C4 Mary’s Home
Martin sits quietly at the kitchen table sipping on a beer, watching Beth frantically move things about; sometimes slamming an item or two in the process.
“I’m not crazy.” Beth vehemently declares, “I’m not. Someone was in this house. I swear, someone was in here, Martin.”
She continues shuffling things about in the cabinets.
“I don’t think you’re crazy.” Martin gets up, puts his arms around Beth, and starts to gently rock her side to side. “It’s okay; it’s over now.”
Beth starts to cry, pushing her husband away, “No! It’s not okay!”
Beth runs out the back door crying; then, stops to lean against a tree. Martin goes out after her. When he reaches Beth, he puts his hand on the back of her shoulder. Beth turns around and burrows her face into his chest, continuing to sob. Martin places one hand behind her head while using the other to gently pat her back. Not wanting to upset her anymore than she already is, he just stands there holding her without saying anything. Beth holds on tight crying.
A few minutes later, Anna comes outside. “Mommy.”
Martin tells Anna, “Pumpkin, Mommy doesn’t feel like talking right now; okay. Why don’t you go back inside and watch some TV. We’ll be inside in a little while.”
“No, it’s okay; I’m fine.” Beth lets out one last sob while wiping her eyes and cheeks dry, “What is it, Sweetie?”
“I talked to Mary, and she said she decided not to use our bathroom.” Anna continues, “She’s sorry she had us waiting for her to come downstairs.”
“That’s okay. Tell Mary it’s alright; I’m not upset with her. Now, why don’t you go back inside and watch some TV before bedtime.”
“Okay.” Anna heads back inside; but, stops on the back porch, turns around and calls out to her mother, “Mommy.”
“What, Sweetie?”
“Mary also said that she was sorry for upsetting you this morning.”
Confused now, Beth asks, “What do you mean, upsetting me this morning?”
“With everything being moved. She said it was her when I told her you were asking me if I …”
A totally bewildered Beth interrupts her daughter. “What? What do you mean she moved them? How? When? Anna, what’s going on?!”
“I’m sorry, Mommy;” Anna’s upset, trying to keep from crying. “I didn’t know she did it, Mommy. She said she just wanted to help by putting things the way her mom use to have them when they lived here. She said she just misses her mom…that’s all.”
Anna can no longer hold back her tears; she bursts out crying, “Sorry, Mommy!”
Beth runs over, gets on both knees and starts hugging Anna. “No, don’t cry Sweetie; it’s okay. Shh. Mommy’s sorry for yelling at you; it’s not your fault. No, no…no more tears Anna…shh.”
Anna stops crying; but, is still sniffling. Beth wipes the tears away from her daughter’s face and strokes her hair. She smiles at Anna. Anna smiles back. Beth asks…
“Sweetie; Mary told you she used to live here?”
Anna nods.
“Do you know where she lives now?”
Once again, Anna nods.
“Anna, Sweetie; where does Mary live now?”
Anna raises her arm and points as Beth turns around to look. “There…in the barn.”
