Aurora Magazine 2017

“The house is creepy Mommy!” I said, clutching my doll. “Jeannie not now, I have a lot of unpacking to do!” My mother said, wiping her brow. “We are going to make you a playroom downstairs. Won’t that be nice?” I stared at my mother. All I could think about was the shadow hands that I had seen. I was so relieved when my parents decided to keep the downstairs basement bedroom for guests. The downstairs family room became my playroom. I was happy if the bedroom door stayed latched shut. I shared the small bedroom off the dining room with Grace. Daddy had taken the door off the hinges. The bedroom was very small. To fit my bed and Grace’s crib, there was no room for the door. The room was perfect. I had all of my stuffed animals lined up on one side of the bed. I had a picture above my bed that said “Mom and Dad love Jeannie!” The only window to the room was above the foot of my bed. Enough light poured in from the street that a night light was not needed. From my bed, I could look out of the doorway and see the entrance between the living and dining room. At some time during that first night, I sleepily starred out into the living area and could make out what seemed to be a man standing between the entryways. At first, I was sure it was my Dad. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. It was still there. It was definitely the figure of a man in all black. I could not see his face or make out any features. I screamed, of course, waking everyone in the house up, including Grace. I quickly heard Mom and Dad’s footprints running to my room. “What’s wrong?” asked Daddy “Are you okay?” Mommy asked as she picked Grace up from the crib and held the baby close. “Mommy, there was a man. I saw a man standing there.” I said while pointing out of the doorway into the dining room and living room entryway. “It was a bad dream Jeannie.” Daddy said brushing the hair out of my face. “No I saw it. He was right there! I was not dreaming, I was awake.” I insisted. “Jeannie go back to bed.” My mom said carrying Grace with her to the living room. “I think your eyes were playing tricks on you.” Daddy covered me back up, kissed my forehead and he turned off the lights.

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