...was a beautiful, late july sunday in new england. Dr. Petit left the house early to meet his dad for a round of golf at the country club. his wife, Jennifer, and daughter Michaela, 11, were heading to the club later in the day to lounge around the pool. daughter, Hayley, 18, was coming home from the Cape, where she'd spent the weekend with some friends.
the family planned to gather for sunday dinner back at he house on sorghum mill drive. Michaela, a devotee of Rachael Ray, had selected the menu: pasta and a salad made with local tomatoes.
as happens often to chefs in the kitchen, Michaela realized at the last minute that she was missing a key ingredient: balsamic vinegar for the salad. not to worry, mom said, we'll take a ride to Stop & Shop. nothing was out of the ordinary. as the mother of an 11- and 18-year-old, the job as chauffeur was automatic, done with a love so deep it needed no outward displays. but this would be the last time Jennifer would drive Michaela anywhere.
mom pulled into the supermarket parking lot and next to a red van with a young man with auburn hair seated behind the wheel. he wore jeans and work boots. he smoked camel cigarettes. although Michaela and mom didn't notice him, and surely wouldn't have been able to see these even if they did, he also had two ravens tattooed across his back in homage to his favorite poem by edgar allan poe: "and his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming..."
like poe's bird, the young man watched intently as mother and daughter walked together into the store.
(to be continued)
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