Herman

Ch.2

The sunrise peeked through the drapes of the motel room and bathed a soft,gold light upon Lois Madigan. She stirred, not remembering for a moment where she actually was. She shot up out of bed and looked wildly until she saw Kerry still sound asleep in her bed. Lois breathed heavily until her brain awoke fully and she realized they were in the motel just outside of Portland. She sighed and sat down at the foot of the bed and stroked Kerry's exposed feet. Kerry stirred slightly, giggling a bit at her toes being stroked. Lois got up and checked herself in the mirror. The bags under her eyes had receded and she looked more energetic than she had in months. Kerry stretched her arms and legs, groaning a little. Lois turned on the sink and began brushing her teeth. Kerry got up, blurting "Good morning mom" as she crossed over to the table. "Morning little bug" she said through a mouth full of toothpaste. She rinsed and got her clothes out from the case under the mattress. Kerry slipped into a pink shirt and white shorts while Lois slipped a t-shirt on and began to brush her long brown hair. Kerry just ran a comb through her tangled mop before she slipped a short bill cap on. The rest of the morning was just packing and a quick bite to eat in the lobby before they checked out and climbed back into the van. Kerry looked at the passing trees and thick fields of grass as they drove along the main highway. This was her new home. She kept busy drawing more in the margins of her overstuffed notebook and making small observations about the surroundings. Lois kept envisioning their new home. She had only seen pictures from the brochure. The first hour passed by quickly and soon a small town began to form on the horizon. Kerry looked at the great big sign on the right side of the road that read in bright gold cursive letters "Welcome to Fletcher Falls". As they crossed the threshold, they both sighed as the reality sank in. Home, a new start, it felt slightly overwhelming. The small town had several main streets and dozens of smaller roads that reached around the shops and businesses in the main part of the central town square. They looked around as they passed several shops ranging from an old antique shop to a butcher on the main strip. Lois drove up the main section of the square and passed over a stone river bridge heading further north. Shortly after, they both sighted their new home, a large brick and mortar building with a front garden. The sign read Terraced Hills in bold black letters. Lois smiled and looked at Kerry. Kerry smiled back as she looked around. The grounds were quite nice and the parking lot was off the center of the main building so cars wouldn't obstruct the front view. Lois parked in the back part of the lot and they got out. Kerry was met with cold, humid air. She coughed a bit before she got used to it. They walked together up the gravel path towards the large two-story building. Several people were gathered around the benches outside, some smoked while others just chatted with other residents. The atmosphere was quite close knit. It intimidated both Kerry and her mother because of their shy nature. The front gardens were quite pretty, with many colors of tulips, lilies and others that Kerry didn't know. The path was lined with green hedge topiary cut into rectangles with openings to allow access to the gardens. There was one, however, that was fenced off with a white fence and a small gate at the front, a single window overlooking the fenced-in part. Kerry wondered what was so special about that particular patch of ground. The inside hall was large and open with the resident mail boxes lined along the front two walls. The main reception desk was a massive wooden wrap-around desk that had Terraced Hills embossed on the front in similar bold black lettering. A rather pretty red-headed woman with glasses sat in the front. She looked up and, instead of looking annoyed, she got up and shook Lois's hand. Kerry thought this was weird. Benigton was not always the friendliest place. "Hi, you must be Mrs. Madigan, I'm Cheryll Hill and I wanted to be the first to welcome you both to Terraced Hills apartments" she said in a high, chipmunk-like voice. Kerry snorted a bit as she laughed under her breath. Lois nudged her with her elbow before she greeted her back. Cheryll brought a packet of papers and walked Lois throughout the facility. There was a large dining area to the back and a huge path that wrapped around the back of the building that many residents used as a walking or running trail. Some people would say hello and continue on with their business. Cheryll stopped and seemed to actively avoid a single path that led back to the front of the lobby. Lois thought this odd and asked if there was a problem with that part of the building. "Oh,not at all, it's just Mr. Herman lives down there and he doesn't like disturbances", she said. "Is he a hermit or something" asked Kerry? "No, it's just he's a bit odd" said Cheryll. Lois shot a glance at Kerry, to button up and walk faster. The stairs were carpeted and the railing was smooth wood painted with a white finish. Cheryll was talking a mile-a-minute about the wondrous modern decor and residential activities. Kerry had tuned out entirely and instead, her mind wandered back to the first floor and to the strange man living in 111. She couldn't get the image of a wide-eyed hermit that would run screaming the other way if you just said hello out of her head. It was comical that she would find someone even more shy than herself. "Is there anything else you need from me" asked Cheryll? Lois shook her head and was handed the key to room 214 and Cheryll excused herself. The little excitement they both felt was quickly abated when they opened the door to their new home. The room was empty, with white walls and an exposed wood floor that needed a shine, with only a table and a black rotary phone sitting on top of it. Lois sighed as she seemed to be expecting to see the delivery people had already been there. Kerry shrugged and placed her knap-sack on the table. "This is...exciting" said Kerry as she looked around at the empty flat. Lois walked to the back and entered the bathroom, next to the other bedroom, and saw only a single toilet and a white porcelain tub. The only question on her mind was where in the hell the movers were. They should have already been there, or at least at the same time. Kerry moved to the window and looked out across the green lawn. Several people were walking around the back path and grounds. Some were much older than her and her mother, others were in the middle. She wished she had a notebook to start doodling the rather interesting residents that she could see from the window. Lois picked up the phone and started calling around to try and find the few pieces of furniture they had, at least a bed or two, rather than having to sleep on the floor. Kerry wandered over to the single side room and peeked in. The space was much smaller than her old room. She sighed as she ran her hand on the wall. Maybe she could make something new here.

