LOOKING TROUGH YOUR EYES

CHAPTER 3

She cooked lunch while Sheryl played with all her new toys. They ate and then watched a movie. The day passed quickly, the grandmother felt that time had stagnated, but, when she realized it, it was already 8 at night. It was strange, she could have sworn it was only a couple of hours ago. It was 3 o'clock. She was worried, her daughter hadn't called all day, and still hadn't come back. She was thinking about that, when a phone rang. It was Paul's cell phone, so distracted he was, he’d forgotten it on the table.

-          hello, is this Paul? - Said a woman's voice - I need help, can you come? - She continued almost with a broken voice

-          Excuse me, he’s not here. Who is this? - Asked the grandmother somewhat confused

-          It doesn't matter, excuse me

-          Do you want me to tell him to call you back? –Asked the grandmother. But the call had already been finished.

Suddenly the door opened. It was Lindsey and her husband, they had finally returned.

-          mom, dad! - The girl shouted excitedly, as she stood up and ran to meet her parents - Where were you? I missed you so much

-          Hello my dear, we met with an old friend - Lindsey said, giving her a big hug

-          Daddy, are you okay? - Asked the little girl, seeing him pale and with an absent look

Paul nodded and walked in the direction of his room.

-          Leave it - said the mother -  he’s been like that all day

-          By the way, Paul - said the grandmother - you forgot your cell phone on the table. Someone called for help, but did not say who it was - she said as she handed him the cell phone

Paul took the cell phone from Grandma's hands and continued his way. He reached his room, closed the door and collapsed on the bed.

Lindsey was very angry; she couldn't believe he had even ignored his own daughter.

-          Mommy, mommy. Today I opened many gifts. They were all very cute. I really liked yours too, thank you! - Sheryl said with her sweet voice

-          You’re so welcome, my girl. Go to continue watching your movie, I'll talk a while with grandmother - replied the mother with a smile.

Sheryl returned to sit in front of the TV and Lindsey went into the kitchen to talk to her mother. She told her about Alice, she said she was very surprised to see her, she described how she looked and highlighted the fact that she seemed down. “I remember her smiling and happy, but today I saw her sad and tired, she seemed to have a storm that followed her everywhere” she said. They hadn't talked much, since she was about to go on a trip. They had only had breakfast, talked for 30 minutes and then accompanied Alice to the port, as she had decided to take a cruise, but did not tell them where. However, they had gotten enough information. After Ethan passed away, things were no longer going well between Alice and her husband, she would cry all day, her husband used to comfort her, but it seems he got bored. He started going out every day, stayed late at work and went to parties with his friends on the weekends. Alice felt alone and hopeless, she had no one to turn to, since she was an only child and her parents had died several years ago; so she began to go to her son's grave, so she could feel his company. One autumn afternoon, Alice had been arguing with her husband, she was crying at her little boy's grave and something very strange happened.

-          Don't cry, mommy - said a distant voice

Alice was scared and looked everywhere without knowing where the voice came from

-          Who is it? - she asked finally

But there was no reply. After a second, the voice was heard again, this time a little sweeter and more distant, almost lost in the wind.

-          Don’t panic. And don't worry about me. I'm fine, but it makes me sad to see you suffer. Please mommy, you have to smile again. You’ve always been the most beautiful woman, but now you've let yourself go a lot; you no longer sleep, sometimes you don't eat, you don't smile and you hardly even talk to people. You always argue with dad because of me. Don't do it anymore please, start taking care of yourself and... also, you have to get rid of your marriage. Father goes out every night and you know where he's going, you just don't want to face reality. You must let it go, it’s not good for you to continue suffering. Go to the canteen, he's there with an evil woman. Don't say anything to that woman, she’ll hurt you if you try to hurt or intimidate her. Just talk to daddy and don't let him come home. I love you very much.

Alice was no longer scared, she knew that her son was with her.

-          Why haven't you ever talked to me before? - She asked impatiently - how is the place where you are? do you feel good?

