The Secret of the Dark (11 page)

“To begin with, I'll risk your saying I'm jealous and say I don't like the guy. He's always been a loner, even as a kid. His dad seems to have just let him grow up wild out here like a panther cub or any other of the woods animals. His only ambition seems to be to find a bigger and better cave.”

“I can't imagine one bigger and better than we were in today.”

“You're right. It's a good one. Too bad they can't find an easier way in. But on the other hand, it
will
stay wild.”

“Wouldn't some tourist pay to crawl in there and look around like we did? I enjoyed most of it, and I'm sure a tourist would, too.”

“I guess a few would, but not the hundreds that come in if they can walk and take no risks, to look for a few minutes. Crawling through mud isn't most people's idea of fun.”

“I guess I got a new idea of fun today.” I looked at my hands and laughed. Why hadn't I washed at Rick's?

“Do you think it would be fun to have dinner with my family tomorrow night? Mom says I can invite you and Granny. It's her half day off so she has time to cook.”

“That's sweet of her. I'm sure she hates to spend her time off in the kitchen.”

“That's exactly how she likes spending it. She loves to cook. Often she prepares meals ahead and freezes them or bakes and freezes. You'll be assured of something good.”

“All right, Neal, and thanks. I'll try to get cleaned up by then.” We were at the cabin. Neal went on home without coming in, and I knew why when I looked in the mirror.

“What happened to you, Valerie?” Fleecy packed up her quilt scraps. Granny dozed in her rocker. She didn't wait to hear. “By the way, the piano tuner came. I wish I had time to stay and hear you play. Another day?”

“Sure, Fleecy. If I don't get some of this dirt off my hands, I'll ruin his job anyway. The piano keys would end up full of sand.”

“Granny and I put away your laundry, and I'm taking this new batch you laid out.”

“You're a lot of help to me and Granny, Fleecy. I appreciate it.”

“Don't think none on it, Valerie. Hit's my pleasure. This place and Granny are looking good. I'd be proud if you was my granddaughter.”

I smiled and headed for a hot shower. Soon I felt wonderful, even good about having the guts to cross the almost bottomless pit. Maybe I was more of a daredevil than I knew. The scariest thing I'd ever done before this was a dance or piano recital.

After a bit of supper, I went to the piano and played and played. Granny seemed to enjoy it and I felt more relaxed than I had for days. I resolved right then that I wasn't going to let some joker ruin my summer. Or make me afraid of my shadow. With “fellars courtin',” my music back, and Granny happy, what more did I need?

Granny said she'd like to go to Neal's for dinner. So the next night I brushed my hair till it shone, tucking a small white flower behind my ear. I put on the other white dress I'd bought, this one with light green embroidery on the neck and shoulders. White sandals set it off, and I noticed I'd gotten fairly brown in the time I'd been in Arkansas.

Neal came early, on his way home from some deliveries, so we got to his place in time to help his mom finish dinner. Granny visited with Dr. Gallagher, who had delivered two babies and was high on the events.

Mrs. Gallagher had outdone herself, serving a meat pie with biscuits on the top and peach pie for dessert. We laughed and Neal played some of his recordings. I realized how much I enjoyed these people. I had brought my recordings of By Golly. Granny settled down and listened quietly. But she didn't say she didn't like him this time. I was glad. I thought it might have something to do with jealousy on her part.

I resolved to make a number of tapes of Granny singing and talking. I could do a package of them for Rue for Christmas. It would be something to treasure forever.

All too soon it was time for Neal to take us home. I knew Granny was tired, but I'd had so much fun, being in a family, I'd have stayed longer. I missed my family, complete again with Rue marrying Dad. Dad was like a new man, happy again, and we'd had some good times. Rue said they'd take me along on one of their next trips.

The moon was almost full and sailed toward us as we climbed the stairs. Mrs. Butterworth waited for us on the doorstep. She sneezed as we got close.

“If a cat sneezes, it'll rain soon,” Granny predicted.

Neal and I both laughed. “Guess it'd break the heat to have some rain,” Neal said. “Sneeze some more, Mrs. B.”

