Early Spring 01 Broken Flower (24 page)

She brought out the dessert. It looked good, but I didn't want it either.
"What's Ian getting to eat?" I asked.
"Ian's already had his dinner. Nancy brought him tuna fish and a salad."
"But he hates tuna fish," I said. I was sure she knew that.
"When you have nothing else to eat, you suddenly learn to love it," she replied.
"He won't eat it."
"That's enough about Ian. Finish your dessert and go up to take your bath and get ready for bed. You've had a terrible day and the faster you get it behind you, the better off you'll be," Grandmother Emma said.
"It wasn't terrible. I saw Mama," I told her.
She pressed her lower lip over her upper and tapped her fingers on the tabletop.
"She'll be fine," Miss Harper said. "Just give it some time."
"Yes. You're probably right, dear. Thank you," Grandmother Emma said, and dabbed her lips with her napkin. "I have things to do in my office."
"I'll see to her," Miss Harper said.
"Thank you." Grandmother Emma rose. "Do exactly as you're told, Jordan," she said firmly. Then she walked out of the dining room.
As soon as she did, Miss Harper stood up, reached over to take the remaining piece of pie away from me, and then nodded. "Time to go up and do as you were told," she said. "Go on."
I rose, pushed in my chair, and hurried to the stairway. Maybe Ian would be outside in the hallway. I thought, but when I got upstairs, he was not and it was still dark and quiet on his side. I heard Miss Harper coming up behind me so I went to my room and started to run the bath.
She came in behind me and stood in the doorway of the bathroom watching. I started to pour in some of Mama's bubble bath and she stepped forward and seized it out of my hand.
"You don't need that to wash."
"But I like it in my bath."
"You don't play in a bathtub anymore, Jordan. You're too old now."
"Mama uses it and she's older than I am,"
"Don't contradict me. Get undressed and into the water. You are to wash your hair, too. Who knows what filth your brother dragged you through today?"
"We didn't go through any filth. We just went in taxicabs and on a bus to the hospital."
She stared at me a moment and then nodded. "Your grandmother is absolutely right about you and your brother. You were simply brought up in too permissive an environment. It never fails. That's the world of children when they have selfish parents."
"My parents aren't selfish."
"No, they're the paragon of altruism," she said.
I grimaced. What was that? I'd have to ask Ian later, I thought.
"Get in the water. It's high enough," she ordered, and I went ahead and did so.
She looked at me more closely than ever and shook her head. "Nature can do some very freaky things,' she muttered.
"I'm not a freak!" I screamed.
"Stop that shouting,"
"I'm not," I started to cry.
"Just get washed up, do your hair, and get yourself dried and dressed in your pajamas,:' she said. "I'm actually exhausted from you two myself and need to get to sleep."
She left me and I did my bath quicker than ever because it wasn't at all enjoyable without Mama's bath oils. After I dried myself and blew dry my hair. I dressed in my pajamas and got into bed. The bedroom door was open and remained that way. She appeared minutes after I had gotten into bed.
"Good," she said. "Finally, this day is coming to an end."
She turned off my night-light. I wanted to tell her I always wanted it on, but I didn't say anything. I thought I would turn it on after she closed my door, but she didn't close the door. She left it open.
I heard her walk down the hallway to her room and then I tried to stay awake as long as
I
could, hoping that Ian would sneak out of his room and come to me so I could tell him all the terrible things she had said and Grandmother Emma had said.
I wasn't sure if it was a dream or if he really did come to me, but suddenly, late at night, when even the house felt as if it had fallen asleep, he was at my bedside. He nudged me and I opened my eyes and looked at him.
"Ian," I said, sitting up quickly. "I didn't break our oath," I said before he could say anything. "She said she would say I did, but I didn't."
"I know, Don't worry about her."
"Aren't you afraid she'll know you left your room?"
"No," he said. "I just came here to tell you that everything will be all right"
"Mama will come home?"
"Someday. yes.'
"And Daddy, will he walk again?"
"Maybe not, but he'll be all right," he said. "And you and I?"
"We'll always be together. No matter what. Remember," he said, smiling. "You're my Sister Project."
And then he did something he had never done.
He leaned over like Mama would and he kissed me on my cheek.
He told me to lie down again and he fixed my blanket. When I woke up in the morning I knew it wasn't a dream because my night-light was on.
And Ian would remember that I needed it to be.

