Page 45 of The Woods

“For you,” he said, handing it to her. Then he leaned down and yanked a long strand of hair from her head. “For me,” he said, before wrapping it around his finger so that it looked like a ring.

Then he went to the window, blew her a kiss, and slipped outside. She was left thinking that he was the oddest, most interesting person who she’d ever met. She couldn’t get enough of him.

Getting out of the car now and making her way to the front door, she resolves that enough is enough. The Polly I know always made guys hungry for her, not the other way around. She’s just about to answer her sister’s voice when the front door swings open, only inches from her face, and Quinn pokes his head out.

“What the hell are you doing out here?”

“I just saw a wolf,” she answers.

“A wolf? Holy fuck.” Quinn goes right into panic mode. “No wonder Panda is so scared all the time. Way to go, Mom,” he calls into the house over his shoulder. “We now live in fear of wolves in this murder house.” He storms back inside, letting the door slam.

“I’m not afraid,” Polly whispers.

Maybe you should be, her sister’s voice whispers back.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023

Alice

Alice pauses on the back deck to take in the landscape. As the sun begins to set, the treetops look like they’re on fire with their orange and red leaves. It’s truly breathtaking, Alice thinks, as a shower of colorful leaves rains down around her in slow motion, dislodged by the breeze. The place is finally starting to feel like home. There hasn’t been an incident in two weeks—no dead animals, no one getting lost in the woods, no wolf sightings—and the kids are doing well and so are she and Geoff. For the first time in over a year she feels like they’re all going to be okay.

She makes her way to her mother’s cabin, taking pleasure in the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot. Through the screen door she can see that her mother is cleaning paintbrushes at the sink. “Mom? Can I come in?” she asks through the door. A learned habit from childhood. If you see a paintbrush in my hand, do not come in the room, her mother used to tell her.

“Yes, dear,” she calls back over her shoulder. “I’m just finishing up.”

Alice has to yank on the screen door to get it open. “That door’s a bit annoying,” she says, stepping inside.

“It is.” Beverley turns away from the sink, wiping her hands on her painting apron. “It doesn’t shut on its own. You have to pull it, but then it’s hard to get unstuck when you want to open it again. I’m worried one of the cats will get out if it’s not shut properly.”

“I can have Geoff look at it,” Alice offers.

Beverley waves a hand dismissively. “Next year, when the weather gets warm again. I only had the main door open today because of the paint fumes. They’re much stronger in such a small space.”

Alice ignores the size comment. “Did you remember that Geoff and I are having a date night tonight? So, it’s just you and the kids for dinner.”

“How romantic,” Beverley replies, and Alice thinks she detects jealousy in her voice. “You two certainly are lovey-dovey lately. I hope it lasts.”

And there it is, Alice thinks. “I don’t think it’s just a phase, Mom,” she explains, trying not to sound defensive.

Beverley holds up both hands in surrender. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

You meant everything by it, Alice thinks. “Anyway, I just threw together a pesto pasta and a salad for you and the kids.”

“Lovely, dear,” her mother says, lifting the apron over her head to hang on a hook. “Would you like some help getting ready?”

Alice glances down at the dark jeans and flowy black blouse that she chose for the night. “I am ready.”

“Oh, well,” her mother says, looking her up and down. “What about adding a bit of color to the ensemble? Or at the very least some color on your lips. You’re looking a bit tired. You have no idea how a nice bright pink can refresh you.”

“I’m not you, Mom.”

Her mother trills. “No one would accuse you of that, my dear.”

Alice turns to leave. She’s had enough of her mother’s judgment. “I better go, Geoff’s waiting for me.”

“Yes, of course. Should I sneak Geoff some money before you go so that he can pick up the check?”

It takes all of Alice’s restraint not to turn around and tell her to fuck off.