HIDDEN LADY (JUNE SHORT STORY) (Patreon)

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Dear Callum,

Know that- If I had a choice, I wouldn't write to you. If I had friends that you haven't successfully pushed away, I'd write to them. If my family didn't resent me for all the bullshit made-up stories you made, I'd write to them. You are probably snickering as you read this, knowing full well how successful you were in manipulating every single person against me. Though, those were the very least of the horrible things you did to me. You did so many terrible things to me, even the devil would be threatened by you. I guess that made you feel proud, didn't you?

That is how sick you are, you are vile, and I hope your mistress will realize that earlier than I did.

As for our poor, poor baby, who didn't make it into this world breathing, she's here Callum. I kept her. What a shock, right? Or maybe not. Because you never asked about her. You never even gave me a second look when you found me in the bathroom in a pool of blood. I was begging you to take me to the hospital. You turned the television volume so loud to muffle my screams.

I know what you felt right then. You felt victorious because, in the first place, you never really wanted a child- at least with me. You fought about getting an abortion. Callum, why? Can you tell me why? No, actually, don’t bother to answer because I already know why. I know you felt euphoric to finally be set 'free' since you already have that woman waiting for you.

Our poor baby is still with us all along. She's in our house. Inside the second drawer of my bedside table. She's inside an antique miniature coffin. Where she's safe and was never alone.

Now, I have one last wish for you- or maybe find someone who can grant my last wish.

Bury me with her.

I read the letter over and over again before placing it on my bedside table next to the bottle of pills. There will be tomorrow. The end of life. I couldn't see my future or even the next day… even the next minute. Anything beyond this very minute is a blank page. There is nothing left for me to do in this world.

The pill bottle felt cold to my touch. The white pills promised escape from this agony called life. Warm tears escaped my eyes.

Then I heard my doorbell ring.

I contemplated whether to ignore it and continue my business, but it kept going and going. I sighed. I took out my long veil, placed it over my head, fully covering my face. I stood up, placed the bottle back on the bedside. I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand as I rushed to the front door.

I peaked through the peephole. A kid. The kid.

I opened the door slowly. He greeted me with a broad smile, flashing his missing tooth. He wore his boy scout uniform so proudly. I guess I never saw him wear anything besides it.

"I am Tucker! Hello Hidden Lady!" He said with a bow. "Did you forget?"

Oh, right. It's Thursday. I was supposed to watch over this kid while his mom did the groceries. I chewed on my lower lip and shook my head. I invited him in. He thanked me, removed his shoes and strided inside the house like it's his own.

Tucker sat on the carpet and started to unzip his school bag. I sat on the couch and watched him behind my cream-colored satin veil.

"You smell so good," Tucker said.

"Thank you sweetie," I replied. He's still looking at me. "It's Chanel."

His eyes lit up. I wonder if he knows what Chanel is. He quickly opened his notebook and wrote Channel. I didn't correct him. It doesn't matter anyway.

If his mother was on her usual grocery trip, it would take her approximately a little bit more than an hour. I glanced at the clock. It isn't working. Since when did it stop working? I started fiddling with my bracelet. Will I have enough time to execute my plan?

My train of thoughts was immediately cut when I noticed Tucker staring at my dress.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "Nothing, well, can I touch your dress?"

What a weird request. I shrugged and said, "Go ahead."

I watched him as he carefully touched the end of my satin dress. He seemed very amazed. I can't blame him. My style is a bit outdated and I like it that way. When he was done, he told me that it was very smooth.

A few minutes passed by. Tucker started to draw dinosaurs in his notebook. They looked like fat dogs. I reached over to my radio without leaving the couch. I turned it on, melancholic music played. What a mood. I didn't bother to change it, until I saw Tucker cover his ears.

"Don't you like it?" I asked.

Tucker shook his head.

I turned it off.

I probably should prepare something to eat. I stood up and left the room to go to the kitchen. I have hardly ever been here since Callum left. I have no one to cook for. I never liked cooking anyway. I was just forced to do it because that's what good wives do, according to Callum. Months before he finally left me, he rarely ate what I cooked. Could it be because he was eating with that other girl somewhere else?

I found myself staring at the wall. I gently slapped my cheeks. I need to prepare something for Tucker. I opened the pantry. I have very few things inside since I've decided to finally end my life. I scratched my head. This is kind of problematic now. I snatched the bread and some peanut butter and jelly spread. I opened my fridge and found apple juice boxes.

Oh right, I bought this for Tucker for his visits.

I went back to the main area and found Tucker just standing. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He grinned at me but I could see his watery eyes.

