Ezra

Ezra.

By: Samantha Baker

Chapter one/ Epilogue.

I laid my phone down on the coffee table gently. My fingers still rested against it in hopes it would ring. It could be anyone, I didn’t care. I just needed to hear someone’s voice. I glanced at the phone hoping my stare alone could make it ring.

Nothing.

I let out a sigh and stood from the leather chair I was previously resting in. I walked over to one of the many bookshelves covering the walls; the paint behind the books you could clearly see starting to chip, but the thought of having to remove the shelves just to repaint made me avert my eyes. The books ranged between all different sizes and colors. You could tell which ones I had read the most just by looking at the spine.

Closing my eyes I reached out and grabbed a random book, just as I started to pull it out, my phone rang.

The book was completely forgotten and I walked briskly over to the ringing phone. Looking to see who it was before, pushing talk and placing it to my ear.

“Hi, mom,” I said, turning around to sit in my chair.

“Hi, Sweetheart, how was your day?” she asked and I couldn’t help but smile.

“It was fine, I’ve met someone, been talking to him at the office lately.” I closed my eyes to just listen to her voice.

“That’s good. Hopefully this one will stick around. I know how much you have been trying lately sweetheart,” mom said with a hint of pity in her voice. I didn’t need pity. The right guy will come around in the end. Whether I’m 30 or 80, I’ll meet someone.

“Me too, mom. Me too.” I let out a small sigh. “How was your day? What did you see today?” I asked, leaning back in my seat.

“I’m having a great day! Your father needs hearing aids though. I swear, he talks too loud because he can’t hear himself. But today we decided to head up to Canada and stay in the cabin your dad used to go to as a kid. It’s such a beautiful place. I know you weren’t a big fan of going there last time.”

“Well, it’s not that I didn’t like it. It’s just when we were visiting I got freaked out about being in the middle of nowhere, where no one could hear you if you screamed at the top of your lungs. It was literally in the middle of nowhere.” I sighed remembering it all. And I just did not like it up there. I never wanted to go again.

The little cabin was about 20-30 miles off the main highway, most likely more than that. And the entire time I couldn’t help but get the feeling I was being watched.

“Yes, I know. But anyways, we just thought it would be fun. So we are flying in on friday.”

That was two day away, I thought, glancing at the 2014 calendar hanging over the desk sitting in the corner of the room. The 17th of september.

“So if you can’t get a hold of us, that’s why. Well, I love you, Olivia. Hopefully whatever happens with the guy goes well. I’ll call you before we leave of course. Have a good night, sweetheart,” mom said and I tried to smile but the fact that our conversation was so short felt like fist to the heart.

“Love you!” I heard dad’s voice yell and I couldn’t help but laugh. Leave it to dad.

“Love you guys too,” I said and we both hung up. I placed the phone back down and placed my head on my right hand. Looking around the room before standing and walking out of the double doors to the living room, which was an open area with stairs along the far wall heading up stairs to the bedrooms.

This place used to be my parents. But they sold it to me and started traveling. They hadn’t owned it for too long. But I still loved the place. They had bought it when my two little brothers were still living with them, so around 6-7 years ago. But when the last child was out, they packed up, said their goodbyes, and traveled. I was happy for them. I missed them of course. The reason I came back 5 years ago was to one, have a new start. See my parents more, which is ironic because I was the one who told them to travel. My job had an opening down here to make it all possible. I don’t regret the decision. My parents are happy to be doing their own thing and I could proudly say I was somewhat good at this adulting thing. I worked in business and had a two year business degree from my local community college back home. Most looked down on me when I told them I went to a community college, but honestly it was ten times better than going to a university. Not only am I using the degree I earned unlike most people I know who had to go to factory or go job to job. I don’t have any debt I still need to pay off in the next hundred years. I honestly don’t see how my schooling or career choice is any concern of anyone besides myself anyways. I hate judgy people that love to tell me how to live my life instead of living their own.

I mean business wasn’t really what I wanted to do with my life, my dream job was actually to be a writer. But those dreams died a long time ago once I realized I didn’t have the time. It may not be my career, but I still have old journals and flash drives with my books I have written. Reading them brought back old memories. Even if most of them weren’t finished.

