I Don't Really Know...

Chapter 30: The Never-Found Notorious Man

“Zoie!  Come down for dinner!” I hear a yelling Ms. Lasdon, as I start walking down the hall to the staircase.  I come face-to-face with my brother, as he shakes his head at me.

 

“She’s in….an interesting mood.  No provoking,” he warns.  I look at him, dumbfounded.

 

“I don’t provoke anybody!” He raised an eyebrow.  “Most of the time…” I finish off, not wanting to say more.  We walk down together into the kitchen, where Ms. Lasdon stands.

 

We all sit down concurrently, picking at our food.  Something feels strange.  Ms. Lasdon keeps giving looks at the clock, which is ticking away.  While she’s staring at the clock, my brother is staring at her.  And while my brother’s staring at her, I stare….at the fourth plate of food at the table.  With steaming broccoli, 2 slices of pork, and a handful of rice.  

 

I get Jaison’s attention while Ms. Lasdon gives her attention to the clock, and looking out the window.  I mouth to him as he glances over, Are we expecting someone?   I nod my head toward the plate of food sitting untouched, becoming cold.  His mouth forms an ‘o,’ so he must not have noticed it before.  Ms. Lasdon is still fidgeting, shooting death glares at the clock, looking towards the driveway.  

 

You ask, I say silently to him.  He shakes his head violently.

 

No way!  I’m not doing it!   I scoff, and Ms. Lasdon gives me a quick glimpse.

 

20 minutes pass.   Now, every plate is sitting as if they’re invisible on the table.  Ms. Lasdon doesn’t make a sound as she scooches over to the window, to take one more long-lasting gaze until she gives up and walks upstairs.  

 

“What was that about?” Jaison whispered, but is interrupted.  By what?

 

The doorbell.  Whoever was on the other side, they started punching it repeatedly, excessively.

 

“Open it!” I yell fiercely, but quietly as I push him towards the intruder.  He resists, but I remind him, “You’re the man!  Show it!”

 

Always determined to show his strength, he walks up to the door and opens it with a harsh tug, showing a man with black sunglasses and a military buzz cut of blonde hair.  His face contains no smile lines, showing as all he probably does is plaster that straight line of lips across his face.  Large features cover his face, with a large nose and a Superman chin.  He digs into his coat and takes out an envelope.  

 

“Does someone by the last name, Lasdon, live here?” His voice is surprisingly….normal.  Jaison nods meekly in the presence of the older man.  It looks like he won’t be showing his toughness anytime soon.

 

“We have a letter for that patron of this house.  Please deliver it to her.” He shoved it into Jaison’s chest, walking down the steps from the front door as Jaison tried to catch it.  Both of us befuddled, I took the letter and ripped it open, no hesitation.  She’s been keeping something from us, I knew it, and I’m determined to find out.