~~Eugene Potter
“Just like how we rehearsed it,” Jack said to me. “Name, age, and job.”
Inhaling some air into my lungs as the words that I want to say try to form into a simple sentence, but I couldn't. All of those memories I had stored away in my mind tried to come out in one sentence like a tidal wave. I breathe in and out after getting a grip, “My name is Eugene Potter and I’m thirty-one years old, and I’m a news editor.”
“Where did you first meet Ella?” Jack asks. Turning my chair to the Acropolis skyline, I catch a view of birds flying by, “Our encounter wasn’t perfect, and definitely not love at first sight. Yet, it was fun in a way...”
Sixteen years ago I wasn’t in my nicely furnished city office, staring at some birds, and I wasn’t thirty. I was merely fifteen, waiting to escape that dreadful high school with their overrated ceremonies. I was just a kid. A kid who refused to call his father dad, for a grudge that was let go after an encounter with death.
---
Sitting lazily on the polished bleachers in the school’s gym as another girl comes up to the microphone, “Ella and I weren’t exactly friends, but we had class together and I-.” She stops midway to cry on Mrs. Harris’s shoulder. Poor Ella, only if she knew how her name was going to be butchered up for a sob story and then thrown back at us. The amount of times I’ve heard stories of Ella being “friends” with a student or how they borrowed a pencil of hers is such bullshit. I recall that Ella didn’t have many friends since she just moved to a little town in Ithaca, Point Place. A dreadful call if you ask me.
Only if Jack were here with me, he would agree with me. We would start to plan out our great “escape” from our town and make our way to big city, Acropolis. That’s where I’ll start out and become someone. Not Ray's son, but my own person. I pull out my phone and text Jack, who has the flu.
“Hi, Alison and I just wanted to say that Ella was always in a good mood.” Alison said into the microphone and continues on. I roll my eyes at her, for no one really cares for Ella. Not just a pity care, but a genuine one. I lean back against the white cement wall and stare at my other schoolmates. Why is everyone faking it and lying about having a friendship with a dead girl?
My body shivers a little when a chill goes up my spine, as if ice cold water was splashes on me.
Only if Jack were here with me, he would agree with me. We would start to plan out our great “escape” from our town and make our way to the big city, Acropolis. That’s where I’ll start out and become someone. Not Ray's son, but my own person. I pull out my phone and text Jack, My body shivers a little when a chill goes up my spine as if ice cold water was splashed on me.
‘Is the window open?’ I said to myself but when I check if any of the windows are open, but they aren't. Instead, there are only students on their phones or merely talking to friends happily in my view. My gaze goes to where the line for the microphone is, and it’s getting smaller quicker than I expected.
I notice movement in the line and spot a girl that reminds me of someone, but I quickly shut that thought down since it would be impossible for it to be her, Ella. The girl came out of thin air from nowhere, she stands at the bottom of the bleachers staring Alison. Although the metal railing blocks my view I can tell the girl is a brunette. I inch forward searching for a better view just as her eyes meet mine, and I remember those green eyes every time we passed in the hallway. I feel myself become hot and uncomfortable, her face turns to shock as her eyes lock into my eyes. I can’t be seeing her. Isn’t Ella dead? I walk down the bleachers past teachers towards the exit.
“You can see me?” A voice quivers in my ear, I let out a scream and hit the gym door with my face. Falling to my knees I feel wetness on my knees and notice its blood dripping on my jeans, I try to cup the blood into my right.
“Eugene, are you okay?” Mrs. Harris asks I try to find Ella but she disappears for the second time. I point to Ella’s picture with a shaky hand, “Oh.. I know it’s hard for you, but you’ll get through it. Let’s take you to the nurse's office.”
“But Mrs. Harris, didn’t you see her?”
“Who, dear?”
‘Don’t say anything. They’ll think you’re a warlock.’ I thought to myself.
“No one, it’s nothing,” I said to her.
