Little Footsteps

The First night:

The wind beat against the windows and the huge house creaked like an old nut shell, it seemed that at any moment it would collapse like a castle of cards. Outside the wind was turning wilder increasingly. Inside, Mr. and Mrs. Parker and Paula had a soup for dinner in the kitchen, and absolute silence predominated, a forced silence. Her uncle looked at her out of the corner of his eye, chewing his bread with the mouth open and paid special attention when Paula put some white pills in her mouth.

"These are the medicines that doctor Rush prescribed me," Paula said uncomfortably, almost with the urgent need to excuse herself.

Mrs. Parker exchanged a quick look with her husband that did not go unnoticed by the girl. However, she didn't say anything, that strange attitude made her nervous.

"Are they to help you sleep?" asked her aunt after a prolonged silence.

"Pills?" asked confused.

Her aunt nodded, she seemed anxious, restless...

"Yes."

Paula was surprised by the obvious question, she supposed that Dr. Rush had talked to them about her treatment, or at least they should be aware of the most important thing. However she did not want to touch the subject, she still hated to talk about her stay in the psychiatric hospital, because it was enough to name it, to people call her crazy and be afraid of her.

"You're very lucky! Apparently tonight will be noisy," said her aunt, forcing a smile on her face.

Paula just smiled. His uncle continued drinking the soup as if there was nothing in the world more important. He had spoken in front of her no more than twelve words that day and seemed to avoid it.

The girl again perceived that strange look between them and she felt uncomfortable. She had had enough, so she placed the spoon on the plate, pushing it away.

"Do you want more, honey?" said aunt parker with kindness.

"No, thanks."

"Do you like it? Here we live in a simple way," said the Mrs Parker.

"Yes, aunt, is very tasty," said Paula and the woman smiled, this time more genuinely.

"That makes me happy," the woman whispered pleased and continued drinking the soup.

Suddenly, her husband dropped the spoon on the plate, making a thunderous noise, he got up from the seat and, without saying anything else, left the kitchen. Paula was startled by the noise, and looked at him. She was surprised. His wife looked at him with a frown but only dared to speak when he left the room.

"Don't worry!" the woman whispered to Paula, caressing her hand.

Then Mrs. Parker left the kitchen behind her husband, leaving Paula confused and alone with her thoughts. It was evident that her uncle didn't want her at home, but Paula could not understand what caused him that reaction of anger.

She waited for a long time for the woman to return, but since she didn't do it, she started doing the dishes. When she finished with the crockery, Mrs. Parker returned.

"Sorry, honey, you didn't have to do the dishes," she said when she saw her.

"Don't worry, aunt! It's the least I can do for you," Paula said drying the last plate, to place it on top of the others.

"Do you want some tea or coffee?" said the woman, helping her with the job.

"Oh no, thank you!"

Then there was a brief moment of silence while Paula wondered if it would be wise to ask her about the angry reaction of Mr. Parker, or if she had offended him, but she just said: