Where is Ralph?

By Valerie Hockert, PhD

Three women and two men are linked in a mysterious circle of marriage, children, tragedy, blackmail, death, and unexplained events. What starts out to be a smooth romantic story, suddenly turns murderous and complex with many mysterious happenings: a baby dies one hour after birth—real cause unknown (until later); a woman is mistakenly pronounced dead; blackmail occurs; a rigged auto accident in which a child is mistakenly and severely injured occurs; a man is found dead—just to name a few.

As the plot unfolds around these happenings and murder, suicide and druggings, the reader’s emotions are kept on the high point of the dial. This unusual climax and intriguing story conveys feelings of anxiety and curiosity through strong and vivid images as the full scope of the story becomes apparent, allowing for rich human interaction. The characters and the mysterious happenings are portrayed in six parts, each from one of the six characters’ points of view. As the story unfolds, the viewer is kept in suspense.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Justice Gray
• Release date: Dec 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311228703

Valerie Hockert, PhD

Valerie Hockert, was born in the Midwest where she has lived all her adult life. She has had much life experience through her various entrepreneurial life. She has a Master's Degree in Liberal Studies, and a PhD in Literary Studies. Dr. Hockert has been teaching at a college level for many years. She was the first publisher of the Writers' Journal and Today's Family, two national publications. She is also a certified personal trainer, great chef, and the Publisher of an e-magazine: www.realitytodayforum.com.

Book preview

WHERE IS RALPH?

By Valerie Hockert

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Valerie Hockert

[e-mail]

Copyright: © 1985, 2012 by Valerie Hockert All rights reserved

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Three women and two men are linked in a mysterious circle of marriage, children, tragedy, blackmail, death, and unexplained events.

What starts out to be a smooth romantic story, suddenly turns murderous and complex with many mysterious happenings: a baby dies one hour after birth--real cause unknown (until later); a woman is mistakenly pronounced dead; blackmail occurs; a rigged auto accident in which a child is mistakenly and severely injured occurs; a man is found dead--just to name a few.

As the plot unfolds around these happenings and murder, suicide and druggings, the viewer's emotions are kept on the high point of the dial.

This unusual climax and intriguing story convey feelings of anxiety and curiosity through strong and vivid images as the full scope of the story becomes apparent, allowing for rich human interaction.

Where Is Ralph? is a story containing four major characters: Ralph, Ann, Georgia and Mike; and two minor characters: Janet and Vicky. These characters and the mysterious happenings are portrayed in six parts, each from one of the six characters' points of view. As the story unfolds, the viewer is kept in suspense.

Where Is Ralph? ends with Ralph while waiting in the car for current wife, Vicky to pick up daughter Lisa, he sees Georgia for the first time through a kitchen window. Only Ralph sees his former wife Ann (who died years earlier), then follows her voice through the woods, and is never again seen alive as Ralph Owens. In the last scene, John Swenson is seen walking into his nightclub in Suthern.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER ONE

Ann

I don't know, she looks dead to me, says Ralph in a monotone.

Ted! Sherry! Ralph! I'm okay, I'm just tired! Why don't they hear me? Ann starts to cry, but there are no tears.

Ann hears new voices. They are coming closer, entering her bedroom. They belong to Ralph, Ted, Sherry, and someone she doesn't recognize. Someone takes her pulse, then listens to her heart with a cold stethoscope. A doctor, she hopes. Perhaps he could tell Ralph, Ted, and Sherry that she is all right. Ann tries to open her eyes, but it seems to be an impossible task. Her body feels like lead. She can't seem to move any part of it.

She's dead! says the strange voice.

No! N-O! cries Sherry.

Oh, God! cries Ted.

Ralph! I'm not dead! Ralph, tell them I'm not dead! Ted? Sh-e-rrr-y! RALPH! I'M NOT DEAD! DON'T Y OU HEAR ME? I'M NOT DEAD! RALPH, DAMN YOU! LISTEN TO ME, RALPH!

Suddenly there was silence. Ann was quickly asleep--a very deep sleep.

* * *

Good morning! H. B. Harris!

