ISOLATED, EXCLUDED, IGNORED.

• Author: Komar, Patricia
• Position: LITERARY SCENE - Short story

THE FULL MOON peers through passing clouds on a cold October evening. The tires of my car crunch the gravel as I come to a stop in the driveway. I step out; take a breath of pine-scented air; and listen to the silence. I feel a quickening of my heart as I push the skeleton key into the keyhole and reach for the doorknob. I wrestle with the knob until the door finally creaks open. A floorboard moans. Then another. I flick a switch, and lights flood the small foyer. I'm becoming skittish as a cat. It's just a creaky old house sighing with age.

I look out the front window and catch movement between the trees. The full moon shines down, silhouetting the coyote. He turns, and the silver-tipped hairs of his coat seem to float behind the trees as he disappears into the darkened forest.

A knock at the door startles me. I look at the clock on the mantle. Nine-thirty--who can be coming here at this time of night? As quietly as I can, I walk to the door and peek through the peephole. I see the face of the woman who lives next door. I hardly know her. We've only chatted a couple of times when I raked leaves and did other outside chores. Her silky gray hair rolls over her shoulders. A puffy light blue robe is wrapped around her, tightened at the waist, and gray moccasins protect her feet.

"Sorry to bother you, Dawn. I know it's late," she says without taking a breath, "but a couple hours ago, a car turned onto our road and parked just up from your house--over there. Someone got out and walked behind the bush on the far side of your house. I saw him from my upstairs window. I knew you weren't home yet. Our little road is so quiet, especially at this time of night.

"He was acting suspicious. I think it was a man. He was wearing a fedora. I called the police, just in case. It didn't take the police too long but, by the time they got here, he'd come around to this side of your house." She points to the garage. "He hurried back to his car and sped off. When the police got here, they tramped around your yard and checked all your windows and doors. They said there was no sign of anyone entering. I hope everything's all right."

"Thank you, Marie. Why are we talking here? You must be cold. Come in. I could use some company."

"It's late. I really shouldn't bother you. You just got home."

"No, come in please. Have a cup of tea with me."

"Now that might be exactly what I need after all this excitement."

"Come on back here to my kitchen, and we'll brew something nice." I fill my teapot and put it on. "While that pot boils, I'm going to quickly check the rooms to make sure all's in order."

"Let me come along. I've got my cell phone ready... just in case."

We walk through the house, investigating all four bedrooms, two bathrooms, the living...