Post by Iodine on Nov 21, 2005 14:48:44 GMT -5
The Alone Girl
By: Abby Nyman
A crash of thunder flooded the empty halls of the great house, echoing from room to room. The light pitter-patter of footsteps could only be but barely heard after every rumble died out. She huffed in and out quickly, almost as fast as her heart was racing but not quite. The halls went dark with a strike of lightning a whiles off of the stormy road. As the lights dimmed and all faded into darkness it was most hard to see. The girl almost flew down the grand stairs, holding to the railing like it was the only thing that was keeping her alive. When the rail ended, so did her breathing. She held her breath as she took the last step off of the stairs, and her as soon as her bare feet hit the cold tile floor she let out all the air in her lungs.
The rain struck against the roof of their large house, but it was getting harder to hear the closer she got to the first floor. Another boom of thunder followed after a burst of lightning, startled she jumped slightly then began to quicken her pace. A large squeak was let out in the soft quiet of night, the girl had stepped on her bunny toy, that let out noises when you squeezed its tummy. She paused and looked to her feet, and what lie below them. Crouching down she took a step back, she picked up the bunny feeling its soft fluffy fur against her hand. She got up and stared to it, her eyes squinting trying to make out its floppy shape, but it was at no avail until the lightning hit again, and then it was clear to see it was simply a child’s loved toy. A small barely skimmed her lips, as she was relieved to see what it was.
The thunder hit once more followed the lightning’s sudden brightness, forcing her small body to jerk with fright to the noise. She took a step back, dropped the bunny to the floor, and saw a shadow move, then suddenly bolted down the hall once more. She came to a tall wooden door; well at least it was tall to her being 4’ 2’’. She grasped the golden doorknob with both of her hands, turning it and thrusting to door open with all of her might. She stumbled forward at the door opening to easily than ran to the side of the large bed in the master bedroom. She fell to her knees and rested her head on the side of the mattress lightly.
She sobbed softly in the darkness of that room and listened to the gentle breathing of her mother and father, her father’s breathing forming into snoring. As the sobs got slightly louder her mother awoke from her slumber and sat up weary eyed, and dazed. The mother’s eyes darted around the room after pulling up the mask that once covered her eyes very few moments ago. It took her a moment to think to look down, and then she saw her small daughter weeping on the side of her bed. "What’s wrong Bella?" She softly asked only to have Bella look to her with watering blue eyes, and her pale blonde hair sticking to her wet face.
As soon as she had her breath back and cold speak without breaking in mid-sentence she spoke, " The-the thunder and the Lightning is trying to attack our house. It’s at the door and trying to slip through the windows opening each slightly with small tapping fingers."
"Nonsense" said the mother who went by the name of Marie, or ‘Mah-Ree’ as it was really pronounced. "All it is, is rain tapping the windowsills with delight, and watering our summer flowers that so badly needed a drink since the gardener has been gone for the last 2 days. And the thunder and lightning is miles away from here." She stated stretching out the ‘I’ in miles making it seem like they really were far, far away.
“Are you sure that’s all it is?” Bella asked softly wondering upon her mothers gentle words.
“Yes. That is all it is. Nothing, nothing bad to run away from.” She softly mumbled become more tired and worn with every word she spoke. “Now go back to bed alright?” She asked her young child who had stopped her shaking and tears had dried.
She nodded lightly her bangs falling back out of her blue eyes. She rose from her position on the floor and stared to her mother, “Yes... I’ll return to my room now.” She whispered as her mother laid her head back down to her pillow and pulled a sleeping mask over her eyes.
Bella turned and faced the door, looking to the dark hallway that she would have to travel through. She gulped taking a step into the darkness and slowly began to walk back to her room. Once again she stepped on that bunny, jumping once more. She already knew what it was and bent down to reach it. Her small fingers barely touched it when a hand covered her mouth.
She let out a loud muffed scream as the hand put pressure onto her mouth, “Shh...” The voice of the person softly said to her as she mumbled. “I’m not going to hurt you.” It was a male’s voice, but no one that she knew. She bit his hand and screamed as loud as she could. It wasn’t terribly loud, just very high pitched and irksome.
Her mother came out of her room pulling up her sleeping mask to the top of her head. All she could see was Bella, standing in her pale pink night gown in the middle of the halls in front of a toy. “Are you alright sweetie?” She asked slowing down a little seeing she wasn’t hurt. “You scared me. Why did you scream?”
“There is a boy! And he’s trying to stop me from talking and scaring me!” She replied frantic pointing into what appeared to be nothing.
