The Mental Ward - A Cat that Barks (33)

      The truck stopped with a rattle and squeak.  Emery slowly slid to the ground, overwhelmed by whispers from the past.  It had been so long ago that she was here.  But this was her road -- the little back road, down which various employees of the Carlysle's abode.  She could almost see her father's strong form, striding down the road, and hear his whistle.  Emery inhaled.  The scent of tree blossoms were hauntingly familiar and she could almost hear a little Evelyn's voice wailing because Edwina spilled her milk.

     But then she blinked and the images disappeared, leaving behind a wistful feeling.  "Come on, Beth," she murmured.  "I can get you home from here."

     Beth sprang to the ground beside her.  Her eyes were wide and curious, but there was no recognition in them.  She didn't know how close she was to home.  The staff road was unfamiliar to her.

     Emery grasped Beth's hand and nodded to the driver.  "Thank you kindly, sir.  We can make it from here."

     But the man didn't respond.  His brow was furrowed and his head tilted every so slightly as if he had just seen a cat that barked and didn't know what to make of it.

     A gust of wind stirred the leaves bordering the street and Emery shivered.  "Goodnight, sir," she added, feeling that something polite must be said.

     Then she and Beth hurried down the back street, feeling the eyes of the man on them as they went.


(You can find the previous installments of The Mental Ward by clicking on the label "MentalWard."  The installments will appear with the newest at the top.  So if you only need a refresher, you can easily read the most recent post.  However, if you want to read the whole story, you will have to start at the bottom and work your way up.  Enjoy!)