Light as a Feather

Chapter Six

     Annabelle snuck through the crowd that was taking over the first level of the mansion. She walked up the stairs quickly, even though she didn't know why she was trying to be secretive. She had nothing to hide. The question was, what was her mother hiding from her and the family?

     She made sure nobody was watching and then she tried to find the room they were in. After she checked most of them, she realized that the only two left were her room and the room with the "Do Not Disturb" sign. Her door was open and nobody was in there. Annabelle walked to the other door. She pressed her ear to the door. Sure enough, voices were behind the door.

     "Make... not like... why can't we...her?" Annabelle heard. It was a male voice.

     "You know... order of things. Nothing... do... happen..." That was her mom.

     "Not... dangerous... something going to... maybe if we..." Annabelle couldn't place that voice.

     "This isn't... change.... we can do about... live..." Annabelle recognized that voice. It was Jilah.

     When their footsteps came close to the door, she ran down the stairs so fast she nearly tripped. What were they talking about? Who was the her they were referring to? The group of people had thinned out. Not as many people were in the room. Jilah walked down the stairs, and smiled at Annabelle. Then she walked out the door.

     Annabelle should have felt confused. She should have wanted to know things. But that is not what she felt. She felt angry. Why was her mom hiding? As if she didn't hide from her enough already!

     Annabelle said goodbye to a few people and then she went upstairs. She was not going to come out. Not until her mom's lips started spilling secrets.

                                *****

     Her mom walked up after everyone had left. She opened her door and said, "Hi. Everyone told me you just disappeared."

     Annabelle's eyes squinted themselves into slits. "I did."

     Her mom was immediately on the end of her bed like she was six again. "What's wrong? What happened? Are you okay?"

     "Physically? Yeah, as good as ever. Emotionally? I don't know, mom. What are you hiding from me?" 

     Her mother's face turned white. "What are you talking about?" she asked softly.

     "You know what."

     "No, I don't."

     "What were you talking about in that little meeting of yours?" Her mom sighed. "Mom, I'm serious. What was that?"

     "I can't tell you yet."

     "What are you talking about?"

     "You'll know soon enough. But right now, I cannot tell you." Annabelle groaned and rolled over. She didn't face her mom. She couldn't. She was too angry.

     Her mom seemed to get it. "Annabelle, I know things are difficult right now. Confusing. But I promise, it will clear itself up soon." Annabelle heard the click of the door. She only wished that she could hear rain and thunder, because that's how she felt. Dejected and angry. But there were no clouds that night.