The Million Mile Hallway

Chapter 16 - Jason

We both shot up from the sofa when there was a loud thumping on the door.

"Who the hell is that?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.

I hadn't intended for things to get heated between Louise and I but just being around her, I fell into the same trap that I had before. Here I was having feelings for a high school student. It didn't feel right but I couldn't stop myself. And when she came right up to me, the temptation was too much to resist.

"How should I know?" She whispered back. "I obviously didn't invite anyone else over!"

"Maybe if we stay quiet, they'll think that no one is home and go away" I wondered aloud.

"I know you're in there Louise!"Cried a voice from behind the door. I knew I'd heard it before but I couldn't recall where or when. However, Louise certainly could.

"Coming Mrs. Sullivan!" She politely called before silently scowling.

"The old lady from downstairs? What does she want?" I asked.

"Hang on a second, let me read her mind and tell you!" She hissed back. She was cute when she was angry.

Louise walked briskly to the door while I waited awkwardly in the living room. Moments later, she returned with the old woman in tow.

"It's for you" Louise sighed. Before I could ask what she meant, the old woman entered the room and spoke.

"Hello there Jason! I just tried your door but you didn't answer!" She spoke in what I'm pretty sure she thought was a quiet voice but it was anything but. Mr and Mrs Lane could probably here her from California.

"I just came over to help Louise with something" I fake-smiled. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes there is" She shrieked again. "I was wondering if you'd be able to come and take a look at my living room light. It keeps flickering on and off. I've asked my husband if it's him doing it but he says he isn't touching it"

"Your husband sounds like quite the joker" I laughed, as Louise made hand gesture behind Mrs. Sullivan, one that looked like she was decapitating herself.

"Oh he was. Sadly he passed away last year" She calmly replied.

"Oh" I whispered. Now Louise's actions made sense, but the old woman certainly didn't.

"Anyway, would you be able to come and take a look at it now? It's just that I'm heading out soon and I don't know when I'll be back. Bingo with the girls can get pretty crazy on a Sunday!" She chortled.

"Sure thing Mrs. Sullivan. I'll be down in a second" I told her.

I let Mrs. Sullivan go down the stairs first before saying an awkward goodbye to Louise.

"Are you seriously going now?" She asked, her annoyance clear.

"What am I supposed to do? Let her come back up again?" I replied.

Louise huffed but she agreed that getting caught fumbling on the sofa by an elderly neighbour wasn't exactly an ideal scenario. To be honest, getting caught by anyone wasn't at the top of my list of things I wanted to happen.

I fixed the faulty light in less than five minutes whilst avoiding any discussions about her ghostly husband. One of her wires had come loose from the light fixing so all it needed was tightened with a screwdriver. Mrs. Sullivan once again called me a lovely young man and I was on my way. Instead of going back to Louise's apartment, I retreated to my own, losing myself in thoughts about what had happened this morning.