A Daughter of Light(A Light onto the World)

Chapter 15

 Marimar

Chapter 15

          

It’s been a week and nothing out of the ordinary has happened, yet I don’t feel any safer.  Some part of me believes that the ghost is just lying in wait for the right moment to catch me off guard.  Another part of me believes that I’m just losing my mind.

It’s very hot outside.  Right now it’s three o’clock and it is ninety-nine degrees out there.  With the heat index, it feels like a hundred and eleven.  Being outside is like a torture all in itself.  Even Trevor doesn’t want to be out there.  He does his business and then runs right back inside, panting, to lap water out of his dog bowl.  I’m glad that we don’t have to go outside like Trevor.  I can’t imagine having to use an outhouse.  That would suck!  How did the first settlers do it?  The air-conditioners are on full blast.  We have two separate units, one for upstairs and one for downstairs, to battle the heat.  It’s like an icebox in here.  I readjust my sweater over my shoulder.

I peer outside the window.  I can see heat waves.  Not a single breeze blows through the tree branches.  Mama wouldn’t let Marisol play outside, so Marisol is having a tea party inside with Gabriella and George in our room with some tea and cookies Mama made for her.  I heard on the news about an hour ago that three people have already keeled over in the heat.  Two of the victims were elderly, the third was a homeless man.

Mama and I are in the kitchen taking out the dishes from the dishwasher and are putting them away.  I’m standing on a chair and she’s handing me plates to place in the cupboard.  Papa is at work.

  Mama hands me a plate the color of Sage’s green eyes.  My initial fury towards him has gone and went, leaving me with this longing to see him.  Sage … I wonder why he hasn’t called?  It’s been a week since he last came over.  Did I do something?  He was in a good mood when he left.  Maybe he moved on or something.  Well, see if I care!  It’s not like I was officially his girlfriend.  We had one date and hung out.  He’s free to see other people.  Could it be that he’s dating some dumb bimbo?  The thought makes my face burn with anger and hatred towards whoever my competition may be.  I feel a slight pang in my chest.  Huh, jealousy.  That’s a new feeling.

Stay strong Mar.  It doesn’t matter.  Who cares!  You can do better.  Wait!  Maybe he will call me.  Maybe he’s doing that dumb guy thing where they think that they should wait a week before seeing a girl again to keep her interested.  Stirrings of hope rise in my chest.  He’s just dumb enough to try it.  One of his friends probably gave him such wise advice.  In that case, I’ll act like I couldn’t care less.  I can feel a grin spread across my face in self-satisfaction.  He can be so provoking. 

Crossing the threshold of our bedroom door, I see Marisol pouring tea into tiny tea cups placed in front of four chairs, two of which are empty.  In one of the chairs is seated her favorite stuffed monkey.  Marisol is seated in front of a small round table.  On the table is a plate full of cookies.  I walk over and grab a cookie.  The sweet smell of chocolate floods my nose.  Mmm.  I’m just about to take a bite when Marisol says, “You can’t have one unless you play with me.”  All I want is one.  I should have shoved it in my mouth when I had the chance.  Now I’m probably going to have to play fairy princess; for the second time today.

“Okay,” I say as I try to sit into an empty seat.  I try to keep my reluctance out of my tone.  Marisol let’s out a cry of giddiness.  Woo-hoo, lucky me.

“You can't sit thewe!  Geowge is sitting thewe!” Marisol cries out.  I let out a sigh and place the chair back.

“Where can I sit then?”