A Haunted Marriage & The Cookie Baking Poltergeist

Chapter 16: Anger Management

    Michael stared out his kitchen window to a driveway that still only contained his white 2012 Honda Civic. The bare branches of the tree near his car cast long shadows in the late afternoon sunlight, extending all the way to Susan Idleman's house. Julia was due to return by 4pm, give or take a half hour considering how many bathroom stops she would have to make on her four hour drive from Long Island to Upstate New York. Michael hopped up and down on the balls of his feet before walking over to the kitchen table to check on the cake he bought for this special occasion. The round ice cream cake said, "Welcome Home Julia" in blue writing. Hopefully she'll be here soon or this cake will melt.

    Bogey jumped up onto the kitchen table and attempted to lick the side of the cake. Michael swatted Bogey away and he ran back into the living room to lay on the couch. The squeaking of brakes caused Michael to look out of the kitchen window once again. Julia's Subaru skidded to a stop behind the Honda Civic. Michael ran from the window so quickly that he bumped into the kitchen table, shaking the cake.

    Michael jogged down the hallway and yanked open the front door. He jumped down the porch steps to find his wife hunched over her car's trunk. Michael didn't even notice Susan Idleman waving to him with a smile from her kitchen window.

    Michael ran up to Julia from behind and gave her a hug around her waist. She turned to kiss him on the mouth before removing two suitcases from her trunk. Julia had her wedding ring back on.

    "Leave that. I will get them," Michael said.

    "Be my guest," Julia said before handing Michael both suitcases. Julia slammed her trunk shut before stretching her hands to the sky. "I hate that long drive."

    Julia's heavy suitcases each dangled from Michael's arms. Michael now resembled the hunched posture of an ape as he walked up his porch steps. Julia held the front door open for her husband.

    Julia hesitated before stepping over the threshold of the door. "To quote every Star Wars movie, 'I have a bad feeling about this.' I am actually going back to live in a haunted house. I can't believe I agreed to this."

    "There haven't been an ghostly happenings lately. It's been pretty quiet. You came back here for us, and to help me move the former occupant of this home into the afterlife." Michael said, stooping over to kiss his wife on the forehead.

    Michael dropped the suitcases with a thud next to the front door. Julia took off her brown overcoat to hang it on the coat rack. Before she took two steps into the hall, Bogey ran up and rubbed himself on her legs. Julia bent over to pick up her purring cat.

    "Someone really missed you," Michael said.

    "And his mom missed him," Julia said kissing Bogey on the head. Julia dropped Bogey onto the floor and he proceeded to run into the living room.

    "And don't forget your husband missed you too," Michael said placing his wife in a bear hug.

    Julia pushed Michael's arms away and walked into the kitchen. Michael followed her close behind.

    "I got you this cake for the occasion."

    "You shouldn't have," Julia said before sitting at the kitchen table. She placed her head in her arms and closed her eyes.

    "What's the matter?" Michael asked .

    "I don't know. I'm just tired from the ride. To tell you the truth I almost didn't come back up here. My therapist said if I wasn't sure about things to stay with my mom."

    "f**k your therapist. And you did feel something or you wouldn't be here at all. The counselor I found for us has a really good reputation and has saved hundreds of marriages. Here have a piece of cake before it melts." Michael used a butcher knife to cut a sliver of cake that he slid over to Julia.

    Julia took one bite of cake. "It's good. And I do really appreciate what you've done. It's just going to take some time for me that's all. We're still in a rebuilding state. "

    "I understand. We'll take things slow," Michael said as he placed his hand over Julia's.

    Julia pulled her hand away to take another bite of cake. "I have to admit that so far I haven't smelled any funny baking smells."

    "Frances is probably getting used to us. Stuff still happens now and then, you know the usual ghostly manifestations like cabinets opening by themselves and baking smells, but I think I am getting used to Frances being here too. She's like some sort of mildly annoying house guest that won't leave. But we now have the means to make her leave."

    "After we go to marriage therapy first."

    "Of course."

    Julia finished her slice of cake and took her plate to the sink to wash it. She placed the sponge on the rack above the sink and reached for a paper towel to dry her hands. "And this will show you that I am making some effort too to save us. " Julia walked over to the refrigerator to remove the bottle of 2012 Pinot Noir. She popped the cork off the top and proceeded to pour the entire contents of the bottle into the kitchen sink. "I thought this stuff relaxed me, but in reality it didn't. I can find better things to help me relax like read or watch a movie."

    Michael walked over to hug Julia in front of the kitchen sink. "I am sorry about everything too. I really mistreated you. I promise I will never hit you again."

    "I believe you."

    "Let's go watch a movie. I have something special planned for you."

    Michael jogged into the living room and sat on the couch. Julia followed him, but sat at the opposite end of the couch. That's alright. I have to give her some time.

