3.0 A Visit to Grim

Alone.

Yup. If there was one word to describe me, it would be Alone.

My “gift” to see and speak to ghosts was known to everyone in town.

I avoided trips to town like the plague.

“Such a shame that FREAK is the heir to the Bluebeard name.” the men would say.

“What a waste of a handsome man.” gossiping women would say.

Sunset Valley used to be such a non-judgmental place, but I guess I was the limit.

I was a disappointment.

My mother constantly tried to cheer me up.

She was so sweet, but deep down she was worried about the future of the family…I could tell.

***

I was sitting around in my pajamas when I heard a familiar voice, one that only I could hear.

“Yanni, we need to talk.” Grandpa said.

Here comes the “Find a Wife” speech…

“There’s a disturbance in the afterlife.” he said. “It’s almost time to use your gift.”

Nope, it’s the Doomsday speech.

“Yes sir. I understand.” I said respectfully.

“Mark my words…you will be needed.” he said as he hugged me.

My family was awesome…at least they all loved me…even the dead ones.

It wasn’t until Grandma Pandora visited me that I actually started to get worried.

“You’re Grandfather’s right, you know…something is not right. It won’t be long now.”

“Check mate.” I said.

She swung her hand across the chess board.

Chess pieces went flying.

“Are you listening?!?!” she asked angrily.

“Yes. I guess I don’t understand what it has to do with me. What do I need to do?”

She sighed. “You’ll have to go to Grim’s house.”

“That creepy place in the graveyard?!”

“That’s the place. Knock 5 times. Tell him who you are, and about your gift…he already knows, but it’s protocol….he has something to give you.”

“How will I know when to go?” I asked.

But Grandma had already left.

***

3 nights later I was tossing and turning in bed.

I think I was asleep.

I thought I was dreaming.

Suddenly everything was red.

Then there was a voice, a hoarse whisper.

“It   is   tiiiiimeeee.     Viiiiissssiiiiit      meeeee     tooooomoooorroooow”

I sat up. I was sweating and shaking.

I looked at my clock.

Midnight.

There was no way I was going back to sleep.

I got up, put on my jacket and went out to Grandma and Grandpa’s garden.

“I hope you are both ok.” I whispered into the freezing night air.

Thankfully morning came quickly.

I really didn’t want to go to The Grim Reaper’s house, but I guess when he summons you, there is no procrastinating.

I made my way through the dense snow to the graveyard.

I stood in front of the haunting door.

Crap! How many times was I supposed to knock?!?!

Oh yeah. 5. Get it together Yanni!

I knocked. 1…2…3…4…5

The door began to creak open.

The freezing air became colder and every hair on my body stood on end.

My natural instinct was to run.

Grim stood before me.

“Hi….I’m Yanni Bluebeard. I can see and talk to ghosts.”

He said nothing, but lifted his index finger.

He turned around and went inside.

Minutes, or perhaps only seconds passed.

The door opened and Grim appeared holding something that resembled a leaf blower.

He handed it to me.

BANSHEE BANISHER 3000  was written on the side.

“GOOOOOO.” he said, although it may have been the wind.

I guess that means I wasn’t going to get a friendly tutorial.

I quickly turned and left.

When I got home, my mother was waiting.

“What’s going on?” she asked. “Something doesn’t feel right in the air.”

“I don’t really know.” I answered honestly.

I showed her the Banisher and told her about Grandpa, Grandma and the Grim Reaper.

“So, what are you going to do now?” she asked worriedly.

“I guess I wait.” I sighed.

Mom and I both jumped when the house phone rang.

Mom answered it. “Hello.”

“Hi…um…I’d like to speak to the guy that can see ghosts…I think I have a problem….”

***

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2.7 Zach and Zelda

I had been doing a lot of thinking since Yanni and I had our…talk.

In fact, my mind often left me sleepless.

I kept going back and forth of whether Jeff and I should choose who continues our legacy, or whether I should do what my parents did, and let them decide.

I tossed and turned in the bed.

Finally, I just decided to get up and paint.

I was in The Zone.

And that’s when the security alarm went off.

I saw a figure sneak through the living room.

The intruder was in the hallway trying to steal one of my paintings.

I gasped as I realized the intruder looked extremely familiar.

“TRIXIE?!?”  I screamed. “Is That YOU?”

She turned and looked at me. Tears rolled down her face.

Suddenly, blue and red lights filled the hallway.

The police had arrived.

“Don’t run. I’ll save you from the police, but you have some explaining to do.”

