In Search Of Dreams

Episode 5

Three weeks later.

” …When the Star-Belly Sneetches had frankfurter
roasts Or picnics or parties or marshmallow
toasts, They never invited the Plain-Belly
Sneetches. They left them out cold, in the dark of
the beaches. “

“Miss Thompson?” a voice interrupts Lori’s
class. School started two weeks ago, and Lori
is seated on a colorful rug on the floor with
twenty-two five-year-olds, reading Dr. Seuss.

Lori looks up to see one of the classroom
aides standing in the doorway. “You have a
phone call in the office,” she says.

“Now?” Lori says, standing.

“They said it was an emergency. I’ll stay here
with them,” she offers. Lori hands her the
book.

“This your book?” the aide asks softly.

“Yeah, I bought it myself, so make sure it don’t
get sticky,” she says. “Children, be good for
Mrs. Arnold. I’ll be back soon.” They nod and
watch her walk out the door.

Emergency? she thinks, walking quickly through
the halls. I hope Elliot’s not in trouble…

“Lori, there you are!” the school secretary
says, thrusting the phone at her.

“Yes, here I am,” she says, taking the phone.
“Hello?”

“Loretta Thompson?” an unfamiliar Yankee
male voice says in her ear.

“This is she,” she answers.

“My name is Percy Andersen. I work with your
father,” he says, and the tone of his voice
makes Lori’s heart stop beating.

“Yes?” she whispers.

“There’s been an accident, miss. I’m… I’m
sorry… but Tom…”

“What happened?” she asks, grabbing the edge
of the desk. The secretary pushes a chair over
for her and she sits without realizing it.

“Forklift accident,” he manages. “I… I don’t
know all the details; I’m still investigating… I’m
the… warehouse manager…” he stammers, trying
to string his thoughts together.

“Forklift accident?” she repeats.

“He… he was… oh, Lord, I don’t want to have to
tell you this… he was crushed against a wall,
and…”

“Stop,” Lori says. “I can’t hear any more.” She
dabs her eyes with a tissue she doesn’t know
how she got in her hand.

“They’re taking him to the hospital, but…”

“But he’s already gone, ain’t he?” Lori asks,
her voice a whisper.

“Yes, miss. I’m… I’m really sorry. Tom was a
good worker and a good man.”

“Thank you,” Lori says. Was.

“Mr. Andersen?”

“Percy,” he corrects her.

“Percy. Did… did he suffer? Was he in pain?”

“I don’t think so, miss. It was… pretty fast…”

Lori lets out a shuddery sigh. “Which
hospital?”

“Baptist Memorial,” he answers.

“Right, of course,” she answers vaguely.

“Um, Duncan Matthews went with him… you
know him?”

“Yes, I’ll look for him,” she says automatically.

“I’m sorry…” Percy says again, at a loss.

“Thank you.” She hangs up on him.