Tassy's Butterfly

Dan Huckley first met Lindsey Mills when he was strolling through an art gallery in New York City where she rented space.

"May I help you with something?" Her voice had a sweet melodic quality.

"I wanted to compliment the artist. These are unique and well.... magnificent."

"That would be me and thank you very much."
She put out her fragile hand and slipped it into his strong one. "I am Lindsey Mills and you are?"

"Dan Huckley, it is a pleasure to find an artist as lovely as her art."

There was an immediate chemistry between the two. He had brown curly hair, eyes like golden brandy, a strong nose, dimples and was clean shaven. He wore a bulky fisherman's cable sweater with Levi's and boots.

She had raven hair; long with uncontrollable curls. Her eyes were large behind glasses like Gloria Steinum wore and a small nose. A ruby silk blouse and short black leather skirt, for a belt she used a multicolor scarf. With long platinum hoops and matching necklace, she completed it with silk stockings and black heels. She was sexy with a pixy quality. He loved the combination.

They went out for espresso and spent two hours getting to know each other. A journalist and professional photographer, they fit together as if destiny meant it to be. She explained how her "artistic children" were created.

"Each piece is a fingerprint. My customer tells me about themselves if it is for them. If it is a gift, I ask about that person. They can't have a deadline or be bargain hunting. If they chose me, I do my best."
She continued, "I want each piece to be unique. A woman tells me she has a spontaneous personality, loves oceans, full moons and making love under the stars.
I want to make them happy with their own imagery."

Dan was fascinated, "So how would that come together?"

"If they're into abstract, I use drift wood, fired glass shaped into waves, maybe a synthetic garnet or ruby. I can also use blown glass for two lovers in a sexual position fastened on the wood. I have used a shadow box and synthetic diamond stars. They come out lovely with semiprecious stones and natural wood shadow box with an inscribed brass plate. The price depends on the material. I always get twenty-five percent up front for materials."

Dan looked amazed, "How can you make any money if you put so much into one piece?"
Her laughter was like bells. "I work on more than one piece at a time."
The owner receives a professional photo of herself and their creation. She includes a journal from conception to birth time.
She finished with, "So, that is why I charge over a thousand for each piece."

She had her pulse on people in the Big Apple where money was made to be spent. Now he was back in that crazy city. The noise, the cabs, cars honking, people rushing everywhere, on their cell phones taking chances of crashing into each other. There wasn't another city like it. Dan still loved it, thrived on it and was thankful that he had met Lindsey here.

He looked out the hotel window. There was fresh snow on the ledge, pure and soft, just like Lindsey's skin.

So many lovely memories; ice skating in Central Park, then to a bar for brandy to warm up. Sometimes they would get a room at the Marquis or Waldorf for sleep overs in pj's. They talked about everything.

After their second date, he slipped his hand under her silk camisole and they were both warm and ready.
She pushed his hand away,
"I will bet you a thousand dollars that we can't be virgins with each other until we see where this is going."

"I will take you up on that but how about second base, ple--ase?"
He was like a fourteen year old boy.
She laughed at him, asking, "Is that just touching and kissing bare skin?"
He was panting, "yes, I think so. You really think we should do this?"
"Oh yes, the more I think about it......it's a perfect idea."
Dan was about to say 'forget it' but she was so enticing."
It turned out to be fun, exciting and frustrating.

He laid on the bed remembering and watched it all; a magical movie in Technicolor. Tears slipped down his cheeks and a warm hand gently took his. It would never be the same and one day the sand will have run out. It was only a matter of time.

They had married on a coral beach. The secluded island was a tropical paradise. Everything was perfect. There were cool breezes and a postcard sunset. It was a spectrum of purple, red, orange, and ribbons of blue with gold intertwined.

Only close friends and family were invited. Lindsey was lovely in a low neck white cotton dress decorated with lace and satin buttons. She was barefoot and the only jewelry was her grandmother's pearls.

Her long curly hair held fresh flowers. Her bouquet of orange, white and lavender hibiscus was picked by the groom right before the ceremony. They read passages from "The Prophet" and their own penned vows then a friend of Dan's declared them legally wed.

A catered exotic reception followed with island foods and a reggae band. Each person carried home a gift package with Dan and Lindsey's initials on two crystal glasses. Everyone partied until the wee hours of the morning. The bride and groom disappeared around midnight.

Lindsey stood in the light of the bathroom. A silhouette of her lovely body was seen through the sheer and silk cream lingerie gown. Dan was glad they had waited, no matter how many cold showers and rearranging of tight jeans he had to do.