But there was no further reply. A freezing wind blew, and a silver rose petal fell from a nearby tree, glittering under the full moon. Alice took it, wiped her tears, and headed for the canteen. She knew what awaited her there, but it was time to face reality.

She entered the canteen, many men looked at her eagerly. She pushed her way through uncomfortable comments. There was her husband, hugging a young girl, it was Melany. She was surprised, she considered her a friend, she thought of her as an innocent young girl; sometimes she even felt sorry for her, for the departure of her last husband. But that night, she no longer saw an innocent young lady, she was very changed; she had a red dress with a low back and a skirt that barely covered her. She was wearing fuchsia shades and black lipstick. She looked about 20 years older.

-          But weren't you on a trip? - Asked in a tone of complaint

-          I called her - said her husband - she came back for me

Alice felt angry, the whole world fell apart. She wanted to scream, to throw everything around her, she wanted to go on top of the woman who had taken her husband from her. It was time, no one would judge her, everyone would understand why she did it. But she remembered her son's words, calmed down, breathed and turned around.

-          You will not enter the house again - she said to her husband as she went to the exit door.

She left the canteen and burst into tears, she didn't know where to go, she had no one to turn to. She had left everything for her husband, her parents, her friends, her people… everything! She was alone in the street, with a broken heart and an uncertain soul. It was starting to get very cold, but she hardly felt it, she only felt the loneliness next to her, she felt empty, she thought about ending her life. She was determined, it was time to end all the suffering, there was nothing to tie her to this world.

With a determined mind, she headed to the bridge. It was the best opportunity, she would be lost in the river forever, no one would notice her absence. She reached her destination, looked at the river, listened to the torrential noise made by the rushing waters. She breathed, she felt free. She spread her arms and closed her eyes. But just when she was about to jump, an icy wind blew against her, it brought with it thousands of silver leaves, it seemed that the stars had fallen from the sky to find her. A voice yelled at her "Please don't do it!"

She recognized her little boy.

-          I want to go with you - he said - I no longer have anything or anyone in this world, I feel alone. I miss you

The voice did not respond. But, after a few seconds, two huge and beautiful eyes landed in front of her forehead. It was an owl; it had a very peculiar plumage. Its feathers were brown, but seemed to fade at times, then glowed like the moon. It was strange, but it no longer scared her.

"Follow me" those two large eyes seemed to murmur. Alice jumped down onto the track and started to chase the cute bird. It snuck into the graveyard, to Ethan's grave. She perched on a nearby tree and her image vanished completely.

Alice was alone again, she felt sad again. The strength was lacking.

-          Stay strong - said the voice

-          I can't anymore - she answered crying - I need you by my side, son - she said almost begging - I don't have anything to do here. Let me join you, please

-          You still have a mission. You must stay strong. I am always with you, just keep the leaf that I gave you, it will help you remember me

Alice reached into her pocket. The leaf was still there. She held it in front of her face, like a child looking at a new toy for the first time. She caressed it gently, took it close to her face and hugged it, while a tear rolled down her cheek. At that moment, she felt someone hug her, it seemed like a dream, she wanted to open her eyes and verify that it was her son. But something was preventing her, perhaps it was the fear of not seeing anyone, perhaps it was the fatigue of her eyelids from having cried so much. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t open her eyes. "I love you" she murmured. "Stay strong, I will always be with you" replied the voice, vanishing with the wind.

Alice wiped her eyes once more, adjusted her coat, and went home.

It would be a long time before she heard from her husband again. After almost a year, when she was returning from the market, she received a call. It was the police; they had found her husband dead. He was driving and it seems that he lost control, he hadn’t been able to stop in time and fell into the ravine along with the car. However, forensics determined that this was not the cause of his death. He had scratches and bites all over his body. But, once again, that was not the cause of his death; they had found his lungs full of water, that was the diagnosis: he drowned. It seemed impossible, since the road he was on was almost in the middle of the desert, you couldn't see water for miles. The police gave her more details, but Alice was very confused, she didn’t even hear what that gentle guy was saying on the other end of the phone. On the one hand, she felt sorry for her husband, she remembered him full of life, always with a smile on his lips. But at the same time, she believed he deserved it; after all, he decided to go with that woman. She felt bad "it is not right for me to be happy about the death of a person" she murmured to herself