Of course, I knew I had better complete my morning chores or Miss Harper wouldn't permit me to take my medicine.
I
was very sleepy, but I rose and made my bed as best I could and then, after I washed and dressed. I cleaned up the bathroom. As I worked I continually anticipated her arriving to pass judgment on my efforts and maybe make me do over the bed, but she didn't come to my room at all.

Instead. Grandmother Emma stepped into the room. She looked at the bed and at me. All dressed and anxious. I was sitting on the small settee.

Harper see this?"
"No, Grandmother."
"She wasn't here yet this morning?' she asked

with surprise. "No," I said. "And I have to have my medicine."
"Yes. Where is it?"
"It's in her room. She said she would keep it there and I would have to go there to get it."
"Fine. That way she can be sure you always do it right. Go to her room then, but knock first," she warned as I started out.
She followed me to the stairway, nodded in the direction of my parents' and Ian's bedrooms, and then went down for breakfast. I walked slowly past Ian's door, which was shut. I wanted to knock on it first to see how he was, but I was afraid Miss Harper would leap out at me the moment I approached his door and pile some other punishment on top of the ones she had already placed on our heads, so I continued past and then knocked on hers.
I waited.
She didn't come to the door so I knocked again, a little harder and a little longer. Again. I waited, and again, there was just silence, so I called for her.
"Miss Harper. It's Jordan. I need my medicine now. Miss Harper?'"
I waited and listened and still there was silence. Maybe she had already gone down to breakfast. I thought, but I knocked one more time. When there was still no response. I turned and hurried back to the stairway. My grandmother was in the kitchen giving Nancy orders and Miss Harper was nowhere in sight.
"Miss Harper isn't answering when I knock." I said.
Grandmother Emma turned and Nancy stopped working and looked my way, too.
"Did you knock hard enough?" Grandmother asked.
"Yes. And I even called to her, but she didn't come. I need to have my medicine. Mama said I have to have it first thing every day."
Grandmother Emma looked at Nancy. "Have you seen Millicent this morning?" she asked Nancy.
"No. ma'am," she replied.
Grandmother Emma thought a moment, and while she thought, neither I nor Nancy moved.
"Maybe she was in the bathroom. Go back up and knock again and wait. If she doesn't answer come back," she told me, and returned to what she was telling Nancy.
I hurried upstairs. I was disappointed that Ian's door was still shut. I was hoping all the noise
I
was making would get him to wonder and come out, but he didn't and I stood there alone again and knocked as hard as I could.
There was still silence.
I called for her and then. after I heard nothing. I turned and nearly tripped running down the stairs. Grandmother Emma had gone into the dining room and was sipping a glass of orange juice. She looked up with confusion at my heavy breathing.
"What is it now, Jordan?"
"Miss Harper won't open the door." I said. "She won't answer me."
"Ridiculous," Grandmother Emma said, and rose. "I hope you didn't tap so softly no one could have heard."
I held out my hand. My knuckles were red.
"I hit the door very hard, so hard I hurt myself," I said, "I need my medicine."
"I know you need your medicine. You don't have to continually remind me," she said, and scowled.
I didn't care how angry she got. I wasn't afraid of showing my anger now, too. Mama had made nothing clearer to me than the importance of my having my medicine every morning. Grandmother Emma should be just as concerned as I was, I thought, and I didn't for a moment regret having her walk back to the stairway and go up to Miss Harper's room. She glanced at Ian's closed door, too, and smirked as she walked past it to Miss Harper's door. I followed closely and waited when she knocked.
"Millicent, it's Emma. Are you all right?" she asked, directing herself to the closed door.
There was no answer. "Millicent?"
I stood there with my arms folded over my chest, satisfied she could see I was right. I could see how annoyed Grandmother Emma was getting. She looked at me and then she opened the door. I started after her, but she turned on me in the doorway.
"Just a moment,' she said. "You wait out here." I stepped back.
She entered, closing the door almost
completely. A few moments later. I heard her cry out, "Oh, my God. Millicent! Millicent !"
I pushed the door fully open and peered in. Grandmother Emma was standing beside the bed, her right hand pressed flat over her mouth as if she was trying to keep in the orange juice she had just drunk, and her left hand on her head. I walked in and looked at Miss Harper, who was lying crouched over to her right as if she was going to vomit. Her eyes were wide open as was her mouth, and she looked like she had been screaming. In fact, she still looked like she was screaming, but it was a scream that no one else could hear.
