The Middle Realm Read online

  “Guys, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go up to my room and get cleaned up. I feel dirty after being on the plane. I might also try to get some rest. If you guys could just leave me alone, that would be great,” Emma said.

  “Honey, do whatever you feel you need to. If you need anything, we’re right downstairs,” my mom said.

  “We’ll save you dinner. You can eat it if you get hungry later,” my dad said.

  My mom hugged Emma and my dad kissed her on the forehead. Emma followed me up to our room. It is ours now. What’s mine is now hers. As we were going upstairs, we heard my mom ask Alexander if he wanted to stay for dinner. He said yes. I’m not surprised. He’s always welcomed here, and I’m always welcomed at his parent’s house.

  Once we got to my, our, room Emma closed the door and locked it. She shrugged off her hoodie and shoes and threw herself on the bed. Boo Radley was not too pleased. He had made himself comfortable and was not happy about having to reposition himself somewhere else on the bed. God forbid someone else lie on the bed he is already occupying. Emma went to pet him, but he gracefully jumped off the bed and headed for the bathroom. He would probably jump up onto the windowsill and sleep there.

  “That is too much,” she finally said.

  “What is too much?” I asked.

  “Seeing my parents at the airport. They were falling apart. I wanted so bad to tell them I was okay,” Emma said.

  “Well you should have thought about this before you decided to kill me. I hope your happy now. Not only did you hurt me, you hurt others as well. Look at your poor parents. I know you didn’t think about the repercussions of what you were doing,” I said.

  “No I didn’t. Actually, come to think of it, I had no idea what I was doing. I really would go back in time if I could,” Emma said.

  “You keep saying that, Emma. It’s not possible. If it were, I’m sure millions of people would go back in time to fix their mistakes. This is life’s way of punishing you,” I said.

  “You don’t think that anyone realized I wasn’t actually you? Your mom said ‘Savannah you look different,” Emma said.

  “It’s probably because you had your hood up. I don’t usually do that anymore, so it probably looked strange to her. Other than that, you’re hair and make up were perfect,” I said staring at her across from me.

  As stared at her, I noticed something that may have thrown my mom off. Emma had on frosted bubblegum pink lipstick. I don’t know why on earth she would put it on. I haven’t worn that color since middle school. I still do wear bubblegum pink lipstick, just not the frosted kind.

  “Why do you have that lipstick on? I have some beautiful, flattering colors and you use that? Where did you find it?” I asked.

  “I think its pretty. What’s the big deal,” she asked,” I found it in the bottom of you’re makeup bag”

  “I don’t wear that color. Everyone who knows me knows I wouldn’t be caught dead in it. You’re supposed to be me. Wear what I wear. Do what I would do,” I said.

  “I found it in your makeup box, so I figured it would be fine to use,” she said.

  In her defense, she’s right. She did find it in the box, so it is fair game. But still, she knew better. I told her to get my makeup kit and take out the offending lipstick. I made her throw it away. I watched just to be sure. I had been meaning to get rid of it anyway.

  “From now on, I approve of what you wear and how you do your hair and make up. Understand?” I said.

  “Fine, Frau Savannah,” she said, holding up a hand.

  “You’re funny,” I said, with a hint of sarcasm.

  She was quiet after that. She got up and went to my closet. She pulled out a pair of yoga pants. She wasn’t thrilled about the fact that ‘pink’ was scrawled across the bum, but she grabbed them anyway. She went into the bathroom to change out of her jeans. She came out and threw the jeans over a chair.

  “You’re going to put those away, right?” I asked.

  “Yeah, later,” she said.

  She sat back on the bed facing me.

  “Does Boo Radley always watch you change?” she asked.

  “Yeah. That’s why I don’t let him in my room or the bathroom when I’m getting dressed. He’s kind of a perv,” I said.

  I love Boo Radley, but it makes me uncomfortable the way he watches me when I change. He’s done it to Arianna and my mom, too. Never, ever my dad. Just women. He’s definitely male.

