Whispers that Scream

Chapter Two

Jane

Jane arrived in Jupiter, Louisiana just as the sun was beginning to set. The small suburban town was located just outside of New Orleans and was an ideal location for new couples to start a family. Jupiter was one of those towns that was close enough to reach the city for work or a fun night out, but also far enough away that you didn't have to deal with the stressors of the city. A surreal feeling overcame her as she made her way down the familiar streets she had grown up on. It amazed her how the houses from her childhood hadn't changed. The same streets, the same houses, the same stores, the same restaurants, and different but similar kids playing in the yards. Everything matched up according to her memory.

Yet, she had changed. She doubted any of her former neighbors or friends would be able to recognize her now. She looked in the rearview mirror as she slowly cruised down the street, only a block away from her mother's home. She pictured herself when she had driven out of Jupiter only six short years ago. The long full brown hair had been replaced with a short pixie cut of platinum locks that fell just above her eyebrows. Her smooth youthful skin had become sunken and haggard. Her gaze zeroed in on the dark circles under her eyes, futilely caked in make-up, not able to conceal the weight of her past.

She rounded the last curve that had been blocking her vision from her childhood home and saw the house materialize on the horizon, drawing her eyes to it like a beacon. She pulled into the driveway and parked next to her mother's black BMW. Her mother always drove a BMW. Oh, she'd upgrade the model every few years, but always a BMW. Her mom insisted that she needed a BMW so that her clients would be confident that they were getting one of the best lawyers in New Orleans. According to her mother, they needed to feel as if they were somehow getting a "rich person lawyer" for a decent lawyer's fee.

Jane put the car in park and took a long deep breath. She was already exhausted from the short two-hour drive from Baton Rouge and didn't know if she had the energy to act like she was supposed to tonight. Like she was expected to. She had to do her best though. Just one night, convince her mother for one night, and then she'd be back on her own and wouldn't have to keep up the act anymore. She could feel her head cock and her mouth tilt up into a small delicate smile that she knew would put people at ease. The familiar mask slid across her features with well-practiced ease.

"You can do this," she whispered to herself in some kind of feeble pep talk. 

She exited the car and started walking up the brick-laid path that served as a winding trail from the driveway to the front of the home. The two-story white wood home looked as beautiful as ever. The front porch ran the length of the front of the home and came with six rocking chairs spread out evenly, leaving a gap to serve as a clear path to the front door. Meticulously cared-for bushes and flower beds sat in front of the raised porch, which brought all manners of birds, bees, and butterflies to give you company as you rocked for hours.

Jane climbed the three steps up to the porch and the old wooden steps whined their protest with creaks and squeaks. She stood in front of the heavy wooden door that was painted dark green and patted herself down, making sure her appearance was all in order. She knocked once on the door, then proceeded to crack the door open and peer inside.

"Mom?" she raised her voice just short of yelling. 

Receiving no answer, Jane continued into the house, listening for any signs of her mother. The short hallway opened up into the kitchen which also happened to be empty. She walked past the kitchen table to the granite counter housing two barstools. A candle was burning on the counter, filling the kitchen with the smell of lavender. She didn't see or smell any signs that her mother had been cooking recently so moved on.