Grandmother Emma stepped back. She shook her head and then she turned to me. "Get out!" she cried. "Go downstairs immediately. Go on. Get out!" "What about my medicine?" I asked. "Get out!" she shouted, much louder.
I had never seen her so wild and angry. It truly made my heart stop and start.
I
turned and ran out of the room, down the hallway and to the stairway, but at the top. I stopped and looked back because I heard Ian's door open.
Ian should know what was happening. I thought, and took a few steps toward him when he stepped into the hallway. He looked up at me.
"Something's wrong with Miss Harper," I said.
He glanced at her bedroom and at me and then, without saying a word, he turned and went back into his room and closed the door. A moment later, Grandmother Emma came out of Miss Harper's room. She closed her door and started walking toward the stairway. She didn't shout at me again. She looked like she was in a daze and didn't even see me. I waited for her until she realized I was standing there.
"Go on down. Jordan," she said. "I'll get you your medicine. Don't worry. Go on," she said in a low tont of voice that was only a shade or two above a whisper. I started down. "Tell Nancy to come upstairs immediately," she called to me.
I looked back and nodded. She turned and started toward her room and then turned and headed back to Miss Harper's room. I shook my head. She looked like she was confused and didn't know in which direction to go.
But of course I hoped she was going back to get my medicine for me. I practically leaped down the remaining steps and ran to the kitchen. Nancy looked up from the platter of toast and scrambled eggs.
"Grandmother Emma wants you upstairs right away," I said. She brought her head back.
"Now?"
"Yes, right away," I said.
"Everything's going to get cold," she said with regret. "Why would she want me up there now?"
"Something's wrong with Miss Harper," I said, and she widened her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"She looks frozen," I told her.
"Frozen?"
"Uh-huh. Her mouth's open and so are her eyes, but she doesn't talk."
Nancy's mouth opened and closed and then she hurried out of the kitchen.
I looked at the platter. Suddenly. I was very hungry, so I brought it into the dining room and placed it all on the table. Then I took my seat, fixed my napkin, and began to serve myself. After I began eating. I heard footsteps on the stairway and a moment later Grandmother Emma went by, hurrying to her office. A short while after that. I heard Nancy open the door so Felix could come in and follow her down to the office, too.
Grandmother Emma should have brought down my medicine. I thought. I buttered my toast and then I felt sorry for Ian. He was probably hungry, too, but no one was going to pay attention because of Miss Harper, so I carefully fixed a plate of eggs, toast, and jam and included a napkin. Then I went upstairs with it and knocked on his door.
"What?" he asked as soon as he opened it.
"I thought you might be hungrg. Everyone's busy with Miss Harper."
He glanced at the food, "Thanks," he said, and took it.
"I'm still waiting for my medicine," I said.
"That's wrong," Ian said. "They should worry about you more than about Miss Harper. If you don't get it in an hour, come back to me and I'll make sure you get it," he said. "You'd better go before Grandmother raises hell." he said, and closed the door.
I started downstairs again. Felix. Nancy, and Grandmother Emma were all starting up the stairway.
"What are you doing up there?" Grandmother Emma asked as soon as she saw me.
"I gave Ian something to eat," I said.
"Get back down here and stay here," she ordered.
"I need my medicine," I said.
"Oh, that damn medicine. Nancy will bring it to you. Now move," she said, and
I
walked past them as they all started quickly up the stairway.
I returned to the dining room and nibbled on a piece of cold toast and drank some more orange juice. Nancy finally brought me my medicine and
I
took it. She didn't wait to see if I did it right. She went back upstairs. I was happy she hadn't taken it back. Now I wouldn't have to wait for anyone before I could take it in the morning. I thought. Mama would be pleased.
I brought my dishes and glasses to the kitchen and then I wandered out to the stairway to listen. Felix came down and without even looking at me, went out. I went to the living room window that looked out on the driveway because I thought I heard the sound of a siren. Sure enough, an ambulance was turning into our driveway and right behind it was a police car. Another car, a black sedan, turned in after those two vehicles and all of them sped up to the front of the mansion.
Moments later Felix led two paramedics into the house. They carried bags and followed him up the stairway. Two policemen came in after them and then two men in suits followed, closing the door behind them. They all hurried up the stairway. I waited below, listening. The patrolmen came back down the stairway first. They saw me, but they didn't even smile or nod their heads. I watched them leave the house.
