The Uncanny Ways of John Meritt

Chapter 4

"Emily." Her soft voice echoed, tranquillity flowing through my veins.

My eyes opened, locking their state on the dusty window next to my bed. The summer sun blazed through my cracked blinds, leaving its path of light to create a vibrant circle on my rug.

"Emily-" she walked over to where I was lying neatly underneath my covers. She sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing my back lightly. "I know you don't want to leave this room, but it's been half a year. Don't you think you're ready to leave this house?"

All I could do was shake my head. No words were able to flow from my tender mouth to her tiny ears. Ever since he died, I've barley spoken a word. I know it's been a while, but I miss him more than anything in the world.

"I need you to go to the market." She instructed, folding a lose shirt that hung over the edge of my foot board. "Tomorrow the lawyers coming, and I have nothing to offer him."

My heart dropped once she brought up the meeting that was scheduled for tomorrow morning. All it did was bring back the pain of losing him. I wasn't ready to face the details- to work out the silly arrangement they let the boy who killed him off with.

"He's just a young boy." "He was in a bad place." "Please, he's got his whole life ahead of him." "His future is so bright." "Let him off easily, he's already damaged enough."

To this day, my mother and I still haven't figured out who was the reason my father no longer walked this earth. The court decided to keep the boy's information classified. They didn't want him to have to deal with all the hate the people around here would have given him. They say he was just too young to handle it all.

His sentence in jail was barely anything, either. All he received was 8 months in jail, and a year of probation. On top of that, he got to spend the entire summer working on our farm. Today was the day he'd be released from jail, June 15th. Tomorrow, was the day I'd meet him. And then the day after that, was the day he'd start work. I'd get to see him every day for 3 months. I don't know if I can handle that.

"Emily, please." She begged, a sad sigh escaping her pink stained lips. "This year has already been tough enough. I've lost one person that I care deeply about, and I don't think I can lose another."

I sat up in my bed, wrapping my arms around her frail waist as tears fell from her eyes. "Mom, you're not going to lose me. I'm right here."

"I know, I know." She wiped a few droplets away, "But when you sit up here, not saying a word- it just feels like you're gone, too. I don't want that, Emily. Not when I need you the most."

I stared at my mother, sympathy in my eyes. I was always too busy feeling sorry for myself. I never realized that she was the one who lost the love of her life. I didn't realize she felt like she had lost me too.

"I'll get dressed, and go right now." I agreed, getting out of bed and pulling her with me. "Make me breakfast?"

She smiled, a breathy laugh releasing itself from inside. "You haven't asked that in a really long time."

The corners of my lips twitched up as I watched her walk out of the room. My mother deserves a lot of props. If I had just lost my husband, I wouldn't even move for at least five years. It took her three weeks- only three weeks to get back on her feet, running the farm with the little knowledge she had on the profession.

I sighed to myself, walking into the bathroom that connected to my bedroom, and turning the faucet on. I was long overdue for a shower. Lately I just haven't really cared enough on my appearance.

I hopped underneath the warm water. The tiny droplets overwhelmed my skin, reminding me of the feeling that comes with being clean. I did my shower routine fast, slipping a pair of jean shorts and a light blue tank top on before rushing down the creaky steps to my familiar home.

Upon reaching the kitchen, a large plate of pancakes rested on the tiny table where my father used to sit when reading the paper. I sat down, right as my mother brought over a small jar of syrup, and a bowl filled with watermelon.

"Whipped cream?" She asked, beginning to shake the bottle up and down. I gave her a sly look, because I always had whipped cream on my pancakes. With a small chuckle, she gently sprayed the cream around the fluffy cakes. It felt good to see her smile, and hear her laughter again. Something I did miss.

I haven't actually eaten anything for a while, so you can only imagine how fast I devoured every last scrap on that plate. My mother stood behind the counter, sipping her morning tea with a proud smile as she watched me inhale my food.

"Better?" She asked me, right as I finished everything and gently wiped my mouth with the sea green napkin that was wrapped into a little triangle.

I nodded in response, emerging from the table to stand in front of the screen door that allowed my eyes access to our farm and the land surrounding it. Everything looked to bright and so lively- my father would have loved to see this. The beginning of summer was his favorite time of the year.

"I miss him." I said, lowering my eyes to the floor, and then to her tired face.

She smiled a sad smile, reaching out and taking my hand in hers. "I know you do, sweetheart- but he'll always be here with you. Whenever you look out at the farm, or the chair he read the paper in, just imagine him sitting there, and you'll be able to feel his spirit smiling that same smile and watching over us like he always did."

I looked at her impassively, processing what she had just said. I understood, I did- but when I tried to keep it together, the tears came barreling out. She held me in a warm embrace, rubbing my back in order to comfort my pain.

"It'll be okay." She whispered, "It'll be okay."

I nodded slowly, wiping away the excess tears that stained my naturally blushed cheeks. "I'll see you when I get back."

I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, before slipping my flip flops on and heading for the front door. I stopped in front of the key rack, staring my set of keys down. They've been untouched for quite a while.

