Mr. Rainey seemed like a really nice guy. He gave me a short tour and laid down the rules. There weren't many but he wanted to make sure I understood the few rules he had.
"You aren't allowed upstairs," he said pointing at the stairs. "That's my private space. If I need something cleaned up there I'll tell you to do it."
Hum. I wonder why he doesn't want you up there.
My conscience just wasn't giving up on the idea that Mr. Rainey was a bad guy. He seemed like a good man to me. It was just trying to be protective. It was strange that Clover was being quiet.
"And I would like it if you stayed out of the garden I have out back," Mr. Rainey said. "I've put a lot of work into the corn planted there and don't want you to accidentally mess anything up."
"I won't touch it," I promised. "My mom has some roses she won't let me get near."
"I should tell you that I mumble to myself sometimes," he said. "You shouldn't worry though. It's just something I do."
"Ok," was all I said because I wasn't sure what to say.
"Is there anything I should know about you?" he asked.
Clover's words came back to me. She had wanted me to tell him I heard voices.
Don't.
"No," I said quickly. "Nothing at all."
He raised an eyebrow and gave me a questioning look. I guess I said my answer too quickly.
"I did have a question though," I said trying to get his attention away from my quick answer.
"What is it?" Mr. Rainey asked.
"When I was standing on your porch I heard someone say hello to me," I explained. "It sounded like someone with a southern accent."
He looked almost like he had seen his ghost. His face had lost all of it's color and his eyes went wide. As fast as this new look had come it was gone.
"That's...that's a neighbor," he stuttered. "He has a boat and uses my dock sometimes. You shouldn't bother him. I need to talk to him so tell me the next time you hear him."
He's lying.
"Alright," I agreed trying to ignore Clover. I had lied to him so I wouldn't be surprised if he had lied to me about who the stranger was.
"So," he said. "That's that. I've got work to do so if you'll be on your way I could get to work. I'll see you in another week right?"
"Yep," I said smiling. "I'll come down next Saturday."
"Good," he said in a tense voice. "I'll see you then."
I think he would have pushed me out of that house if he could have. He wanted me to get out of there bad. I walked out onto the porch and looked around for the stranger. There wasn't a sign of him.
I told you there was something funny about that guy.
I don't know. I kind of like his friend.
I decided that I didn't want to know what she was talking about as I climbed in my car. After another glance at the house I started the car and drove towards home.