When the Fireflies Returned Read online

  “Hi Frank. Should you be on the floor painting? You know you’re not supposed to be doing too much this soon after your heart attack, right?”

  “Hi Myrtle,” Frank responded, laying his paint brush down in the paint tray, and coming to his feet to greet her. There were splashes of paint all over his clothes. Then he added, “I know. But, anyway, my doc says I need exercise. Within reason. I swear I’m taking it easy. Lucas only lets me do simple tasks like painting baseboards, door and window trims, or giving him instructions on how to do something he doesn’t know how to do. No painting full walls or moving, lifting, anything heavy. He’s strict with me. And I take numerous rest breaks. Don’t worry. I have so much more living to do, so I am being careful.”

  “You better be. Abby would kill you if you don’t...take breaks and be careful, I mean.” Myrtle chuckled under her breath.

  Standing before the front door’s oval window, Frank looked out into the yard. “You rode over on the blue beast again, huh?”

  “Yep,” Myrtle hobbled over to Frank, “took the short cut through the woods. It didn’t take long.”

  “You sure are getting around on that machine. I’m happy for you. One day you’re going to have to show me that short cut through the woods of yours.”

  “Sure Frank. But you’d have to move at a brisk trot to keep up with me and my scooter. It can really move. I guess, for you, I’d have to slow it down some. Your heart and all.”

  “I’d appreciate that. I know your scooter can move. I see you and Silas racing all over town and it does my heart good. It’s great to see both of you getting about easier these days.”

  “Me, too. My scooter has reopened the world to me in ways I had all but forgotten. When you can’t get around easily, the world gets smaller. My old legs just don’t work like they used to. I’m enjoying the rides, too. It’s like I have my own private go-cart.”

  Lucas had slid past her and into the living room. He picked up a brush and resumed painting where he’d obviously left off. But he was listening to their conversation, she could tell.

  “So, Myrtle,” Frank continued, “what are you up to today?”

  Myrtle sat down on the new couch...ooh, it was so soft...and leaned back against its cushions. “I’m just going into town to see Irma. Maybe we’ll go to Stella’s for lunch. The house is so empty with Glinda and Kyle gone, I had to get out. Sitting around, waiting for them to come home, makes the time drag; depresses me, too. That and it’s a lovely day. A ride in the fresh air was just the thing I needed. I’m already in a cheerier mood.”

  Frank had come into the front room from the hallway, plopping down beside her on the couch. “I know the feeling.” He acted tired so she figured he was taking a break. “I couldn’t stay at home, either. Alone. Nick’s in school. Abby went off to that art gallery where her house paintings had been displayed last month to talk to them about producing a new collection. All six of those canvases sold so quickly the gallery wants more. As soon as she can paint more, that is.”

  Myrtle’s voice lowered, her gaze sneaking to include Lucas as he worked. “They want more paintings of this house?”

  “No. She’s done with this house. It isn’t the same old eerie edifice it once was. She isn’t interested in the new version of it. Besides it’s Lucas’s home now and she respects that. The gallery is open to anything else she wants to paint. She’s been thinking about her next theme. Hasn’t decided yet what that theme is going to be, but she will.”

  “Of course, she will. She always does.”

  The three of them chatted for a while longer about the house’s improvements already completed and those planned for the future. They covered any honeymoon news from Kyle and Glinda–the couple had called in to Frank and Myrtle once or twice–until Myrtle stood up and announced: “I’m off now. Irma knows I’m coming. I called her. She will be waiting for me at Stella’s.”

  “I bet you know another short cut into town, don’t you?” Frank had gotten up from the couch and was looking down at Myrtle.

  “Sure do. Through the woods behind this house straight through to town. I haven’t been that way for years and years because of my decrepit old body, but I remember where the path is. My scooter will get me to town that way quick enough. Time to go.”

  The two men accompanied her outside to where she’d left her scooter.

  “Do you,” Frank asked her, “have your cell phone with you?”

