the drab woolen coat she was wearing, then closed them into tight fists, her fingernails digging deep into the palms of her hands. She wanted to scream, but instead she forced her voice to take on a conversational note. âListen,â she began, tentatively. âIâve been thinkingâmaybe youâre right, Gerald. This is ridiculous. Why donât we just skip it.â
He turned and smiled at her. âNow, thatâs more like it. Iâm glad you finally came to your senses.â He reached to turn the motor back on, but Bess was too fast for him. She leaned over, yanked the keys from the ignition, and got out of the car. Her words were quiet, determined. âChild, you have to face it. You need to know if you were rightâor wrong. Either way, youâll be the better for knowinâ.â
Audra nodded her head slowly, dispirited. âI know. God help me, I know.â She reluctantly slid over and stepped out of the car, taking Bessâs arm for support.
Gerald followed behind them as they entered the station, silent for once. His main concern at this point was that no one important see him with the toothless Bess in her thrift shop clothing. He breathed a sigh of relief when they were immediately ushered into a small room by a mere office girl.
The young woman showed them how to run the recorder. âYou wanted only the Party Line show, isnât that right?â
Audra nodded.
âItâs all set, then. Just push âplayâ when youâre ready. And donât worry about erasing anything if you want to jump around a little. This machine is taped so that wonât happen.â She pointed to a small piece of gray tape covering a knob.
After she left the room, the three people stood looking at each other for a few seconds. Gerald put his hands on Audraâs shoulders, trying one last ploy. âYou donât have to go through with this, dear. If itâs going to be too hard on you, just say the word, and weâre out of here.â
She shook her head. âNo. Letâs do it.â
They seated themselves around the table, and Gerald pushed the play button. They didnât have long to wait. Her man was the third caller, and Audra turned cold as she heard the low, raspy voice again.
Iâm looking for a small accent table, no more than two feet high. I would prefer oak, or a really good quality wood, and I want a nice piece, not junk.
The announcerâs voice spoke back at him. âAll right, sir. Any particular price range you need?â
No. Iâd be willing to pay a good price, if the table is what Iâm looking for.
âAll right then, weâll see what we can do for you. Can we have your phone number, please?â
Yes, certainly. Itâs 555â2343. And thanks for your help.
âThank you, sir. Hello, this is Party Line, go ahead, please.â The announcerâs voice trailed off into nothingness, drowned out by the roaring in Audraâs ears.
âItâs him,â she whispered. âMy God, it really is him.â
Bess put her arm around Audraâs trembling shoulders. âAre you certain, child? No doubt in your mind at all?â
Audra stared at the machine, mesmerized. âItâs him, Bess. I know it.â She looked over at Gerald. âReverse it. I want to hear it again,â she ordered.
Gerald took in her shaking hands and ashen face. Damnit! He had been right about this all along. He knew Audra. She was a timid little soul. All this nonsense was going to be too hard on her. âNo. I donât think we should play it again, Audra,â he said. âYou look like youâre about to collapse.â
Bess nodded her head. âFor once I happen to agree with Gerald, honey. I donât think you could take listening to it again.â
Audra spoke slowly, in cold control. âPlayâitâagain!â
Gerald swore softly, but reversed the tape, starting it over.