by G. F. Frost
“Got it in the back of the truck, Mister Fontenot,” Grant said gruffly.
Theo followed him to his old vehicle. Massey stood on the porch. She reached into the door and turned on the driveway and porch lights.
“What are you two up to? Is there fish in the truck?” Massey yelled.
Theo laughed and waved for her to stay there.
“Damn big fish!” Old man Grant laughed as he spoke.
Massey heard rattling from the back of his rusty old truck as the two lowered the tailgate. With that, out jumped a huge dog. Massey couldn’t see it well from where she stood, but soon Theo came walking toward her with a big German Shepherd on a leash. The dog tugged and pulled, sniffing the ground, and led Theo to a tree where it hiked its leg and peed.
“Marking his territory!” Theo yelled.
“A dog?” Massey replied.
As Massey spoke, the huge dog lifted his ears and looked in her direction. He bolted from Theo and ran towards the house. Massey stepped back and before she knew it, he had bounded on the porch and up onto her, nearly knocking her off her feet. He began licking her and she couldn’t stop laughing.
“Well, I guess we know who he likes,” Theo yelled as he ran behind the dog.
“What the hell is this about Theo?” Massey asked as she squatted down to embrace the animal.
“I thought you’d enjoy someone to keep you company while I’m at work,” Theo said.
He turned towards Grant and pulled some bills out of his pocket. Walking to him, Theo handed him the money and thanked him. Mister Grant counted the money as he always did and nodded as he shook Theo’s hand. Waving to Massey, he returned to his truck and drove away into the darkness.
“A dog?” Massey asked again as she placed her head on the massive mutt.
“Well, he was at the Human Society all alone and you’re out here all alone. I thought you could use each other,” Theo said as he patted the panting dog.
Theo knew how much Massey loved dogs, and especially big dogs. She hadn’t thought of getting another one since her prized retriever had passed away before they moved to London. This dog was big and friendly, just like she loved them to be. She knew she was in big trouble. As he looked up at them both with his wagging tail and wagging tongue, Massey’s heart melted.
“Well, come on in, doggie!” Massey said with a laugh. Theo followed.
Massey walked into the parlor and took the leash from his neck. The dog looked at her and cocked his head to the side. She felt the same. She sat for over two hours petting him and talking to him. She took him around the house and showed him every room while Theo finished his steak.
When Theo came into the parlor, Massey looked at him and thanked him. He seemed to know what made her happy. He seemed to know everything. She knew why she loved him so much.
“What are you going to call him?” Theo asked.
Massey looked down at the dog and patted his head. She hadn’t thought about it. She’d have to find the perfect name. She looked into the soft brown eyes and thought. What could she call him? She wasn’t prepared. She’d have to think about it. He laid his head on her lap, and Massey was sold. She was taken, lock, stock, and barrel. As she got up and walked into the kitchen, the big dog followed her. She stopped to wash her hands at the sink, and he sat down right beside her.
As she reached for the towel to dry her hands, she looked down and he was gone. She heard a loud sound of glass breaking, and the dog had pulled her plate of steak off the table and was enjoying his first meal at their home. Massey laughed.
“Well, I hope you were through,” Theo said as he reached down and picked up the empty plate.
“He’s made himself at home already,” Massey replied.
“Well the way that big oaf follows you around like your bodyguard so soon, I guess he thinks he deserves the best treatment. After all, he’s had it rough. He’s been mistreated long enough. Time for the good life, right, doggie?” Theo handed the dog a roll.
Massey looked again at the lovely bear-like creature by her side. His tail was wagging fast as he looked up at her lovingly.
“Oh, I’m going to name you Jenkins!” she exclaimed. “Good faithful, strong, handsome Jenkins.”
Theo just looked at her and smiled. He agreed that would be a good name. He didn’t question where she came up with it, but he was happy calling the dog whatever she wanted. Massey called Jenkins by his new name all evening. He followed her every step from room to room, and watched her every move as he lapped water from a plastic bowl she had sat down in the laundry room for him. When she sat on the sofa, he sat at her feet with his big heavy head on her knees. He settled in well, and Massey couldn’t have been happier.