She was the most beautiful rose in any garden; her crimson blush was one of a kind. Her auburn hair curled over her shoulders. He longed to be the hair caressing her so intimately. She walked softly to their marriage bed; her long legs were firm and shapely. He could see her nipples, aroused from the coolness in the room.

Her moist emerald green eyes looked deeply in to his. Dan had never seen eyes like hers. They possessed a speckling of gold dust. Taking his hands, he gently kissed her face softly. He started at her forehead, eyebrows and lashes, nose and tender cheeks. Then he moved to her mouth and discovered secrets within. She tasted like honeysuckle.
Their lovemaking was so sweet. Virgins to each other, exploring bodies was breathtaking, the ultimate joy.

They had a private beach area, a hot tub and huge bed. Everything was delicious and delightful. They didn't leave the bungalow for three days. A full refrigerator held everything and fresh fruit and towels were brought twice a day.

Except for the three months they dated, their wedding day was the beginning of an adventure that lasted nine months. There was an incredible energy between them.

After the honeymoon they moved into her New York apartment. After all, her tools and materials were there. He just needed his laptop and files.

She would say, “I am being called to work, darling. "

There were so many long nights when she would work and he would struggle to sleep without her. He was jealous of her work. He couldn't understand why she couldn't just stop and then pick it up again. Writing was different, when the words came you had to get it down.

He had written two bestselling novels and two biographies in the last fifteen years. Right now he was doing magazine pieces and the research was easily done on the Internet.
He enjoyed watching her work. She was a perfectionist, each detail had to be precise.

They decided to lease a bungalow in Jamaica. Lindsey had toured Noel Coward's open home there and loved the people, scenery, and peace. Life was making love, sun worship, rum, and tranquility.

When it seemed life could not be sweeter, Lindsey missed her period and the kit read positive. Dan made the occasion unforgettable. Tropical flowers all over the bungalow, dancers from the best resort along with food from the same. They toasted with sparkling juice and danced in the moonlight. Dan carried an exhausted new Mom to bed.

Sadly, enchanted fairy tales ended that night. Lindsey vanished. She was mysteriously carried away.

Dan hadn't been in the bedroom since he slipped her under the covers. He was writing in the small office across the swimming pool behind the main house. An idea had come to him at dinner and he could not wait to get it on paper.

He didn't hear anything. The bungalow had many doors and windows. They had always felt safe so they left windows open and even the French doors to their bedroom.

The only help they had was a local maid, Ulrike, that came during the day to clean and prepare a dinner put in the oven or refrigerator. That day she had left early because one of her children was ill. Since Dan had made arrangements with the restaurants to cater and clean up, it worked out fine.

Dan had watched the dancers and workers leave after he had put Lindsey to bed.
It was just the two of them in the house except for their cocker spaniel, Corky.

Dan headed to bed at three in the morning. He took a quick shower and entered an empty bedroom except for Corky who was asleep on the bed.
There was no blood, no signs of a struggle, no footprints, and nobody's idea to go on.
That was exactly what Dan told the police. The dog was there, calmly asleep.

The police were thorough but with nothing to work with, it was very difficult.
They questioned everyone. This was a happily pregnant woman without enemies. Everyone spoke highly of Dan.

Dan couldn't write, eat, sleep, barely shower and dress himself. He was drinking and staggered about the house calling out her name.

He begged, “Please haunt me, Lindsey. Let me know you are here.”
He cried, screamed and ranted.
Royce, his brother, tried to help. He had a therapist come to the home but Dan refused treatment.

Dan began to change. He didn't talk much but he cleaned up and began to eat.
Sometimes Royce heard him talking to himself. At night, he heard voices coming from the bedroom. It was Dan and Lindsey. He knew that was crazy but Dan was better.

Then Ulrike became very upset because objects moved mysteriously and Dan insisted Lindsey's bedroom remain the same. Makeup on her dressing table was being used, soiled tissues were in the trash can. Ulrike believed in witchcraft and spirits. She tried to get Dan to have a local priest exorcise the house and he refused to.
Ulrike quit.

Dan began to write again. He was writing a children's book about a little girl, Tassy, whose Mommy had died. She cried all the time until a golden butterfly came to sit on her shoulder and whispered in her ear. The butterfly told the little girl her Mommy was all around her.

Dan was in New York for book signings. The story was sweet but one thing that was moving the book off the shelves were the illustrations. These pictures came from Dan's hand but he was only the vehicle. He sketched while someone else whispered to him.

The illustrations were exquisite and initialed:
L. H.



By Kathie Stehr