“I’m sorry to hear that,” Mira replied.
Suddenly, Bryant heard a whooshing sound behind him and he quickly turned around. Still holding the telephone to his ear, his hand was now trembling. He stood in a room approximately ten feet long by twelve feet wide, sparsely furnished. The open closet was small with a few articles of clothing hanging inside of it. No one else was in the house, as Lucille had left for the pharmacy less than a half hour earlier.
“Mister Sylvester… are you all right?” Mira asked.
He moved toward the closet as the long phone cord trailed behind him. The closet appeared unoccupied, but he had to get closer— just to make sure.
“Yeah. I’m all right.” He stood in front of it, looking down, from side to side, then up toward the single shelf which sat on top of the iron rod.
Walking over to the door, he peeped out into the hallway and said: “Look Doc, there’s something else…”
Mira was waiting.
“I really wanted to meet with you to discuss this, but I understand you’re busy and all. I just thought that once you were able to look me in the face, you’d know what I’m about to tell you is the truth. It’s gonna sound really, really strange and I didn’t want you to think I’m a nut or anything like that. Anyway…” he sighed, “here goes – My wife and I have also been attacked.”
“Attacked?” Mira’s interest was now piqued.
“Yeah. Kicked, scraped, cut, jabbed in the pit of our stomachs and on our backs. You name it.”
She sat back in her chair. “That sounds serious.”
“I reckon it is. Doctor Cullen, I know this might be putting you a lot out of your way, but I wouldn’t have called if we didn’t desperately need your help. If we had the money to move to another place, we would’ve been gone from the second day we got here. All of our life savings were invested in this house.”
Mira couldn’t help but feel the guy’s pain. She arched her brows, then shook her head, wanting to kick herself for allowing herself to be drawn into this sort of thing again. Never once did she look for ghosts, but somehow, some way, via some means, they always found her.
“Okay, Mister Sylvester…”
“Please call me Bryant,” he interjected, “...and my wife is Lucille.”
“Okay, Bryant. I’ll see if I can come by tomorrow morning, if that’s okay,” she said.
“Yes! Yes it is.” He lit up like a candle. His frame still facing the doorway. “That would be great. Thanks so much for agreeing to come. You don’t know how much this means to us.”
“I can’t promise you anything though.” Mira wanted to make that clear.
“I understand.” He was nodding and smiling — relieved that some help will be coming soon.
Mira jotted down the directions he gave to his house and before she hung up the phone, Bryant said, “Doctor Cullen… just be careful okay?”
“I will. Thanks Bryant.”
3
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Mira pulled up onto the carport behind Bobby’s blue ’89 Dodge pick-up. He was standing at the door with open arms.
“You’re trying to squeeze the life right out of me; is that it?” She kicked off her shoes and found the nearest chair to stretch out in.
“Tired, huh?” He shut the door behind them.
“Exhausted is more like it.”
Bobby could see the weariness in her eyes. He knew she worked hard at that clinic and oftentimes put in more hours than she got paid for. Parking on the sofa on the other side of the black and white coffee table, he said: “Had a lot of patients to see, huh?”
“Not more than usual.” She rested her hand on her forehead. “I haven’t been getting as much sleep these days.”
“Really? Why not?”
“Mom’s been having crazy nightmares and she’s been making noises in her sleep.”
“For how long?”
“Several months now.”
Bobby grimaced. “Several months? You never mentioned this before.”
“I know. Guess it’s out of hand now so…” She slowly sat up. “She won’t talk about it and won’t get any help. I just don’t know what to do.”
“It’s really unlike your mother to not talk about things, especially with you,” he noted.
“Yeah. That’s why I feel like I’m stumped and don’t know how to help her. At least I get back to sleep. She barely gets any. It’s evident by those little bags forming under her eyes as of late.” She sighed. “Anyway—enough of my problems. How are you?”
He got up off the sofa and sat down next to her on the couch. “I’m okay.”
“Just okay? Everything is perfect in your little world?” She was searching his eyes.
He eased closer to her and held her chin as he planted a kiss on her lips. “I’m doing great,” he whispered.
“You are?” she whispered back, realizing Bobby was now getting his way with her.
“Uh huh.” He kissed her again, this time more passionately.
She pulled back moments later, and cleared her throat. “I’m hungry. Anything here to eat?”
Bobby couldn’t believe this girl. What it took to get her in the mood would probably cause the moon to turn green.
“Yeah, I have…”
“Never mind. I’ll see.” She got up and went into the kitchen. He followed her.
Mira opened the refrigerator and pulled out a fried chicken drumstick. “How old?” she asked him, holding the plate.
“Had that for dinner yesterday,” he said, at the door.
“Cool.” She pushed it into the microwave and waited for it to heat up.
“Mira…”
“Yep?” She kept her eyes on the microwave’s timer.
“When are we going to talk about us getting married?”
She didn’t reply.
“We’ve been doing this same routine for years. What would it take for you to commit to me?” He walked up to her. “I love you, Mira. I want to make you my wife.”
Grabbing the plate out of the microwave, she said: “I love you too.”