  Perched on the scooter, she produced her cell phone from her pocket and shook it at him. “Yes, Daddy, I have my cell phone with me. Always. Well, unless I forget it. I do sometimes. Oops.” She sent Frank an impish look. “But not often.”

  “Before you go, Myrtle, Abigail had said this morning she was going to invite you over for supper tonight, if you’d like to come? I was going to call you a little later. You’ve saved me the trouble.”

  Myrtle’s face brightened. “Sure, I’ll come. When have you ever known me to turn down a free meal? And my house sure is lonely without the kids in it. It’ll be good to be with people. What are we having?”

  “I’m not sure, but Abby will make something she knows you like.”

  “What time?” Myrtle had turned the key and her scooter roared to life.

  “It’ll be a little late because Abby will be coming from the art gallery in the city. How about I pick you up at about seven-thirty?”

  “Okey dokey. Seven-thirty it is. I’ll be ready. But tell Abby to have either the dinner on the table or appetizers ready because seven-thirty is late for me eating supper. I’ll be starved.”

  “I’ll tell her that.” Then Frank glanced at Lucas. “Abby told me to invite you to dinner tonight, as well, Lucas. You’ve been working so hard at the house here, she thought you needed a break and a homecooked meal.”

  Lucas appeared doubtful until Myrtle interjected, “Come on, Lucas. Come to dinner with us. Abby makes great food. We sometimes play board games or cards afterwards or sit on the porch and gab. A good time will be had by all. You’ll see. Come and socialize.”

  “Okay, you’ve convinced me. I’ll come. Truth is, I could use a decent meal. My cooking leaves much to desired. I’ve been practicing, but still have a lot to learn. I didn’t have much chance to cook in prison.”

  “See you at seven-thirty, both of you,” Myrtle said and left the two men, and the house, behind her in a cloud of pebble dust. She waved at them as she drove off. Talking about food, and her growling stomach, had reminded her she was hungry–she’d only had a light breakfast of toast and she usually needed more than that–and Irma was waiting at Stella’s Diner for her.

  She heard someone behind her shouting and she brought the scooter to a stop. Frank had chased after her and, when he got to where she was, he put his hands on her steering handle and said, “I just had a thought. How about you show me the entry to that short-cut path you’re always taking into town. Right now. No time like the present. I’d like to know where it is in case you ever break down and I need to find you on it. I’ll just follow you for part of the way and then return to Lucas’s.”

  “Okay. Follow me. I’ll keep my speed down so you can keep up.”

  “I’d be grateful for it. My heart, remember.” He placed a hand on his chest and grinned.

  “Yeah, I was kidding before about speeding. I’ll take it slower than I usually do, Frank. I won’t go above two on my speedometer.”

  “Thanks, old woman.”

  Frank walked after her as she bumped down the gravel road a short way. Moving slower than she had to. After a few minutes she veered her machine onto a half-hidden path that wound into the woods. He accompanied her to a point where she could show him, by pointing and directions, the final leg of the journey she would be taking and, after he stated he understood and would remember the route, he’d seen enough, he trekked back along the path and she went on her way into town.

  That Frank. He worried way too much about way too many things. She knew how to take care of herself. On the other h
and, though, it was nice to know there were people who cared enough about her to worry at all. As she had thought already once that day, she was a lucky old woman.

  FIFTEEN OR SO MINUTES later Myrtle’s scooter bounced off the path and lurched onto Spookie’s Main Street a block away from Stella’s. As she drove up and parked on the sidewalk before the diner, she was pleased to see Stella’s wasn’t too crowded. They’d get their lunch faster because of it. She got off the scooter, grabbed her cane, and hobbled inside, immediately spotting Irma at a table in a rear corner of the restaurant.

  “Hello there, friend.” Irma tipped her head at Myrtle as she came up to the table. There was a plate in front of the old woman with a half-eaten sandwich and fries on it. A puddle of ketchup on the side. Seeing where Myrtle was looking, Irma explained, “Sorry. I couldn’t wait. I was hungry.”

