When Corpses Lie

Jokes on You and on Me

We didn't even needed to knock. The door was wide open, so that the maid didn't have to open it all the time. Every time I walked into that house, I was amazed. Thomas wasn't old, but he loved vintage stuff. The whole summer house was refurnitured for them, and Melissa didn't mind it. I absolutely loved it, and Hannah did too. Not everybody shared this opinion, if you ask me, since Stella, Robert and Laura seemed more like modern people, and a bit more unpatient. Everybody has their thing, wouldn't you agree? Mine is always being inside my little head, never giving a damn about the "real" world.

I could hear kid's screams upstairs. Melissa and Frank's son had autism, and they had hired a babysitter to help them with the son. With this, I don't mean that both Melissa and Frank were negligent, because they were really nice with their son. They tried everything, and most of the money that they would spend would be either for a hospital or for a organization that wanted to find a cure for autism, as a donation. They spent a lot of time with their son, and they always tried to comunicate at least a little bit with him, and they were making progress. Alex now nodded or shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, but it was pretty much it. He also only talked to his parents and the babysitter, and on the good days, with the maid too. I guess he was on a bad day to scream. Thomas ran upstairs immediately and when he saw me, he just said:

- Hi James. Hey Hannah! Can you guys hold on for a second?

- Of course. Do you want me to help you in there? - He didn't even stop to talk. He just smiled and said, between those steps:

- No need to, dude. Imma take care of this quickly and then I'll come join you two. Melissa is in the kitchen. 

- Ok. - I shouted. 

We walked down the hallway and walked into the white kitchen. Melissa had her back to us while helping the maid with the lunch. Around 10 people would be at the party, so I guess it was a "all hands on deck" situation.

- What's on the menu today, chef? - Her face suddenly grew a happy expression as soon as she turned around. She dropped the knife on the counter and hugged me and Hannah at the same time. She was always a very welcoming person. Her friends always said she was wonderful, and I agree. She was kind and generous, and, above all, a very wise person.

- I missed you guys! How are you?

- We're doing just fine, thanks. - Hannah said. The person she got along with the most was Melissa. - How are you guys?

- We could be better. The maid is sick and we had to hire a new one, that is very good, I must say... - She shook her head while saying that and whispered the word no. - and Alex is not on his best days. Thomas is obviously nervous about him and about the party, but we're doing way better than some people, I can't exactly complain, am I right? - she smiled. We heard footsteps behind us. Thomas joined us.

- Sorry 'bout that. - he said, while patting my back. - How are you doing?

- We're fine. Hey, did we get the same room as last year? - I said, while winking.

- Of course. Let me help you with the bags upstairs.

- Thomas? - Hannah said, pointing to her dossiers. - Where can I put these files? I'm afraid I'm gonna have to work this weekend.

- Real shame. The office is the last door to the right. You can occupy one of the desks there. - He grabbed Hannah's bag and said, while leaving the room. - Come on. Let's go.

We went upstairs and dropped the bags on the room. I started unpacking my things while Thomas would talk to me:

- So, are you nervous?

- Not really. I try not to think about Stella so I can create new and better memories of this place.

- Aw, that's nice, but I was referring to the marriage!

- Ah. Makes sense. Not really. I think Hannah is more nervous than me, but we both agreed that the marriage would be very small, like the closest friends and some family. Of course that you and Melissa are invited, and Hannah really wants Sophie there, even if she has to take her husband. With the closest family, it must be like 9, 10 guests.

- April, right?

- Yes, April.

- Hello, hello? - We both turned our heads. Frank's voice echoed throughout the halls. We both went downstairs, like excited kids on Christmas Day.

- Frank! - I hugged him and then kissed Laura. - How are you guys?

- Bored and exhausted. - she said. He hated driving and she hated to be sitting around doing nothing. For two people like this, a two-hour trip would definetly be exhausting. - But we finally arrived! Did Hannah come with you, James?

- Yeah, she is down the hall, on the office. 

Similar talks went on and on, as all of the 12 guests arrived. Along with the maid and the babysitter, plus Alex, we were 15.

We all had a calm lunch, but those 3 days wouldn't be calm. At the end of the lunch, Thomas said that he wanted to organize something special this year, and since he was such a April's Fools kind of person, he said that he had bought all sorts of material possible for us to prank each other. I didn't like the idea, but I wasn't going to contest it. I just had to accept it and the terrible consequences it would cause. Looking back, I wish I had contested it.