Secrets So Sinister
By R.A. Jetter
Tommy, Sammy and Dianna walked out of the park and east on Quincy Street, past the Seven-Eleven convenience store. Two more blocks and they’d be home, in the same block in the subdivision. Sammy lived in the house on the west side of the street, on the hillside, with an incredible view of the Cherry Creek Dam and Lake. The entire front range of the Rocky Mountains could be seen from the deck; from Long’s Peak on the north to Pike’s peak south, a distance of 120 miles between the two mountains. The midday sun lit brightly the purple mountains.
“See you Saturday, Di?” Sammy asked, chuckling at the sight of Dianna. The front of her blouse was stained green and remnants of moss still clinging to buttons and her hair. “Down below the bridge, OK?”
“Don’t forget,” Tommy added. “If we want to see the snake, we’ll have to get down there early. We’ll wait for you, but don’t take all morning.”
“I won’t,” Dianna said. “I’ll be there early.”
“See you then,” Sammy shouted, already two houses away from hers.
Tommy followed, his house was next.
“Call me later, tell me for sure if you’re Mom says OK.”
“She will. I’m sure of it. Dad’s out of town-business trip. He won’t be back til Sunday.” Tommy yelled.
“Call anyway, I’ll tell you what I’ve found in the microscope.”
“See you later,” Tommy shouted, climbing the steps to the tan bi-level house.
“I don’t know,” Mrs. Skipper said into the phone. Glancing hurriedly at the clock: nine AM. The Saturday morning program she liked to watch was coming on, she knew she would miss it this morning. “She’s got a red rash on her face, arms and hands. Coughing and she has a fever. She’s vomited a couple of times already. I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid to move her. Please have the doctor call me right away.”
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