Excerpt
Maynard and LouAnn spent countless hours rebuilding their lives in the months following the horrible assault. Maynard took more time off from the shop than he normally would. He relied on James to help manage the business.
The feeling of love for one another returned as if it was their first day together. LouAnn eased her resentment toward Maynard when he showed affection toward her. He did not want to go overboard too soon, and was sensitive to her moods. The timing had to be just right, for any hugs and kisses.
A couple of months later, LouAnn began to feel different. She dismissed it as stress, and raising three small kids. Mickey was going on eight, Jackie was six, and Ricky was five. She stayed fit by walking around the Joyland Road area.
Even though she had walked through the area several times in the past, it seemed to be different now. Most of the neighbors were sympathetic to LouAnn’s trauma, but they treated her different now. She was sure she knew which old busybody was spreading the gossip.
At times, a few neighbor women would be outside doing yard work, hanging clothes on the clothesline, or watching their kids play. When they would see LouAnn coming, some would run into their house, pull the blinds, and peer out until she passed by.
One neighbor in particular, was Mrs. Deedle. She usually sat by her dining room window, and wait for LouAnn walk to by. She lived alone in the largest two-story house on Joyland Road. She was in her seventies, had snow-white hair, and was of average height and weight. In LouAnn’s opinion, she also had the biggest mouth in the neighborhood!
This would be her first walk in months. LouAnn tried to find other routes for her daily walk. Most of the side streets were abundant with big and vicious dogs on the loose. She had no other safe choice, but to walk by Mrs. Deedle’s house. She hoped by speeding up, she would not be noticed.
“Yoohoo! Mrs. Williams!” Someone yelled from behind her, dousing LouAnn’s hopes she had made it past. She rolled her eyes, turned around, and smiled. It was Mrs. Deedle, of course.
LouAnn turned around and smiled. “Good morning!”
They had never formally introduced themselves to each other. Mrs. Deedle purposely came out to greet her each time, and talk about the weather, or other local tidbits she had heard through the grapevine. It was unclear how Mrs. Deedle knew her, but LouAnn knew her name, because the mailbox standing at the entrance to the driveway had her name spelled out in big, red letters.
Mrs. Deedle walked up. “I haven’t seen you walk by in a long time deary. Have you been away, or perhaps ill?”
“No, Mrs. Deedle. I’ve been fine, and very busy with the kids and their schooling. And my husband’s business has kept us both busy.” LouAnn answered evasively.
Mrs. Deedle nodded her head to one side, looking at LouAnn. “Oh? I heard there were some police vehicles at your home awhile back. I hadn’t seen you walk by since then. I was getting very concerned.”
“We had some vandalism, Mrs. Deedle.” LouAnn lied. Everything is fine, and there’s no need for you to worry.”
Mrs. Deedle looked surprised and disappointed. “Vandals? What’s this neighborhood coming to? I heard there was an attack on a lady out here too. Tsk. Tsk.” Mrs. Deedle sounded sympathetic and hoped LouAnn would offer more.
“I certainly hope they find whoever is doing this.” LouAnn said, trying to cut the conversation short.
Mrs. Deedle looked at LouAnn, “I do too. We’ve always kept an eye on each other in this neighborhood. We have to keep the riff-raff out!” She turned to go back to her house. “I hope to see you again soon!”
“Good bye!” LouAnn hollered back to her, then whispered under her breath, “You old newspaper! I bet you’re going to the phone right now, to tell the other magpies!” She continued her walk down Joyland Road, looking at her surroundings, and constantly looked over her shoulder. She was paranoid, but knew this was the best therapy. She had to face her fears.
She passed a house where two men were working on a beat- up old car in the driveway. They both looked up at her as she passed directly in front of their entrance. LouAnn felt a tingle go down her spine, and increased her walking speed. One of the guys tipped his baseball cap and winked at her.
There was a loud scream. “LEONARD!”
It was so shrill it startled LouAnn. She looked back when the voice bellowed, “GET YOUR EYES BACK IN YOUR HEAD!
It must have been the man’s wife, because he quickly turned around, and returned his attention to the engine of the old car. LouAnn heard the shrill voice loudly declare, “You don’t want to get mixed up with the likes of her!”
LouAnn’s heart sank. She thought, “So that’s it! The whole neighborhood thinks I’m some sort of slut!” She decided to cut her walk short, and began to run home.
She felt light headed when she got home. Her head was reeling with confusion, exhaustion, and anger. But something else that was bothering her. She was feeling sick and thought she was going to throw up. She blamed it on the vigorous run she just completed. However, she realized she had been feeling like this for over two weeks.
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