Page 22 - voices-2022-12

A SEASON OF STORIES

“I’ll get her,” offered Laura.

Laura found Terry at the top of the stairs
visibly shaking. “My dear, what’s the matter?
Afraid of the dark or basements?”
Terry gave Laura a weak smile. “Basements.”

“Put one hand on the railing and I’ll walk
beside you and hold the other one. It will be
fine. There’s nothing down there to be afraid of.
Let’s join the others at the scene of the crime.”

The women reached the bottom of the stairs
in time to hear Rich say, “We found him right
there where Terry and Laura are standing.”
Terry began to sway. Laura, who was always

observant and eager to put her nursing skills
to work, grabbed the fainting woman before
she collapsed onto the floor.
An audible gasp came from the others. John

rushed forward and helped Laura lower Terry
onto the steps. John held onto her left arm while
Laura rubbed her back and spoke softly into
her ear. The others huddled together silently as

they looked back and forth between Terry and
the floor where William’s lifeless body had been
found. Everyone that is but Rich, who paced
back and forth with his hands behind his back.

Laura wished she had smelling salts to bring
Terry around. But the younger woman’s pulse
was strong, and after a few minutes Terry lifted
her head, opened her eyes, and looked around.

Her calm demeanor suggested she knew where
she was and why she was there.
Laura leaned forward and looked at Terry.
“Terry, are you alright?”

Terry took a long slow breath, “I think
William was my father.”
To be continued . . .

22 ONE COMMUNITY