The first night was spent sleeping on a mat in the living room. The moving company had fallen behind and would be there in the morning. Lois woke up with quite a stiff neck and back. Kerry seemed largely unaffected despite being curled up into a ball. The movers did arrive that morning and the two spent the day sorting through where they wanted everything. The table and chair went into Kerry's room with their old futon couch placed against the back wall. Lois had found another rather hideous floral couch from an ad in the paper. This went into the main living area, along with a low table that she knocked her knees onto. They were busy unpacking plates and cutlery when there was a soft knock on the door. Lois dusted herself off and answered it. Standing on the other side was a middle-aged man with wiry, salt-and-pepper hair and kind blue eyes. He was holding a small bowl draped in a towel. "Hi folks, Raymond Schultz, but everybody calls me Ray", he said as he stretched out his hand. Lois greeted him and said they had just moved here and he laughed. "Yup, I just like to say hi, you know being neighbourly and all. Oh, would a bit of home cookin interest you" he asked? He lifted the towel and showed a rather nice amount of what looked to be a lasagna. Lois was a bit peckish and Kerry nodded yes. Ray went inside and set the bowl down as Lois got some plates and some clean cutlery. "So where you folks from originally" he asked? "Arizona", Kerry said. Lois shot her a glance and she quieted down. "Ah, so you came from the desert" he said. "Actually, we lived around the area of Flagstaff, it got pretty cold at times" said Lois, as she scooped some food onto the plates. Lois didn't talk much as Ray asked question after question, seeming to be quite nosey. Kerry liked him. He talked with his hands a lot and he whistled when he made "S" sounds. The food was quite delicious, with a meat sauce and cottage cheese in the filling. Kerry scarfed down her plateful in minutes while Lois picked at it slowly. "So are you folks alone or is there a Mr. Madigan on his way" he asked? Lois's breath caught in her throat before she quickly said no. She said it was only the two of them and that there was no husband. Ray turned to Kerry. "And what do you like to do, little fella," he asked? "Um, I'm a girl" she said awkwardly. Lois smiled as Ray's face went beet red and apologized quickly. "I am so sorry, of course you're a girl, and a cute one too" he said, stammering. He wrapped up his visit with an invitation to a small gathering in the dining hall later to say hello to more residents, wrapping his bowl up with the towel and bidding goodbye. Lois closed the door and sighed. Kerry looked over herself, looking for some reason she was mistaken for a boy. She had never used to spaz out over her appearance before, yet this time something was different. Dismissing the thought, she went back to helping Lois unpack more boxes and move furniture around. Afternoon time, the room looked more lived in, with several pictures and a few of Kerry's drawings hung on the walls. They both flopped onto the couch and surveyed their work. "Ray was cool" said Kerry and Lois laughed. The first of many new greetings, nervous lunches and awards handshakes. But they were willing to try. "Hey Bug, I have a little something for you" said Lois as she got up and rustled under the kitchen sink for a minute. Kerry sat up and wondered how her mom had hidden something, especially in front of her. Lois produced a new looking backpack and presented it to her. It was a cool blue and purple bag with streaks of black on the side. Inside were half a dozen fresh new notepads, with new coal and graphite pencils in the front pocket. Kerry's eyes brightened and she hugged her mom. Lois had got her a few things for her starting school next Monday. Wasting no time, she grabbed one and set about to doodling. Lois kissed her on her head and removed her sweaty head wrap and deposited it into the white hamper, the first dirty laundry in their new home.