“Sweet heart, There is nothing there. Are you alright?” She asked her looking rather confused. She took her small hand in hers and pulled a little. “Maybe I should tuck you in tonight.”
The boy seemed to have disappeared in thin air making the small Bella very confused. Her and her mother traveled up the long staircase, down a long wide hallway, up another smaller set of stairs and then into a room with a pastel yellow door. Print on the door in light pink was the name ‘Bella Grace Wynters’ and there was multiple colored flowers surrounding her name.
Her mother turned the knob and gently pushed open the door, revealing a well-lit room, with a pastel theme to everything in it. The walls were simply white with dragonflies and butterflies scattered around on them. Everything seemed to be hand painted, but by a professional, not her mother or father. Her twin-sized bed had a net-like drape falling over it, and lace above that falling kind of like a tent. Her mother rolled down her covers and Bella hopped in, She pulled the sheets up, tucking them here and there for her daughter to be warmer.
“Are you alright now?” She asked her staring into her eyes.
“Yes I think that I’m fine now mom.” She mumbled closing her eyes and beginning to drift into slumber.
“Alright.” Her mother said proudly as if it was a big deal that she had calmed her daughter’s active mind. Her shut off all the lights, so only to soft glow of the night-light could be seen. The thunder rumbled far away, getting harder and harder to hear. “Kiss, kiss” Her mom said closing the door behind her and heading back to her own room.
A tap came from the door and it opened, sowing the boy from before, his soft honey-brown eyes staring to her. His jeans seemed rather tight on his scrawny body, and his long T-shirt make his upper-body look stretched. His dark brown hair fell into his eyes at a slant, creating an awkward appearance with his hair also being jagged and shaggy.
“My name is Jerrie.” He stated glancing around the room. “I’m here to help you out. No be your guardian. So not be afraid any longer. You can not live your life in fear, and it will be harder not to be afraid as you continue to grow.”
She only stared at him again in fright, “You’re the one from earlier who scared me.” She mumbled out pointing to his with her shaking index finger.
He let out a sigh, “I didn’t mean to scare you, but I knew that if you saw me in the dark like that you would cause a commotion. The neighbors already talk about you enough, how you wake them up when you scream, how you never leave your own house, and how you have no friends.”
She withdrew her hand, “How did you know all of that.” She said her voice shaking with every word. “How did you know that the neighbors talk about me, And that I never leave the house and such?”
“I know every thing about you. Even what are thinking right now.”
“Then what am I thinking?” she asked him wondering if it could possibly be true.
“You are thinking...water lilies are one of the most wonderful flowers, and small faeries sleep on their petals at night being rocked by the currents.”
“How did you know that?!” She exclaimed in astonishment. “There was no way that you read my mind!”
“I didn’t read your mind. Your mind and my mind are fused together in a way. I guess I’m what some people would call an, ‘imaginary friend’.”
“But I didn’t create you...” She whispered softly trying to figure it out in her mind.
“Ah, but you did. Some how, perhaps while you were sleeping you did.” He told her speaking kindly using warmth in his words. He walked over and sat on the end of her bed smiling softly. Bella could feel him sitting on the bed, sinking in as if any other person were to.
This over whelmed her head, how could my mom not seeing him but I can, How can be real to me but nothing there to her. How can her be here to help me when all he has done so far is scar me! She thought and fainted from all of the commotion.
“Bella? Bella, Are you alright?” Jerrie asked as she fainted. He let out a sigh, perhaps a sigh of relief. He walked over to a chair and leaned back in it, trying to get as comfortable as he could possibly be. He then drifted off to sleep.
Morning came, and the house was empty accept for the cook, and the three maids as always. Her mother had gone to work very early and her father had gone to work about when she fainted in the middle of the night.
“Was it all a dream?” She softly mumbled under her breath sitting up, and rubbing her 8-year-old eyes.
“That depends on what you are talking about.” Jerrie said getting up from the chair he had been in all night. “If you meant meeting me and such then, no. That was all real.”
Bella jumped at his voice, not being used to someone talking to her so early in the day. “Th-that’s right.” She said remembering a little better.
“Lets head out.” He said pulling her out of bed and walking to the door.
“I have to get dressed first you know.” She said looking to herself and then to her closet most likely filled with very cute outfits.
“Oh yes that’s right, you have to change your clothes don’t you? Alright then hurry, hurry.” He said with a grin then walked out of the room. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
She took her eyes off of the door and then to her closet. She walked over to it and pulled the door open with a light tug. She fingered through many dresses, many pants, many shirts, jackets, scarves, and such. She got into a pair of jeans, a flowers vine starting at the cuff and traveling up her left leg and blooming into a pink flower at the top. She pulled a white shirt over her head that had a small embroidered heart in red over where her heart was beating.
