“You must change me” the voice declared.
“Change meeee, before it’s too late”
Are ghosts usually this needy?
Or maybe my brain is trying to tell me something.
Using some cheesy ghost character.
Amazing.
“Why won’t you change me, Saera, it’s so easy.”
“I’ve really gotta finish this report. I could lose my job!” I plead.
“Mr.ghost.” I add for good measure.
It does not seem too hostile, so I get my laptop back out.
I’ve been able to work through worse.
“Jesus fucking Christ Saera just change the battery!”
What the…
“Jalissa…?”
“And Lucky too.” Says the smoke detector.
“Have you lost your minds? Did yall put a speaker in my shit.”
There’s an awkward silence.
“We didn’t know what else to do.”
I get up from my chair.
Was my room this messy earlier?
And the smell…
“I mean, not this. Surely.”
“We’ve all tried to talk to you. Nothing was getting through…”
My breaths are coming in slowly, the box where I stuff all my emotions in is wanting to open, but I force it closed.
“I have cancer Saera, and you’ve barely talked to me these last few months. You didn’t even hug me today. It’s fucked up.”
The walls felt like they were moving in.
Suffocating me.
“Guys it’s not that bad, work is busy. You know how the city is. The rat race.”
My voice is trailing off.
This was the only way they could reach me?
No way, they’re being dramatic.
“We’re worried about you Saera. And we don’t know what to do.”
I feel water pouring down my cheeks.
When did I start crying?
The door opens and the two of them walk in, their heads down and shoulders slumped.
I get a good look at them for the first time in a long time.
Did my sister always have those gray hairs? Did she always look so tired?
And Lucky… Jesus Christ when did he get so skinny.
My legs give out and I fall to the floor.
I’m having a panic attack.
They hold me.
We’re like this for a long time.
We let go and look at eachother.
Our faces are caked with tears and snot and it’s beautiful.
“Can you help me” I ask.
“Of course” they reply.
Short Story