Free as a bird

chapter 6

I raced after Helen. I found her in a cupboard, crying her eyes out and looking at a picture of her departed husband, Alfie.

" Oh... I am an old bat aren't I? What do I know about love?" she spat the words out like they were  disgusting. She continued cradling the picture, tracing his outline with her nails. She glanced at me.

" I-If only.... If only I could undo the pain I endured. If only I had walked past him back in high school."

She began to drone on and on about what if she had never fallen for him. It was hard for me to grasp if she was mourning over him or insulting him. Nevertheless, I sat beside and stroked her hair. I leaned on her shoulder and sighed deeply.

" You're not a cougar, Helen, you're my best friend." I wrapped my arms around her and, even though her nose ran onto my favorite shirt, I didn't mind. We sat in darkness and watched as shadows passed by. Sheila walked past and began talking to her invisible spirits. again.

Helen tapped my shoulder. " Let's scare her." She snickered.

I grinned sadisticly. It was like I was a teen again. " Woooooooo! Sheila....! I am a powerful demon!!"

Sheila shook and looked around. " Um.... Greetings o powerful one how may I be of assistance...?"

Helen and my brains whirled and got into action. " I want toast !! with low fat butter......!!!!!"

There was an eery silence and then Sheila  swung the door open so fast, I thought the hinges would snap off and the door would land on our bellies.

" Y-You!" She shook hard at her shoulders until we were both swaying on the floor. The room began to spin and I found myyself begging Sheila to stop.

" Alright, Sorry, it was only to make Helen feel better." Sheila sighed and dropped her bags. She slipped down next to us and we all closed are eyes. 

" Maybe, maybe it's time I stop talking crazy with spirits. "

I stood up. And walked out to my desk. " Got to get back to work."

As I looked at my desk, I noticed a small yellow slip of paper on the table. I read it aloud.

"To Summer-lily, Your first task will be to fetch me these things from tescos...."

" Bacon, eggs and toast." I whispered quietly to myself. I cringed. A whistle was heard and before I knew it, Zach was behind me.

" Isn't it enough that I had to lie and tell everyone you weren't the one who saw my mum half naked?"

He shook his head. " Nope. Now get those things for me okay?"

I held out my hand. Zach stared blankly at it. " What?" He said.

" The money, I need money to get this."

He nodded. " So you do, fish into your purse and use the money you find in there."

I wanted to slap him around the cheek but no-one was looking so it wouldn't have the same effect.

" My money? Oh... you jerk..."

I punched his arm as I headed out. He squealed a bit and then chuckled.

" I hate my life... I hate my life..." I said, shuddering.

And you know what? I really do.