That night I stay in my room, watching the movement of my ceiling fan. As it spins around and around, I try to collect my thoughts on what happened today, who can I tell or how can I tell someone I’ve seen a dead girl walking? Dad is too busy at work to give any attention to and grandma, well, she would worry more than she already does. Jack is a possible answer, but I don’t want to lose a best friend over something so strange.
“Hey.” I quickly sit up, which causes me to hit my head on my bookshelf over my bed. A book falls to the floor.
“Eugene, are you okay?” My grandma said from downstairs, as a silhouette of a girl emerges to the foot of my bed.
“Y-Yeah, I’m fine grandma,” I said back to her, “I think.” In the moonlight that is peering over my blinds reveals the silhouette like curtains, opening for a play. It’s really her, it’s Ella.
“Ella?” I said. “Ella James?”
“Ella Ann James. Don’t forget Ann.” She said to me and I rub my head to soothe the pain I was feeling. “I must be insane! There’s no way you can be here with me, right?”
“Well, I’m technically not ‘here’,” Ella does the air quotes and sits on my bed, “All I know is that I’m dead, but I can’t cross over.”
“Why?”
“I need to know how I died.” Ella said, “ I believe someone planned my death.” My eyes widen at what she said to me.
“You mean like murder?” I said, “Ella there’s wasn’t a-.”
“Body?”
“Y-yeah, sorry,” I said. Ella shrugs her shoulders, “Listen, Eugene I had enough time to cope with my death,” She said, “But I can’t move on until I find whoever killed me. Which is where you come in.”
“Me?”
“Yes! Eugene, you’re the only who can help me, no one else sees me but you.” Ella said to me, I think for a moment to see if anyone could help her instead of me.
“B-but Ella, I will be accused of being a warlock! Can’t you go find someone.” I said, but Ella cuts me off by shaking her head, “No, I tried to go to Waldwich for some help, but I’m stuck in Point Place.” Ella said and places her hand onto mine. Her hand felt like cold air around my mine, and her hand is transparent making her right. Find her killer will help from any more potential victims, and Ella moves one. I let a sigh and pull my hand away from hers to rub my head again, I really hope I don’t break a bone by the end of my time with Ella.
“All right, I’ll help.”
Ella smiles at me and flops on my bed next to me, “Perfect, let's talk!” She said.
I spent the weekend in my room with Ella as we got to know each other a little bit more, Ella said that is no rush to seek out the truth, but when I asked why we couldn’t start, Ella didn't answer me. Anyway, it was hard trying to tell my grandma why I wanted to eat my meals in my room, and very awkward to have Ella leave the room when I had to change. After a long wait, Ella decided to show me something important to her. ‘I wonder,’ I thought, ‘What she is hiding?’
Walking beside Ella her, I observe as she folds hands that are resting behind her, and the flow that her hair moves. “Does this have anything to do with Mr. Daniels?” I said with a hint of impatience in my voice.
“No, but I do want you to remember that last day?” Ella said.
“What day?”
Ella turns her head towards me and said, “My last day I was alive when Mr. Daniel yelled at me.” I get a chill and start to recall that day, and remember Mr. Daniels yelling at Ella on the last day she was seen alive for Ella asked him about magic. Normally, he was a laid back kind of substitute teacher in our high school, since then he hasn't come to school after Ella went missing either. I begin to think of Mr. Daniels again, could he really have done something Ella? There was no proof but I heard rumors that he once was in love with a vampire named Rose, but she was killed by hunters.
“I do have a question for you, Eugene,” Ella said, snapping me out of my trance and I sigh.
“It’s not like one of the Twenty Questions game kind,” She said, “How come you call your dad Ray?”
I shrug my shoulders as we continue walking, “It’s hard to explain,” I said, “Basically, there was a tear our relationship after mom left, and that tear keeps up ongoing.” Ella hums as if she’s thinking about her reply to me.
