and the shade felt wonderful. It had been silly to run. I stopped, wiped my face, running my fingers through the short damp hairs that clung to my neck.

  Rounding a bend I found civilization. There was a parking lot, several cars, and a big sign. Ozark Cave. Tourists Welcome. The building looked like a small store. I pulled open the heavy door and went inside. Post cards, snack foods, soda—everything for the tourist There were even those junky souvenirs you see in the vacation spots. Fake tom-toms, bows and arrows, banners with hillbillies, corn-cob pipes, whiskey jugs — things that furthered the image most people have of the hill people.