The Ghost of Mona-Lisa

Notice was a small town, full of rather odd but loveable individuals who all had a taste for mystery. It was in an area not many people traveled to, as it was hidden in a thick covering of trees and shrouded in mist that would often crawl its way through open doors or windows. Some say that the mist had wound its way through the souls of the people of Notice, making it easier for them to linger when they no longer belonged.

In this small town of Notice, there was a particularly curious art gallery. It was a small gallery that had been run and owned by the Tomsick family. They were known for having a warm environment and always being willing to let anyone having a bad day come in to enjoy the art or talk to one of them, as they were always willing to listen. It was neither of these things however, that had led to the curiosity of Harmony Art Gallery. You see, about three years ago, the place had caught fire. The man and his wife had perished in their attempts to save the work they showcased and now, only half of the gallery remained. Half of the gallery, and the daughter of the owners… Mona-Lisa.

Mona-Lisa had been so named due to her parents love of the art piece. They had met when they each went on a trip to see the painting and they had instantly fallen in love. Each wanting a quiet life and sharing a love for art, they decided to pick a random town and open a gallery there, filling it with prints, and any originals they could get their hands on. Reveling in a life surrounded by the art which they so loved. Roughly two years after moving to Notice, Mona-Lisa came to be. As Mona-Lisa (we shall call her Mona going forth) was walking to work like she did every morning, she waved to her neighbors and childhood friends, disappointed as they continued by her. The people of Notice had taken to shunning her since the fire her parents had died in. She thought perhaps it was because on that fateful day, her skin had lost any luster and her eyes had begun refusing to see any color that was not black, white, or the biting orange of the flames.

As Mona entered Harmony Art Gallery, the shade from the tiffany lamp on the counter slipped and fell to the side like it always did when she passed. She rolled her eyes and placed the flowers she brought each week into the vase, tilted the lampshade back up, and proceeded to flip the gallery sign to “Open.” As she went around dusting off paintings, she noted that her eyes still saw flashes in which they were charred and broken... It had been a few years so surely; her mind should not continue to behave this way. Perhaps it was due to an imagination that had never quite been under control. If only her parents were there to guide her.

After dusting off the paintings and ensuring they were not crooked, she walked over to the counter. Placing her cheek into her hand she began wistfully looking at the world outside as she had for the past three years. Watching as the people of Notice passed by, laughing together, or talking on their phones. She looked on as a group of children ran by, she adored them all so. Every now and then some of them would come into the gallery, asking if they could have their art in there one day. Things had been so lonely since people began ignoring her, it was nice when the children came in and acknowledged her existence, even if it was only due to curiosity. At times, a stranger from out of town would stop in. Most of them just looked around at everything, almost as if they did not actually see what was in front of them. But occasionally, one of them would look her way and get a very startled look on their face before quickly walking back out. These occasions were always cause for Mona to go into the bathroom and stare at her sad reflection in the still charred mirror. It was not easy to be rejected by the people you had known your whole life, and it was even worse to be dismissed by a stranger.

One day a new child came in after what appeared to be his friends daring him to do so. He walked in rather cautiously, looking around until he deemed it safe enough to inspect the area further. As Mona stepped around the counter, the tiffany lampshade slipped down again, creating a small noise that seemed to frighten the boy. He quickly looked over at Mona and his eyes grew wide as he pulled out his phone to take her photo, mentioning something about the ghost of the fire and how she really did exist. Mona stopped in her approach as he said these words, startled to hear them. There were no ghosts here, there was only her. Only Mona-Lisa, the girl who had taken over the running and maintenance of this precious place after losing her parents. The boy then pulled out a lighter and began waving it in her face, driving her away. That biting orange of flame sent Mona back, to a time that had traumatized her just as much as it had left her in a world that was no longer meant for her.

You see, Mona had also been at the gallery during that fire. She had been hiding under the counter, afraid to move, unable to yell. While her parents had died due to severe wounds and smoke inhalation, Mona’s body had remained untouched. What had caused the death of Mona-Lisa Tomsick, was none other than a broken heart. For what teenager could be expected to survive the smell of smoke mixed with the screams of her parents and the destruction of the art they had loved so dearly?

As Mona at last realized the truth she had forgotten, this heartbroken ghost fell to the ground becoming one with the mist that had been swirling around. The last thing she saw was her parents smiling warmly, arms held out. So, if you are ever in Notice, be sure to look around. After all, it is called Notice for a reason. Perhaps it has something to do with the way that lampshades always seem to be falling.