I wanted to run but I just stood there, frozen with fear. I could see her foot...it was a purplish color...her toes were bent up and the big one bent down. I had to look....I took another two steps while focusing on the cabinets. I lowered my eyes and saw her. I don't know how long I stood there but at some point I ran outside to throw up.
It was the most horrid thing I ever saw...she was laying on her back on the table...blood was on her chest and stomach..her dress was soaked... a puddle at her side and on the floor. Her lips were sewn shut with bright green twine.
I almost passed out but mustered up the strength to walk fast around to the front yard. I was still gagging when I saw Mr.Deason out on his porch. I screamed for him to call the police! I sat down in the grass feeling chills even though it was 85 degrees. I sat there until the police arrived....three cruisers with an ambulance not far behind them.
Officer Joe Blankenship came running up to me asking me what was wrong. I pointed to the house and told him that Mrs. Leech was dead...dead in her kitchen. Joe told the other cops to check it out as I shouted that the back door was open. Joe put his hand on my shoulder and told me to just calm down.
I told Joe what I saw and he went into the house as another officer opened the front door. I saw Mrs. Leech's white cat run out...it had blood splatters on it...I felt sick again...it must have been the cat moving the blind.
I sat there and got so mad at myself for looking at her...I will never be able to get it out of my mind...never.
A few minutes passed when I saw mom pull up...she got out of her car and ran to me crying. Mr. Deason must have called her...I went to school with his daughter, Melany. Mom played bridge with Mrs. Deason on Wednesday nights too.
Officer Blankenship came back out and walked up to mom and me. He told us to go on home and he would stop by later. Mom helped me up while telling me to just leave my car. I begged her to just follow me home...I was OK to drive. She finally gave in...she was on my bumper all the way to our house.
Before we even got to the door...dad pulled up. He almost jumped out of his truck asking if I was alright? Mom told him that I was pretty shook up as I half smiled at dad and told him I was fine.
It was only 11:45 and I still wanted to go see Thankful. I asked mom and dad to sit on the living room couch. I paced in front of them and told them most of what I had seen.
Mom had tears welled in her eyes and dad looked very concerned. It wasn't great timing for my son to parents talk to say the least, but something clicked in me and I had to speak up.
