The Art Of Listening

Chapter 4

I washed some sheets for the double bed that looked almost new in the master bedroom, I was going to buy a new bed for me, but this one I was going to put in the guest bedroom. As I was making the bed, I heard something downstairs, but I couldn't find anything. I shrugged and changed into my sleep shorts and tank top before crawling into bed. 

I was asleep when I heard it, a voice. "Hello? Is anyone there?" I furrowed my brows and looked at the clock, midnight. I pulled myself out of bed and looked in every room, but found no one. I sighed as I sat in one of the kitchen chairs. "I am losing my damn mind." I muttered to myself. "Young ladies shouldn't say bad words." The voice of a man made me jump. I looked up to see a tall, round man, dressed in a military uniform straight out of the Civil War area. He had blonde hair and a bushy blonde mustache. The thing that got me a bit worried was the fact that he was transparent. 

"Who are you?" I asked softly, wondering when I had gone off the deep end or if this was a whacked out dream. The man had a heavy southern accent. "General Gustas McGraw and who are you?" I smiled, "Artemis Jones. I just bought this house today." He chuckled, "I have been here for a very long time, Artemis. However, you are the first to stay and talk without running away screaming." I shrugged, "Why should I run, you seem like a nice enough fellow."  He looked at me for a moment, as if trying to figure me out. "You know, to be honest, not many people can see me. I wonder why you can." I shrugged. "Sometimes asking questions just gets you information that you never really wanted to know, trust me." 

"You know, there is something special about you, Artemis, something very special and I am going to figure it out!" he told me and I chuckled. "There is nothing at all special about me, General. Trust me." He looked at me with sympathy, "Tell me everything, I want to know what could have possibly have you believing that hog wash." So  I did, I told him entire life story. He was incredibly easy to talk to and gentle with his answers. He glanced at the clock, "Well, darling girl, the sun will be coming up and us ghosts don't have the energy to be out in the day. I will come back tonight with some answers and perhaps a friend, if you don't mind." I smiled, "Of course not. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine and welcome here. Good night or morning, General." 

He smiled and faded away, "Good day, Fair lady." I made my way to my room with a smile on my face. I fell asleep right away. I jerk awake to a loud banging noise. I run downstairs at full speed and throw open the door to see a smiling Trevor holding a paper bag and two cups. "Hey there Artie, you look like you had a rough night." I look down and remember that I literally just rolled out of bed. My face burns with embarrassment as I fly back up the stairs, cringing at the pain it causes my ribs. "Just, ah, give me a minute!" I yell out to a chuckling Trevor. 

I quickly brush through my very messy long hair, throwing it up in a ponytail and throw on a pair of jeans and a tank top. I brush my teeth and gently wipe down my face, which is starting to heal. Then, dash back downstairs to see a grinning Trevor sitting at the kitchen table, right where I spent the night talking to the General. "That was impressively fast, Artie. I have never seen a woman get ready that fast." I shrug, "It's not like I did something with my hair or put on makeup, I mean you don't have enough paint in your store to cover this mess." I look at Trevor and his brows furrow. "Artie, you aren't a mess. You look fine." I quirk an eyebrow at him, "Are you blind? My face looks like I lost a fight with Mike Tyson and I hate to say it, but that ain't even the worst of it." I tuned my back to him and lifted my shirt.

I heard the chair scrape and his footsteps approach me. His warm hands gently pulled my top back into place. Then, he gently turned me to face him. I had to look way up because he towers over me. "Are you trying to get me to kill a man?"  I tilted my head, "How do you know a man did this? Maybe I was in a horrible car accident? Or maybe I was a rodeo clown?" He chuckled before turning serious, "Darlin, you got battered woman written all over you. I have seen it before. Wanna talk about it?" I searched his eyes for the same lies and evil that I saw in Brad's, but all I saw was genuine interest and affection. I sighed, "You might want to sit, it's a long story. How long til the handyman gets here?" He chuckled as he took his seat, "I'm already here. I also have my brother and couple friends coming by, we all have our talents." I noded, "I thank you, but remember, I am on a budget and I don't start working for a couple weeks." He smiled and noded the gestured for me to continue.

With a sigh, I told him everything. It's a strange thing, I have never had any friends at all, and now I spilling my guts to a ghost and a complete stranger. I watched his face the whole time and I could see the pain and anger flash through them while his face remained blank. When I was finished he rubbed his face, "How are you not terrified to be in the same room as a man after all of that?" I smiled, "I learned to read people's eyes. I know it sounds strange, but I have always been able to see someone's true emotions and feelings in their eyes. I didn't pay much attention to it with Brad, at first, but I learned to." He reached across the table and clasped my tiny hands in his huge ones, "You, Artemis, are the strongest and most brave person I have ever met. I am proud to call you a friend." I smiled at him but before I could say a word, a group of large men barreled through the door, causing me to jump and Trevor to chuckle. 

There was one that looked exactly like Trevor, but with brown eyes instead of blue, then a blonde man with boyish features and green eyes, a man with dozens of tattoos and a shaved hair with hazel eyes and finally, a red headed man that looked like he was an Irish highlander, with burning green eyes. "Trevor, who's your Friend?" His brother asked. Trevor stood and joined the group. "Artie, this is my brother, Adam. Blondie over there is Justin, Baldy is Blane, and this Irish brute is Ian. Boys, this is Artemis Jones, she just bought this house." I stood and waved shyly at the group. Justin winked at me and I rolled my eyes, making them all laugh. 

Ian eyed me, "What the hell happened to you, kid?" I chuckled, "I used to be a rodeo clown." He quirked an eyebrow at me. I shrugged, "I didn't say  I was I good one."  He chuckled and patted me on the back, causing me cringe. A growl ripped through the kitchen as I was spun around and the back of my shirt whipped up, before Trevor or I could process what was happening. Justin came to stand in front of me and lifted the front of my shirt up to the bottom of my bra. He gently turned me and the rest of group cringed. "Well, then. Trevor, can we talk to you a bit?" Justin gritted out. He turned to leave as I pulled my shirt back in place but I grabbed his hand. "If you are going to talk about me, best do it right in front of me. I am not really sure why you should care, but it obvious that you do. Each of you hold still a second." They all looked at Trevor who nodded before I looked each of them in the eyes and saw the same thing I saw in Trevor's. I sighed, "There are more places to sit in the living room, follow me." I lead the group into the living room and they each took a seat. 

The couches and chairs were set to face each other and I began to pace in the space in the middle, spilling my guts, yet again, to complete strangers. Complete strangers who have shown me more kindness in ten minutes than my Father in twenty years or Brad in three years. I shook my head. When I was finished I flopped on the end of the coffee table and bowed my head.