“I understand what you mean.” Ella said, “Ever saw your old man cry before?” I stop and shake my head at her. Ella smiles at me, “I had, but to make it short Eugene, I had my fair share of parent drama, mine is in the process of a divorce,” she said, and continues to walk, “Follow me.” I follow after her and realize we made it to her house.
“Your house, why?” I said.
“For my favorite place.”
To the right of the house is a pathway to the woods, the kitchen light is on and I begin to grow nervous at the thought of someone catching us, “Come in, Eugene!” She said, I nod and begin to follow after her. Walking through the trail a treehouse comes into view behind the old lumpy and curvy trees, and immediately my mouth hangs open in shock. The woods had a beautiful eerie look to it, the grass wasn't a pretty green but a light brown, and the trees were ranging from high to low. When I was younger, I’ve always wanted one but my parents thought that it was too ‘dangerous’. Coming up to the trunk of the biggest tree, I touch it lightly and feel the smooth surface of it. Ella stands behind me proudly to show off her cool hideout, then climbs up some wooden planks that are nailed into the tree for the ladder. I follow after her, and when I get into the treehouse where there are maps of the stars, shelves with jars on them, and books. I turn to Ella in amazement, she looks around the old wooden treehouse, “I love this tree house.” She said.
“Was it here when you moved in?”
“Yes, but my dad added the Star Door,” She said and points to a little door that is locked up. It has the words ‘Star Door’ in blue paint with a cursive format and a golden star next to it, “At night I would come here when there was a meteor shower, and one time I saw Jupiter with my telescope. I think I saw the red dot, but I don’t know.” We lay on the wooden floor side by side.
“What’s your room like?” I said with curiosity, Ella stares at me with a raised eyebrow, “It’s only fair since we’ve been in mine for two days.”
“Alright, my room has the same wooden floor and dark blue walls. However, I have maps hanging up, and my telescope by my window.” She explains and begins to smile at the fond memories of her room, pity starts to grow within me like a plant. I can’t imagine not being able to touch anything in my room, “ I have my grandpa’s War World II dog tags hanging up on my bedpost with my dreamcatcher.”
“Ella, we have to talk about Mr. Daniels,” I said, seriously. I sit upward, and Ella sighs heavily, “Must we?”
“Yeah, what makes you think he is a good suspect?”
“Ugh, I don’t know Eugene!” Ella said with frustration, getting up she checks through the window, “Ever since there is something wrong with a person, but you can’t place it?”
“Yeah.” I said, she looks at me with a weary expression, “That’s what I felt whenever I saw him. I heard he freaked out on me because of how he had a lot of pressure, but I don’t know.”
“Shit,” I said and sit up as well, “What can we do to get some sort of evidence?”
Ella, who is looking out the woods trying to think of something. Her eyebrows frown as she’s trying to concentrate, “Ever saw the movie the ‘Lovely Bones’?”
“Yeah, why does- oh no! We are not-.”
“Eugene, think of it! We can end this quickly, and just do the damn thing.” Ella said I push back my floppy blonde hair.
“We’re not gonna break into a man's house, but I will agree to follow him,” I said which Ella nods, getting up I climb down the ladder with her following me.
“Hello?” Behind me and it’s Ella’s dad
‘Shit.’ I thought, and turn to Ella and back to him, “I’m sorry, Mr. James I didn’t mean to intrude!” I said as I quickly move away from the treehouse. Before he could give me a reply Mrs. James jogs up to us and stands beside her husband. “I just knew Ella and I wanted to visit the treehouse since she talked about it so much,” I said, her parents look at me with shock.
“So you knew our daughter?” I nod, “Why haven’t we met you before?” Mrs. James ask.
“Ella said she wasn’t allowed to bring boys over,” I said, and I say something about knowing her before her death and what Ella told me earlier, “Too bad though, I heard she had a cool collection of maps.” Her parents look at me with sad smiles and I give one back.
“Well, we’re glad our daughter had you as her friend.”
“ I’m sorry for not saying this sooner, but I’m sorry for your loss,” I said.
