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  With Mary still on the line, Officer Ralph excitedly burst into Detective Tom's office. “Detective Tom! I've got an interesting call for you!”

  “Who is it Ralph?”

  “It's that Mary from the Trivelli house! She says she found a huge Mason jar with a dismembered head in it!”

  Detective Tom winced while rolling his eyes. “Good God!”

  Overhearing mention of the Trivelli house, Detective Larry soon stepped into Detective Tom's office.

  Officer Ralph continued. “She thinks it's that Trivelli woman who had been murdered back in the 1800s. I guess the husband put her head in a Mason jar, pickled it and then sealed it shut. It's still preserved!”

  The very image in Detective Tom's mind nearly caused him to gag and upchuck. “Cool it, Ralph! I'm still shaking this bug!” He paused for a moment, “Alright, I'm not going over there to look at that! Didn't Mary's husband recently build a family mausoleum in the backyard?”

  “That's right, he did.” said Detective Larry.

  “Alright, tell them to take that head and put it in one of the crypts of the mausoleum. Put that woman to rest. That's what a mausoleum is for, right? We don't need to go over there. I wrapped that case up last year.”

  Chapter 4

  It was now five o'clock in the afternoon. Back at Jim's house, little Collin returned from his friend's house. See how uneventful and boring Jim's day was in comparison to Daren's?

  Collin returning home served as a cue for the family to put on their jackets and head out to Big Boy's Beef and Ribs for dinner. For nearly 20 years, Big Boy's Beef and Ribs has served Mapleview and surrounding areas, offering the finest grilled menu items. Patrons return again and again for their favorite burgers, Italian beef or sausage sandwiches, grilled chicken, barbecued ribs and even steaks. If it's grilled meat you crave, then Big Boy's Beef and Ribs is the place to visit for lunch or dinner.

  Suddenly, Jim's quiet Saturday wasn't so uneventful. While parading through the parking lot with his family up to the restaurant, Jim spotted and soon locked eyes with Amber through one of the windows! What was she doing there? How could she have possibly known that Jim and his family were to eat dinner that night at Big Boy's Beef and Ribs? It had to be coincidence! Trista sat at the same table across from Amber. And from the moment that Amber recognized Jim, she put on an expression that certainly conveyed her scorn. Apparently Amber was a little more than disappointed for being “blown off” for the afternoon.

  This was not good! Could Jim suggest eating Saturday dinner at some other place? But why would he suddenly wish to eat elsewhere? It was best to hold his breath and play it by ear. Hopefully Amber would follow the proper rules of engagement for a situation like this.

  All appeared to go according to expectation during the first several minutes in the restaurant. After ordering their meals at the counter, Jim and his family migrated towards the dining area. It was Jim's intention to sit somewhat near Amber and her daughter's table as an indicator that he still cared. But then Kimberly softly urged, “Let's sit over here.”

  The seat Kimberly chose was near the entrance door. Being October, it would have brought with it chilled air as patrons entered and exited the establishment. Jim brought this to his wife's attention. “Are you sure? There's a better seat over there.”

  But “over there” was closer to that woman. Kimberly had a strong dislike and an irrational hatred towards the very person that Jim secretly shared a taboo relationship with. Again, she softly urged, “Let's just sit here, Jim. I don't want to sit over there. I don't like that woman. She reminds me of a witch.”

  Ah, but despite how softly Kimberly mentioned this, Amber overheard it! Jim could see it in Amber's eyes, the shock and resentment of such cruel name-calling. How could he have allowed Kimberly to speak that way about her?

  Still, Jim remained loyal to his wife. Feeling it best to follow her wishes, Jim pulled out a chair and sat at the table of Kimberly's preference. April and Collin followed. Soon the large, plastic, white number-ticket had been inserted in the wire stand. This would help a waitress locate the appropriate table as the same number would be printed on the receipt.

