The not so benign powers of Annie

I’m sure it is just some odd circumstance that has lead her to be prevailed on both days. She seems like an intelligent woman; perhaps she was attending some sort of convention of the arts or literature; a prominent author who she has adored since childhood may be in town and she was attending his readings and a book signing maybe. It’s nothing. I’m sure nothing at all.

I sat quietly Thursday night waiting for her to arrive home from work at 5:15. She did not. The hours drifted by, first it was 6:30, then 8:15 and then 10:35. I checked periodically for her car in driveway. It wasn’t there. Finally it was after 11 and I started to drift asleep as I heard a low muffled scream coming from Annie’s backyard. I ran to the window and looked out to see Annie in her backyard by her garden being dragged into her house by a man. I saw him pulling her by her jacket through the back door and I could still see them struggling inside because her blinds were open and her light was on. I could see him removing articles of her clothing in a forceful way. It was a sexual assault!! She was going to be raped!! I ran to the phone and started to dial 911 but that wouldn’t be soon enough, he would hurt her before that. I had to go over there. No! I cant. I haven’t confronted anyone in even a remote way in years. My heart is in my throat and I feel ill. So ill that I think I may die now. Scenarios and thoughts are circling in my head like a Tornado. Alas I ran through my back door armed with my little league bat and as quietly as I could, trying to hide the sound of my beating heart jumped over her fence and then passed her garden where I entered through the back door passing her coat closet on the left. I saw her look of horror as her eyes caught mine and I could see the want for a savior in them. Just as he turned to see me I thrust the bat at his head and missed but in the same clipped his elbow. He gave out a loud yelp and ran off through the front door into the night’s street. I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed. Annie just threw her arms around me and I could feel the warmth from her body against mine. And for a second everything in my dreary existence was all right. I don’t mean all right as if it was just minimally acceptable. I felt like a hero and a person connected to the base of some great love affair. I felt complete.

With the time, my troubles passed

As the days and nights grew on as they would our relationship grew equally. Wednesdays and Saturdays were days spent together in the garden or in her or my dining room with coffee and pastries. I told her all about my past and my condition. She responded only with empathy and support. She said she would help me get through it and said also that what I did for her most people who are able to walk the streets and hail cabs wouldn’t have been able to do for her. So we healed together over the weeks. She recovered from her affliction guided by my tenderness and support. She turned me into the person I never thought I could be. My mind swarmed in her unrelenting efforts to make me happy.