Ghosts
The house I stayed in that summer was very big and very old. It had been given a new coat of paint and things looked “ship-shape.” At one point we thought of buying it but a closer examination of the structure revealed major flaws. So we stuck with our plans.
I’ve always been a little behind the times when it comes to new technological advances. But here I was, in this big old house every night with only a radio to listen to. It got a little boring. I read a lot. But one day I went to the Sears here and found a combination television/VCR player for $100, so I bought it. But I didn’t have any tapes; all the tapes were packed away in boxes downstate. So I bought a few; Flashdance, one of my favorite movies. and several others.
Welcome to my world. I had this idea set up in my head that it was a point of honor for me to face this period of time with only books and my own resources–as much as I could stand. So it got dark and quiet and all I could hear was the creek that made its way across the path leading to this house. One night, sitting quietly, I heard a distinct whistle and I jumped. Whistling in the dark? Oh my God. I forced myself to turn on all the lights, get my super-mega-flashlight and patrol the area outside. I was beyond fear. I had taken on this task and I had to face whatever was out there.
And there was nothing. I’m amazed that I slept that night.
Not long after this I was sitting in bed, reading, and I heard a voice cry out “Mama!!” Oh Lord. Was I having hallucinations? Michael? Did Peter and Michael decide to visit me unexpectedly? But Michael never called me “Mama.” I forced myself to think of the people from whom we were renting the house. Any daughters in the family? I had no idea.
I had had enough. With all the lights turned on, my heavy duty flashlight turned up to “high,” I stood in the living room and I shouted: “All of you freaks and ghosts!!Show yourselves immediately!! Because if you think you can play these games with me, you’re wrong. Come out now.”
There was nothing. I went into the basement and looked in every corner, I went into each room, opened every closet door. Not a sound was heard. And after that I wasn’t bothered again. If anybody thinks I went mad that summer, you’re wrong. This really happened.
lgmwriting 