Page 45 of Hell House
I shift uncomfortably on the bed. “I’m trying not to think about it.”
She nods. “So, Diablos?”
“I have to be there at 6, want to come cheer me on?”
“As if you even have to ask. God how is it already early afternoon? I need to get ready, oh and I have an outfit that you can borrow for tonight. It’ll look super cute.”
Skye leaves me alone, and I fall back down on my bed, staring at the arched ceiling. I had a hard time sleeping, my mind replaying the moment on the football field. It couldn’t be… magic. That was preposterous and total grounds for throwing me into a psych ward just like my Aunt Vickie that no one dared talk about. My family was incredibly tight-lipped revolving the circumstances that lead to the loss of my Mother’s sister. We didn’t even have pictures of her up in the house. The only explanation I’d ever received is that she’d ‘gone mad’ and died shortly after Grandma Clementine and Mom took her to get help. I wondered if whatever happened to her was happening to me now.
I’d gone down to the basement needing to feel something than fear over what I’d experienced, and I especially wanted to avoid Pierce. I wasn’t ready to deal with all the confusing emotions he made me feel, on top of grappling with whatever happened last night. Some trick of the imagination, or maybe I was just tired?
I grab my phone and check my messages, surprise- my mom left my messages unread. I quickly invite Javelynn out for the night then resolve to call Grandma Clementine. I’d put it off long enough and couldn’t keep borrowing clothes from Skye and Javelynn.
I press call before I can lose my nerve and steel my nerves against whatever things are going to pop out of her mouth.
“Saaaalem.” She coos in my ear. “What took you so long? I haven’t heard a peep from you since you started school.”
“Hey Grams.”
“Now, tell me, why didn’t you tell me about this fire? I had to hear about it from the Headmaster, I mean really. How embarrassing to not hear it from my own granddaughter.”
“It’s been really crazy here with trying to acclimate to the new school and all, um anyways…”
“Now, your cousin Delano always calls to check in, although there were those murmurings that he’d went and got himself a boyfriend.”
“Grandma.”
“Don’t chide me child, I was speaking.”
“Okay, yes, but it doesn’t matter if Delano has a boyfriend if that’s what makes him happy.”
I can feel the disappointment radiating straight into the phone. “Salem, I’ll never understand you young people.”
I let out an exasperated sigh, no matter how many times I tried talking to her about important issues, I was always told to be quiet. That I didn’t know the way of the world. She loved to make me feel unimportant and silly for voicing my opinions, especially when it came to the offensive things she frequently said without consequence.
“Grams, have you heard from Mom? I’ve been trying to text her, and she hasn’t paid the latest credit card bill.”
“Money? Of course, it’s always about money. Not like my children and grandchildren can call to actually call to talk to me.”
“Grams?”
“No, I haven’t heard from her, but I have the account particulars and can have Marino pay it. Is that all?”
“Um, yes. That would be helpful, thanks. I haven’t been able to replace anything I lost in the fire.”
“Well, if you’d called me earlier, I would have been able to help you then. Honestly, Salem. Sometimes you’re just like your mother.”
I let in a sharp breath, “Okay, I have to get going. I have some homework to do. I’ll talk to you later.” I quickly get out and hang up before she can get more jabs in. God, that was exhausting.
Aware that the conversation was mild compared to how offensive she can get, I breath a sigh of relief over having handled the credit card situation. I’m in desperate need of some new underwear. I escaped the fire with the ones on my butt and one other pair that didn’t go up in flames.
A sharp rapping comes from my door. It must be Skye with the outfit she said I could borrow, I think, but when I open the door, an exhausted looking Pierce is standing on the other side. Shit.
“What’s up, Pierce?”
He smirks, “You didn’t call me an asshole right off the bat this time, we’re making progress.”
“Is there something you came here for?”
