Rons' Ice Lady

8/14/2019 Rons' Ice Lady

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RONS’ ICE LADY

By Jonsig Eirik

Friday evening—go home and change -- then back to the village--rent a cheap room. Bring in the beer, lock the door and hang a DONOT DISTURB sign on the doorknob. The same routine everyweekend!

For sixty hours he could forget about classes; kids that didn'tlisten and mothers that phone; how come Johnny never gets

better than C minus. Was Johnny stupid or what, or did he inheritthat from his old man?

He eased off the gas while two police cars passed him. At leastthey weren't after him this time, and his beer was locked up in thetrunk, where it'd stay till his car was safely parked behind thehotel. By Sunday evening the bottles would be empty; he’d besober enough to drive home. By morning he’d be almost ready foranother week of school, nursing a hangover most of Monday.

Crisp maple leaves driven by an icy north wind, scooted across hisdriveway making windrows on his lawn; he hurried up the steps of his brown bungalow, only to stub his foot against somethingunder Cleopatra's old blanket in the porch. He cautiously lifted thecorner of the blanket to find a young woman huddled under it,shivering to keep warm. He picked her up, carried her into thehouse and dropped her on the couch.

He plugged in the kettle then took a bottle from the cupboard,made a hot rum, and took it to the living room, "I don't know whoin blazes you are, but you're going to drink this before you come

down with pneumonia," he said as he raised her up and held thecup to her lips, "then I'm going to wrap you in an electric blanketto thaw you out." he said as he made her drink the rum.

He wrapped the blanket around her and turned it up to maximum,then went out to the car, killed the lights and brought in twocases of beer. If he was going to baby-sit this gal all night, that



would make it less painful.

He lined up the bottles on the table, opened one and took it to theliving room, then leaned back in his easy chair and studied herface. What struck him most was how closely she resembled

Sandra, his estranged wife. The same heart shaped face, slightlyhigh cheekbones, and small gently curved up nose, and eyes setwell apart under dark lashes and full black eyebrows.

Her shoulder length, silky black hair lay across her neck, partlycovering her rather small rounded chin. He reached over andcarefully pulled it away from her face. She stirred and looked athim while fear clouded her eyes, he smiled, "Don't be afraid," hesaid as he took her hands in his, "Your hands are still like ice." hesaid, then gasped when he saw the blood on them, "I'm going to

get some warm water and soak them for a while,” he said, goingto the bathroom for a washcloth and basin of warm water.

He had mixed emotions as he watched the blood stained waterswirl around and disappear down the toilet bowl. He tossed thebasin into the vanity cabinet then looked at himself in the mirroras he washed his hands, `I don't know what you've got yourself into Ron old boy, but it's sure to be more exciting than drinking allweekend while wallowing in self pity.' he said to the mirror, thenwent to the living room and sat back with another beer, "Tell me if the blanket is too warm." he said smiling at her

"What are you going to do with me?" she asked, her voicetrembling with fear.

"I haven't thought about doing anything with you."

"I thought you might have called the police."

"You want me to call them?"

"No! Please. Don't call them."

"Don't worry. They always call me. I don’t want to confuse them."

Some of the fear left her eyes, and she settled back on her pillowand looked at him, "Was that a hot rum you gave me a whileago?"

"Would you like another one?"

She nodded so he made another, this time putting the cup in herhand, "Thanks. I was getting cold wasn't I?" she asked, raising



the cup to her lips.

"Cold! Good grief woman, you were a human icicle. How did youmanage to end up under that blanket on my porch?"

"Please don't be angry with me." "

"Look lady. I'm not angry, I'm darned well concerned." He said,thinking about the blood he'd washed from her hands. He studiedher face a moment, and then grinned, "I'm Ron Ashland."

"Why are you doing this for me?" she asked.

"Be hard to explain a frozen corpse on my porch." he replied,grinning at her. He sensed she was in serious trouble and he musttry to gain her confidence. "They'd think Ron must have tied on agood one to leave a woman out there to freeze to death."

"Just call me the ice woman, I probably have a last name if I canthink of one." she said handing him the empty cup. ?"

"I'll bring you the phone book. There are oodles of names in thereto pick from. Would you like another?" he asked, staggering to hisfeet.

"A fantastic idea. If you're going to get drunk, I’ll try to join you.But first I have to take a walk." she said, getting up to look for thebathroom.

He was just pouring hot water into her cup when she joined him inthe kitchen, "You have a lovely house, Ron.” She said, sittingdown at the table.

"How many doors did you try before you found the throne room?"

"All of them."

"I'm glad you didn't fall down the stairs. I don't serve drinks in thebasement."

"It's okay. I know you're trying to cheer me up."

"Yeah. I guess. I just want to drink till we feel happy and stupid. Allweek I teach a room full of kids, and then I go on a binge allweekend. Then next week I teach a bunch of kids. Wait a minute, Isaid that didn't I?"