  “No problem.” Myrtle claimed the chair across from her friend. “It did take me a little longer to get here than I thought it would. Sorry. It’d been a long time since I took those paths here through the woods. At one point I practically got lost, then remembered the way. My memory isn’t what it used to be.”

  “And, another reason why I started without you,” Irma’s face broke into a smug grin, “Herman is supposed to drop by at six and I want time to get dolled up some. These days it takes me longer to look presentable.”

  “Ah, you could show up in a barrel with curlers in your hair and Herman would think you were beautiful. That man has a real crush on you, Irma. You lucky thing, you.”

  “I know.” Irma’s expression altered and Myrtle thought she spied a bit of consternation in it. “But the thing is, he’s gotten so serious so quickly...I’m not sure what to feel about it all. How to act. One minute I’m giggling like a lovestruck teenager and the next I’m wanting to run away from him and hide. Go back to my lonely, but comfortable, life. I’ve been alone for a very long time. I’m set in my ways. I don’t know if I can change this late in the game.”

  “I know what you mean.” Myrtle’s eyes were searching the room for Stella because she was ready to order. “As much as I’d like to have my friend Eggold as a real beau, at my age I’m way past all that foolishness. He’s a good friend, though. Interesting. An amiable companion when I need one. But you’re younger than me, don’t have a built-in family like me, you’re alone, so for you it’s different. Herman is a great catch. I say go for it.”

  Stella moseyed over to their table and Myrtle told her what she wanted.

  Stella scribbled down what Myrtle said and after a couple of nosy inquiries on how Glinda and Kyle were doing on their honeymoon–gossip which Myrtle, out of respect for her grandniece and her new husband, refrained from divulging–and after gaining Myrtle’s vague answers, the waitress bustled off to get Myrtle her food.

  “So how are you doing out there at the house all by yourself?” Irma dipped a fry into the smear of ketchup on her plate and popped it into her mouth.

  “The cats keep me company.”

  “Sure. Because you’re such an animal lover, right?” Irma’s left eyebrow and lips gently lifted upwards.

  “I’ve become more of one since I moved in. You know, some of Glinda’s cats are sort of cute. And it’s hard to believe, but they each have their own quirky personalities, too. There is this runty calico one that sleeps really close to me every night. It only has one eye. It purrs when it sleeps. I can’t get rid of it. Pepe. He’s a cutie, all right. Then there are the other finicky felines. A whole herd of them. They’re not so bad.”

  Irma laughed. “I never thought I’d ever hear you say anything like that, friend. Sounds like you’ve become a bonified animal lover. Now I’ve seen it all.”

  Myrtle huffed softly. “I always liked animals. I just never made a big fuss over them like my sister Evelyn did or Glinda does. But animals are okay. They’re better than no company at all.”

  “But it’s still lonely out there right?” There was a dab of ketchup on Irma’s face and she wiped it off.

  Myrtle sighed. “Of course, I’m a little lonely, but I am keeping myself busy. I just got done visiting Lucas and Frank out at Lucas’s place, and I’m invited over to Frank and Abby’s tonight for supper. Lucas is coming, too. That should be fun.”

  “Oh, how’s Lucas doing out there? I need to go see him. It’s been weeks since I’ve been out to his house. Though the two of us did have lunch at my shop one day last week, and I saw him at the wedding, when he caught me up on what he was doing.”

  “He’s doing really well under the circumstances. Him being in prison and out of the real world for so long. The house sure looks different these days. Comfortably livable. He and his friends, Frank among them, have cleaned and fixed up that old wreck of a place more than I ever thought they could. It really looks like someone’s home now.

  “And,” Myrtle went on in a soft voice, “I think the ghosts are all gone. I was out there and didn’t feel anything other worldly. Didn’t see no spirits skulking around anywhere. The house’s dead people apparently have been exorcised.”

  “I hope so. Lucas deserves a real home after all he’s gone through.”

