Murder House (Part One)

Suspicions and Superstitions

I told my Aunt about the trip but she said Jake had already filled her in on it the day we were to leave.

"Just buy me a souvenir on your way back."

"So," Jake began as we entered the taxi. "Are you excited about the trip?"

"Maybe." I move away from him. "This is the first time I have been on a plane."

"Yeah. It will take hours to get there by plane but it will take a week if we took a bus." He said as the driver started the car.

'Wow. He's chatty today.' I thought looking out the window

"Do you like traveling?" he asked closing the gap between us.

"Yeah."

"Me too especially by car. I love the fact you get to enjoy the scenery."

I look away. 'It's clear he was trying so hard to know what I like so we can have something in common. It scares me.'

The distance between my place and Andrew's house was short so I wasn't surprised to see we were the first to get there. We got off the taxi, rang the doorbell, and Andrew's mom came out to greet us.

"Good morning ma'am," I say politely. "Andrew told us to come here."

"I know he told Me," she said smiling sweetly. "Well don't just stand there, come in."

She opened the door wider and we walk into the living room while she rushed back to the kitchen.

"The cupcakes will be done shortly," she called out. "But please help yourself by watching television."

I thank her and Jake turned on the television but my mind was not really on the program. Andrew's place wasn't a mansion but it was relatively big to accommodate a lot of people. Despite the difference in size and taste in decor, its homely feeling gave me a sense of nostalgia reminding me of my childhood before the event that claimed my parents' lives.

'I never had friends growing up but I didn't care because I had my parents. I remember my favorite activity with my mom was baking cookies with her while she told me silly stories about her childhood. Then dad would sneak up behind me, swoop me up in his arms and spin me around until I got dizzy. Mom would playfully slap him on the shoulder and kiss him while I try to get my balance back.'

I force the tears back into my eyes. 'It was a strategy they used to have a few seconds of intimacy when I was around but it did work because I always saw them kissing. We were so happy then.'

The tears in my eyes were threatening so I wipe them off and get up.

'I know we are supposed to keep happy memories of the ones you love.' I thought walking into the kitchen. 'But when all you have are memories, it does little to heal the pain.'

I spot Andrew's mom struggling to cut some onions. "Excuse me but, do you need any help?"

She sniffs and looks up at me with eyes red and full of tears. "Yes. I know this is embarrassing to ask, but can you help me to cut the onions while I take the cupcakes out?"

I nod and take over from her while she brought out the cupcakes which made me feel even more homesick than before.

"Oh thank you." she happily said. "You know, Andrew would be here to help me cut them but he is absent and..."

"It is okay. I understand how hard it is." I reply with a smile.

"And you are doing it with such skill," she said admiring my work.

I beam with pride. "Years of practice."

"Are you Emma Cross-wood?"

"Yes, I am."