I felt something brush across my leg and looked down to see a ball of orange fur rolling on my feet and pawing at the air.

“Mreow,” she meowed and I leaned down to pick her up. She was my only company these days, I got her when I moved in. I would have gone crazy if I had to live here alone. Bumps, creaks, and other noises throughout the house would have me always looking over my shoulder. Having Claire here seems to have kept me calm and sane. For now at least.

I carried Claire up the stairs to my room and placed her down on the bed. She got up and laid where I normally slept. Rolling my shoulders and letting out a sigh, Ignoring her was the only thing that seemed reasonable. Either that or she’ll just end up laying on my face.

“She’s never needy until the most inconvenient times,” I muttered under my breath and moved to the wall to flick the light switch. The dark space was a comfort in comparison to the bright sun tomorrow would bring. Feet sliding across the wood floor and into my bed melted all the unpleasant thoughts away. Claire’s purred directly in my ear along with the sound of her trying

to eat my hair. “Could you not.” I pulled my hair from her mouth and placed her on my stomach instead. At least I had my spot back.

“Mreow…. Mreow,” Claire meowed right in my ear. I let out a groan, only opening my eyes slightly to meet her big green ones. Rolling my eyes I opened them a little more to see her going at my brown hair again. If it wasn’t the blinding sun waking me up; It was the other orange blob I revolve my life around.

“Taste good?” I asked sarcastically and looked at the clock on the other side of the bed, 10:30, the red numbers glowed. “Crap.” I shot from my bed and ran to the bathroom, trying not to slip along the way. My fingers dug into the wood around the door frame, pathetically trying to hold my body weight up. My brush fell to the floor before I even touched it.

Running down the stairs, my shirt still in my hands, and a purple toothbrush sticking out from my mouth, I made my way to the kitchen sink, throwing it aside to rinse and make a small promise to myself to remember it later. I stumbled over my own feet from all the concentration I was giving to the shirt, I still seemed to be having trouble placing it over my head.

Done…. Looking down I let out a groan and ran back upstairs grabbed the first pair of pants I saw and threw them on. Unsurprisingly as I hurried back down the stairs only to trip on the last one. Asking it to not be one of those days was redundant at this point. I landed on my butt hard, taking this moment to reflect on my life, I pulled my pants the rest of the way on and stood.

Speed walking to the kitchen, reaching out to grab my jacket placed on the hooks on the wall, along with my purse and keys. My hand automatically reached out for a spare apple that sat on the counter. Looking down to see if Claire’s bowl was still full or not. Seeing it was, I made my way to the side door. Lock the door, I thought, my fingers grazing the cool metal. Knowing it was locked, I took the last couple steps to my car and climbed in the old black dodge dart.

When the keys slid into the ignition, the station I was previously listening to blasted throughout the speakers. Fumbling to turn it down my hand slipped causing the apple to fall to the floor in front of the passenger seat.

“Of course,” I muttered rubbing my temples hoping to eliminate the growing pain. My hand slammed down on the button officially turning off the radio. How it was gonna stay till my mind wasn’t so jangled.

The small list of things I had to do today seemed to be growing more and more the longer I thought about it.

Why do I stress about things I haven’t even done. I sighed, placing my hands on the wheel looking at the small glowing clock, 10:30. Luckily the office didn’t open until 11. I wasn’t technically late. Yet. Why I decided to go into accounting, I don’t know. It was my parents’ idea and honestly I knew what I wanted to do, sadly that said thing doesn’t pay the bills. I was just happy my facility was only open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. As much as I would love my days off to be together, the only time that seems to happen is when I request days off. Which isn’t often.

Looking down at the apple on the floor, I knew if I didn’t grab it now it would just roll under the seat and I would forget about it. Causing a bigger problem in the future. Sighing I leaned over grabbing the apple and whipped it across my shirt and placed it in the cup holder.

I got half way out of the driveway when I slammed on the breaks and turned in my seat backing back up.

Thursday, today was Thursday. We’re not open Thursday’s. I shifted the gear in park and sat there for a second to collect myself. Laying the back of my head on the headrest, the thud of impact making the seat shake. Looking up at the ceiling of the car, I closed my eyes. Why? Just why?

