The Old House

Chapter 3

As I waved bye to Emily my mom called me inside. "You need to go say sorry to your father for your friend." She sounded mad, dad probably told her what Emily said. So, I went to dad's office. He usually doesn't let anyone in his office. The last time I went in there was because my sister accidentally broke moms favorite vase and I took the blame for it. Mom sent me to dad's office for a 'lesson' and to say sorry. He doesn't do it every time we go into the office to say sorry but we never know when or if it will happen.

"Hi Dad," I said in the doorway, I didn't want to go in.

"Hi Sarah, do you need something?" He was sitting at his laptop finishing something before turning to me.

"No, I just wanted to say sorry for the trouble my friend caused." She didn't do anything so I didn't know why I needed to say sorry. I was also confused by this, I thought I was in serious trouble.

"Thank you, you may leave now." He started typing on the computer again when I walked out of the room to the kitchen, thankful that was all I needed to do.

"Did you say sorry?" My mom said as she pulled something out of the oven.

"Yes I did," I wanted to ask why she made me apologize to my dad but I didn't want soap in my mouth so I asked about dinner instead, "is food almost ready?"

"Almost, where are the strawberries you picked with Emily?"

"I forgot to grab them, I'll get them right now."

"Be quick, dinner is almost ready." I quickly ran out of the house and went to the garden. After I was able to breathe again, I looked back at the house. 'Wow, there really is something up there. My dad really is hiding something.' I grabbed the baskets then ran back to the house. "Thank you Sarah, can you please go tell your dad that food is ready?"

"Yes ma'am," I walked to my dad's office trying not to make too much noise. I saw that he was still in the same place when I left him. "Dad, dinner is ready." I tried not to make him even more mad because he already looked upset.

"Tell your mother I'll be there in ten minutes, I need to put my things away." He turned away from the computer to grab his bag.

"Yes sir," I walked to the dining room and told my mom what he had said then helped her set the rest of the table. My mom called my brothers and sister down for dinner. My sister helped make dinner for a while but got flour all over herself from making bread so my mom told her to go and wash up before dinner. By the time we had all sat at the table, it was already 6:30 in the evening.

All you could hear was the sound of forks on plates until my mom asked Austin about his day and how he was doing. "I'm good! I also had a very productive day. I had finished my homework and was able to finish decorating my room. Thank you so much Mrs. Johnson for letting me do that, I feel more at home now.'' He was surprisingly happy. This morning he looked sad and I was worried about him but he seems to be doing fine now, that's good.

"That's good! And you are very welcome. How about you Eric?" She put her fork down and rested her head on her hands.

"My day was fine," he continued to eat trying not to make eye contact with mom.

"Really?" She knew he was lying, "because I heard you broke up with Lilly yesterday."

"Mom, I really don't want to talk about it."

"Why do you keep on breaking up with the most precious girls? You need to get your life together before you date another girl," she has been getting frustrated with him. It seems like he has a new girlfriend every month.

Austin stands up abruptly and walks to his room. "Austin, wait!" I stand up, about ready to go follow him.

"Sarah, sit down. He will be fine."

"But.."

"No 'but,' sit. Now."

Nothing was said for the rest of the evening. We all stared at our plates and ate our food. When I finished eating I told my mom I had homework to do, so she dismissed me.

I walked up the stairs to Austin's room. "Hey, are you ok?"

"I'm fine," he sounded like he was crying before I came in, but he was sitting at the end of his bed so I couldn't see his face.

"You know you can talk to me right? I know how harsh mom can be."

"I know, but I don't want to talk about it."

"Ok, my door is always open to you if you need someone to talk to.''

"Thank you."

I left and went to my room, I didn't want to make him upset again. He was abused in his last foster home and what my mom did tonight made it worse. I wish I can help him but I don't know what to do.

*******

When I got home I helped my mom with the groceries and then ate dinner in my room. I plugged my headphones into my phone and listened to music trying to shake off the afternoon, but I just couldn't shake off the eerie feeling I had. Why? Usually, I can wash away my stress when I listen to music, so why was I feeling this way?

I looked at the clock and didn't realize what time it was.

"Uh, 8 o'clock already?" I got home around 6:15 and went to my room at 6:45 with food. "I should probably work on some schoolwork." I talked to myself while I finished up my schoolwork for the week. Between each subject, I would go and play with my dog for a bit. I finished school around 10:30.

I lay in my bed relieved that the day was over, but something was still bothering me...

******

It was around 11 o'clock in the evening and everyone was asleep, but I just couldn't seem to fall asleep. So, I quietly left my room and went up the stairs trying not to wake anyone up. I quickly looked to see if there was anyone around on the third floor before I made my way to the hall closet. I open the door and turned on my flashlight trying to see any signs that it was closed off but no luck. I went to the guest bedroom and looked in that closet but I couldn't see anything. I gulped with the thought that it may be in my parents' room. I first went to the hall bathroom closet praying it was in there.
I slowly opened the door and turned on my flashlight. I looked at the walls and then the ceiling, and there was a small crack. 'Weird,' I thought, so I got a chair from the guest room to climb and tried to open it. "Come on, please be it," I pushed with all I had then I heard a crack. It finally opened! I climbed up and looked around for a light switch. When I found one I turned it on. "Wow"