Somebody

This is a shameless indulgence of my love of descriptions. It’s also, quite possibly, the most morbid thing that I’ve ever written

Take a look. It’s a snapshot of a family at dinner. They make a pretty little tableau. The mother is blond, petite and pretty. There are twin girls, brunette, eight years old. They’re still young enough to share everything; twin soccer uniforms, twin barrettes on twin braids. They even have lopsided twin smiles. Their younger brother, perhaps five years of age, creates elaborate fantasy worlds in his mashed potatoes and crushes them moments later. The father presides over the table, dark hair thinning, eyes exhausted through thin rimmed glasses, but you know that this is the highlight of his day.

They bask in each other’s company, in the love and kindness that they exude. They are enthusiastic about being together, telling each other of the small triumphs of their days. Everyone smiles with genuine warmth. This is the best part of their day, and you know it instinctively, just by looking at them. The warm glow of companionship and comfort is almost tangible. Almost thick enough to cut with a knife. You imagine that it has enough substance that you could hold it in your hands and take great big bites with sharp teeth, and you know that it would nourish you for days.

They could be anyone. They could be no one, and they could be everyone. The fact remains, however, that they aren’t famous, but one day soon, they will be household names, as they deserve to be. They will be somebodies. You feel a sudden twinge of guilt looking at this perfect picture, like you’ve intruded on something deeply personal. Let the scene fade, and leave them in peace.

“In recent news, another family has been slaughtered by the serial killer who calls himself the Protector. Melissa and Robert Hackett, and their three children, Elle and Abigail, eight, and Matthew, five, were found dead in their home this past Monday morning. Police are asking for anyone who might have any tips to please phone the hotline at the bottom of the screen. We will now have a moment of silence for the Hacketts, and the other victims.”