Secrets Don't Wake Up

At The Cinema, Downtown Abbettown

“The blade of death you love…stabs sweetly!” the female hero touted in the final scene. Crazed applause and cheering drowned the dying villain’s screams. It all continued during the end-credit music; after which many stood up and chanted, ”More, more, more…”

Up in the movie projector room, a weight lifted off Sharish’s shoulders, the movie-house manager. The tally from tonight’s movie ticket sales exceeded costs for the third week in a row, saving the small screen venue from foreclosure for one more month, maybe longer. The town’s interest in the hometown star and her new movie quickly created a buzz for this small town’s entertainment sector. Her dream of making this movie house a success had all but evaporated one month ago, until this gem of a movie showed up with its hometown starlet in attendance. How long the run would last would be anyone’s guess. For the moment, she smiled. It was a good thing to renew ties with her longtime friend and movie star. Persuading her to visit her roots seemed easy. And to top it off, the film company also moved into town, fashioning its next series of movies to be produced locally. Lady luck seemed to be smiling down, finally.

Downstairs in the movie house VIP room, the star of the show was surrounded by old and new fans. They broke out the champagne and cheers. The swarmed starlet soaked in the appreciation for several hours before asking for a small reprieve to the ladies room. She stumbled in, half drunk and managed to find an open stall on the far end of the lavender scented lounge. Alison emerged to look at her reflection. Make-up had started to rub off. Mascara drooled where dark bags under the eyes might have been. However, her youthful glow showed no signs of aging, at least not yet.

“You were amazing on screen,” a soft voice offered behind her.

“Oh my, you’re a sneaky one back there!”

“Sorry, thought you saw me when you came in.”

“Looks like I drank too much to notice, sorry, hun.”

They both shared a giggle.

“So you liked the movie?”

“Your lines were the greatest.”

“So sweet of you to say. What’s your name?“

“Sharon.”

“Hi Sharon, I’m Allison.”

“I know, I just saw you on screen.”

“Hehe, oh yeah,the booz. Oops. Listen, Sharon, Is it? If you’re not busy why don’t you come by to my house party tonight?”

“Really,I mean. If it’s not too much of an issue.”

“What issue? 15 Sycamore Lane. 1AM, ok?’

“Alright. See you there!”

1:30AM THAT NIGHT

The night deepened with creepy black shadows dancing their way between homes and trees. The moonlight beamed in between passing clouds parading this eerie display. Most homes were dim or completely dark on this neighborhood block. One house lit up the after- movie celebration, continuing into the night.

Sharon chose to park a block or two away and braved the night walk alone, toward the party. Upon her arrival, everyone roared at the presence of yet another fan joining the fun. Allison announced her friend.

Within seconds the chanting of “Sharon, Sharon, Sharon…” echoed with every step she took.

She tried her best to hide her smile.

Allison took Sharon aside and offered her a drink of the latest brew. Joining in the fun, the chanting fell off and everyone broke off into groups, carrying on with their own boisterous ways.

“So, Sharon, are you new in town? I don’t remember you from the school year book.”

‘I moved in alone few months’ back, still settling in. Not many talk to me. It’s alright I suppose. Your town was the perfect fit for my scholastic needs. My parents are dead and left some money behind so I could move on.”

“Oh no, sorry about your mum and dad, hun. You have a huge new circle here now. They all know your name, " Allison added with a consoling smile.

After a few sips of her drink, Sharon thought about her response.

Can’t talk of tragedy. You’re with a celebrity. Be smart about this, Sharon.

Sharon shook herself out of a momentary thought trance, blinking twice and slightly shaking her head.

“You’re the big name in town, Allison. Everyone here already has already forgot about me. By the way, do you write those snappy lines in your movies or...? You’re quoted around here all of the time.”

“Oh that. It’s nothing really. It's scripted. Come on, let’s get some air.”

“Just a sec, Allison. I want to refresh my drink.”

“Alright, I’ll be out on the deck, k?’

Sharon nudged her way through the crowd and to the kitchen, where more beverages were waiting for consumption. While pouring herself a new shot of something called “mixed sunrise, “she noticed a baby monitor with a screen and light indicator. Someone was in a bed. Whoever it was seemed to be struggling. The red light on the device blinked urgently.

Sharon tried to wave Allison down, who seemed to be wooing a very handsome admirer.

“Damn, nice catch.” Sharon conceded inside a whisper.

Shrugging, Sharon decided to find whoever was being monitored.

Someone bumped her into a door while walking out from the kitchen, knocking it open. It looked like a cellar door. She peered down a long stairwell illuminated by a single wall light.

Maybe someone is down here. I’ll just check it out and see if I can help. Afterwards, I’ll excuse myself.

After double checking on Allison and seeing her kissing the stud on the back deck, Sharon shook her head in embarrassment and descended the stairs, closing the cellar door behind her.

The stairs were covered by dull green matting which cloaked the sound of her footsteps. Sharon felt thankful. Making noise would be rude. But then again, the party’s volume erupted at times. What was she so worried about?

At the bottom of the stairs, a nearby room light lit up the small hallway.

Sharon crept inside.

The sight of a drip bag and medical bed caught her eyes first. She noticed the restraining belts and dried matted hair on top of what she thought was a woman’s head. All of it took her by complete surprise.

“Hello, hello, are you alright?”

While moving closer to the bed, she saw the woman’s face. It was frozen in expression. a blank stare.

A hint of pain or suffering seemed to scream from this person’s eyes.

