Reality Lies by D.F. Downey (books recommended by bts txt) 📖

to her feet.

 

“I can stay if you need me to.”

 

“No, that’s all right.” Johanna was anxious to get her out of the house.

 

“Okay I have to do my laundry anyway, but remember anytime you need me, be sure to call.”

 

“Okay, I will.” Johanna said as she gently eased her out the door.

 

As she entered the living room the dog began sniffing her and then started whining. “What do you smell boy? Someone you know?”

 

“Aarf!” The dog was really excited.

 

She took a shot, “Your mother?” The dog became uncontrollable.

 

She sent Jay to his room to fetch his dirty clothes. “Robbie?” she asked, not quite believing she was actually doing this. The dog stopped barking then started whimpering. “I don’t know if you can totally understand me but I’m going to try and change you back.” She stopped as Jay entered the room. “Thank you honey, mommy’s going to go downstairs to do the wash. Would you mind if the dog kept me company?”

 

“Can I come too?”

 

“No dear. I need you to tidy up your room.” Jay did as he was told.

 

“Now Robbie, you and I need to get to work. I’m going to dress you up in Jay’s clothes, be still.”

 

His tail starts wagging. “You’re going to have to stay still.”

 

It took awhile but she succeeded in making his torso look reasonably boy-like, by stuffing the arms and legs of the shirt and pants then completing it with the addition of shoes and gloves.

 

“Now for the face.” She had turned the eight by ten photo into a mask. A hooded sweatshirt gave it a greater semblance to reality.

 

“The most important thing is for Jay to think you’re Robbie. That means no barking, no panting. Don’t make a sound. And please don’t move. I’ll send Jay upstairs for a bath. Then I’ll put you in front of the TV, you poor thing.” He seemed to smile. You could see his tail move beneath the clothes.

 

As she closed the door to the basement stairs Jay was waiting. “Where is Rocket?” he asked.

 

“I didn’t know you named the dog. That’s a nice name.” Jay smiled

 

“Rocket fell asleep on a blanket. I think he’s very tired. He’s had a long week. It’s hard when you lose your family.”

 

“We’re his family now, right Mom?”

 

“Well honey, we have to find his real family or at least try. Right?” she said sadly.

 

“I guess so. But if we don’t, we’re keeping him right?”

 

Resignedly she said, “Yes we will. Now you need to take a bath. Get upstairs young man.”

 

Johanna drew his bath and coached him inside. She made it a quick one. “No toys tonight Jay. Mommy got things to do.” She stayed with him until she could get him out and dried. Johanna was able to sneak downstairs once Jay was ensconced on his favorite chair in his terrycloth bathrobe. The Thomas the Tank Engine video was playing on the TV. All was right with his world.

 

She carried Robbie up from the basement and onto the back porch. She adjusted the clothes and mask for maximum effect. “Robbie, remember you have to stay quiet and you have to stay still.” His head nodded up and down. “Good, I hope this works.”

 

She went upstairs into the bedroom where the video was finishing up. “Look at you, Little Lord Fauntleroy, mommy’s little king!”

 

She paused as her eyes began to well up. She hugged him. “I’m so lucky. Poor Mrs. D’Angelo, I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”

 

“You can’t lose me mommy, I’ll never leave you.” She hugged him all the harder, “Robbie’s mom must be sad. I wish we could find Robbie.”

 

“So do I. Honey. So do I.”

 

She picked up a photo of the two of them. Jay crawled over her back to look at it with her.

 

“Mommy?”

 

“Yes dear?”

 

“Pictures are good. I was starting not to remember what Robbie looked like.” A short moment of horror crossed her face. “But now,” he continued, “I remember like he was here. Can we look for Robbie?”

 

“Sure honey, we can look but you have to get dressed. He began to run downstairs. “Wait a minute. I have your outfit here.”

 

She helped him on with his pants, socks and shoes. But before she could stop him he was off on his search.

 

“Robbie! Robbie!” he called

 

He looked under the sofa, under the bed, in the closet. His mother subtly guided him. “I don’t think he’d be in here. Maybe, he’s in the back yard.” She wanted to make sure he entered the back porch in a way that would deliver the proper effect. “Let’s go through the kitchen.”

He was totally focused now still calling out Robbie’s name.

 

Johanna didn’t notice the knock on the door. It was Jackie. Jackie went to the living room window. She knew they must be here. The car was still in the driveway. The bell didn’t work but she had to talk to her. She tried the side of the house and had just entered the back yard when she saw them through the French doors.

 

“Robbie!” Jay exclaimed as he ran to the corner where the dog was situated.

 

In the backyard Jackie stood slack jawed and then turned angry. Quickly, she ran to an unlocked door and burst through.

 

“What are you doing with my son?”

 

“Jackie. . . do you believe it? Jay came out here and there he was.” Johanna offered weakly.

 

Jackie exploded, “That’s not what it looked like! Why would he come here? He’s never been here in his life! That’s too much of a coincidence. It all makes sense. You were in my house. You probably hid him in your car. Then you stayed there while I searched, while the police searched. How could you?”

 

Jackie held Robbie tight. “We’re getting out of here, now! I’m calling the police!”

