Isa bade a concerned Campbell goodbye the next morning, after she had not so coolly refused to spend the Saturday together.
She had managed to calm down after her horrible nightmare and long minutes of crying. Campbell had asked her for the nth time if she was okay or needed anything, she slept off.
Except, Isa didn’t sleep at all.
She lay awake; her eyes darting here and there to every sound her attentive ears could catch.
She silently promised no one in particular that she wouldn’t make a sound or move if they in turn did not move or make a sound.
But the universe had resolved to torture her throughout the night with creaking sounds, wind, trees, anything!
Till she buried herself under the duvet.
Isa opened her front door to be greeted by her beloved friend, Lucky. The white Samoyed ran, leaped into her arms and showered her face with so much slobbery dog love. His tail was in full speed.
She laughed with joy, hugged her best friend and buried her face in his mass of white fur.
“I’ve missed you so much Lucky” Isa said, tears stinging her eyes. She hadn’t been away from Lucky for that long. She also needed Lucky that night, because if he were there, she wouldn’t have been as terrified as she was.
“Little sis?” Called Aaron as he appeared in the hallway where Isa and Lucky were. His hair was freshly combed, his stubble shaven and he smelled of fresh forest, which meant that he had just had his shower. But he had a concerned look as he walked towards Isa.
She waited for him to tell some stupid joke, mess her hair or tease her but all he did was stare with a sad face.
Then it struck her that Aaron must have been told by Martha about her episode last night or he heard her blood curdling scream from their house. However he heard it, he was really concerned about her which made her sad.
The last thing she wanted was for her brother to start fussing over her, thinking that she’d been attacked…
Well she was attacked in her nightmare of course.
Closing the distance between them, Aaron hugged his little sister comfortingly, and she hugged him back all the same.
Sighing she buried her face in his shirt and tried to control her emotions and tears from breaking loose and starting a show. She had done that already and didn’t plan on doing it again, even in front of Aaron. After some minutes of silent comfort, Isa released herself and wiped her eyes.
Stupid tears!
“Well, I was planning on having lunch out but since you barged in, I have no other option but to let you tag along. You in?” said Aaron as he ruffled Isa’s hair to her dismay.
Slapping his hand away she gave him a small smile and began to fix her hair. “Hmmm, I’ve got the unfortunate luck of being stuck with you this afternoon so I just have to go. But I’m taking Lucky with me. I need some good luck on me or get run over by a bus with you”
Aaron threw his head back in laughter “I’m hoping on that bus part”.
Isa punched him which came out as a dull thud on his arm. Grabbing some cash, he smiled at Isa saying “work on that”.
On their way to Tasty Burger, they talked about anything and everything. They joked, laughed and played with Lucky.
They came across the cemetery gate and looked longingly at it. Its rusty steel gate and the lonely stretch of land decorated with graves.
“Not now Isa”.
Aaron’s jaw was set and his eyes stared ahead on the road. He didn’t look into Isa’s sad eyes or the repose of their parents’ remains, but walked on. Sighing, Isa tore her eyes away from the cemetery and the rest of the journey was made in silence.
Once they left they arrived at the premises, the gloomy cloud lifted and was replaced by an air of happiness and joy.
The place was packed with little kids, teenagers and adults moving up and down, eating and chatting.
The counter area had a large picture of a burger with a pair of eyes, mouth, legs and hands. The menu was above and illuminated, showing burger types and combos.
The tables and chairs were all wooden and brown with menus and a bowl of ketchup and salt packs.
Settling on a table, they made their orders.
Isa: cheeseburger with fries and a Coke.
Aaron: double cheeseburger with fries and a Coke.
When the waitress left, Isa opened up a conversation.
“So, how’s the college application thing going? Have you decided on the college you want to enter?”
At that, Aaron’s face lit up and he began to tell her about it.
“So I thought I’d go to Rentok college coz my college application fits all the criteria, and it’s a good place to study medicine, so that your big brother…” he threw his arm over her shoulder and Drew her close “can become the best doctor in the world like that Ben Carson dude, and I’ll be able to take care of you when you’re all old and wrinkly”
Isa glared at her brother.
He’s the one who’ll grow old and wrinkly before I have complete teeth!
Aaron thought for a moment, and turning to Isa he poked her head “you need to get a job when I’m gone. I’ll only be around for the rest of this year and a few months of next year, so you’ll need money. Even if our parents’ money is big enough to last long, you’ll still need to get a job to become a working and responsible girl”.
He poked her head again “you get that?”.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” she mumbled, waving his hand away.
Their order finally came and they dug in. Both groaned in pleasure from the variety of flavours in one powerfully delicious burger.
“This is soo good” Isa munched away. “I wonder what it’s made from”.
“Human flesh…”
“What?” Isa paused, her burger in mid air.
“Human flesh” Aaron repeated and ate his burger coolly. “… what?” Isa asked again, looking at her burger with doubt. “Specifically the butt area,” said Aaron.
“Who knew butts were so delicious”
“O God! Here, have it. You’ve succeeded in making me lose appetite” she said, thrusting the burger into Aaron’s hands. He received it gladly and grinned at her.
Throwing a fry at her face he grinned “thanks a lot sis. Duly appreciated”.
Isa rolled her eyes and excused herself to the restroom. She’d entered one of the stalls, done her business and was about to unlock the door, when she heard the entrance door open abruptly.
She wondered what was happening and decided to play safe by staying put. Sitting on the cistern, she listened keenly to what was happening outside her stall.