The first week went by like a blur. Monday was registration with Kerry's school, Brookview Elementary, and Lois checking in with Well's Fargo Bank on the main strip. Two more residents, Gloria Myer and Steve Basil, had also invited themselves over for a meet-and-greet, bringing food and more questions for the pair. Dinner in the dining hall was actually quite reasonable after Lois showed her residency card. Salsbury steak with gravy and mushrooms and mac-and-cheese was particularly good, as Kerry licked her plate clean. Tuesday was the first day of Lois's job and, since it was going to be a few days before Kerry would start, Lois had no choice but to leave Kerry by herself. Her nervous tension became untenable as she asked her where her keys were twice before looking in her hand. Kerry assured her that she would just stay in the room with the door locked and try drawing some people she saw out the window. Lois still kissed her constantly on the forehead, while writing every number next to the phone book in case of emergencies. Kerry smiled, a deep broad smile that communicated more than words. Lois departed for her job and Kerry spent the first hour watching out the window. Ray was taking a mid-morning stroll and waved at everybody he saw, his brown cardigan swaying a bit from the wind. The sunlight had become obscured slightly by incoming cloud coverage. She laughed as Cheryll chased a half naked Mr. Nelson ran towards the flagpole, stopping briefly to salute the flag before continuing to hustle toward the back wood. Mr. Nelson was kinda of a loon, yet he was sweeter than candy. They had met briefly at the dining mixer and had once got up and screamed "EARTHQUKAE"! when someone shook the table too hard. She looked toward the garden and saw Nicholas Petroski, a young man who was aspiring to be a journalist. He had commented that Kerry's drawings at the mixer were quite good and asked her if she considered illustrating. She liked him too, he actually appreciated her art. Hours went by and she had begun to fill the pages with many different doodles of people,objects, and even a few funny cartoony characters. Lois returned shortly before six and hugged Kerry tightly. She had been stressing out about her, wondering about every potential emergency. Kerry asked if she was going to be this bad when she started school. She laughed and asked if she was hungry. They both had dinner with Ray and Mrs. Field from 210. Lois and she were actually shocked about how easily they made acquaintances. Wednesday was a boring day, none seemed to be out and Kerry was bored. She wanted to draw but she had filled up two of her books already and she couldn't go out or Lois would blow a gasket. She eventually fell asleep on the floor and woke up to her mother leaning over her and checking her. She insisted she was just napping while Lois checked her head and body. Thursday was more of the same. Kerry got up enough courage to open the door and peek out into the corridor. A loud glass smashing sound made her pull back inside and lock the door back. Maybe she would just doodle some more in the margins of her notebook. Friday came and Lois was finally off for the weekend and the pair decided to go around outside and view the grounds and garden. Kerry was relieved to finally be exploring a bit and Lois smiled as she pointed out a strange-looking bush that was shaped more like a rock. The flowers in the front garden were blooming and smelled wondrous. Kerry strolled more to the tulips while Lois stopped to talk with Ray about more activities for fun. She wasn't watching while Kerry went more toward the white fence and peeked over it. The flowers inside were beautiful shades of purple and white, others with gold, yellow and orange. She loved the display, everything was so lovingly arranged and tended. Not a single weed was to be seen in the entire space. Kerry looked up at the small window that overlooked the garden. The inside was dark and only the white velvet curtains could be seen from the outside. She leaned over more to look at the cute tiny bushes lining the inside of the fence. Suddenly, a strong breeze blew from behind her and it flipped her knit cap off her head and into the garden. "s**t, uh I mean crap" she said under her breath, checking to see if her mother was in ear shot. Lois was still talking to Ray and had her side to her while he bellowed out a hearty belly laugh. Kerry knelt down and tried to squeeze her hand in between the posts. She reached for her cap, but her arm was not long enough. She looked back at her mom and decided to go in and grab it quickly. She went to the small gate and unlatched it slowly and crept inside. Her stomach had massive butterflies and she could feel a cold sweat on her face. She found her cap and grabbed it. She crept back toward the gate when she saw a beautiful moth flying around the outside of a paper house in the corner. It was at least the size of her hand and almost milk white, with large transparent wings. She watched as it flitted around and stopped next to a small puddle surrounded with stones. Kerry forgot where she was and stood still watching the insect with fascination. She missed her old friends she had kept in Benigton and here was a new friend. "Kerry, Kerry, where are you at" came a concerned voice. Her mother's voice snapped her out of her daze and she quickly came out and latched the gate back. Lois came running up to her and asked what she was doing. She explained the wind took off with her hat and she just slipped in to get it. Ray came over and looked around. "Hey folks, best you avoid that patch of grass, it belongs to that fella in 111. He's a bit nuts, just saying" said Ray. Lois led Kerry back to the path and made her stand next to her for the remainder of the outing. Kerry looked back, wishing she could see the moth again, when she noticed a small rustle of the curtains in the window. Kerry became nervous, beginning to wonder if she had actually been spotted. Lois made Kerry promise she wouldn't sneak into places she didn't belong and to make sure she could see her. Kerry hugged her and said she would. The two spent the night curled up on the sofa. The night was peaceful and quiet. Kerry stirred awake for a moment, careful not to move too much. She heard the sound of footsteps in the corridor. There was always somebody up and about, no matter how late it would get. Kerry, however, became more awake when the steps stopped just outside their door. She could see from the hall lights that someone was standing outside and she became tense. Her mind remembered the rustle of the curtain from the garden and she snapped fully awake. She started breathing quickly. The shadow didn't move for an uncomfortably long time before it shuffled away. Kerry kept staring at the door and couldn't go back to sleep until much later. She hoped it wasn't what she thought it was and hugged her mother tightly before drifting back into a light sleep.

