Chef's House (alt. ending)

Chef’s House (alternate ending)

One afternoon Wes was in the yard pulling weeds when Chef drove up in front of the house. I was in the kitchen mixing lemonade. I could hear the gravel beneath Chef’s big truck before I looked out the window. A town police car followed Chefs truck up the drive. The sun was high in the sky clear and skies provided uninterrupted views of the dunes. Wes stood up and cupped his hand above his eyes to see who was approaching. He rested his tools on the ground and walked toward the two vehicles.

Chef and two officers meandered up the path to meet Wes. They shook hands. I pushed through the screen door as they came walking up the steps. I don’t want to ruin your weekend folks, Chef said as they approached the door. But we just want to alert you to the presence of two men on the run from the law, the officer said. An incident had occurred in town and the two suspects were still to be caught. What kind of incident, I asked. A family was found murdered three days ago, responded the officer avoiding eye contact. Wes took of his hat and held it in his hands as he too cast his eyes downward. We want you to be aware of the situation and if you see anyone come through these here woods you’ll let us know, the officer explained. Of course they will. I was just going to show the officer here the path down to the stream, Chef said, pointing toward the opening in the woods at the other end of the yard. We were there yesterday morning and nothing seemed out of the ordinary, Wes replied, but have a look.

Chef and the officer turned and walked down the yard toward the woods. Wes, I don’t have such a great feeling about this, what if those men come through the woods and find the house, I said. Wes put his arm around me and looked toward the entrance to the woods. We went into the house to get some lemonade and wait for Chef and the officer.
I hope they find those men soon, I said sitting down on the sofa.
We’ll just have to keep our eyes open and make sure we lock the doors at night, Wes said leaning toward the back window to look at the woods. He started pacing around the house, going from room to room, opening doors and closets and closing them again.
Wes, Chef and the officer will let us know if they find something out there. No use worrying about it until we hear something, I said.

I think we should get some protection, said Wes looking out front.
Let’s wait and see what happens, take it easy Wes, I said.
Maybe a gun or a baseball bat. Then I won’t be accused of anything. Shovel. Wes said to himself.
He kept looking out the window, thinking. Wes finished off his lemonade in one big gulp and went in the kitchen to fix another.
Why didn’t they tell us sooner, Wes said coming back into the living room.
I don’t know. Come sit, I’ve been in here all day I would have noticed if someone had come in, I said.
Wes sat next to me on the sofa and I rested my head against his shoulder. He put his arm around me. I’m scared, I said. We’ll be alright, he said, they’ll catch those men.
I wonder what happened to that family. I said. It is so awful. Why would anyone do something like that?
I don’t know, but I wonder if it was reported in the newspaper, Wes said getting up to find the most recent paper. He came back with yesterday’s paper. The front page was titled Murder in Small Town! Wes read the article to himself. Looks like it was a family with two young children and it was a very violent crime, Wes said. I looked out the window, thinking. We’ll just have to make sure we always lock the doors, Wes said.
Yes, and we will have to stay awake when we go fishing by the stream, I said.
I’m relaxed here, I don’t want to worry about this, Wes said.
I know, this house has been a safe place for you, I said
If they come, they’ll get a piece of my mind, he said.
Calm down, I said, they are dangerous criminals.
Who are in our house, he said.
Chef’s house, I said.
Right, he said, rubbing his hands on his pants. He got up from the sofa and walked to the kitchen window. Chef and the officer were walking back up from the woods to the house. Wes went out to meet them on the porch. I followed Wes. Well folks, the officer said, we didn’t find anything today. Oh good, I said. But we’d like to keep an eye on it, if that’s alright with you, the officer asked. Not a problem, right Wes, Chef said giving Wes a pat on the shoulder. No, of course come by when you need, Wes said. Please give us a call anytime you feel something has changed around here, the officer said. Will do officer, Wes said. They shook hands and the office got into his police car. Wes, Chef, and I watched him drive off. Thanks for your help, Wes, Chef said, let me know if there is anything I can do to help you. I think we’re all right for now, Wes said.
This is pretty scary stuff eh, Chef said.
It is, Wes said.
Hopefully they’ll catch them soon, Chef said.
Yes, I hope so, Wes said.
I should go. Keep an eye out and lock your doors, Chef said.
Will do, thanks for stopping by, Wes said.
Well if you folks feel nervous about staying here, we can figure something out, Chef said.
No, we like it here, Wes said.
With that Chef got in his truck and drove off toward the freeway. Wes collected the garden tools in the yard. I went inside to start dinner. Wes came in and locked the door behind him.