Derek opened the gate and instantly a small dog started barking. Someone peeked through the window and a few seconds later the door opened. A lovely lady dressed in a flowery dress opened the door and waited for them to walk up to the porch.
"It's lovely to meet you. Come inside, make yourselves comfortable. Anyone for some tea?"
Claudia felt instantly relaxed and the house looked very inviting. Everything was neat and tidy, and it didn't look as if there lived anyone else. They waited for Emily to finish in the kitchen and she brought out some muffins and tea.
"Come help yourselves."
Claudia poured some tea and took a muffin. She hasn't eaten since this morning, and she was absolutely starving. Derek just poured tea and took a seat next to Claudia.
"What is it that I can do for you two lovely people today? When Derek phoned me this morning I was surprised that the old building was still standing. That building ruined my life in so many ways...."
Would you mind to tell us about the time that you lived there Emily. We are doing research about old architectural buildings and Claudia recently moved into what seemed to be your old apartment.
Emily looked saddened, but nodded and started talking.
"It was a very sad, and extremely hard time in my life. My father was a banker, and he bought one of the apartments on the third floor. We had just moved into the building...I still remember the beautiful view we had of the park.
My mother used to take us to the park every day after school. It was not far from my dad's office, so he often met us there for lunch. We were all very close....and I remember Damian so clearly...kicking around his red ball that my dad bought him for Christmas"
Claudia looked shocked by the mere thought of a red ball, but saw a tear run down Emily's face, and handed her a serviette. Emily continued.
"A friend from school invited me to go with them to Lake Tahoe for the weekend. I didn't want to go, but my father insisted. He loved socializing, and he always said that we had to use every opportunity to see the country. Then, that terrible tragedy happened and changed my life forever. I was put in foster care, but a beautiful family adopted me the following year and gave me many opportunities. I met a lovely man when I was nineteen and I got married. Unfortunately we never had any children, and he passed away eight years ago in a car accident."
"It must have been very hard for you...growing up without your brother?" Derek asked.
"Oh, I loved Damian with my whole heart. I was only two when he was born, but we were inseparable. I used to read stories to him at night and he loved it. I miss him terribly. I often dream about Damian. Even after all these years."
"I'm sorry that you had to go through everything on your own Emily." Claudia said and went to take a seat next to Emily. She put her arm around Emily because the tears were now flowing freely.
"My life turned out fine. I wasn't meant to be with them that weekend and I have made my peace. I've always felt that my parents were looking over me."
"Do you believe in the afterlife Emily?" Derek asked unexpectedly.
"Of course. Why would you even ask me something like that?"
"Because I think your brother is stuck between worlds. He hasn't moved on....and we believe that you are the only person that can help him move on."
"Oh you people must be crazy. What is it that you want from me? Don't be ridiculous!"
Emily sounded angry but Claudia took over and continued. It was her time to tell her side of the story.
"I moved into the apartment last week. My son and I moved from a farm and it is our first time living in the city. My son doesn't have any friends here. On the second night in our apartment he started playing with a friend. At first I thought that it was an imaginary friend, but it turned out not to be. I saw Damian with my own eyes. I saw him playing with a ball that I bought my son and he threw me with a book..."
"I'm sure you are imagining things...How can it be Damian? Why would he be stuck?"
"Perhaps he had been waiting for you all these years Emily. Perhaps he wanted to say goodbye to you..."
"I don't know if I'll be able to do anything."
Derek nodded.
"Would you at least come with us to the park? We are on our way there for a picnic and we would be glad if you could join us."
"I'm not sure...I haven't been back ever since."
"I'm sure it will bring back good memories. Come, you can drive with your own car and if you feel uncomfortable you can come home."
Claudia was literally pleading with her eyes and in the end Emily gave in. Claudia drove with Emily and Derek said he would meet them there.
- To be continued -
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Surprising story made me remember a movie I saw a long time ago where I was a girl who was trapped in an infinite space that had the house, that house was on a cemetery. The next one will be more interesting, I do not even want to imagine it.
I am no book worm nor a writer and the closes I ever come to any kind of social reading is a bid on multimedia of news. If I do read it must have technical detailed technical information tightly packed or my brain shut down. But I do not know what happened with your story of “The imaginary friend” Giantbear it seemed to have captured my technical mind on some level. I even went as far as converting all 12 chapters in to an audio book to listen to. This is just me putting Giantbear book in the right format for my brain to receive the data. But congratulation with the story line in information and level of detail it is like a good pasta with just the right spices, well done waiting for your next chapter.
@giantbear good story