A Rat Among Us

Ruth Crawford

Chapter One

I know I’m going to die soon. But Lord, grant me just one more day to tell her. I will. I must. Look at them all, out there. Busybodies. They’re all busybodies. They think I can’t see them from here in the house, so they talk about me. Sweet little Beth, so innocent and taken in by those two fellows. And Johnny. I never would have thought such a pleasant young man would be a gossip. I guess looks can fool you. There’s Marcus Browning, that big-shot lawyer with his shoulder length hair and sparkling eyes. I wish I hadn’t hired him. At the time, he seemed to have such a pleasant demeanor, common sense and intelligence. Your financial affairs are safe with me, he’d insisted. No one will know what is in your Will until after you die. And I’d believed him.

Look at them, on the sidewalk, scuffing at leaves while they talk and laugh so that all of Missoula, no all of Montana, can hear them. I should have hired a respectable older gentleman to handle my affairs. But it’s too late for that.

Oh, if only my legs wouldn’t ache so. It’s past 2:00 and Beth should have been in here to give me my medicine. I guess I’ll have to get it myself.

As I unlocked the wheels on my chair to move over to the medicine cabinet, Nikki sat up and nosed at my hand. I patted her silky head and she put one paw on my knee. I always thought liver-colored was an odd name for her beautiful shade of brown, but that was how she had been described as a puppy. Her rich, chestnut-brown eyes gazed up at me, full of love and devotion. The Australian Shepherd’s turquoise streak in her left eye seemed especially brilliant today. Most people found it unnerving, but I thought it charming. She’s such a loving, devoted dog.

Beth burst into the room, the screen door slamming behind her. Why, Mrs. Crawford! Whatever are you doing over there?

It’s past time for my medicine, dear, so I thought I’d just get it myself.

Now, now. Did you think I’d forget? Here, let me dissolve it with some nice ginger ale so it won’t taste so bitter, Beth said.

A moment later, she returned from the kitchen with a tall, sparkling glass of soda pop. She stepped around Nikki as if she were avoiding a mud-puddle and handed the glass to me.

I gulped it, the bubbles stinging as it went down. It still tastes funny, but I suppose it’s better than trying to swallow it whole, I said.

The door opened and closed gently behind me, followed by Johnny’s voice: Mrs. C, I could bring you some other kind of drink. Maybe some juice. Just say the word, and I’ll hop on back to the store. That stuff’s really got to taste awful.

No, don’t bother yourself about it. Say, did that Marcus Browning leave? I asked.

Nikki had bounded over to Johnny and stood with her front feet on his chest, trying in vain to lick his face. Her stubby tail wagged her whole back end.

He ruffled the thick fur around her neck, as he pushed her paws off his chest. He certainly did. But not before he told us about a lawyer he used to work for that brought his Great Dane to the office. Seems the dog had the habit of chewing on paper – he nearly ate up a client’s files. It’s a good thing you don’t have bad habits like that, huh Nikki? he said to her as she sat at his feet, smiling and panting.

Did they really think that I was going to believe that?

Hey, Mrs. C, I have to get back to the store. You sure I can’t bring you anything else? he offered.

I shook my head. No, thank you. I’ll be fine.

See you tomorrow, then. He turned towards Beth and jammed both hands into his pockets. Would you meet me at Jake’s for some coffee when you get off? I have something special for you.

No, I don’t think so, she replied, looking away.

Oh, come on. You don’t have a birthday every day. Just this once. Please?

Is today your birthday, dear? I asked, surprised no one had said anything about it earlier.

See what you’ve done. You’ve let the cat out of the bag. Yes, Mrs. Crawford, today is my birthday. But I hate to be fussed over.

Well, child, I can’t very well just let your birthday slide by unattended. Now you look around and tell me what you like most in this room. What catches your eye?

She walked slowly around the room, playing a chord on the ebony grand piano, then picking up the tall, blue ceramic vase in the corner and examining it’s bottom. She gazed at the bookcase packed with faded hard-covers, the Japanese wall hanging that spanned the west wall, the brass elephant table by the door, and the square music machine perched on a carved stand near the television. She stepped over to it and ran her fingers lightly over the mahogany cover, then looked over at me.

This is so beautiful.

It’s yours, dear, I told her with a smile. Have a happy birthday.