 

“No Jackie it wasn’t like that all.” Johanna pleaded. “I swear. I’ll call the police to let them know we found Robbie but please believe me I would never do something that would harm a child.”

 

For a moment they stood awkwardly. Jay walked over to Robbie innocently. “I got a dog. Want to see my dog?”

 

“Jay, not now.”

 

“Mommy, where’s my dog?”

 

“I said not now!” Johanna said definitively.

 

Jay recoiled. He had never heard his mother raise her voice before.

 

“Let’s call the police. They’ll sort this out.” Jackie turned her attention back to Robbie. “Robbie, where have you been?”

 

“I’ve been here, at Jay’s house.”

 

She shot a look at Johanna. “What did she do to you?”

 

“They fed me and Jay and me played fetch and he rubbed my belly.”

 

“What!? Played fetch, rubbed your belly! What are you talking about?”

 

“I was a dog mommy. My name was Rocket.”

 

Jackie was totally perplexed. “What have you done to my son? What sickness would cause someone to do such a thing? I always thought you stayed away because of your son. I heard stories about strange happenings when he was around. But it’s you. You’re the strange one!” She grabbed the phone and punched 9-1-1. “Yes, my name is Jackie D’Angelo and I’ve found my son. Yes, that’s right, I’ve found Robbie. He seems fine.” then with a pointed look in Johanna’s direction she added, “at least physically.”

 

Uncomfortable moments passed as they waited for the police to arrive, Johanna made a few feeble attempts to explain but gave up when Jackie ignored her. She collapsed on a chair in the living room as Jay tried desperately to comfort her. “What’s wrong mommy?” then thinking it was his fault added, “I’ll be good!” she hugged him tight. The realization that this could be the last time she might hold him overwhelmed her. She began sobbing.

 

Jackie didn’t notice. She was caught up in her own positive moment. “Oh Robbie! I don’t know what I would have done if you … if mommy didn’t find you.” She locked her arms around him.

 

“Mommy, you’re holding me too tight!”

 

She relaxed her hold a little “Better?” He nodded. “Mommy’s never going to let you go.” Robbie squirmed as she kissed the side of his head then took comfort.

 

“I hear sirens!” he lighted up.

Jackie strained her ears until finally she heard them too. She glanced at the front door and caught sight of the forlorn figure seated nearby. She couldn’t help but have a moment of pity. This was soon interrupted as Detective Plant rushed through the door.

 

He caught sight of Johanna and immediately understood she was involved. A woman from Child Welfare followed close behind and walked straight over to Robbie. “What are you doing?” Jackie asked as the woman attempted to unlock Robbie from her embrace.

 

“I’m sorry but we have to take him.” The woman named Yolanda intoned.

 

“What?!!” Jackie went nuts, “What do you mean! I found my son! I did it with no help from you! And you think you can just take him?!” she grabbed tight to Robbie, turned away then attempted to get up.

 

“Ma’am I’m sorry but we have to do this.” Yolanda pleaded.

 

Jackie didn’t care. “Detective.” The two women simultaneously pleaded for Plant’s help.

 

“Give us a moment Yolanda.” Yolanda complied, stepping back. “Mrs. D’Angelo, I understand that this is an emotional time for you.” Jackie stiffened. She knew this was crazy woman 101 and they were pandering to the crazy woman.

 

“What about her?” Jackie attempted to shift his focus. “Aren’t you going to arrest her?”

Johanna had become almost an afterthought, clinging to Jay in the fetal position.

 

He realized he would have to get Johanna out of here to get Jackie focused. “Excuse me a moment Mrs. D‘Angelo.”

 

He walked over to Johanna, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to place you under arrest pending clarification of the situation.”

 

“I understand.” She released Jay and rose to her feet. “What do you need me to do?”

 

He gestured for the female officer to come over. “Patrolwoman Hernandez will take care of it.” She patted Johanna down, reading her rights as she proceeded. Then she cuffed her hands behind her back.

 

“Mommy, why is the lady playing with you?” Jay asked.

 

Johanna reassured him, “The lady is doing what she’s supposed to.”

 

Hernandez was grateful for the assistance. “Do you have a husband, the boy’s father or anyone the boy can stay with?” she asked.

 

A smack of recognition caused Johanna to switch gears. “No, I have to stay with him! He needs me!” She was hysterical. “You don’t know what might happen if I’m not here to control things!”

 

The officers looked to each other. Plant spoke up “Yolanda, will you be able to deal with the two boys? We have no choice.”

 

Johanna broke away and ran to Jay. She pleaded, “Be a good boy, keep your eyes open and pay attention. Don’t use your imagination!”

 

They grabbed her away from him but Jay continued to cling. From the corner of her eye she could see Jackie speaking to the detective. “Jackie, please take care of Jay for me. Please, I know you’re a good mother. Please!”

 

Jackie was confused, ‘Why would she be hiding Robbie yet want me to take care of her son.’ They hustled Johanna out of the house pleading and crying all the while.

 

She turned to the detective. “There’s no way that could happen?” she asked a little guiltily. She had forgotten her own anguish. If anything, she had accepted that they were only doing what they should to protect Robbie.

 

“I don’t know ma’am. You’d have to ask Child Welfare.” He paused then added, “But I wouldn’t think so.”

 

***

 

Yolanda from Child Welfare was pleasant enough but