“Hello, are you alright?” Sharon asked again in a whisper.

No response came back.

Now questions started to pop in her mind.

Who is this? Why is this person here? Why are there restraints? Is there an illness being treated here? Why is there no caregiver here?

The drip from the IV bag somehow sounded louder than her thoughts.

Something wasn't right.

“I see you found mother.”

Whipping around, Sharon gasped and nearly fell over.

“Hehe, Sharon, it’s ok. It’s ok. That’s my mother. She’s in a coma and she can’t speak. It’s from a stroke, the doctors said. Our caregiver needed a night off tonight. Momma’s fine…look.” Allison offered by placing a consoling hand on her mother.

“Sharon, are you alright? You look like you saw a ghost or something.”

“I...I think so,” Sharon nervously stuttered.

“Come Sharon, I want to show you something.”

“Allison, I’m sorry for coming down here. The baby monitor was blinking red and the video showed erratic movement on the bed. All I saw was hair popping out from the bedding. I figured help was needed.”

‘Sharon, shh, you’re so sweet. It’s ok. Come over here. Let’s let momma sleep a bit.”

Before Sharon stepped out with Allison, she caught sight of what looked to be a diary on the far side of the bed. A pen was in her mother’s hand and a notepad sat underneath it.

“Oh, the notepad. She writes something every now and again. Sometimes we think she’s still there and wants to communicate more often. Can’t help but hope, ya know.”

Nodding, Sharon walked with Allison to the next room.

“See that journal on the desk? Would you get it for me Sharon?”

“Sure.”

Allison opened the journal to reveal many writings in beautiful calligraphy, poetic in nature.

“Smell that?’

Sharon leaned forward to take a whiff.

“Pure leather-bound perfection. It’s an heirloom. Grandma loved dark poetry and stories. She always told us creepy stories, hoping we'd be inspired to carry them on in other ways after she passed on.”

“Cool. Allison, why are you showing me this?”

‘Shh… You know, no one is supposed to see momma but me, my family and our caregiver. We have secrets, just like any family.”

“You just said it was ok. I explained what happened and…”

“Shh, there is one thing you can do to help the situation.”

“Oh alright.”

Allison leaned in, asking Sharon, “Tell me. Why do you like me so much?”

‘Well …You’re an inspiration. I love the fact that the rumors in town are actually good rumors. And they’re about you. And they’re true. I like that. Most other towns I have lived in had so much drama. Reality TV pales by comparison. The wives of what Shore or whatever?”

Allison, unaffected by Sharon’s fun remark, leaned over admiring Sharon's face.

“I love your eyes.”

“Allison, what are you doing? I saw you kissing Mr. stud upstairs.”

“Oh him, I tease men a lot.”

Suddenly, Allison kissed Sharon hard on the lips, holding her head tenderly with both hands.

Sharon, wide-eyed, gave in, but just a little.

The kiss broke off leaving Sharon confused.

“You discovered momma. A price was carried with that. You just paid it.”

Sharon ruffling her hair and pressed her clothing flat, as if dust would puff off. She avoided eye contact with Allison.

“There’s more that goes with that price, Sharon You have seen too much.”

“Well, everyone here seems to have had way too much to drink and I should just be going, ok? Sorry for coming down here. I should mind my own business. Thank you for inviting me to your celebration.”

Sharon turned around to see the crowd of partiers collected behind her, holding an eerie silence and staring at her.

Allison spoke out.

“You have entered our space, Sharon. And you have seen things tonight that have never been shown to an outsider before.”

“Hold on a second. Any of them can see your momma. She’s in the next room for gods-sakes! I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary!”

Allison preened her hair and said, ‘This is my family. Take her, please.”

Many pairs of hands picked Sharon up and took her in unison straight to a bed, next to Allison’s mother!

Sharon screamed out as she was overcome by hands holding her down.

“Let me go!! When did this bed get there? It wasn’t here before! Let me go!”

Sharon’s wild bucking and protesting were met with a powerful sting in her upper thigh.

Within seconds, her body relaxed. She could not move her lips or muster another word.

Straps were applied to keep Sharon down; an IV needle was placed atop her left hand. The saline bag wasn’t saline. It held a specialized muscle relaxant with paralytic properties.

Sharon, still keen to everything around her, could not defend herself.

The entire group of partiers departed in silence.

Allison noticed the awareness remaining in Sharon’s eyes and leaned over.

“You are the star word crafter in this town's school I hear. I did some digging on you before you arrived. It seems you have a knack for keen writing. When the severity of the paralysis eases a little, you should be able to move your hands a little; you get to write my future lines, making me famous over and over again. When your creativity wears thin, you get the next narcotic dose until you’re inspired again!”

Allison placed Sharon’s right hand with a pen in the writing position, opened to a blank page in the same journal talked about earlier.

“Write me my lines for a time and I might let you free. I’ll be waiting. And one more thing, remember grandma's legacy!”

Allison silently departed the room after re-adjusting the baby monitor video camera and shutting off the light.

MONTHS LATER

The new flick in town featured its home town starlet again. More and more of the town enjoyed its revived night life.

Five new show times were added to the movie-house schedule for the first time in its history.

In another post-premiere appearance, Allison was pulled aside by the movie house manager.

“You’re putting us back on the map, Allison! You’re snappy lines are dancing off everyone’s lips and putting profit back into the business of this town! How do you do it, girl?”

“It’s all about words, hun, just words!”

-- End