My Daughter, Audrey [ON HOLD]

The Phone Call

Just as planned, the two of them headed home.   The drive was pleasant and Jennie spent most of her time just admiring Peter.   Her eyes grazed over his lovely profile, his large, expressive blue eyes, his thin lips, and very attractive jaw.   She couldn’t help but wanting to hug him or kiss him. But she didn’t want to overwhelm him, as he seemed lost in a thought she wasn’t allowed to share yet.

               Jennie nudged him.  “You alright?”

               “I’m alright, I jest ‘ave this awful feelin’.  But ya trust that doctor, right?”

               “Certainly, he saved your life.  And what would a doctor possibly want of a young girl?  I do trust him, Peter, you have nothing to be worried about.”

               Peter shrugged and plopped his head on her shoulder comfortably.  “I know, I jest am scared somethin’ terrible is goin’ to happen.”

               Jennie lightly slapped him on the cheek.  “Don’t say that, you’re making me nervous now.”  Jennie looked out the window and the same wave of caution clouded her mind and she began to fear about what would await them at their arrival.  

               When they pulled into the alley, Peter paid the cab driver and both he and Jennie ran down to her apartment.  They both knocked on it rapidly, looking at each other in uncertain fear.  The door opened and the doctor poked his head out.

               “Oh!  Lovely, come on in!  She’s been fantastic.   Intelligent girl, she is.  How was your holiday?”

               “It was good,” Peter answered brusquely as he squeezed in, his eyes searching for Audrey.  “Where is she?”

               “In the other room, finishing her assignment,” Dr. Coates replied, baffled at Peter’s suspicion.  He turned to Jennie and shrugged.  “I hope it’s nothing I did, I didn’t give her a lot of work.”

               Jennie patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry, Dr. Coates, thank you so much for looking after her.  Peter is just protective of her.”

               “Ah, that’s understandable.  Anyway, you got several phone calls from America.”

               Jennie looked at him strangely.  “America?  Really?”

               “Yeah, the man on the other end was very harsh and kept thinking I was Peter.  He was just threatening me and whatever.  I could hardly understand him.”

               “Did he leave information?”  Jennie asked, going over to the phone, seeing if she could find any written information.

               “Not much, miss, but I’m afraid it has to do with Audrey.”

               Jennie dropped the pencil she was holding and clutched her shirt collar.  “Audrey?  What do they want with her?”

               “I don’t know, all we can do is wait for the next phone call and let Peter talk.  I tried ringing you two, but I guess there are no lines over the lake.  I’m sorry, love.”

               Jennie rushed by the doctor and looked for Peter.  She found him leaning over Audrey and complimenting on her “hard work.”

               “Peter, I need to talk to you!”

               Audrey looked up at the sound of Jennie’s voice and smiled widely.  “Mommy!”  the girl skipped over her doll and drawing tools and slammed into her mother’s waist.  “Did you bring me the surprise?”

               “Yes, love, I did. It’s my basket, but I will show it to you tonight.  Were you a good girl?”

               “Yes, as good as I could be.  I did not trouble Dr. Coates, and I went to bed right when he told me to!”

               “Good, darling.  Now, run along and play with the dog, I have to speak to Daddy.”

               “Okay.”  Audrey left the room as told and once Jennie saw that she was out of sight, she entered the room and closed the door behind her.

               “What’s the matter?”  Peter asked, standing up.  “Yer pale, wot’s wrong?”

               “Peter, Dr. Coates said that he’s received several phone calls from America.  He couldn’t understand the message, but I’m afraid it has to do with Audrey.”

               “Audrey?  It can’t be, why would anyone look for her?”  Peter rubbed his chin, trying to find logical reasons why someone would ever phone him from America.

               Jennie walked up to Peter and placed her arms on his chest.  “I may be wrong, love, but the first thought I had when Dr. Coates told me, was that the person calling is the one who gave Audrey to you.”

               Peter’s heart crashed against his chest and he sunk down to the floor.  “It can’t be.  They want nothin’ from her.  I’ll tell them to shove off.  They’re not touchin’ my girl.”

               “Now, Peter, be sensible, perhaps if we go about this kindly and negotiate, they’ll have to no reason to bother us.  Now, I’m sure they want to know how we’re getting on.”

               “Not if it involves Helen Trapp!”  Peter snapped, chewing the ends of his fingers.   “If she’s lookin’ for a hand-out, which she’s been famous to do, I’m givin’ her nothing!”

               There was a knock on the door.

               “Come in,” Jennie welcomed, smoothing Peter’s hair.

               Dr. Coates popped his head in.  “The line’s open; America is callin’.”

               Peter rose up first and was about to charge through the door before Jennie laid a soft hand on his shoulder, stopping him from barreling through the doctor as well.

               “Let me answer it first, love.  Collect yourself and I’ll hand it over to you.”

               Peter straightened his jacket and followed Jennie out of the room.

               “It’s a lady this time,” Dr. Coates informed meekly as he trailed behind them.  “Her name’s Helen Trapp, and she sounds quite miffed.”