her laughter through the trees

these things are known:

1) a crunch of gravel as the dark sedan pulls up at exactly 9:47, he knows because he looks worriedly around the kitchen for a knife and glances at the green LED clock of the microwave

1a) the kitchen is a mess, there are two cats and a dog watching him as he paces from sink to table to counter; old newspapers, used coffee mugs, an umbrella. the clutter is incongruous with the luxury of the house he is in

2) looking up, past the wrought iron chandelier, lights come on in the 2nd floor alcove above him. panic increases

3) the windows are streaked with droplets, leaving his reflection akin to a watercolor left in the rain

3a) thunderstorms are ravaging this area throughout the evening

3b) he is in socks, no shoes

4) the front door is open now and muffled excited conversation can be heard, along with the stamping of wet boots on the foyer tile and rumbles of thunder from a distant neighborhood

4a) he contemplates hiding in a utility closet

5) she walks into the kitchen in a flash, removing one earring and smiling

5a) her husband follows closely behind, also smiling. his shoulders are dotted with wet spots

5b) an older fellow passes by via the hallway and waves cordially

5c) he makes small talk with the couple in slow motion and with very deliberate and leaden gestures of intimacy: arm pats, waves to recall details, rubbing of the chin

6) she enters the kitchen burning away all viscous material slowing things down; no smoke present. she wears a light blue blouse

6a) parents retreat to den with bottle of wine

6b) they stand by the tall windows, joke about him sleeping in the treehouse

6c) leaves one shade lighter than the midnight sway in the wind

6d) treehouse is illuminated by lightning