"Yep. And I better stop after this one or I will be drunk. You want toknow something not so funny?"



"Of course, you tell me and I won't laugh." ""

"Well, you won't be in stitches over this. I think I killed somebody. That’s what I did, I killed somebody, that's why I was hiding."

"You what!" he asked, setting his beer on the table. "Do you know

what you're saying?"

"Why? Does that turn your stomach; make you want to puke?"

"No. But you don't look like a killer."

"Are you disappointed?"

"That's a stupid question."

"So why don't you call the cops and turn me over to them, thismess isn't your fight."

"I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.""You might get your name in the paper. Local hero capturesdangerous killer."

"Oh shut up. If you killed someone why don't you tell me about it,instead of beating about the bush."

"I've said too much already, the rum has loosened my tongue."

"Look! On the way home a couple of police cars passed me, sothey're probably out looking for you. They're liable to come to the

house anytime, so you better loosen up and tell me whathappened."

She started to cry, "I was so stupid, I went to answer this ad in thepaper for a housekeeper, but when I got there, he just wanted mybody. We were in the kitchen and I managed to grab a knife fromthe table. I kept stabbing at him, then I ran."

"What did you do with the knife?"

"I think I was still holding it when I got here."

"You mean it might be on the porch?""I don't know, I can't remember what I did with it."

Ron got up and went outside, to return in a few moments with theblood stained knife. He tossed it into yesterdays soapy water inthe sink, then cleaned it off, "If they have no weapon, they'll havea hard time proving anything," he said, tossing it in the drawer



with the other knives.

"You're crazy; out of your cotton pickin mind to do this. You’regetting deeper involved."

"I know; it runs in the family, but don't worry about me. If the

cops come here they won't find you, even if they bring a pack of bloodhounds; I'm going to---let me think—oh yeah, personally seeto-urp-- that."

"But what if they want to search the house?"

"Come." he said as he led her to the bedroom, "Look in the closetfor a nightgown, strip down and climb into bed. I will consult mywashing machine about running your clothes through the wash."He said, as he left the room for a moment. She tossed her clothesinto the hall; he picked them up, checked the pockets, and thenstuffed them in the washing machine.

He was just opening another beer when the police car pulled intothe driveway. He waited till he heard the chimes, and then went tothe door, "Good heavens, Jim. What are you doing out on a nightlike this; would you like a hot rum?" he asked the cop.

"There was a murder up the road, the suspect might be hidingsomewhere in this area." the cop answered.

"Up this road? Oh my goodness, aren’t things looking up?"

"Actually you’re right, they are. Kolinsky, that bachelor playboygot himself stabbed."

"Wasn't his name in the paper a while back?"

"Yeah, Carol Donning had him up on assault charges."

"I remember. Nice fellow. Thinks he’s Gods latest creation forwomen."

"Bloody woman chaser." Jim remarked

"Would you like to come in for a hot rum---wait a minute I askedyou that?"

Jim laughed. "If I was off duty, I’d love to, but the chief might findout. But if you don't mind I'd like to check your woodshed at theback.”

"Would you like me to stagger back there with you?"



"No, I'll just take a quick look and be on my way. Maybe you couldcall us if you see anyone suspicious."

"I will do that. Any idea what he looks like?"

"We think it might have been a woman."

"Oh my, oh my. What be a befitting end for Kolinsky."

"My thoughts exactly. Good night Ron. Sorry to bother you, anddon’t drive tonight, okay?"

"I promish, Jim, I shall be a good boy and stay home." Ron said,and closed the door, then went back to have another beer.

When the police car was gone, Ron went in the bedroom and saton the edge of the bed, "He’s gone; you can stop shaking," hesaid as he placed his hand on her shoulder to reassure her.

"I was so scared when I saw the flashing red light in the window. Iburied my head and hardly dared to breath."

"There was not—a---thing to worry about. You did all that shakingfor nothing," he said taking another swig of beer.

"But what if he'd have wanted to search the house?"

"There was little chance of that unless you'd have been seenaround the place or there were signs of a break in."

"I even thought of doing that so I wouldn't freeze to death."

"I'm glad you didn't; he'd have got suspicious."

"And then he'd have searched the house and found me."

"Naw---, you’d have been safe. I will show you why," he said as hewent to the dresser and took an album from the drawer. "Look fora lady with the picture on her knee---no let me start over--- lookfor the picture of the lady with the kid on her knee." he said,handing her the album.

She studied it a moment, and then looked at him, "She looks likeme!"

"Doesn't she though. That's Sandra. My wife---sort of."

"Your wife! But where is she now? Those clothes, this nightgown. They are hers?"

"I don't know. She left me last year, and yes she left a lot of nice



clothes behind, anything else you want to know, just ask?"

"You were going to tell them I was your wife?"

