Noises In The Night

Megan woke with a start. Disorientated, she lay still trying to work out what had woken her. She looked at the clock, it was one am and as it should be at that time of night, he house was peaceful. Her husband’s heavy breathing next to her was the only sound to be heard. Assuming the cause was a dream she’d been having, Megan relaxed and settled back down to sleep. But within seconds her eyes snapped open as she heard a strange sound coming from somewhere on the floor below her. She knew now this is what had pulled her out of her sleep. 

It wasn’t loud but it was something that definitely shouldn’t have been there.  A whirring noise like a motor running, it stopped as suddenly as it started. Megan was puzzled. There was no reason for anything to be running at that time of night. Everyone in the house was in bed. She frowned, trying to think of possible causes. Maybe it was coming from the house next door. But as the noise started up again she could tell it was closer than that. Maybe she had left the dryer running. She had done that before and she knew if that was the case, the backdoor would be open too. She always opened it if she was running the dryer so condensation didn’t build up in the laundry. The trouble is, she didn’t remember having the dryer on. Her frown deepened. 

She turned on the light and waited hoping whatever it was had stopped. But within a few minutes it came again. Looking over at her slumbering husband she contemplated waking him, but then decided against it. He would only get mad and she would be left feeling stupid when he no doubt would find it was her fault for forgetting to turn off the dryer. It wasn’t as if the noise sounded menacing or anything, it was just annoying because she didn’t know what it was. 

So pushing aside the covers Megan sat up. She wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep, thinking the back door was open, so she would have a look downstairs herself. Never a particularly courageous person, she took a deep breath as she opened the bedroom door. The house was in darkness. Turning on the lights as she went, she made her way to the staircase, telling herself with every step that she had nothing to worry about. But with all the scenes out of every horror movie she’d ever seen playing through her head, when everyone screams “don’t go out there” her heart was hammering as she started down the stairs.

Pride doesn't always come before a fall

As a parent, there are moments when your kids drive you crazy, but if you are lucky these are outnumbered by the moments when they fill you with pride. Saturday night was one of the latter for us when our eldest daughter took part in her presentation ball.  As could have been expected she looked beautiful, not unlike all those that took part, but what impressed me more, was the grace and confidence with which she conducted herself. I could not have asked for a more charming and respectful display. She had eleven guests there to experience her big night and she made sure each one of them knew she appreciated their attendance. In a world where rude, crass and disrespectful behaviour is increasingly the norm, a night of elegance and deference made for a delightful change. Well done beautiful girl, you made us very proud.

Going Home

Part 23

Smiling Josh nodded “sounds good” and turned on to his stomach with his arms above his head.

Getting on to her knees Grace straddled Josh’s body and sitting lightly on his lower back. Starting on his shoulders she began to massage. She could feel the tension in his muscles. But as she worked her way down his back Grace began to get distracted by the feel of his toned body beneath her hands and her touch became more caressing than massaging.

Josh who had been enjoying the massage, starting to relax at last, noticed the change in Graces touch and became a bit distracted himself. As a different sort of tension coiled its way through his body Josh stirred and moving Grace’s weight enough to turn over settled back down with her now sitting on his stomach. Feigning annoyance he placed his hands on her thighs and frowned up at her. “You call that a massage?”

Smiling she rubbed her hands over his chest “well that’s how it started but…” and leaving the sentence unfinished she eased herself back as her hands moved lower.

Groaning Josh grabbed her arms and pulled her down on top of him. And his arms wrapped around her, the events of the day were forgotten for awhile.

Rite of Passage

Mention long white dresses, gloves, seventeen year old girls and limousines and what is brought to mind? If you were in my household at any time in the last twelve months, you’d know it was the age old rite of passage for young women, the debutante ball. It may now be called a presentation ball but the hype and preparations are pretty much the same. From finding the perfect dress, to selecting the boy and choosing the car, to the dancing lessons and the myriad of grooming measures required to attain perfection, it is easy to see why it has taken a year to get here. But finally we have reached the night before the big event. The nails are done, the dress is back from its final fitting, the accessories are chosen now all we need is the day. Bring on tomorrow.

Rescue Me

Part 12

There were only two further customers as Jesse waited. Watching Kayla as she moved around, closing up, he was impressed. In a marked change from last night she moved with energy and confidence. She looked to be in complete control. Helping her close the shutters again a few minutes later he asked “do you work late every night?”

Kayla kept her eyes down as she secured the lock “no I close at six on the week end.”

Jesse nodded but didn’t say anything else.

Kayla sighed as she dropped her keys into her bag and Jesse looked at her, puzzled. She lifted her head, but he noticed she didn’t look at him and her voice was flat as she said “let’s go.”

They walked along in silence for a while, before Kayla asked “do you work the same shift every day?”