Granny went in the house ahead of me.

“Didn't you lock the door, Granny?”

“Course not, child. Never locked the door before. You know Rue made me put that lock on it.”

I turned to Neal. “I'll never get used to the casualness of living here. If we didn't lock our apartment door, we'd come back to empty rooms.”

“I'd hate that.” Neal took my hand and we walked around the house to sit on the rock wall that tried to keep mountain and yard apart. Wild roses bloomed by the wall and their scent filled the night air.

“It's a fact of life. You get used to it.”

“I can't get used to your being in my life.” Neal put his arm around me, and I was glad to snuggle close to him.

“If you get used to me, you might be bored. I don't seem to have much direction in my life right now.”

“No way would I get bored with you. I could sit and look at you for hours. You looked prettier than ever tonight. The mountains agree with you. Maybe you need some time to think about what you want to do. It's all right not to know. You're happy here, aren't you?”

“Yes, I am. I don't miss New York as much as I thought I would. I miss Rue and Dad, of course, but I didn't see much of them when we were at home. Except for my mother dying, I've never had a lot to be unhappy over. I guess I've had an easy life.” I realized that what I'd said was true. I wasn't super popular at school but I had friends. I didn't date but I thought it was all right. Now I knew what I'd been missing. I liked Neal's arm around me.

I turned my head toward him to tell him I'd enjoyed the evening, but I never got a chance to say it.

His kiss was sweet, his lips soft and warm on mine. Then he held me close and I felt so secure. How could I not be happy?

“I've never met a girl like you, Valerie,” he whispered. Then he pushed me away and studied me in the light of the moon. We were surrounded by a silvery glow that was magic. His eyes pulled me in and I wanted to kiss him again.

“You're so soft and pretty and you have your music, yet you didn't seem out of place in the cave. My heart stopped when you crossed that drop-off, but I was proud of you when you managed it. It was a risk for us all and Rick knew it, but most sports have some risk involved.”

“Letting you kiss me may be more of a risk.”

He laughed softly. “Think you could fall for me?”

“I have to think about the risk. Maybe
I
need to carry a rope to keep me from falling too far.”

“Don't think about it. Just do it” He reached for me again but I jumped and ran.

“You men are all alike. You want women falling at your feet all the time,” I teased. “I've used up my portion of daring for the week — maybe even the month. I have to think about this new adventure for a long time.”

“Till tomorrow?”

“Go home, Neal Gallagher. The moonlight is getting to you.”

I ran into the house and quickly shut the door, leaning on it, breathless. I did want to think before I started liking Neal too much.

A few minutes later I stood, barefooted in my nightgown, looking out the window. I liked the way the moon silvered the yard, the grass, the trees. Maybe Neal was moon mad, but I liked the things he'd said. I liked him thinking I was like no one he'd ever met I liked his wanting to risk falling in love with me, and me with him. But this was all so new for me. I did want to give it some time.

With a dreamy moonlight mood, I turned back the covers and flopped on my bed, hugging my knees up to me. Suddenly both the moon and the silence were shattered. The room filled with the noise of wings flapping. Something brushed my face and I screamed.

CHAPTER

11

W
AS
it birds? They swooped and flew overhead. They knocked knickknacks from the dresser. One thumped against the screen while another swept a picture off the wall, sending it crashing to the floor.

I screamed again and pulled the covers up over me. They weren't birds. They were bats! Five, six, how many bats?

I lay there, shaking until things quieted. Just the thought of my room full of the ugly creatures, their rubbery wings and pointed faces, made me want to grab my quilt and run downstairs, but I knew I had to get them out of my room. I waited till I had calmed somewhat and then tried to think of a plan.

Apparently the bats had been under my bed. When I sat on it, they were startled and flew out. If I moved they'd fly again.

Slowly, very slowly, I moved until my knees were doubled up and turned toward the edge of the bed. Enough light came through the window so that I could see my closet gaping open. No bats there.

Carefully, in ultra-slow motion, I sat up. Then I stayed put till I was sure no bats were disturbed. With my feet firmly on the floor, I eased myself up carefully so that I was standing.

