The Empty House

         As Bella got settled in her airplane seat all she could think about was getting home to her husband and her babies.  As she waited for the plane to take off she thought about the last month, she thought, “I’ll just have to take my chances.  Next time I will just tell Mr. Franks no.”  She remembered how Mariah and Andrew both cried as she left them at the terminal.
         As the stewardess walked by Bella stopped her.  “Excuse me, miss.”
          “Yes, ma’am?” replied the stewardess.
          “How much longer to we take off?”  Bella asked.
         The stewardess replied, “We have about 20 minutes until takeoff, if you would like to make a last minute phone call.”
         Realizing that her cell phone was in her lap, Bella replied, “Thank you.” 
         She proceeded to dial her home telephone number.  Five rings and then the answering machine picks up.  She tries her husband Dan’s phone.  Four rings and his voicemail picks up.  Bella is beginning to get really nervous about not getting in touch with her husband, so she calls her mother.
          “Hello, Bella!” answers Bella’s mother Ionya.  “Have you boarded the plane yet?”
          “Yes, ma’am, I have,” replied Bella.  “Have you talked to Mariah today?”
          “Just a few minutes ago. Why?” responded Ionya.
          “Well, no one’s answering either of the phones,” Bella said.
         Ionya was so nervous.  She tried to keep her voice on an even keel where Bella wouldn’t pick up on anything unusual, “They’re probably just at the grocery store.  You know you never get a signal in there, and Mr. Flynn is probably asleep.”
         Bella was calmed by her mother’s explanation, “Thanks, Mother.  I’ll call you as soon as I land.”
          “I’ll be up.  I think I’m going to go spend some think with Aunt Bethany, so I’ll be close,” stated Ionya.
         From the plane’s intercom, Bella heard that it was time to shut off all electronic devices. “Well, I gotta go.  Give Aunt Bethany a hug and kiss for me.  Tell the kids I love them if you talk to them tonight,” said Bella.
          “I will, Pumpkin. Love you,” replied Ionya.
          “Love you, too. Bye,” replied Bella as she hung up the phone.
         Bella was tired after spending a month in a hotel, so she decided to take a Dramine and go to sleep.  She wanted to be refreshed when she got home.
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          “Attention passengers, we are in line to land at Memphis International Airport.  Please place your seats in the upright position and secure your table and any other possessions.  Thank you.”
         The announcement woke Bella up from her deep slumber.  As she put her seat in the upright position, Bella began to get a nervous feeling in her stomach.  She just had a gut feeling that something was wrong and her mother was trying to protect her feelings.  Bella would feel much better once she was on the grounded and headed back to Gomer Town.
         As the plane taxied to the terminal, the light came on that said the passengers could begin using their cell phones, so Bella called her mother. 
          “Hey, Mother, I’m here,” said Bella as Ionya said hello.
         Ionya said, “I’ll be there in about 20 minutes.”
          “Alright.  I’ll meet you by the Elvis plague.”
          “Sounds good.  See you soon” replied Ionya.
         As Bella made her way off the plane, she tried Dan again.  Still no answer.  She tried every five minutes to get a call through, but no one answer.  Then she spotted her mother.
          “What’s a matter?” asked Bella almost on the point of hyperventilating.
         Ionya looked puzzled, “The matter with what?”
          “Dan and the kids,” replied Bella.
          “They’re probably asleep.  You know nothing will wake them up once they’re asleep,” reassured Ionya.
         Bella somewhat satisfied with Ionya’s logic, she replied, “You’re right.  Let’s go.”
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         After a two hour ride, Bella saw her house.  “Finally, home sweet home,” said Bella.
         Once Ionya stopped the car, Bella shot out of it like she was a rocket.  All the lights were out.  None of them worked.  Nobody was there.  The furniture was gone.
          “He’s run away with my kids,” shouted Bella to her mother.
         Trying to refrain from telling Bella what was going on, Ionya said, “I’m sure there’s a note somewhere.  I’ll go look for one.”  After a few minutes of searching, Ionya returns to her daughter that is sitting on the floor in tears.  “Now, now Bella, see I told you there was note,” said Ionya soothingly.
         Bella unfold the note.  It said:
         Bella, please come to 1315 Moniker Lane.  I have a wonderful surprise for you.  Love always, Dan
          “Mother, can you take me here?” asked Bella handing her mother the note.
         She replied, “Of course, baby.  Come on, let’s dry up your pretty face.  In which case is your makeup?”
          “It’s in the small black case,” replied Bella.
         Bella sat quietly allowing her imagination to run wild about what Dan had cooked up for her.  As they pulled up to 1315 Moniker Lane, Bella instantly fell in love with the house.  She was awed by its outer beauty.  She noticed that the upstairs room had some curtains she had showed her mother that she liked.
         As they pulled to a stop in front of the house, Bella saw Dan and the kids running out of the house.  The kids were in their night clothes.
          “Welcome, to your new home, Mrs. Wagner,” exclaimed Dan and the kids.
         Shocked, Bella stuttered, “W-What do you mean?”
         Mariah spoke up, “Momma, come see my room first.”
         Still dumbfounded, Bella agreed to follow Mariah.  As she went through the house, Bella noticed it was everything she had ever wanted in a house.  She couldn’t believe her eyes.
         Finally when she was able to speak again, she said pointing to her husband and mother, “Thank ya’ll, but you’re still in trouble.”  They all laughed together.  Then they hugged.
          “I’m glad you like it,” replied Dan.  “Anything for my Bella.”