“Thank you,” Mr. James said, “What’s your name?”
“Eugene Potter.” Ella catches my eye when she begins to do some weird hand gestures for me to look at something and when I do, I quickly said, “Sorry, but I have to go! Have a nice evening.” I run away from them and go up to Ella. We walk a faster pace on the sidewalk, close enough to him but not close enough to be seen.
“I saw him walk past the house while you were talking to my parents,” Ella said, “Mr. Daniels never walked by my house, why now?”
“Maybe he was going to give your parents his condolences. We can’t judge an innocent man.” I said trying to give reasonable explanations. Ella stops walking and turns to me abruptly.
“The hell we are!” She exclaims I turn my face away from her gaze and notices that a few neighbors giving me strange looks, I smile sheepishly at them and start walking again.
“Oh come on Eugene, please!” She pleads, “I’m sure, it’s him.”
“Ella, it can be-.”
“Alright, we’ll just wanna analyze his movements around town, okay?” I think for a moment.
“Fine,” I said, “But we need a code word.”
“Code word for what?” Ella said.
I reply, “I dunno, like if something went wrong, or you’re afraid.”
Ella nods her head, “Okay, I see what you mean,” She said, “Red Storm.”
“What?”
“Red Storm is the code word,” She said, “The red dot on Jupiter is getting smaller, I get scared when I feel small.” I grin at her and nod.
“Perfect!” She courtesies at me with a little laugh as we catch up to Mr. Daniels by at a good distance. When he turns around I hide behind a car or a bush.
“Red Storm,” Ella said.
“What?” I said and raise my eyebrow in confusion, forgetting the code word, “Oh yeah, what’s going on?”
“That car has been following us for a while.” When I turn back there is a silver car creeping up on Ella and me. My heart falls to my stomach and tries to claw its way out when I realize it’s Ray, too bad it’s not a stranger.
“Shit!” I curse at myself, “Ella, are we on the other side of town?”
“Yeah, why-?”
“Ray hates-.” I begin to explain but Ray cuts me off by slamming his door shut and coming over to me.
“Eugene, what the hell are you doing here?” Ray then drags me to the car and pushes me in, Ella gives me a surprise expression. Pulling up to the house, my dad orders me out of the car and towards the front door.
“The fuck is your problem?” Ray said as he shoves me in the house. I stumble in and my grandma stands in the kitchen doorway looking at me with anxious eyes, “I catch you doing God-knows-what across town, even though I forbade you to!”
“Ray, please-.” My grandma tries to interrupt, he holds up his hand to silence her. I notice Ella next to the front door, with worry on her face and a hint of fear in her eyes.
“Eugene,” She starts, “Should I go wait in your room?” I shake my head at her with a small smile, Ella gives one back to give off a brave front.
“The hell are you shaking your head at?” Ray said as his face starts to flare up, Ella looks at him with fear as if she’s a baby rabbit and he’s a hungry wolf. At this point, I’m used to it. Ray, my dad has never been perfect which is why I allow his anger to go about. Sure, he never laid a hand on me or called me names. But he did, however, make it hard to be in this house with him. Being near Ray is troubling, especially when his temper is at a boiling point.
I sigh, “It’s Ella.”
“Enough!” Ray throws his phone across the room, and inches closer to me, “I ought to call your mother and tell her that our son is using magic to see the dead. Would you like that Eugene?” Looking at his finger, that is in my face I felt my temper to reach the boiling point. Moving closer myself, he looks at me with shock for a second.
“I dunno dad, why don’t you call her?” I said as I feel my ears to heat up along with my face and neck, “ Oh, wait you can’t because she’s gone!”
I notice Ella leaving with a quick glance to the front door. “Eugene, don't talk about your mother-.”
“Why, because it’s the fucking truth?” I cut him off, “Seeing Ella has nothing to do with Mom leaving your grumpy ass and for grandma and me to deal with it.” Ray charges at me while cursing under his breath, grandma tries to get through but could when he pulls me by my collar.
