Back Home: A Beetlejuice Story

Chapter 6

Lydia

Me, Adam, Barbara, and Delia are all crammed into the kitchen to make Dad a birthday breakfast. We're trying desperately to be quiet enough not to wake him, but between the clanging pans, sizzling food, and joking, it almost seems to be a useless feat.

"Guys, guys, shh," Delia waves a frantic hand at us. "We can't wake Charles up."

"I'm already up," Dad says tossing the morning paper onto the kitchen table and taking a seat.

"Happy birthday!" I yell and run over and give Dad a hug. He gives a half-hug back.

"Thank you, pumpkin. I'm so glad you're here today." Dad's grinning ear to ear, but his eyes are a little teary.

"Happy birthday, Charles," Delia says giving Dad a hug and kiss, which I mime out gagging to. I like Dad and Delia together, but I like to tease them.

"Happy Birthday, Charles," Adam and Barbara chime in, putting a plate of breakfast down in front of him.

"Shit, I forgot to bring down your present," I say going sprinting up the stairs, Dad calling after me that I didn't need to get him anything.

Betelgeuse was floating in mid-air, fully asleep when I came barreling into my room. My slamming my closet door open, however, caused him to go plummeting to the floor.

"Jesus, Lyds, couldn't find a nicer way to wake me up?" He says sitting up from his hard landing on the floorboards.

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry. Do you remember where I put Dad's present?" I ask rummaging through my closet.

"Middle vanity drawer," Betelgeuse says in a groan.

"Ah, thank you," I say, going to rush back downstairs. "And, good morning."

"You sure are happy this morning," I hear Betelgeuse mumble.

"Don't get used to it," I turn and smile at him. "You know it's not permanent."

"Nothing is ever permanent, Babes. Go have fun." I go back downstairs.

Delia catches me at the last step, looking panicked. "Did you hide an antique Rolex?"

"What? No, what are you talking about?" I say pushing past her. I've never seen a Rolex in my life, let alone one in this house.

"I got an antique Rolex for your father for his birthday. It's gone I had it in this small vase on the bookshelf by the front door." My blood runs cold. Delia had let those thieves into the house before, and there was a good chance if they were left alone they could've found it and taken it. Those assholes playing saints with their shelter that they con people into, only to hock the resident's belongings.

"Delia, when did you buy it and hide it there?"

"A few weeks ago, before those people- oh. Lydia? Were those people..." Delia trails off. She doesn't like to believe the worst in people until she knows that the worst is the truth. That's why she doesn't like Betelgeuse, she knows what his worst is.

"Thieves. They were one hundred percent thieves. I wouldn't have been in such shitty shape if it weren't for them stealing from me. I would've been able to make more money. They stole from everyone.

"Lydia, what am I going to do? That watch was expensive, and I had it engraved, and," Delia begins to go into hysterics.

"I have an idea. You just need to stay and celebrate, I'll be right back. Give Dad my present for me, please."