Ann was a receptionist at H.B. Harris, in Buckley, and had been since graduation from high school, one year ago. H.B. Harris is an accounting firm, with H.B. the owner and chief accountant. H.B., Ann, and six others--three accountants, a file clerk, and two secretaries complete the office personnel.

Buckley is a small town in Northwestern Minnesota, with a population around seven thousand. Most of the businesses are small and family owned, as H.B. Harris is.

Hello, Ted? Lunch? Sure, Ted. The Rockman? I'll meet you there at twelve o'clock.

Ted and Ann had always been close, but even closer since their parents' deaths. Their father died of a heart attack five years ago, and their mother died a year later. Since there were no other relatives, except for an aunt who had no interest in caring for them, it was decided by the court that Ted and Ann would inherit the house, with Ted being Ann's appointed guardian. He was just twenty-one at the time, and Ann was fourteen. Although they had always been close, the past five years had promoted an inseparable tie between them.

Their luncheon dates together were quite frequent, as were dinners. Otherwise they ate at home, with Ann usually doing the cooking, although Ted was always willing to lend a hand. He'd clean up the kitchen after dinner and do the dishes, unless, of course, he had to go back to the office, or meet a client.

Poor mother, Ted would often say. "She always worked so hard in the kitchen while our father slept on the sofa behind the evening paper.

Mother liked it, Ann reminded Ted. "She liked doing all the cooking, dishes, and cleaning.

To which Ted would reply: "That's what she wanted us to think."

Ann never pursued the subject further, because she wanted her memories to be happy ones.

When their mother died, Ted was in his junior year in college. Ann was a freshman in high school. While attending college, forty miles from Buckley, he commuted every day, so Ann wouldn't have to be home alone.

Ann had been feeling very down at her parents' absence from her graduation. Ted must have known, because about a week before graduation he said, I want you to buy a pretty dress for graduation, and handed her a twenty dollar bill. She started to object, but he said, Don't ask any questions, just buy a dress.

Yes, sir! Said Ann, teasingly. She put her arms around her brother, and said, I love you, Ted, as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Ann went shopping for the dress with her best friend, Sherry. Twenty dollars would buy a beautiful dress for the occasion. It was a shame she'd have to wear a graduation gown over it.

The ceremony is nice, but it would be better if Mother and Father were her, thought Ann. She was near tears throughout most of the ceremony. At the conclusion, she quickly searched for Ted in the crowd, ran to him and said, Come on, Ted, let's get something to eat. I’m hungry.

Okay, he said, smiling. But I'm going to take you someplace special.

"Where are we going?' she asked, curiously.

I want to surprise you, Sis, he said.

As he parked the car by The Rockman, Ann said, This is too expensive, Ted.

* * *

My goodness, it's ten to twelve! Ann said aloud to herself. She quickly grabbed her coat and purse and rushed out the door. The Rockman was fifteen minutes away.

As Ann got in the car, she reflected on the day Ted surprised her with the light green, four-door Chrysler. It was a few years old, yet in good shape. When winter came, Ted didn't want her to walk the mile to work, as she did in the spring. He, being an attorney, had a different work schedule, and many times his work took him out of town.

On her way to The Rockman, she suddenly recalled the excitement in Ted's voice. I wonder what brought that on?

At The Rockman, she didn't find Ted; she felt uncomfortable waiting alone. Oh, I'm sure he'll be here soon, she thought. Suddenly feeling a hand on her shoulder, she jumped, and turned around to face Ted.

Ted, you scared me!

Ted chuckled. Sorry, honey. I was on the phone with a client. He nodded toward the almost full dining room. I made reservations.

Good old Ted, thought Ann. He always thinks of everything. She should have thought to ask if he had made reservations, rather than stand there waiting for him.

Table for two? asked the hostess. Follow me.

I'll take a martini, and a ginger ale for the lady, said Ted. Ann was not old enough to drink yet. While they waited for the drinks, they exchanged small talk, mostly about work.

I have something to tell you, Ann.

What? Good news or bad? asked Ann.

Good news. Last week, after checking my financial statements, I decided I could do it. Now.

Ann was puzzled. Do what?