  And then Jim sat there, silently, watching the kids take sips from their sodas and chat about the happy highlights of their afternoon. Of course his mind and heart were racing with the presence of his mistress and her daughter in the restaurant. In the distance, Amber glared with her fierce eyes. Nobody called her a witch and got away with it. And no man was to treat her as second best, dust her off the shelf when needed and place her back at will.

  It was coming! Amber's negative emotions began to spark and discharge into the air. What to do with them was a different matter. Surely they would soon be injected in some terrible fantasy and bring much misfortune to a happy, loving family.

  * * *

  Back at the Trivelli House, Mary had just handed the Android-style smart phone back to Daren and sighed. “The police say it's not necessary to come here.”

  “What?”

  “I guess Detective Tom wants us to put Grandma Trivelli to rest and place her in one of the crypts of your mausoleum.”

  A look of near delight suddenly stretched across Daren's face. “Really? Sure, we can put Grandma Trivelli in the mausoleum. Do you want to come with and say your goodbye?”

  Mary didn't see the new storage of Grandma Trivelli's dismembered head as a proper funeral and burial. The mausoleum was just a means of disposal. Aside from that, who knows how many more times a piece of Grandma Trivelli would surface in the future? “No, Daren!” Mary answered. “Just put her in there like the detective said.”

  Alone, Daren carried the heavy, oversized, cobalt-blue jar down the stairs of the wooden deck and across the backyard until reaching the entryway of the mausoleum. It was necessary to set the jar on the grass before reaching for the keys in his front pocket. Once the thick, iron doors had been unlocked and opened, he flipped the light switch inside. The building was just like any small, family mausoleum; except it lacked decaying occupants. A lightly-stained, wooden bench was mounted to the center floor; two lit sconces affixed to the rear-wall; and empty, closed crypts took up the sidewalls of the building. Grandma Trivelli was carried inside and temporarily placed on the wooden bench so Daren could open one of the empty crypts. But then curiosity overtook Daren. He never did get a chance to fully examine the face of Grandma Trivelli.

  The word Grandma might bring to mind images of a decrepit, old woman. But Grandma Trivelli was murdered at a young age. In those days, it was common for people to marry at a young age—sometimes as young as sixteen-years-old. Grandma Trivelli had her first child, a daughter, at the age of eighteen. Being that this daughter was thirteen on the supposed night of the disappearance, Grandma Trivelli would have been thirty-one and still very young.

  These facts were apparent to Daren as he held the heavy, oversized jar in front of the illuminated sconce. It provided enough light for him to see the young and beautiful face of Grandma Trivelli. She looked so much like his own Mary, sleeping soundly in the early morning light. Daren assumed her voice sounded just like Mary's as she most-likely made the same facial expressions or exhibited the same occasional, quirky behavior. What was wrong with Grandpa Trivelli? How could he have murdered this beautiful woman in such a brutal way?

  Well she belonged to Daren, now. Grandpa Trivelli certainly didn't deserve this woman. Daren would care for her and give her the best crypt in the mausoleum, right next to his favorite one. Speaking of which, Daren set the jar back down on the bench and opened his favorite crypt that was closest to the door and on the left wall (left if entering the building). Inside was a cooler that contained partially thawed ice and about a dozen bottles of his favorite, imported beer. Working so hard that afternoon, Daren certainly deserved a cold one. Cracking open the family mausoleum and then cracking open a cold one was a favorite activity of Daren's since having the building constructed.

  After taking a few guzzles from th
e bottle; he set the beer on the corner of the floor and opened the crypt that would soon be Grandma Trivelli's. The oversized, heavy cobalt-blue jar was set inside. Daren finished his beer while admiring the new addition to the family mausoleum. Then he closed and locked Grandma Trivelli's crypt.

  Chapter 5

  Sunday afternoon, Daren was called out on a sudden business trip. A customer service engineer would be visiting a hospital in Detroit on Monday, possibly Tuesday as well. If Daren accompanied the engineer during this visit, it might have provided an opportunity to establish a relationship with hospital management and hopefully sell medical equipment. It was an opportunity that Daren's manager wouldn't allow to slip by.