Kerry didn't mention what she saw to her mother as she didn't wish to frighten her. It could have been a lingering dream, a nervous thought that took a life of its own. Instead, she enjoyed her Saturday with a small game of catch outside. Later that evening, she watched some of the older ladies playing Rumy. She had mostly forgotten about the strange episode outside the door last evening. Sunday was her last day of freedom before she started her new school in the morning. The other residents had gathered in the dining hall for services. Lois was asked, but she didn't attend. She and Kerry decided to go out and see more of the town. They got into the van and drove into the main square of town. Kerry spent her time looking at different shapes and sizes of canvas in the nearby shop window . She wanted to start back to painting. The theater sat at the north end of the street, its grand marquis kept shiny with care. Some of the other kids were out playing in the big circular garden in the center of the square. Kerry didn't want to go over, she was saving her energy for the forced introductions tomorrow in front of a class full of strange new faces. She looked more at the windows lined with clothing and furniture before Lois and her spotted a lone parlor named Joey's Creamery. They couldn'say no to a bit of sweet cream so they went in. The counter was transparent, with buckets of flavors on display. The blue paint matched the frosty atmosphere, yet she loved it. The proprietor, Joey, came and introduced himself. He had a thick New York accent and loved ice cream more than herself. He told the story of him living in the Bronx before he came out to take care of his sick sister. After she passed, he didn't have the heart to sell the business, so he stayed and kept the shop running. He offered them two freebies as a "welcome to the neighborhood" treat. The smooth chocolate was creamy and delicious. They thanked him and left, noticing that it was half past noon already. Lois decided to drive back and relax before she had to awaken at six in the morning for work. Kerry also had to get up early for school. The two strolled into the main lobby and Lois talked with Cheryll for a moment. Kerry just walked around, staring at the ceiling. They went back home and Lois failed to notice a small paper that was lying on the floor just beside the door. Kerry reached down and picked up the little paper and unfurled it. It was a small note that read "To whom it may concern, Tell the brat to keep her fat feet out of my honey-dews". It wasn't signed but Kerry felt her stomach cannonball up to her throat. Her eyes widened as she reread the note. She had been spotted. "You okay, bug"? Lois asked. Kerry insisted she felt fine and quickly hid the note. She excused herself and went into her room. She started to breathe more heavily and wring her hands, a nervous trait she picked up from her mother. The question was, what she should do at the moment. Kerry wanted to show her mother the note, but she felt that she and her mother were just getting used to the idea that this was now home. The thought of an unhinged man living only a single floor below them would make her mother just as anxious as Kerry was feeling. She stared out the window for a moment before she grabbed a notebook. She flipped to a blank page and began to write. She expressed how sorry she was and explained she was only there for a moment to get her hat. She would never do it again and she was deeply sorry. She then tore the page from the book and folded it neatly into a small square. She slipped it back into her notebook and decided to wait. Lois and her went down to dinner and Kerry excused herself for a restroom break. Lois told her to go straight there and come back. Kerry moved to the restroom and looked back. Lois had begun talking to Mr. Field and didn't notice as she walked right past the archway and into the main lobby. She took her apology note from her pocket and slowly walked toward the lone hallway towards the front of the reception desk. She peeked her head around the corner and saw the door to 111 and froze. "This is a bad idea" she thought as she slowly approached the room. Kerry stood at the door, her hand shook slightly as she bent down and quickly slid the paper under the small c***k under the door. Suddenly, she could hear footsteps and she bolted away and back up the hallway. She didn't look back until she was back in the dining hall with her mother. Lois asked if she had washed her hands and she nodded. She ate a bit more from her plate, hoping that her apology was enough.