Get married, of course. I asked Sherry last night. I was afraid she might have changed her mind after we waited so long. Was I wrong! Ted said with a big smile.

She said yes, then? asked Ann.

Of course she said yes. We're both very excited.

Well, when's the big day?

June 6. I wanted to tell you before Sherry does.

June 6? That's only three weeks away.

Yes, it is.

I’m going to have to throw Sherry a shower, and….

Hold on a minute, Sis. You’d better talk to Sherry.

Okay….Just think, my big brother is getting married.

Ted…I’ll miss you.

No, you won’t…I’m still your big brother.

Ann smiled. Yes you are. And you’ve always been there for me.

They finished eating, and after dessert, Ted had to rush back to the office to see a client.

* * *

While Ann was driving back to work, she remembered how she and Sherry had become friends while in high school. Ann's French instructor asked her to help Sherry with her lessons, as Sherry was having some difficulty, and Ann was at the top of her French class. Ann took an immediate liking to Sherry, and wanted Ted to meet her, so she invited Sherry for dinner. Ted was attracted to Sherry, with her dark hair, brown eyes, and petite figure, but took some time before he gathered enough courage to ask her for a date.

Ann had no idea then that they would end up getting married, although recently she was thinking it could be possible. Now Sherry would not only be her friend, but her sister-in-law. But it did give Ann a slight pang of regret to realize that in only three more weeks she and Ted would not be together anymore in the quaint, white, three-bedroom rambler, surrounded by a white picket fence.

Nothing had changed much in the house since that tragic day, Ann thought that night as she sat down on her favorite wood rocker in the living room. The furniture was still in the same places. The living room contained their mother's cup-and-saucer collection, still on the mantel above the fireplace. Their mother was proud of that collection. Their father's pipe rack was still on a table nearby.

On the couch was the afghan their mother had put many hours of work into. Ann had kept everything neat and clean, but she just couldn't bear to rearrange anything. With things in the same order as when her parents were alive, she could still feel their presence.

Ann recalled the many times that she and Ted used to play in the living room. Most of the times they played quite well together, but occasionally their mother or father had to break up their squabbling.

In three weeks, I'll be alone here, Ann muttered aloud. She hadn't really expected Ted to stay there forever, but it still came as a surprise. Ted was now planning to buy a house on the opposite end of town, complete with carpet and modern appliances.

She suddenly jumped as she realized the phone was ringing. Hello? Sherry?

I'm sure Ted has told you by now that he and I are going to get married. He asked me last night. I can't wait. Sherry sounded excited.

Yes, Ted told me over lunch. Congratulations Sherry.

Thanks. I'd like for you to be my maid of honor. Please say yes.

Of course. Why wouldn't I say yes? I'd be delighted, said Ann.

Great. Let's go shopping this weekend for our gowns. We'll try Claire's Bridal her in town first, all right? Sherry asked.

Have you decided on the colors? You always talked of pink and white."

Yes, it's still pink and white, and I want you to have a pink gown, Sherry went on, discussing the dresses and flowers and other arrangements while Ann mostly listened.

That night Ann was mentally planning a bridal shower for Sherry. The next evening Ann called her and suggested the idea, but Sherry said no. Sherry did not want a shower--just a simple church wedding. That was Sherry--always being practical.

The next couple of weeks passed quickly with preparations for the wedding.

Soon June 6 came, Ted and Sherry's wedding day. The small wedding, with just a gathering of family and friends was held at St. Peter's. After the ceremony, a reception with champagne and dinner was held in the church basement.

Old Ted really knows how to do things right, said a man's voice.

Yes, he does, Ann said, as she turned to see whom she was talking to. Oh, hello, Ralph. Sit down. She motioned to an empty chair beside her. She surprised herself at her aggressiveness. Perhaps the champagne helped.

Ralph said Ann sharply, the waiter asked if you'd like some more champagne.

Ralph shook himself from his thoughts. I'm sorry. Yes, of course, he said, as he handed the waiter his empty glass. After some more champagne, Ralph asked Ann out for dinner the following Saturday, at The Rockman.

Ann was excited about