I wondered if I should go up to tell Ian I had gotten my medicine so he wouldn't worry about me, but I was afraid Grandmother Emma would really yell at us both. It didn't matter that all these strangers were in the house. If she was angry, she was any.
What. I wondered, had happened to Miss Harper to cause all this commotion?
Finally, Nancy came slowly down the stairway, her eyes down, shaking her head as she walked. She looked at me. "You know she's dead, don't you?" she asked.
I shrugged. How was I supposed to know anything? "Do you know anything about it?" she asked me. "About what?"
"About how she died?"
I shook my head and then remembered to speak instead of just shaking my head.
"No. I had to go to her room to get my medicine,'" I told her, and showed it to her. "She kept it there and I have to have it in the morning every day. She should have left it in my bathroom and there wouldn't have been all this trouble."
"Believe me," Nancy said, "that's the least of her problems now,"
She walked to the kitchen and I waited at the bottom of the stairway. The front door opened again and Mac, the man in charge of the mansion's grounds, came in with the two patrolmen. They told him to wait in the living room and one of the patrolmen went back upstairs.
No one seemed to notice or pay any attention to me.
Moments later, the patrolman and both of the men in suits came down the stairway and joined Mac and the other patrolman in the living room. I could hear everything they said because I stood just across from the living room door.
"This is Lieutenant Risso and I'm Detective Ryan," one of the men in suits said to Mac. "You look after the property?"
"Yes, sir," Mac said.. "And any odd job around the house itself, plumbing, electrical, whatnot." He glanced through the doorway at me and I thought he smiled.
"Have you been using any rodent poisons of any kind lately?" Lieutenant Risso asked him.
"Oh, yes, sir," Mac said. "We have a little problem in that regard. I use GoRodent Getter,"
"What's the active ingredient?" Detective Ryan asked.
"Strychnine. May I ask why you ask?"
"We have a possible incident that might involve that poison. Are you missing any?"
"Don't know. Hafta check the storage shed," Mac said.
"Let's go check," Detective Ryan said.
Mac shrugged and all of them left the house together. Mac winked at me, but no one else looked my way.
The paramedics came down the stairs next, but much more casually. They turned and went into the kitchen. I followed and saw that Nancy was giving them cups of coffee.
"What happened to her?" Nancy asked them.
"It sure looks like she was poisoned," one of the paramedics said.
"She suffered severe convulsions and were pretty sure it was strychnine. Usually, with strychnine, the victim remains in a convulsed position like the one she's in, eyes wide open and the face in a look of agony, just like hers," the other said, and then added, "The victim goes into rigor mortis almost
immediately after death.'
"Billy is studying to become a medical examiner," the first paramedic said, smiling.
"Sweet Mary and Joseph," Nancy said.
"It's strychnine," Billy said. "Stake my reputation on
it."
"What reputation?" the other paramedic said, and they both laughed.
If Miss Harper were dead, how could they be funny about it? I wondered.
Nancy smiled at them and offered them some of her homemade corn muffins. They both said yes and she sat them at the kitchen table and brought them muffins and jam.
"I always wondered what this place looked like inside, Billy said. "Don't know how many times I've gone by here. It's a wonderful mansion all right." he said, nodding at the ceiling and the walls.
"Isn't so wonderful if you're the one cleaning it," Nancy said, and they all laughed again.
I guess it was all right to be funny. I thought. They all finally saw me standing in the doorway.
"Oh, Jordan. Do you want something to eat now?"
"I already ate, Nancy. I brought Ian food, too, remember?"
She shook her head. "I don't know if I remember my name this morning."
The paramedics smiled.
I turned when Mac and the two detectives returned. Mac came toward us, but the detectives hurried up the stairway again.
"Helluva thing," Mac said, stepping into the kitchen.
The paramedics looked up
at
him. Nancy offered him some coffee.
"What?" she said when he took the cup.
"Someone was in my shed. I got a can of GoRodent Getter missing."
"I'll
be damned," Billy said. "Told you, strychnine."
Nancy gasped and brought her hand to the base of her throat.
Suddenly, they were all looking at me, but before anyone could say anything, Lieutenant Risso was
in
the hallway by the bottom of the stairway calling to me. I turned and looked his way.
"You're Jordan?" he asked. I nodded. "Come with me," he said, and led me into the living room. "Go ahead and sit on the sofa. Jordan," he said, nodding at the Victorian parlor settee.