I Am The Call

                                    I Am The Call

                                    By; SM Ferguson

   

    Holly inhaled mentholated smoke deep into her lungs. She locked her chocolate brown eyes with Russ, waiting for him to speak.

    “You did it again last night, Holly” Russ sipped his coffee.

    “That’s nuts” Holly shook her head,sending flaxen hair flying. “People don’t drive in their sleep”

    "Apparently, you do” Russ looked grim.”Unless you’d like to admit you were out seeing someone else?”

    “That’s your style Russ, don’t try putting your shortcomings on me”

    “At least I’m honest about it” Russ slammed down his cup, tipping his chair as he stood.

    “You’re a menace out there nights Holly. I suggest you try counseling”

    Holly flinched as the door slammed behind him. She was sick of these arguments. He could have the courtesy to fill the gas tank in her car after using it. He had nerve, implying she was at fault when he was the one always going out nights.

    “Driving in my sleep,” she muttered. “That’s the most pathetic excuse I’ve heard yet”

    Holly drank her coffee as she let the memory of last night's dream play in her mind. Snow fell around a strange little house. And of course, there was him.

    A tall, broad shouldered man with laughing sapphire eyes. His hair looked redder then gold and he wore a wide, teasing grin. She remembered his voice,rich as velvet, flowing over her like honey on a hot scone. His words pulled at her like magnets.

    Holly yelped as the spent cigarette singed her fingers.Swearing, she crushed it in the ashtrayThe dream was lost;she’d forgotten what he’d been trying to say.  Loss and longing filled her heart. The old yearning enveloped her spirit. Holly sighed; maybe she really could use some counseling.

    Her earliest memory was of moving into the farmhouse in Maple Creek when she was four years old. She remembered how she’d pulled at her Dad’s arms.

    “Are we home now Daddy? Are we?”she’d demanded.

    “You betcha’ Holly Ann,” he’d grinned.“You won’t need to be asking me that again,will you?“

    “No Daddy,this almost feels like home.”She’d replied.

    “You’re a funny lass, Holly,”Dad scooped her up in his arms,”where is it you're thinking home should be then?”

    She’d had no answer then or years later,during all those nights spent staring up at the stars, desperately yearning to go home.An image of a red haired man flashed into her mind but Holly pushed it away.

    When Russ arrived home from work, the trailer was rich with the smells of baked salmon and wild rice.Holly tossed a salad while Russ showered. He ate in silence, ignoring her efforts at conversation.Holly cleared the table quietly before joining him to watch television.

    Russ spoke as they got ready for bed.

    “You won’t be going out tonight.”Russ said,“I blocked your car in with my truck, it’ll never fit between the Chevy and the bank”

    “Give it a rest,” she sank into bed. “I don’t go out nights. I don’t drive in my sleep. Don’t you think you’d notice if I left? “

    “Guess I don’t” he climbed in beside her.

    “Gas tanks and odometers don’t lie, Holly,”He widened the space between them.

    “ Live in boyfriends seem to.” She thought as sleep claimed her.

    Snow fell during the night. Russ called his boss to explain he wouldn’t be in to work.The roads were too slick.Holly washed their breakfast dishes as Russ headed outside to shovel out the long driveway.Their trailer was set up on an isolated two-acre parcel of land miles from town.Pine trees and thick, low growing salal bushes were their only neighbors.

    Russ came slamming back into the trailer almost as fast as he left. A plate shattered at Holly’s feet as he spun her to face him.

    “Where were you?’his face flushed red with anger and cold.

    “What’s wrong with you? “Holly glared at him,“I didn’t go anywhere,you idiot.”

    “Come outside, I want to show you something, now.”Russ swung away from her.

    Holly threw on boots and a jacket, then followed Russ outside.

    “There’s proof even you can’t deny.”Russ pointed at her car.

    The Pontiac Sunfire sat where she’d left it, blanketed in snow.Holly had no clue what Russ was so upset over.

    “I don’t see anything.”She said.“Proof of what, Russ?”

    “Tire tracks,”His tirade was interrupted as a red SUV pulled into their driveway. Russ raced towards it,waving his arms.

    “Stop, Lance,”he yelled.”Park back there.”

  “That’s a heck of a greeting there, Russ,”Lance climbed out of his truck. “You guys okay out here?”

    “Holly was about to explain these tire tracks.”Russ said.

    Lance looked at the tread marks running up the sloped, brush lined driveway. He let out a whistle.

    “Not even one slide mark.Nice driving,Sis.”Lance grinned.”You two holding bets on who can drive best in snow?”

    “ That fool,“Holly pointed at Russ,” thinks I spend my nights out driving.”

    “Correction, I know you do.The proof's in the snow.”

    Holly was tempted to slap that smugness right off his face.

    “Nobody,” she said,”drives while they’re freaking sleeping.”

    She walked over to stare at the tracks.They led up the steeply sloped banks lining the driveway, over the thick, broad branches of the salal choked underbrush. Nobody could have driven that without sliding broadside into Russ’s Chevy.Holly threw up her hands.

    “I don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish,Russ.If anyone moved that car, you did.” Holly felt a headache start in her temples.

    “Holly,” Lance shifted his feet,” I don’t think Russ moved your car.”

      “Not you too, Lance.” Holly sighed.

    “I came out here because Mom asked me too.”Lance said.” She was worried after last night.”

    “Worried about what?” Holly asked.

    “You were parked in her driveway last night,” Lance hesitated,” When she came outside,you just drove away.”

    “Why are you adding to this story?” Holly stared at him.

    “I’m not making it up, Holly.She was scared.You never said one word ”Lance looked at the ground.

    “I knew it.” Russ added.”What have you got to say now, Holly?”

    “Nothing.You two clowns have your fun, but I’m not playing this game.”Holly headed inside.

    Holly refused to talk to Russ the rest of the day.She made up the guest bedroom for herself and was relieved when he finally went to bed.He could sleep alone until he apologized.Holly sipped a glass of red wine as she stared out into the night.The old longing for home filled her soul.Holly wished she understood it’s strange compulsion.She was twenty-three,not four.She wondered if she’d dream again that night.Holly headed for bed,sleep came quickly.

    Three hours later the chill woke her.Holly was startled to find she was sitting outside in her car.The engine was idling.A suitcase sat in the passenger seat,her purse on top of it.Holly hesitated,staring back at the trailer.

    “I guess you were right after all, Russ.” She spoke aloud as she eased the Pontiac down the driveway. “ But, I’m awake tonight.”

    The silver dust of moonlight settled coldly on the night.Holly smiled.Fifteen hundred miles away, a red haired man spoke in his sleep.

    “ I am the call,” his rich voice pleaded.

    “ I am the answer,” Holly whispered back.

    Guided by intuition, she headed east on the freeway. She understood her longing now. He had been calling all her life. An unknown force was drawing them together. Holly stepped harder on the gas. Finally, she was going home.


                                        THE END

Word Count: 1,334