  “I would say so. You ought to check on what he’s done to the house and grounds. You’ll be amazed, Irma. It is almost back to its former glory. He did ask about you. So, you should go see him.”

  “I will. Perhaps tomorrow,” Irma answered. “Shop’s closed tomorrow, so I can get out and about. I just have to call him and he’ll come and get me, drive me back to his house for a visit. It’s handy him having a vehicle now. Thanks to Frank.”

  The two women talked and gossiped as they ate lunch and the diner began to fill up for the early dinner crowd.

  “On my way over here,” Irma recounted, after glancing out the window at the pedestrians scurrying past, “I happened to walk by Luke’s hardware store. Have you been past there lately?”

  “Nah, not lately. But you know Lucas is working for Luke there at the store now. He started the job last week, I think, he said.” Myrtle nodded a thanks at Stella when she left her order on the table and then bustled off to help another customer.

  “That’s great. I’m happy for Lucas. A job was what he needed,” Irma declared. “It gets him into the mainstream again. It allows him to earn money and create social contacts with the townsfolks. Also, it gets him out of the house.”

  “I think it’s a good thing, too. Working at the hardware store will bring him into the twenty-first century, though he has already adapted and changed so much since he came home. He’s more confident, Irma, more optimistic. You’ll see. Hopefully the job will make him more friends.”

  “Anyway,” Irma continued, as if she’d just recalled what she’d been talking about before Lucas’s new job, “what I was going to tell you was that there is a fleet of giant earth burrowing and bulldozing machines busy digging down to China behind Luke’s store as we speak. The whole rear yard behind the place is just one big hole. I stopped by and asked Luke what was going on and he said–.”

  “Plumbing problems, clogged pipes somewhere out on the grounds, and they have to dig them up and either unclog or replace them.”

  “How did you know that?” Irma furrowed her brow at her, surprised.

  “When I was at his house this morning, Lucas mentioned Luke was having the difficulty. That Luke has to excavate the pipes in the backyard. It’s a mess. Hmph, plumbing complications are the worst. I should know. I’ve had my share of them in my time in my homes.”

  “Oh.” Irma shoved the last two French fries into her mouth and wiped her fingers on a napkin. “That’s about what I figured was going on. Pipe problems. I hope Luke gets it fixed quick and it doesn’t cost him a fortune.”

  “I doubt that. Last time I had to have a toilet fixed it cost me hundreds of dollars. Wowie, I can’t imagine what digging up a yard and replacing pipes would cost. Not to mention what the use of those backhoes would cost per hour.”

  Outside on the sidewalk a small dog ran past. Dirty,
and bone-thin, the creature looked homeless. For a moment, it paused and peered in at the crowd inside eating, licked its chops, then reluctantly turned away and dashed off. Myrtle felt sorry for it. If Glinda would have been sitting with them, her niece would have been up and out the door to run the dog down, grab it and take it home with them. But Myrtle wasn’t her grandniece. She couldn’t run anywhere these days.

  “What are you up to the rest of the day?” Irma was rummaging around in her purse, undoubtedly looking for her wallet.

  “Not much. I have to stop by the grocery store and grab a few things; then, I guess, I’ll head home to wait for Frank to pick me up for the supper they’ve invited me to at their house. The cats need to be fed. They’ll destroy the place if I don’t give them fresh water, their kitty food before six and let them out to do their business.

  “And you,” Myrtle grinned at her friend, “will be going home to get all gussied up for your boyfriend.”

  “Yep, I sure will.

  “Hey, Myrtle, while I’m thinking about it, have you noticed all the fireflies out lately? So weird. Right before dawn, when there is that pale rosy light everywhere, I was up earlier than usual, couldn’t sleep, I guess because of my nervousness over seeing Herman today. I happened to look outside into my backyard and, I swear, there were fireflies everywhere.”

  “On October third?” Myrtle was skeptical. “You must have been dreaming it. Fireflies aren’t out in October.”