He took her hand. “Well, marry me then! If you don’t want anything big and fancy it doesn’t have to be. Whatever you want, that’s what we’ll do.”
“Bobby…”
He took the plate away from her and rested it on the counter, then gently cupped her face with his strong hands. “When you were in that car accident, I realized I almost lost you. You don’t know how the very thought of that tortured me. I was thinking I didn’t get a chance to tell you how much I love you and how my heart beats inside every day just for you.”
Tears were brimming in Mira’s eyes. It was the first time, he’d seen her cry.
Taking her hands, he got down on one knee. “Please be my wife.”
Tears were now streaming down her cheeks and she held his face. She leaned down and lovingly kissed him on the lips.
“Please, say yes.” He pleaded.
Every time she looked at him, she felt butterflies, but had mastered how to hide how deeply she’d fallen for him.
Mira took his hands again and helped him up. “Bobby…”
“Just a yes or no,” he told her, now standing and looking directly into her eyes.
“Yes,” she said as she embraced him.
He pulled away to get a look at her again. “What did you say?”
“I said yes.” She nodded.
He snatched her off her feet and hugged her tightly, swirling her around. “I can’t believe you said yes!” He exclaimed. “You finally said yes! I’m going outside and telling the whole neighborhood the good news.”
“You’ll do no such thing!” She quickly grabbed hold of him. “Bobby, I want you to listen to me. I agree to marry you, but not right now and I don’t want us to tell anybody just yet. This thing has to soak in, you know. I need some time for that to happen and to come to terms with my own thoughts.”
“When then?” he seemed slightly deflated. “How much time do you need
? A couple of months? A year?”
“Maybe a couple of months.”
He was smiling again. “A couple of months is fine. We can start planning whenever you’re ready. What’s important is you said yes.”
She too was smiling.
“You can’t imagine how that makes me feel, Mira. I love you so much!” He hugged her again.
“Okay, enough of that!” She pulled away moments later. “I told you I’m hungry.” She picked up the plate with the fried chicken and returned to the couch.
Bobby retrieved a glass from the cabinet, filled it with some punch for her and placed it on the coffee table. He then sat down and watched her eat.
“You’re being creepy,” she said.
His heart was full of excitement that he struggled to contain. She could tell and was giggling about it.
“Why are you laughing?” he asked.
“You are too much, Bobby. You act as if you’ve hit the lottery.”
“I’ve done way better than that!” he responded in all seriousness.
She was touched. “Remember, don’t speak a word of it until the time is right. I’ll let you know when I’m ready, okay?”
“Sure thing. My lips are sealed… for now.”
Mira gave him a reprimanding look.
4
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Rosie was in her bedroom packing her clothing and toiletries neatly into a small duffel strolley bag. Daniel, her beloved Cavapoo was sitting on the bedspread, quietly observant.
“How’s the packing coming along?” Mira asked at the door with her arms folded.
“Good, Mom!” Rosie was clearly cheerful. It was going to be her first-ever sleepover and with best friend, Tonya. She’d met Tonya when they started middle school together; in fact, Tonya was first to introduce herself to the shy Rosie during Orientation. She also was the only one of her peers Rosie felt comfortable sharing anything personal with — especially concerning her gift. Tonya was far from judgmental; more of a happy-go-lucky type and appeared to be one those people that never had an off day. Rosie always knew when she was sad though or when she was hiding something that really bothered her.
“Did you get your warm pajamas – the yellow polka dot one, and your tooth brush?” Mira asked.
“I’m going on fourteen, Mom. I know how to pack my bag.”
Smiling, Mira entered the room and sat on the bed. “My goodness! How my little girl has grown.” She removed a strand of hair from Rosie’s face. “I can’t believe how time has just flown by. I remember when you were so little and I had to do everything for you.”
Rosie looked at her mother suspiciously. “I’m just going for a two night sleepover, not for good. Besides, I still need you like I did when I was younger — just maybe not as much anymore, but I’ll always need you.”
Mira’s heart was touched. It was one of the sweetest things Rosie had ever said to her. She reached over and hugged her.
“Mom, you’re acting all weird now.”
Mira giggled. “It’s just that this is the first time I’ll go to sleep without you here with me. I guess I’m being silly, but I know I’m gonna miss you even though you’ll only be gone for a couple of days.”
“I know. And I’ll miss you too.”
“That’s not true!” Sara entered the room with an accusatory look on her face. She was pointing at Rosie. “You know you’ll be jumping up and down and celebrating the moment you leave this house tonight!”
Laughter erupted.
“Oh, Pumpkin! I’ll miss you the most.” Sara rubbed her shoulder. “But don’t worry, old Nana will be all right. You just go on and have yourself a good time with Tonya and her family.”
“Thanks, Nana.”
Mira checked her watch. “It’s almost six-thirty. They should be here at any minute.”
“I’m all set!’ Rosie said.
“Perfect!” Sara smiled.
They heard a car pull up onto the driveway, then a single, but rather loud honk.
“They’re here!” Rosie grabbed her bag and tossed it across her shoulder.
