Page 36 of Whatever Will Be

It’s not until my stomach grumbles that I remember I haven’t eaten yet today. There’s not a whole lot to choose from in the kitchen. I should go to the store since I’ve got nothing else going on for the next few hours.

I’ve just finished pouring the remnants of a bag of granola into my mouth when I hear some weird noise coming from the front door. There’s a low thump, then some animal-like scratching. Finally, the doorbell rings, a lengthy DINGGGG DONGGGGG, as if whoever presses the button doesn’t know how to do it correctly.

There are no deliveries expected today. I toss the empty granola bag in the trash and the doorbell gets tortured again.

DINGGGG DONGGGGGG.

I have zero patience for door to door sales. No one wants their day interrupted with an offer for satellite television or bug spray. Now irritated, I throw the door open to show the visitor the less cheerful side of my personality.

And I stare, dumbfounded.

“Hi,” says Caitlin.

The twins, dressed in sparkly princess costumes, gape up at me as they shiver side by side.

I look around for an adult and see no one. “What are you two doing here?”

Mara hiccups and starts to cry.

Caitlin sniffs. “She’s sick.”

Winter has reclaimed the skies and it’s far too cold for them to be outside dressed as they are. I don’t know how they wandered off but we’ll deal with that in a minute. My first priority is to get them warm.

“Girls, come in.” I wave them inside and they step forward eagerly, although tears stream down Mara’s cheeks.

I shut the door, tell them to stay right where they are, and dash to the bedroom to grab a couple of hoodies.

“Here. You can put these on over your costumes.” I hand them each one.

The look confused.

“They’re sweatshirts,” I explain. “You pull them over your head. See? I’m wearing one.”

Caitlin wrinkles her nose. “I know that.” She yanks hers on and pushes her hands into the sleeves. It comes down to her knees and it’s on backwards but whatever.

Mara tries but gets stuck, her muffled voice yelling “Help! Help!” from within the fleece folds. She turns in blind circles.

Gently, I help her find her way out. She breathes with relief and pushes her hair out of her face. Her eyes are still watery.

I’m crouched down in front of them. “Now what are you guys doing wandering around by yourselves? Where’s your Aunt Gretchen?”

“She had to go places,” Caitlin says.

“And your Uncle Danny?”

“He’ll be back in ten minutes.”

I frown. “Where did he go?”

“He’ll be back in ten minutes,” Caitlin repeats with confidence.

Why the hell would Danny have left them alone, even for ten minutes?

“My tummy hurts.” Mara is crying again.

“She drank the tea.” Caitlin takes her sister’s hand. “It was bad.”

“You drank bad tea?” I ask Mara, beginning to grow uneasy about what we’re really dealing with.

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