"If they'd searched the house, I was going to tell I was your wife---no--- I mean that you were my wife, a brilliant option, I think I

need another beer."

"But surely they would know I was somebody else."

"No they wouldn’t. There are only two cops here, and theywouldn't know her if they met her on the street."

"But why would you go that far to protect me?"

"Protect you! By then I'd be protecting myself I think, wouldn't I?"

"You certainly would be. I wish you'd explain why you're doingthis, or is this a game you're playing with the cops?"

"A game? Yeah, maybe it is---yeah, that’s what it is. Tit for tat."

"What do you mean, tit for tat?"

"After all the times they nailed me for drunken driving, what apleasure it is to hide you here right under their nose, while theydrive all--- over the---all over the damn country." He said wavinghis arms.

"But that's harboring a fugitive."

"You think I not know that? I’m a fugitive harborer? Is that properEnglish?"

"So who cares if it’s proper English? Harboring a fugitive is moreserious than drunken driving."

"A lot more exciting."

"How can you joke about this when you can get in serious troubleover it?"

"You keep a low profile and keep your mouth shut.."

"You can be sure of one thing, my lips will be sealed if I getcaught."

"You're not going to get caught. It's perfectly---what was I going tosay---oh yeah--- normal for me to have a housekeeper since mywife left me. Are you going to stick around?"

"I only hope you'll let me stay, Mr. Ashland. I'll be the best



housekeeper you can wish for."

"I didn't sweep the floor after she left."

"You love her, don't you?"

"Yes, and her kid, little Brock. I miss the little guy.""You said her kid. You mean he isn't your son."

"No, he was, let me think, she called him a moonlight accident."

"Are you taking me in because I look like her?"

"No. But maybe that’s why I didn’t call the cops or an ambulance.Why would I need an ambu---ambulance?"

"It was a close call for me, wasn't it?"

"It was something like--- like that." He said draining his beer

"I owe you an awful lot. I don't like to owe anyone that much.Especially when I have no way to pay it back."

"Look—I, urp, I wanted to help---not obligate you. Go to sleep. Tomorrow we talk about this---I’m getting drunk."

"I don't want to take your bed, I'll sleep on the couch."

"Suit yourself. We'll---tomorrow---we’ll---do it tomorrow."

They looked at each other for a moment, then she threw her arms

around him, "Right now I can't find the words to thank you." shesaid, then went to the living room and curled up under the electricblanket on the couch.

Ron had another beer while waiting for the washing machine tospin out. He shook out her jeans, T-shirt, and white ankle sox andthrew them in the dryer. He set the timer, found the start button,and then went to bed, but not to sleep.

He was drunk; his mind was in turmoil. The woman sleeping onhis couch could be Sandra's twin sister. What twist of fate had

thrown her in his lap when she desperately needed refuge, bothfrom the elements and the police. But now she was safe, at leastfor a while.



He heard the dryer stop. Then he heard the rain pelting on thealuminum awning over his bedroom window. Beautiful rain, itwould wipe out any tracks she may have left; this he reasonedthrough a drunken stupor.

ICE LADY CHAPTER 2

The aroma of fresh coffee and the sharp ring of a skillet bouncingon the floor jarred Ron from a sound sleep. He lay there for amoment, then realizing the rain had stopped beating on theawning, he got up and went to the window. A wall of fog hadturned the maple trees to shadows.

The furnace cut in and hot air filled his housecoat. It felt good onhis bare legs, almost too hot as he stood over the register tryingto focus on his car in the foggy driveway-- then his mind flashedback to the woman that nearly froze to death on his porch. Whatif he hadn't come home to change his clothes, but had drovestraight to the village. That horrible thought left him sick in hisstomach, as he went to the bathroom and sloshed his face withcold water then went to join the ice lady in the kitchen.

His eyes followed her as she pour him a coffee--set it in front of him--went to the breadbox-- put two slices in the toaster, andthen sat down across from him. "How's the head?" she asked witha faint grin.

"Please---don't ask." he said, sipping on his coffee, "I see youfound your clothes."

"Thanks for washing them. Was there much blood on them?"

"Ugh... not before breakfast."

"Sorry."

"Na. Maybe a couple of spots, I didn't really have the stomach tolook closely."

"Would you like a fried egg?"



"No. I couldn’t face an egg."

The toast popped up, she got up and buttered them, cut themdiagonally, and set them on a plate in front of him, and then sheput two more slices in the toaster.

"Why don't you make yourself some bacon and eggs." Ron asked?

"I don't feel much like eating either. My guts are in a knot overwhat happened. I don't know why I didn't just give in to that guyinstead of killing him. Why was I so damn stupid?"

"Hind sight is twenty--twenty."

"Tell me about it. And speaking of hind sight, you should behaving some about now."

"I’m not awake yet. Tell me after breakfast."

"How can you joke about this? It's not funny."

