Meaning well

THE BLACK WIDOW

 

Debra does not like the darkening sky. She remarks to Johnnie, 'It sure looks like snow, doesn't it?' Johnnie is tight lipped and won't answer unless he knows what he is talking about. 'Why do you say that? I see sunshine, trees blowing sideways just waiting for the white powder to put blankets on their bare arms.' 'There you go again, Johnnie. You're so poetic, creative, see things with eyes different from mine. I do hope you will stay in my camper for a long time.' Johnnie has no intention of goin' anywhere. He and his wonderful wife, Mandy, are comfortable, They have found a home, albeit it not a fancy one, and are content for at least the near future.

 

The threatening sky let's loose. As big white flakes start to fall they
 look like confetti in Mandy's  dark, shiny hair. She opens her mouth wide and lets a few come inside where she can feel the chill on her tongue. Debra calls her. 'Come in here or you'll catch a cold.' 'Leave me be, Miss Derbra. I'm enjoying myself, and besides, don't you know you can't catch a cold from being cold. Colds are caused by germs when somebody sneezes on you, or you open a door that has germs on it and then touch your face. Haven't you ever gone to school? You sure are the dumbest lady who has ever taken us in.'

 

Mandy had hated being criticized by her husband. He always found things she did wrong and nagged her almost to death. When she was honest with herself, she was glad he died.  She hasn't been picked on until now when Debra gets on her tail. Almost all of the cooking and baking falls on Debra because she's by far the best cook of the threesome. 'Mandy, you aren't scraping the dinner plates before you put them in the dishwasher.' 'Mandy, are you keeping the camper clean? I don't want any bed bugs in there.' 'What are you whispering about to Johnnie?' 'None of your beeswax, Debra.'

 

Johnnie looks at the sky again, believes for sure a snow storm is on its way.'Ms. Debra, I'm goin' to bring some logs up from the fence area so you can use your fireplace if the snow storm that's definitely coming here, knocks out your heat.' Debra thanks him with a warning, 'Johnnie, those logs have been sittin' there all summer. Some are rotted. They  surely have bugs of all kinds. Be sure to wear heavy work gloves. My husband was stung many a time. Be careful!'

 

Mandy goes in the camper. Debra goes in her house and gets ready for bed. Johnnie gets his heavy gloves from the camper and goes to the wood pile for three or four logs before they get even a little bit damp.
'They really are rotting,' he tells himself. The first one shatters. Large chunks fall on his shoes. The second one seems okay and he starts to carry it to the house, feels a stick on his right ankle but keeps walking.

 

The wind has really picked up. Dead leaves are flying, making whirlpools. Mandy doesn't like the sound of that wind coming all around the camper. The lights in the living room area blink. She is nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, opens the door and calls to Johnnie. The wind washes away her words. Again and again she calls Johnnie. Her parka is in the closet, her boots in the bedroom. She gets both and goes outside calling, looking for Johnnie. There are no lights in the yard but that doesn't stop her....until she steps on something and screams. On her knees she knows it is Johnnie. He's wet and he's cold. Debra can't hear her screams either but can hear the banging on the kitchen door, grabs her warm robe and almost flies to the door.

 

911 takes an hour to reach Debra's house and just a few seconds to tell the ladies Johnnie is dead. The M.E. ambulance takes Johnny away.
Mandy stays up with Debra the rest of the night and the next full day.
It is thirty six hours before Mandy learns a black widow  bit Johnny and she has become a black widow herself.