She heard more fussing and a few grunts, then a girl’s voice “help me get this off. It’s not working”.
“Why did you have to wear a shirt with buttons anyway?” a guy’s voice replied. Isa’s eyes went wide and she covered her mouth to stop her gasp from escaping.
“I’m getting this off,” said the guy. Isa heard the sound of buttons falling to the floor.
The two chuckled and continued their romance.
What is wrong with people? Of all places, in a restaurant toilet?
She could hear kissing sounds, moans and whatnot which made her blame herself for staying.
“Babe, I want to see all of you,” the guy said.
“I want to see all of you too. I want you now” the girl gasped.
Nope! Not today. I’m having none of this.
“Hey! What the hell are you two doing? Of all places here? Go get a room you idiots” Isa yelled and banged on the door.
The girl screamed and the boy cursed loudly. There were sounds of their frantic attempts at putting on their clothes, and she mentally rolled her eyes. She banged louder, making them fly out of the restroom.
Unlocking the stall, she came out to meet scattered buttons and her annoyed reflection.
After washing her hands, she left the restroom, but on her way back to her table, she met Heather alone.
Isa decided to pretend like she didn’t have the slightest idea of who she was, and find her way back to her table. But Heather dragged her by her arm.
“What is it now? Haven’t you had enough of torturing me for the week?” Isa said with contempt after pulling away her arm.
“I want to talk to you” said Heather in her overly sweet voice which made Isa narrow her eyes.
“I’m not in the mood to talk, Heather” Isa said dismissively and moved only to be dragged back again.
“But you must talk to me” Heather demanded as she stared down at Isa.
“Why do you want to talk to me? I made it clear that I’m not joining your band of bullies for any reason on the planet” Isa said as she snatched her arm out of Heather’s grasp. “It’s not about that!” Heather shot back, anger blazing in her eyes. “Then we’re done talking!” Isa said and turned away, but was still pulled back.
The devil!
“What now?!” Isa asked irritatedly as she threw hair hands in the air.
“I just want to talk to you,” Heather said through clenched teeth.
“I’d rather drink public toilet water than talk to you Heather” Isa whisper-yelled.
Scrunching up her nose, she said in her normal tone “why the hell would you do that?”
Isa stared at Heather. She then closed her eyes and took in deep breaths while counting her numbers. She didn’t want to lose her cool, especially because of Heather.
“Are you listening?” Heather asked impatiently.
“Against my will, yes” Isa repliedas opened her eyes and ears.
“The guy you’re sitting with, who is he? Is he your boyfriend?” Heather bluntly asked. Isa peered into her face and wondered if Heather had hit her head somewhere.
“I’ve been watching you too and you’re pretty close. Is he your boyfriend”.
This ought to be good…
“Yeah, so?”
Surprise flashed through Heather’s face but was immediately replaced by a mean look.
“I want to meet him. And you should leave, I don’t want you anywhere near him from now on”.
Isa’s left eye twitched with anger and she swiftly turned away and left before Heather could drag her back and feed her ears with rubbish.
Who in the whole wide universe does she think she is? Demanding and commanding people around?
She slipped into her seat, grabbed her Cole which Aaron miraculously didn’t drink, and sucked it dry.
Aaron raised his brow and asked “you okay Isa?”.
She kept the empty cup with a firm thud and smiled “I’m okay”.
“I want to head out to the gym for the afternoon. Tone my muscles a bit to keep the ladies interested” he said as he flexed his arms.
Oh they’re interested alright. All kinds of ladies…
She shuddered internally.
“I’ll take Lucky home”.
When Aaron left and Isa found Lucky, she headed for the cemetery.
She searched for the spot where her parents were buried. She didn’t attend the burial; neither of them did but she still found their graves; buried beneath dead leaves, stones and twigs.
Brushing them off she read: “here lies the remains of Ezra Nick White and Janet Emily White. Death date: August 7, 1993.”
“Mom… dad…” She choked, tears in her eyes. So many emotions surged through her and she was trying her very best to not break down in tears.
She touched the stone cold slab that was used to mark their graves.
Taking several deep breaths to calm her beating heart she whispered “I wish you were here…”
Lucky whined and rubbed his head on her ankle. He palmed her ankle again and whined louder.
She rubbed his head and muttered “I’m okay”.
Turning back to the graves she began “mom… dad… I… I miss you so much. I think of you everyday and I miss you. Aaron’s taking very good care of me and he’ll soon be off to college next year, and it’ll be only me. I’ve been doing okay in school and I’ve made wonderful friends and not so wonderful… non-friends. I’m trying to be the best I can in school and home but… it’s just not the same without you mom and dad. Why… why did you have to go… die?”. A year ran down her cheek and she wiped it off quickly.
“Mom, I’ve been having nightmares and it’s been you in them but it’s not you. I wake up feeling very terrified, lonely and just… scared mom. I don’t know what these nightmares mean but I wish they’d stop trying to spoil my memories of you”. She paused and wiped at her face.
“Martha’s been very good to us. She cooked us dinner, looked after us and made sure we were comfortable. She’s also weird, like everyone else in this town. I’m trying my best mom and dad, I’m really trying to survive without you here but it’s not easy. Aaron’s trying his best but though we have each other… it still feels lonely here. I miss you”.
A gentle breeze blew at her face, lifting her hair up. More tears rolled down her cheeks and the wind dried them.
It caressed her face as if comforting and wiping away her tears. It’s sound rang in her ears in melody like they were words of assurance.
“Thank you mom and dad” Isa whispered, and the wind stopped as quickly as it had begun.