“Of course it isn't, but Kolinsky’s dead, and fortunately, nothingwill bring him back." Ron said, calmly eating his toast as hestudied her face across the table, "so drive it from your mind,there is sweet fiddly diddle you can do about it."

"Before you get in trouble over this, you should drive me far awayfrom here and dump me by the roadside."

"No! I finally got a housekeeper... and a cook. You can cook, can't

you?" he asked grinning at her."Yeah, I can make more than toast. Right now my emotions are inturmoil, I'm tearing myself apart inside. You saved me fromfreezing to death, and now you're hiding me from the police."

"You didn't freeze, and the cops haven't found you, so just stickaround and play it one day at a time."

"If I stayed forever I couldn't repay you." She said, as the tearswelled up in her eyes.

He reached across the table and took her hands, "I hope thingswork out. This house has been empty since Sandra left, but we'lltalk about that later. Right now we have to go over every detailof what happened. Think you can handle that?"

"I'll try... but first there is something you have to know. My nameis Zanda Lee, and I'm not supposed to be here, I'm an illegal



immigrant."

"As they say, when it rains it pours. Do you have anyidentification on you?" he asked, ignoring her question.

"No, I got rid of it when I came into the country. Only one person,

a truck driver that let me hide in his sleeper when he camethrough the border. I'll be honest about that, Ron, I had to spendthe night with him so he’d smuggle me into Canada."

"Then you never saw him again?"

"No. He went back to the states, and I found a soup kitchen whereI volunteered my help, the Sally Ann gave me a bed and thenwhen I saw this ad in the paper for a housekeeper I called the guyand he told me to come right out. I had enough money for busfare, so I went directly to his house. The rest you know."

"I just thought of something. Didn't you have a coat?"

"Oh damn, I forgot about that, I must have left it there. My namewas written on the inside of the pocket, and there was a nameunder the back of the collar, also a phone number."

"And you had nothing in the pockets?"

"Nothing."

"You're sure about that?"

"Yes... very sure.""Well, we can assume the cops had enough brains to turn thepockets inside out, so now we need a different name for you."

"How about Miss Disaster of nineteen fifty nine."

"Very befitting, but I have a better idea," he said as he got up andwent to the bedroom to return in a moment with a shoe box, "Inever knew Sandra to throw anything out," he said as he startedchecking the things one by one and piling them on the table. In

the bottom of the box was her old wallet. Ron looked through iteagerly, and came up with an expired Shell credit card, a ticket toa hockey game, a shopping list attached to a discount coupon,and an expired drivers license.

"Bingo! This will do it... Sandra's old steering papers." he saidhanding her the license."



She studied it a moment, "You mean I should assume her identity;Sandra Kimberly Lewis. But how will that work?"

"It will work... as an identification only. There are probablythousands of women in the country named Sandra Lewis, or

Sandra K Lewis, but I never want you to use it to drive, in caseyou get stopped by the police where it might get checked by thedepartment of motor vehicles."

"I'd drop dead on the spot. So Lewis was her name before you gotmarried."

"It still is, we never made it to the church, but the school boarddoesn't know that. They frown on their staff living in sin."

"How long were you guys together?"

"About a year. She couldn't handle my drinking any longer so sheleft-- took Brock with her."

"Maybe she didn't love you enough."

"An alcoholic can be pretty disgusting."

"I would never leave you for that, unless you beat me orsomething."

"I never laid a hand on her, no matter how drunk I got."

"Then if I'd been in her shoes I'd have hung in there with you."

He studied her face a while, then smiled. "Maybe there's more tomy ice lady than appears on the surface."

"A lot more, Ron. She might even be kind and caring with a warmheart." She said as she got up and poured him another coffee."But her virtues were not what we were discussing, in fact wenever made it past the drivers license, did we?"

"No Sandy... I guess we didn't?"

"Sandy Lewis... I rather like that, has a nice sound to it."

"Sure it has. Sandra is a very lovely woman. For now keep thatwallet and the license, but don't offer it as an identification unlessyou have to, and if someone should ask to see it and you don'tfeel right about it, tell them I borrowed your wallet to do someshopping on the way home."

"Will you give me a snapshot of yourself to keep in it?"



"Why?"

"If I loved my husband, wouldn't I want to do that?"

"Sandra never did."

"Maybe I'm sentimental.""One more virtue of the ice lady." he said as he got up and wentto the bedroom and took a small snap from the album. He lookedat it a moment and thought about what she'd said about beingsentimental, then went back and sat down at the table, "That'sabout two years old, Sandy. That’s Cleopatra beside me. Is thatokay?" he said as he handed her the snap.

He watched her cradle the snap in her small hands, while a warmsmile spread over her face, then she slipped it into the plastic

window of the wallet and held it for him to see, "Isn't my husbanda handsome man?" she asked, smiling at him. "To bad I’m notwith him in the picture; what did you do with the remains of yourdog?"