  “I’ve never noticed it before. All the times I’ve spent the night -- Eww! You should have told me,” Emma said.

  “I thought you knew he did that,” I said.

  “No,” she said.

  “Sorry,” I said, laughing.

  I could hear scratching from the other side of the door. I walked through the wall and found Lola scratching at the door. She wanted to come in. She saw me and tried to follow me through the wall when I went to tell Emma to let her in, which resulted in Lola walking into the wall rather than through it. A few seconds later, Emma walked to the door, unlocked it, and let Lola in. She’s happy to be in here. Her tail is wagging excitedly. She walked straight to the bed and hopped up. She walked over to where I’m sitting and lies down. She watched me. She is happy to have me home, even if I am in a different state than when I first left. Emma joined us again on the bed. She sat opposite me. She reached over and scratched Lola’s head. Lola likes Emma, so there should be no issues regarding how they get along.

  “So, tell me about the guy, I mean ghost, you met. What’s his name? What does he look like? How old was he when he died? What did he do for a living? What century did he live during? What major historical events did he witness?” She asked.

  I had to gather my thoughts. Emma has a tendency to ask way too many questions in too short of a time. She was excited and so am I to tell her all I know about Patrick, which isn’t a whole lot.

  “Emma, give me a minute to gather my thoughts. You need to stop with the rapid-fire questions because I can’t give you rapid-fire responses. I have to actually think about what I want to say,” I said with a smile.

  “Sorry, I can’t help it. I really want to hear about him. I’m happy you found love again,” she said.

  “I am too,” I said as I stared directly at the picture of Alexander and me on my nightstand. All at once the happiness that enveloped me when I thought of Patrick faded into sadness. Emma turned around to see what I’m staring at. She turned around to face me again. All it took as one look at my face. She knows something is wrong.

  “Savannah, what’s wrong? You were so happy a minute ago,” she asked, concerned.

  “Nothing,” I said turning away.

  “I don’t buy it. I know you well and I can see that something is bothering you,” she said.

  I got up off the bed and walked to the window. Lola followed me. I ran my hand over the posters on my wall. They are posters of bands that Emma and I had seen in concert so many times. I stopped at particular poster. It was a My Chemical Romance poster that Alexander had surprised me with the time we went to see the band play in a not so great part of town. He wouldn’t let Emma and I go by ourselves and neither would our parents. That night Emma and Alexander actually got along really well. The three of us had the time of our lives. The show was at a smaller club, so the setting was intimate. It was one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. It was something none of us would forget. That was one of the best nights of my life. I wish I could go back to that night. Just the three of us, our favorite band and a future filled with promise.

  “I feel like I’m cheating on Alexander,” I said.

  Emma got up and joined me by the window. She stood next to me. I laid my head on her shoulder.

  “Savannah, you’re not cheating on him. Now that you’re dead, you two are part of different worlds. He’s a part of the living world and you’re a part of the afterlife? I’m not exactly sure what you are part of, but it’s not the same as Alexander’s. I would think that if he knew you were dead,
he would want you to be happy,” Emma said.

  I had to give her credit for trying to make me feel better. She isn’t really doing a good job, but I appreciate the effort.

  “I guess you’re right,” I said.

  As soon as I spoke, a spirit appeared out of nowhere. It was none other than Edgar. A few minutes later another spirit appeared. It was Camille. As soon as she noticed her parasol was still open, she closed it right away. I wondered what Edgar and Camille had been doing before they came here. Anyway, I am happy to see them. Their timing is perfect.

  “Savannah, we don’t mean to drop in unexpected like this. We just wanted to make sure you got to your destination safely. Whitney and William wish you well,” Edgar said.

  “What a beautiful room,” Camille exclaimed, “it’s so colorful. Very artsy. I like it a lot” Edgar nodded in agreement.

