This week’s story is another themed tale from my former writing group, this time the topic was spring. Yes spring. That time of year when flowers begin to bloom, and you start to think the garden would be a perfect place to bury someone if necessary. Maybe that’s just me. Of course, I just didn’t write a simple story about one of the four seasons, you should know better than that by now. No, I took the spring season and gave it a little shove into darkness, the way I like it. I hope you enjoy, The Deplorables.
“Linus, is it spring back, and fall forward, or the other way around?”
“It doesn’t make sense to spring back, does it Evelyn?”
“But you could fall forward.”
“Please stop talking.”
Evelyn looked over at her husband, and pouted.
“I’m sorry honey.” He reached over and touched her face, she loved when he did that.
“I forgive you silly. I just wanted to know which way to set our clocks tonight. Spring is here and you know how much I love the world waking up from a cold boring winter.” She smiled, he loved her smile.
“I know sweetie, but we have to stay focused on the job we have to do.”
“Of course.” Evelyn said.
“He’ll be here soon,” Linus said “You do remember what we’re supposed to do, don’t you Evelyn?”
“Yes I do dear, we rehearsed it all last week.” Evelyn slipped an arm through her husband’s. “After this, I’d like to spend spring in Paris, won’t that be wonderful Linus?”
Linus was powerless to refuse her, always had been. “Sure honey, that sounds wonderful —oh, here he comes.”
A tall amiable fellow walked up to Evelyn and Linus, “Hello, are you the Grumwells? I’m Philip Atkins, I hear you want to take a look at the house.”
“We’d love to.” Evelyn said.
“It’s a great house, and I’m selling it myself too.” Philip said proudly. “Those realtor fees are a scam I tell you, a scam.”
Evelyn and Linus nodded in agreement.
“Where’s my manners?” Philip said, when a tall woman wearing what Evelyn thought was the perfect spring dress, came alongside him with two kids in tow. “This is my wife Alyssa, and our kids Philip Jr. and Christina.”
“Oh, we didn’t know you were bringing the family,” Evelyn said.
“Well, we’re going on vacation, thought I’d show the house on our way out of town.”
Linus and Evelyn exchanged glances.
“Is that alright?” Philip asked.
“Of course it is,” Linus said.
Evelyn giggled. Philip thought it odd, but brushed it aside if it meant these two would buy his house.
The place was gorgeous, and Philip ended the tour in the room that was his pride and joy —the remodeled basement.
When Linus and Evelyn made their way down the stairs, Philip waved his arm with a flourish, “Ta da!”
“I had it renovated only a year ago,” Philip beamed. “If you wanted, you could rent this out as a studio apartment. It’s a self-contained living space down there.”
Evelyn squealed with delight, “Let’s buy it Linus, pleeeease!”
Philip grinned, ‘Who needs a realtor,’ he thought.
“Ev, you know that’s not why we came here.”
“Oh yes dear, I forgot. It is a beautiful house though, isn’t it Linus?”
“It is dear.”
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Philip asked. “Why are you wasting my time if you don’t want to buy the house?
“Tell him Linus, tell him!” Evelyn said excitedly.
“Evy honey, focus.” Linus gave her a cautionary look, which immediately softened when she began to pout.
Linus walked towards Philip, he was a few inches shorter, but Atkins backed away nonetheless. “Well Philip, I have a confession to make, this whole house thing was a ruse.”
“Get out of my house or I’ll call the police,” Philip said, then he tried to walk away.
“McManus sent us.” Linus tilted his head, and watched that bit of information sink in.
Just then, Alyssa Atkins came downstairs carrying a tray of refreshments, and saw that the color had drained from her husband’s face. “Is everything alright Philip?”
“I’m afraid it isn’t Mrs. Atkins. Please, sit down.” She set the tray on the coffee table and sat between Philip and the kids, who were already on the couch bored out of their minds.
Linus continued, “Your husband here has stolen money from my employer, a very formidable man, and he’s sent us to…well, rectify things.”
Alyssa glared at Philip, and Linus knew this wasn’t a total surprise to her.
“You don’t steal from a guy like McManus, Phil, it never ends well.”
“Please…don’t. I promise I’ll have his money by the end of the month.”
Linus shook his head, “I’m here to do one job, and negotiating with you isn’t it.”
“At least let my family go, they’re innocent in all this.”
“And that’s the real sad part of it all Phil. It was just supposed to be you, then your beautiful wife Alyssa here, would simply be the grieving widow.”
“She’s not that beautiful.” Evelyn pouted.
“No one’s more gorgeous than you, love.” Linus said.
Evelyn smiled.
“Please, please, they won’t say a word. Promise him Alyssa, promise that—“
The gun shot surprised everyone. Alyssa Atkins sat in shock with her husband’s blood splattered all over her beautiful spring dress.
“I didn’t think it would be so loud.” Evelyn said, genuinely shocked.
Then the children screamed, and Alyssa started yelling, “Bitch! Bitch!” at Evelyn who giggled at the chaos taking place.
“Ev, you were supposed to wait for my signal.”
“I know dear, I just couldn’t stand him begging any longer.”
“He was becoming quite annoying, wasn’t he?” Linus said, “But we have to stick to the plan.”
“You’re right sweetie, I’ll do better next time, I promise.” Evelyn gave Linus a kiss on the cheek, as he lifted his pistol to Alyssa Atkins’ head, and pulled the trigger.
Philip Jr and Christina tried to run, but Evelyn and Linus stopped them before they reached the stairs. “Time for you to go be with mommy and daddy now, okay?” Evelyn’s voice was strangely soothing.
Philip Jr. shook his head and tried to beg for he and his sisters life —but no words would come.
“Shh…it won’t hurt, I promise.” It was quick —and Evelyn was right, neither one felt a thing.
Suddenly Evelyn was very upset, “No, no, no!”
Linus rushed over, “Honey, are you alright?”
“No Linus! I got blood on my new shoes, now I’ll have to throw them away.”
Linus smiled and hugged his wife, “Don’t worry honey, I’ll buy you some more —on our spring trip to Paris.”
Evelyn beamed, “That would be wonderful sweetie, my favorite time of year, in my favorite place on earth. Do they spring back and fall forward there too?”
“Honey it’s spring forward and fall back —and yes they do.”
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Thank you again, take care, and remember it’s spring forward and fall back.
I've always wondered how two psychopaths find each other and realize their joint "calling." Bonnie & Clyde, Karla and Paul, etc. And how does "love" fit into that picture?? Fascinating.