The summers my daddy was around, he drove us down to Grand Isle, and before he let any of us near the water he stood on the sand and gave the same speech. The water that kills you does not look like anything. The big waves do not get you. It is the flat, pretty stretch between the sandbars, with a current running straight out to sea. People think an undertow pulls you down. It pulls you out, so gently that by the time you notice, the shore is a long way off.
It is Wednesday, March 11th, 2020, and it is late. The last time you heard my voice was August the 8th. That is seven months, and I owe you an explanation.
We are still not using rooms. Tonight it is a parked minivan with a car seat in the back and a juice box I have been asked not to touch.
I will tell you the truth up front, because I always have. Either the world has gone crazy, or I have. Tonight I honestly cannot tell you which. Listen when you are ready, and eat something first.
Recorded March 11th, 2020.
THE TRILOGY
The Pattern Files is the evidence file. The story is Don't Think Me Evil, a trilogy by Elwood West. Book One, Confession, is available now at dontthinkmeevil.com.