Back Home: A Beetlejuice Story

Chapter 9

Lydia

"Lydia, darling, come here, let me look at you," Otho ushers me over. Delia took the liberty of inviting him to my small birthday party. I'm not thrilled that he's here, but I'll play nice if I have to. I walk over slowly, and Otho puts both of his hands on the side of my face, turning my head this way and that.

"What are you doing?" I ask, shock filling my voice.

"I am reading your aura," Otho explains, craning my head like he's trying to learn how to break my neck.

"Wow, okay, please don't do that."

Otho holds my head straight and looks me dead in the eyes. "Lydia, I know there are spirits in this house, but your soul has been touched by one much more powerful. I believe a helpful one, perhaps this spirit allowed you to find your way home." He smiles and claps his hands. He then goes to find Delia in the kitchen, and I can hear them begin to gossip within seconds.

I roll my eyes and sit down on the couch, picking at my nails. I'm so nervous to see Bertha and Prudence again. It's been so long, and I don't know how awkward it will be to see them again. The doorbell rings, and I stand up going to answer it. I pause with my hand on the handle, taking a deep breath to settle my nerves.

Bertha is as tall and thin as ever, but she got her teeth corrected. "Hey," I say awkwardly as I open the door. Bertha's smile falters for a second as she sees me.

"Hey, Lydia! It's so good to see you again, happy birthday!" She cheers handing me a small box.

"Oh, you didn't have to get me anything," I defend, gently grabbing the box. The wrapping paper is sparkly purple. "Come in, come in. Prudence should be here pretty soon." I tuck my hair behind my ear. I set the present down on the coffee table and sit on the couch. "You look great," I say with a smile. The tension between us puts a pit in my stomach.

"Thanks, thanks. You look great too," Bertha smiles too.

"No, no I don't," I joke. Bertha laughs with me.

"I mean you've looked better," She smiles. "You're still really pretty though."

"Thanks." We fall silent again. "How's college?"

She takes a sharp inhale. "It's so weird," She admits. "People just do things all the time, and the work is so much harder. I do have a boyfriend now though." I can feel my eyes widen in shock. Bertha was always slightly boy crazy, carrying around "heartthrob" magazines, dreaming of the day she would find her confidence where a boyfriend would even be possible.

"Tell me the details! What's he like?" I lean forward, putting my elbows on my knees.

"Hold on, hold on, I want to wait until Prudence gets here, tell you both about it." She smiles.

"What? That's not fair I want to know," I groan, slouching against the back of the couch.

"How have you been? Do you have a boyfriend?" She teases.

I laugh. "No, no I don't." The doorbell rings. "But, I do think you owe me and Prudence the boyfriend talk." I joke as I go to open the door.

I lay down on the couch. Prudence and Bertha had left a few minutes ago, but Otho was still in the kitchen with Delia and Dad. They had offered that I join them for some coffee and conversation, but after my time with Prudence and Bertha, I was all conversationed out. Dad did still bring me in a cup of coffee, which I had a few sips of before deciding to let it cool down. I flop a pillow down on my face to block out the light. I'm glad to have seen Prudence and Bertha and catch up, and even though it was kind of awkward. We have a lot more catching up to do before we'd be able to be as close as we were before, but having my friends back in any way makes me feel less alone and isolated to this house. The phone rings in the kitchen.