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The marker slid slightly above the “YES” to the symbol of the sun above.

“See that?” he crowed triumphantly. “It hit on the yes and the sunshine! It’s all symbolic. It means…”

“It means they don’t have a symbol for when hell freezes over!”

she bristled. “I’m not going to do this if you keep cheating.”

“I’m not.”

“Enough. It’s my turn.” She shifted her hips in the chair, ignoring the flare of interest it solicited from her partner. “So, tell us oh hot-shot Ouija. What’s lurking in the basement?”

The loose shutter on the upstairs guest-room window banged for attention, keeping time as the pointer slowly, painfully spelled out the words:

“THE BEAST”

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Iris backed her chair away from the table. Silly game or no, her fingers had turned cold on the marker and her heart was hammering inside her chest. “This isn’t funny. I don’t want to play anymore.”

“No. You’re right. It isn’t funny.”

Russ slowly folded the board in half. “And it’s time. Time to put an end to all the pretense. Time to set the secrets aside. Time to reveal everything, at last. Only truth between us now—and this last, this very special secret keeping us from it.” He stood, holding out his hand for her. “Come on, Iris. We’re going now. We’re going down into the basement.”

*

*

*

Russell held her hand firmly in his as he led her down the stairs.

The small circle of illumination from the flashlight seemed even less comforting now, now that darkness had swallowed what little gray light there was. The rays bounced off the small windows like streaming gold. She was sure of it now. The temperature outside was rising, and the sheets of ice which coated the house were beginning to melt.

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And still she felt a strange foreboding as he stopped in the center of the room, placing the flashlight on end on the floor and shuffling his weight from foot to foot like a tongue-tied little boy.

“I wasn’t sure,” he said at last, “that I was ever going to tell you about this. It’s difficult even now—especially now that we’re so close to becoming…well, close.”

Her eyes were methodically scanning the corners and, for a moment, she thought she saw something move. Something stirring in that nook in the back which housed the washer, dryer, and extra toilet. “Russ, I don’t like this. Let’s go back up.”

“But Iris, you wanted the truth. And you were right. It’s time you knew everything.”

She moved uneasily beside him. “Maybe I was wrong. Let’s just go back to the fire, and wait for—”

“I should’ve told you from the beginning. But I didn’t think you were ready. You see, you may have a point about men being kind of insensitive, and I was afraid this…this little ‘secret’ might actually drive you away from me.”

There it was again. The sound of paper rustling, the heavy, rapid breathing, the sudden scampering noises. The back of her neck
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prickled with alarm, and she instinctively moved closer to Russell.

“You heard that, right?” she whispered. “Tell me you heard it this time.”

He nodded, almost sadly. “Yeah. I heard it. I’ve heard it all along.”

“Whoa…Okay. I don’t know about you, but that’s a hint and a half for me. I’m outta here.”

He still held her hand in his, his hand that had sought to comfort her as they descended. His hand that now gripped hers with greater force, halting her retreat. “No, Iris. I’m afraid I can’t let you leave now.”

She glanced back in some surprise. His skin felt cold and dry against hers. “What do you mean, you can’t? Either come with me, or let me go, Russell.”

He slowly shook his head, pulling her back. “No.”

She attempted a laugh, a nervous little twitter, devoid of humor.

“Okay, partner, we’ve had enough of this scary movie stuff. A rat. A large rat. That’s what you said. Good enough. Works for me. I believe you.”

“I lied.”

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He gathered her fingers between his in a claw-like grip. “I’m sorry. But it was necessary. And I promise you it’s the last lie. The last lie you’ll ever have to worry about.”

Either she was imagining things, or that statement had a very ominous tone to it. “Wha—what could be so important down here that you’d have to lie about it?”

“I didn’t want to leave the house. Remember? There was a reason. Not just the danger outside, but the secret within. And I tried to warn you to stay in the living room. It was stupid of me; I should’ve known better. Fortunately, I got back just in time.” The pupils of his eyes were large and dilated, as if they, too, were melting.

“You never found the bullets because they’re stashed down here.

They’re on a shelf in the back, right over the sink. And I’m glad you never found them. You might have done something…well, something I just couldn’t allow. You see, I took on the responsibility. And I really couldn’t allow you to hurt Him.”

“Russell?” She was straining, trying to pull away. Vivid visions of a club-footed demon or some gray, anemic little space alien romped through her mind. “Russell, are you okay? You’re really starting to scare me here.”

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He smiled. “No need to be afraid. That’s all behind you. It’s the dawn of a new day, Iris. No more secrets, no more lies.” His voice dropped as he licked his lips. “You could say that our relationship, changed as it is, is an initiation, of sorts. You’ll have to be accepted now.”

Iris’ pulse pounded in her ears, as loudly as if the thunder had returned. She shook her head, unable to speak, limbs quivering with the urge to flee.

“I’ve been dying to introduce you to Him.” The sight of his smile frightened her more than anything that had happened. “And now it’s time.”

“Russ,” she pleaded, twisting her wrist in an effort to escape.

“Don’t do this. Whoever He is--whatever He is--you can fight against this. I’ll help you, fight with you. We can do it together.”

He blew a low, beckoning whistle between his moist lips.

“Listen. He’s coming.”

The sound was running toward her now, faster and harder, scurrying between boxes, the eager, panting breath barreling straight at her. She screamed before she saw it, before she knew why,
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screamed and managed to jerk her hand away from her captor. But it was too late, too late...

It launched itself at her, grabbing her by the leg. Sinking sharp little nails into her pants, it nearly knocked her to the floor as she screamed one last, desperate time.

“Russell!!” she shrieked. “Russell, it’s got me! Russ, it’s…it’s…a puppy?!”

