shirleyforsure

i sat in the car seat staring out the blurry wet window up into the moon. it was a roller coaster of a day (and not in a good way) which ended up with me in new york getting back home at 2 am. 

I boarded the tour bus taking us across new york and sat down overlooking the bright billboards of town square. 

Madeline was in Estoria’s car. Well, her dad’s car. Her dad made small talk. Madeline hated small talk.

When he started to ask too many questions, Madeline politely asked, “Mr. Evans, I have a huge headache. Can we talk in your house?”

“Oh. I’m sorry darling,” Mr.Evans apologized. He held a look of shock on his face the rest of the way there.

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Madeline had never been to Estoria’s house before. She stepped inside the house. She gaped. A chandelier hung in the middle of the living room reflecting the midday light making rainbows appear on one of the walls. The couch was a lovely milky color with fur throw pillows. In the kitchen, a basket of fruit sat on the dining table along with straw woven tablemats. Madeline’s grandma would have loved the place.

Mr.Evans sighed. “I know it’s not much, we’re getting a new section of the house, but until it’s done, we have to work with this.” Mr. Evans looked at me from head to toe. “Why don’t we show you our basement? It’s a bit drab though, but I guess we can show you.”

After seeing Mr. Evans version of drab, Madeline agreed. Mr. Evans, Estoria, and Madeline walked down the steps. Once Madeline reached the bottom, it was a bit too drab. Mold lined the walls and broken shards of glass covered the floors.

A wicked sneer appeared on Mr. Evans face. “I have a few questions for you.” His calming tone disappeared. Replacing it was a sickly sweet voice. “Come along now child.”