The Lake Sings

“Sing me a song mommy.” “Sweet dreams are made of love. You and I were made for love. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think of holding you tight. Sweet dreams are made of love. You and I were made for love. All of my wildest dreams are waking up to you, it’s true.” Regina kissed her daughter on the forehead and dimmed the light. “A beautiful song for my beautiful girl. Goodnight dove, love you”. “Goodnight mommy, love you too.”

An hour past and Regina and Rob was found arguing in the kitchen. “I told you to never stack the dishes in the dish rack like that. CRASH! Rob threw his glass in the direction of Regina’s head. “I’m sorry honey. I was rushing. I still have a load of laundry I need to finish before I go to bed.” “Why were you late getting home today? You get off at four o’clock but you weren’t home until six. We both know it only takes you fifteen minutes to get home. Huh, Regina? Where were you?”

“I had some things to take care of that’s all sweetie.” “Sweetie?! I saw you with him again.” Rob grabbed Regina’s arm, beginning to shake her. “Let me go” she snatched her arm from his possessive hand. “It’s nothing I swear he just wanted to say goodbye and I needed to talk to him about S…” Smack, Rob’s handprint went across her face. “Don’t you say it. You and my daughter are the only family I got and you’re all mine.” Regina ran out of the house toward the dock near the murky waters. She needed some fresh air to clear her mind. She hoped that time by the water would give her husband a chance to calm down. But she knew that some way and somehow, she would need to get away from his tyranny. Rob sprinted after her. “I’m not done talking to you.”

“Please don’t. Stop playing. I said I don’t like the water.” Jayce grabbed Shauna into a bear hug and tried to dump her into the lake. “Noooooo!” she began to cry. “Babe, I’m just playing with you.” He gently put her down. “You know I told you I am afraid of the water. I almost drowned on a family vacation when I was like three or four. The only thing I remember is my mom pulling me out and setting me on the beach.” “I’m sorry, I thought you were exaggerating or something.”

Exaggerating, who exaggerates about almost dying, she thought to herself. He seemed sincere but she almost wet herself and not from the lake. “Jayce, let’s go inside. We can eat popsicles to cool off. Okay?” “Ok Shauna. And I’ll make it up to you for being….” “A jerk?” “Well, I was going to say inconsiderate but we can rock with that I guess.” They went into the house and she tried not to glance back at the lake while thinking how horrible her boyfriend just made her feel.

Shauna and her father, Rob, live in a beautiful lake house in Bayfield, Colorado. Shauna loves everything about it except the lake. It’s a sad looking thing. Even when it’s 85 degrees and sunny the water always seems to be somber and melancholy. Sometimes Shauna sits and stare into its crinkles. The spongy cattails rustled against each other shifting trying to find their way in the stillness. The geese never stay too long. A quick meeting and they were off as if they had the wrong location for their reservation. The lake was always frowning at Shauna with a nebulous glow. Some days it whimpered, needing an ear to listen to it. Some days Shauna would do just that.

It was a long day and Shauna couldn’t wait to go to sleep, especially after almost being thrown into the lake. Times like these made her wish her mom stuck around. Rob told her she left to pursue a singing career; Shauna was only five. “How could she leave that beautiful smile?” he would say every so often. Shauna would sometimes write her mom in her journal. “Mom, are all guys thoughtless like Jayce? I sure hope not. I wish I knew where you were.” Many nights she wrote to her not knowing where to send the letters. Shauna never felt like her mom left her because she didn’t want her anymore. Even though her dad hinted at it. She was an amazing singer. Maybe, she felt embarrassed because her singing career didn’t work out. Maybe, she changed her name and became famous in like Europe or something, Shauna thought. In any case she missed her mom and loved her just the same. “Mom, no matter where you are out there. I know you love me.

She gently dosed off thinking about how her mom would hug her tightly and sing her to sleep. She thought about how things would be different if her mom didn’t leave her to figure out boys by herself. She was resting in no time.

Drip. Drop. Drip, Drip. Drop. Rain fell from the night sky. The rain began to pelt against the window and woke Shauna abruptly. She lifted up and glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the downpour. As she began to lull back down a familiar rhythm and song was heard in the distant.

“Sweet dreams are made of love. You and I were made for love. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think of holding you tight. Sweet dreams are made of love. You and I were made for love. All of my wildest dreams are waking up to you, it’s true.”

