Page 10 of Drench My Halls

The house smells amazing. Our home is quiet, we don’t have kids, so quiet is to be expected. We are trying to have children, but so far nothing has stuck. Which is why I have been working so much. We need to save money for the IVF treatments once Lucy gets her test results back.

I know Lucy feels horrible, but I do my best to reassure her it will happen, not to stress about it. She hates when I say that though. The kitchen is empty, so I move on to the living room, peering out the front window to ensure I did in fact see her car in the driveway. She has to be here, or outside.

“Lucy, are you upstairs? Come on, I want my kiss. I missed you so much.”

I climb the stairs, laughing as if she is playing hide and seek, I search the hall closets expecting her to jump out. The bedroom doors are closed, so I open the first one, peering into it before I re-close it slowly.

“Playing hide and seek, are we? What’s my prize when I find you?” I chuckle as I quickly open the next door, only to come up empty as well.

The last door remains closed, our bedroom. I open the door slowly, the bed has fresh sheets, the bed is made, and the throw pillows are aligned. The hamper is empty, and the candle is lit.

“Lucy?” I call out, I can hear the water running.

Excitement brews within me at the thought of sex with my wife. How romantic, a bubble bath to welcome me home. I open the bathroom door, the lights are off but a candle flickers in the corner of my eye. I step into the bathroom and my heart stops. The white tile floor is covered in blood. The tub is overflowing with red water. I quickly run to turn the water off, looking inside the tub but she isn’t there. My heart is racing, the mirror is cracked and there are large foot prints in the blood, but they don’t belong to me. “Lucy”, I call out once more but no answer. I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, dialing 911.

“911 what’s your emergency?”

“My wife, she is missing. There is blood everywhere.”

“Sir, Calm down, your wife is missing?”

“Yes. I just got home and there is blood everywhere. I don’t know if she was attacked or taken.”

“I have units in route to you sir, what is your name?”

“Caleb Taylor. Her name is Lucy Taylor.”

I search the house once more, checking the backyard, the garage and the storm shelter but I can’t find her. Neighbors begin to gather around as I scream her name. The police show up, rushing over to me, I lead them to the mess I found.

Ali pulls up just as I am about to close the door. “Caleb, I need to talk to you.”

I nod.

The police conduct their investigation, sealing off the house, photographing everything, and interviewing me. They suspect she must have been attacked and kidnapped since there is no body but they also can’t confirm she is not alive either. My heart aches. I need to find her. I need to know what happened. Once the police clear out, the sheriff leaves me his card.

“If I have any updates Caleb, you will be my first call. I am sorry this is happening. We will find Lucy.”

Ali pulls me in for a hug as she exhales a shaky breath. I pull back and observe her face. Something isn’t right, she has been quiet the entire time, keeps checking her phone.

“Ali what’s wrong?”

“Caleb I am so sorry.” She hands me a letter, Lucy’s handwriting on the top of the white envelop with my name on it. My heart sinks, my eyes water.

“What is this Ali, who gave it to you?”

She takes a seat on the sofa, her hands clasp together as she looks down at her lap.

“It was in my mailbox, along with one for me. I read mine which is why I came over here as quickly as I could.”

I look at the envelope in my hand once more. “What was in yours?” I suck in a breath as I try to remain calm. My mind is racing. Is this real? Did she get taken? Is this a ransom?

“Read yours and then we will talk about mine.”

I quickly tear the envelop open, letting the contents fall out on to the floor. I quickly scoop the letter back up and turn around to read my wife’s beautiful handwriting.

My love Caleb,

I am so sorry for what I am putting you through. I know you don’t understand right now. I made the decision to leave this world on my own terms. Please try to understand. I received a call from Dr. Thornton, two weeks ago while you were away for work. He diagnosed me with stage 4 ovarian cancer, which would explain why we weren’t able to conceive. I couldn’t tell you baby, because you would want me to fight and I don’t want to fight anymore. I enjoyed these last few weeks, I just wish I could have seen you once more. I know you are always working hard for us, and I appreciate you so much. This decision is so hard baby, believe me, but I’d rather make the decision alone then break your heart with false hope when I know how this ends. You know what my grandmother went through. I can’t do that to you. I love you too much to see you suffer while I suffer in silence. I hope one day you forgive me. I hope one day you find a woman who will love you hard, someone you can create a family with and grow old with. I want you to live your life and be happy. Please be happy baby. I will always be looking out for you, but please don’t blame yourself, you are perfect. You have made me the happiest woman on this world, everyday your love has kept me going. I will never leave you. If you ever need me, just look over at the peaks and I’ll be there.

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