Whispers

Someone was knocking at the door. Erica paused to look out an open window before answering the knock. She noticed the lake was still, mirror-like. The sun's rays danced on the surface, reflections of a new day. In her mind she heard the lake's soft whispers asking her to swim beneath its cool waves.

Eleven years ago, she was drawn to the lake's tranquility on a trip with her husband. She thought about how much they loved their little piece of paradise. The knock persisted and the waves washed over the rocks in harmony with the sound.

She turned away from the window, but took her time coming through the house to answer. She had intended to head out to swim when the knock sounded. In this moment of time Erica felt filled with happiness, the kind that makes you never want to leave the moment. "Take your time," whispered the lake.

Memories flooded her thoughts, those of her children learning to dive, striking a pose and slicing head first into the glassy water. The sun warmed the water surrounding their little bodies and filled Erica with a sense of peace and happiness, pure contentment. Change wasn't welcome in these memories.

She put on a robe over her swimsuit as she headed for the door. Just a room away her thoughts centered on how lucky she was to have this day to herself. Her husband had taken their three children on a camping trip. She was looking forward to this time alone. The knocking got more persistent the third time. The waves whispered, "forgive, forget."

Sighing, Erica headed for the door. She thought about how little time she had to herself over the past year. The strain of her husband's affair had been very hard on her. The children went off into their own worlds, she into hers and that is when the whisperings from the lake started, persisting daily, comforting the pain. The knock again interrupted her thoughts.

Erica finally opened the door. The light poured into the dark foyer and revealed two police officers, blue uniforms, standard badges and caps. She would never forget the look in their eyes, deep shadows of pain. The whisperings continued each lap splashing painful moments upon the hot sand.

"Morning ma'am," said the first officer. "We have some bad news. I'm so very sorry to have to tell you, your husband and children have died in a car crash."

Erica stood very still. Tears started streaming down her face immediately, effortlessly. Words wouldn't come, until she mumbled "oh, no" and buckled over. One of the officers caught her.

"We're so sorry ma'am," said the officer. "Can we call someone to come stay with you?"

"Yes, please," Erica cried, "my mother." The waves fluttered softly near the sandy shore whispering the names of her children. The officers contacted Erica's mother from the phone in the foyer. After they left she closed the door on the officers, the world, the reality. Then she walked slowly back the way she'd come and back to the lake thinking how warm the sun was, a reflection of a new day.

She looked up to the sky, took a deep breath and stepped into the water, the weight of the world washing away from her like the waves lapping at the shore. The water enveloped her and the cares of the world continued to drift away. The knock was worth waiting for, she thought "never trust the ones you love." As she disappeared forever beneath the wave, the lake whispered, "perfect crime."