Russell knelt as the hurricane of fur galloped over to him, whining and cowering behind his legs. “Of course it’s a puppy!

What’re you trying to do—scare him to death?”

“But I didn’t…I thought…oh, my God.” She, too, dropped to her knees, softly entreating. “C’mon, boy. Come on, come and see me.

That’s it.” She held out her hands as he cautiously approached, sniffed her fingers, and decided he liked her.

In a moment, he was covering her face with wet, energetic kisses.

She laughed in delight, rubbing him briskly. “This is it? This was the big secret? That you finally got yourself a dog? God, he’s precious. Look at the feet! He reminds me of…” She felt the tears
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forming in her eyes and dismissed them. “He looks so much like Bluto!”

“That’s because he’s supposed to. That’s because he’s yours.”

“For me? You got him for me?” She really was crying now, hugging the puppy’s neck as he slathered her face. “Why on earth didn’t you tell me?”

Russell stood, shoving his hands into his pockets. “He’s been here for about a week now. I bought him for you because I wanted to make you happy. It’s been a year now, and it didn’t occur to me that you might still be so upset about your old dog that you wouldn’t accept a new one—until our little conversation about good ol’ Gary yesterday. This is the big, enterprising ‘business’ your old buddy Milton has launched. Breeding pedigree dogs.”

“Milton? Milton Edwards is actually being allowed to handle live things?”

“I didn’t say he was very good at it,” Russ drawled. “The poor little fella still wasn’t completely weaned when I got him. And I wanted to get him trained to paper, since he’ll be living in your condo.”

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She gently stroked the dog into calmness, stunned. This man.

Dear God, this man…

“We were so close to becoming lovers that I didn’t want to ruin it. And I didn’t want you to think that I was trying to coerce you into caring about me, trying to buy your affection. And if you couldn’t accept him because of your memories of Bluto, I knew I’d have to return him. So I waited.”

“But when I came down into the basement before, he didn’t bark or snarl or anything.”

“At this stage, I’m afraid he’s more chicken than Newfoundland.

But I am surprised he was so quiet when he saw you. Unless I’m right there with him, he barks his head off every time somebody comes to the door, then runs down to hide in the basement. Needs the security of a master. Milton brought all his papers over early yesterday. I gave him a warm blanket, food, a box with newspaper. The blanket was his mother’s, so he was comfortable and happy with that. So I waited.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Looks like a match made in heaven after all.”

She felt her heart melt as the pup snuggled against her neck.

There was no use in fighting it. She was in love. “Oh, wook at the
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poor wittle snookie-wookums; stuck down here in this cold basement all this time, all by his wonesome…”

“He’s fine, Iris. I made sure he had enough food and water, and he’s already taken to the paper. Besides—if I could wait all these years for you, I guess he could wait a couple of days.”

She wouldn’t do this now, couldn’t do this now. Her heart was gaping wide open, and she couldn’t think straight. Maybe later, after the baby was all settled in, after the lights came back, after she’d reached the point of just wanting to jump his bones with no emotion attached.

But not now.

“It’s alright, babycakes,” she cooed, hugging him securely as she headed for the stairway. “Come with me. Iris’ll take good care of you from now on.”

“Hey, whoa, whoa.” Russ spread his arms wide. “What about me? What’s happenin’ with that?”

“The dog and I are going to finish dinner,” she said with finality.

“And then we’re going to sleep on the couch. As for what’s going to happen to you…gee, I dunno, Russ. Ask the Ouija, why don’tcha?”

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Russell tossed on his parka and, without bothering to fasten it, stepped quietly outside. She was there, he knew, and she was safe and sound. And when things settled down, and there was light in the world once again, he wouldn’t be concerned at all.

But right now he wanted her beside him.

She was standing in front of the house, her face directed at the dramatic play of the diffused lightening among the clouds, her head bare to the elements.

And she did not move away when he approached her from behind, wrapping his arms gently around her waist and hugging her to him.

“The hard stuff seems to be letting up,” he murmured, resisting the temptation to kiss her neck. “This is more like freezing fog, I
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think. Just icy moisture in the air. Fog often indicates a change coming in the weather.”

The tiny face of the puppy peered out of the shelter of her coat, its creamy eyes blinking against the weather. She leaned back against his strength, and his heart soared. “The air feels good. It’s cold and raw—but it’s real. I needed it. And space.”

“I know.”

“You scare me to death, Russell Carr.” She hugged the animal, and it snuggled against her for warmth. “I never imagined myself saying such a thing. You were always…my rock.”

He pulled her closer. He wanted to comfort her, to promise that all would be well, to paint a bright future for them with words that would touch her heart.

Never before had he felt so inadequate at anything.

“I can still be your rock, babe.” He struggled to keep his tone light. “It’s just that now I want to be your hard place, too.”

“I don’t know how to do this,” she continued, her voice barely managing a whisper. “You’ve shown me more consideration in the past two days than I’ve ever known from any man. The thoughtfulness, the pampering…and I already loved you, you know.”

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His head began to spin. Her scent was intoxicating him. “I know.”

“But I don’t know if I can make this transition. And I don’t know if we can go back. And that would leave us nowhere, and I can’t imagine not having you in my life. And I can’t keep pretending to be mad at you while you’re making my heart leak all over the damn farmhouse, and…”

“Come inside, Iris.” He gave in to the temptation to nuzzle her neck, and noticed the first frigid tear slip down her cheek. It tore his heart in half. “Come lie with me. I’ll be sweet; I swear it. I could never do anything to hurt you.”

“Damn you.” She shivered ever so slightly. “Why couldn’t you have left things as they were?” She turned to face him, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “I miss my Russ.”

“And that’s what this has been all about all along, isn’t it?” He pulled her close, gently wrapping his arms around her and the pup.