She looked to the floor of her closet after getting a red fall jacket that had never been used for anything but dress-up. Rows and rows of different styled shiny black shoes were aligned on the floor. She chose a pair with little red bows on the buckles, and pulled then onto her feet. She pulled on her jacket and opened the door only to stare up at the towering 5’11’’ Jerrie.
“Are you ready to leave the house?” He asked a small smile touching his lips.
“I-I guess I am.” She replied looking herself up and down.
He put his hand out for her to grab, and after a moment or two she did take it, they walked through the halls, and down the stairs, then down into the breakfast nook.
“Good morn’in Miss Bella Grace. Why are you all dressed up so early? Planning on going somewhere?” One of there maids asked with slight giggle at the end.
“Yes, I am going out of the house today.” She replied pulling herself up onto a tall stool that was pulled up to the counter.
The maid looked astonished by her words, “Leaving the house?... by choice?” She asked coming around and pushing the stool in once she was on it. “What would you like to eat?” She asked thinking over the words that hung on her shoulders. I’m going out of the house.
“I’ll have....” She couldn’t decide, she looked down and then back up. “I’ll have some toast, and eggs?” She almost asked or it seemed it.
“Very well then.” The maid called Lucinda said turning to get her food. It took a few moments for her to return but not to long, Jerrie couldn’t bee seen any where.
“Where did you go to...?” She asked him softly eyes darting around.
“Where did who go?” Lucinda asked smiling in a cheery way as always. The words make Bella jump; she hadn’t noticed that she had entered the room again.
“Oh... um...” How she to explain that there was was a boy around the house, who was 15 years of age that no one but she could see? It was going to be hard to think of an excuse, or make up some lie. But that was out of the question for Bella never lied before, and didn’t plan on starting to.
“Hmm?” Lucinda asked her eyes pondering again on the small girl’s words. Bella broke into laughter as she brought her gaze up to meet her server’s. There was Jerrie standing behind the maid, making faces, acting silly, and making scary faces at her.
“What is so funny?” She asked wondering why the sudden outburst of laughter that was escaping Bella’s lips.
The laughing only continued as she set the plate down before her and then walked away really not knowing what to do with herself now. She walked into a bathroom with a mirror wondering if something about her appearance was the cause of the laughter but nothing was out of place not even a hair.
As Jerrie returned to his seat next to the still giggling girl, Bella began to calm. “That was very funny.” She said letting out a sigh after breathing in. She hadn’t been able to get in a full breath because she was laughing so hard.
He let out a soft smile then looked to her plate, “You should eat before we go, so hurry up alright?”
“Okay!” She chirped picking up her fork and beginning to chow down on her breakfast. “Done!” She yelled out as she jumped from her chair leaving a little more than half the food left on the plate, only having taken a few bites.
He let out a sigh, “Alright then lets head out.” He took her hand in his and went a few rooms over coming to the front door. He placed his hand on the unblemished silver knob and turned it giving a light push. The door opened letting a cool gust of air into the house.
Bella smiled, it had been a long while since she had played in the yard. She pulled at him to come down the 5 steps and onto the cobbler stone pathway that led to the end of the rather long drive way.
Jerrie began to walk along the stones making his way to the quiet neighborhood road, pulling Bella along lightly leading her away from her house.
“Where are we going to?” She asked him.
“The park.”
“But it rained last night...”
“... So?” He asked wondering why that would matter.
“Won’t everything be drenched?” She asked her eyes staring to his. He stopped in his tracks.
“Your right... Want to se a movie instead?”
“That could be fun.” She said a smile playing on her lips once more.
And so they went off walking to the movies. T o the average eye it seemed as if an 8-year-old girl was walking by herself about 2 miles away from her house. A strange sight for one to see.
The whole time she asked him random questions, and talked to him, holding his hand. A woman walking by just stared, wondering why a little girl was pretending to hold something’s hand, and asking questions to air. The golden shepherd that the woman had on a leash before her say Jerrie, He saw nothing wrong with the picture of a boy and girl together.
“Well isn’t that odd.” The woman mumbled to the dog as if it could understand what she was saying to him. The dog looked quizzically to the woman as they continued walking down the busy street.
“Ha.” Jerrie said smiling wide, “You ask a lot of questions don’t you?”
Bella placed a finger to her lip then looked upward, “Hmm...I guess I do.”