  My room had bright lime green walls with hot pink moldings and paneling. One wall had shelves from the floor to the ceiling filled with books, boxes of buttons, thread, pieces of material and all sorts of other random things that go along with making clothes. Other shelves all around the room housed my ‘treasures’, wacky little figurines and mementos I’ve found at thrift stores and flea markets. Band posters and fashion pictures lined the walls. The wooden floor was filled with a random assortment of rugs that my mom helped me find. Curtains that I made with vintage fabric covered the windows and French doors. Boxes of material and a dress form sat in a corner. My room was a mish mash of stuff, but that’s how I liked it. Emma and I like to play I-Spy in my room. It is perfect for that. My room is my safe haven and retreat.

  “Thanks,” I said, “I really appreciate you stopping by. It means a lot to me”

  “You’re very welcome,” Edgar said as he pulled a gold watch out of his vest pocket. “We must be going now. Savannah, take care. We’ll see you in a few weeks”

  Camille gave me a hug before she and Edgar disappeared. I didn’t want them to leave. They probably would have stayed had I asked them, but I didn’t need them. Not right now, anyway. I’m kind of mad at Emma. The entire time Edgar and Camille were here, she ignored them. I know she saw them because she said she could see ghosts. She was downright rude to them. She didn’t acknowledge them in any way.

  “Why did you act like they weren’t here? I know you could see them,” I said to Emma. She knows exactly what I’m talking about.

  “I didn’t know what to say to them. When I see ghosts, I usually ignore them hoping they’ll go away. I’ve never actually talked to one. I don’t know how to act. I didn’t want to make them mad,” Emma said.

  I couldn’t blame her. When I first crossed over, I felt the same way. I didn’t know what to say or how to act around other spirits. That’s understandable. She could have at least faced them or something, acknowledged that they were there. Don’t downright ignore them.

  “Fine. This time your excuse is valid. Just get used to being around those without a pulse, because you will be spending quite a bit of time around spirits.” I told her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I’ll explain later. Do you still want to hear about the guy I met?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.

  Her face changed from concerned to ready to listen. I’m not in the mood to talk about guys, but it is better than having to explain to Emma the role she would play in helping me find my dead relatives. I’m worried about Emma’s safety. Whoever did it will stop at nothing to prevent me from finding my loved ones?

  “Sure,” she said.

  “I just met him before we left Paris, so I don’t know that much about him. I’m going to see him again when we get back,” Emma made a face when I mentioned going back. “His name is Patrick and he was twenty-two when he died. He was killed during the invasion of Normandy in World War two. He was married and had a daughter. She was only two weeks old when he went off to fight. That’s pretty much all I know about him right now. Like I said, we had only met just before I left,” I said.

  I had left out how Patrick and I first met. If I told Emma about how I made a fool of myself, I would never hear the end of it. Some things are best left untold and the first time Patrick and I met is one of them.

  “Savannah, I’m so happy for you. After all you’ve been through, you deserve some happiness,” Emma said, “Have you asked him about the D-day invasion?”

  “I want to, but it’s kind of a touchy subject with the ghosts of soldiers. Maybe when I get to know him better, I can ask him. As of right now that subject is off limits,” I said.

  I didn’t know Patrick well enough to ask him something so personal. When he feels comfortable, then he’ll tell me. I’ll do the same. I tell him stuff about myself when I feel ready.

  “That’s understandable,” she said.

  All at once we heard loud banging and crashing. It came from the balcony. It’s startled us. I got up to see what it was. Lola followed me to the French doors, where she stopped. She stood ready for action. I walked through the doors and out onto the balcony. I looked for the source of the crash. A table that had a plant sitting on it had been knocked over. There was dirt and bits of the pot strewn about. The wind chimes were nowhere to be found. It was a mess. I stood there shocked.

  “Sorry about that,” a voice said.

  I turned around. There was the ghost of a young man sitting on the railing. Actually, more like a boy. He had to have been no more than eighteen. I think I found my plant killer/ balcony vandal.

