Page 12 of Night Blind

“He thinks he’s smart, but he’s not cleverer than a woman with a grudge and a promise to keep,” she said softly. Curiosity made her do it, and she typed in China Rogers, bringing up a mid-sized cabin in Sheboygan near the Crib Light. “Found a spot you missed, Mr. Collector. I’m coming to your neighborhood, Mr. Rogers. I’m coming with an axe to split your nasty little head open.”

For thoroughness, she typed in Mexicali Rogers and came up with nothing. She typed in Irish Rogers and came up with a few bars and nightclubs around the country. As a last resort, she typed in Italy Rogers, which brought up a home in Ludington, Michigan. That was the house where he’d taken her for those two weeks. She found him.

“Ah ha, good Sir. The game is afoot,” Helen said, feeling a new sense of power.

****

The power wasn’t left on in the three-bedroom modular home for her return. When Helen arrived home, instead of finding a dark house in the tree line on Slow’s property, she found her cousin waiting for her on the front porch. She parked the truck Mark Neary had loaned her in the allocated space near the front door, parking and climbing the stairs of the decking to meet her cousin.

“Good evening,” Helen said. “Do you need a key to the place, or do you have bad news for me?”

“Why would I have bad news?”

“Why would you be sitting on the porch waiting for me to get home when it’s getting dark. Is everything okay?”

“Helen, everything is fine,” Cherry told her. “I miss you.”

“You saw me yesterday, and I live across your backyard,” Helen said, sighing deeply. “Abi, are you hiding from your husband?”

Cherry laughed loudly, shaking her head no. “I am not hiding, I came over for some girl time, to chat, and have a cup of something hot and brown, plus, I come bearing gifts.”

“Gifts,” Helen said, uncovering the boxes sitting next to Cherry.

Helen unlocked the front door of the home, reaching inside the door to turn on the porch light. Illumination shone onthe boxes to reveal a crafting table and a brand-new sewing machine. To go with the sewing machine was a smaller box with a die cutter and a crafting cutter. Helen’s eyes began to mist.

“We had to leave everything in our lives behind to start over,” Cherry said. “It is unfair for you to lose so much when you’ve given all that you have, each and every time I’ve asked. Please let me give back to you.”

“This is not necessary,” Helen said, wiping away her tears.

“For me, it is more than necessary, Helen,” she said moving closer to her cousin. She embraced her fully. “I’ve never taken time before to comfort you with touch and connection. Each time a demon popped up in your life, I just showed up to vanquish it, hoping you’d be okay in the end. I’m letting you know that I can give love and show you affection too. I can give you love.”

“Please stop, Abi,” Helen said. “I get it. I do. And for the life of me, I can’t understand why the demons are always coming for me. I don’t bother anyone. I mind my own business, and there is always some asshole wanting to hurt me…or own me…or control me.”

Cherry’s grip on her cousin tightened. The childhood memories were ugly. The journey to the life they shared in the small home was fraught with missteps but they were making it; barely, but they were making it. Life was finally turning in their favor.

“Those days are over,” Cherry said. “We don’t have to worry about making the rent and keeping the lights on while putting food on the table and staying warm. From my last job, I’m able to help replace your things.”

“You also need to give your husband a hefty chunk as well to cover me and these utilities,” she said.

“No need; the water is from his well. The homes are on separate septic systems, and the power comes from a hugegenerator in the back of the barn. That thing is massive. The gas is propane so everything is self-sustaining,” she told Helen. “We deserve this happiness.”

Helen pulled away from her cousin. In the dim light from the front porch, she looked her cousin in the eyes. She gripped Cherry’s shoulders and shook her a bit.

“I have to go back and get them,” she said. “I knew you would come for me and I held on to fight until your arrival. They are expecting me to come back for them. I will get them free.”

“Understood, but first, we have to take care of Helen before Helen can rescue anyone else.”

“Helen is fine. Helen will be fine,” she said, squinting her eyes. “That son of a biscuit eater knows I’m coming back and he’s waiting. I’m going to get that bastard!”

Chapter 5 - Educate

A quiet evening at home on a Friday night meant a movie for Naomi with popcorn, drinks from hand-squeezed lemons mixed with lemon-lime soda, and at least two peanut butter cookies. If there was time, a family game of cards or an age-appropriate board game ensued, usually leading to Naomi winning at least one hand. Her story time came early tonight since she was rather tired from helping her Aunt Helen move the cut pieces of wood to the pile for the winter supply of heat. Proud of herself, Naomi waited to be tucked in and provided the proper number of kisses to her rosy cheeks before saying goodnight.

After, Helen spoke softly, taking note of behaviors in Mr. Slow with his daughter. The patience he showed and allowing the child to win a game as well as lose several others to bring her balance was noted. Helen had questions.

“You’re very good with her,” Helen commented. “Did you major in child psychology?”

“No, I am a criminologist,” he replied, “and my focus is on criminal and criminal behavior. I am a specialist.”

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