She quickly went and hid in the kitchen as I let the officer in.

“I am so sorry officer.” I stated. “I wasn’t sleeping well. I went outside to get some fresh air, and must have forgotten to disarm the alarm.”

He looked at me suspiciously.

“Well. Ok. Please be careful next time.” he finally said.

The officer left and Trixie started to walk out the kitchen door.

“Where do you think you are going?!” I asked.

“I…I…” she stuttered.

“What were you doing? Why did you break into my house?” I yelled.

“I…I..” stuttered again.

“Answer me Trixie!”

She started to cry.

“Please, please forgive me. I got in some trouble with some bad people, and they said if I didn’t steal one of your painting, they were going to kill Zach.”

“Trixie. You didn’t have to break in. Why didn’t you just tell me? I’d give you all my paintings.”

“I was scared.” she started crying again.

I hugged her.

I went inside and got the painting.

“You best change your ways, Trixie. My son loves you, and I love my son. You better not EVER put my family in danger again.”

I handed her the painting.

“I think it’s time for you to go deliver this.”

“Thank you…”

The porch light flicked on.

Trixie was gone.

Zach stepped out the door.

“What’s going on?”

I hesitated on whether I should tell him or not…

***

Later that day Zach saw Trixie coming out of the theater.

“Trixie!” he called out.

She looked surprised to see him.

He grabbed her and kissed her.

“There’s something I want to ask you.” he said.

She looked nervous. Did he know?

Then he really surprised her.

He got down on one knee.

“Trixie. I love you. I want to take care of you for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”

Trixie was speechless.

“You want to marry me?”

Zach was starting to get nervous….

“Yes….that’s why I’m asking you…do you want to marry me?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Relieved, he slide the ring on her finger.

“So…” he said coyly. “What to get married right now?”

“Zach Bluebeard what do you have up your sleeve?”

“Nothing up my sleeve, but how about keys to our own house in my pocket.”

“What? Are you serious? A house? A real house?”

“Of course silly!”

“Oh Zach, I love you.”

And with that, they exchanged vows.

And I got a phone call…

“Mom. Trixie and I eloped.”

“Oh, Zach.” I said. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. Please don’t forget to visit me…” my eyes started to water.

“Mom, we just moving across town…not another country.” he laughed.

***

The house felt different without Zach…

We were still quite busy, planning Zelda’s graduation.

***

Marshall Tucker was planning his and Zelda’s graduation as well.

“Mom,” Zelda called from the hallway,”Marshall said he has a graduation present for me…I’m going to go over to his house…”

I met her in the hallway.

She looked beautiful.

“Ok, sweetheart.”

I watched her walk across the park.

I noticed Marshall in his yard doing the same.

He welcomed Zelda with a kiss…and I decided it would be best to do something else…like paint.

“Zelda, “Marshall said. “Are you ready to be a Farmer’s Wife?”

Zelda blushed.

She glanced across the street to the house she grew up in…and she glanced at the beautiful farm-house.

The aroma of apples filled the air…a sent that always reminded her of the first night she met Marshall.

“Yes. I am ready.”

He put a dazzling ring on her finger.

My phone rang.

“Hi Mom.” It was Zelda.

“Is everything ok?”

“Oh yes. More than ok….it’s about my graduation present from Marshall…”

“Yes…go on…”

“I’m going to be a Tucker!”

I smiled.

“And I’ve decided to live here, with Marshall…”

“As long as you’re happy.”

“Yes, I am. I love you Mom.”

“I love you too, Zelda.”

Suddenly, the house felt really big…

And now, there were only two children left to pass on the tradition.

But it didn’t make the decision any easier….

***

2.6 Trixie, Ghosts, and Teenagers

I arrived just in time to see Zach defeat Grimm.

I was more than relieved.

Unfortunately, defeating Grimm gave Zach a renewed sense of…confidence.

***

“That’s a pretty decent tag.” a mysterious voice said.

Zach spun around, half expecting the police.

Instead, it was a girl…

“Watch my back, and I’ll show you how it’s done.”she said coyly.

“Ok.” Zach said, slightly dumbfounded.

The mystery chic opened her bag, and with a cloud of spray paint, she was finished.

Zach was impressed by her talent.

“God. I’m starving.” she said. “Come on. I know were there is a broken vending machine we can steal some snacks from.”

Zach was still trying to figure out who this chic was.

“No…no…let me get us lunch. Let’s go over to the Bistro across the street.” Zach said.