“Someone just kill me now,” I muttered while opening the car door, getting out. Reaching back in to take out the keys and the rest of my stuff I almost forgot I made my way back to the house and unlocked the door to lay all my stuff down on the counter, besides the apple.

I took a big bite out of the apple and sat on the tile of the kitchen floor. It was cool to the touch but felt good on my butt. The ache of the upcoming bruise from earlier this morning was eased away from the cold.

“I am such an idiot.” I ran a hand over my face and threw my hair. “I could be in bed, sleeping, dreaming.” I lowered my hand to the floor with a blop and just gazed at the black and white checkered floor.

Leaning back I laid on the cool tile, taking small bites out of my apple. The thoughts in my head were running while I tuned them out from the buzzing of my fridge vibrating against the ground. If only I could just lay here forever. Who am I kidding, it wouldn’t take long for someone to find me and drag me back to work.

I didn’t want to stand up but the hard ground was starting to hurt my back and I needed to throw away my apple core. So standing up to make my way to the trash, of course someone would have to call me when I wasn’t in the study. Now I actually had to move.

Making my way to the study quickly to answer the phone, I picked it up and looked at the screen. I didn’t recognize the number. Which was weird no one called me. Even the people that tried to sell you things.

“Hello?” I asked, placing the phone to my ear and was going to sit down, only to see Claire already there.

“Hey, this is James, remember you gave me your number about three days ago?” James asked.

“Yes.” I smiled a little, pulling my hand away from my face so I didn’t bite my nails. “I remember you.” My feet started to make a nice rhythm of walking back and forth across the room.

“Great! I was actually calling to see if you still wanted to go out today? I mentioned it, but we never set up a time and place. So I thought I would just ask. It’s fine if you have other plans. I was just hoping we could…” His voice faded out.

My feet stopped moving and Claire’s eyes stopped following me. I guess I got up for a reason after all today, I thought. “Yeah, of course, that would be great,” I said looking down at my appearance only to wince at the sight. You could definitely tell I was in a rush this morning.

“Great, do you want me to pick you up?” He asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Um, yea. You still have my address right?”

“Yes, is five a good time for you?”

I looked at the clock out of instinct, I couldn’t believe it was only 11:01. “Yeah, five works with me. I’ll see you then.”

“Alright, cool! See you then,” he said and there was a slight pause between us.

Me being the awkward person I am instantly blurted out a “Bye” the only problem was my fingers fumbled to hit the end button.

So naturally I wasn’t ready for the, “bye.” He answered with. It was a relief both of us hung up to stop the awkwardness already growing between us.

I set the phone down, picked up my cat and placed her on the ground so I could sit in my chair. She hurried off to wherever and was lost in my thoughts again.

It’s happening. It’s actually happening. I’ve been talking to him for the past two weeks and we are now, officially, going out.

I just hope that whatever non luck I have been having with guys for the past five years has stopped. It seems as though every guy for the past five years has run away from me as fast as they can. The beginning is always fine, it’s just when they come over something always seems to happen. I just hope whatever it is doesn’t happen tonight.

I am 29 years old and I do not want to be alone, living in this house, for the rest of my life.

Bang!

I heard something crash in the living room and not a moment later Claire came running into the room and into my lap.

“Ugh, what did you knock over this time?” I mumbled to myself and walked into the living room to see nothing broken or knocked over. “Hm.” I took another look around the pale green room one more time. “You’re lucky Claire,” I said walking back into the study.

Clank!

This time it came from the kitchen. I looked over at Claire sitting on the chair, purring and looking towards the kitchen. I wasn’t expecting anyone to randomly show up. Maybe an animal got in.

“Mreow” Claire jumped down from the chair and ran into the kitchen.

“Well, hello kitty.” I heard a voice I would know anywhere.

Before I knew it, I was in the kitchen and attacking the first thing of black hair I saw.

“Hello, sister,” Charles said and let out a laugh when I wrapped my arms around him more.

“Well at least we know who your favorite is,” I heard Samuel, my other brother say. I let go of Charles and jumped onto Samuel next. They were twins, five minutes and 32 seconds apart. Charles is ‘oldest’, but mom never told them. Whenever they asked, she would simply say. “You two are twins. You’re the same age. End of story.”

“I love you both equally. Though, thank you,” I said, pulling away from Sam’s grasp.