"I buried her behind the house, why?"

"Will you show me... please?"

He took her behind the house and showed her a small mound of earth beneath the overhanging limbs of a a big maple tree, "Therelies poor old Cleopatra... too busy chasing a rabbit to see the carthat ran over her. But she was getting old, probably couldn't hearthat well any more."

"Poor old girl. Next week when you're back at school do you mindif I tidy up her grave?"

"Of course not. You never have to ask my permission to do a nicething like that."

"I don't know you well enough to do things without asking." Shesaid as they started back to the house.

"You must have good parents, Sandy."

"They were wonderful people, such good people. They were killedwhen Hong Kong was invaded." she replied her face taking on asad look.

"I'm sorry... I had no business asking."



"It's okay. It's just that I still find it hard to talk about, I'll tell youabout it later."

"Sure, I'll be here if you want to talk." he said as they went intothe house and sat down at the table.

"Have you any more pictures of Cleopatra?"

"Yes, there are some in the album on the dresser, let's lookthrough it in the living-room. I'm going to have a beer." He said,going to the fridge, while Sandy went to the bedroom to get thealbum.

Ron took his beer to the living room to find she'd carefully foldedthe electric blanket and placed it at the end of the couch alongwith the spare pillow, "You're a very tidy person, Sandy." he saidas they sat down on the couch.

"You better let me clean up your house before you tell me that."she said, opening the album across her knees, and turning thepages, "That must be Sandra, she looks like me. Is thatCleopatra, the big collie sitting beside her on the steps?"

"That's Cleopatra. She was a beautiful dog. And a good dog; shealways slept by the baby's crib, then she'd wake me up if thebaby stirred, and I'd wake up Sandra if Brock needed attention."

"A good baby sitter."

"Yeah, worked pretty cheap, too. A little love and can of dog fooda day.”

"Sandra must have loved her for babysitting."

"Well... no she didn’t. She thought Cleopatra shed too much hairthat was hard to vacuum up. That's when I got the big blanketthat's on the porch. I spread it out on the carpet for her to sleepon, then when Brock got a little older Cleopatra slept on theporch."

"How come?""Well... when Brock started to crawl around, he'd head straight forthe dog, where he'd get his face licked, his hands, or any part of his body that wasn't covered."

"He'd be the cleanest kid in the country."

"And probably the happiest. He cried his heart out when Sandra



put Cleopatra outside. But she was his mother; if she didn't wantthe dog licking the kid, that was her business." Ron said, a bitbluntly.

"While we're on this subject... would you mind if I wash out the

blanket and keep it in my room?"He looked at her in amazement, "No. But it's not worth saving!"

"I would like to. It's something I shared with Cleopatra."

He looked at her a moment, as he quietly savored his beer, "Idon't think I shall ever call you the ice lady again, Zanda Lee."

"You better not call me Zanda Lee either. You might forgetyourself when you've been drinking."

"And I know I drink too much. Sandra always got angry with me

for getting drunk, and I expect you will... sooner or later."

"It's your house. If you want to get drunk, that's your business."

"I suppose, but it's such a stupid waste of money; it’s wreckingmy health; I'm one pulled over from loosing my drivers license.One of these days you'll walk out the door like she did." he said ashe got up and got another beer, "and it will serve me right, won'tit, Sandy?"

"I'm not going anywhere, Mr. Ashland."

"Mr. Ashland. She always called me that when she was angry, butyou're not angry with me, are you?" he asked, taking a swig.

"No, Ron, of course not. I'm sorry."

"Ah, don't apologize to a drunk like me. She never did, so whyshould you."

"Because I wanted to. My parents always made me do that if Isaid the wrong thing; hurt someone’s feelings."

"Good people. I think I forgot everything may parents taught me,

and they must have taught me something.""They raised you a fine man, Ron."

"That turned into a fine drunk, but I can't blame them for that. Ihope they stay in Toronto, I never want them to see me this way."

"You could stop if you really tried, I'd like to help you stop."



"It would take a miracle, to get me to stop."

"Miracles happen, but you have to want to quit, or you never will."

"I know, Sandy. You are so right. I should quit, but I don't want toquit. Right now I want another beer."

"Would you like me to get it for you?"

"I thought you were going to help me stop."

"I will, when you're ready. Until then, I'll look after you when youneed looking after, roll you onto the couch if you pass out, pull off your shoes and throw a blanket over you. I'll even have a buckethandy if you get sick." she said, grinning at him, then got up toget his beer.

"Wait! Put it back. Let's have a coffee instead."

"Okay." she said, and went in the kitchen, returning in a fewminutes with his coffee and a plate of sandwiches, then got acoffee for herself and sat down beside him, "What made youdecide?" she asked, sipping on her coffee.

"Probably what you said about having a bucket handy if I got sick. That got through my thick skull."

"Things like that happen, Ron."

