Happy Canada Day Weekend

Friends?

     Late and running to class literally ran into Byron a nerdy looking guy who was studying computers. He seemed nice and asked me out to coffee. I told him we could be friends, nothing else. He agreed. I saw him occasionally on campus and we said hi and bye. One day he invited me to a party when I got there I found out I was the only person there and turned to leave but he offered me a coffee and I drank it. That’s how I found myself here in this secret room in Byron’s basement wondering if I’ll ever get out.

“You okay down there, Amelia?”

“Are you freakin’ kidding me?”

“You don’t like the accommodations?” Byron chuckled and then I heard the sounds of him walking away.

Byron said he was going out for coffee and brought some back to me I drank it and woke up here.

I heard his footsteps come back.

“Ready to marry me now?” Byron asked.

I nodded up to him and he replied,” Too little, too late.”

“Please Byron. I made mistake. I love you, “I responded.

“You do? I knew you did,” he shouted.

Byron threw down the ladder and I climbed up to him. He kissed me on the lips and I gulped back bile pretending I like it. The minute his back was turned I ran out the front door. Down in the secret room he kept me in they found six mummified bodies, the other women he loved.

©Sheilagh Lee June 26, 2018

Enough for now

“Do you really need them now?” my nanny had asked about my cars as we went to the park. I run away at the park finding myself lost. Night came and I lie down on a bench and sleep until my parents come.

I awoke to a young woman and a man. They seem familiar. They’ll take me to my daddy, so I go with them. The young woman spoke into a box like on Star Trek. I was frightened the young man comforted me. We reached a building and a young child ran to me then magically he turned into a man. I was baffled, how could this happen? I looked at the man and he looked like my dad, but he wasn’t my father. I searched my memories as he took my hand gently and hugged me.

“Dad, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

I looked again at the man and I was scared he called me Dad; but I was a little boy wasn’t I? He sang to me, ‘You are my sunshine.’ and the memories rushed back, this was my son, Alan and my grandson Kevin and my granddaughter Helena had found me. My memory had failed me again; how much longer would I know them?

“Dad, I’ll be there with you, always,” my son said.

I smile, for that is what I always said to him and he has brought me home. They love me let that be enough for it’s all I have.

©Sheilagh Lee June 14, 2018

Murder She Commits?

Murder She Commits?

“We have to do something about what?” Joan asked,

 “Everywhere Auntie goes she claims she solves murders; but I've discovered the truth. The old woman has set the murders up cleverly and then she points subtle fingers at someone else.” Giles complained.

“Nonsense, she’s old. She couldn’t commit the murders,” protested Joan.

“Joan; just because she has a romantic side and loves to put people together like us doesn’t mean she isn’t a ruthless psychopath.”

‘The very definition of a psychopath says she isn’t one. She only fits one thing of the criteria, extreme egocentricity. She isn’t a murderer.”

“She is my dear. If I were to write this story, I write how clever she was to set the crime up so those who feel guilty were caught. Those who protested killed themselves with Auntie’s help. Even if you truly believed that the people that have died are always nasty people,” protested Joan.

“You know!!” Giles stated ,”You know she’s a murderess; but you haven’t stopped her?”

“Giles, I’ve known your Auntie since I was a child. Nasty people always perish around her that doesn’t make her a murderer, just unlucky.”

“Okay, have it your way. As long as no one innocent gets hurt I’ll let it go.”

“And if someone does?” asks Joan.

“Then will have her committed to an old folks home in a locked unit for senile and Alzheimer's patients. I am a doctor after all.”

“That’s a relief. She killed Margaret last night.”

“She killed my sister Margaret Then why did you balk at what I said??”

“She's harmless most of the time but we do have to call the police soon.”

“I’ll write the papers now and we'll take her for intake then we'll call the police.”

“Good plan; are you sure you didn't kill Margaret? She was a busybody who wouldn't move out of our home,”Joan asked caulking her head and looking shrewdly and narrowing her eyes.

“Really, Joan, the need to kill isn't inherited.”

“I hope not, Giles.”

“Quit worrying, Joan, I was adopted.”

©Sheilagh Lee June 9, 2018

Wake-up Call

Wake-up Call

Walking in late to the chapel, no one took notice of me as I took a pew. A woman at the pulpit talked about the deceased. Frankly I didn’t take her seriously, as she described the deceased as a good person who had lost their way and worked too much. The coffin had few flowers surrounding around it. Touching one of the vases I spilled water on the cuff of my suit. The cloying scent of lilies now clung to it.

Looking around I saw few people in the room. The speaker now dabbing her eyes was an older version of my preteen daughter. Trembling I advanced on the coffin. Looking inside I saw myself staring back at me.

I screamed and no one noticed. I begged God for one more chance to make this all right. I would be a better person I promised. I wouldn’t focus on my job so much but put my family first if only I had one more chance.

I awoke with a start. I was alive it had all been a dream. I could get on with my life go to work and forget all about this. I took my black suit out of the closet putting it on I found the cuff wet and a smell of lilies permeated from it. I put the suit back in the closet and told my office I was on vacation; my family and I were going to Disneyland. Life would be different from now on.

©Sheilagh Lee June 5, 2018