“You little shit, I ought to to-.” Ray starts to say. A soothing hand comes on my shoulder, and I felt my breath become cold. I listen to the voice at what it said and repeat it.
“Grandpa is here, Ray,” I said while staring straight in his dark eyes, “ That tiny scar under your eye is from when he hit you, Grandpa regrets it even now.” Ray gave me a certain look that I’ll never forget, it’s one that is full of astonishment, and guilt. Letting me go, he stumbles back and falls into his chair, tears start to collect into his eyes while I keep my stoic composure.
“I’m over this.” I walk past Ray and grandma. I slam the door shut, which causes Ella to flinch at the loud sound as she listens at the bottom of the steps. I’m not in the mood for her anymore, I need to be alone. I walk past her for the sidewalk to take a breather.
“Eugene!” She calls out, I stop, “I'm so sorry, I didn’t mean for any of this.”
“Not your fault, it’s been like that since mom left.”
“But I-.”
“Ella, please! Everything isn’t about you, okay?” I said to her. Ella looks at me like a wounded puppy, in a way she is. Her sad gaze meets the ground.
“I see,” She said, “I apologize, I’ll go.” She cuts through my front lawn and begins to walk down the sidewalk. I turn my back facing the street.
“Ella wait!” I call out, but when I look back she’s already gone. “Great, now what?” I thought.
~~Ella
Walking into my house I felt the sense of dread that has been here since my passing. What is the feeling of dread for? I walk past the living room where my dad is the kitchen island while my mom looks through the fridge. ‘It’s not fair.’ I thought as flashbacks of Eugene getting into that argument with his dad replays in my mind over and over again. I should be relying on my parents, not Eugene. He’s just a kid like me. “It’s not fair!” I said as I slam my hand on the marble counter, the empty cup next to me rattles a little. My dad peers over his newspaper with curiosity.
‘Is that it? I have to do something big to make them feel me.’ I thought angrily. I march up to my dad and slug him big time, but my hand goes through him. The things my parents do and say fuel my frustration with them even more, I thought death was supposed to be easier compared to living. I slap his back hard which fails like my previous attempts, “I’m right here, dad,” I said, as my mom and dad don't notice me still, “Mom, I’m right here!”
My fingers lace themselves in my hair, “Find me, please,” I said as tears come down my face, “I don’t know if I can take this pain anymore. I’ve been grieving too you know.” I stumble back against the white closet door, and it makes a creaking sound.
“There must be an air draft in here, Tim.” My mom said to him once she noticed his curiosity. I pull my hands back from my hair and stare at the cup. An air draft is what my parents want then I’ll give them a storm. My eyes hold the gaze of the glass cup, I try to concentrate which causes my jaw to tighten. A flickering light makes my parents look at each other than around the room and finally at the cup which starts to shake like I am. ‘Notice me Goddammit,’ I said, “Feel me, now!”
A crunching noise from the cup is heard as it starts to break, which my mom lets out a gasp and I black out before something else happens. A second later, my eyes flicker open to the sudden brightness of a mysterious light. My body shot up like a bolt of electricity went through my body from the sudden thought that I’m finally in heaven. ‘A white room?’ I thought. A pale bright room is where I sat in, there was no furniture. Just me.
“You’re awake.” Said a soothing voice.
“G-god?” I question shakily, which cause a deep voice to chuckle at me.
“No no, I help lost souls such as yourself.” It said, “I’m here to help you.”
“Help me how?” I said, which the voice replies.
“By telling you the truth.”
~~~Eugene
I sigh while standing in front of my door, I don’t wanna face Ray after our fight. But where else am I gonna go? When I open the door and walk in there were no angry footsteps coming from upstairs and he wasn’t in his luxury chair watching TV. The only noises in my house are the old wooden clock ticking and my grandma in the kitchen. I go over and lean on the doorframe of the kitchen, “Grandma, where’s Ray?” I said, she looks at me with a sad expression.