"What kind of a man am I if I have to have a woman hold a bucket

for me when I get so drunk I can't make it to puke in the toilet.""A good man, a wonderful man that saved me from freezing todeath, a man that's risking everything he has to protect me... atotal stranger."

"Oh... shut up Sandy, before you make me bawl."

"Well, move over and I'll join you."

"I'm not much given to emotional outbursts, so if I shed any tears,they would be tears of joy for coming home last night, instead of

going to the village for my weekend binge.""Is that what you've been doing?"

"Every weekend I'd rent a room, open three cases of beer, thendrink myself into oblivion till I figured it was Sunday. By then I wasso sick I couldn't drink any more. Any beer that was left I'd give tothe chambermaid along with ten bucks to clean up the mess on



the floor."

"Not a carpet, I hope."

"They knew better than to give me a room with a carpet."

"The chamber maid will miss you if you stop coming.""You mean when I stop coming. She'd always say the same thing,`Oh, thank you Ron, I take them home to my Archie. He has onebefore he goes to bed... helps him get in the mood', then she'dnudge me with a knowing grin." Ron said, grinning at Sandy.

"You missed the point; that was a hint." She said

"With the headache I had about then, she'd have to be Venus witha sledge hammer. But she's a dear old soul, and if beer helpsArchie get in the mood, I'll give her a case every week."

Sandy started to laugh, then took their cups to the kitchen for arefill, "It's been a long time since I had a good laugh." she said asshe came back with the coffee.

"Yeah, me too. I think you and I are good for each other."

She gave him a warm smile, then sat back to drink her coffee. Fora brief moment they'd both forgot about Kolinsky.

ICE LADY 3

By noon the fog had lifted from the treetops and the sun brokethrough, warming the air. Ron looked longingly at the beer sittingon the cupboard, and even while his whole body craved anotherdrink, he took the bottles from the fridge, put them back in thecase and took it down to the basement. Then he went to the carand brought in the ones from the trunk.

Zanda, who'd been working in the kitchen, had come to join him,but said nothing as she watched him set the beer behind thefurnace, then go to the corner of the basement and bring back awheelbarrow, "What are you going to do?" she asked.

"I'm going to rake up the leaves on the lawn; dump them in the



bush by Cleo’s grave."

"I want to help."

"Sure. It's nice out, but not that warm. Sandra's old jacket ishanging on the back of the basement door." he said as he took a

rake and fork down from the wall and handed them to her, thenpulled the rubber tired wheelbarrow up the basement stairs andwheeled it over to the lawn. He started by picking up limbs thathad broke off during the storm, carrying the few large ones downto the bush and loading the small ones into the wheelbarrow,while Zanda started raked the leaves into bunches.

He stopped and watched her for a moment, and while she couldhave been a twin to Sandra, wearing her old brown jacket with thetorn pockets and missing buttons, that's where the resemblance

ended. Where Sandra was warmly affectionate, he sensed the girlraking up his leaves had a smoldering fire deep within her thatcould be fanned to a consuming flame.

But she could lash out in uncontrollable anger, as Kolinsky foundout when he tried to molest her, only to be killed with a steakknife wielded by her small but obviously strong and swift hand.

This scared him, that such a little person could exhibit suchviolence, but having come through the invasion of Hong Kong, shewas probably no stranger to horror and bloodshed.

He pushed the wheelbarrow over to a pile of leaves and loadedthem on, when Zanda came up beside him.

"Can I come along to see where you dump that?"

"Sure, I'll give you the royal tour." he said, as he wheeled thebarrow to dump it behind the large maple trees by Cleopatra'sgrave.

She stood there a moment looking around, "How much land doyou own, Ron?" she asked

"Five acres."

"With five acres in Hong Kong, you'd be a multi millionaire."

"I'd rather be here raking leaves."

"So would I, I'm not fussy about Hong Kong."

"So I guess the bottom line is we don't hate each other."



"No, Ron. I guess we've come a long way in the friendshipdepartment in a few hours."

"I think we're both trying to say something, aren't we Sandy?"

"Yes, but it's wise to savor the words in the heart, before they

pass by the lips."

"So they're better chosen, as they can't be recalled."

"Words aren't the only things that can't be recalled." she said asthe tears started to run down her cheeks, "Oh how I wish I couldturn back the clock just a few days."

He took her in his arms and held her close till she stopped crying,then brushed her tears away, "I've heard that tears are a goodbond between friends, Sandy."

"So is love and kindness."

"Think we should get another load of leaves?" he asked.

"We probably should, and maybe we could count them so wedon't run out of work too soon."

"We'll save some for tomorrow." He said, as he grabbed thehandles of the wheelbarrow, "Hop on, I'll give you a ride," he said.

She sat in it, while he raced up and down the driveway a couple of times, and then dumped her into a pile of leaves. He picked her

up and held her close to him, "Thank god for sending me you,Zanda Lee."

