The Sin of Love

Chapter 5

Rosalie was still tearing her hair out about this story of inflated bills. She took a long time calling and studying comparisons, doing internet research to possibly find another apartment near Julian's school, much to Sam's sorrow who hated the way this mom was headed in a dead end when she could instead relax and play with her son. The latter was already undergoing forced loneliness at school, he would have needed special attention, hugs. But surprisingly, Julian didn't seem to blame his mother. He seemed to understand the importance of her worry, and managed to wait until bedtime for a good half hour of hugs and stories with her. Sam had to admit it to himself, at bedtime, Rosalie was caring and gentle, even comforting. But once Julian's door was slammed, she lost her smile and her light to go back to sew or dive into research again.

Louison arrived one weekend to try to solve the overly high bills mystery. Rosalie had invited her to dinner. When she walked through the door, Sam and Julian were both on the couch watching a cartoon. She stopped right in the hall and let out a "Wow!" making all heads turn towards her.

- Are you okay ? -Rosalie asked.

- Yes ... hm ... Rosalie?

- Hm?

- I felt something strong when I walked in, -she whispered to her friend.

- You and your ghost stories, -replied the little blonde, rolling her eyes.

Sam listened and took more interest in this young woman.

- I promise, -she said,- I'm always right about this and you know it. Has anything weird ever happened recently?

Rosalie remained silent. She couldn't deny that there had been some puzzling events happening lately.

Sam walked over, amused, and stood in Louison's field of vision. This woman must have been in her 40's, blonde hair, curly, fairly short. A colorful bandana in her hair and flashy jewelry. Her eyes' blue was so light they almost appeared white. She neither saw him nor heard him; Sam then wondered if she really felt him or if she was just a little crazy. "That bodes well", he thought. This Louison woman was going to become a test subject for Sam, and ideas were swarming in his head. He approached and put his hand on her shoulder, which crossed her right through. Louison shivered and looked around. Sam smiled: she wasn't pretending. He took three long steps to the entrance and turned off the light. Rosalie was somewhat used to Sam's jokes and simply told Louison that the electricity was "messing around" but she had jumped at the tall dark-haired laughter. He took pleasure, all evening, in moving a few objects, turning on the TV again, pushing the salt shaker, which each time caused Louison to jump and made him euphoric. Julian also laughed at the tall blonde's every jolt, which made the situation especially funny. However, Louison was not completely naive either. She had observed Julian closely, and saw that the little boy's attitude was unusual. She saw him follow "something" with his eyes, and smile upstream at the strange events that were happening. As Sam had just turned on the stereo, Louison turned to the little boy.

- You can see it, don't you, Julian? -Louison asked.

- Louison ... -Rosalie grumbled.- Come on, how c-

- Yes I see him, -then said Julian.

A silence filled with unease settled in the room. Julian glanced at Sam who said nothing. After all, no one ever believed the children who told their parents or friends about their imaginary Friend. It didn't matter to him.

- Who do you see ? -Rosalie asked, leaning over him.

- Well... Sam! -Julian said.

- Who's Sam, honey? -Louison then asked.

- Say I'm your imaginary Friend, -Sam said.

- My imaginary Friend.

Rosalie and Louison exchanged a look and asked Julian to leave the table and go to his room, promising to call him back for dessert. Sam didn't follow the boy because he wanted to know what was going to be said between the two women.