They arrived at the movie theater and headed inside. “2 please.” Bella piped up the man having to look down to see her.
“Two for what movie, what showing time, and there is only one of you. Why two?” The man asked having a snooty voice.
“He can’t see me.” Jerrie told her keeping his eyes straight ahead of him. “Just say what ever I say, at look at the man not me. ‘Oh, I’m sorry I guess I was just in a rush and all.”
“Oh, Sorry, I was in a rush.” Bella repeated after him.
“My mother was in a theater a moment ago, and now we are going to see another. She is in the lady’s room right now.”
“My mom just saw a movie and I just talked to her. She wants me to get to tickets to see another movie. She is in the girl’s room.” Bella kept taking long pauses listening to what Jerrie said then started to talk when he finished, so she was missing words and such. Not so good.
“So I want 2 for the 12:45 showing of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory please.”
“So I wish to have 2 tickets to Charlie and the chocolate factory, the 12:45 showing please.” She mimicked, pushing a 20 to the man, and getting change along with 2 tickets back.
“Nice touch” Jerrie said with a smile sliding onto his pale face, as the walked into the theater not getting drinks and such for the lines were to long. They had just made it and sat in the very back. The movie began and the few people that were sitting in front of them became hushed, music rumbled against the walls and everyone’s eyes were fixed to the screen until the movie ended. As the lights became brighter and everyone could be seen again, Bella and Jerrie left the theater.
“That was my first time seeing a movie on that big a screen, and with that many people. Bella said thrilled.
“Wow...” Jerrie softly said, “There weren’t more than 10 people there. You must not get out much.”
She shook her head, “My parents don’t really bring me to a lot of places.” She told him watching the people get into cars and drive off.
“Ah, no wonder I was sent to you, you were alone, and afraid.” His bright smile faded a little as he said those words. “Now that I’m around, your life should be a lot more fun.”
After a long while, and staying quiet most of the way, they returned home, hands intertwined swinging forward and back, forward and back. As Bella opened the door, the maid, her mother, and father all rushed over.
“Bella you’re alright!” Her mother exclaimed picking her up. “Where did you go off to like that?” She said holding her away from her so she could look at her.
“I just went to see a movie.” She said looking to their worried faces that were filling with relief.
“You went to see a movie!? The theater is over 2 miles away!” Her father yelled his face again tense. “Why did you go that far away? Before you wouldn’t even leave the house.”
“I went cause Jerrie wanted to and-“ Her parents cut her off.
“Who is Jerrie?” Her dad asked.
“My imaginary friend.” Bella simply replied to him. Jerrie stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders as she spoke.
“Why do you have an imaginary friend?” her mother asked her. “You have us, to play with you don’t need someone who isn’t real.”
“But that’s just it. No one with play with me, you’re always working, and when you aren’t your not talking to me, you’re just making phone calls to your friends or yelling for a maid to do something. We don’t even eat together...” she said copying Jerrie’s words as he spoke.
“If you wanted to play with us why didn’t you say so...?” Her mom said kindly, as Bella wanted to yell that she had told her a million times before. “Get rid of that silly old friend and we can spend more time together.” Her mom said drawing her into a hug.
Bella let out a soft sigh as her mom did so hugging her back. Jerrie took a few steps away from then letting them have a few moments. He shuffled his weight from foot to foot as he waited to see what was to happen.
Her mother released her from the hug then took a step back, “Starting tomorrow we’ll start new work schedules, and spend more time with you.” Her father told her calmly. “But it’s getting late, so you should head up to bed.”
Bella nodded running up the stairs, through the hall ways and into her room with excitement. Jerrie fallowed her coming into her room a few moments after she did.
“Did you hear that Jerrie did you hear that?!” She exclaimed happy as she could possibly be.
“Yes” He said smiling his regular smile. “This means I should be off, to help another child who needs a friend.” He told her starting to fade out a little.
“No you should stay here!” She cried out as he disappeared a little more. “We can all play together.” She said her face filled with hope.
“Sorry Bella, But it’s my duty. When I died I promised that I would become an imagery friend, helping kids out as best I could until they no longer needed me. When I was younger I had an Imaginary friend who helped me out, so I’m returning the favor in a way.”
“But Jerrie... I want you to stay.”
“Sorry Bella, I just can’t.” He said completely fading out. Bella sat on the edge of her bed.
“I’m going to be an imaginary friend to.” She softly said laying herself down to sleep, and eventually, she did become one. She returned to the age of 8 when she died at age 97, and wondered the worlds. She gave many children joy, lived a long life, and never forgot about Jerrie once and how he was the reason why her parents began to pay attention to her. He got her out of the house.
