Sheep's Clothing by Gary Lewis (dark books to read TXT) 📗

beneath her bare feet, she looked to the left, past the large wooden swing of her front porch. Across the front yard, the weeping willows drooped together to hug the side of the house. They seemed to mourn the white bundle of fluff that liked to play below their boughs as she walked slowly toward the hanging limbs. "Peetie!" she called while wandering around to the back yard. She stared through the thin fog into the fields and pastures that stretched beyond view. Something felt out of place that day and she knew it was deeper than her missing Peetie. Janice could only continue her search while her calls were answered by the chirping of birds.

#David#

Inside, David helped himself to Janice's coffee pot before walking toward the sound of the morning news playing in the living room where he admired her large, tidy home. The matching beige furniture contrasted against glossy, black end tables situated just across from a cozy recliner. He remembered how Janice's dad used to sit there and relive boating stories. But now even the family portraits were missing from the wall where they once hung alongside a mounted largemouth bass, also nowhere to be seen.

He sipped at the hot brew. Strong, but stale. It was obviously reheated from the day before. After sinking into the sofa, he watched the news anchor talk about the super moon that took place the night before.

The swinging sound of the back door pulled his attention to the kitchen. "No luck,” Janice said with eyebrows that pressed to squeeze the concern written on her face. “I'm sure he's just out running the fields again."

"Hey, they're talking about that super moon from last night," he said, still kicked back on the couch.

"Oh no. I completely forgot. I'm so sorry, David."

"It's fine," he said, brushing it off with a sweep of his hand. "I should have some good video of it from the camera we set up behind my place. Just haven't gotten around to checking it yet."

While they were still talking, images of firefighters and smoke played on the television.

"Wait. Is that here?" Janice asked.

David rushed to grab the remote and turn it up for her while they listened to the reporter interview a stern-faced old woman with a nagging voice. As she spoke, David began to recognize the area.

"Oh yeah,” he said. “Isn't that Ms. Tanner that used to teach social studies? She's always been a little eccentric.”

"That was mean," she said as he grinned.

The reporter continued her interview. "You said that you saw an individual fleeing the scene of the abandoned barn as it was burning?"

"No," the elderly woman scolded. "Not an individual. A monster. I already told you."

David’s laughter busted from his chest. “It’s the same tone she used in class,” he said, slapping the couch cushion.

"It was a big hairy creature,” the old woman continued. “I saw it standing right over by the barn before it ran off that way toward the woods."

This time even Janice was covering her face to contain the giggle while David busted out rolling across the couch.

As they settled down, he watched the smile that stretched across her face relax back into position along with her gleaming, green eyes.

"So, how's everything been lately?" he asked.

"A little better." She tilted her head down. "I've been staying home a lot though."

"Did you check into any of those photographer spots yet?" he asked. "If not, I'm sure the school would still let you work on the yearbooks, even though you left. You know, I still have another year there."

Janice's eyes floated around the room and finally fell to look at the floor. "It just seems like nothing goes right anymore, now that he's gone."

David quietly nodded his head while she began to vent. He watched as she explained the dire situation of her day, every misstep and failed expectation. But he found it hard to follow Janice's words when his eyes drifted with her hands through her soft, brown hair and down across her plump, busty chest where he noticed that she was missing a couple buttons. He studied the way she swayed to the beat of her voice and let his sight wander as her shirt shifted with the motion of her arms.

"What do you think?" Janice's voice snapped him out of his distraction.

"Yeah. I completely agree," he said. "Listen. Tony, Sarah and some of her friends are going to meet up with me at the cliffs later and hang out. Want to join?"

"No.” She glanced away with a sigh before looking down. “I don't really go around there much anymore."

David looked aside, forcing a light smile. "Since Vance?"

"Since... the accident,” she said softly. “Since Dad.”

"I'm sorry, Jan." He watched as she lifted her head to meet his eyes.

"It's okay, David. It's not your fault." The air became as muted as David's mind while he struggled for the next words to say.

Finally, Janice's voice returned. "Vance might drop by later."

"Well,” David said, holding back the reluctance that attempted to creep into his tone. “I guess I better split before he shows up."

"Aw. Thanks for helping me with the kitchen."

David strolled back out to his red, two door coupe where the all too familiar depths of Janice's friend zone engulfed his stomach.

"Wait!" Janice's voice stopped him when he opened the car door. He looked as she hurried down the steps, rushing toward the driveway. David's heart beat with anticipation.

"Have fun while you're up there,” she said. “I know you and Tony haven't been real close since y’all's parents divorced.” She stared up into his eyes. “But he's still like a brother to you.”

"He is my brother.”

"I know," she said. "I just don't want you to forget that it's not his fault.” Her hand reached to touch his arm. “It was his dad that did your mom wrong. Don't let it come between you."

He shook his head. "Yeah. Well, dads aren't all they're cracked up to be-" David stopped to the weight of his words. "Sorry…” A stinging pause halted his sentence. “I didn't mean..."

"It's okay,"