“For what?” Charles asked, sitting on the counter.

“I need to change the locks. Thank you for the helpful reminder,” I said, patting Sam’s cheek. Walking out of the kitchen.

“Awe, come on. Don’t you feel safer knowing we have a key?” Sam asked. Neither one bothering to follow after me. Most likely raiding the kitchen.

“No.” I heard the cabinets open and the fridge close. I actually did not care what they ate, they always brought warmth to whatever house they were in. “Why are you guys in town?” I asked, walking back into the kitchen with my phone.

“We’re on break,” Charles said grinning from ear to ear with a mouth full of food stuffed in each cheek.

“Spring break to be exact,” Sam said, grabbing a banana out of the fruit bowl. He jumped up onto the counter and sat himself next to his brother.

Looking at them both, I could see their brown eyes and slightly tanned skin. They were identical, except in personality and their voices. Sam’s voice tended to be lower than Charles’s. Charles was funny, sarcastic, but knew how to be calm when he needed to be. Samual on the other hand was smart, calm and reserved. The only time I’ve ever seen him loud, angry, or upset was when he heard I had been hurt. It was a car accident, my friend was driving. I came home to find a hole in the wall, apparently he had done it when he heard the news. There was still drywall on his arm when he gave me a hug. He followed me around and drove with me everywhere for 5 months.

“Are you stayin here with me?” I asked pulling out a stool from under the island.

“Oh no, haven’t you heard the story?” Charles asked.

I shook my head, no. “What story?” I asked and rested my hand against my chin.

“I thought mom and dad would have told you when you bought the place from them,” Sam said, adjusting his legs.

“The only thing they told me was that the house creaks and sometimes things go missing. It’s not that big of a deal. In fact the only noises I hear are made by Claire and I’ve actually found quite a bit of things lately,” I said and stood up to reach in a lower cabinet. When my hand touched the box, I pulled it out and set it in between my brothers.

“Well here’s all the stuff we were missing,” Sam muttered, taking the box and placing it on his lap so he could go through it better.

“Then I guess he likes you,” Charles said and I looked at him confused. He looked at me with all seriousness.

“Who?” I asked, my eyebrows furrowing slightly.

“The ghost. That’s the story. We think there is a ghost here. At first we thought it was each other messing with the other. Taking small things. Key, cards, anything really. But when we asked each other about it,” Charles trailed off.

“We had an argument, blaming each other. When the yelling got too much mom told us there was a ghost in the house and we knew it wasn’t us. We all know mom’s right about those kinds of things. Anyways, long story short. There is a ghost in the house. He likes to take things and we don’t like things taken. Two years wasn’t soon enough to get out of here.” Sam finished for his brother and continued to rummage through the box some more.

“But nothing happens here?” Charles asked, confused. He placed his hands on the counter so he wouldn’t fall when he leaned forwards.

“No, nothing. The house doesn’t make a noise, like I said.” I leaned back on the stool, it creaked from the weight. My brothers looked at me with raised eyebrows. “Besides my dumbass…. How do you know it’s a guy though?” I heard the floor creak in the other room, but thought nothing of it.

“We looked into it. Turns out the guy had fallen from the balcony in your room and snapped his neck.”

“How long ago was this?” I asked. It was an interesting story. But I wasn’t going to suddenly pack up and leave. I have been here for five years, nothing bad has ever happened. Hell, I’m happier here than where I was. Even if guys have no balls here.

“Around 30 years ago,” Sam said. I’m sure he knew the exact date but didn’t feel like showing off or admitting this crossed his mind way too often.

“That’s sad.” I stood from my seat for the second time.

“That’s it?” They both asked. I hated it when they did that.

“That’s what?” I asked, confused. My eyes naturally narrowed on them and they glanced at each other silently asking one another to speak first.

Charles was the first to cave. “That’s sad? You’re not even a little concerned? Curious? Frightened?”

“No, but nice try.” I smiled at both of them. “Five years I’ve been in this house. If something was wrong I would have known by now,” I said going to the fridge.

“Let’s be honest, sister. You’re oblivious.” Sam smirked.

Ignoring him. “What did you guys want for lunch?” I asked glancing at the clock to see it was a quarter to noon.