Dancing in the Oaks

A Conversation

They had gone down stairs and I made the decision to stay back, but still be down there. I could hear them talking. "No the number 12 was such a common occurrence in this town because there's a curse. Someone has been doing this for years, They are playin' a little game -a big game- with the whole town and we are all sick of it. So what are we lookin' at today?"

"Here. Lift the lid off. You'd be surprised. I was and I cannot get the image out of my head." Nick's voice could be heard bouncing off the walls. I have to admit that I love his voice so much. It sounds perfect. That sweet, southern, country boy voice that is just too cute.

"Yep, that's evidence. I'm gonna call this a scene. I'm gonna bring in extra guys to help. You and Norah can just hang out around the house. We're gonna tape this off and get this cleaned up and cleared." Madison said with confidence.

I hurried up the stairs so Nick didn't know I was there. My fever was finally lifting and I began to feel better for a while. Nick walked up into the kitchen to get a drink.

"So, they are going to clean this up downstairs. Norah, they have to bring up the entire box. Uhm, there's not just one remains down there. So far there have been 3 found. The entire western wall has these boxes. There are 2 bodies in a box. That's so gross, but they are stripping everything out of the basement. " Nick told me as he sipped his water.

I scoffed. "Ugh." More police walked through the door. "I don't wanna live here anymore. It ain't safe. I don't feel comfortable anymore, well I never have."

"I know. You feeling alright?" He asked.

"Yeah. I guess I can say so myself. I just think it's stress related. I will be okay." I said.

Nick left to talk to the police as the phone rang. I recognized the number of my friend MaryAnne. I knew her from high school. If there was one person that would understand me it would be MaryAnne. She really is a nice girl that just cares for everyone. She has a lot of wise advice. I picked up the phone without hesitation. "Hello MaryAnne! It's been such a long time since we've talked." My voice was a fake excited tone.

"Norah! How have you been?" MaryAnne asked me. It was obvious that we both were in some sort of boat of negativity. We often both found ourselves in the same situations.

"You know, I've been alright and could be better. A lot is happening. How about you and living in Springfield?" I was really sad when she got married and moved to Springfield, Missouri. She wasn't supposed to but her husband got a contract with a blacksmithing company.

She sighed. "Yeah I love it here. It's just some things that's going on in our lives that are just crazy. I don't think I told you but I am pregnant and everything. Jarred just lost his job. I mean everything is just horrible, but I'm okay. It could be worse for sure." It was evident from her voice that she was sad.

"Congratulations and everything, as that is awesome. I'll be praying for y'all. I get the struggle though. Nick and I have our struggles too.'' I was not meant to say Nick.

She chuckled. "Hmm who's Nick... Norah?"

I realized that I never told her about Nick. "Oh Nick... he's my best friend ever!"

"You hesitated, Norah. He's your 'friend'." She is just like Berry and tries to pry for information, but at least she does so kindly.

"Fine, he's... we're dating." I said.

It appeared as if she was excited over the phone. "Aww Norah and Nicholas. That's cute. Why didn't you tell me about that sooner?" She said, "That is so perfect."

"Yeah, I don't want the whole world to know MaryAnne. I already have enough on my plate like with my dead family. I've been sicker than a dog for the past week. I feel like I'm a burden on Nick. He's so cute. I love him, and he loves me, but I just feel like I am nothing more than a burden. I don't understand why he sticks around. With my terrible luck he always ends up taking care of me. He works two jobs: managing farms and managing his family store." I tried not to divulge anything too bad.

"Yeah that's why: you love him, and he loves you. He cares Norah! I don't think he is burdened by you at all." She said, "If that was the case I am afraid that he would have left a long time ago."

"I just feel guilty about everything. I have the weight of my parents dying and being mad at me. Worrying about Nick. I don't want anything to happen to him. There's a lot that I keep from Nick. I'm an open book, but sometimes my emotions are closed one."

She was coughing a lot. "It's alright. Admit it to him. Sit down with him and just tell him how you feel. He's there to help, so let him. He is a great guy friend especially from what I have heard within the past five minutes."

Nick walked into the kitchen again to get my attention. "I have to take care of something. I'll talk later." I hung up the phone.

Nick seemed frantic. "They found three more. There's a total of 6. That's half of 12. There's three boxes of remains." This was unbelievable. How could someone do such a thing? It makes me so sick knowing that.

"Ugh" I gasped. Don't even tell.." I found myself hugging him yet again. "What's gonna happen?"

"Don't know. They found journals under the safe. Oh your hair is pretty." He said quietly.

I smiled. "Yeah. I ugh... just twisted the sides and did a little braid." I braided my hair while on the phone with MaryAnne.