But as I bit into the crispy bacon, the doorbell rang. I got up.
"I'll get it," said my dad, kindly going to open the door as I sat back down.
A moment later I heard the door open and a woman started babbling with worry on the other side. It was Mrs. Rudmore.
"What's wrong?" asked my dad at the doorway. She sounded to be in hysterics. I dropped the bacon and went to meet her at the door.
"What's wrong, Mrs. Rudmore?" I asked when I saw her.
"Oh, Anna, something is wrong with Patrick. He's been in his cage all day screaming and banging himself against the walls. And if he doesn't calm down, he's going to break the walls and escape. And I've heard him call your name a couple of times, so I think you might be able to help."
"What is she talking about, Anna?" asked my dad who was standing right there.
That's right. I didn't tell him. Though with Mrs. Rudmore standing here in hysterics, I don't think she would have realized that.
"Dad, it's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"It does sound like something if she's like this."
"Don't worry, Dad, I will take care of it. Go eat breakfast."
I tried to push him towards the table, but he stood his ground to ask for information on the whole deal. It was not good. Though at least I hadn't been the one to blow the big secret. But it is curious how my parents hadn't found out about our neighbors when everyone else on the street knew.
"I'm sorry, Mr..." started Mrs. Rudmore.
"Mr. Arons," my dad answered.
"Mr. Arons. But I need to talk to Anna. Alone."
Well at least she had gotten her composure back long enough to tell my dad off as simply as possible. He was too polite to say no.
"Ok." My dad agreed and I went out the door with Mrs. Rudmore.
Standing on the porch, Mrs. Rudmore started on the long explanation.
"Anna, Patrick isn't doing well. In fact, he's been doing a lot worse than since we first found out that he had a problem. He doesn't sleep and he kicks the the walls of his box all night long. And he screams your name. And we fear that he's getting worse and that he might actually... well I don't want to think about what he would do or what his disease might do to him, but he's been very... depressed, I would think, and I think it has something to do with you not having come yesterday."
She stopped and I stood there thinking.
I had no idea he had been that bad since the day I decided not to go there anymore. I hadn't been there long, actually, and we had barely talked, so I had no idea why he would be wanting to talk to me or perhaps... kill me? No, I don't think he would kill me, even though he has attempted that lately, but still. He should be fine, and I wouldn't have thought it was something so dangerous. But I can't go there. That's the bottom line.
"Look, Mrs. Rudmore-"
"Ellen, sweety."
"Ellen. I don't think I can go there now. I said I wouldn't. I thought he understood but he tried to kill me last time I was there and he made it perfectly clear that he could attempt that at any time. I'm sorry he's going through that but I can't go to him now. I do have, even if vague, a sense of self-preservation, so I don't think putting myself there is going to help because he might just actually jump me and kill me."
"He won't kill you, Anna. The box has been reinforced. It would be impossible for him to get out of there."
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