I was home within an hour and mom was bitching at dad for letting me leave with a murderer on the loose. Dad didn't make it any better by telling her that I did look like an old woman from behind because of my long hair and skinny arms. Being an only child does have it's set backs.
Dad was off to his bowling night, mom watches TV and I went to my room to write down what Thankful had told me. The next thing I knew...mom was calling me down for breakfast.
Dad...being the tactful man he was...decided to share some rumors about the killings over breakfast. He said that the women were stabbed three times and the killer had done some sewing on them. He told us that Joe couldn't release many details but told dad that the murderer was a sick, sick man. Mom made dad stop talking when he came to the bodies on the kitchen tables part.
I scarfed down my breakfast and rushed out to get two yards mowed...I wanted to make sure I made it to Thankful's on time. I had to run back in to get my tape recorder and some blank tapes. Mom just had to yell,"You stay away from that old harlot Tommy!"
I was at Mrs. Jensen's house by 9:00. It took me 45 minutes to mow and of course I had to rake too because Mrs. Jensen demanded that I do so. I banged and banged on her door when I was done. I got a little worried until I saw her coming down the street pushing her grocery cart. She told me that the yard looked kind of OK and handed me eight dollars in ones.
As I put my mower in the trunk...she complained that her walk wasn't swept near good enough. I got my broom from the trunk and swept the walk while thinking, " Why didn't the killer stop here...she probably would have told him that he wasn't killing her good enough!"
I finished the job and headed for my next customer. Old Mrs. Leech wasn't much better than Mrs.Jensen. She had to have her yard crisscrossed and docked me two dollars once for getting grass clippings in her flower garden.
I pulled in her drive....got my mower out of the trunk and started mowing her front lawn. I noticed the window blind move and thought how the old bat must be spying on me again.
I crisscrossed the front yard and went around back to do her enormous back yard. I mowed a few strips and noticed that her back door was open just a little. She was always good about giving me Cokes so I thought I would take a little break. I went up to bang on the door...with the first knock...it eased open.
I stepped in on the enclosed porch and could see that the kitchen door was wide open. My heart went in my throat. I didn't want to see...my imagination was exploding.
I forced myself to take three steps towards the door. Oh god...I saw her foot...she is on the table!
