You ever have a moment you can explain, but still makes you wonder?
One of mine comes from years ago. Just another night in Appalachia.
It was a beautiful spring evening at the house. The frogs were in full sing-song mode, and the sky was painted red and purple.
My husband and daughter were off at practice. I had the windows and screen door open, letting the sounds of nature filter through the house.
Night was starting to fall. In Appalachia you are always told to shut your blinds and curtains. Why? Well, it is Appalachia. If you know, you know.
I went around and shut the windows. I left the kitchen window and screen door open. Thanks to Marlee, I do have to keep it locked at all times.
I settled in at the table with my book. I was a few chapters in when the dogs jumped up and started growling. It startled me.
Marlee was acting defensive, and Major, the big one wedged himself between my legs and growled.
“Well, this is odd. What has gotten into you two big bad protectors?”
They just sat there like that, so I shrugged it off. I didn’t hear anything. It was actually really quiet.
A few seconds later both of them ran toward the screen door. Major barked and bared his teeth. I was taken aback. He never does that. I looked out the window and saw nothing.
I probably should have turned on the porch light, but it never crossed my mind.
“Major, hush. I don’t see or hear anything,” I said, opening my book back up.
Marlee, seeing I wasn’t interested, trotted back over and flopped down at my feet. Major sat at attention by the door.
“Major, it is probably the geese or a rabbit. Lay down.”
Major didn’t move, which wasn’t unusual for him. “Fine, sit there. But you aren’t going out again.”
Marlee fell asleep. Then suddenly he sat up and growled.
“Marlee, not you too. Boys, it is nothing. Calm down,” I said, getting up and heading to the living room.
That is when I heard a loud thump. Then another. Then silence. Then another heavy thump.
I stood stock still, listening. I thought it was my husband. I expected to hear his keys any moment.
Something in the air changed. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
I looked at the clock. It wasn’t even close to practice being over. One thought ran through my head. An unwelcome visitor.
I headed to the office and got my solution to a possible trouble.
I headed back toward the kitchen. That is when the loud thumping started again. Major barked. I steeled myself in the hallway and listened.
Then I heard a huff. Marlee was by my side.
The heavy thumps continued slowly across the porch. Honestly, it sounded like footsteps.
Major joined me and Marlee, but that was as far as they went. They had never done that before. Usually they were at the door in an instant.
I crept toward the locked screen door, expecting to hear it rattle from someone trying to open it.
But the sound just kept moving across the porch. I could hear the wood creaking under the weight of whatever was walking across it.
I hurried to the screen door and flipped on the porch light.
Nothing.
There was dirt on the porch. One of my new flowers had been pulled out of its plater and chucked into the yard. The other thing was the smell. It smelled like earth and Fritos.
I was pissed. I yelled, “You dick,” into the darkness. The only response I got was silence. I walked back into the house and slammed the door.
The smell lingered for a while. The rest of the evening was peaceful. I told my husband and he shrugged it off too.
Later I remember thinking how heavy the footfalls sounded. Much louder than the usual person walking across the porch. And the smell.
I never thought it was anything other than a jackass messing around, or some local wildlife looking for a snack.
It has been years since it happened, but I do wonder if my mind remembers it as more dramatic than it really was. But the smell I remember clearly.
I am not saying it is Bigfoot, but with all the recent activities that have been reported, it made me remember that night.
Appalachia is a beautiful place to live, but it holds it secrets.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!
