"Hello??!!"
The house was easy to find. It was also beautiful and huge and even though it was a new build on Queens Road West, it blended well on the affluent street.
I found the key, as directed, and keyed in the security code on the pad. I awaited sounds from the pets I would "sit", but nothing yet. I had been told not to leave the kitchen until each animal came to meet me, or might be in a bit of danger if they didn't remember me.
A coffee service was laid out next to a fresh cake, so I decided to brew a pot and maybe the critters would come to the scent.
Coffee was ready and I perched at the breakfast bar and munched cake, making sounds that might lure out the beasts. Still nothing. Damn! I was glad to see a half bath off the Butler's Pantry and even knew their was a tiny maid's room off that bathroom, as well. It had been offered to me if I actually wanted to stay over while I house and pet sat. It could be a lot worse.
-------------
I made phone calls and watched TV and noted a storm was moving in, a severe thunderstorm. Crap! The dogs were scared of thunder. Well, maybe it would bring them out of hiding.
I pulled the cheat sheet out of my tote: four dogs, 3 cats. Hm, usually a cat would have wandered in by now. I decided to leave a message on the owner's phone, hoping they would check in before they went to the Broadway show.
They were nice folks, friends of mothers, and loved to rescue animals. Since they traveled a lot, they often need a house and pet sitter. I was the woman for the job!
Lights started going on in the house and I was still trapped in the kitchen. The bar stool was quite hard, but I didn't want to be stuck in a tiny, former servant's room in a storm.
Standing at the dining room doorway, I figured I could snag a soft chair with the broom or mop and bent myself to the task. It was an easy task and soon I was sitting more comfortably in large, yet cozy, kitchen.
Lightning flashed and then thunder rolled and I began to hear whimpering coming from the house. Damn it! I could not stand to hear animals cry!
I decided to add some layers if clothing for protection, get a flashlight and my phone and find the crying animal.
As soon as I stepped into the dining room, a transformer blew and the house went black. When that happened I dropped both my phone and the flashlight.
I clung to the kitchen door frame and eased back in. Did I really want to confront the animals in the dark? In a storm? No!
The whole neighborhood was black. I watched as candles were lit, emergency generators were fired, but I was still in blackness.
The storm raged on and whimpering continued. I could not stand it! Would they kill me? No, of course not! Three were tiny dogs!
Standing at the kitchen door, I waited for the next lightning flash and saw my phone. I grabbed it with the mop and dragged it back in. It was fine. I dialed mother and she picked up on the first ring.
"Should I stay in the kitchen or find the animals?" Mother was no help and had no answers.
I sighed and looked for the flashlight with lightning brightness. Nothing.
My jeans were heavy, as were my boots, so my legs would be protected. I had on gardeners gloves I had found in the utility closet and also the husband's jacket.
I was ready!
-------------
I ventured into the dining room and moved only when the sky was bright. I made cooing and soothing calls to the dogs, hoping I had their names right.
"It's okay: Tiny, Bitsy, Mimi and Butch! It's okay... I'm coming... " I made little whistling sounds too and every other cute sound I knew dog's liked.
By now, I was in the middle of the living room. The lightning made me jump in the new space. The portraits on the walls came to life. I held strong and slowed my breathing and heart rate.
The next bolt came and I was ready to take a step or two. I was closer to the main staircase now. I took the first step and then froze when I heard something. A voice. A human voice.
"Didn't they tell you to stay in the kitchen?" Said a man's voice. It was quiet, yet very threatening.
"Yes... I haven't seen you and I will go right back there and close the door or even go to the maid's room until you leave." I waited.
I felt hot breath on my neck, behind me. "Do it, then." I did it.
"Are the animals okay?"
"Yes. In a guest room. Shut up and get in the maid's room."
I did. I also silenced my phone and then dialed 911. I muted the call and knew they would find me by GPS. The line was open.
"I am leaving." Came the disembodied voice of the man. "Stay in there for one hour."
"Yes, sir." I said through the door. I saw that it was now close to 8PM. I would give him about ten minutes and then look for the animals.
8:10 passed, then 8:30. I hadn't made a sound and wondered why the police hadn't come yet. My phone was on, the line was open...
At 8:45 I opened the door and knew I could pretend that I didn't know what time it was. I headed to the staircase and listened. The house was silent.
I had never been upstairs and just started feeling for door knobs, opening every one as I went. I heard woofs and whines and knew I was headed in the right direction.
I opened the last door and the four dogs rushed out, kissing me and jumping up and down. I was soon on the floor, laughing and squealing.
"Okay! Okay! Are you pups okay?" I felt each one and they all seemed fine and didn't wince when petted, so we would move this party downstairs. The cats could be anywhere.
When we were all settled in the kitchen, kibble dispersed and water bowls filled, I grabbed my phone, 7% battery left.
"Hello! Hello! 911" I need the police!"
The police arrived on foot due to the road being blocked by fallen trees. They searched the house from top to bottom and all they found was an empty safe. The perp was long gone.
"Can you describe the guy?"
"Actually, yes. Yes, I can." One lightning flash was all I needed.
"He is over six feet, white, stubbled head with dark hair, stubbled face. He is big, but not fat, so about 190 - 200 pounds. If you have a sketch artist, and they can come here, I can tell you more about his face."
"How?" Asked one officer.
"He made one mistake. He was standing next to that portrait and then his face was also in that mirror. I memorized his face in the dark." I had pointed to a wall sized mirror and the portrait of the husband as a young man. It was his son, the very likeness of the portrait.
The lights flashed on and I sighed. I looked up at the top of the stairs and saw the three cats, each one yelling louder than the other. The dogs came to the cat calls and soon I was surrounded by animals in the formal living room and on a white silk couch. I didn't care. It had been a rough night in the dark...
No comments:
Post a Comment