The Foreigner

Chapter 20

It's been three days since the last time I saw her. I'm back from my short trip to Chicago. I'm eating donuts on the couch while watching TV.

I think about Heidi. How is she doing? How should you be dealing with your problems? I pick up the cell phone on the coffee table and call her. Her phone is unavailable. It must be unloaded or something.

I decide to take a look at her house from my room. All closed. Has she moved yet? No, it is not possible. It would have been too fast and she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to me, even for a phone call. I'll go check it out.

In front of the house is a little sign of FOR SALE. Okay, I think, she said she was going to put the house up for sale, but she might still be around.

I ring the bell a few times. No reaction from within. No noise, no movement. Nothing.

I come home a little disappointed. I call her again. Again gives off. I give up. I sit on the couch feeling a little frustrated.

I'm going to the bedroom to write. I do this for a long time. I just stop for a moment to eat something. I write compulsively and when I look out the window I see that it is already dark. It's time to stop.

I get up and walk to the window hoping to see some movement, some light on in the next house. Or even see her, if only for the last time. But nothing. Absolutely nothing. No sound coming from that house from which so many noises came that they would not let me sleep.

Finally I take a shower and go to sleep.

In the morning I call my daughter.

-Cat, how are you doing? -I talk on the phone as I drink my coffee.

-Hi Daddy, I didn't expect you to call me anytime soon.

-I missed you so I wanted to hear your voice. -I hope I'm not disturbing you.

-No. No way daddy.

-I was thinking of calling you, Bob, and Penny to spend a weekend here with me. Enjoy the beach, get out of the hustle and bustle of Chicago, unwind a little.

-Sure daddy! Would be great! Bob would love it- she is enthusiastic about my unpublished invitation.

-And this time no one will disturb us.

-What are you talking about?

-That time you came and we were interrupted by my neighbor.

-Oh ... I don't ... Penny! Just a minute ... - my granddaughter must be up to something- Dad, I need to hang up. Can we talk later? We can combine better.

-Is everything okay over there?

Yes, it is. It's just that I'm alone with Penny and I can't look away from her for a minute.

-Good daughter. Take care.

-You too.

My thoughts turn back to Heidi. I have to see her anyway. I finish my coffee and change my clothes.

There is a different car parked in front of her house. The door is open and I instinctively enter the house. It is empty and my steps echo through it. There are voices in the background.

Five people enter the room. Two women, one man and two children. One of the children holds the man's hand and another is in the lap of one of the women.

-This house is perfect for a family like yours ... - the woman in social clothes speaks gesturing to the couple until they look away at me, who is standing in the middle of the room.

-Can I help you, sir? -The woman in social clothing talks to me, past the surprise with my presence.

-Anh ... -I answer- I'm the next door neighbor and came to see if the owner would still be here. She must have just moved.

-There must be a mistake, sir. -The house has been vacant for two years since the former owner died.

-Died? - I get a shock. - What do you mean he died? I was with her last week. I talked to her. She was living here. I point to the floor.

-I'm sorry sir, but you must have been mistaken. And if you allow me I need to keep showing the house. If you are interested in the property, we can arrange your visit.

-No. No. I am not interested. Sorry to disturb. - I realize that everyone looks at me strange, as if I were crazy.

I leave a little stunned. I return to my house. Before climbing the little balcony porch I hear a familiar voice:

-Good morning Mr. Whitman!

I turn and see Thompson, as usual mowing his lawn. He approaches:

-It's all right?

-Yes. Yes I'm fine. I reply impatiently. -Thompson, I need you to clarify something for me.

-Sure. -He nods, smiling.

-There was a girl who lived until last week here next door, -I point effusively with my hands to Heidi's house. -Can you tell me when she left? Do you know when she left? Did you see the movement of change?

-What do you mean, Mr. Whitman? -Is this a joke? I do not understand.

-No. I just don't understand anything Thompson. -I change, raising my voice. -You were with me when she drove with her friends. -You saw her enter the house. I point a finger toward the house.

-I think you're a little confused.

-Come on! It was a girl with a foreign accent. She put on loud music that wouldn't let me sleep. She was clinging to her boyfriend in front of the house. -He denies shaking his head. And that makes me more nervous - Stop lying, Thompson! You see her! -I take him by the shoulders, trying to get some response that shows me I'm not crazy.

-Let me go, Whitman. -He shrugs his shoulders and speaks in a way I've never heard him speak. -I don't know what you're doing. -He settles in. -I had long realized that you seemed obsessed with that house. Always talking about her, looking at her strangely, going over there. I didn't care about that, but now I see that you really need help.

-No, I'm not. -But deep down I think I'm losing control.

-Is everything all right there? -Mrs. Thompson shouts from the door of their house, surely drawn to the shouting.

-Yes, it is. It's all right. – Mr. Thompson answers.

I fall on me. -Oh ... sorry Thompson. - I come home bewildered.

At the door of my house I turn to the side and see Thompson still standing in the same spot staring at me.

I walk into the house trying to understand what is going on. No, I'm not crazy. Is all this a plot? A bad joke? I need answers. I think I already know where I can find them.