The Misfit Man

The Misfit Man / CHAPTER 5

THAT NIGHT AT LARRY'S HOUSE

A full red moon glows in a cloudy sky above the little yellow house of Larry Buddles. Just outside the gates, a dark figure hides in the shadow. Whoever it is watches Larry alone in his den through a single lit window. At his chalkboard, Larry scribbles furiously. Genius pours from his fingertips. The figure watches a few more minutes, then finally goes to the front porch, knocks.

A sleepy Alyssa opens the door, sees someone haloed by moon light. Alyssa fumbles for the light, turns it on. Lacy Jefferson stands before her. She opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. Alyssa rubs her eyes in disbelief.

"I saw you in the church. You sat behind us."

"D-D-Dr. Larry? I gots to talk to him." Lacy stammers,

"It's not good to disturb him while he's -"

"In seen him in the window!" Lacy blurts. Alyssa sighs, eyes the woman up and down. decides to take a chance.

"Come in." She sits Lacy at the kitchen table. "Stay here. I'll be right back." She goes to the den, unaware that Lacy follows her. Alyssa heads down the hall into her father's den, taps Larry on the shoulder. He turns and smiles at his daughter. Then suddenly his grin melts into terror as he sees Lacy entering behind Alyssa. A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE!

Larry panics. He darts to the corner, nose to the wall, keeps his back to them both. Just like when he was a child and scolded for getting caught being up late instead of in bed.

Alyssa stops Lacy from getting any closer. "Wait!" Lacy doesn't understand. Alyssa puts finger to her lips "Shhh!" then taps Larry's shoulder and loudly says "Dad. Someone wants to talk to you. It's Lacy Jefferson -" But before she can finish, Lacy buts in.

"I needs you to come help me." she blurts out." Mary enters wrapped in a bathrobe.

"What's going on?" She sees Lacy, realizes what's happening. Another stranger in the middle of the night wanting Larry's special talents. It was like the big city all over again, only this time they weren't men in suits whisking Larry away at all hours never to be heard from weeks. This was a neighbor in desperate need, who could make or break their peaceful existence here. Mary stands beside Larry, arm on his, hopes her presence will keep him calm. "Larry. There's a friend here to see you."

"She needs your help!" Alyssa repeats calmly to Larry, trying to control the situation. Finally, Larry peeks out from his corner, eyes Lacy, recognizes here.

"Okay." He says. Lacy takes him by the hand. Larry hesitates. His eyes lock with Mary's. Her gaze says it's okay.

Lacy leads him outside, down the road to her house. They go past her mail box. It has s white dove painted on it. Larry sees the number on the box is 1066, the same number on the Easter Egg that said, "Love Thy Neighbor". He feels better, leans in to get a better look. But she pulls him along. His fingers graze the dove. It spins.

They go around back into the barn. Ramps with loose wheat strewn on top surround a crippled boy at a table. Charles (10) sits on a small wood sled with no sliders. He plays with a model submarine. It's a mess. He turns, sees Larry.

"Hi." The boy greets them. Charles spins his board around to their direction, slides down the slippery wheat-covered ramp to Larry's feet. The boy's legs are twisted and mangled and are nothing more than bones as thin as matchsticks under the skin. They look like a Frankenstein doll sewn together. His face is damaged too.

"Can you do somethin' for Charles like you done with the dog? I know you can do it Dr. Larry. Can do somethin'. They say you a miracle man. I seen it with my own eyes. You made a dog with no legs walk. But Charles still got legs."