By: Abby Nyman
A crash of thunder flooded the empty halls of the great house, echoing from room to room. The light pitter-patter of footsteps could only be but barely heard after every rumble died out. She huffed in and out quickly, almost as fast as her heart was racing but not quite. The halls went dark with a strike of lightning a whiles off of the stormy road. As the lights dimmed and all faded into darkness it was most hard to see. The girl almost flew down the grand stairs, holding to the railing like it was the only thing that was keeping her alive. When the rail ended, so did her breathing. She held her breath as she took the last step off of the stairs, and her as soon as her bare feet hit the cold tile floor she let out all the air in her lungs.
The rain struck against the roof of their large house, but it was getting harder to hear the closer she got to the first floor. Another boom of thunder followed after a burst of lightning, startled she jumped slightly then began to quicken her pace. A large squeak was let out in the soft quiet of night, the girl had stepped on her bunny toy, that let out noises when you squeezed its tummy. She paused and looked to her feet, and what lie below them. Crouching down she took a step back, she picked up the bunny feeling its soft fluffy fur against her hand. She got up and stared to it, her eyes squinting trying to make out its floppy shape, but it was at no avail until the lightning hit again, and then it was clear to see it was simply a child’s loved toy. A small barely skimmed her lips, as she was relieved to see what it was.
The thunder hit once more followed the lightning’s sudden brightness, forcing her small body to jerk with fright to the noise. She took a step back, dropped the bunny to the floor, and saw a shadow move, then suddenly bolted down the hall once more. She came to a tall wooden door; well at least it was tall to her being 4’ 2’’. She grasped the golden doorknob with both of her hands, turning it and thrusting to door open with all of her might. She stumbled forward at the door opening to easily than ran to the side of the large bed in the master bedroom. She fell to her knees and rested her head on the side of the mattress lightly.
She sobbed softly in the darkness of that room and listened to the gentle breathing of her mother and father, her father’s breathing forming into snoring. As the sobs got slightly louder her mother awoke from her slumber and sat up weary eyed, and dazed. The mother’s eyes darted around the room after pulling up the mask that once covered her eyes very few moments ago. It took her a moment to think to look down, and then she saw her small daughter weeping on the side of her bed. "What’s wrong Bella?" She softly asked only to have Bella look to her with watering blue eyes, and her pale blonde hair sticking to her wet face.
As soon as she had her breath back and cold speak without breaking in mid-sentence she spoke, " The-the thunder and the Lightning is trying to attack our house. It’s at the door and trying to slip through the windows opening each slightly with small tapping fingers."
"Nonsense" said the mother who went by the name of Marie, or ‘Mah-Ree’ as it was really pronounced. "All it is, is rain tapping the windowsills with delight, and watering our summer flowers that so badly needed a drink since the gardener has been gone for the last 2 days. And the thunder and lightning is miles away from here." She stated stretching out the ‘I’ in miles making it seem like they really were far, far away.
“Are you sure that’s all it is?” Bella asked softly wondering upon her mothers gentle words.
“Yes. That is all it is. Nothing, nothing bad to run away from.” She softly mumbled become more tired and worn with every word she spoke. “Now go back to bed alright?” She asked her young child who had stopped her shaking and tears had dried.
She nodded lightly her bangs falling back out of her blue eyes. She rose from her position on the floor and stared to her mother, “Yes... I’ll return to my room now.” She whispered as her mother laid her head back down to her pillow and pulled a sleeping mask over her eyes.
Bella turned and faced the door, looking to the dark hallway that she would have to travel through. She gulped taking a step into the darkness and slowly began to walk back to her room. Once again she stepped on that bunny, jumping once more. She already knew what it was and bent down to reach it. Her small fingers barely touched it when a hand covered her mouth.
She let out a loud muffed scream as the hand put pressure onto her mouth, “Shh...” The voice of the person softly said to her as she mumbled. “I’m not going to hurt you.” It was a male’s voice, but no one that she knew. She bit his hand and screamed as loud as she could. It wasn’t terribly loud, just very high pitched and irksome.
Her mother came out of her room pulling up her sleeping mask to the top of her head. All she could see was Bella, standing in her pale pink night gown in the middle of the halls in front of a toy. “Are you alright sweetie?” She asked slowing down a little seeing she wasn’t hurt. “You scared me. Why did you scream?”
“There is a boy! And he’s trying to stop me from talking and scaring me!” She replied frantic pointing into what appeared to be nothing.
