As It Was

This is part four of our group project through Vocal Creators Saloon. We are a tight-knit community of writers who love to experiment! Please check out the other installments to this series before continuing:

Part 1: by Paula Shablo

Part 2: by Keggercast

Part 3: by Sofia Duarte

Enjoy!

The second the door opened, my memories came flooding back. It looked as if time had stood still. The four humble corners that used to house Adriana had remained the same. Decorated by Mama for her little princess. Light pink walls with cream baseboards, white birch flooring that spread across the room into the walk-in closet; the glorious Bayview windows donned with white lacy curtains overlooked the murky, unsettling waters below. In the right hand corner was an antique vanity set, painted white of course, with a large mirror and covered with delicate ceramic trinkets of my sister's childhood. In the left, was a three-tiered bookshelf filled with fairytales, teen romance, and encyclopedias of plant life native to Louisiana. Dead center was her bed. Twin sized with oversized heart throw pillows, pink, cotton comforter and white polyester sheets. All that was missing was Adriana reading over by the window, day dreaming of the big city.

“It’s purdy, ain’t it ‘Pa?” Leslie asked, eyes wide with excitement. She ran around the room in circles.

I swallowed heavily and then nodded.

“Sure is.” I said, looking cautiously around, scanning the familiar surroundings.

Everything would be fine, that is, if I could find it.

The thing that Leslie of all people didn’t need to see, not yet anyways.

“Don’t poke ‘round too much!” I hollered at Leslie, who was touching the books, the pillows and the trinkets. “And put those back.”

“But ‘Pa….” She whined. “They’re ours, right’?”

I gave Leslie a disapproving look that scared most children, but not her.

“No. ‘Sides we’re just looking at the house today, not the stuff inside.” I explained with an annoyed tone in my voice.

This was a lie, but I wasn’t about to tell my daughter that.

She huffed initially, but then complied. Before returning to my side, she squealed in joy.

“Look, ‘Pa!” Leslie shouted, pointing to the windows.

One of them were open, letting in a gentle breeze. Next to the sill was a music box. It was an antique with a faded ballerina posing on top of it and chipped paint.

I dashed to it before Leslie could. She didn’t need to mess with it, if my intuition was right. I held it close to my chest for safe keeping. Lord only knows what’s inside.

“Give it, ‘Pa, give it!” She was jumping up and down trying to take it from me.

“I told you, we’re not touching stuff inside!” I exclaimed, holding the box out of her reach.

We ran around for several minutes before Leslie got bored and tired. She slumped down on Adriana’s bed in tears.

“I wan see what’s inside!!” She cried out, thrashing around in frustration.

I sighed heavily. When she wants something she wants it now. Guess I don’t have a choice. Begrudgingly, I sat down next to Leslie and put the music box between us. I guess this was a sign that she was ready for whatever this box held.

“We gon’ open it together, baby girl.” I said, patting her on the head.

She perked up faster than a flower covered in rain. “Really!?”

I nodded. Might as well.

Both of us opened the box with anticipation. What awaited us was pure terror.

Story to be continued by Rita Lekay in the near future.