    I believe he won't hit me again, but sometimes I am not so sure, Julia thought before sliding her sneakers off and pulling her knees into her chest on the couch cushion. Bogey jumped into her lap.

    Michael clicked the button on the remote control and the opening crawl to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. came upon the screen.

    "We haven't watched this one in a while," Julia said reaching over to grasp her husband's hand. Within two seconds, Julia pulled her hand back to pet Bogey.

    Michael used the remote control to pause the movie. "After we finish watching this I say we both go to bed to rest up for that marriage therapy thing tomorrow."

    "I agree, but I know this might sound crazy, but just for the first few days can you sleep on the couch just so I can get used to things?"

    "Why the hell would I want to do that?"

    "Because you hit me Michael. It's going to take me some time to get back into things. I can see you're already offended."

    "You're damn right I am offended. You said two minutes ago that you felt that I wouldn't do that sort of thing to you again and now you are contradicting yourself. You know Julia you're as undecided as f*****g Hamlet."

    The baking aroma filled the living room once again. All of the kitchen cabinets flew open and the dishes flew out, smashing to the kitchen floor.

    "You see. We're pissing Frances off. I am so tired of cleaning up after her.

    Julia placed a hand over her mouth and said, "Ok, ok. You can come to bed later Mike. I am really freaked out right now. I can't believe that I am living in a haunted house."

                                                                                    #

    At 12 Main Street, Saratoga Springs, stood the two story brick office of marriage therapist Eugene Paul. Michael and Julia Blake had an appointment for 11:30am. They arrived ten minutes early and sat in a waiting room with four leather chairs. In one corner stood a table with a pile of thirty magazines with a lamp set in the middle. Michael picked up one of those magazines, National Geographic, to read a story about the Philippine Eagle while pumping his right foot up and down on the floor. I hope this therapy works or we're done.

    Julia also pumped her right foot on the floor while holding her cell phone in both hands. Julia's face was tucked into her chest as she checked her f*******: page. I hope this therapy guy is actually helpful.

    The door opened to Julia and Michael's left to reveal a five foot five bald, gray bearded man. The man was dressed in tan pants, brown loafers and a blue sweater. He clasped his hands together before saying, "You two must be Michael and Julia Blake. I am Eugene Paul, marriage counselor, but you can call me Gene. Please come on in. And please put your phones on vibrate."

    Michael and Julia rose from their respective chairs to head into Eugene's office. Eugene closed the door behind them.

    "Please sit down," Eugene said as he directed the couples to two tan leather chairs next to a window with its black vertical blinds closed. A row of bookshelves stood on one side of the office. Behind Eugene stood a black desk with an open laptop set on top. Another taller black leather chair was pushed into the desk.

    Eugene sat down in another tan leather chair about two feet from Michael and Julia. He crossed his right leg over his left. He had a notebook and pen in his right hand.

    In almost a whisper, Eugene said, "So obviously you two have been having some issues in the marriage.  How long have you been married?"

    "Seven years," Julia answered. "It has gotten so back that I recently filed for divorce, but I have taken that back so we can try to work things out."

    "Do you two have any children?"

    "No, no. I don't think it's in the cards for us," Julia whispered.

    "Has there been any infidelity on either side of the relationship?"

    "No, no. I think we both have issues with controlling our anger. Michael has hit me twice," Julia nearly yelled.

    Michael tucked his head into his chest. "That's true Gene. But my wife has anger issues of her own. She curses and has thrown objects around the house, like smashing a wine glass a few weeks ago. Julia also tends not to take responsibility for her own actions."

    "That's not always true," Julia said.

    "Both of you please. The blame game will get us nowhere. Let's start with what you two find to be the best quality of each other. Julia you can go first."

    "My husband is a great school English teacher. He's an aspiring writer himself. I really want him to succeed. That's one of the reasons we moved up here from Long Island."

    "And Michael, what are some of Julia's passions?" Eugene asked.

    "She also loves to read. And cooking is a big one for her. She's a great cook. Julia is great at typing and I know she will eventually land that receptionist job that she wants. She deserves it. She is very good at it," Michael said reaching over to take his wife's hand.

    "What are some of the things you can tell us to help us with anger management issues?" Julia asked

    "First off identifying stressors. What about your husband makes you the most angry?"

    "That he does not listen. Not getting a job has made me really angry lately," Julia said.

"What about you Michael?"

    "Julia's refusal to take responsibility for anything."

    Eugene jotted down a few notes in his notebook before saying. "Before we end today I can provide you two with some breathing techniques to help you cope with your respective internal rage."

    Michael felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He took it out and saw a message from Jacob Pine on f*******: Messenger. The message read. "Please Mr. Blake, I have no one to turn to. The school counselors suck and do nothing. He hit me again and I am afraid to go home. I am at the Stewart's on Main Street in Saratoga Springs."

    "First regarding those relaxation techniques-"

    Michael jumped up from his chair and said, "Anger Management class is now over because I think I have to go kick someone's ass."