Morning finally arrives. Beth hasn't had a good night's sleep since moving in a little over three weeks ago. When Martin awakens; he notices her intensely staring out the window, in deep thought.
"Beth, Hon', you okay?" he asks; as Beth continues gazing out the window.
Now leaving her trance—like state, "What? I'm sorry; did you say something?"
"I said," Martin goes over and embraces her, "are you okay?"
"No;" she replies unconvincingly, "I'm fine."
"Beth."
"No, really; nothing's wrong. Really."
He gently places his fingers under her chin. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know," she replies somberly.
"Beth, come on."
She breaks away from her husband's arms and goes back to looking out the window.
"Don't you find it odd how little we paid for this house?"
"What do you mean odd?" Martin asks while starting to get dressed.
"I was talking with Trish the other day. When I told her how big the house is, and how much land we got with it, she was stunned. She said we could have easily paid four to five times the amount we paid."
"So…we got lucky."
"Maybe…I don't know… it just seems strange to me. I mean, to pay so little for what it's worth?"
"You know, this isn't Parsippany, New Jersey…its Beaver Ridge, Rhode Island. Hell, I don't even know if this place is on the map. Maybe the real estate market here isn't as lucrative. Anyway, I'm sure not going to look a gift horse in the mouth."
"I suppose. But it's more than just what we paid for this house."
"Then what?"
"Whenever Anna and I go into town; people stare at us without saying a word."
"Well; we're still strangers in the area, so…"
"No, it's different." Beth briefly pauses to gather her thoughts. "I honestly believe it's more than just us being new in town."
"Okay; so what is it then?"
"I get this feeling like there's something they know about this house that they don't want to tell us about. Or are afraid to."
"You know what I think;" Martin straightens his tie, "I think you've read one too many Stephen King novels."
Beth turns to face her husband, "I'm serious. I think there's something about this house people aren't telling us about."
"Beth, Hon'," he places his arms on her shoulders, "not all small towns have deep, dark secrets that they're keeping from the new families about the houses they've just bought. Worst case scenario; this old house is termite infested, and the realtor just wanted to dump it off quick on some poor unsuspecting fools before they realized it…which I truly hope isn't the case."
"So what you're saying is…you think this is all just in my head; and I'm blowing things out of proportion?"
"No. I'm saying we've just made some major changes in our lives. Beth, between my new job and moving to a new area, you've been through a lot these past few months. It's perfectly understandable that you're a little stressed out and on edge; anyone would be. You'll see; once things slow down and you get a chance to step back and take a breather, you'll realize that everything is fine…And that there's nothing wrong with this house. And no one's keeping secrets from you. Okay?"
"You think so?"
"I know so." He kisses her forehead. "I have to go to work now; see you later. Love you. Bye."
"Love you too. Bye."
Beth watches from the window as Martin waves, gets in the car and drives away. She thinks about what he said…that everything will be fine once things slow down. She mutters under her breath…
"I hope so."
Beth finally pulls herself away from their bedroom window and goes downstairs to make breakfast for her and Anna.
While getting a frying pan, that feeling of uneasiness overcomes her as she peers into the cabinet. Beth closes her eyes and tries to visualize how she arranged the pots and pans under there. She opens her eyes, and immediately closes them tightly; then, opens them once again and stares into the cabinet. Beth opens the other cabinets and drawers, finding all their contents moved as well. She starts breathing rapid and heavily, as her hands shake.
She stumbles back reaching for the kitchen table while falling abruptly into a chair; nearly tipping it over. She clasps her hands in front of her mouth and begins to hyperventilate as her whole body shakes. Fear is now overwhelming Beth.
A voice sounds out from the kitchen entrance. "Mommy?"
Beth jumps up, letting out a short scream as one hand clenches her chest while her other wrenches the side of the table to keep her from falling under buckling knees.
A bewildered Anna rushes to her mother's side. "Mommy, are you okay?"
Beth catches her breath while feeling a little sensation returning to her previously rubbery legs. Managing to stand semi—erect, she stumbles forward, using her body's weight momentum, making her way over to the sink. Beth turns on the water, grabs the sponge and starts fumbling with the dishes as if she were washing them. She tries to compose herself before answering her daughter; who's standing almost motionless, watching her mom with an anxious expression on her face.
"Mommy's fine, Sweetie; you just surprised me, that's all. You hungry?"
"Yes."
"How about some eggs?"
"Yes, please." Anna replies while heading over to the table.
Beth dries her hands on her apron while going to the refrigerator. "Sweetie, you didn't happen to move things around in the cabinets; did you?"
"No."
"Do you know if Daddy did?"
"I don't think so."
"Oh…okay. How do you want eggs, scrambled or sunny—side up?"
"Sunny—side up, please."
Beth starts melting butter in the pan, then cracks an egg open. She screams from a horrifying sight…a blood—filled egg yolk.
Anna jumps up and runs towards the stove.
Beth grabs Anna to stop her. "Go sit back down, please."
"But Mommy…"
Anna's cut off by a frazzled Beth. "Go sit down now! Please! Just sit!"
Beth starts crying; then suddenly stops. "Sweetie; Mommy's sorry. Everything's fine. Just go back to the table and wait."
"Okay." Anna returns to her chair.
Beth slowly approaches the stove; while Anna meticulously watches her every move.
Beth gathers up her nerve, and leans over to look into the frying pan. Once again, Beth's shocked by the sight. The once blood—filled egg yolk has returned to being a normal yolk.
Beth steps back, taking in a deep breath, then rejoins Anna at the table. She's beginning to wonder if Martin could be right about the stress of the move getting to her. Is it all just in her mind?