She looked puzzled, but it had been a while since she scored a decent meal.

They walked across the road.

“Order whatever you want.” Zach said. “My Grandpa worked here for a long time…they still give me a discount.”

She ate her meal slowly, enjoying every bite.

Then they ordered dessert.

“My name is Zach, by the way. I can’t remember if I mentioned it earlier…you kinda surprised me.” he ended in a whisper.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” she snapped.

“Well, you are the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen, and you are ridiculously talented.”

“My name is…Trixie. Trixie Doubloon. Thank you for lunch.” she said.

Then she kissed him.

Trying to stay calm and cool, Zach asked,”So…” he cleared his throat. “So, where do you live?”

She pointed to the hill. “Up there.”

There were only three houses at the top of that hill.

His, The Tuckers and The Altos.

“Huh, me too…” he said. “Can I give you a lift home?”

“Oh…uhhh…sure.” she replied.

“Hope you don’t mind motorcycles.”

“Ok with me.”

The got on Zach’s bike. She put her arms around his waist.

He quickly put his helmet on to hide that he was blushing.

They rode to the hill.

He stopped at the center pond and pointed to the left.

“That’s my house. Where can I take you?”

Her eyes shifted nervously at the other two houses.

“That one.” she said, pointing to the Alto’s.

He walked her to the sidewalk.

“Well, thanks for lunch. Good-bye.” she said quickly.

“Ok then…guess I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah…sounds great.”

Zach turned to leave and Trixie quickly jogged behind the Alto’s house, where she hid behind a bush until Zach was home.

She sighed.

That was close. she thought.

The next day at school, Zach looked for Trixie-without any luck.

He was getting off the bus when he saw her at the pond across from the house.

It looked like she was rolling up a tent, but he couldn’t be certain.

“Hey!”he called. “Wanna come in and get a snack?”

She put something by a tree and walked over.

They went inside.

She was oddly fascinated by a painting on the wall.

“Who painted this? This looks like Bianca Bluebeard’s work.”

“Yeah. It is. That’s my mom.”

“Do you have more?” she asked.

They walked into the study.

“Do you know how much these are worth?!” she stated.

***

Aiden was like me. Always painting.

Always.

***

Yanni on the other hand.

He threw us a bit of a curve ball…

“Hi Grandpa!” I heard him say one night. “Will you read me a bedtime story?”

He hugged the air. “Do you think they would believe me?”

We were playing video games together one morning.

“You know Grandma and Grandpa are really proud of you, right?” he said as he put down his controller.

“How do you know that sweetheart?”

“They told me so.”

Again, on another morning I heard him talking to someone in the living room.

“Hey honey. Who are you talking to?”

“Grandma.”

I hope this is just a phase. 

***

Zelda and Marshall were still inseparable.

“Will you go to prom with me?” Marshall asked.

“I’d love to.” Zelda replied back.

“You know, “Marshall stated, “One day soon, this farm is going to be mine…Do you like to garden?”

“I…I…”

“It’s ok, you don’t have to say anything right now.”

She said her good-byes and jogged home in a state of confusion.

The next day, she started reading gardening books.

***

Graduation day came for Zach, and although I was worried Trixie was a negative influence, Zach graduated with decent grades.

There was now a teenager sharing my easels.

And Yanni…he spent most of his days in the garden…talking to my dead parents.

“Mom.” he said. “Is it true only one of us gets to stay in this house and carry on the family name?”

“How….how did you know that?”

“Grandpa told me…”

I was speechless.

2.5 Twins and Robots

Today was the twin’s first birthday.

I sighed.

It also marked a year since my parents died.

They died the night I gave birth to Aiden and Yanni.

I watched as Aiden played with his peg box and Yanni beat the xylophone.

They both had my mother’s hair and my father’s eyes.

I loved my boys so much, and it felt like in a way, my parents were still with us.

It was bed time, and as usual, Yanni was hiding.

He wasn’t crazy about bed time.

I tucked the boys in and looked at the wall paper. This room was past due for a makeover.

I stepped out on the back porch and put on my snow boots.

I walked to the small garden were my parents rested.

“I miss you guys.” I whispered.

***

Taking care of twins was definitely a challenge.

Jeff’s job was keeping him extremely busy.

Zach tried to help.

Zelda….Zelda tried too.

“Mom…” she yelled from the study. “…what was I getting again?”

“Yanni’s bottle.” I said, possibly for the third time.

“Oh yeah.”

