THE PASSAGE

The Walking Cane

Chapter 14

I'm roused from sleep by the most god-awful sound one can imagine, sounding somewhere in between the squeal of a little piglet and a witch's laugh. I open my eyes, at first startled by where I am, thinking that I had dreamed all of this last night, even the part of me ever coming here to the swamp. When I hear that sound again, I realize that it's the call of a tri-colored heron, maybe the same one Pop pointed out to me yesterday.

I look at the clock on the nightstand; 11:15 a.m. Wow, I didn't expect to be sleeping this late. I stretch out my arms, then work the stretch through my neck and down my whole body, feeling different about myself today, in a good way. I toss the covers off of me, pull my knees up quickly towards my chest, rocking back as far as I can, then propel myself forward out of bed, landing on my feet.

Really, Jamie? Where did that come from? The last time I pulled a move like that was when I was probably ten. I smooth down my wrinkled T-shirt and adjust my jeans, wondering to myself why on earth I wore my clothes to bed. I do remember getting dressed before going to sit out on the porch, but I don't remember coming back to bed, how strange. And what is it with all these weird dreams I am having lately. This last one is especially bizarre. The same woman showing up in both dreams, how coincidental.

As I think about the dream from last night, I realize something, and the significance of it buckles my knees, and I collapse back onto the bed. Julie Brown showed up twice in different dreams, a bit unusual but not unexplainable. Tiffany's phone conversation with that strange woman was no dream, and she's the reason I'm here right now.

I lay back on the bed and close my eyes as I try to rid my mind of this nonsense. It was just a dream, that's all. It was probably Tiffany's story about the strange woman answering the phone call that triggered it. It didn't mean she was Julie Brown. How foolish of me to think that.

I still don't remember coming back to bed last night. The last thing that I remember was petting Wolf in my dream, and then the dream ended. Wolf—I know it's silly, but I need to check.

With the air feeling a little chilly this morning, I put on my long sleeve shirt over my T-shirt. As I make my way into the hall, I notice both Toby and Pop's doors are slightly open. I peep in each, but they are empty. There is no one in the living room, either. I walk into the big kitchen, but it's empty as well. I remember Toby told me that he and Pop were going to check on a friend this morning.

I walk to the door leading out to the porch and open it. I look around, half expecting to see Wolf, but he is not there. I look towards the pier and see Toby's boat is there, but Pop's is gone.

"Wolf?" I look back and forth across the porch once more just in case. Of course, he's not here, Jamie. It was just a dream. Did you think that he would be here? I'm a little sad in a way because he felt so real. Maybe I should think about getting a dog when I get home. Perhaps that is what the dream is telling me. Oh well, I'll see.

I go back inside to the kitchen and locate the coffee pot. Right beside it on the counter is a note.

Jamie,

Pop and I have gone to check on his friend, Dubois.

We should be home around mid-morning at the latest.

I left coffee, cream, and sugar by the coffee pot for you.

There is food in the fridge. Just make yourself at home,

and have whatever you want to eat.

Toby

I sure hope that nothing happened to their friend because it is already past mid-morning. Hopefully, they just decided to stay and visit for a while. Maybe I will get to be alone for a little longer. It will give me a chance to document the dream I had before I forget any of the details. It will make a great story, even though it was only a dream. Someday I may get the opportunity to publish it.

I notice the pack of coffee Toby left out for me. It's a brand I've never heard of, Community Coffee. I'll have to try it.

With the coffee started, I snoop in the fridge to see what there is to eat for later. Even with all those crawfish I ate last night, I am starving already.

I pull something from the fridge that looks like polish sausage. The label on the package says, Cajun Boudin. It is a type of Cajun sausage. I remember my dad talking about Cajun boudin and how good it is. I was hoping to try some while I was down in this area. I put the boudin back in the fridge to save it for later after I have my coffee.

I pour myself a cup and head for the porch. Sitting in the same rocker that I sat in last night, I welcome this new day. It's beautiful again out here. Taking my first sip of coffee, I am surprised at the rich flavor. It's a little strong, just the way I like it. I need to remember to buy a pack of this to take home with me.

As I sip my coffee, I can't help but marvel at the beauty of this place. It's so much different than what I expected it to be. Yes, I could live here forever. It will be sad for me to have to leave here in a couple of days. I think that if Toby or Pop asks me to stay for the rest of the week, I will. I'm sure Toby won't mind taking me back to the hotel for my luggage.

After a while, my mind drifts back to that dream I had last night. I know it was after 3 a.m. when I came out here. But I lost my sense of time after that. I don't even remember going back to bed.

Maybe I didn't come out here after all. Maybe I just pulled my clothes on and fell back asleep, then had the dream. That makes more sense. That would explain not remembering going back inside. I think I am going to start keeping a journal of all my dreams. Maybe one day I'll compose them into short stories.

I finish my coffee and head back inside. I can't wait to try some of that boudin Pop has in the fridge. Removing the package from the refrigerator, I open it up and inhale its spicy scent. Yum. No doubt, this is going to be delicious. I take two links of it and heat it in the microwave, according to the instructions. After it's finished heating, I grab a bottle of water and a fork and head back out to the porch.

I stab my fork into the boudin. The aroma is incredible. I take the first bite, savoring the flavor. It's a little on the spicy side, but it tastes great.

A large white egret glides just inches above the water before landing on a log, its plumage of beautiful white feathers cascading around him as though it was fine fur. A nearby bird calls out from across the waters. Moments later, another bird answers in the same language. Moss sways back and forth in the morning breeze, hanging as swamp ornaments from the towering cypress trees.

After finishing my boudin, I go inside to get my iPad to document my dream. I sit back in the rocker, recalling as many details as I can about it.

After writing for a bit, I set the iPad down to take a break. I notice it's 1:10 p.m. already, and Pop and Toby are still not back. I start to worry now that something may indeed have happened with their friend.

Deciding to stretch my legs a little, I walk out onto the pier, staring up at the towering cypress trees, watching the gray moss sway back and forth in the breeze. A few feet away, a fish jumps, making ripples in the still water. I can't help but wonder if Toby were to ask me to stay, would I seriously consider it? As outrageous as it sounds, I think that I would.

I start walking back up the pier, enjoying the warm spring sun on my face and the cool breeze blowing my hair around. I near the porch steps, then abruptly stop dead in my tracks and gasp out loud. "Holy shit, what the hell?" On the side of the second rocker is a walking cane, leaning against the wall. Not just any walking cane, but the walking cane that she had last night, Julie Brown. How can this be? It was only a dream. Up above me, a crow calls, its ghastly voice echoing all around, sending shivers up my spine.