A Ghostly Cry

I could hear Kayla stirring. Kayla, my little ball of fire. She was so full of life, and so interested in everything and everyone. Every night was a struggle to get her to close those big brown eyes, and go to sleep. She hated to miss anything. She so much enjoyed life, and I could never understand, why this little person so full of spirit was given to me.

I called her name very quietly, as not to disturb Dean.

Dean was the town hero. So big and strong. Many felt Dean was destined to become the shining star of Washburn City. He was the best at everything. As a young girl, I never dreamed that Dean would ever look my way. With his steel blue eyes, and his big broad shoulders, Dean was absolutely perfect. His tan skin, always so clean and fresh, and his blond hair cascading down his neck, he reminded me of a Roman God. And I, with dark mousy hair, big red freckles, and with big brown eyes that blended in with my freckles so well, my face was one big brown blob. I am very sure no in the town of Washburn every dreamed that Dean and I would ever be together, either, especially since Dean’s family and my family were of two very different classes. Dean’s family were the oldest and richest family in Washburn. My family was, well, the kind that would have made up the top story in one of those shock television talk shows. And Dean definitely made sure I was reminded of it everyday we were together.

"Darla Kaye" Dean yelled out, as he always did. "Where the hell are my black pants. I swear to God, I can never find anything, with you living here."

"Dean, they are right over the edge of the bed, where I put them for you last night."

"Well, we have got to go, so don’t doddle getting Kayla ready."

You know Dean, an apology would be nice, I thought to myself.

Things to do, Get Kayla ready, wait for the movers, instruct them what is to go, yada, yada, yada. I smiled to myself, as the sweetest little voice, brought me back.

"Mommy, can I help" Kayla, with her best friend, a beat up old teddy bear she named Mr. Raggles and very lovingly called Rags, was standing at the kitchen door.

"Hello, my Lovie, welcome to a new day."

"Mommy, Rags wet the bed again. I think, we need to stop letting him sleep on the bed."

Kayla said.

"Well, Mr. Raggles, we are going to have to have a serious talk later, but Kayla Marie, we have got to get moving." We are going to our new home, today."

"Mommy, Rags doesn’t want to go. Rags feel that the new house is very bad. I really think we should listen to him, because he is very wise." Kayla trying to sound very serious was saying.

"Well, I know Mr. Rags is very smart, but Daddy has a chance to make much more, and he would be very sad, if Kayla and Mom did not go, because of Mr. Rags. We will be moving to a new house and--..,"

"But Mommy, Mr. Rags is--..."

"Kayla" came Dean’s thundering voice, "Get ready, now! Darla, I wish you would not encourage her wild fantasies." He said, ranting at me.

I, as always, apologize, and hurried past him, to get to Kayla. When I entered her room, Kayla was sitting on her bed, with those big brown eyes full of tears. I remember the day

Kayla was born. The nurse handed her to me, and said the strangest thing. "Mrs. McKrae, this child is blessed. She has the eyes of a prophet, all bright and shining, and from the moment she came into this world, she has been taking it all in. She doesn’t cry, and I could swear to you, she understands every word I say. She is special. Your child is

Blessed!"

"Come on Lovie, we’ll clean up your bed, and get your things ready to go. It’s going to be a very long day." I said, wishing I had the nerve to protect her from Dean’s cruelty.

"Mommy, why does Daddy treat us so mean?" She said her little face now full of anger.

How do you answer, I thought to myself? How do you tell a five year old, her Daddy never wanted either one of us?

The day I saw Dean looking my way at work, my heart did a flip, flop. Dean, was the golden boy at Winser’s Department Store. He was, as I said, the town hero. His great grandfather was one of the founders of Washburn, and the family was the most respected in our town.

Dean was the next in line to take over the McKrae dynasty. He had it all, the looks, the brains, and there was not a girl in town he could not have. Everyone, including myself just knew Dean would marry Cindy Margoles.