Dane watched out the window the multicolored leaves while the cab drove past. Halloween was on its way and that’s when people would over decorate with horror figures from ghosts in the graveyards to giant Frankenstein. Dane thought his house was haunted but never did see anything just heard a lot of footsteps of course he never would tell his mother that.
“Dear are you listening.”
No he wasn’t listening to his mother he was in his own world, a world where life was just poetry, beauty and no problems.
“Dane!” She sharply said his name.
“Yes mother.”
“Honey when mother is talking to you she needs your attention.”
“Yes Mrs. Bates I understand.”
His mother didn’t find humor in his joke, “Knock off the attitude.”
He thought it was funny but his mother didn’t care for Hitchcock or horror films in that matter. She thought it was all junk and that his imagination was too overly active for a sixteen year old. The kids at school saw him as a visionary and an artist at home he was a weirdo all because his mother was too prim and proper.
“Okay mom what’s the matter?”
“Your father is coming home and I want everything to be perfect.”
“You mean my stepfather who I feel like hamlet because is my uncle. Why didn’t you just say uncle?” He wasn’t fond of him at all. It was because Dane knew a little more about his uncle than his mother did. He knew a lot of secrets some deadlier than others.
“Because he is just as fatherly.”
“Whatever.”
“Don’t whatever.”
Dane could smell the ham it made his stomach growl. He was glad that the cab stopped and he was home to his average Greenwich home.
His uncle was outside, “Hello Maria.” He went to her and kissed her cheek.
“Rex I’m so glad you’re home.”
Dane coughed and took the bags, “Supper is here thanks to the butcher for cooking it.”
Rex looked at him, “Dane how are you doing?”
He smiled, “Good hope your trip was nice.”
“It was nice; Paris is beautiful but would have been better if it wasn’t a work trip.”
“Well come in honey.” Maria opened the front door.
Rex stopped Dane before he walked in, “What do you know. I got your letter funny how you knew my address.”
Dane grinned, “Oh blackmailing isn’t my thing excuse me I’m hungry.”
Rex grabbed his arm the gripped hurt, “You’re a cocky little one.”
Maria opened the front door, “Hey boys come on its supper.”
They went in.
Dane learned about his uncle well now stepfather just soon after the marriage. He liked money and even killed for money. He knew that his brother had money but was lucky for him that the man died in a car crash. So he married his mother and knew he got what his father had.
The table had the ham on it and already made potatoes his mother never really cooked she always bought from the deli. Dean took a chair across from his uncle and he kept his confident smile on his face. He knew exactly what his uncle had in mind.
“So how has school been Dean?” His uncle acted like they were friends.
Dean played along, “Good I’m passing my classes with a B average.”
His mother looked at her watch, “Oh I better get the pie out of the oven, and it doesn’t have to be in there long, just warm the inside.”
“Alright Dean, tell me how much you know?” Rex said after she left the room.
“Hmm that you killed two people for their insurance policy and you have a girlfriend living in Paris.”
“How do you know this?”
“I know a lot of things anyway let’s enjoy the meal.”
“Dean I don’t like you.”
“I know so my mother she has a nice policy for you to live off of that’s why you married her. But what will you do with me?”
Rex’s face got red, “I’ll slit your throat.”
“My dear uncle I’ve watched every Hitchcock that is known to man. I live and breathe murder knowledge. You won’t kill me you will plot the murder on me. Your girlfriend is here you bought her here she’s at the hotel I bet. You two planned the murder makes sense. Everyone knows my mother and I are at odds. I love her and she loves me but sometimes we argue. So tell me when this will take place.”
“Here’s the pie you two better eat your lunch.” Maria was in a better mood.
“Mom I think this is the best meal we’ve had.”
“Dean that’s nice of you to say, I think that Rex you have influence on him.”
“I think so too.” Rex spooned up some potatoes.
Lunch was over and now they were in the living room. Dean read some horror comic he found at the thrift shop and his mother and uncle were talking to each other. He knew that tonight was the night. Rex thought that he had the upper hand but Dean knew. His father had taught him to be brave and protect your mother. Not like she really needed protecting his father would joke. She was a hard woman but Dean loved her either way, loved her enough to save her life.
“Maria I was thinking maybe Dean should go to boarding school I know that you’ve always wanted him too but your husband didn’t want too. I think it would be best.”
Dean heard that and almost threw his magazine, “Excuse me you know what’s let’s just stop beating around the bush. Mom he wants to kill you for your money. He already killed a nice couple because of their insurance. His Parisian girlfriend’s parents matte of fact. They both are in for the money and he’s going to kill you and blame me.”
Maria laughed he never saw his mother laugh so hard before, “Alright Hamlet.”
“Mom this isn’t funny.”
“You’re grounded.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Rex laughed, “I have to agree with your mother.”
“Mom?”
“Don’t push it.”
Rex looked at his watch, “I have to go pick up my bags from the airport.”
“Okay honey maybe when you get back Dean won’t be so rude.”
Rex grinned, “He can’t help it too many movies.”
He left them alone and Maria her face got serious.
“I know dear if you haven’t noticed there has been extra police around. They were waiting until he got back to nab him. You might not believe this but your father’s ghost came to me in a dream. Just like Hamlet.“
He raised his eyebrow, “Dad’s ghost came to you?”
“Mhmm he told me how bad his brother was and he also told me that I should be easier on you.”
“Well I should be easier on you too and mom I thought you didn’t believe in ghosts.”
“Well something did come to me and he looked just like your father.”
“So you’re serious about this?”
“Yes and the funny thing is I never wanted to send you to boarding school. Now they will follow him and then nabbed him. Actually I can hear sirens right now.”
“Mom this is amazing I never would have guessed.” He was dumbfounded his mother was a tricky woman. He became even fonder of her.
“I’ve seen Hitchcock dear too. I do think their ghastly but my little secret is I like Dial M for Murder the best.” She put her hands on his shoulder and smiled.