“Sweet heart, There is nothing there. Are you alright?” She asked her looking rather confused. She took her small hand in hers and pulled a little. “Maybe I should tuck you in tonight.”
The boy seemed to have disappeared in thin air making the small Bella very confused. Her and her mother traveled up the long staircase, down a long wide hallway, up another smaller set of stairs and then into a room with a pastel yellow door. Print on the door in light pink was the name ‘Bella Grace Wynters’ and there was multiple colored flowers surrounding her name.
Her mother turned the knob and gently pushed open the door, revealing a well-lit room, with a pastel theme to everything in it. The walls were simply white with dragonflies and butterflies scattered around on them. Everything seemed to be hand painted, but by a professional, not her mother or father. Her twin-sized bed had a net-like drape falling over it, and lace above that falling kind of like a tent. Her mother rolled down her covers and Bella hopped in, She pulled the sheets up, tucking them here and there for her daughter to be warmer.
“Are you alright now?” She asked her staring into her eyes.
“Yes I think that I’m fine now mom.” She mumbled closing her eyes and beginning to drift into slumber.
“Alright.” Her mother said proudly as if it was a big deal that she had calmed her daughter’s active mind. Her shut off all the lights, so only to soft glow of the night-light could be seen. The thunder rumbled far away, getting harder and harder to hear. “Kiss, kiss” Her mom said closing the door behind her and heading back to her own room.
A tap came from the door and it opened, sowing the boy from before, his soft honey-brown eyes staring to her. His jeans seemed rather tight on his scrawny body, and his long T-shirt make his upper-body look stretched. His dark brown hair fell into his eyes at a slant, creating an awkward appearance with his hair also being jagged and shaggy.
“My name is Jerrie.” He stated glancing around the room. “I’m here to help you out. No be your guardian. So not be afraid any longer. You can not live your life in fear, and it will be harder not to be afraid as you continue to grow.”
She only stared at him again in fright, “You’re the one from earlier who scared me.” She mumbled out pointing to his with her shaking index finger.
He let out a sigh, “I didn’t mean to scare you, but I knew that if you saw me in the dark like that you would cause a commotion. The neighbors already talk about you enough, how you wake them up when you scream, how you never leave your own house, and how you have no friends.”
She withdrew her hand, “How did you know all of that.” She said her voice shaking with every word. “How did you know that the neighbors talk about me, And that I never leave the house and such?”
“I know every thing about you. Even what are thinking right now.”
“Then what am I thinking?” she asked him wondering if it could possibly be true.
“You are thinking...water lilies are one of the most wonderful flowers, and small faeries sleep on their petals at night being rocked by the currents.”
“How did you know that?!” She exclaimed in astonishment. “There was no way that you read my mind!”
“I didn’t read your mind. Your mind and my mind are fused together in a way. I guess I’m what some people would call an, ‘imaginary friend’.”
“But I didn’t create you...” She whispered softly trying to figure it out in her mind.
“Ah, but you did. Some how, perhaps while you were sleeping you did.” He told her speaking kindly using warmth in his words. He walked over and sat on the end of her bed smiling softly. Bella could feel him sitting on the bed, sinking in as if any other person were to.
This over whelmed her head, how could my mom not seeing him but I can, How can be real to me but nothing there to her. How can her be here to help me when all he has done so far is scar me! She thought and fainted from all of the commotion.
“Bella? Bella, Are you alright?” Jerrie asked as she fainted. He let out a sigh, perhaps a sigh of relief. He walked over to a chair and leaned back in it, trying to get as comfortable as he could possibly be. He then drifted off to sleep.
Morning came, and the house was empty accept for the cook, and the three maids as always. Her mother had gone to work very early and her father had gone to work about when she fainted in the middle of the night.
“Was it all a dream?” She softly mumbled under her breath sitting up, and rubbing her 8-year-old eyes.
“That depends on what you are talking about.” Jerrie said getting up from the chair he had been in all night. “If you meant meeting me and such then, no. That was all real.”
Bella jumped at his voice, not being used to someone talking to her so early in the day. “Th-that’s right.” She said remembering a little better.
“Lets head out.” He said pulling her out of bed and walking to the door.
“I have to get dressed first you know.” She said looking to herself and then to her closet most likely filled with very cute outfits.
“Oh yes that’s right, you have to change your clothes don’t you? Alright then hurry, hurry.” He said with a grin then walked out of the room. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
She took her eyes off of the door and then to her closet. She walked over to it and pulled the door open with a light tug. She fingered through many dresses, many pants, many shirts, jackets, scarves, and such. She got into a pair of jeans, a flowers vine starting at the cuff and traveling up her left leg and blooming into a pink flower at the top. She pulled a white shirt over her head that had a small embroidered heart in red over where her heart was beating.
