SHADOWS OF KAYLA

LITTLE DOUBTING THOMAS; A VISITOR - A LEAD

Kayla.

When I got home from Van's, the sun had begun hiding behind the horizon. It was fiery orange and naturally beautiful. Okay I didn't really find something strong to lay hands on regarding Van. Stacy and Van were related in some kind of way, that was my proud score for the day.

I entered into the house. It was silent as usual. I noticed a few crumbs of food on the ground and I knew Tom and mom just had dinner. Just then, mom appeared with a broom and took care of the drops.

Our new house was not as big as our old house. It looked old, but it was cool per say and pretty for an aged-looking storey building. A garage, a garden, living room, a kitchen, a pantry and three rooms. My parents shared a room, Tom had one, they obviously had to give me one, as I was ‘still alive’ for certain reasons.

I walked upstairs. Yes, I walk and sit and run, these are surprisingly the things I can still do. On an honestly awkward note though.

Tom's giggles filtered into my ears. I turned back and slipped into his room.

He was on a phone conversation.

*It's very boring over here.*

“But can I come over?”

*I said no, okay.*

It didn't take long for me to know who it was.

“Whatever.” He gloomed.

*Gotta go now. Bye!*

“Bye.”

He dropped his phone and lied face down on his bed.

Mom came in and Tom raisednhis head from his pillow.

“Mum? What's up?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to see how my prince is doing.” She sat on his bed

“I wanna go to sleep,” he blurted vaguely, lying back down.

“Alright. You spoke with your sister, right?”

He sat up.

“About that, mum…”

“What?”

“I don't know, but I feel weird. Really weird.”

“Weird? How?”

“Things are out of place. I don't know what, but are you guys hiding something from me?”

I could feel the fear and dilemma mom felt right there and then. I could tell her heart was beating very fast, she kept placing her hand over her chest.

“Why would you think so?”

“Because I'm not stupid…”

“What do you mean?”

“...that you're lying to me, mum. You and dad are up to something.”

He stood quickly from his bed and suddenly rage filled his eyes.

“That girl is f*****g not my sister!”

“Language Tom…”

“I don't care about any f*****g stupid language! You will tell me everything right now!”

“Kayla's on scholarship?" Tom scoffed, continuing,

“She doesn't even get straight Cs, so the two of you shouldn't feed me that bullshit and tell me what's really going on. Did you send her away somewhere? Is she hurt?”

“Tom....”

“Honey! I'm home! Look who's here to meet you!” Dad exclaimed from downstairs.

Mom got up, took one pity-filled and painful look at Tom. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she quickly dabbed them with the back of her hand and left his room.

Tom fell back face down in his bed and I wondered if he was sleeping or crying. I knew he loved me and missed me. He was sure smart and was this close to finding out the truth. I was deeply scared for him. I pitied him too.

I left his room and headed downstairs.

“You're home early,” Mom remarked with disinterest as she climbed down. A phlegm that spelt more pain than anything usual.

“It's not midnight yet, are we safe?” She added sarcastically.

Dad pursed his lips and embarrassment shone in his eyes. I felt sorry for him, his voice really reflected some genuine eagerness earlier. Now the atmosphere seemed sour.

A man in perhaps, his early sixties stood a head shorter beside dad. His face was wrinkled but hairless, and his nose, really pointy. His grey hair matched his eyes and faint brows. He was wearing a baggy brown coat, same colored pants and matching shoes. He looked quite agile and sharp.

He stood with his hands in his pockets, with the demeanour of a respectable man, but with the matter-of-fact inconvenience of being a visitor, most likely a stranger. He ran his small eyes from dad, to mom, to dad again, then around.

Dad cleared his throat gawkily.

“We have a visitor, Sandie.”

“I see that,” She brushed quickly as she turned her gaze to the man, giving him one of her most welcoming smiles. He smiled in return.

“Do have your seat,” she offered, smiling.

He sat gently, put one of his hands on the sofa's arm, placed his other arm on his thigh and crossed one of his legs over the other.

“Tea?” Mom asked curtly.

“Coffee please. Preferably black coffee.”

”So sorry, we're out of black coffee. I hope you don't mind?”

“Not at all. May I get a glass of water then?”

“Sure,” mom replied and exited the room.

“You've got one stunner of a wife,” he teased dad in a whisper, smiling. Dad chuckled and pat the man's shoulder.

Mom returned with a glass of water and offered him as we all watched him guzzle the glass empty.

“Will you introduce us or...,” mom asked dad.

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” He turned to the man.

“Mr Orchard, meet my wife, Sandie. Sandie, Mr Orchard, my boss,” he introduced.

Boss?

Hearing ‘boss’ reminded me of my ventures earlier that day.

I seriously had to start suspecting any ‘boss’ from then on.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Orchard,” mom smiled giving out her hand, which he took gently.

“No, just call me Roderick. Rick for short.”

Mom's grin closed to a pursed smile.

“Roderick. Nice.”

They separated hands. They all sat.

“You know, back in my day, people called me Roderick the Xy. Xy as in Xy-lophone,” he informed interestingly, chuckling.

”Oh. You played the xylophone?” I could clearly read the feigned interest on mom's face.

“Yes. I was very popular,” he beamed.

“Oh! Nice,” she grinned.

“So, what do you do?” He asked Mom.

“I'm a physical therapist.”

“Amazing. He talks a lot about you at work.”

Mom stole a clumsy glance at dad, who basically smiled, then she returned her gaze to Rick.

Wait…Rick?