When she took Jenkins out to do his business that night, he ran around the yard friskily, running down the drive and around the house, ever watchful of Massey. As they passed the little cemetery, he paused and tucked his tail deeply between his legs. She called for him, but he wouldn’t budge. He began to whine.
Massey walked towards the house, and he bounded after her, leaping onto the porch with a wagging tail. After putting the dishes away, she made her way upstairs to get her bath. Jenkins followed happily, but at the door of her room, he stopped.
“Come on, boy,” Massey called.
Jenkins whined. She walked back to the doorway and patted his head. He wouldn’t cross into the room. Massey took him by the collar and pulled a bit. Reluctantly, he laid back his ears and tucked his head walking closely by her side. Massey praised him and gave his head a scratch. His tail slowly wagged, but his eyes looked sad.
“See, it’s okay, Jenkins,” she said as she pulled the dog around the room.
During the bath, he didn’t leave the floor beside the tub. As Massey got out and wrapped her pink robe around her, Jenkins walked into the bedroom. She was twisting a large towel around her hear when he began to bark. It was loud and ferocious. Massey jumped. She hurried into the bedroom. He was standing at the bedroom window barking crazily at something in the yard. Massey tried to calm him, but it was no use. She looked out the window as saw the light in the cemetery.
“What is he barking so loud about?” Theo said as he entered the room.
“Come and see, hurry!” Massey replied.
Theo walked to the window and looked out.
“I don’t see anything,” he said.
“You don’t see that ball of mist or light out there over the graves? Massey asked.
“There is nothing out there, honey. What are you talking about? “Theo tried to look harder through the glass.
“It’s right there over the graves,” Massey said impatiently as she tried to calm Jenkins.
Theo stepped away from the window, shaking his head.
“You’re supposed to be helping, silly dog,” he said as he pulled Jenkins from the window.
Massey looked out the window once more and saw nothing, not another sign of the lighted mist moving slowly atop of the graves. She sat on the bed and called Jenkins over to her. He was panting heavily and trying to pull away towards the window again. Massey let him go, and he slowly walked to the window and looked out. He did not bark. He turned and walked back to Massey and nudged her hand as if he needed a pat. She rubbed his head.
Theo stood looking at the two and shrugged his shoulders then walked back downstairs to finish his program. She could hear him mumbling as he walked down the stairs. Massey was not angry this time. She felt good that Jenkins had seen it too. She reached down and hugged him tightly. The big tail wagged banging hard against the wooden floorboards. Massey smiled.
“I don’t feel so crazy now. Thanks, Jenkins. We’re going to get along just fine, you and me,” she said as she lay back on the bed.
* * * *
Sleep came quickly that night, and the dreams were back again. Joseph and Marie made their nightly appearance to her once more. They became clearer and clearer. Marie pushed forward raising her hand to Massey again, but Massey could not reach out
to her. Marie’s tears were sadder. She seemed to be sobbing. The darkness in their eyes terrified Massey. She tried to look away as the pale, lifeless couple floated near her. The coldness came, the sounds of sobbing and the eyes, those dark, scary eyes. Massey wanted to scream, but again nothing came. She jumped as she awoke. She could feel hot breath on her arm.
It was Jenkins. He stood next to her on the bed, staring at her. When she raised her head to him, he gave her a lick right across the face. Massey wiped her face and patted his big warm head. He followed her into the bathroom as she washed her face. She looked into the large antique mirror again as she climbed back into bed.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” she whispered to Jenkins. He lay down and sighed.
* * * *
Morning came earlier than usual since Jenkins had to go out. Massey realized she had to get used to that, but she didn’t mind one bit. She was so happy to have his company. Theo had told her the night before that he’d soon have to go overseas for a couple of weeks for work, so Jenkins arrived just in time. Massey would take him to the vet that day for a thorough check up, and then the two of them had work to do.