-          sorry? - asked the policeman who was still talking about the details of her husband's death

-          No, nothing. Sorry. But it's not me you should call. He and I separated almost a year ago. He lived with Melany, I'm sure you know who I’m talking about

-          Melany? Are you referring to the innocent girl who lost her husband almost 2 years ago? But she left town. She hasn't come here for a long time

-          I thought that too, but apparently my husband called her and she came back for him. Anyway, I don't care what happens to their lives.  You'll excuse me, but I'm very busy right now. Have a nice day - and she set out to hang up the call

-          Wait! - Said the policeman - there is something I haven’t told you yet. We call you, not only because you are still on the civil registry as his wife. We also found a letter in the glove’s compartment. It was dedicated to you, it didn't exactly sound like regret, it was just love; however, it wasn’t written recently, it is more than a year old. You should come pick it up

-          As I told you, I no longer have anything to do with the gentleman. He decided to leave and ...

-          We also found a note on the mirror - interrupted the policeman – apparently he had written your number and some words also dedicated to you. This time, it was a note of regret. It is poorly written and it shows that it is recent, we believe that it was written in a moment of desperation. I really believe that it’s important that you report to the morgue to identify the body and collect his belongings. Have a good day.

He cut the call and Alice didn't know what to do, should she go? Could it really be something important? Who could she ask for advice?

Suddenly, she heard a little bird singing in her window. She remembered the night she last saw her husband; her son had helped her. So she thought about going back to the cemetery to ask him for help. She left the purchases in the living room, and headed out to Ethan's grave. But she felt like she was forgetting something ... of course! She told herself, and ran up to her room looking for the necklace in which she had the silver petal. She always took it out before going to the market, since, because of its shine, they had tried to steal it more than once.

When she took the necklace in her hands, a wind, warm as summer surrounded her.

-          It’s not necessary - said the voice - I am here, next to you

-          My boy, I haven't listened to you for a long time. I've missed you so much. I wish we could talk more often - she said while hugging the silver petal

There was silence for a few seconds.

-          what should I do? - She asked finally - is it important that I go and pick up what your father left behind?

-          yes! - Said the voice firmly - and keep it very carefully, in a place that only you have access to. It’s enough that the policemen have read it. No one else should read that again. But you should save it, it might be useful later

Alice didn't understand, why what her husband left would be so important? But she knew she wouldn't get an answer if she asked.

-          I’ll do it - she said - thanks for the advice

A small bird entered through her window, settled on her right shoulder, caressed her face and flew off, while it vanished into thin air.

The woman immediately went to the morgue, recognized the body and picked up what he had left. She didn’t speak to anyone, she went straight to her house and hid the letter and the note.

She went on with her life, as normal as she could. She spoke little with the neighbors and hardly ever left the house. She liked to paint, she made beautiful murals on the walls, all dedicated to his sweet little angel, Ethan.

-          And she told you all of this in less than half an hour? - said the astonished grandmother

-          Yes, mom, it was strange. I didn’t realize time was passing. It seemed to me that the restaurant disappeared for a moment. I couldn't even feel Paul next to me. I only listened attentively to what Alice was saying in a hurry. But well, in the end, she recommended that I must be careful with Paul. She told me that Melany can't be trusted. She didn’t get to tell me what the letter said, but she did tell me that in it she read how her husband felt forced to move away from her by Melany. “It was not simple attraction; I admit that she is younger than me and to this day she has a beautiful body, but what my husband felt was not attraction,” she told me. “It wasn't the simple fact of wanting to sleep with her that drove him away from me. Nor did his gaze drift directly to her breasts every time he was in front of her. It was * something * more "

-          Oh, by the way, daughter. A woman called Paul today

-          who was it?

