Hide Heidi

Hide Heidi Chapter 7

Michael proceeded to harness, and leash up Mimi for her evening walk. He was going to be sure to take special note of who is around, and to see if he can witness all these things that have been bothering his wife. If perhaps he could too witness, these elderly through the talking trees, then both himself, and his wife could go to the state representatives office, and report this invasion of privacy. It wasn't that he didn't believe Heidi, it was he believed she had seen, and heard these things; however, due to the fragility of her mental health, he really questioned if his wife was having a relapse. He even had the thought, that perhaps he should encourage her to go into a hospital for a respite, where they could adjust, and manage her medication. He certainly couldn't have her running around the neighborhood, yelling at the trees, and peeping into houses with binoculars, invading the neighbors privacy. What a mess, he thought.

As Michael walked with Mimi in tow through the park, he only noted a young man, with a similar appearance to Heidi's son, Matthew. The young man was shooting hoops at the basketball court. Michael acknowledged the young man, as he continued on his way. Michael did note that the young man seemed to have some burn mark scars, near the top of his head. Almost making the appearance of bald spots. Michael could tell that it must've been a burn injury. Something was odd about the mans face too. Almost as if the pigment from his skin tone didn't match around his ears, and forehead. Odd, but it must've been some sort of accident the young man had. Michael then started walking to where the willow trees, and bushes were. No one was noted there, except another little old man sitting on a bench. He smiled, and waved at Michael as he walked by. "What did the wife put you on dog walking duty tonite," the old man said with a laugh. " You could say that," replied Michael with a chuckle. " Wanna keep the wife happy you know," Michael also added as he chuckled. See that nothing odd or strange, thought Michael. Just neighbors enjoying the benefits of a spring evening in the park. Michael was also taking in how peaceful the neighborhood was. How nicely people kept up on their lawns, and how pretty the town was kept with all the trees, that lined the streets. This all just made Michael more troubled, when he thought of his wife's claims, and how he could be dealing with a relapse of her mental illness. A small part of him was hoping to catch something that could validate his wife's claims. Then at least they could deal with it together as a unit. To Michael, that thought was more comforting than his wife's current condition. Michael would have rather seen his wife was not hallucinating from a relapse, rather than the reality he seems to be facing, in regards to her mental health. For so long he had forgotten his wife even suffered from mental illness. She showed no signs or symptoms of her illness. In fact if anything for the past couple years, she really seemed to do a 360. Now, here he was having to decide how to convince his wife to voluntarily get checked out. He would have to consider, how he could gently express the need he had for her to be checked out. Before all that though, perhaps his wife just needed an evening of rest and relaxation. Possibly tomorrow, after getting good rest, she would be back to her normal self. Michael hopefully thought to himself.

Michael returned, from his walk with Mimi. He has not heard any trees, he hasn't seen any one in their yard, or by their tree. He didn't see anyone outside the Grants. Only the young man playing basketball, and the old man on the bench. No suspicious vehicles were noted. Actually, it was pleasant, and peaceful, with nothing out of the ordinary occurring. All of this just seemed to trouble Michael even more. Now he has to worry, about when he goes to work, and she will be in the house alone. Could he even trust her during a relapse to not fly off the deep end? It appeared as if that was already occurring!

Michael peeped in at Heidi, after his return. She seemed to have fallen asleep. That Ativan must've helped to relax her enough to sleep. Ok, this was a good thing, perhaps much needed rest is all she needs, and tomorrow morning he could have his Heidi back. The woman who didn't yell at trees, or peep into neighbors homes with binoculars, or come up with fantastical stories that aren't real. Michael could only hope for this to be the case. Mimi strolled over to her big doggy bed, and plopped down, after her walk. She was tired too, it was probably a long day for Mimi as well. Animals were very keen to their owners emotions. Certainly, Mimi could pick up on the stress, and paranoia exhibited by Heidi, these last few days. Michael retired into his office, so he could continue some work on a dreamcatcher he was making. Michael enjoyed crafting, and creating little keychain trinkets, jewelery, dreamcatchers, and more. He was very good at working with wood, leather, and metals. The garage has become full of Michael's collection, of old furniture, and trinkets of all sorts, that he restores as a hobby. He has even sold some of his restored, and crafted work. Michael wasn't tired, the last thing he was able to do, was fall asleep. Not with all going on with his wife. He was filled with worry for his wife, and her seemingly declining mental status. It was about midnight when Michael looked at the time. He had better get some rest. He had work in the morning, and he didn't function well without sleep. As he got into bed and put his head on the pillow; he heard a faint buzzing noise outside the window. He really didn't pay much attention to it, he figured, it was the humming of the electricity lines. It wasn't long before he drifted off into sleep. Both Heidi, and Michael were sound asleep. A voice spoke faintly, careful to not rouse the sleeping couple. "Project new blood, still in active progress". Then the humming, and the voice were no longer heard for the rest of the night.