“Jeff I'm so glad you're back! Is it really you?!!” Jenny pulls back from the hug.
“Of course it's me Chocolate! I missed you so much!” He picks her up and twirls her around.
He sets her down. A frown rests on his face. Tears roll down from his eyes. Jenny looks up at him as she wipes his tears away.
“Why are you crying brother? Is there something wrong?” She frowns.
“I'm sorry you went through a lot after I died. I shouldn't have left you...” He cries pulling her close to him.
Tears fall from Jenny's eyes. She remembered the pain and torture she went through. It's something she's never going to recover from…..
“It's okay. You're here now and I know you'll protect me.” She gives him her biggest smile and hugs him back.
“Are we going to stay like this sister?” Jeff laughs hugging her.
“Yes. Let's be like this for some more time…. I missed your hugs.” She wraps her hands around his waist tighter.
Jeff laughs, hugging her close. Jenny smiles. After a long time, she now felt peace.
________
Jenny wakes up with a smile on her face. She looks straight at her balcony and smiles.
“Good morning Jeff!” She waves, remembering how Jeff told her that he'd be sitting on her balcony once she wakes up but she couldn't see him. But he promised he would be there. He also told her that they'd meet every night in her dreams. She couldn't wait.
*Ahhhhh today's going to be a great day!* She happily skips to her bathroom humming as Jeff smiles at his sister.
“So…..how was it?” Jasper asks as he sits next to Jeff.
“Oh come on! Don't act like you don't know….I saw you watching us!” He playfully rolls his eyes.
“Hey! Respect your elder! Don't you roll your eyes at me young man!” Jasper playfully smacks him.
“Okay old man! Geez…...”
“Old man! Did you just— Why you…….come here you brat!” He starts to chase Jeff as he laughs and runs away.
________
Jenny walks to the florist. She opens the door and immediately spots an old woman, maybe in her seventies behind the counter. She looks at Jenny and smiles.
“Ahh Jenny! My dear girl! How have you been? Didn't see you since vacation began! Forgot me already?”
“No no! I didn't! I just rested for a while at home….was tired from all the school activities.” She fake-smiles.
“I see...”
“Ava! I came here yesterday! But you weren't here! The part-timer told me that you were resting...”
“Ahh I see….. that's why Jacob told me someone asked about me yesterday….”
“Jacob?”
“Yes. He's my new part-timer. He's a good one though... what a fine young man….. I'm planning to give him a full-time job here soon.” Ava smiles.
“I see…..you told me you'd give me the job!” Jenny pouts.
“I know. I know…don't worry my dear! I have a vacancy for you here too! Just join whenever you want!”
“Really!?! I can join too?! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!! I love you!!” Jenny hugs her across the counter.
“Hey Ava! I'm back! Here I've–” He stops as he sees Jenny.
Jenny's eyes widen a little. The same boy from yesterday. She continues to stare at him until she shakes her head.
*He works here dumb head! Of course he'll come here everyday! Stop staring, it makes him uncomfortable!* She thinks.
“Jacob! You're back! You're here at the right time! Let me introduce you to our new part-timer! Jacob, this is Jenny and Jenny, this is jacob.” Ava tells him happily.
“Hi Jenny! I'm Jacob! I remember you…...you came to buy the daisies! Am I right?” He smiles at her shaking her hand.
“Hello Jacob! Yes I came here to buy the daisies yesterday.” Jenny smiles at him.
“Wow! I'm so excited that you're going to work here tomorrow! It's really boring here sometimes.” Jacob laughs, earning a smack from Ava.
“Yea......I'm glad to work here too!”
“So when are you joining?” Ava asks her.
“Wait...so you're giving me the freedom to join whenever I want?”
“Yea.”
“Okay! I'll inform my parents and I'll join tomorrow!”
“That's a wise choice. Until then...let's get her things ready shall we?” Ava looks at Jacob.
“Yes ma'am!” Jacob salutes.
“Okay then….. I'll leave now. I'll come back tomorrow!”
“Okay Jenny! Be safe!”
“I will! Bye Ava!”
“Bye!” Ava hugs her.
Jenny hugs her back and walks towards the door.
“Bye Jenny! See you tomorrow!” Jacob shouts.
“Bye Jacob!” Jenny waves to him and walks outside.
_________
Jenny slowly walks towards her home, excited about her job tomorrow and a smile creeps on her face.
*I can't wait!! Ahhh!!! Finally I will have a job! Yay!!* She starts skipping.
Her phone rings. She takes it out from her pocket and looks at it.
*Mom? Why is she called me at this time of the day? That's odd….* She answers it.
“Hello?”
Jenny! How are you?
“I'm fine ma. What happened?”
Okay listen. This is important. Your dad and I won't be coming home tonight.. we have an important meeting here so we will come back home early in the morning. Don't wait for us….have your dinner. I don't think there's anything in the fridge so either cook for yourself or order it. Take care okay? I'll see you in the morning…
“Okay ma. Take care.”
Bye dear!
“Bye ma...”
She cuts the call and sighs.
*What a bummer….I wanted to tell them about my job..oh well.. I'll tell them later….*
She suddenly stops and looks around.
*This neighborhood…..it's so familiar...oh wait! The old house!* She spots the house from afar and runs to it. She stops as she looks at it for the first time. The house was painted an emerald green. It was worn out. There were a few cracks here and there. The windows were dirty and cracked. The roof was painted dark green. There was a tree next to a window on the first floor. What surprised her was that the window was the only one that was clean.
“Hmmm.... how is that possible?”
She shrugs and walks towards the back door, remembering that the front door was locked.
As she walks she notices that there were a lot of dried leaves on the ground, making a crunching sound when she stepped on them.
*Of course! Who do you think lives here to keep the place clean?!*
She shakes her head and opens the door. She enters the kitchen. She is surprised. Again.
“What the…...”
**********
Hello everyone!
How have you all been?
I hope you like this chapter! Please vote, share and subscribe! I'll see you later! Bye!
Loads of love
Betty