“Work called, he went on a short business trip,” She said, “He’ll be back by Wednesday.”
‘Of course, he left, no shock there.’ I thought as I lower my head a little.
“Oh, okay.”
“Come wash the dishes with me, Eugene.” I walk over to dry the dishes with her, “Are you a warlock or a medium?” She finally asks.
A sigh leaves my lips, “I dunno Grandma, Ella just came to me one day asking for help.” I said, and she wipes her hands clean.
“Help her,” Grandma said and I look at her in shock, “I can’t imagine that sweet little girl out in the unknown alone. So please help her.”
“I’ll try, grandma.”
“Good, now go up to your room,” She said, “I’ll bring your dinner up.” I nod and quickly ran to my room, expecting Ella to be in my room. But when I open my door she wasn’t there, where is she?
Three days past slowly and before I knew it, it’s Thursday. Haven't talked much to Ray after he got back from his business trip, nothing new. Ella hasn’t shown up either, and I don’t know where she is, I went to the treehouse but she wasn’t there. I rub my wet hair with my towel and begin to walk back to my room, I start to think of other places to look for Ella. I enter my room, where my eyes travel to the visible shadow my breath becomes cold and get a chill through my spine, “Hey.”
“Ella?” I said with my movement full of worry, Ella peers out of the shadows and with tears forming in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for being gone.” She said while wiping away her tears, I panic and begin to walk over to her.
“No, I’m sorry being a jerk to you,” I said, “It’s my fault.”
She shakes her, “It’s both of ours, we’re just kids.” I nod to agree with her, Ella sighs and flops on my bed, “Mr. Daniels is not a suspect anymore. He came to my house and talks about my parents.” She said I ask her about what he said, “He felt bad for how he treats me on the last day I was seen and felt too weird to come to school.”
“Well, that closes that case,” I said, “Anymore suspects?”
“Actually, Eugene,” Ella said and look at her hands nervously, “I know how I died.” Ella sits on my bed sadly, “It’s really pathetic and as usual clumsy me had to fuck up,” Ella said, “A Gatekeeper told me.”
“A what?”
“A Gatekeeper is an angel, who informs lost souls, such as myself, how they died. I was brought to them after I passed out after I failed to communicate with my parents,” Ella said, “The voice said I tried to use too much energy at once to be seen, heard, and even smelled. I had to let people and gather enough energy.”
“How did you die?” I said, causing her stiffens a little, Ella whispers, “I-I can’t say.”
“W-what, why not?”
“Eugene please,” Ella said, with her eye closing tightly, “I spent an eternity walking around this small town with dead people, and I just don’t mean ghosts! Then I come to find out I died s-so foolishly, how is that fair?”
“Ella, what the hell are you talking about?” I ask while getting annoyed, I try to calm myself down, “You can't expect everything to be meaningful, death is just another part of life!”
“It wasn't for me,” She said with a sad smile to me then gets up for the door, “This goodbye Eugene, thank you for your help and I hope you work things out with your dad.” Ella then vanishes right in front of me.
“What the fu-?” The wind cuts me off by pushing in my window, I turn and walk closer to my desk where there was a red pen next to it, I got closer and read the words, ‘Red Storm,’ I pick up the paper and sudden flash of memories that certainly belong to me come before my eyes. Rain. Mud. Tree. Ella running in the rain with her usual green coat she always had on outfit then everything went black. Puddle. Breathing. Help. I drop the paper and watch it fall to the ground, ‘Is that how Ella died?’ I thought to myself as I let my fingers to go into my hair. Goosebumps start to grow on my skin rapidly progressing down my arm by the second when I repeat those six words in my head over and over again. I sit on my bed with exhaustion seeping into my body, “She must’ve knocked herself out and drown in a puddle.”
I stare out of my window into the empty streets of my block, nothing is moving beside the tree in front of my house since the wind picks up its pace, I try to recollect on what Ella said to me and what it meant. The shadows of my tree branches make odd shapes on the walls in my room, some of the shapes look like the hands of a demon trying to grab me. “Red storm?”