  But Saturday was a bit traumatic for poor Mary. Concerned, Daren asked his wife, “Are you going to be okay while I'm gone?”

  Mary reassured him, “I'll be fine. Grandma Trivelli is in the mausoleum, and you burned those creepy pictures. Besides, I'll be at work during the week.”

  Mary worked at her best friend, Shelly's, flower shop in Mapleview.

  “And I'll have Muffin to keep me company at night. Isn't that right you little munchkin?” Mary briskly stroked the sides of the dog's face. It was interpreted as play which resulted in barking.

  How Daren hated when “Rat Dog” barked!

  Chapter 6

  Amber had the potential to be one of those overly-emotional, temperamental women who softly approach a man while appearing bashful and battered; a real victim of love who sees the man before her as the knight in shining armor to rescue her. Such a woman claims that nobody understands her like that knight in shining armor. She could elevate a vulnerable man above a pedestal and make him feel like the center of the universe; read every aspect of his personality and delve into his life. Any man in this situation would feel as though he died and went to Heaven.

  But a man best watch out for these women! Through time she demands more and more of his attention, revealing that she feels increasingly neglected. Soon nothing will make her happy. In the end she hates that knight in shining armor and blames him for every bit of unhappiness. A rats nest of an emotional wreck; she'll drain the very life out of a man, chew him up and spit him out before finished.

  Fortunately for Jim, Amber was not this sort of woman! Amber had a certain fortitude along with a degree of self-respect that would nearly make it a sin to be one of those pathetic, wimpy, little women who know not what they want out of life. But Jim should have still watched out. Amber was worse than those emotional wrecks that drain the life out of a man. Where-as a needy woman has no ulterior motive—only wishes to find her idea of true love—Amber knows full well of the damage she can do. She's extremely intelligent and views the world around her slightly different than most women.

  In Amber's world, wives are interesting creatures. Once upon a time, any given wife would have found such overwhelming happiness in the presence of her man; declaring how much she loved him and how happy he made her. As the years unfolded, that love lost its novelty and turned into more of a comfy love as both husband and wife tolerated small imperfections; laziness, messiness, grumpiness, moodiness—all spouses contain one or more of these negative characteristics.

  Bring the marriage beyond ten years, any given wife has adopted the philosophy, “He drives me nuts! Sometimes I can't even stand him! But I still love my husband.” In this stage, a wife will find any opportunity to find examples that demonstrate her disappointments of a husband are mutually shared by many others. Any mistake or shortcoming is highlighted and pointed out to the husband. Why would a wife do this; to destroy her husband and crush his confidence along with self perception? Surely a wife doesn't mean to do this intentionally. But Amber knew just how easy it was to give a man what he so badly needed. Pay attention if you happen to be a wife. It isn't sex that causes a man to stray. Amber knew this.

  * * *

  It was a Monday afternoon at about a quarter past four o'clock. Jim didn't have to go home until sometime after five. Being that Trista was at the library working on a group research paper with classmates, Jim had an opportunity to visit his mistress.

  You might ask how it was possible for Jim to be only seven doors down from his home and remain unnoticeable by Kimberly. This was due to the fact that Amber's home was just past a major bend in the road. Kimberly could have stood outside and looked in the direction of Amber's house and not have seen Jim's Mapleview Cable bucket truck.

  On this fine, autumn Monday; Amber served tea in her back screened-in patio. The storm windows were only slightly opened as the October air had a slight chill. Both Jim and Amber sat side-by-side, cuddling and drinking their tea on a small sofa with wooden coffee table a few feet away.

  Amber was now the manager of the jewelry department at the Mapleview Department store. Mondays provided an opportunity to leave earlier in the afternoon in comparison to other days of the week.

  Being an uneventful day for Amber, She casually stated, “It wasn't such bad day for me. How about you? How was your day?”

