Arthur and Laura

Arthur and Laura(Joseph Logsdon) Arthur and Laura
By Joseph Logsdon
Laura Crawford was a beautiful and outgoing woman. As a young girl, Laura received unconditional love and attention. After many years of happiness and tranquility, Laura fell in love with a bright and loving young man. Like Laura, Arthur Chaney came from a wealthy and privileged background. Despite their immaturity, Arthur and Laura decided to get married, but their dreams soon came to a swift and horrible end. Because of their impulsive behavior, Arthur’s father refused to give the young couple his blessing. After months of love and courtship, Arthur abandoned Laura.
Despite her sadness, Laura refused to give Arthur up. One drizzly night, Laura decided to visit the Chaney estate. To Laura’s surprise, she was allowed to enter the house. Within seconds of her arrival, Henry Chaney walked into the dark and dusty room.
“Hello, I’m Arthur’s father,” he announced.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Laura replied.
“So, what can I do for you?” Henry asked.
“Mr. Chaney, why do you disapprove of me and Arthur?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I’m his girlfriend, I have a right to know!” Laura shouted.
“You were his girlfriend,” Henry laughed.
“Mr. Chaney, do you find this funny?”
“If you had confronted me years ago, we wouldn’t be having this discussion,” Henry exclaimed.
“What are you talking about?”
“Laura, I’m sorry if I seem heartless, but you did this to me,” Henry grunted.
“Did what?”
“Have a seat,” Henry commanded.
Without further hesitation, Laura allowed the couch to cushion her delicate skin. In that moment, Henry Chaney was full of sadness and grief. Suddenly and without warning, a cold breeze came into the dark and gloomy room.
“Now, what’s this all about?” Laura asked.
“I’m lonely, so very lonely,” Henry exclaimed.
“That’s not true, you have your son,” she stated.
“I had my son,” he whimpered.
“Mr. Chaney, stop acting like I took your son away from you!”
“That’s right, you did take my son away from me,” he replied.
“Mr. Chaney, I resent your accusation!”
“It’s not an accusation, it’s a fact!”
“Where’s Arthur?” Laura asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“I didn’t come here to see you, I came to see my boyfriend!”
“He’s in the backyard,” he answered.
“Can I see him?”
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” Henry answered.
“Why?”
“I have to water the flowers.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If I don’t water the flowers, they’ll die and I’ll have to buy new flowers,” he stated.
“Mr. Chaney, are you all right?” Laura asked as her mind journeyed into confusion and doubt.
“I’m fine, are you all right?”
“Of course,” she answered.
“Are you sure?”
“Where’s Arthur?” Laura asked again.
“I told you, he’s out back,” Henry answered.
“Stop telling me that!”
“I wish I could,” he whimpered.
“Mr. Chaney, will you get to the point?”
“I’m not allowed to tell you,” he answered.
“What are you talking about?”
“If I told you, I would be risking my own safety,” Henry exclaimed.
“What do you mean?”
“Arthur was a good son, a perfect son. He wanted to make me proud, but you stole him from me!” Henry screamed.
“Mr. Chaney, you’re scaring me!”
“You stole him from me!” Henry stated as he grabbed Laura’s sensitive throat.
“Let me go!”
“Arthur’s dead!” Henry shouted.
“That can’t be true!”
“Ever since that night, my son has been dead.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You killed him,” Henry stated.
“You’re insane!”
“On the contrary, you’re insane!” Henry shouted.
“I loved him, I loved him more than anything!” she screamed.
“No doubt, but that didn’t stop you from getting drunk that night!”
“What are you talking about?”
“Arthur died in a car accident, an accident caused by you!”
“That’s a lie!”
“I wish that it were a lie, I really do.”
“Arthur’s alive, I know he is!”
“After the accident, you had a nervous breakdown. Your parents tried to protect you, but they couldn’t prevent the state from committing you to a mental hospital. Twenty years have passed, twenty years of misery and loneliness. Sometimes, I still hear him laughing and playing, but then I realize that he’s dead, that he will never come back, not even if I get down on my knees and pray to God.”
“He’s not dead, he can’t be dead!”
“You escaped from the hospital, didn’t you?”
“I’ve never been to such a place,” she answered.
“I was told, that if you were to escape, I was not to break your delusion. I didn’t want to tell you, but your attitude forced me to make things clear.”
“You’re a liar, you’re a stinking liar!”
“Call me a liar all you want, it won’t change anything.”
After several agonizing moments, the police arrived. For the first time in Laura’s life, she realized that her world of delusion was a cruel joke as the police handcuffed her. Henry was afraid, not for himself, but for the murderer of his son. Despite his anger, Henry forgave Laura Crawford. As she left the house, Laura knew that she deserved punishment.
“Mr. Chaney, can I tell you something?” Laura asked.
“What is it?”
“Arthur deserved better than me.”