Oh, I couldn’t take this, Mrs. Crawford. It’s far too valuable. But it is a beautiful piece, isn’t it? she said. She ran her fingers gently over the slender bell and its carved box.

No, I want you to have it. I never play the thing anymore. If you open the cabinet door beneath, you’ll find other cylinders that play different songs. Please, take the whole thing when you leave today. Enjoy it.

She smiled, then stepped over and hugged me lightly, pecking my cheek with a kiss. Thanks.

I waved towards Johnny. Before you leave, would you carry this out to Beth’s car for her?

He grinned. Of course I will. Then he turned towards Beth. Gee, I’m glad you didn’t pick the piano.

Beth laughed then turned towards Johnny, shaking her head, Well, maybe we can meet later for a cup of coffee at Jake’s. Is 5:30 OK?

Johnny nodded, beaming. He hugged the wooden box to his chest and turned towards the front door. Beth was right behind him, with a cardboard box of metal rolls from the empty cabinet. I watched through the front window as Beth held the back open on her red Ford Escort while Johnny loaded the boxes. She pointed and he switched things around until they fit. It took two trips to move the cabinet and the rolls, but they managed to jam it all in.

Then Johnny walked Beth back to the house. He stood by the open door, bowing like an actor after a performance. Until later, my lady.

She stifled a giggle.

As I smiled at these young people, I happened to glance over at the picture of my beloved Frank, on the corner of the Steinway. He grinned, standing tall and strong on the deck of his boat, the Babe Ruth. It had been twenty years since he’d been lost at sea, but no day passed that I didn’t miss him.

I insisted that Beth leave early because it was her birthday, and she had agreed to meet young Johnny. They made such an adorable couple, although the shining light in Johnny’s eye wasn’t shared in Beth’s. Perhaps she was keeping him at arm’s length for a good reason. Maybe there was another love somewhere, although I never heard her speak of one. She was usually quiet and reserved.

Johnny Reinholt, on the other hand, chatted openly about how he would someday own his own grocery store, have a family, and travel the world. He was so outgoing and full of life that I was surprised he wasn’t already married. His blond-hair and contrasting dark eyes must have attracted many a young girl. If I had been as young as Beth, I would have pursued Johnny in a minute.

Chapter Two

The thing I hated about fall was that it was dark so long in the morning. Here it was, only the first week in October, and at 8:30 it was just beginning to get light. As I surveyed the room, I realized how bare it looked without the music player, so I managed to nudge a chair over to plug the hole. Half an hour later, Beth arrived and scolded me when she saw the misplaced chair. She promptly repositioned a tall Chinese vase and a delicate square end-table to fill the space.

You could hurt yourself trying move things by yourself. That’s why I’m here, to do things that are hard for you.

But that wasn’t all. I had to tell her the real reason. Each day that passed was another day gone. Each morning, I panicked a little because I still hadn’t told her. But it had to be the right time. Maybe today would be the right time.

My legs ached more than usual this morning, so I nearly gulped the ginger ale. It tasted more bitter than ever. The pain killer didn’t seem to be working at all. Oh, Frank, I wish you were here so you could help me with this one. I’ll be with you soon, my darling. Maybe I should just call that lawyer and have him add a little something to the will explaining everything, so I wouldn’t have to tell her. But I do want to see her reaction...

Beth, dear, I called. She came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.

Her response was sharper than usual. What is it, Mrs. Crawford? I’m right in the middle of making lunch.

Nikki sat by the front door looking up at the doorknob. Would you please let Nikki out? The TV said a big storm was headed our way. Do you think it might snow this early?

Might, was her short answer. She opened the door and Nikki dashed out before Beth’s foot could help her. Then Beth turned and disappeared back into the kitchen.

I can’t understand why she hates Nikki so. She’s such a gentle, loving dog.

I watched outside as the clouds built up and flakes began to drift down in feathery clumps. A light layer covered the sidewalks and grass, and gusts of wind swirled it around like dust bunnies avoiding a broom. Cars crept by in the stillness.

A half hour later, Beth brought a lovely tray from the kitchen with small tuna sandwiches and a steaming mug of creamy soup. I shivered at the howling wind that whipped around outside the house. The snow whirled like in a shaken snow globe, leaving the parked cars on the street beneath a giant white blanket. It didn’t usually snow this early in October. I shudder, grateful to be inside, and called to Beth as she headed for the kitchen. Wait, can’t you sit down, relax, and have a nice cup of tea while I sip my soup.