"I thought you left me!" Tucker said. He rushed towards me. For a moment, I thought he would give me a hug, but instead he stopped midway when he saw that I was carrying a sandwich and his apple juice box. "For me?"

I nodded. Tucker looked at the sandwich, then at the apple juice box. He said he only wanted the juice if it was okay. I nodded again.

Why am I smiling?

For what?

I looked away and went back to the couch. My chest suddenly felt heavy. Why do I suddenly feel guilty? It seems like I have no right to be happy. But why?

I opened my dry mouth and let my heart speak, "Do you want to play a game?"

Tucker's eyes grew bigger. He nodded excitedly.

"Do you know poker?"

Tucker picked at his lips. He nodded slowly.

A small laugh escaped my lips. "I was just kidding!"

I stood up and started pacing around the room. What could we play? Board games? Callum took all the board games with him. Card games? I doubt Tucker knows any and I don't think his mom would appreciate it if I taught him. Oh, I know. "Let's play hide and seek. Go hide now!" I said, then I knelt on the carpet and planted my face on the couch. I counted till thirty.

Where could he hide? After counting, I began searching for him.

I looked under the couch, inside the antique cabinets, in the small indoor garden. He is nowhere to be found. My heart starts to beat rapidly from excitement. I went to the kitchen and checked the pantry. He's not here.

Panic settles in. Could he be... I rushed to my bedroom. I opened the door. Tucker was looking at the framed photos on the walls. He jumped when he realized I was behind him, knocking the bottle of pills over. The pills scattered on the floor. He took a step back and accidentally crushed every single one of them.

"What are you doing here?!" I thundered.

Tucker's eyes widened as he started to visibly tremble. "I-I'm sorry!"

I took a deep breath. My eyes drifted from Tucker's face to the powdered pills on the floor. They are gone now.

They are all gone now.

It felt as if a huge splinter was pulled away from my heart.

"I'm sorry Hidden Lady," Tucker said. Then...

He hugged me.

He was very soft and warm. With trembling hands, I hugged him back. Tears fell from my eyes. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"The game is not done until you hide too!" Tucker said when he pulled away.

I nodded. "I know where to hide."

Tucker turned around and started counting. I immediately left the room and went to the kitchen. My eyes went to the oven. I slowly pulled out the racks and went inside. It was a very easy task.

I do this all the time when Callum gets home drunk. It's the perfect hiding spot. He doesn't care about anything in the kitchen aside from his beer.

My thoughts stopped when the oven door opened. Tucker pointed at me. "I found you!" he said.

How could he? This was the perfect hiding spot. I laughed as I slowly moved out of the oven. My bones cracked as I stretched. I probably should do gardening again. All my flowers were dead but I could find new ones at the supermarket sale. I heard Tucker's mom talking about it.

Maybe I should try to plant some vegetables as well.

Tucker sat on the chair, he swayed his legs.

"Did you enjoy our game?"

Tucker smiled. "Yes! But you scared me when you went out of the oven."

I clasped my hands together. "I apologize sweetie," I said. "I haven't had any kind of fun since my husband left me. Thank you."

I went to the pantry to find some snacks, but discovered I was only left with a pack of chocolate chip cookies. Maybe I should list the things I need for my next grocery trip. I touched my face. I hope my bruises aren't that bad anymore. I gave the pack to Tucker.

"It's all yours to devour," I said.

"Thank you!" Tucker grinned. "I can't wait!" He jumped up and down.

We spent time talking about his school. He told me that he got a perfect grade in Math. He also told me that he was the bravest scout. He then told me about his English teacher who was going to retire.

"Maybe you should be a teacher," Tucker shrugged. "You're cool and kind. Well, that’s if you could handle kids like me who are two times more annoying!"

Could I be?

The doorbell rang.

Tucker's mom greeted me. She was carrying potted daffodils, and three bags of groceries. I can't imagine how heavy those are.

"These!" Tucker's mom said, "Are yours," She said as she handed me the daffodils, "And this," She gave me one of the grocery bags. "I don't know how you get groceries but, if it's from those overpriced deliveries then you must stop now. Seriously, they are draining your money."

I tried to pay for the groceries but she wouldn’t accept. She said I should take it as a thank you gift for taking care of Tucker.

"Thank you," She said, "If it's okay, can he stay again next week?"

I nodded quickly.

I watched the two of them walk away. Tucker carried one of the grocery bags. He looked back at me and I waved goodbye. He waved too.

I slowly closed the door. Oh right, I should put away the groceries, change the batteries on the clock, do some gardening and maybe look at that open position at the school.

I slowly breathed in and out, and then, as if my feet were on fire, I ran to my bedroom and snatched the letter. I tore it apart into hundreds of tiny pieces and threw it away.

THE END