Not To Worry

         The night smelled fresh, warm air circled around caressing damp skin like kisses.  Shivers ran up her back and she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her arms staring out into the hovering darkness as it chased away the last of the day.  Embers of the sun's setting flickered and faded into the horizon.  Standing there she could hear the night chorus begin to tune up.  The crickets warming up, the frogs grooping deeply.  There was a kind of peace at this time of night.  The neighbourhood kids had all gone in and the silence, beyond that of the natural world, was deafening.  Lorna sipped at her coffee, the aroma of it encircling her.  She closed her eyes as she savoured both the coffee and the night. 

         A ringing phone called her from her post.  No doubt Robbie with something vital to tell her.  Vital to him anyway. She moved in letting the screen door swing and bang closed.  That never failed to bring a smile of memories to her face.  Memories of sweet childhood summers out at the family farm. 

         Picking up the phone she listened.  It was Ana.  Her voice strained with worry.

         "Donny hasn't come home yet.  Have you heard from Robbie?"  Her staccato voice tripped along the wire.

         Ana loved to worry; if there was nothing to worry about, she would find something.  Lorna took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering.  "Robbie hasn't called yet, but then..."  She looked at the clock and her brow furled.  "Oh, I hadn't realized it had gotten that late."

         "Exactly.  Donny would be home by now."

         Again, Lorna settled her breath before saying more.  "As I recall, wasn't there some kind of celebration going on tonight...maybe they just got caught up in the moment."

         "Donny never does that.  He would come home, or at least call.  He hasn't called.  Something has had to have happened."

         It was true, Robbie generally called, but she would not let herself worry.  It wasn't that late.  She spoke soothingly to Ana hoping to bring her rising voice back down to a more reasonable level.

         "I'm going to call the hospital..."

         Lorna heard the phone disconnect and the dial tone vibrate in her ear.  Setting the phone back in its cradle she went to check on the twins.  Their sweet angelic faces were full of sleep and Lorna felt her heart open in love.  She smoothed the hair off Daniel’s face and bent to kiss his downy check.  She pulled the blankets up on Adam and kissed his forehead gently, smiling when he shifted again and kicked off the covers she had just replaced.  She smiled shaking her head.  Walking back down the hall she reached out to pat Daisy's soft golden head.  Daisy graced her with a lolling tongue, then licked her hand. 

         "Come on girl."  Lorna whispered as they moved back down the stairs.  The dog followed her obediently. 

         Back in the kitchen, she set about tidying up.  She made every effort not to glance at the clock, but she did wonder about the boys.  Ana’s drama had gotten to her and she needed to shake it off.  Humming to herself she felt the tension ease. 



         About an hour later the phone rang.  It was Robbie.

         “Hey, Honey.  We’re leaving now.  Sorry I didn’t call earlier.”

         “You okay to drive?”  She asked trying hard not to let Ana’s worry poison her own mellowish mood.

         “Yeah, we wrestled the keys from Donny though.”

         “Really?”

         “Yeah, he kept mumbling about wanting to give Ana something to really worry about.  Silly bugger.”

         “Are you taking him home?”

         “Yeah.  It doesn’t feel right to foist him onto a taxi driver.  Let’s just hope he doesn’t get sick.”

         Lorna laughed.  She felt lighter already. 

         When she hung up she went back outside, letting Daisy wander amongst the dewy grass nuzzling around to find her ball.  Lorna breathed in the calming night air and smiled to herself as she watched her dog.  She knew she needed to call Ana, to ease her mind, but she was not looking forward to her dis – ease.  She knew hysteria would radiate.  She stood awhile longer soaking in the evening, then she returned to the house to make the necessary call.