I hesitantly grabbed them, opening the front door and finally revealing my pale body to the outside warmth. It's been too long, I thought, walking over to the shed where I kept my car inside of. I pushed open the sliding doors, smiling at the sight of Kingsley.

"How are you, pal?" I ran my hand over the smooth surface of his white paint job. "It's been a while, eh?"

I pulled myself through the open space, where the jeep doors used to be intact. I had to wipe a few pieces of dirt and leaves off the seats, but that was okay. It's not like i expected it to be squeaky clean.

Starting the engine, I slowly pulled out of the shed and down our long driveway.

The feeling of the wind hitting my face, and blowing my long locks around gave me a sincere case of nostalgia. This was always how I drove, but it's been a long, long time since I was last in this car. I'm surprised I haven't forgotten how to drive.

I passed my old school that sat there in the middle of nowhere. It looked so dead, and ghastly. Well, it was summer after all.

Richard Harvey's farm looked more lively then ever. The men he hired to help him out with his work and labor were already at it, which was early, for most of our farms don't start physically working for another two days. As I passed his busy acreage, Richard stopped manually plowing a small soil bed, and tipped his straw hat in my direction. I gave him a small wave before completely leaving his home behind in the dust of my tires.

I continued down the long, empty road for another two minutes, until the familiar town I was once a big part of came into view. All the people gradually took their time as they strolled past the store windows, local restaurants, and through the main park.

The super market sat directly behind the square's giant clock, with its eye-catching sign that read 'Bill's Local Mart' in big, yellow letters.

Penelope's Diner was packed with locals, all enjoying their comfortable, authentic southern meals. Acreton Books had its doors wide open, and a fresh display of newly received novels resting on a foldable table outside its storefront. George Washington Park was filled with energetic children, and proud parents. Acreton seemed like the place to be this morning, and I'm glad I finally got out of the house to be here.

I parked right in front of the diner, grabbing the list of groceries my mother needed, and heading off towards the super market.

Several people watched me closely, most with sympathetic eyes, as I made my way to the store. I had already prepared myself to be stared down. Everyone knew who I was, who my father was- and everyone knew that it was a miracle I was actually here right now.

I was cordial, and gave off a few sly smiles into the direction of those who locked their eyes on me. You'd think they'd have heard of an old saying, 'It's not polite to stare'.

"Emily, darling- help me up?" Old Georgia Gates sat on one of the park benches right in front of the store, a bag filled with groceries resting next to her.

I quickly jumped to her aid, helping the poor woman stand up carefully. She was old, and her body didn't move the way it used too. She was stuck with a walker that had a basket attached to it, and that was all she relied on- excluding the people she usually asked to help her.

"How are you, Mrs. Gates?" I asked the woman, trying to be polite and pleasant.

She took a moment to respond, catching her breath from having to use all that was inside of her to stand up. "Oh please- call me Georgia. I'm fine dear, but how are you?"

I knew this wasn't just a simple question. Georgia didn't want to know how I was feeling right now. She only wanted to know how I was taking the death of my father.

"Well, it's been a while since he's passed." I began, thinking of a way to briefly describe what I've been feeling the past year. "I think for now, I'm okay."

She sighed with sympathy, slowly turning her body around so that she could look me in the eyes with her washed out green ones. "I'm sorry such a thing happened to you. Your daddy was a good man, I tell ya'. Now you tell your mother that if she needs anything, don't hesitate to call. I'll send Jeffrey over there with a big pot of soup or something."

I let out a small laugh, "Of course."

"You take care now." She said, moving her walker down the sidewalk as fast as she could.

"You too." I replied softly, even though I knew she wouldn't be able to hear me. I stood in my same spot for a minute longer, admiring the old lady as she strolled her way home all by herself. I didn't know how she did it all on her own. I can barley get over the grief of my father who passed almost a year ago.

With a small sigh, I turned around and headed for the door of the grocery store. I went to grasp the handle, but quickly dodged out of the way as the door swung open from the inside.

"Oh- John." I said, a sly smile forming on my lips once I saw his tall, gorgeous body emerge from inside the store.

He looked down at me, quickly averting his gaze to his feet once he realized who I was. "Emily, hi." He responded, an odd sadness in his tone.

"How've you been?" I furrowed my brows at his weird behavior. Usually I was the one avoiding eye-contact, while he tried to carry on the convo with that casual grin of his.

He hesitantly shook his head a few times, "I've been- good, I guess."

I nodded, "Oh-"

"Look, it's good to see you and all, but I have to go." John acted like leaving was an urgent matter. I just wanted to have an nostalgic conversation that could take me back to before anything bad ever happened.

"I understand." I replied softly, backing up and out of his way. John took off, without even saying a proper goodbye. I remembered how back in school, he made it his priority to greet everybody in a friendly manner. This odd behavior was so not like him.

I knew something was troubling him, but it wasn't my business. I shook the thoughts of him out of my head, and casually strolled into the supermarket, greeting Mr. Bill Chuttney on my way to the cracker isle.

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Thank you so much for reading this far! I hope you've enjoyed the previous chapters, and will provide me with love and affection by making sure to vote and comment your lovely thoughts. Don't be shy!!!

Why do you think John was acting so weird towards her, hmm?

Until next time,

Starlet-