WISHBONE II: ...Some Wishes Should Never Be Made

by Brooklyn Hudson

  He took another drag and watched her for acknowledgment, but she only looked to him with a subtle sadness in her eyes.

  “If this was a different time, a different place, a different way in which we met… Maybe if you could speak and communicate more easily…perhaps things would have been very different. Society would not feel I have taken advantage of you.”

  Sarah rocked suddenly. She grew animated and excited. She pointed up over her head, garbling indistinguishable words.

  Julien tried to decipher her pantomime, but nothing registered.

  Sarah patted his stomach then pointed up and out through the windows.

  “I do not understand, Sarah. Yes, if things were to be different; is that what you are saying?”

  Sarah got up and went to the window. She opened it and immediately filled the room with cold, night air. She spun around and mumbled some more then rocked from one foot to the next, bending her fingers back and twisting them together.

  “I do not know, Sarah. I do not understand what you are trying to say.” He put out his cigarette and turned to sit on the edge of the bed. “Do you understand me? Do you understand what I am trying to explain to you? That we can be friends, good friends, but not more than this. Not in the way you are wanting. Not as things are.”

  Sarah rushed to him and fell to her knees. She dropped her head to his lap and hugged tight to his legs.

  Julien shook his head and sighed again.

  “I think you are understanding me.” He placed a hand on her back and, although the gesture felt awkward, he allowed her to remain there for a moment.

  He glanced over his shoulder at Jessica, “It is cold in here,” he said then got up; a good excuse to remove Sarah from his lap.

  She sat beside the bed, on her knees, watching him from the floor as he closed the window then hopped up and threw two logs in the fireplace.

  He hoped he had gotten through to her and made it clear that her advances must end. In an effort to indicate it was now time to sleep, Julien lay back on the bed.

  The fire was stubborn to catch and he grew impatient, as Sarah continued to work on it. Trying not to upset her by wasting her offering, he sipped at the intensely sweet coffee, now growing cold beside him.

  Finally, the wood took to a roaring blaze. Sarah turned away from the hearth to face him. Julien reached for the lamp, turning out the light. She came at him so quickly he had no time to prepare as she dove on the bed. Jessica bounced briefly into the air as Sarah landed on all fours over Julien.

  Jessica stirred and lifted her head from the pillow. Sarah reached out, holding her palm to hover an inch above her back. She slowly swiped her hand through the air along her spine. The little girl dropped her head back down on the pillow and fell silent once more.

  Julien held his breath as Sarah leaned in close, face-to-face. She moved like a volatile animal, straddling him and debating an attack.

  He whispered, “Sarah…”

  She shifted back a little, swaying from side to side like a cobra, over him.

  “Come on now…I thought you understood what I was saying to you,” he spoke tentatively. “Everything is alright now. We are friends, no?”

  Sarah, her eyes locked on him, leaned in closer, once again. Her movements unpredictable, Julien began to prepare himself.

  It will be what it will be…

  She cannot do anything worse than she has in the past…

  Be still.

  She slowly inhaled through her nose as she moved along his torso and up to his throat.

  Julien turned his face away from her as she caressed his ear with her lips. He froze still and closed his eyes.

  Do not move…

  Do not fight her.

  As quickly as she began, she stopped and dropped down on the mattress. She shimmied close against then draped her arm over him. Nestling in beside him, she closed her eyes.

  Julien stared at the windows awaiting her next move, but after a long moment, nothing came. She remained still at his side, holding him close. He slowly turned back, staring up at the shadows, dancing wickedly on the ceiling, in the glow of the fire. He didn’t dare attempt to move away.

  Rachael finished neatening the mudroom for the night. She shut the lights and then closed down the kitchen. She stopped at the base of the staircase to look at Jérome sitting motionless in the dark then quietly climbed the steps. She went to the room she shared with Sarah and Jessica. The house was particularly still tonight and she felt self-conscious as she slowly turned the knob, hoping not to wake anyone. The door creaked opened and in the pale blue moonlight, she saw the empty room; no Jessica, no Sarah, only beds, still perfectly dressed and undisturbed. She stepped back in the hallway and looked around. The flickering glow from Julien’s room caught her curiosity and she moved further down the hall. She stood to the side of his doorway. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something told her to prepare herself for what she might see. She placed her hand on the door frame then leaned to the side, peering in. She stood watching them; Julien asleep with Sarah in his arms, pressed up against him. Jessica lay still, tucked in behind Sarah. Looking in on the scene hurt her more than she would have predicted. She grimaced and looked away, coming head-on with Arlette standing beside her.

  Arlette placed a hand on Rachael’s shoulder, “Come dear, time for bed.” She led Rachael to the bedroom next door. “It truly is better this way. The happier she is, the better our lives will be.”

  The sound of a squawking blue jay rattled Julien awake. He sat up and looked around the room. The bird shrieked again and he turned to the windows. Diving by the glass, a jay swooped through the air. Julien leapt from the bed and threw open the window. The bird was long gone. He took a deep breath followed by a sigh of relief then turned around and groggily rubbed at his eyes.

