Arsonist's Lullabye

Chapter Five: Grandmas House

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Grandmas House

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We settled in and Miles became gradually more distant from me day by day. Eventually, I started to visit my grandma more each day and spent most of my time over there at her house. I wondered if she had old photos of my father? I couldn't just ask her, I couldn't take that risk if she didn't know my newly discovered secret. The sky was blue and filled with puffy bright white clouds as I made my way to Grandmas house. I could hear Grandma Edith and my cousin Amber arguing through an open window as I passed by my grandmothers beloved garden. My cousin Amber has had a hard time since the fire happened, The fire that killed "Our" father. My Grandmother was scolding her for always leaving the house and not telling her where she was. I felt jealous of Amber, Grandma always gave her more attention than me. I know the fire was tragic and heartbreaking but she's not the only one who has lost someone. I quickly thought about my mother, I missed her. I missed the way she would wake me up in the morning for school, I missed her pancakes on Sunday morning, I-I.... "Hello Dear", The door creaked as my Grandma stood on the front porch waving at me. "Hello", I replied as I walked closer. Grandma always had a bright smile on her face and never let a day go by without wearing her Coral Red lipstick. "Would you like to join us for lunch today?" My Grandma said as we walked into the entryway of her home. I replied "Yes" and smiled at her. 

My cousin Amber had other plans and jolted by us and said, "Not me" in a harsh voice as she slammed the front door. Grandma let out a sigh and said: "Let's have lunch". We sat at the dining table and enjoyed each others company for a short while. Grandma cleared the plates and washed the dishes as I sat there looking around, Looking at everything differently. I watched as my grandmother tucked something into a nearby writing desk. She tried to be quiet and discreet about it but the drawer made a low screeching noise as it opened and shut. My Grandmother continued cleaning the counter and putting away the dishes quietly humming to herself. What was that? I couldn't help but wonder what she put in the old wooden desk.

"I have to run errands dear," My Grandmother said as she finished cleaning the kitchen. I stood up and said "Ok", I wasn't sure if she wanted me to leave or go with her. We walked out together and I could feel she wanted to hug me so I leaned in and gave her a hug first. We said our goodbyes and she offered to drive me up the road but I declined and told her I wanted to walk. Grandma rushed away in her old Grey Lincoln Town Car that made a loud knocking noise as she backed out the driveway. I started walking down the porch stairs and alongside the house towards the garden, What was in that desk drawer? I found myself feeling compelled to know as I walked by the garden I could see the window was still open. I stopped walking, Should I? I mean... could I? Could I break into my grandmother's house? I had to decide quickly, The adrenaline started rushing through my body as I stepped closer towards the open window.

 I could feel my heart beating faster, I took in a deep breath and popped my head into the open window. It was now or never I thought as I hoisted my body up with my skinny arms shaking, My mind racing. I managed to pull myself through the window. I felt a sensation of Deja Vu for a second as I walked back to the freshly cleaned kitchen, To the wooden desk. I quickly pulled the drawer open as if my life depended on it, Once again the drawer made a low screeching sound. The belongings of the drawer flew towards the front of the drawer making a clinking noise as it hit the inside of the front drawer panel. Scissors, Envelopes, Pencils, Nothing seemed important... I shut the drawer fast and let out a loud grunt of disappointment, It was like I wanted something to be there, I wanted evidence, I wanted something I could ask my Grandmother about. What was I thinking, It's not like I was going to find a picture of my father and my mother kissing. This was crazy, I felt crazy, Yet I opened the drawer one more time.