"And I thank him that he did." she said, embracing him in thecooling afternoon sunlight filtering through the maple trees. Achilling breeze came up and touched her tear stained cheek whilea small shiver ran through her body, so they stood the rake andfork against a tree and went in the house.

She put on the coffee pot, then went in the bathroom and washedher face. She felt foolish for breaking down and crying like that,

when she had always been taught to stand proud, and nevershow outward emotion, but things were different now. Ron hadsaved her life when he carried her into the house and wrappedher in that electric blanket, and if her grandfather were here he'dtell her she owed a debt that would take a lifetime to repay, andone she must repay... at any price.



But old Chinese customs, that were sacred to her grandfather,and taught to her on his knee, were little known or respected inthe western world. But such values and traditions were a part of her soul; she couldn't disregard them, even if common sensedictated otherwise. She brushed her hair, till it shone, then wentback to the kitchen and poured a coffee for them.

"You seem very preoccupied, Sandy." he said stirring his coffee."And I haven't helped much, have I?"

"It's hard to deal with many things at once." "

"I feel I overstepped my bounds by some of the things I said, andif I backed you into a corner, I'm very sorry."

"Should I wish to escape my corner has many doors."

"I've never met anyone like you, Zanda... and I must confessyou've stirred emotions I have trouble dealing with; mostly bywhat you left unsaid."

"My Grandfather used to say a whisper was often louder than ascream in the night."

"Will you tell me about him?" """

"I can try. He was Chinese, very strong on tradition and customs;values that had been handed down through the centuries; butsome of those teachings are best forgotten in foreign lands, butthat dear old man had no way of knowing that, and his unworthygranddaughter was too stupid to figure it out."

"I'm not sure if I know what you mean."

"By his standards, to assault a woman, was to be put to thesword."

"Instead of which you used a steak knife."

"Which proves that reaction is sometimes quicker than reason."

"I still can't understand why you still had the knife with you whenyou found your way onto the porch."

"Grandfather was an expert swordsman, and said it would neverleave his hand till in death."

"Would I be out of line to ask exactly what Kolinsky did to you?"

"I have no secrets from you. He put his arms around me, then slid



his hand down inside the back of my jeans, while his mouth wasall over my face."

"Yeah... The irresistible Kolinsky... but not imperishable."

"That's an awful thing to say."

"What would your grandfather have said?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing! What do you mean nothing?"

"He'd have put him to the sword."

"I would have liked your grandfather, we would have seen eye toeye on many things."

"Oh, Ron-- surely you don't condone murder."

"No, of course not. I've just gained a lot of respect for that oldman from what you've told me about him. Obviously he hadprinciples and a backbone of steel."

"You're not unlike him... in many ways."

"I consider that a great compliment, but I couldn't have measuredup to him."

"You have already, by what you've done for me."

"That was a spontaneous reaction, certainly not motivated by any

great virtues."

"But those are qualities that live in the soul."

He looked at her for a while before he answered, not findingwords that would truly reflect what he wanted to say. "I think I justlost the key to the doors in my corner, Zanda. What say we makeup the bed in the spare room?" he said, grinning at her. "Ahousekeeper worthy of her salt should have her own room andnot be left to sleep on the couch."

"Then if you put me back on the couch, I'll know I didn't measureup." she said as they went into the spare bedroom, "Is this whereBrock slept, in this room?"

"Yes. His crib was here by the door. Sandra took it with her whenshe left."

Sandra was quiet for a moment "You really miss her, don't you?



Suppose she does come back; will you send me away; two womenseldom get along under the same roof."

"No, I couldn’t do that. We'll cross that bridge if we come to it."

"I've never had a nice room like this. I wish I could stay here

forever."

"Well, you can consider it yours. And if you want to paint the wallsor change the curtains, you go right ahead, tell me what you needand I'll try to find it for you, or you might find it in the cupboardover the freezer."

"You're very kind to one so unworthy."

"Oh for heavens sake, don't say things like that. This is nineteenfifty nine and China is somewhere on the other side of the earth."

"That expression was only meant to show respect."

"Well, I have no right be critical of your customs; I wish some of the kids in my class showed a little more respect."

"It must be taught when one is young."

"You'll make a wonderful mother someday, Zanda Lee. Whoeverwins your heart will be one lucky guy."

"I should start making your dinner." She said looking down at thefloor.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, I shouldn't make comments likethat when I hardly know you."

"Please don't apologize, and I hope I won't embarrass you if I saythat someday you'll make some lucky woman a wonderfulhusband."

"Like I said before, we don't hate each other, do we Zanda Lee?"

"No, in fact we'll present each other with the order of the dragonor some other fitting accolade, but not until we hate each other

less," she said, grinning at him as they went out of the room.



CHAPTER 4

The days turned into weeks. Ron and Zanda built a warmfriendship; Kolinsky was never mentioned again and hopefullywould remain another unsolved murder.