Surprised, Jesse looked down at her for a second, wondering what had prompted the question. Then he turned his head to face forward again “no not always.”  

A few seconds later she asked “what’s your rank in the police force?” 

 “I’m a sergeant.”

“So you wear a uniform?”

“Yes”

“Do you like being a cop?”

“Do you always ask so many questions?” he countered with a hint of a smile.

She grinned “no, normally I get answers that contain more than the bare minimum so I don’t need to.”

Smiling properly now, he said “fair call. I guess I’m just not used to people asking.”

“So you don’t have friends, a girlfriend, family who want to know about you?” 

Looking straight ahead again, his expression was grim “no.”

He could feel Kayla’s eye’s on him. She said in a quiet voice “sorry.”

Jesse looked over at her “why?”

She shrugged “I have more family than I can do with sometimes, but I wouldn’t know what to do without them, I forget not everyone is so lucky.”

“So what about you” he asked, trying to steer the conversation away from himself “any boyfriend?”

Stopping as they reached her house she turned to face him “no, no boyfriend.”

“How come?”

Kayla laughed “I don’t know, why don’t you have a girlfriend?” 

But Jesse didn’t laugh nor did he answer. He couldn’t talk about it. Stepping back he gestured towards her house “you’re right now.” Then pushing his hands into his pockets he turned away

“Would you like to come in for a drink?” she asked.

Turning briefly, without meeting her eyes he said “nah, I’ve got to go.”

He heard her call out “thanks” and he held up a hand to indicate he’d heard but kept walking.

Going Home

Part 22

Later that night as Grace and Josh were watching TV Josh’s phone rang. Looking at Grace with a sense of deja vu Josh picked up the phone and pushed the receive button. He didn’t even bother to look at who was calling. It would be a number he didn’t know and besides he knew who it was. “Hello”

Hearing the gruff greeting Margaret Joshua began a little hesitantly “Um Josh? It’s your mother.” The first time she rang she didn’t realise how hard it would be saying those words and it’s not any easier this time. She wasn’t used to using that word in relation to herself anymore, she hadn’t felt like a mother for a long time and she doubted Josh has considered her one for years either.

“Yeah?” Josh replied.

“I was wondering if we could have breakfast tomorrow. You tell me where and I’ll be there” she said trying to make it as easy as possible.

“Hang on.” Josh said and putting his hand over the phone he looked at Grace “she wants to have breakfast tomorrow, where will we go?”

Looking at him Grace said “tell her to come here.”

Josh just looked her, doubt visible in his eyes. He wasn’t sure he wanted her at their place.

Seeing the look on his face Grace sighed “Josh she’s your mother not some stalker, tell her to come here.”

Frowning at her Josh lifted his hand off the phone and replied in short sharp sentences “I’ll give you our address. We’ll have breakfast here.”

Breakfast at Josh’s home was better than Margaret had hoped for. Despite his tone on the phone she hoped this was a positive sign.

Watching as Josh hung up the phone Grace noticed his frown. “What’s the problem?”

Looking over at her Josh didn’t know how to answer. He wasn’t entirely sure himself what his objection to his mother coming was and rubbing his face he said “nothing I guess.” Then turning his head to look at her asked “you ready for bed? I’ve had enough for today.”

Smiling at him tenderly Grace nodded “sure.” She knew today has been hard for him and as they got into bed a few minutes later, she was worried Josh wouldn’t be able to sleep. She made a suggestion that she hoped would help him relax “hey feel like a massage?”

Where is the news?

I have noticed on a popular website that purports to report news, that they have recently changed their look. Well even though the saying goes, a change is as good as a holiday, it seems in this case, the only holiday the producers of the page are taking is one from their senses. I’m not sure whether it is the font they are using, or their choice of images, or the way it is laid out, or a combination of all of these aspects, but now everything that is posted looks like an advertisement. 

The first few times I visited the page after the change, I skimmed straight past the news items thinking they were indeed ads. It was only when I went back and read the titles again that I realised they were serious new articles. And even now when I know that they are reports of news worthy events, I have trouble taking them seriously. This problem was further compounded yesterday by an unfortunate typing error in the report of a very serious and disturbing event. One wrong letter changed the word in question and as a consequence, the whole tone of the article. Proof reading seems to have gone out the window, along with their credibility. 

But why do it? Why change to a format that raises doubts about their integrity. Did nobody see the flaw in their new look?  Or was it perhaps a purposeful tactic? Is it a ploy intended to trick readers into reading about what is happening in the world before they realise? Or worse still is this the latest demonstration of a growing complacency about world events, where they are now treated no more seriously than an infomercial? Maybe we need a new description for this type of reporting. Anewsment seems to fit the bill, because it is difficult to see such reporting as anything more than a joke.