MARIEL

22~ Over My Dead Body ~

Thursday, February 13th, 2020

Esther's hand shook, and her mouth was dry. As she awaited an answer, the phone trembled in her hand. Tears blurred the red "EXIT" sign in the back of the stage. Rap music played quietly through the speakers. The other dance members scurried about the stage, laughing, holding conversations, having a seemingly normal life.

Her phone went to voicemail and, with a horrible realization, she slapped herself over the face with shame, exasperation, and fear. Fr. Jerome would not pick up the phone. He had no tongue, he could not speak.

Her phone buzzed, and she saw a text from him.

'I can't speak, remember? :) Are you okay, my friend?'

This was embarrassing. She was a fucking idiot. Esther typed back, trying to keep back the tears but it was too late. They trickled over her cheeks.

'I'm so sorry, it's habitual. I don't want to bother you but is there a way I can come see you? I'm having a hard time and on top of that... your son called me.'

Footsteps came closer. Quickly, Esther wiped her eyes. Her phone buzzed.

'Of course. I don't get out much right now. Come on over, Harlow would love to see you!'

"You okay, Esther?" Zoey straightened her crop top and then shook out her brown hair before twisting it back into a ponytail.

"Yes, just... a day." Esther sniffled and eyed her. "You're doing awesome, by the way. Are you excited for the competition?"

Beaming, Zoey nodded. "Yes! It's all I think about. Well, that and -"

"That girl?"

Guiltily, she nodded. "Maybe."

Esther picked up her backpack. "Well," she said, "maybe consider moving on faster rather than later. It definitely doesn't help to cling to something that was never meant to be." Her nose flared a little, thinking of Mariel, and the disgusting voicemail he'd left her.

Zoey looked at her, her face serious. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Esther smiled, but her body trembled. "I will be."

While driving to Fr. Jerome's house, Esther passed signs that promoted Kaemon Spears' rally. The streets bustled. So did Esther Caravan's mind. She'd received two phone calls today. One from the doctor, and the other from, presumably, Mariel Nadier.

Neither were good.

When she arrived, she saw Nathan Spears' car parked out front. She felt a sense of relief knowing Fr. Jerome had someone else in his life to look after him. She hoped and prayed that the man was solid, and that he wouldn't hurt Fr. Jerome. The old priest deserved only the best in life, and Lord knew he'd been through enough horror.

The door opened. Fr. Jerome's face looked pale, worn, and almost older, but he had a smile on his face. He had always managed a smile for her. Stepping aside, he gestured for her to enter the house.

"Hi, Father, thank you for seeing me. I'm sorry about the phone call thing. That was pretty embarrassing." Esther stepped inside and nodded towards Nathan, who sat in the recliner. He was on his laptop with glasses on his nose.

Fr. Jerome chucked and shook his head. Harlow meowed and rubbed against his leg, purring and looking up at Esther. The old priest picked up the cat and gestured to the couch for Esther to sit.

"How you doing, Esther?" Nathan looked up from his laptop. "Good?"

"Yes, thank you. Well... not really. It's a lot. I'm sorry." She was still trembling as she sat down on the couch. Her phone nearly slipped from her fingers.