It was the last day of school before the Christmas break; Ronpulled into his driveway when a beat up 1938 ford pulled inbehind him. He got out and went to the driver side of the ford. Hestood there a moment, “I wondered if you’d show up again.”

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to.” Sandra Lewis replied.

“I guess that’s supposed to tell me something. I see you haveBrock with you.”

“Can we go in the house and talk?”

“Of course. You can fill me in on what’s happening and meet myhousekeeper.”

Sandra ignored that remarked and got out. She lifted Brock, half asleep from the back seat and they went into the house. Zandafroze in her tracks when they came into the kitchen where shewas making dinner, but she showed no emotion. Ron introducedthe women then they sat at the table.

Zanda could see Ron was in turmoil, “Ron has told me muchabout you, and now I get the chance to meet you and Brock.”She said.

Sandra looked at Zanda but before she answered, Brock nudgedher, “I’m hungry mom.”

Zanda smiled, “Of course you are, Brock. You’re a growing boy,and I’ll bet your mom is hungry too.” Zanda said going to thecupboard and getting two more settings, for Sandra and Brock.Zanda put a bowl of stew on the table and then poured a glass of milk for Brock. “Let’s sit down and eat, then you and Sandra canretire to the living room while I do dishes.” Zanda said, fillingBrocks plate.



Brock grinned at Zanda and started to shovel in the stew. Themeal went by with little more than please and thank you, thenRon and Sandra went to the living room while Zanda talked Brockinto helping her in the kitchen.

“That’s a nice girl you have with you, Ron. She must be a goodhousekeeper. I don’t see any empty bottles around.”

“I don’t drink any more.”

“I’m glad.”

“So why did you come back, Sandra?”

“Yeah. We might as well put all our cards on the table. I want youto look after Brock for me.”

Ron was taken aback for a moment, “I don’t understand.” He

replied.

Sandra started to cry. “I’m dying, Ron. I have no kinfolk. I don’twant to leave my son for strangers to raise, and the way he tookto Zanda—.” Sandra broke off.

Ron was speechless as her words sank in, “How long have yougot?” he finally managed to ask.

“Not very long. The cancer is moving fast and I’m supposed to goback into the hospital after Christmas. The doctors talk about

chemo therapy but I know they’re just trying to be kind.”Ron went to the kitchen and in a few moments came back,“Zanda is going to put Brock to bed, and then she’ll join us. We’llwork it out.” He said sitting down beside Sandra.

In a few minutes Zanda came in and sat beside them, “Your littleman was very tired, Mrs. Lewis. I put him in my bed. There is lotsof room for you too—if you wish—as long as you wish.”

“But where will you sleep?”

“On the couch. But I sense you have a problem that’s urgent, oryou wouldn’t have come back.” Zanda said.

“I’m dying. I want you and Ron to look after Brock”

“You have no family?”

“No.”

“And I have no family. Ron has told me many a time how fond he



is of Brock. I would welcome him to my heart as my own.” Zandasaid.

Sandra started to cry, Zanda put her arms around her.

In a few minutes Sandra dried her tears, “Now I can die in peace,

but before I say any more, I know how wrong I was not to let himplay with Cleopatra. Will you get a dog for him—please?”

“Of course. A big Collie, like Cleopatra.” Ron said.

“There is one more thing—I read in the paper that Kolinsky isdead, that he was stabbed by a woman.”

“Strange you brought that up.” Ron said.

“No, not strange. Do you remember when I came here, Ron? I wasangry and flustered?”

“I remember.”

“I had been to see Kolinsky about a job. He tried to come onto me,there were knives on the drain board; I grabbed one andthreatened to kill him. I remember those knives. They had aunique pattern; exactly like the one I buttered my bread with atdinner.”

Ron sat spell bound; Zanda showed no emotion.

“I suspect, but I don’t want to know how that knife got here.

Kolinsky is dead, but the cops never close a murder case till theyfind all the pieces. I would like to supply the missing piece.”

“What are you saying?”

“I knew what Kolinsky was like, so I discretely found out all I couldabout the murder. There was a coat with Zanda Lee penned insidea pocket.” Then Sandra turned to Ron. “When you said Zandawould put Brock to bed, I knew. I want to write the closing chapterto this case, I’ll give you all my identification, then take the knifeto the police; tell them I killed Kolinsky.”

“For gods sake Sandra, if you do that you’ll be charged withmurder.”

“That matters not.”

“The greatest gift one can give, is ones life for another.” Zandasaid, having kept silent up to then. “Now I want to promise, before



your god and mine, that I will guard Brock with my life. He will bemy little boy.”

“Our little boy.” Ron corrected.

Sandra was getting very tired; Zanda helped her to the bedroom,

to be beside her sleeping son. 8300

THE END

Rons' Ice Lady

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