-          I don’t know. She didn’t want to give her name. But she sounded desperate. She said she needed Paul to go urgently to pick her up. When I wanted to take the order, she said it was nothing and hung up without giving me a choice for more

-          Mmm ... it could be Melany - Lindsey said thoughtfully - I think we should avoid that Paul is walking alone inside or outside the house

-          Yeah, I think you're right. Ah! And before I forget, while opening presents with Sheryl, we found a somewhat strange box. It was lined with purple paper and had a card that said ... - she tried to remember - I already forgot, but it's here - said the grandmother going to the dining room table

She picked up the vase, searched the floor, but there was no sign of the box.

-          How strange, I could swear I left it here - muttered the confused grandmother - Sheryl, did you take the box? – she asked

-          I think she already fell asleep, mom - Lindsey said looking at the living room, where her daughter was in front of the TV - and she’s right, it's almost midnight - she said in amazement - tomorrow we will look for it calmly, we have to rest.

Lindsey carried her daughter to bed, tucked her in, and kissed her goodnight on the right cheek, as Alice had instructed. She went to her room, Paul was already asleep, he was still wearing his clothes from the day, not even his shoes had he taken off, she would have woken him up, but she knew he would not change at all. All day he had passed as a zombie, at night he wouldn’t stop behaving like that. Lindsey changed and went to bed, she was so tired, she fell asleep immediately.

The next morning, Lindsey woke up in a shock, it was already 10 in the morning and she still hadn't gotten ready for work. Her husband was not by her side.

-          Paul! - She called him something uneasy - I'm sure he went out to meet Melany - she told herself

-          I'm downstairs, honey - Paul replied from the kitchen

She was shocked, she couldn't believe her husband regained consciousness overnight. She got ready quickly and went to Sheryl's room to wake her up. She took her in her arms and sang to her as Alice taught her: “into the stillness I’ll bring you a song. And I will your company keep… the years now before us, fearful and unknown, I never imagined I’d face them on my own. May these thousand winters sweetly pass I pray. I love you, I miss you all these miles away "

The little girl's face lit up with a tender smile. Clinks were heard in the distance and the necklace gleamed on the girl's chest. Lindsey hadn't seen it before. It was a sunflower, her favorite flower; it seemed to be alive, she could even smell the fields full of sunflowers where she used to play as a child. She liked it very much, she was going to take it by her little girl's neck to observe it better, but Sheryl woke up.

-          Good morning mommy - said the little girl

-          Good morning, princess. Get ready quickly and come downstairs for breakfast. Daddy cooked today - she answered as she hurried down

-          But mommy, why are you getting dressed to go out? Today is Sunday, can't you stay and play?

Lindsey had been so shocked by recent events that she didn't even notice what day it was. She looked at the calendar on her cell phone, her daughter was right, it was Sunday the 26th.

-          You're right, I hadn't realized the day - she said as she went to her room to change

They both got ready and went down immediately, the grandmother was still sleeping.

-          We'd better let her rest - Lindsey said - she went to bed very late yesterday; she must still be asleep

The girl nodded and they went to the dining room. Paul had made an assorted fruit egg omelet, it looked delicious.

-          Good morning to the two most beautiful girls in the world - he said with a huge smile

-          Good Morning! - They answered excited in chorus

-          Wow, it's been a long time since you did something like that - Lindsey said

-          Yes, I'm sorry. I neglected you two a bit because of work. But today we will have a great time, I promise

Sheryl ran to hug him. They ate breakfast, Lindsey was still trying to figure out what had happened to her the day before.

-          And… why were you behaving like if you were asleep yesterday?

-          Mmmm ... I really don't know. I felt a strong pressure on my heart and a heavy weight on my head. I'm not sure why it happened. And to be honest with you, I can't remember much of what we did yesterday. Have we opened your presents yet, Sheryl? - he said including his daughter in the conversation

-          I opened them with my grandmother - said the girl smiling - by the way, I really like the doll, thank you! I will take her with me everywhere

-          Good, my girl. Don't worry, everything we do, we do for you.

By this time, the grandmother had already woken up.

-          Good morning family - she greeted - why didn't you call me for breakfast?