***

With Jeff’s long hours, and I really was trying to keep up with the twins, a teenager and an absent-minded daughter.

One night I was teaching Aiden how to talk…

My phone rang.

“Mrs. Bluebeard, this is Officer Glass. We have Zach in custody. We caught him shoplifting.”

My hands started to shake.

“What do I need to do?”

“Well, he is still a minor…so I can just bring him home, as long as you are there.”

“Thank you Officer. I am home.”

I was furious. No….I was beyond furious.

“How could you be shoplifting! Why?!?” I yelled.

“I…I…”

“We have enough money for you to buy anything you need!”

“I…I…”he stuttered. “I don’t know  Mom. I’m sorry….”

“Don’t do it again.”

Zelda stood in the hallway.

She was crying. I sighed.

“Go to bed Zach. Zelda, go pick out a book sweetheart. I’ll read you a story.”

The boys woke up at the same time the next morning.

Early.

I had hardly slept the night before.

I got the boys settled  and walked to the kitchen.

“Wow, Mom. You look rough.” Zach said.

“Wait…that’s not what I meant. I mean, I know it’s probably because of me…Look, let me watch the boys and Zelda. You could go to the spa or something.”

And so I did.

“What about your hair?” the stylist said.

“Cut it.” I said.

A make-over was just what I needed.

I felt like a completely new person.

***

Finally, after all these years, and a lot of hard work, the time portal had been stabilized.

The company wanted Jeff…and me…to go to the future, research and build a robot for the present time.

I knew we shouldn’t be gone long (in present time), but I asked a friend, and neighbor, Sheila Tucker to come watch the kids.

Jeff and I stepped through the portal.

His first time wasn’t so fun.

Jeff began by interviewing the resident robot.

The next morning we went to the Bot Shop.

I was particularly interested in the Nannybot.

While Jeff was drawn to a more aggressive model.

And although Jeff and I weren’t on vacation, we did enjoy some time alone.

After quite a bit of research at the library,

Jeff was ready to build his first robot.

He was felling pretty confident, and I must say I was impressed.

He adjusted the robot’s trait chips.

We were almost ready to go home….there was just something I needed to do first.

I looked up Bluebeard in the directory.

I got the address and went to visit.

The house was awesome.

I was greeted by a nice lady.

“Hi. I’m Bianca Bluebeard…is Diane home?”

She hugged me.

 “I’m her sister-in-law, Mary. Diane isn’t here right now.” she leaned in and whispered,”I’m house-sitting. She and my brother are on their second honeymoon. It’s their 20th anniversary!”

We talked for a little longer, and it was a relief to hear that everyone was doing well.

The next morning, Jeff, the robot and I were ready to go home.

When we got home, Jeff packed a few things.

He had to deliver the robot to Hidden Springs, and unfortunately that meant he would be gone for a week.

At least he made it home in time for the boy’s 8th birthday.

Not even a week later, Zelda turned 15.

She was turning into a lovely lady.

Zach was phenomenal with the guitar.

Jeff  and I were so proud.

***

One crisp Spring evening, Zelda accompanied me to the Tucker’s house for a get together.

I’m not sure if I had forgotten that their son Marshall had turned into a teenager, or that Zelda was a teenager…

He introduced himself.

She was instantly smitten.

By the end of the evening, the both were.

I was not prepared for my daughter’s flirtatious giggles…

I cleared my throat, thanked Sheila for a lovely evening, and announced that it was time to go home.

Zelda was not happy with me.

Too bad!

***

Zach was only days away from graduating.

I was sitting in the kitchen watching Yanni play in the new sand box.

Zelda came running through the door.

“MOM!” she yelled with a panic.”

“What’s the matter Zelda?”

She was out of breath…

“Some college guys….in the park…they dared Zach to….guitar duel…Grimm…Cemetery!”

I got in the car.

I hope I make it in time….

2.4 Product Testing

The seconds went by like hours.

The blue light still surrounded me, and it felt like I was going down a twisting slide.

A whoosh of wind gently hit my face.

The ride had ended.

I opened my eyes…I was alive!

I slowly turned around.

Where was I?

I had almost convinced myself that this was a dream, when a man approached me.

“Oh, dear.” he said. “This is bad.”

“Excuse me?” I questioned.

‘Well, you’re supposed to be Jeff.”

“I’m his wife. Do you mind telling me what is going on?!”

“Yes Mrs. Bluebeard.”

“-Bianca.”

“Bianca. My name is Emmit. Welcome to the future.”

I laughed.