The memory of Ella and I talking about the code word knocks the wind out of me.
“The red dot on Jupiter is getting smaller, I feel small when I’m scared,” Ella said to me. The slamming of the shudders catches my breath midway in my throat from the sudden sound. I try to collect my breath from that heart attack, and I quickly put two to two together.
“Goddammit!” I said and jump up from my chair, after putting my sneakers on with my raincoat I run downstairs and ignore Ray, who is watching the news.
“Eugene, where are you going?” He said I walk to the door, “I-I’m going to see a friend.” I said.
Ray sighs and said “I know when you’re lying. You always stutter.” Ray stands up with his hands in his pockets as a sign of defeat, “It’s Ella, isn’t it?” He said, I nod at. Coming over and Ray grabs his keys, “I’ll drive you.”
I felt my jaw hang open a little from that, Ray raises an eyebrow at me, “We going or what?” He said and I nod hesitantly, we quickly get into the car. It all comes to a sudden stop, especially the car. I hop out of the car and run as fast as I can to the old treehouse in the woods.
“Ella!” I call out as lightning gives me some light. Pushing some branches out of the way I hope over some fallen tree trunks and dead bushes, Ray calls out my name while running after me.
“Ella!” I call out again, that old treehouse comes into view with Ella sitting on the swing under the house, moving slowly. She turns to face me, which makes her eyes widen in shock.
“Eugene?” She said, “What are you doing here?”
“Red Storm,” I breathe out, trying to catch my breath, “You said the code word.”
“I don’t-.”
“I get it now Ella, you’re afraid of the freaking truth!” I said a little irritated, puffing out her cheeks Ella gets up from the swing angrily and turns her back towards me.
“I know how I died, Eugene. I knocked myself out and drowned in a puddle.” She argues. I walk up to her and force her to face me by grabbing her by the shoulders.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it!” I said, “You couldn’t and still can’t let go of your bubble. You’re still hiding in your treehouse with your books and star maps cause that's your little bubble!”
“Eugene, let go of-.”
I cut her off, “Face it, Ella! It was in front of you the whole time, everything! But you ignored it because you were being a coward.”
“Liar!” Ella shouts while looking into my eyes. Her stare was serious with a tinge of fear, my temper starts to boil over and flashbacks of my dad comes to mind.
“If I’m a liar then what are you?” I said while gazing lowly to her.
Ella sucks up a light sob and her lip begins to quiver, “I-I didn’t know,” She said and begins to cry into my chest, “I-I was afraid...to let go.” My thoughts are scramble up like an untouched puzzle and in the corner two more figures running up to me, Ella, and Ray.
“Eugene!” A voice calls out, it’s Ella’s parents in their raincoats.
“What are you doing here?” Mrs. James said.
“M-Mrs. James, you see I-.” I began, but Mr. James cut me off.
“Ella is here, isn’t she?” He said, which makes his wife’s eyes to widen.
“Tim, what-?”
“Lu, we both knew she was near us. But too afraid to take any action,” He said and looks at me, “Until now.” Mr. James places a hand on his wife's shoulder and she returns his action as well with a nod towards my direction, “It’s time.” I turn to Ella kneeling in front of a smaller tree with the branches lower.
“Ella, what is it?” I ask.
“My body is right there.” She points to a spot under the tree. Just then the wind picks up the leaves to reveal battered shoes that match what Ella is wearing. I lower my head in grief and turn to her parents who are horrified.
“Oh my god!” Mrs. James cries out.
“Eugene,” Ella said to me while we both stare at her parents, “Can you do me one more favor?”
“Anything.”
“Tell them everything….b-but before that,” she said with a voice that was beginning to crack, her eyes pour out tears, “T-tell them that I’m sorry.” Nodding, I tell her parents what she said, which they ask what she is sorry for.