She looked to the floor of her closet after getting a red fall jacket that had never been used for anything but dress-up. Rows and rows of different styled shiny black shoes were aligned on the floor. She chose a pair with little red bows on the buckles, and pulled then onto her feet. She pulled on her jacket and opened the door only to stare up at the towering 5’11’’ Jerrie.
“Are you ready to leave the house?” He asked a small smile touching his lips.
“I-I guess I am.” She replied looking herself up and down.
He put his hand out for her to grab, and after a moment or two she did take it, they walked through the halls, and down the stairs, then down into the breakfast nook.
“Good morn’in Miss Bella Grace. Why are you all dressed up so early? Planning on going somewhere?” One of there maids asked with slight giggle at the end.
“Yes, I am going out of the house today.” She replied pulling herself up onto a tall stool that was pulled up to the counter.
The maid looked astonished by her words, “Leaving the house?... by choice?” She asked coming around and pushing the stool in once she was on it. “What would you like to eat?” She asked thinking over the words that hung on her shoulders. I’m going out of the house.
“I’ll have....” She couldn’t decide, she looked down and then back up. “I’ll have some toast, and eggs?” She almost asked or it seemed it.
“Very well then.” The maid called Lucinda said turning to get her food. It took a few moments for her to return but not to long, Jerrie couldn’t bee seen any where.
“Where did you go to...?” She asked him softly eyes darting around.
“Where did who go?” Lucinda asked smiling in a cheery way as always. The words make Bella jump; she hadn’t noticed that she had entered the room again.
“Oh... um...” How she to explain that there was was a boy around the house, who was 15 years of age that no one but she could see? It was going to be hard to think of an excuse, or make up some lie. But that was out of the question for Bella never lied before, and didn’t plan on starting to.
“Hmm?” Lucinda asked her eyes pondering again on the small girl’s words. Bella broke into laughter as she brought her gaze up to meet her server’s. There was Jerrie standing behind the maid, making faces, acting silly, and making scary faces at her.
“What is so funny?” She asked wondering why the sudden outburst of laughter that was escaping Bella’s lips.
The laughing only continued as she set the plate down before her and then walked away really not knowing what to do with herself now. She walked into a bathroom with a mirror wondering if something about her appearance was the cause of the laughter but nothing was out of place not even a hair.
As Jerrie returned to his seat next to the still giggling girl, Bella began to calm. “That was very funny.” She said letting out a sigh after breathing in. She hadn’t been able to get in a full breath because she was laughing so hard.
He let out a soft smile then looked to her plate, “You should eat before we go, so hurry up alright?”
“Okay!” She chirped picking up her fork and beginning to chow down on her breakfast. “Done!” She yelled out as she jumped from her chair leaving a little more than half the food left on the plate, only having taken a few bites.
He let out a sigh, “Alright then lets head out.” He took her hand in his and went a few rooms over coming to the front door. He placed his hand on the unblemished silver knob and turned it giving a light push. The door opened letting a cool gust of air into the house.
Bella smiled, it had been a long while since she had played in the yard. She pulled at him to come down the 5 steps and onto the cobbler stone pathway that led to the end of the rather long drive way.
Jerrie began to walk along the stones making his way to the quiet neighborhood road, pulling Bella along lightly leading her away from her house.
“Where are we going to?” She asked him.
“The park.”
“But it rained last night...”
“... So?” He asked wondering why that would matter.
“Won’t everything be drenched?” She asked her eyes staring to his. He stopped in his tracks.
“Your right... Want to se a movie instead?”
“That could be fun.” She said a smile playing on her lips once more.
And so they went off walking to the movies. T o the average eye it seemed as if an 8-year-old girl was walking by herself about 2 miles away from her house. A strange sight for one to see.
The whole time she asked him random questions, and talked to him, holding his hand. A woman walking by just stared, wondering why a little girl was pretending to hold something’s hand, and asking questions to air. The golden shepherd that the woman had on a leash before her say Jerrie, He saw nothing wrong with the picture of a boy and girl together.
“Well isn’t that odd.” The woman mumbled to the dog as if it could understand what she was saying to him. The dog looked quizzically to the woman as they continued walking down the busy street.
“Ha.” Jerrie said smiling wide, “You ask a lot of questions don’t you?”
Bella placed a finger to her lip then looked upward, “Hmm...I guess I do.”
They arrived at the movie theater and headed inside. “2 please.” Bella piped up the man having to look down to see her.
