HOUSEWIFE

The Audience

'.....Ghosts are souls, separated from their bodies after ones death. Although their presence is questioned, many have testified to having witnessed their activity. Experts believe that ghosts' reason of existence are connected to their life. Such connection can range from strong feelings (e.g. love, sadness, etc) to grudges....' 

'Do you know what this mean?' Bella, with a thick dusty old book in front of her, points out a paragraph to the little boy.

'That...uhh...ghosts are...still a mystery?' 

'No! Well...they're still a mystery, but that's not what I mean,' she points out the last two sentences. '...ghosts' reason of existence are connected to their life, it can range from strong feelings to grudges.'

'You mean....?'

'Yes. Grudges. Your mother is probably still haunting this place because she wants revenge.'

'No,' not knowing how to express his feeling, he stares blankly. 'That's not Mother.'

'It's not?' Bella looks at his face for a second, wondering what to say. 'Did something....happen while I was away?'

The little boy nod slowly, 'I saw her.'

'You mean?' Her eyes widen in realization.

'The Ghost. Well...I don't exactly see her. Justin told me she's there but there's no one there...'

'Ok....and why are you so sure that it's not Mrs. House?'

'He said it's our sister,' although he was the one explaining, he doesn't seem to understand it well. 'and that she killed Grandma.'

'Wait wait wait! Hold on a second!' She put her hands on her head. 'Sister?? And she killed Grandma Dottie? Are you being serious?' 

Frustration, is what Leon thinks Bella is experiencing. It's understandable. Just that one sentence coming from Justin has ruined everything. They had shared information, laid down their groundwork, and came up with theories. Then, just like pulling a block from a stack of Jenga, everything is shaking. It's frightening, disappointing, heartbreaking. 

'When I ask him about the ghost, he kept telling me about this imaginary friend that she calls our sister and...'

'A sister? You have a sister?'

'That's what I was getting at!' Getting caught in the moment, he too, raises his voice. 'We don't have a sister! As far as I know, we never have a sister!'

'Aghhhhh...it's getting nowhere! If only Orion was here...'

Orion. The eldest son of The House Family. He had been hospitalized for a few days now. The recent hit-and-run has resulted in him being unconscious. Although it was a relief to know that he's alive, it also served as a ticking clock to these young truth-seekers. Now that their theories don't hold up, they need some more information. 

'We should ask him,' with a flat tone, he makes a suggestion.

'Him...?'

'Yes...,' his eyes are determined. With a clenched fist, he stands up. 'We should ask Father.'

Time passes as they wait for Arthur to come home. The clock shows 5.40. Usually, he's almost home. The house is quiet, except for the sound of ticking clock, and the boiling pot of beef stew. Justin is taking a nap. Bella is still preparing dinner as Leon does his homework in the living room. The house feels stuffy. Not from the closed windows, but from the tension in the air.

Suddenly, the sound of roaring car engine can be heard. Unconsciously, the two people hold their breath. It's Arthur's car. Their nervousness grow as the sound get louder. Both of them knew that no matter what Arthur said, everything will be different. It's 6.30 when the four of them finally sits down on the dining table. This is the first time Bella has been asked to join for dinner, and she knows that it won't be a pleasant experience.