Sara headed to the front door.
Judy Dames and her daughter Tonya were standing outside while Tim, the family’s patriarch, waited in the car. The vehicle’s headlights were glaring through the living room when Sara opened up.
“Mrs. Dames! Tonya! How nice to see you both again,” she said.
“Good evening, Mrs. Cullen. It’s good to see you too,” Judy replied.
“Good evening, Rosie’s grammy!” Tonya blurted excitedly.
The women chuckled.
“Don’t you think you’re too old for that?” Judy questioned her daughter.
“Oh, Mom! You’re just so old fashioned!”
Rosie and Mira joined Sara at the door.
“Hi, Tonya’s mom,” Rosie hailed.
Judy returned the greeting, still laughing. “Kid’s huh?”
Sara and Mira hugged and kissed Rosie before sending her off with the other family of three. Sara didn’t close the door until the car had pulled out of the driveway.
“Well, it’s just me and you for a couple of days, Sweet Pea,” Sara said.
“Yes.” Mira sighed.
“Aww… lighten up! Before you know it, Sunday evening will be here and she’ll be back.”
Mira sat down on the couch. “I hope she’ll be okay over there.”
“What on earth do you mean?” Sara sat next to her.
“Nothing. I’m just being overly protective, I guess.”
It was as though Sara was seeing right through her. “You’re worried about how she might handle herself if…”
“Don’t say it, Mom.” Mira stood up. “I don’t wanna think about that. Focusing on it would only worry me and I don’t… I just don’t wanna go there.”
Sara looked at her silently, understanding her need to avoid the matter.
“I’m tired. I’m gonna go and get freshened up for bed. Could use an early night.”
“Go ahead, honey. I’ll watch a few episodes of ‘Will and Bash’ before turning in myself.”
5
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The Dames grabbed dinner at a take-away before heading home. Around 7:55 p.m., they arrived at the white split-level house on Raynard Boulevard. As Rosie stepped out of the car, she, as always, was struck by the size and beauty of the edifice in front of her and thought that a young girl like her could probably get lost inside.
Judy set dinner on the table after they all had washed up. The girls sat next to each other.
“Rosie, are you enjoying your tenders?” she asked.
“I am.” Rosie wiped her mouth with the napkin.
“Judy here has planned a fun outing for you girls,” Tim said, while he carefully ate his fish. “She mentioned a movie or something tomorrow.”
Tim was an insurance executive with the largest insurance agency in town. His company had branches all over the country and he often traveled for work. He earned enough for Judy to be a stay-at-home mom. She was only able to put in a few years at the local elementary school before abandoning her teaching career.
Tonya was smiling from ear to ear.
“Oh, yes!” Judy said, excitedly. “We’re going to watch Halloween with Michael Myers. I heard you like horror movies, Rosie. My Tonya here can’t get enough of them! I know it’s R-rated, but I can sneak you both in. I know the lady who works at the ticket counter.” She gave Tim a proud glance.
Rosie turned to Tonya. “You told your mom I like horror movies?”
“Uh huh. I figured you did since we’re so much alike.”
“Oh my! You don’t?” Judy seemed disappointed.
“I can manage them, although I kinda like the scarier ones.”
“See!” Tonya exclaimed. “I told y’all she likes them.”
The entire time at dinner, Rosie failed to mention the other people in the room with them. Although at first, she was surprised to see them, she quickly composed herself.
The old lady with short, white hair was standing closely behind where Judy was sitting. Rosie sensed it was her mother or perhaps her grandmother. She looked innocent enough and even gave her a wink when she noticed Rosie could see her.
The rugged-looking, middle-aged guy with brown, ruffled hair stood a good ways back near the entrance to the TV room. He had an austere expression on his face like he still had some unsettled business or something. Rosie had no idea if he was any relation to the family at all. After all, she wasn’t feeling a family tie as far as he was concerned. He stared at Tim the entire time, so she was confident that he knew him. Then there was the younger woman with the glassy eyes and dirty-blonde hair. She was just walking around aimlessly. She appeared to have no interest in anyone in the house—dead or alive, then to Rosie’s surprise, she looked at her. “Burn it!” she yelled. “It must be burned to the ground!” Rosie jerked back in her chair and all eyes were on her.
“Is there something the matter, Rosie?” Judy asked.
Rosie quickly diverted her attention away from the entity. “No, ma’am,” she quietly answered.
“Are you sure?” Tim glanced behind as he’d noticed the direction in which she’d been looking, but he saw nothing that warranted concern.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Rosie replied.
Tonya was looking at her and knew she wasn’t forthcoming.
Rosie’s eyes soon veered again in the direction where she’d seen the strange woman, but she was gone. The man and old lady remained.
After dinner, Judy prepared the bed for the girls and tucked them both in before switching off the lights. “Get your rest, girls. We have a busy day tomorrow,” she said, before closing the door behind her.
Tonya nudged Rosie, who was wrapped in the covers. “You saw something, didn’t ya?”
The Cornelius Saga Series Box Set 2 Page 7