  Ah, but it was not Jim's day at Mapleview Cable! In comparison to Amber, he had somewhat of a bad day. He now sat with the mistress, wearing his Ivan Trovskov attire; green, wool pants that were tucked into his black, shiny boots and a white, Fruit-of-the-Loom undershirt with suspenders stretched over his chest and shoulders. Small sprouts of patchy hair now growing through the top of his nearly bald head; Jim was lucky that Amber believed him to be Trista's biological father.

  Jim set his teacup on the coffee table. “It was kind of a rough day for me. Last Friday I had to bring a fiberglass extension ladder over to a telephone pole in someone's backyard to do some work. In trying to locate the problem, I temporarily left the backyard to check signals at a utility box down the street. Finding the problem was actually at the utility box; I made the repair and signed off on the job. But I left the ladder at the pole in the other backyard!”

  Amber exclaimed, “Oh no!”

  Jim continued, “Yeah! The customer called the office this morning and complained. They said that their kids were climbing the ladder and suggested someone could have gotten electrocuted. So I was totally reamed in the boss' office and given a write-up!”

  Amber was nearly outraged. “That sucks! What the hell? You didn't mean to leave it there, it was only an accident.”

  “I know; that's what I kept telling them. But I guess they needed to punish someone.”

  Amber softly rubbed Jim's shoulder. “They should feel so lucky to have you working for them. Not only are you busting your ass out in the weather, but they use you as their fall guy or scapegoat.” Then Amber put the secret icing on her little spell. “And I hope your wife appreciates everything you do each day out there. You work hard for your family.”

  Amber was right! Jim never looked at his existence in that light before. Maybe there was more to Amber than what Jim originally suspected. She was probably the best thing for him.

  Sometime later, after a bit of autumn smooching on the sofa with Amber; Jim returned home with a boosted sense of self-worth and the belief that he had been wronged at work. He nearly floated in the door at home on cloud nine.

  “Hey…” greeted Kimberly.

  “Hi!” answered Jim in return.

  “So how was your day?” asked Kimberly.

  “Oh get this!” Jim repeated the same story that was told to Amber about leaving his fiberglass extension ladder at the telephone pole over the weekend. But he added more, his opinion that Mapleview Cable should have been so lucky to have him working there along with accusations that the company used him as a scapegoat. Amber convinced him of this and surely Kimberly believed him as well.

  But what was this? Kimberly only stared at her husband in disbelief as he relayed the story in his ridiculous Ivan Trovskov attire. What was happening to her husband? “Jim?” Kimberly finally asked. “What the hell is wrong with you? You left a ladder on a telephone pole? Your boss is right! Some kid could have climbed that ladder and gotten electroc
uted. I can't believe you don't see that.”

  “Oh come-on, Kimberly! It was just an accident! You're over-reacting like everyone else!”

  Everyone else, that is, except for Amber…

  “You know, Jim, this is exactly how you are. You forget something totally important that could have had serious consequences and you act like it's nothing! You're almost forty-years old! It's time to grow up! I hope you learned your lesson! You deserve that write-up. Hopefully you don't lose your job.”

  Amber's spell was going according to plan. Now in the kitchen with his wife and supper almost done—kids in the other rooms—Jim longed for the woman who truly understood him, Amber.

  While sitting at the table with family and enjoying a home-cooked meal from a loving wife, Jim tried so desperately to replace Kimberly's face with Amber's. Such sadness; such sorrow. Jim's heart nearly ached to be back in the presence of Amber.

  Chapter 7

  The least favorite activity for Daren was to accompanying field service engineers to hospitals. He had greater success in building clientele and generating sales at conventions and expos. People who attended these were in the market for purchasing new equipment. But when making unsolicited visits to a hospital, prospects were often closed up to any introduction of new equipment. These people weren't in the market for laying out hundreds of thousands—even a couple million dollars for new equipment. Prospects who called out a field service engineer simply wanted the equipment serviced.