A Paw-sible Theory

“The reason cats climb is so that they can look down on almost every other animal...it’s also the reason they hate birds.”

––K. C. Buffington

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: Loss Of Resolve

Alyx watched Maggie get in her car, waving as she backed out of the drive. Although the sun was shining and the temperature was in the high seventies, Alyx shivered again. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and called her brother who had only recently given her his cell phone number to call in case she needed him.

“Hi, Tom; are you busy?”

She strolled to the end of the driveway, turned around, and looked at the house as if she was seeing it for the first time.

The renovated cottage-style bungalow clad in cedar shingles and clean white trim sat back from the road, the old brick walkway leading to the front porch lined with a variety of annuals and perennials. The blooming azalea bushes across the front of the house reflected the season, and the white wrought-iron settee under the old magnolia tree completed the Southern picture. She waited for Tom on the covered front porch that was just big enough for a white wicker chair and a huge clay pot filled with pink geraniums.

When Tom arrived and asked, “What’s wrong? Has something happened?” she burst into tears. He put his arm around her shoulders and helped her inside.

Once in the living room, she wiped her tears with her T-shirt, and, in control again, sat on the couch. Tom sat next to her.

“I used to love this house. Now I’m scared to be in it.”

She took a deep breath and told him about the run-in with Ramsey. “Maggie thinks he was just trying to scare me, but it upset me anyway. I’m afraid, Tom. I’m afraid for me because someone tried to kill me, but mostly, I’m afraid for Ethan. Things don’t look good for him. What if his lawyer can’t convince the jury of his innocence? How can I live my life with my son locked up for something, I know, he didn’t do?”

“I’ve heard really good things about his lawyer. Don’t you think he’s doing a good job so far?”

“Yes, I do. I trust him, and so does Ethan. I know he’ll do the best he can.”

“Well, then, give him the chance to do that before you decide it’s a lost cause.”

“I know you’re right, and it does help to hear it from someone else.”

“Call the lawyer and tell him about your conversation with Dan Ramsey.” He got up to leave and gave her a hug. “I have to keep this appointment. I couldn’t postpone it for more than an hour.”

He added as an afterthought, “If you’re uncomfortable here, why don’t you come and stay with us for a while?”

“Thanks for asking, and don’t think I don’t appreciate it, but I should stay here. I have the cats, and I’ve imposed on Maggie too much already. Besides, I have to face this too; this is my home and I’m not leaving.”

“Okay, take care and call me if you need me. We’re family and I love you, even though we don’t see much of each other.”

She almost started to cry again as she waved good-bye.