On the Porch

"What is it?!" A harsh yell came from the front porch. I'd stepped down for only a quick minute to investigate the rest of the perimeter in the front yard; as I only got a glance at it driving up to the Parkson residence.

As far as I could see was what the fog hadn't swallowed up.

"Hello?!" That same harsh voice called once again to gather my attention once and for all.

"Yes, ma'am! I'm here for the Amboy Police Department, investigating the death of your husband, Willie Parkson. So... I just need to take a quick look around if you don't mind."

My voice was rushed and rehearsed. I had little time, but I had no idea what I was dealing with.

"The widow, Parkson, stepped out of the shadow of the porch to give me a final, precise look at her stern face. She strictly keep hold of her walking cane, and moved it only to wave and add more drama to the situation when I caught sight of it and funny looking hip bone that could've been broken. 

"Yes?" Her crackly voice reverberated through the thick, foggy air of morning.

"Ma'am? Did you hear me? What I said, I mean? I..."

Then, abruptly, she spoke up louder than the loudest of my last inquiries, as if she'd been playing with me, and snapped "Yes, yes. I heard you!"

"Well, then... I suppose it's time I had a quick look inside."

"No! T-There's nothing in my house!" She croaked.

"Well, ma'am I have to..." But that's as far as I got. She interuppted with that clearly harassed sounding voice again and beckoned for me to come closer.

"You want to know about my husband?!" She yelled, but was then stifled by fits of coughing.

She coughed up til' a bit of phlegm narrowly missed my face.

Then she continued.

"You want to know about my good-for-nothing husband?" She asked this more quietly than the first time and then whipped out a handkercheif while gasping for air with her hand held to her chest for unoffered comfort.

"Ms. Parkson... I really need to know about your husband... how he died I mean. Noone's been able to get a hold of you and... well I was told to do it myself."