The Life of Her

She Called

“A-Are you okay, Trent?” Lucas ask between his breaths.

I patted him on his back as I catch for air. I looking at the ground, trying to erase what I have seen a while ago. No. It was just my imaginations playing this time. She’s not true.

I stood up straight, the sun hit me bright. We were able to cross the road and sat behind the post, looking over the house. I looked at him. Then suddenly, my eyes narrowed and my eyebrows met. I gave him a punch on the neck which made him shock. Lucas glared at me as if he could kill me.

“What the hell was that for?!” He irritatingly said.

“We barely make it outside this time and you even dared to bring that thing with us!” I scolded him and punched him now on his shoulder.

He winced and rubbed it roughly. He flicked me on my forehead.

“You came with me here! Tss.”

I pouted. “Why did you grab that thing?” I curiously asked.

He glanced over the house and into a specific part which is the window. “Let’s move away for now and let’s talk in our house. Are you going home tonight?”

“Why? Anything specific that we will do later on?”

“We’ll maybe try to see what’s inside this notebook.” He looked at it.

I looked at my phone. It was five in the afternoon and a rain is coming – the sky was gloom. I even forgot to bring my umbrella with me this time. I should call Mom later when we arrive in the house. I nodded at him as a response, then we decided to take a cab.

The taciturn driver didn’t mind my cold stare from the back seat. He was just munching his gum as Lucas was beside him, tapping his fingers on the notebook. He was thinking something, looking straight at the road. What are you planning, Lucas? Did you see her too?

Ten minutes when we arrived in his home. Aunt Yannie was in the living room, watching a movie. She recognized us entering with our worn-out faces. She laughed and said, “Hello there boys. How’s the game? It looks like you’ve lost.”

Lucas put the notebook inside his bag and went to her to give her a kiss. “You stink, son. Where have you been?” She pinched his cheek.

“Awwe! T-That hurts, Mom.” He said and rubbed his face.

“Get a bath.” She rubbed his hair.

“I will.”

Aunt Yannie turned her graze at me and smiled.

“Hello there, Trent. Are you having dinner here?” She said.

I looked at Lucas who was grinning wide. He instantly put his arm around my shoulder and uttered. “He’ll sleep here tonight, Mom.”

Aunt clasped her hands together and jolted from her seat. “That’s great! I make foods for us. Go in your room and have some fun, okay? I’ll call you when it’s dinner time.” She added and moved herself in the kitchen.

“Okay, Mom.” Answered

Lucas went straight to his room and I followed him. I smelt like burnt chicken. I should probably ask to borrow one of shirts, since he also wanted me to take the night here. I should call Mom regarding the matter. He opened the door and his sent welcomed me. Nothing had really changed since before expect for his new pet, Flippy, a gold fish in its aquarium beside his study table. He slumped on his bed and closed his eyes. I entered and closed the door for him.

I pulled the chair and settled. His room was painted aqua. There was an owl painting on the wall, near his bed. A window was facing the city’s light. I could still remember how we used to take our time in watching the city during the nights every time I will visit him.

I looked at him and rubbed my eyes. Yawning, I said. “It’s a tiring day, isn’t it?”

He nodded silently. “Man, thank you for companying me a while ago.”

“Why did you bother to visit that place again?” I asked him and crossed my legs.

“I wanted to know the woman who is living alone for years inside that house. The misery she’s feeling is what drawn me back again there. As if she’s searching for someone to help her.” He commented and sat at the edge of his bed.

“Did you see her?”

A flash of memory hit me straight. The way she called out for me, reaching her hand gave me chills. I pulled my sight away from Lucas. “N-No…”

I lied and I don’t want to remind myself about it. As far as I can avoid her, I will do my best and next time that he will ask me to go with him, I will surely decline. I don’t want to put myself back in that abandoned place.”

I sighed. Lucas turned and stared at his bag. He looked of it inside and immediately grabbed it. It was an old white notebook, almost burnt and scratched. He sneezed when he opened the first page.

I sat and beside him. We instantly looked at what’s been written on the paper.

Everly Willow Adair

October 28, 1990

I thought that it was the owner of the notebook and the ghost that had been roaming around there since then. Lucas flipped it to another page and now we couldn’t understand anything that it has been written. Unusual drawings and words were there and at the very left bottom of the paper another woman’s name was freshly written. The ink was still black not like the other writings.

Madi.

Lucas scanned the pages and they were all the same – weird contents that no one could understand. My phone rang unexpectedly inside my bag that dazed us. I looked over the screen and saw Mom’s name. I took my breath and answered her call.

“Hello, Mom. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to call you-”

I wasn’t able to finish what I was saying when I heard her sobs over the line.

“M-Mom? Are you okay?”

“T-Trent….” Her voice cracked and her breath was hard. “I-I saw her with your….D-Dad…”

I froze as I heard what she told me. But how? I bit my lip and dug my nails on my skin. Again? Why Dad? Why do you have to do this again? I stood. I saw Lucas looking to me with his worried face and somehow I knew that he already had the hint of what’s happening.

“Where are you, Mom?” I asked her with a serious tone.

“I-I’m in Hotel de Fuentes…” She was now crying so badly that I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed my bag instantly. “I’m going there. I’ll call you when I arrive. Please wait for me, Mom.” I told her.

“O-Okay, son…”

I hang up the phone. Lucas stood from his bed. “What’s happening, bro?”

“He did it again….” I glared.

“Oh…”

“I’m sorry, Lucas. I can’t have a night here. I really have to go.” I said to him.

He patted me by the back and offered a faint smile. “No worries. We can do it in another time.”

“Thank you. I’ll give you an update. And please don’t tell….Aunt Yannie about this.” I asked him.

He chuckled. “I know. Your secret is safe with me.” He winked. “Now go. Send my regard to your Mom and please take care of yourseleves.”

“I will. And don’t do anything with that thing you got from that house.”

“I promise.”

I opened the door and flung myself outside. Aunt Yannie was busy cooking for dinner in the kitchen. Her wavy hair was in a messy bun as she wore her green apron with flower design. She was humming a song as she cracked those eggs. She lifted her head and identified me. I smiled at her, holding my bag still.

“Oh, is there something you need, Trent?” She said.

I scratched my head. “I’m sorry, Aunt Yannie, but something came up all of a sudden. I have to go…”

“Oh…It’s okay. I really wanted to share dinner with you, but maybe in another time again.” She grabbed a plastic container filled with shawarma and tacos. She walked in my direction and offered it to me. “Here. Bring this with you. Tell your Mom, I miss her.” She gently patted me.

I smiled to her. “Thank you for this, Aunt. And, I’ll tell her.”

“Okay. Just visit us anytime. Our house is always open for you.”

“I will! I’ll see you again. Goodbye.”

We waved at each other and I immediately went out of their house. I saw Lucas watching for me at his veranda. He had already changed his clothes. He waved his hand before I took a cab and drove off.

This time, I’ll take a part.