  Alone in the bedroom, he could hear the familiar sounds of their ritual breakfast routine emanating from downstairs. He looked at the stack of toiletries on the dresser and could hardly wait to use them. He tore open a box and held a bar of soap to his nose, taking in its crisp scent as he hurried to the shower.

  He hadn’t been allowed to shower with soap since they arrived. Even the most basic supplies now felt like a luxury. He made the long lost ritual last, using every bit of hot water the pipes could deliver. He welcomed the clean, soft towels she left for him and made use of a razor and shaving cream, toothbrush and toothpaste.

  This must be what it is like when you come out of prison.

  They give you these things in prison.

  He tied a towel around his waist and moved back to the bedroom. He looked around but his duffle bag was gone. He checked the other side of the bed, but it was nowhere to be found. He opened a drawer in the dresser, and then another. Every drawer was full. As he picked through it all, he found what he needed, but realized, all of the clothes were articles he had worn out and thrown away years earlier. Sarah had filled his dresser with clothing she remembered, the only clothing she ever knew he owned.

  Julien dug through the items, astonished. He held up an old pair of cargo pants he had torn while putting together Jessica’s toddler bed, four years earlier; now, once again, in perfect condition. He spotted a pair of grey sweatpants he had owned since college. As he lifted them from the drawer, he realized one leg had been cut away. His enamored expression dissolved as he remembered the device they were cut to fit; the device she had kept him restrained in. He balled them up, shoving them deep into the drawer and closed it quickly.

  He finished dressing and calmly smoked a cigarette, placing the pack and lighter in his pocket.

  You better make a plan.

  No…

  No plan.

  Just see what the day will bring.

  Around here, plans bring trouble.

  He extinguished his cigarette and left the room.

  As he came down the stairs, the dining room fell silent. All but Rachael, stopped to look up at him. He paused, taken aback by their stares. He took the
last few steps slowly; willing them to go about their routine. Sarah jumped up and moved to the empty chair at the head of the table. She held it out and waited for him to take it. Julien, reluctant, gave it some thought then slid into the seat. The familiar sound of utensils clanking and lively conversation returned. He glanced around the table. Jessica grinned; scrambled eggs caught between her teeth. He winked at her and she returned to eating. Sarah placed a plate before him. Eggs, toast, bacon, fried potatoes and onions. Julien took a fork into his hand and pushed the food around his plate. He looked up to find Jérome watching him from the opposite end of the table. His father examined him closely, a fork in his own hand, eggs balanced precariously on its tines in midair. Julien brought a browned chunk of potato to his lips and took a bite. Jérome grumbled beneath his breath then went back to consuming his meal.

  Having survived on little food for weeks, Julien was ravenous. He devoured the plate followed by seconds, which Sarah jumped to serve.

  “So, Julien,” Arlette turned to him, “have you seen what Sarah has done to the loft? All to your original specification, I believe.”

  Julien looked to Sarah who blushed and looked away. He glanced at Rachael, who continued to ignore him.

  “Will you be going back to your writing…or, whatever it is you do again?” Arlette asked with indifference.

  Julien took a sip of coffee, “I really hadn’t thought about it,” he said, playing the game.

  “Well, what a shame to let that beautiful room go to waste. I think you should…go back to your writing, that is.”

  “Advertising. He writes ads, Lettie,” Lind interjected.

  “I write ad-copy. Commercials. Slogans. That sort of thing,” Julien added. He tried to remain cordial.

  “Oh, hmm,” she turned to Lind, “is there any use for that around here?”

  Lind wiped at his mouth with a napkin, “I think there is always use for good advertising. Maybe not right here in town, but Schenectady…certainly Albany.”

  Arlette turned back to Julien, “Is that something you can do here, from home? That is what you were planning when you moved here originally, isn’t it?”

  Julien nodded. Her prying and familiarity felt like hot coals in his gut. He clenched his jaw, but before he could speak up, Arlette interrupted.

  “Sarah, Rachael and I can clean this mess. Why don’t you take Julien out to the barn and reacquaint him with the loft.”

  The ladder…

  Julien’s body tensed, “I have seen it.”

  Lind piped up again, “Lettie, let the man enjoy his breakfast.”

  “Oh Carl, he’s done eating. He’s spent enough time cooped up in that room.” She turned back to Sarah, “It’ll be good for him…go.”

  Sarah stood up, her chair scraping noisily across the wood floor.

  Julien removed his cigarettes and lighter from his pocket then stood up.

  “Okay, let us go then,” he complied, preferring to be in the barn than to cope with Arlette.

  Jessica jumped up to follow.

  “No…you stay here,” Julien insisted. Whatever they were up to, whatever surprises they would have for him in the barn, he wanted Jessica to witness none of it.

  Jessica frowned and pressed her face to the dowels on the back of her chair, peeking at him like a prisoner behind bars.

  Lind pointed at her playfully, “Now, didn’t you give me a pinky swear that you would stay away from that ladder, little one?”

  Jessica sheepishly slid back into her chair.