Shauna walked towards the window to peer out through the light fog. The song sounded like it was coming from outside. Then, there was a shadow on the dock of the lake. A dark flowing garment was worn by the shadow. It swayed with ease. She couldn’t believe someone would be out during this storm. It must have been one of her neighbors. She recalled Mrs. Stevenson looking for her dog that ran off earlier. Shauna decided to go out and at least take her an umbrella.

She scurried down the stairs lightly, not to waken her dad. As she began to open the back door the song got louder but she no longer saw the figure. Confused by the growing melody, Shauna swiftly closed the door but not before she felt and heard “I miss you, my dove.” Shauna ran back upstairs with her eyes closed, jumped in her bed, and pulled the covers over her head.

Morning came, Shauna awoke in a little daze not knowing whether the night before was real or a dream. Her dad called her for breakfast, “Baby girl, breakfast is ready. I made you waffles and eggs, hurry down.” She dragged herself down the stairs and plopped on a kitchen stool. “Sweetie why were there umbrellas in the middle of my floor this morning?” “Huh, oh well…I thought I saw Mrs. Stevenson looking for her dog again last night. I was going to take one to her but I think I was just seeing things. No one was out there by the time I reached the back door the person was gone.” “Well next time return the umbrellas to the closet. I almost fell face forward trying to prepare you a meal.” ‘Ok” Shauna said simply. She quickly ate her meal remembering Jayce would be coming over early in the day to hang out.

The doorbell rang and Jayce stood holding a black and white teddy rabbit. “I brought you a little something.” “What’s this for babe?” “I still felt bad about yesterday.” “And you should, but I forgive you. Come on to the back I made us lunch.” The two teenaged sweethearts enjoyed their turkey and cheese sandwiches and lemonade on a teal blanket hovering near the lake. Shauna did not mind sitting near the eerie loch but it was unsettling after the scare from the night before.

“Jayce”, Shauna hesitantly mumbled. “I heard something strange last night during the storm.” “Jayce turned toward her with listening ears. “What?” “Well, I was sleeping when I was woken up by music.” “Oh, was Dante’ blasting his music from his car again? That guy always wants to party. I’m surprised his parents still let him drive.” “No, no it was a song my mom used to sing to me before bed. And it sounded like her.” “Are you feeling alright? Almost tossing you in the lake really got you…”

“That wasn’t all of it. I looked out and saw someone on the dock. I thought it was Mrs. Stevenson looking for a dog but I talked to her this morning and she said she was sound asleep. Then, when I came down to get a better look, they were gone. But the song got louder. I started to open the back door and…”

“What, what happened?” Jayce hung his arm around her shoulder seeing how frightened and muddled her face appeared. “I felt something brushed against my hair and say ‘I love you dove’. It sounded just like my mom. I ran so fast up the stairs.” “Hey, it’s ok. It was raining and foggy. I’m sure it was nothing.” Jayce said as Shauna started to get teary. “Let’s forget about it and play with the frisbee some. Me beating the dust off of you always cheer me up so I know it should cheer you up too.” They both chuckled and began to toss the bright orange and yellow disc around.

Shauna started to forget her encounter from the previous day. “Go long.” Jayce directed his girlfriend. It was too long, however, and they found themselves looking at the frisbee floating on top of the lake. “Oops, my bad.” Jayce thought he could reach the toy but it was slightly out of grasp. “No worries, I’ll jump in and get it.” Without hesitation he slid off his t-shirt and leaped in the cool liquid. He quickly grabbed it and waved it in the air. “See the lake water is fine. In fact, I think you should join me.” “Hurry up out of there Jay it’s really creepy.” As Jayce began to get out a cringing whisper of wind tickled his neck. It stopped him and he swiftly turned his head in every direction.

“Are you okay?” “Yeah, Jayce spoke softly.” He tried to emerge again but this time something was caught on his leg. “Help. I think there’s like a plant wrapped around my leg.” “Shauna went over to assist him but as soon as she extended her hand to help, he got a hold of it. “Ahhhh.” They both screamed as Jayce pulled an arm of a decaying woman off his leg.

Jayce called 911 and Shauna called her dad. When the police arrived the crime scene investigators were not too far behind. A couple of gentlemen did a dive and as soon as they came back up Rob arrived. His daughter ran straight to him with a great big hug. “Daddy, I think it’s mom. Why does that woman look like mom?” He walked a little closer and without thought. “How did she get out of the chest? I locked it.” he didn’t whisper. Before he could gather his words to retract an officer grabbed him.

“What? No!” Shauna screamed. Now she knew her mom didn’t leave her to sing. Shauna’s mom loved her and would have never abandoned her sweet daughter. Shauna didn’t understand. Why would her father do this? Why was she now left without any parents?