"Oh Jezzabell!" I call. My mouth blooms into a smile like the spring flowers, the moment I hear the giggle. I crunch my feet against the fading leaves as I edge closer to the oak tree.
"I wonder where she went..." I say in a teasingly perplexed manner. I swivel around to the opposite side of the tree and snag her small hips "Thats where!" I declare, victoriously.
"Hey no fair!" She squeals and dashes off deeper in the forest.
"How about-" I try to catch my breath once I'm finally caught up to her "-we try something different?" I suggest.
"Too bad we have to go back though, its getting late." I hear her small 9 year old voice say in regret.
"Hey, same time tomorrow, the way we always do!" I reassure, springing a glowing smile back on her face.
That night I lay still in my fluffy bed. I take in the fresh soil dusted breeze gently caressing the curtains. The soft blanket my grandma gave me for her birthday, fingers sinking into the gentle fabric. The smell of cookies drift from the bottom of the wooden stairs to my lingering nose. Gran was making chocolate chip cookies for her annual twist tea party, that took place in the evening the next day.
With the feeling of calm simplicity I drifted into a peaceful sleep.
I woke with a new inspiration in mind, and some coffee to begin the day. I dashed down the stairs, tank top, sweat pants, fluffy slippers and all. I grabbed the hair tie out of the drawer and tied my thick long auburn hair into a messy bun.
I washed the coffee pot out and added new water in. I was about to pour the ground coffee into the filter when I jumped in surprise when gran patted me on the back.
"Oh my you scared me!" I exclaim finishing the daily routine of making coffee by turning the coffee maker to 'regular'.
"Did you put enough in for me?" Gran jokingly asked.
"Of course not! I know your watching your caffeine intake" I remind her. She scoffs and shuffles to her big old green leather couch soaking up the morning sun.
I hop up stairs with my hot black coffee and head to my studio.
I begin to paint long dark brown lines, I add layers and branches.
I dip the brush in water and wash it, then daintily poke it into some homemade green.
I dot the trees with millions of leaves and add glowing sunlight streaming through them.
I decide to be cliché and as a finishing touch, I create a almost perfect very dark brown heart in the center.
I decide to take a bath, with bath salts and all.
5:20
After a while of drying off and curling up with a excellent book I hear gran get into the shower. Then to her closet where she ruffles through generations of old dresses dating back to when she was a debutant.
5:45
I hear her earrings clicking and necklaces welcoming her back to her expensive fancy jewelry box settled on her dresser.
Her heels click down the hallway to the chewy cookies in saran wrap and on a paper plate.
6:00
She removes the covering and carefully places them on a traditional gold platter.
Minutes later I hear old lady voices flood in and grow in our decently big cabin.
Even a hour later they still find things to discuss, grandchildren, politics, 'in my day' discussions and the most popular beauty products that will reduce wrinkles and make you look 'younger'.
6:58
Doing my homework and furiously typing on my laptop I hear grandmas fake 'my friends are here so I'm going to act all gentle' voice come from the bottom of the stairs.
"Dearie, A friend is at the door" She says the 'friend' part with a slight cold ting. It also translates to 'boyfriend' or 'lover' but of course she disapproves and disagrees with dating, of course only till your 20 or whatever.
Of course dumb little me in the excitement forget about the proper ladies down stairs enjoying finger food downstairs. Im geussing ripped jeans, and a letter man jacket (Cane's aka boyfriend) is not approved. Since the surprised beady eyes staring through thin glasses perched on noses staring me down the moment I make it to the main floor...with my grans embarrassed upset one...kind of gave me a clue.
I shyly give a stiff wave and hurry to the door.
"hey there" Cane winks nodding at his letter man jacket.
"Hey you, what brings you to this..." I glance behind me at the glaring eyes of my grandmother and the disapproving looks of her friends "...lovely...occasion..." I try, but I know its probably not going to change grans cold stare. I close the door.
"So theres a party..." He begins, but stops whens I check my wrist watch. 7:01
I should have been playing with Jezzabell by now! One minute late but still...
"You have somewhere to be?" I feel him come closer hands clasping in mine.
"Oh right..." he drifts off realizing my need to go play with Jezza.
But yet comes closer, not that there was much room to close up anyway.
"You do that every night for past year..." He bends his neck slightly grazing my neck "...I think she wont mind just one night..." his voice a tiny whisper. He slides his hands away from mine and trails along my back. I shiver, and not because it was cold outside. His hands trail further down my back to my tailbone. With the other hand he lifts my chin up to his nice lips. Slowly, then more passionately, more deeper and full of love and wanting. We pull apart a bit breathing hard, I place my lips on his neck and whisper "okay."
He grabs my hand and pulls me into another kiss which I just melt into. Then we run off into the dark to his car.
We arrive, his strong hand possessively on my waist.
8:30
Dancing people around me, someone hands me a drink, Im not sure who but I don't care! I chug it, wow! Strong!
"This must be a snake bite shot!" I announce giggling.
"Sure is babe" Cane grabs my hips seductivly.
He bends and licks my neck, I would have been grossed out but I felt so weird that I didn't even care!
8:40
Even through blasting music and the police trying to break the party up twice but failing, I herd the knock at the door.
Seeing no one else was answering and confused why they didn't come in, I wondered if it was the police again.
I staggered over and opened the door ready to negotiate.
"Listen here dude sir-" I began to slur but suddenly I snap out of it like magic. Jezzabell stood staring tears in her eyes.
"Oh Jezza- I-" I begin my apology.
"Babe?" Cane comes from behind and puts his chin on my shoulder.
The he squints into the dark in confusion.
"Babe you mist be drunker than I thought-" the he hesitates I can feel a smile creeping over his face "wanna go upstairs? I heard theres a bedroom.." he whispers lips pressed to my ear. I push him away and send him to his friend who were cheering on a twerking girl, with a very small skirt.
"Jezza common its only one night I always play with you." I try.
"You didn't tonight." she says coldly but simply.
"Now. I will go." She declares.
"No! Dont! Why?!" I protest.
"I have to you broke your promise. I have somewhere to be."
"She does" Mother comes up, in all white and pale " we both do" she moves forward "maybe if you died in the accident you could be with us right now" she says over her shoulder like its my fault. Then with that she disappears into a glowing white portal and leaves for good.
"Accident?" suddenly it hits me. No wonder everyone thought I was crazy. Traveling and running in the forest at night...I was playing with my dead sister no one else saw.
