The Cursed High School Reunion

Chapter 6

It had been almost a week since the strange incident with the wet spot in the living room and Ryan was still terrified to go near the couch.

“What do you think they saw?” Marsha asked, sitting on the floor with the boys to play trucks with them while Mike put his shoes on, sitting on the couch. When Mike sat down, Ralph stood up and carefully walked over to the couch and sat down next to Mike. He had done this every time Mike or Marsha had sat on the couch since that day. It was like he thought he was protecting them.

“I don’t know for sure, babe. I mean they seemed convinced that it was a scary blue man with red marks and holes all over his body with green hair,” Mike started.

“It was, Daddy. I think he wanted to hurt you. He looked really mad when you got close to him. I don’t think he likes you, Daddy,” Ralph interrupted. He hadn’t spoken much since the incident.

“Yeah, his eyes turned red when you got close to him, Daddy. I saw that before he turned around to face you,” Ryan agreed, putting the truck down that he had been playing with. “And he was all wet like he had taken a bath with his bathing suit on.”

“Bathing suit? You never said that before, Ryan,” Marsha said, caught off guard.

“Yeah, he had on a really dirty bathing suit,” Ryan said, turning his attention back to his toy truck. Ralph laid his hand on his father’s.

“Dad, please be careful today,” Ralph said, sounding sad.

“I will buddy. I promise,” Mike said. That seemed to calm his son, because Ralph hugged him and then rejoined his brother on the floor.

Mike stood and began to head for the door, Marsha followed him. “Mike, I am worried about the twins. They haven’t been the same since the other day and it is worrying me. I think that I may need to take them to see the psychiatrist,” Marsha said quietly.

“It was a scary ordeal, but are we sure that we need to take them to the doctor because they saw a ghost?” Mike asked as he grabbed his keys off the hook next to the front door. “I think they will be fine in a couple of days. If they still seem worried about it on Monday, then we will get them in to see Doctor Barry.”

“Okay honey. I hope that you are right. I just hate seeing them worried like that,” Marsha said, giving Mike a hug.

“I do too, honey. I do, too.” Mike said, kissing the top of her head.

“Mom! Ryan isn’t sharing!” Ralph yelled from the living room. Marsha couldn’t help but giggle.

“Have a good day at work, babe. I love you,” Marsha said, kissing Mike.

“I love you more,” he said as he opened the front door.

“I love you most,” Marsha called over her shoulder as she headed back into the living room with the boys. As she entered the living room, her cellphone rang.

She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the caller ID. It was her friend, Tasha.

“Hey, Tasha. How are you?” Marsha said, as she took one toy from Ryan and handed it to Ralph. She gave Ryan a stern when he started to complain and he quieted down.

“I have been better. Have you seen the news today?” Tasha asked, her voice sounding almost strained.

“No, I haven’t had the TV on yet today. Tasha, what’s wrong?” Marsha asked. She could tell by the sound of her voice that Tasha had been crying.

“Curtis was found dead in his apartment last night,” Tasha managed to say before her voice cracked.

“What?!” Marsha almost screamed. “What happened? Did they release any details?”

“Only that they believe that he was murdered,” Tasha said, clearly fighting back tears.

“Oh, my God. Who would want to murder Curtis? He was such a sweet guy,” Marsha said, as she sat down on the edge of the couch in shock.

“I know. I just got off the phone with his mom. I called her before I called you. She was the one that sent the police over there to do a welfare check. Because she had not heard from him in couple of days. She never thought that she would be told that her son was murdered. She is an absolute wreck,” Tasha said.

“I bet. I will see if my mom can go by and sit with her. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that she is going through right now. Do you know if anyone has gotten a hold of his father? Did the police tell her why they thought that he was murdered?” Marsha asked, kind of in a rush as what seemed like thousands of questions swam through her head.

“They think that he was murdered because he was found with his mouth full of water. His body was found in the middle of his living room floor. So unofficially, his death is being considered a homicide by drowning. They are waiting on his autopsy report for the official verdict on the cause. I think having your mom go over there might be for the best. With this on top of the divorce, she could use all the support she can get right now,” Tasha answered. “I don’t know if anyone has gotten a hold of his father yet.”

“That is horrible. But it is very strange that he was found drowned in his living room. Poor Curtis. It’s unbelievable that he is gone in such a manner. And so close to our ten-year reunion too. I was looking forward to reconnecting with all of you guys again,” Marsha said, rubbing her temple with her hand. The twins noticed how upset their mother was and came over, climbed up on the couch and wrapped their little arms around their mom. She couldn’t help but give them a sad smile. “Thank you, boys. I am okay, I promise,” Marsha whispered to them.

“Aww, do you have the twins with you? Is Mike with you?” Tasha asked.

“No, Mike just left for work. But he will be home for lunch,” Marsha replied as she absently rubbed Ralph’s hair as he laid his head on her lap.

“Oh. Are you guys coming to the reunion next month?” Tasha asked.

“So far that is the plan. I just can’t believe Curtis won’t be there. Will you keep me updated on what they find?” Marsha asked sadly.

“Of course, girl. I am going to get a hold of the people that are organizing Ralph’s tribute to see if we can put one together for Curtis,” Tasha said. “I got to go finish getting ready for work. Love you girl.”

“Love you too, girl,” Marsha said before hanging up the phone. She laid it on the table next to the couch as a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Mommy, what’s wrong?” the boys asked in unison.

“Mommy just got some bad news about a dear friend of mine. I will be okay. Why don’t you guys go play? I need to make a couple of phone calls,” Marsha said, wiping her eyes and giving the boys a half-hearted smile.

“Okay, mommy,” the boys said, giving her another hug before returning to their toys as Marsha picked her phone back up.