While Massey and Jenkins were on their morning walk around the grounds, Mister Grant pulled up. He came every other day to do things around the yard. There was a lot to keep up.
“I see you two are getting along good,” Mister Grant said as he got out of his truck.
“We are, Mister Grant. Thank you for delivering me this wonderful beast!” Massey replied as he approached.
Jenkins ran up to Mister Grant and tried to jump up on him, but he pushed him back. Mister Grant didn’t have time for dogs. He had work to do organizing the barn before winter, and the yard needed cleaning. Most of the leaves had fallen and a good mulching was due.
“Mister Grant, will you please help me with a small project today?” Massey asked as she approached him.
“Well, Mister Fontenot has a list for me to get done, ma’am. What did ya want done?” He looked puzzled.
“I was thinking about something I heard about a baby being buried around here, and I wondered if you could help me look. I can’t stand the thought of a baby’s grave being left unmarked,” Massey said sadly, trying to put her most pitiful face on.
“I don’t know, ma’am. Maybe when a get a few things caught up here,” he said reluctantly.
“Okay, fair enough. Oh, I failed to mention that there’s a hundred dollars more on your paycheck if you find the time.”
“Well, I will sure see what I can do,” Mister Grant replied in a much more interested voice.
Massey nodded and called Jenkins to come into the house with her. Once inside, she and Jenkins settled in the study with her notes from yesterday’s visit with Mrs. Purdue.
When she read over the notes about Totti and Jenkins, Massey smiled and reached down to pet her dog’s head. She sat thinking about Marie and her baby, and how she had grieved over his death. Massey wondered why they had not marked his grave. She had so many questions, but still wanted to find that safe. She imagined it was long gone, but she could not get it out of her mind.
Just to clear her mind and give her new companion a little exercise, Massey and Jenkins walked back outside and into the barn. Mister Grant was stacking old crates in a corner when she approached him. She wanted to know if he had seen anything that looked like a safe on the property. Mister Grant laughed.
“Ain’t no safe here in the barn, ma’am. I’ve been in this building a hundred times since ya’ll hired me. No safe here, I’d let you know for sure about that.”
Massey nodded and thanked him. As she returned to the house, she decided she would finish looking through the attic, and no matter how long it took, she’d get to that cellar too. Jenkins followed her and even climbed the narrow steps into the attic as Massey laughed. He struggled with the steps but was not about to miss out on anything. They sat in the dusty room for hours. Massey searched through boxes and drawers, and even though she found some wonderful items, it was not what she was looking for.
Before she knew it, she had missed lunch, and it was way past time to begin dinner. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed Theo.
“Will you grab dinner somewhere for us, honey? I’m sorry, but I got busy with some organizing, and I let time get away from me,” she said in her sweetest voice.
Theo said that he wanted some good gumbo and would stop in their favorite place before leaving New Orleans. Massey felt better. She liked having a good dinner for Theo when he got home each day. As they were saying their good-byes, the phone became full of static. Massey suddenly heard another voice over the phone. It sounded like a female voice. The connection was bad. The voice was saying something to Massey, but she couldn’t make it out.
“Hello? Is someone there?” Massey asked.
“Help us,” a soft, raspy voice whispered.
Massey pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at it.
“Hello, are you there?” she asked again.
“Help us, Massey,” the voice whispered again.
Massey dropped the phone. She immediately picked it up and placed it to her head. No sound. She checked to see the last number that had called her. It was Theo’s from earlier that morning.
This had really shaken her. She did something very unlike Massey. She went into the kitchen and opened a bottle of red wine. She poured herself a glass and drank it down. She had another. Looking down at Jenkins, she shook her head. Gathering all the strength she could muster, she marched up the stairs and into her bedroom. Standing before the old long mirror, she beckoned.
“Marie, if I’m not crazy, and you’re really trying to talk to me, you have to tell me what you want. You have to find a way to communicate with me!”
Jenkins sat at the door whining. He didn’t want to enter the bedroom.