  Lind nodded, “That-a-girl. We’ll find something for you to do here at the house, where you’re safe.”

  Safe?

  Sarah took Julien’s arm and pulled him the entire way, through the house and out the door. At the base of the porch steps he slowed her down.

  “Wait, wait.” Julien stopped to light a cigarette, “There is no rush.” He scanned the property. Directly above them, the sky was a crisp blue, but far to the east, a dark grey sky seemed to be heading in their direction. He pointed to it. Sarah turned around and looked up. She swung back to face him and flittered her fingers downward through the air.

  “Rain,” he agreed.

  She shook her head with a very determined look on her face.

  “Snow? More snow?” He looked up at the sky again and took another drag from his smoke, “That looks like rain to me.”

  She pouted and turned her face away from him.

  “Well, I hope it isn’t more snow.”

  The ground around them was still blanketed in compacted white frost. A few warm days had not been enough to melt it all away, leaving a hard layer of icy crust, still eight-inches deep. Now the air was cold again, with no chance of it melting. Regardless of the snow, he knew he wasn’t getting them out of there anytime soon, but knowing it was there only made him feel all the more trapped.

  Sarah circled around him and placed her hands on his back. She pushed hard. Caught off guard, Julien took a few steps then planted his heels. Sarah laughed then grunted and pushed harder.

  Julien gave in, “Okay, okay. You are too strong for me. I’m going, I’m going.”

  They cut over the bridge and Sarah opened the doors. The dog came bolting from the orchard and followed them in. Sarah took his arm and walked backwards, grinning and tugging him deeper into the barn.

  “Okay, we are here. Are you happy?” he asked.

  Sarah nodded fervidly.

  The dog circled around the room, wagging its tail and barking playfully; its deep, hollow bark reverberated off the walls and rafters.

  Sarah stopped at the ladder. She motioned for him to climb.

  “Ah, Sarah, you know I do not like this thing…and you know why,” he reminded her.

  Sarah shook her head then beat her palms on a wooden rung. She jumped on then scrambled halfway up, turning around to look down at him. In an instant, she scurried back down and leapt from several feet in the air to the dirt beside him.

  Julien sighed as she came around behind him and pinned him between her body and the ladder. He took hold of the wood and felt his heart race instantly. He tried to turn around in her arms to state his case again, but she stopped him and placed his hands back on the ladder. She hugged up against him for reassurance.

  “Merde,” he moaned and stepped up onto the first rung. He paused, controlled his breathing then took the next step.

  The dog stopped circling and came to the base of the ladder where he let out a few more loud barks before dropping to the dirt to wait for them.

  Sarah stayed close behind Julien as he slowly climbed to the top. The wood never creaked nor threatened to give, but he knew that meant nothing in Sarah’s world. He came up over the loft floor almost giddy from relief then turned to help her up.

  “Okay, we are here. We are up in the loft.” He looked around. Everything exactly as he had left it. He moved to the loading doors and swung one side open. The room brightened and he took in the view he once had high hopes for. Pages of paper resting on a tray, flapped in the breeze beneath the weight of a stapler.

  Sarah moved to the desk and tapped at the keyboard resting before the computer monitor. She hummed and twiddled her fingers noisily across the keys. Julien leaned over the desk and turned on the computer. A beeping sound erupted and Sarah stepped back.

  “It is alright. It is saying hello,” he winked.

  She moved to the center of the room wanting nothing to do with the machine, regardless.

  Sarah darted to the far end of the loft and leaned back against the wall; she looked around, as if to search for something else to do.

  Julien sat down at the desk and clicked at a few keys. He signed in and his home page opened on the screen.

  The sound of heavy footsteps below caught their attention and Lind called up to the loft.

  “Sarah, she’s having a fit in there. Something about an envelope… Something you were supposed to do this morning.” He stood holding Jessica’s hand at the base of the ladder.

&
nbsp; Sarah ran to Julien.

  “Go… Take care of what she is needing and come back. I will wait here for you,” Julien assured her.

  Sarah looked at the edge of the loft then back to him.

  “Where will I go, Sarah? Do not worry. Go and come right back. I will be here.” He turned away from her and focused on the computer.

  Sarah stood watching him for a moment.

  Lind grew impatient, “Sarah!”

  She scurried to the ladder and climbed over, hurrying to the ground below.

  Julien logged in to his email program. There were many, but one stood out and he sat staring at Matt’s name. His finger hovered tentatively over the mouse.

  Why bother?

  He clicked it and the email opened.

  Where are you brother?

  Julien stared at the words.

  Answer him.

  Nooo…

  There is nothing I can say.

  Tell him where you are…

  Tell him that you need help.

  Now you are really out of your mind…

  Do not drag him into this mess…

  For what?

  To be killed?

  Tell him to call the police.

  One wish…

  One wish and the cops will be gone.

  So you do nothing?

  You do not even try?

  I accept.

  And you leave him to wonder if you are dead?

  To live the rest of his life…

  Unknowing?

  Or worse…

  You leave him to believe, perhaps…

  That you have done something very bad to your family.

  Maybe that you have hurt your daughter…