He didn’t.

I wasn’t trying to be rude…”You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Very. I work for the same company as Jeff….just many, many years later than him. We assumed he would be the one to activate the portal.”

“Yeah….sorry about that….”

“Well, it will take a few days for the portal to charge back up and take you back to your time. We wanted Jeff to test a few items for us…would you be willing to take his place?”

Always up for an adventure, I agreed.

The first item was a jet pack.

I really hope they don’t expect me to give this thing back!

The next item was a hover board.

Although fun, it was quite a bit more difficult to learn.

I went to the sands of the barren sink hole to get the hang of it, and cushion my falls.

The next day Emmit gave me some currency and directed me to the shopping plaza.

I was amazed to see what the future had to offer.

I wasn’t crazy about the current fashions, but there was no way I was leaving without one of those hover boards.

My phone beeped.

It was a text message from Emmit.

It was an address “Thought you might want to visit this family.”

I went outside, flagged a taxi, and gave them the address.

I was rather shocked when we pulled up to a 2 story cabin.

I hesitated at the door.

I knocked.

“Coming.” I heard a voice from inside.

The door opened and I was greeted by a pleasant-looking young woman.

“You must be Great Great Grandmother Bianca! I’m Diane.”

What?!?

She hugged me and invited me inside.

The inside was drab and sparsely decorated.

Diane asked me if I’d like some coffee.

We walked into the kitchen, and as she put on a pot of coffee, she introduced me to her children.

I watched in shock as they ate like wild dogs.

I tried hard not to show my surprise…

Diane sighed.

“Things aren’t well.” she stated. “My husband was working in the mines. There was…an accident…I’ve been trying my best to do this on my own…”

She wiped a tear, got up and took a piece of paper of the fridge.

She handed it to me.

7-12-35-44-10 : 8/15/15

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but maybe you can help? These are the winning lottery numbers for that date.”

I folded the paper and put it in my pocket.

I didn’t like the thought of cheating…

The youngest boy licked his plate.

I also didn’t like the thought of any of my family hungry and struggling.

Present or Future.

I thanked Diane for her hospitality, gave her the rest of the money Emmit had given me to go shopping, hopped on the  hover board and went back to the company house.

I told Emmit about meeting my descendants.

Then I whined about going home.

“The portal is almost ready. I want you to test one more product while we wait.”

He led me outside to a suspended patio.

There was a view of the city and what looked like an easel.

A holographic easel.

I lost track of time, as usual, as I created with this awesome invention.

I went to go look for Emmit and I ask if I had time to go back to the store and buy one. How did I miss these at the store yesterday?

Emmit came running up to me. “Bianca, the portal is activated, but you have to leave, NOW!”

He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the portal.

I stepped in.

At first nothing happened. Emmit looked worried.

Then BOOM! A flash of blue light and I landed in my yard.

I ran inside to Zach’s room.

He was there.

Safe and playing his drums.

I searched the house for Jeff.

“Where have you been?” he asked when I found him.

“How long have I been gone?” I asked.

“About 15-20 minutes..” he  said puzzled.

Phew!

“We have a lot to talk about!” I said.

***

Time went by, as it does.

Occasionally the portal’s blue light would flash, making my heart race, every time.

My paintings have been different as of late, but perhaps it was the pregnancy.

It was Zach’s birthday and I was miserably pregnant.

A piece of cake, a few gifts, a sharp pain, and I was in labor.

I named my daughter Zelda, in honor of my grandmother.

Like Zach, she was a good baby.

I blinked, maybe twice.

I was teaching Zelda to talk.

Zach was very smart, like his father.

They loved to play chess together.

One morning I was rearranging my dresser drawers when I came across a piece of paper folded up.

It was the paper Diane had given me.

I looked at the date.

That’s today!!!

Indecision overcame me.

What do I do?!?

“I’ll be back soon.” I called to Jeff.

I argued with myself the whole way to the store.

The picture of those hungry children kept popping in my mind.

I bought the ticket.

I tried to act surprised when I won.

I donated a fair amount to charity, and put the majority into a long-term savings account.

***

Winter came fast.

My father was spending some time with Zelda.

Which gave me an opportunity to play with Zach in the snow.

The holiday was very joyful, spent with a lot of friends and family.

I got up early the next morning to clean up.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

Wow.

When did I get all the wrinkles-I mean laugh lines?

Then the nausea hit me.

I ran to the bathroom just in time.

I sighed.

I was middle aged…and pregnant.