“Two for what movie, what showing time, and there is only one of you. Why two?” The man asked having a snooty voice.
“He can’t see me.” Jerrie told her keeping his eyes straight ahead of him. “Just say what ever I say, at look at the man not me. ‘Oh, I’m sorry I guess I was just in a rush and all.”
“Oh, Sorry, I was in a rush.” Bella repeated after him.
“My mother was in a theater a moment ago, and now we are going to see another. She is in the lady’s room right now.”
“My mom just saw a movie and I just talked to her. She wants me to get to tickets to see another movie. She is in the girl’s room.” Bella kept taking long pauses listening to what Jerrie said then started to talk when he finished, so she was missing words and such. Not so good.
“So I want 2 for the 12:45 showing of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory please.”
“So I wish to have 2 tickets to Charlie and the chocolate factory, the 12:45 showing please.” She mimicked, pushing a 20 to the man, and getting change along with 2 tickets back.
“Nice touch” Jerrie said with a smile sliding onto his pale face, as the walked into the theater not getting drinks and such for the lines were to long. They had just made it and sat in the very back. The movie began and the few people that were sitting in front of them became hushed, music rumbled against the walls and everyone’s eyes were fixed to the screen until the movie ended. As the lights became brighter and everyone could be seen again, Bella and Jerrie left the theater.
“That was my first time seeing a movie on that big a screen, and with that many people. Bella said thrilled.
“Wow...” Jerrie softly said, “There weren’t more than 10 people there. You must not get out much.”
She shook her head, “My parents don’t really bring me to a lot of places.” She told him watching the people get into cars and drive off.
“Ah, no wonder I was sent to you, you were alone, and afraid.” His bright smile faded a little as he said those words. “Now that I’m around, your life should be a lot more fun.”
After a long while, and staying quiet most of the way, they returned home, hands intertwined swinging forward and back, forward and back. As Bella opened the door, the maid, her mother, and father all rushed over.
“Bella you’re alright!” Her mother exclaimed picking her up. “Where did you go off to like that?” She said holding her away from her so she could look at her.
“I just went to see a movie.” She said looking to their worried faces that were filling with relief.
“You went to see a movie!? The theater is over 2 miles away!” Her father yelled his face again tense. “Why did you go that far away? Before you wouldn’t even leave the house.”
“I went cause Jerrie wanted to and-“ Her parents cut her off.
“Who is Jerrie?” Her dad asked.
“My imaginary friend.” Bella simply replied to him. Jerrie stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders as she spoke.
“Why do you have an imaginary friend?” her mother asked her. “You have us, to play with you don’t need someone who isn’t real.”
“But that’s just it. No one with play with me, you’re always working, and when you aren’t your not talking to me, you’re just making phone calls to your friends or yelling for a maid to do something. We don’t even eat together...” she said copying Jerrie’s words as he spoke.
“If you wanted to play with us why didn’t you say so...?” Her mom said kindly, as Bella wanted to yell that she had told her a million times before. “Get rid of that silly old friend and we can spend more time together.” Her mom said drawing her into a hug.
Bella let out a soft sigh as her mom did so hugging her back. Jerrie took a few steps away from then letting them have a few moments. He shuffled his weight from foot to foot as he waited to see what was to happen.
Her mother released her from the hug then took a step back, “Starting tomorrow we’ll start new work schedules, and spend more time with you.” Her father told her calmly. “But it’s getting late, so you should head up to bed.”
Bella nodded running up the stairs, through the hall ways and into her room with excitement. Jerrie fallowed her coming into her room a few moments after she did.
“Did you hear that Jerrie did you hear that?!” She exclaimed happy as she could possibly be.
“Yes” He said smiling his regular smile. “This means I should be off, to help another child who needs a friend.” He told her starting to fade out a little.
“No you should stay here!” She cried out as he disappeared a little more. “We can all play together.” She said her face filled with hope.
“Sorry Bella, But it’s my duty. When I died I promised that I would become an imagery friend, helping kids out as best I could until they no longer needed me. When I was younger I had an Imaginary friend who helped me out, so I’m returning the favor in a way.”
“But Jerrie... I want you to stay.”
“Sorry Bella, I just can’t.” He said completely fading out. Bella sat on the edge of her bed.
“I’m going to be an imaginary friend to.” She softly said laying herself down to sleep, and eventually, she did become one. She returned to the age of 8 when she died at age 97, and wondered the worlds. She gave many children joy, lived a long life, and never forgot about Jerrie once and how he was the reason why her parents began to pay attention to her. He got her out of the house.
