Tales Around the Jack O'Lantern by Terri Reid Read Free Book Online Page A

your
heart and digs at your nerves.     Most nights she was able to chalk it up to an
overactive imagination, but this night she jumped every time a car drove by and
stared at the phone for minutes on end, waiting for it to ring.   Waiting for that message from the captain, offering
his sincerest regrets.
    She put in another load of laundry and took the last one out
of the dryer.   Folding towels was
mindless enough that she could do it and not think about it.   But even from the laundry room off the
kitchen, she kept glancing to the phone on the wall, waiting for it to ring,
praying it would not.
    She kept calling herself a fool.   Kept telling herself that
he was fine. But, she knew in her heart of hearts, that something really
was wrong.
    Finally, she finished the laundry and started pacing in the
kitchen.   She glanced up at the clock and
the panic increased.   He should have been
home by now.   Or, he should have called
to tell her he was going to be late.   That was the rule.   The only rule.   If he
was fine, but was going to be late, he had to call.   Had to stop her from worrying.
    Walking over to the phone, she put her hand on the receiver.
She didn’t really want to call, didn’t want to make it look like she was
checking up on him.   But she had to know.
    “Margie?”
    The voice from the other side of the room startled her and
she jumped, sending the receiver crashing to the ground.   Breathing a sigh of relief, she saw it was
John Polichek ,   Tim’s partner, standing in the kitchen
doorway. “Johnny,” she said, and then she realized it was just John and not Tim
and the fear that had been weaving through her gut froze solid. “Timmy?”
    “Hey, sorry, don’t worry,” John said. “Tim’s fine. I
promise.”
    A wave of overwhelming relief washed over her. She swallowed
twice before she could speak. “Really?” He’s fine?”
she stammered.
    John smiled at her and nodded. “Yeah, we walked into a
little trouble down on the East side, but Tim’s fine,” he said. “They sent him
to the hospital, to get a couple of stitches. But, he’s good.   I just wanted to stop by here, ‘ cause I knew you would be worried.”
    Exhaling slowly, she leaned against the wall, trying to
control the flood of emotions and the tears. “Thank you, Johnny,” she said,
picking up a kitchen towel from the counter and wiping her eyes. “You’re right,
I was worried.”
    “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” he said. “You’re a good
wife.   And Tim’s the best partner a guy
could ever have.”
    She smiled. “I won’t tell him you said that,” she said,
surprised that she could tease him. “We wouldn’t want it to go to his head.”
    Johnny smiled and nodded. “Yeah, well, just this time you
can let him know what I said,” he replied.
    She kicked against the receiver on the floor and shook her
head. “I guess I’d better pick this up in case he decides to call,” she bent
down and turned to place the phone back on the hook. “Would you like some
coffee… ”
    She turned, but Johnny was no longer near the kitchen door.
“Johnny?” she called out.
    Walking through the kitchen and into the hall, she saw that
the bathroom door was open, so he hadn’t gone in there.   Maybe he had to get back to the station.   Maybe he mentioned it, but she didn’t hear
him when she was turned away to get the phone.   She hurried to the door to look for his car, but no one was on the
street.   Shrugging, she went back to the
kitchen, her heart lightened and waited for Timmy to get home.
    As soon as his car turned down the street, she was out of
her chair and hurrying for the door.   When he opened it, his arm wrapped in a cast and a bandage over his
forehead, she moved forward into his arms.   He didn’t say a word, just held her against him, each seeking and giving
the comfort they needed.   After a few
moments, she leaned back, running her hands gently up to his shoulders.   “How are you?”