Ghosts

GO BULLDOGS!

I have not been attending school for awhile. After Dad stumbled into a downward spiral, I couldn't trust him to be alone. It started out with just a day of skipping class, then a week. Soon, it turned to a month. Then he began to seem better. He seemed the most stable he had been in awhile so I went back to school for a day. But all it took was that one day.

My teachers understood why I had been gone since I had explained to them the situation with my mom and dad. I was told I'd have to attend a few classes in the summer to catch up due to my lack of appearance in class which I was fine with.

I was sitting in my biology class when the phone rang. Mr. Walsh said a few 'mhms' and 'huhs' before he glanced at me. He shook his head and said, "I'll send her down."

My legs bounced under the table in nervousness and fear.

"Miss Williams, Mr. Conners would like to see you in his office." He said to me with a look in his eyes that I couldn't quite pinpoint. I nodded and stood pushing my seat in before walking towards the door. "You may want to take your things with you."

There was that look again. I listened to him and grabbed my things before wearily walking down the hall until I saw the sign the read 'Principle's Office.'

After I knocked and entered, I was told to sit.

"Miss Williams, I'm sorry I have to be the one to tell you this."

I couldn't tell where the conversation was going. I wasn't sure what to expect to come from his mouth. Was I being suspended or expelled for my lack of attendance? Did I need to do more summer classes? What was it?

"Frankie, you are needed down at the police station. I'm sorry, but your father has been arrested. I just received a call."

The world froze at that minute. He had never been in trouble with the cops. What did he do? It couldn't be him. It must've been a mistake. A different Nathan Williams perhaps? It was all a misunderstanding. He had done so well.

"Mr. Conners, I'm sorry, but I think there has to be some type of mistake. My father couldn't have been arrested." I shook my head convinced that he hadn't done a thing wrong. I'm sure he was just sitting at home right now watching Pawn Stars on high definition.

"All I was told is that you needed to be down at the station and an Eli would be there to meet you."

And that was when reality hit me. Eli. He called Eli. My father was arrested.

"Thank you." Was all I could muster up with the lump growing in my throat.

I got in my car and drove to see my uncle and my father.

***

'Don't think of those terrible memories, Frankie. I may be in prison now, but in no time, I will be out and back on my feet.'

My face scrunched as I pictured my father next to me and saying the optimistic words he had once said before mom went.

"Right, Dad. I'm sure you will." I chuckled and shook my head.

I sat on my bed surrounded by articles of clothing and remaining items from boxes. I hadn't been living here long enough to be settled, but I have been here long enough to sleep on a clear bed so that is mainly my fault.

"Frankie! Come here for a sec!" Eli shouted as he walked through the doors.

"Yes my dear uncle?" I asked emerging from what had became my cave for the past few days.

"So I went to check up on the house work and just so happened to pick up the mail, and it seems you have received your tuition bill for this coming school year." His eyebrows were furrowed and he had a slight smile on his face as he placed down the torn envelope on the counter.