Читать книгу A Ghost's Story - Jenna Lynn Bretz - Страница 25

Jen is back. She hasn’t gone back into the art studio. She approaches the door cautiously, reaches for the handle, then quickly backs away from it. I can see that she is afraid. But not only can I see it, I can feel it. I can feel the energy of her fear, and it empowers me. She hasn’t worked on the house either. She seems content to spend most of her time in the bedroom sleeping. She named the puppy Bill. Strange name for a dog if you ask me.

Bill never leaves Jen’s side. He sleeps on the bed at her feet. I watch her as she lies there sleeping. Bill lifts his head and looks straight at me. He bares his little puppy teeth, growling gutturally in my direction. I growl back. I have tried to make friends with him, but he has made it clear that he is not interested in my friendship, always growling or barking at me. He has positioned himself against me and resides as Jen’s ever-present protector. I do not begrudge him, though; he’s just doing his job. Besides, it’s not like he can bite me. He continues to watch me, giving me an occasional warning growl, as Jen sleeps the day away.

It is dark by the time Peter gets home. He comes in, showers, makes dinner, and goes to the bedroom to wake Jen up.

“Hey, babe, I made you your favorite, spaghetti, Peter style!”

She lifts her head up briefly from her pillow, then lays it down again. “I’m sorry, Peter, but I am not hungry. I feel sick to my stomach.”

“Have you been in bed all day?”

“Not all day.” She lies.

“Jen, you gotta get up. You need to snap out of this funk you are in. Look around you, babe. This place is a mess. You haven’t been working on your stuff for your exhibition. When was the last time you talked with Sarah at the gallery?”

“Peter, I know what I gotta do, and I don’t need you giving me shit about it!” she snaps back angrily.

“I’m not trying to give you shit, Jen. I’m worried about you, baby. Can’t you see that? I don’t know what’s going on, but you just haven’t been yourself. Tell me what I can do. Tell me how I can help you.”

“Well, you can start by believing me, Peter!”

“Oh, come on! Don’t start that shit again! This place is not haunted, Jen.”

“It is, Peter! I know it is! I feel it! Even now, I feel it…It’s in this room watching us! Listening to us! Bill sees it. He stares at it and growls. He is afraid to leave my side! It follows me around, watches my every move.”

“I am not going to have this discussion with you again, Jennifer!”

“No, Peter, you refuse to acknowledge it. But I know you feel it too. The way the room gets so fucking cold for no reason. I see the look on your face. Why won’t you just admit it?”

“I have nothing to admit, Jen. There is no such thing as ghosts.”

“I should have known. You think you know everything. But this time you’re wrong, Peter! There is something in this house!”

Jen is crying. Peter touches her shoulder, but she jerks it away from him and covers her head with the pillow.

“Jen, please, just get up and come eat dinner with me.”

“No! Go away, Peter. Just get the fuck out of here!”

Peter gets up and leaves the room, slamming the door behind him. I feel his anger, and it adds to my energy.

Peter sleeps on the couch. Jen lies in bed until morning with eyes open staring at the ceiling. I stroll through the halls of my home.

Peter is up before dawn. He goes upstairs to the bedroom. Jen pretends to be asleep as he comes in. He stares at her lying there and shakes his head then continues to get ready for his day. He goes to her and kisses the top of her head. She is rolled up in the blankets like a mummy. She does not respond to his kiss. Bill wags his tale and licks Peter’s face.

“You take care of your mommy today, okay boy. I love you, Jen. I hope you feel better. I hope you have a better day. I’ll be home late tonight. I have band practice at Dave’s. You should try to be there. I am sure Kim would love to see you. It will give you a good reason to get out of the house. Do you hear me, Jen?”

Jen uncovers her head and pushes the hair away from her face. Pale dark circles are visible under her eyes. “I’ll be there, Peter.”

“Great! I look forward to it.”

He smiles like a little kid who just got a big red sucker.

Jen pulls the covers back over her head. Peter pats her on the back and leaves.

She waits until the door closes and springs up out of bed. Bill jumps up and follows her nervously around the room. She goes through her drawers and closet, throwing clothes everywhere and kicking dirty laundry out of her way. She goes into the bathroom and shuts the door. I can hear her showering. Minutes later, she emerges from the bathroom, hair still wet but pulled back into her signature messy ponytail. She picks Bill up and leaves the room. I listen as the front door opens and closes. I look out the window. Jen is driving away.

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