Ghosts Don't Sing

Hi, Just Pretend I'm Not Here.

I just stared at the ground, blocking out every little sound that tried to get into my head. It already has too much crap stuffed into my brain, why try to shove in more?

The mall is a dangerous place. My sister told me that. Many deceiving little shops, little noises. Even my mom can't resist the latest series of Glassybaby candles. She walks into the shop, her eyes slurping up every color they can get. She taps me on the shoulder. "Hey Henry, isn't this one pretty?" She's holding a pink and magenta candle, her fingers placed very carefully around it's edge, looking for imperfections. She found one. She places the ever-so-slightly chipped candle back on it's shelf, and reaches into the back to try to get a different one. She takes the new one and walks over to the counter where she will buy her desired candle. I hear her purse being opened. She leaves me by myself.

In the car, the Glassybaby is held protectively by me, by orders of the Queen Mother. She scolded me for shutting the door too hard. She told me to talk quieter. So I stopped talking all together.

"Honey, you can talk. Just not so loud." I stayed silent. She sighed and put the radio on until we got home.

My sister stood near the door, waiting for us when we got home. "What'ja guys get?" I showed her the Glassybaby and two bags of clothes and what-not mom bought. "The Glassybaby is ugly." I say. Mom sighs. "Henry, why are you so negative today? I brought you to the mall, got you ice-cream, and yet you are treating me like crap!" She never understands anything. "I hate the mall, and lactose gives me a stomach ache! Just leave me alone!" I slam my room door.