 

2.2 Going Home

The final report card was delivered early that morning.

Attached was a letter.

I read it over and over.

“Ms. Bianca Bluebeard,

You have excelled in you search for academic knowledge. Sims University is proud to have you as a graduate.

We are so impressed by your efforts, that you will graduate today with one of the highest honors in  Sims University.

Please wear your gown proudly, you have earned it.”

Wow.

Certainly this had to be a mistake.

Had I really done that much?

I called Jeff and told him the news.

“Congratulations. You totally earned it, and please do not doubt it for a minute!”

“Thank you.”

Other than his praise, he was somewhat short on the phone.

Although our conversation left me slightly confused, I brushed it off and started to get ready for the graduation ceremony.

I started to worry about the letter and hope that I wasn’t going to be expected to give a speech.

I made my way over to the auditorium.

It had begun to rain.

As I noticed my fellow graduates, I noticed I was the only one with a gold sash.

We made our way in, just as the rain started to increase.

The Pomp and Circumstance started.

My name was called.

I was overwhelmed when my graduates honored me with a standing ovation.

I tried to stay humble, but a sense of pride ran through me as well.

I had just graduated college as an artist, and already my name was well known.

The ceremony ended and as I left the auditorium, that sense of pride hit its high.

I was on cloud 9.

I searched the crowd for Jeff.

A few people stopped to congratulate me.

They tried to make small talk, and as much as I wanted to be polite, the fact that I couldn’t find Jeff was really distracting.

I fumbled through my gown and got my phone.

Where are you? I text.

At my house. he replied.

I took a deep breath.

This can’t be good.

I went to his house.

Jeff was sitting on the porch steps.

His eyes were red and puffy.

He stood up as I got close.

“Bianca…I think…I mean… we have to break up.” he said.

“What?” The word barely escaped me. I felt like I had been hit in the stomach. “Why?’

“You are going home tomorrow. To Sunset Valley. I still have one term left.”

“That is not a reason. I love you. Do you think I wouldn’t wait for you?”

No. That’s not it. Once I graduate, I have to go back to Hidden Springs. The Science Facility paid for my college, and I signed a contract.”

“So, you don’t even want to try and make this work?! Don’t you love me?”

“I….I…” he stuttered.

“So this is good-bye?”

“It has to be.”

I turned to leave. I had to. I was about to be overcome with emotions I had never experienced.

***

The ride home was…I don’t know…long.

All I could think about was my conversation with Jeff.

I had to pull myself together. I hadn’t told my parents I’d gotten dumped.

It was already much colder in Sunset Valley.

Frost glistened on the windows.

I walked through the front door.

“Mom, Dad…I’m home.”

The smell of Home was almost as comforting as my parent’s loving embrace.

“It’s good to have you home.” Dad said.

“It’s good to be home.” I replied, holding back tears.

Mom noticed.

Hopefully she would just think I they were tears of joy, not heartbreak.

***

A week went by.

I knew I wasn’t acting like myself, but I was trying.

For whatever reason, my parents hadn’t asked about Jeff.

I didn’t know who I was kidding anyway…Mom was a fortune teller.

My phone rang.

Please let it be Jeff.

It was Victoria.

She asked me to watch my nephew so she and Fausto could go on a date.

I happily obliged.

Brent was adorable, and a very good baby.

As I tucked him into his crib, I found myself secretly envious of my sister.

I wanted a family.

***

Winter passed quickly and the days were getting warmer.

I was working on a portrait of dad enjoying the sounds of the evening rain.

Mom cleared her throat.

“Bianca, may I talk to you?” she asked.

I put down my paints. “Of course.”

“Bianca, you have to let Jeff go. I am so sorry he hurt you, but I think you should move on.”

I knew this was coming.

“I’m not ready Mom. I don’t know if I will ever feel like that again, or if I ever want to feel like this again.”

“There’s a really cute new cook at your father’s diner…”

“Mom. I’m not ready. I thought Jeff was the one.” I couldn’t help the tears now. “The one I was going to have a family with.”

Mom hugged me tight. “Ok baby. You know what you’re doing. I’m here if you need me.”

She released me from her motherly embrace.

I felt like such a failure.

And failing scared me.

***

It was Dad’s birthday.

I really tried to have a good time.

The new cook, Danny, was at the party. He kept winking at me….it was really starting to annoy me.

He was not impressing me.

And he wasn’t cute either.

At least the cake looked good.

I was about to take my first bite when the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it.” I volunteered.

It was Jeff.