Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 45 - The Way You Touch Me

Stacy was so relieved when her father had come in the room that she couldn't speak. Her father's voice had scared her to death because she had been concentrating so much on the open bathroom door that she didn't even hear him enter her room. Stacy took the opportunity to escape as if he was breaking her out of jail. She mumbled something in response as she passed him to go downstairs where warm voices pulled her. She was sure someone was in her bathroom. She saw someone move past the door inside.

Without looking Stacy knew her father hadn't followed her out. She looked back up the stairs to see how long he was going to stay in her room. Her focus turned into a differed paranoia as she hoped he hadn't grabbed Anna's sweater to give to her mom for safe keeping. Feeling ridiculous she dismissed the thought for she knew her dad didn't want to be in the middle of any fight that could ensue between her and her mother. Stacy then wondered if her Dad had seen someone in her bathroom also. She liked that he wasn't afraid of anything because of how he grew up with his mother, it made her feel more protected. Stacy waited on the stairs for a few moments then saw Kyle exit her room. It was then a cool air swished down past her on the stairs. She knew exactly what it was and wasn't happy that she was right. Stacy was well-aware of her family's secrets. Although her grandmother wasn't a secret in their city at all, for she was known for helping to find missing children.

When Stacy's grandmother was alive, she was much less scared of spirits. Grandma Mason had moved in with them after Grandpa died. She remembered getting up early in the mornings to help her Mom and Grandma make breakfast before her and Jake went to school, and their Dad to work. She used to tell Stacy how her day was going to go before she left for school so Stacy knew what to expect and could be prepared for it. It made her every day so much easier. It was like having your own little fortune teller read your daily horoscope but better. A horoscope couldn't give you details like slipping on a piece of food in the cafeteria to end up with your skirt above your hips. Stacy was able to hold onto her skirt when she had slipped later that day, so the color of her panties remained her secret. Grandma Mason helped her avoid many uncomfortable moments.

Having a special Grandma also meant that spirits were a part of their lives and sensitivities were weaved into their DNA. Stacy used to have a special friend when she was little, named Oscar and he was around eight years old. It was a little boy that had died of cancer in their neighborhood when Stacy was a baby. Oscar had played with her for several years in her adolescence before he moved on or went to wherever spirits go when they leave.

Finally, Kyle walked down the stairs and smiled at Stacy. She was relieved. They walked into the kitchen when Jose was talking to her Mom. Stacy gave Jose a huge hug and asked about his family. While they all settled down to a Mexican dinner that her Dad had picked up, everyone laughed and caught up on each other's lives. Stacy couldn't imagine being a twin like Jose's daughters were, having to share her stuff. On the other hand, wouldn't she have twice as much? Stacy mused.

With the clearing of dishes and energy winding down, Jose had stopped in front of Stacy as she started to head to the stairs that led to her room. She laughed at the big smile on his face as he handed her a pink envelope that she knew contained a card.

"Though the date has already passed, this is from my family for Christmas. Hopefully it adds to your shopping trip this week." Jose said.

"Thank you so much!" Stacy exclaimed and hugged Jose.

"I'll be sure to knock their socks off when I show up looking fabulous." Stacy said making everyone laugh.

With well-wishing, she excused herself to go to her bed. Stacy handed Kyle her car keys and walked up her stairs to her room. She wasn't going to worry about packing until tomorrow on Monday when her Dad took her car in for a tune up. Her shopping trip wasn't until Tuesday where she was meeting the group of friends she was going on the trip with. It was going to be the perfect start of what she imagined to be the best time of her teenage years.