The Silent Lady

Waking up early and walking my dog in the darkness before school was not something I had wanted to do, but with my dad on best rest, it was my job. The alarm clock rang in my ears and I shot up, remembering what I needed to do. My eyes felt groggy and my head was fuzzy but I still pulled on a sweatshirt and left still in my pajama pants from the night before. I blast my favorite song into my headphones to tune out the eerie morning vibe.

'Cause love's such an 

old-fashioned word

And love dares you to 

care for the people 

on the edge of the night

I start on the walk, past the middle school and turning the corner into a neighborhood. I take a look around to take in the quiet and still neighborhood. It’s so peaceful when no one is there to bother you. I continue on my walk and listen to my music at full blast.  It is a cold morning, one I hadn't expected to be so cold I didn’t bring a coat and soon I realized that thin socks were not a good way to go this morning. A few minutes later, I turn around to see how far I’ve gotten from my house and see a young woman walking at an equal pace in my direction. She was not there before.

I keep my head forward and just think rationally. She’s a teacher walking to school. At six in the morning? But I couldn’t keep myself calm and just wanted to outwalk her. She seemed to be following my every direction. Every turn and every house I passed, she followed close behind. She was wearing a long black coat, down to her mid-calves and black business pants. She is also wearing oddly high high heels for this early in the morning.  She had her hood up and in the darkness, I could barely make her out. I continued walking with my music playing, but every few steps I slowly turned to look at her, making sure she wasn't getting too close.

There's a starman waiting in the sky

He'd like to come and meet us

But he thinks he'd blow our minds

There's a starman waiting in the sky

He's told us not to blow it

'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile

My dog stops walking to sit in a patch of grass that is exposed in front of someone's lawn. I turn my body to face my dog and now the lady has stopped about 20 feet away from me. I look at her out of the corner of my eye, trying not to make full eye contact with her. But for some reason, I can't see her eyes. But I could feel her gaze not leaving me. It’s almost like she knew I was watching her. Before my dog can even finish, the lady jumps behind a dead bush and continues to stare in my direction. I have a bad feeling about this. 

The branches are thin and there are no leaves from the cold winter that is just now finishing. My dog stood up and before I continued walking him, the lady had stuck her head out to the side of the bush. She was watching me, but I couldn’t see her face. Where is her face? She then jumped out from the bush and had her whole body exposed once again. I decided to just casually walk in her direction and head back to my house. There is no way around this situation except to walk myself and my dog right into it. 

The winner takes it all (takes it all)

The loser has to fall (has to fall)

It's simple and it's plain (it's so plain)

Why should I complain? (Why complain?)

With my dog, I walk in her direction and she keeps walking in my direction as well. As we approach each other, I start to notice her face. That was difficult but I don’t know why. She’s wearing a mask, one I haven’t seen since covid. Her features are not distinct and I can only see her bright eyes blinking at me. I decide to give a slight smile and wave to her as I get closer. Maybe she is scared of me? When we pass her, my dog, one who can't contain himself, is quiet and slowkey just moves out of the way. Why don’t you want to jump on her? The lady doesn;t acknowledge my existence as I walk past her and book it to my house. Once I reach the front door, I leave the outside world behind and just get ready for the school day I still have to deal with.