“Coward!” Massey yelled at Jenkins.
He wagged his tail and lifted his head as she spoke. Massey began to laugh. She looked back into the mirror. Nothing. She tried to concentrate, but nothing came. She felt helpless.
“I’m not crazy! You’ve got to lead me. I can’t do this alone. What do you want?” Massey was yelling loudly. There was no reply and no image in the mirror.
Massey walked out of the room in a near march. Jenkins followed her down the stairs and into the kitchen. She picked up her cell phone again and listened. There was nothing. She dialed the church. Dorothy answered.
“Hi, Dorothy, it’s Massey Fontenot. Is Father Patrick in?”
“Hello, Massey. Yes, hold on,” Dorothy replied.
“Hey, Massey. How’s it going over there?” Father Patrick asked in his chirpy voice.
“Father, can you come and talk to me? I have a few things I need to ask you.” The stress was evident in Massey’s voice.
“Why sure, what time? I have to work with the acolytes at six, but other than that, I’m free” he replied.
“Can you come now?” she asked.
“I’ll be there soon.” Father Patrick answered without any further questions.
Massey listened after he hung up the phone, but didn’t hear static or raspy voices. She was relieved. A chill came over her as she remembered the voice. She laid the phone down and looked at it. She could hardly believe what had been going on since they moved into the house. She was going to tell Father Patrick. Even if he thought she was nuts, she was going to tell him and try to ask his advice. She had to talk to someone.
Jenkins sat on the porch beside Massey who was rocking nervously waiting for Father Patrick. Before she knew it, the little blue car pulled into the drive and up towards the house. Massey couldn’t keep Jenkins from barking, but she didn’t mind. As Father Patrick got out of the car, Jenkins made a mad dash for the priest and Massey followed. Father Patrick dove back into the car and shut the door. He looked terrified.
Massey walked to the window of the car and he rolled it down.
“Where’d that grizzly bear come fr
om?” he asked nervously.
“He’s the new member of the Fontenot clan, Father. You can get out. It’s okay.” Massey grabbed Jenkins’ collar.
Father Patrick reluctantly climbed out of the vehicle and shook Massey’s hand, never taking his eyes of the dog. Jenkins sniffed at the priest and then wagged his tail. Massey led Father Patrick into the house and offered him a cup of coffee. Jenkins sat down beside the priest waiting for a pat on the head. Father Patrick just looked down at him and smiled.
“Were you wanting a blessing for this creature?” He laughed.
Massey snapped her fingers for Jenkins to come to her side. He did. After the dog settled on the floor, Massey began to tell the priest her story. Father Patrick sat patiently listening. He didn’t stop her, or ask any questions. He just listened. She related the events just as she remembered them, the dreams, and the light in the cemetery, the singing, the mirror, and finally, the voice she heard over the phone. At that point, Massey began to sob. Father Patrick reached across the table and patted her hand as if to let her know that he believed her. Massey sighed deeply. She felt a strong sense of relief.
“I hope you don’t think I’m crazy, Father. I’m telling you, these things are real. At first, I tried to excuse them and thought they were just the imaginings of a menopausal woman, but now I know they’re real.” Massey’s voice was low and desperate.
Father Patrick set down his coffee cup and patted her hand again. He sat for a minute or two before speaking as if he were thinking of the perfect words to say or the words his training had taught him to say. Then, he pulled his chair closer to Massey as if he had a secret to tell her, and he began to speak.
“I am glad you called me, Massey. We all need to talk to someone at times in our lives, and I’m your priest. I’m always here for you, any time you need me and for any reason. I’m called to serve you. I hope my words can be of help. First of all, I do not doubt that what you say is true, I do not question any of it, but I am obliged to think this all through and come to a solution that will be the best for you. The church has backed away a bit on its stand on things such as these, and truthfully, even though I believe in the power of God and an afterlife, I’m not sure how I view this sort of thing. I think we should follow the guidelines of the church and think of any rational explanations first.”