-          We thought you were still tired, mom

-          But sit down, mother. I'll bring you your plate in a moment - said Paul very helpfully

-          The grandmother was also surprised, she looked at her daughter as if asking "what happened to him?" She shrugged and adjusted the chair so that she could sit next to Sheryl. Paul returned with the plate of food, put it in front of Grandma and said:

-        I hope you like it; the truth is that I haven’t cooked for a long time

-        Hahaha and how come you decided to cook today?

-        I realized that I have been neglecting these two little angels that I have with me because of work and I wanted to do something to make up for it

-        Good, I hope you continue like this - sentenced the grandmother

-        Sure. And Sheryl ... what other gifts did you find?

-        Grandma gave me a princess dress! - Said the excited girl – it’s pink and matches with some shoes that they also gave me yesterday

-        By the way - interrupted the grandmother - Sheryl, do you know where the blue box of the necklace is? I left it on the table and it’s gone. Have you taken it?

-        No granny. I just put the necklace on… look daddy! - She said while excitedly approaching her father to show him the necklace

-        Wow, it's so cute, princess. who gave it to you?

-        It didn't say who sent it on the card - said the grandmother - that's why it seemed very strange to me. It had a special phrase, but I no longer remember what it said ... I could swear I left the box next to the vase, but I can't find it anywhere

-        Well, that’s strange - said the father – let me borrow the necklace for a little while to see if we can find out from which store they bought it? - she asked her daughter

-        Sure daddy, but help me take it off, please

Paul reached over and tried to remove the clasp, but as soon as he touched it, the weight on his head returned. He got up from the table and went to his room.

The 3 women were confused.

-            Did I do something wrong? - Little Sheryl asked somewhat regretful

-            No my dear - said her mother - what happens is that daddy is very tired. He’ll come back in a moment ... don't you want to go play with your dolls?

-            yeah!

The girl went to her room to play and Lindsey stayed with her mother again.

-          Daughter - said the old woman - your husband is too strange; wouldn't it be good to go to the doctor? Something is not going good with him ...

-          No mom. Yesterday Alice explained…. You know - she said as her voice cracked - I think we will have to separate - she said in a sigh and began to cry in her mother's arms

-          why? What did Alice tell you? - she said while hugging her

-          That girl, Melany ... is not just any girl. I did not quite understand what is wrong with her, but she has something that drives men crazy ...

-          Well daughter, men always go crazy with young girls with a good body

-          It's not that, mom ... I mean, it's not ONLY that. That’s one of the causes, but not the main one. Alice told me that she read the letter a few weeks ago, that's why she's going on a trip. She said that she is lucky that Ethan continues to take care of her, he was the one who recommended that she stayed away. He warned her not to tell anyone about what she read, so she didn't tell me anything, just told me to be careful. She recommended that I separate from him, because if I don’t, my daughter and I will also suffer ... I don't know if I can, I love him…

The grandmother kept stroking her head, thinking, she didn't know what to advise her. All of that was too strange.

-            But, daughter, how reliable is what Alice told you? They told me that she went crazy after her son died. She was never the same again ...

-            I know mom. Many people comment without knowing. She told me what really happened. I'm sure she was telling the truth, I could see it in her eyes; Besides, a mother would never include her child in a lie ...

-            I'm not saying she's lying to you, maybe that's her truth, maybe even she thinks that that's how things turned out. But what if she's sick in the head? You would be risking your family for something that may be false ... does not all this seem strange to you?

-            But ... I don't want to endanger my daughter's happiness. If Alice is right, then my daughter is in danger ...

-            But if she's wrong, your family will suffer. And Sheryl too, I don't think she likes being away from her father

-          I don't know what to do anymore, mom ... I need a sign! - she exclaimed desperately

Suddenly, the window opened and a giggling golden bird entered. It stood on Lindsey's shoulder and began to sing. Almost synchronized, a child was heard on the second floor, he was laughing. It seemed to keep up with the little bird. Mother and daughter were rapt, until Lindsey said:

-          That's not Sheryl's voice. Someone else is with her! - and ran up; but as she approached to her daughter's room, the giggle was disappearing

When she finally arrived, nothing could be heard.