“For lots of things, but mostly not being able to get home on time,” Ella cries, “I-I hate me for that.”
“Please Ella,” Her mother pleads with Ella as tears stream down her face as well, “D-Don’t hate yourself for something that couldn’t have been helped. It happened Ella, there’s no point on hating yourself for something that was in the past.”
Ella smiles and lets out a half laugh and cry, “Why do I have such a smart mother?” Ella chokes. I chuckle at Ella, who lets it out with her cries matching the sounds of the wind and thunder, “It’s happening, Eugene. I’m ready.” I can tell Ella isn’t bullshitting this time, and I nod at her. Ella tears up quickly and runs to her parents.
“I love you so much!” Ella hugs them both, their faces turn to shock from the sudden cold feeling. Her parents try to hug back, Ella then runs up to my dad, giving him a squeeze on his shoulder, “Be good to Eugene.”
When her green eyes meet mine, her walk becomes slowly as she comes for my turn at a goodbye, “So this is goodbye.” I said, “I’m not gonna lie though and say I won’t miss you.”
“Hey, you know I don’t believe in goodbyes,” Ella smiles, “We’ll see each other in sixty years or so.” I laugh at her, as she quickly hugs me. Tears threaten to fall as hug back, “Thank you Eugene, you’re the best friend I could’ve ask for.” She said in my ear, “Be good to your dad, he loves you.”
“I know.” I sob, “I-I’m going to miss you, Ella.”
“Ella Ann James, you forgot the last two.” She laughs lightly. I roll my eyes at her.
“Always with the weird timing,” I said. I scan trying to find the infamous bright light that everyone and their mother had talked about, but I couldn’t, “Do you see anything?”
“No, I-I’m scared,” She said, “What if-.”
“Don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine,” I said, “Just imagine a beautiful place where there is no pain. You can see the stars with your grandpa and his World War II buddies.”
“Okay.” She breathes, I close my eyes, I begin to feel her presence beginning to fade. I pull away, and she’s already gone, and it’s not like the times when she ran away or tries to hide from me. Ella Ann James is really gone, and she won’t be coming back. A ray of the sun shines upon me, Ray, and her parents. I smile at myself when I a piece of the blue sky appears.
“As always, I was right,” I said. After that, we all went home.
“You can stay home, Eugene. Another two days would be fine.” Ray said to me, trying to convince me to stay home after spending a week off. Ella was able to have a proper funeral since there was a body to bury.
“I need to go to school, it’s time,” I said to him.
Ray nods and said, “Mr. and Mrs. James said that you visit anytime, Eugene.” We pull up to my school after a week of not being there, and a lot has changed for Ella’s parents. The James has moved out of Mount Holly and had gotten a divorce, yet stay close to each other for support and even said that I can visit them whenever.
I nod at Ray and awkwardly cough at him, “I-I wanted to say thanks for the support and for the rides,” I said to him, he raises an eyebrow at me.
“You’re welcome, Eugene.” He laughs.
I smile at him, “Thank you, Dad.”
Dad stops laughing, giving me a look of shock, and hugs me, “I love you, Eugene.” Dad said. I hug back and said, “I love you too, Dad.”
------
After finishing the story, I turn my attention away from the window, but to Jack, who eyes are glossy, “So just like that, she left?” Jack said I nod at him, “Where did she go?”
“I dunno,” I shrug my shoulders, “All I know is that Ella is happy, and watching over me and the stars.” Jack presses stop to the recording.
“That’s one hell of a story Eugene, good thing I was sick that week!” He said I laugh at his comment.
“Yeah, it was.” I agree.
“Wanna go grab dinner?”
“Yeah sure,” I said, Jack and I get up and grab our stuff then head out the door, I turn to close the door behind me. But a shimmer of light caught my attention and I swore I saw Ella for a split second in that light smiling at me, I smile back and shake my head. ‘Could've been some city light.’ I thought and walk out with Jack from the office building onto the busy streets.