Well, maybe for a moment. But I have a lot to do upstairs, she yelled back.

She returned with a cup of tea. Perched on the edge of the couch, she held the saucer with one hand while extracting the tea bag with the other. This house is too big for one person, she said. But it’s such a lovely place, and I don’t blame you one bit for not selling it. I think if I had this place, I’d want to stay here until I died. They say that old houses are like old friends; they just get better and more comfortable with age. I really love this old place. It feels like home. Her mouth tightened and she gripped the handle of the china cup firmly as she took a sip. You’re so lucky, she added. That you’re not renting a little apartment where the landlord can suddenly kick you out in the middle of the winter and leave you with nowhere to go.She set the cup and saucer down on the coffee table with a clank. She certainly has a quick temper. Best to change the subject.

Say, Beth, what do you know about your family history?She stared at me with big eyes, then abruptly looked away, her gaze darting around the room as though someone else might have heard.What? Family history? Why do you ask?

You’ll have to forgive an old lady. All I have to think about these days is the past. What do you know about your mother or father’s families?

Granddad, my Mom’s dad, is still alive and living in Florida, but Grandma died a few years ago, right after Mom passed away. I think Granddad has a new girlfriend, though. And I never knew my Dad’s family. His parents died in an car accident before I was born, and he didn’t have any brothers or sisters.

I had to smile at the lie her Dad had told her, wondering how he had painted that fabricated scene in her young mind. It was obvious he had been embarrassed to tell her the truth of her heritage.

Beth’s voice startled me as it interrupted my thoughts. Say, you never talk about your kids. Didn’t you and Frank have any children?

I glanced over at his portrait, smiling from atop the piano. No, we couldn’t have children. We had only each other. That always seemed to be enough.

A small scratching sound that seemed to come from inside the walls caught Beth’s attention. With her cup and saucer cradled in her hand, she stood. Well, I really need to take care of things upstairs so I can see what I’m doing before this storm cuts off our power, like it usually does.

The mice were at it again. I often heard them scampering behind the walls, but they didn’t bother me. I was happy to provide those poor little creatures with a nice warm home during the cold winter months.

I inched closer to the large front window. Yes, you go ahead. I’ll keep a watch on the storm. Beth had a thing about mice. If I’d heard them scurrying around earlier, so had she.

Outside, headlights shone through the horizontal snow as the occasional car crawled by. It always amazed me how silently the snow fell. Only a faint whistling of the wind and the creaking of the wood beams could be heard now. I wondered if Beth knew that her father had been adopted.

I watched as a figure in a sheepskin jacket and stocking cap trudged from across the street, heading towards my front door. Nikki leaped through the snow behind the hunched figure as he stomped up onto my front porch.

Come on in. Quickly now, I shouted.

Nikki leaped through the front door and shook vigorously. Bits of snow flew in all directions as Johnny, standing in the doorway, pulled off his cap and shook it out before stepping inside. A blast of cold air shot through the entrance, making goose bumps rise on my arms as I folded them across my chest. Johnny set a grocery bag on the floor and squirmed out of his jacket. Clumps of snow floated onto the welcome mat as he unbuckled and removed his boots.

Although his cheeks were red from the cold, his smile was warm and his eyes glistened. Some October, huh? I’ve never seen this much snow so early. I take it you’re not going out for a walk today, huh?

You’ve got that right. What have you brought me today? Pizza? Cookies? I whispered.

For you, only the best. He pulled a small square carrot cake from the bag and, glancing around, said, with a sly grin, A little sugar won’t hurt, will it? I saw this at the Rainbow Deli and thought of you.

Oh, my! It did look wonderful, especially the orange frosting carrot on top. How I adore all that scrumptious icing! Maybe only a couple of bites won’t upset me.

Dull footfalls thumped above us. Uh oh. I think I hear Beth coming, Johnny whispered, sliding the cake back into the bag and scrunching the paper top down.

You only hear her walking around upstairs, I explained. "She’s checking out the rooms, probably setting up mouse traps. She hates the little beasts, scurrying around. You could go up and see how she’s doing, if you