I had started for the window when the bats flew again. I kept going, ducking and dodging. One brushed my hair, and I shivered to think of feet tangled, wings flopping against my head.

Fumbling with the hook, I finally got it pushed out of the little round hole into which it slipped. Thud. A flying body crashed into my back. Weren't they supposed to fly by radar? Maybe it didn't work when they were frightened.

I pushed on the old wooden screen till it scooted open with a scraping sound. Leaning out as far as I could, I held it open. One by one the bats found the escape route and whirred past me.

I was crying by then. I hated the bats hitting me, brushing by, but it was the only way to get them out

I slammed the screen shut, jerking at it when it stuck. Then I dived back into bed and buried my face in the pillow. Finally I got calm and warm, wishing desperately I could wake up and find I'd had a nightmare. But it was all much too real.
My
one consolation was that I hadn't disturbed Granny.

How had bats gotten into my room? Not by accident The answer was obvious. Someone had put them there while we were gone. The door was open. Anyone could have come in. But who? Who would do such a thing?

Bats. How could anyone even catch them? They lived in caves. Did they live anywhere else? Barns? No one could reach them on the ceiling of a cave.

Because of caving, Rick's name popped into my head. But Rick wouldn't do such a thing. To begin with he'd have no reason. Even if he'd found out we'd gone to Neal's for dinner, this kind of trick was not in line with his being jealous.

Whoever had done it aside, it became obvious that someone was after me — trying to frighten me. The letter was addressed to me. The bats were in my room. So the phone calls hadn't been a random prank by kids. The caller had wanted me to answer.

But why? I couldn't even think of a motive. My being here didn't suit someone. I tossed and turned. I could find no reason.

Sometime in the night it started to rain. Mrs. Butterworth was a pretty good forecaster. I guess the rain gently pelting the tin roof lulled me to sleep for a short time.

Suddenly I jerked awake. At first I thought a memory of the night's episode with the bats had wakened me. The slight brushing of my cheek was like the flutter of a wing. Then I realized it was Mrs. B.'s tail. She sat washing and occasionally her tail flicked across my pillow. Granny must have let her in and fed her. This was not her “feed me” greeting, but her content-after-breakfast beauty routine. Wash paws, wash face, comb hair with tongue. Curl up. Nap awhile.

I left her curled in the bed covers, which looked as though a strong wind had tossed and tumbled them for hours. I felt as though something had tumbled me. My
eyes
were gritty, my head ached.

I pulled on some jeans since the air seemed cool. Fog covered the mountain again. Not wispy and floating, but total, like the cabin was wrapped in a ball of cotton candy.

I pulled the window screen tight and hooked it, reliving the bats bumping past me. Squeezing my eyes shut, I took several deep breaths. The nightmare wouldn't go away.

Granny sat in front of a cold fireplace, her old sweater with the elbows out clutched around her. I'd build a fire before I got some breakfast. It would chase away the chill and cheer me up, I hoped.

A woodpile leaned against the east wall of Granny's cabin. Someone had replenished it after the winter. I had no sooner started stacking wood in my arms when a rustling sound made me look down. Over my foot crawled a long, spotted snake!

I screamed, tossing wood every which way, and flew back inside. My nerves were raw from the night's scare and no sleep. I couldn't stop shaking.

Granny came over to me. “Child, child, what is it? What's wrong?”

“A snake!” I blurted out. “A huge rattlesnake. In the woodpile.”

“Why child. That ain't no rattler. Hit's just my old kingsnake. He's lived here for years. He won't harm nothing but rats and mice.”

“Your snake? You have a snake? Why didn't you tell me?” I screamed at Granny.

“Calm down, child I never thought to tell you. He's harmless.”

I felt foolish then, but I couldn't calm down. I lit a burner and put on the tea kettle. As soon as a tea bag had steeped a minute, I sipped the scalding liquid. My hands were still shaking, so that I spilled it on the table top.

Granny wasn't her best this morning, either. She spilled milk trying to pour me some. Then she dropped an egg. Mrs. Butterworth had come down after hearing the refrigerator open. She did her best to clean up the mess.