  “Why did you knock my plant over? What did it ever do to you to warrant such abuse? It just sat there, looking pretty? Also, where are my wind chimes?” I asked.

  “I thought this was my ex-girlfriend’s house. It looks a lot like hers. I was planning on messing her room and balcony up,” he said.

  “What did she do that is so bad?” I asked, curious.

  “She cheated on me with my best friend,” he said.

  “Oh, I see,” I said.

  “I was so angry that on the way home after catching her with my friend, I crashed my car into a light pole. I never saw the damn thing, that’s how pissed I was. I was going to torment her. I was out for revenge,” he said.

  Wow. Is he pissed? I almost feel bad for the girl who was supposed to be on the receiving end of his anger.

  “If you’re going to ruin the house of the girl who cheated on you, you really should make sure you have the right house,” I said.

  “Yeah, you’re right. Hey, are you available,” he said with a smile.

  “No, now get lost,” I said. He disappeared as quickly as he came.

  Ch. 35

  I was about to go back into the room, when I heard a familiar song being played on an acoustic guitar. It was “I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie. I loved this song. Alexander used to play it for me. That means Alexander is in my room. He must have come up right after I went out onto the balcony. He’s alone with Emma, who can’t stand him which in turn means I better get back in there. After going back into the room, I head my dad calling to Emma from the stairs.

  “Savannah, is everything all right? It sounds like there was someone on you’re balcony knocking stuff over” He said.

  “It’s nothing. There was a raccoon, but I scared it away,” Emma lied.

  Sure enough, as soon as I walked through the doors. I saw Emma back on the bed, sitting across from Alexander. He’s playing his guitar. It sounded amazing. Emma is trying hard to pretend she was enjoying it. I motioned to her to go into the bathroom.

  “Alexander, I have to use the bathroom real quick, if that’s ok,” Emma said.

  “No problem, take as long as you need,” he said.

  “Thanks,” Emma said.

  She got up and walked to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She flicked on the light.

  “What happened out on the balcony?” she whispered.

  “Some idiot kid thought this was his girlfriend’s house, so he made a mess on the balcony. You’ll have to cle
an it up tomorrow,” I said.

  “Great. Another thing to do. Tomorrow I have to go buy something to wear to the funeral, because you don’t have any clothes that are appropriate for a funeral. All the black clothing you have is too trendy, so your mom says. Then I agreed to write the eulogy. Then I have to put together a collage of pictures of our friends and us. I also have to hem a skirt for Arianna,” Emma said.

  My mom must have come up while I was outside. Was I out there that long? Obviously. Emma does have a lot to do. I can help her with some things. Other’s, she’s on her own.

  “I can help you with the eulogy. I’ll talk, you write. I can even help you find an outfit. Hemming the skirt though, I don’t know. I can tell you what to do, but that’s it,” I said.

  “Thanks, I appreciate all the help I can get,” she said.

  She then flushed the toilet and ran the water in the sink so Alexander would not get suspicious. After, that she walked out of the bathroom. Alexander was still there. I know she was hoping he would be gone. She went back to the bed and sat down. Lola had retreated to her bed by the doors leading out to the balcony.

  “Are you ok? You were in there for a while?” Alexander asked.

  “Oh, I’m fine. My hair was looking like a bird’s nest, so I brushed it out. How does it look?” she asked Alexander.

  “It looks okay, I guess,” he said.

  Alexander set his guitar down on the bed and reached for the case on the floor. He put the guitar in its case and placed it next to my guitar in the corner. He then sat down next to Emma. He leaned over to kiss her. As he did, she leaned away.

  “Savannah, what’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Emma, if you don’t kiss him back, I swear I will make your life a living hell. You will kiss him if you know what’s good for you,” I said to her.

  “I’m sure I have bad breath,” she said as she reached over and opened the nightstand. She took out a pack of Altoids and ate a mint. Then she kissed Alexander.