The Boy Who Counted

Just smile through it.

That’s what Katie said to herself as she waited for Ms. Montgomery’s front door to open. A strange feeling overcame her as soon as she rang the doorbell. That was a common occurrence since she and her mother moved into their new neighborhood, and it had been happening more frequently. Luckily, the feeling never lasted for long.

“Oh hi! You must be Katie. Nice to finally meet you! Come in!” a cheery woman said as the door opened wide. Having only seen her a few times in passing, Katie didn’t know much about her neighbor Ms. Montgomery, only that she was a single mother of boys. She had seen the boys outside playing a few times as she passed by their house.

“Yes ma’am,” Katie replied as she walked through the doorway.

“I’m so sorry our first time meeting is me asking you to do this huge favor – well me asking your mom to ask you to do me this favor,” Ms. Montgomery said with a laugh.

“Oh, it’s no problem, I used to babysit a lot in my hometown back in North Carolina. I’m used to last minute requests,” Katie said as she looked around the foyer. The feeling she had standing outside wasn’t fading away and it seemed to intensify as she studied the home.

“Well, thank you so much for helping me out. Your mom spoke highly about your way with kids and that will definitely come in handy with my boys!" Ms. Montgomery said as she lead Katie to the kitchen area. Katie could tell she was in a hurry and was a bit frazzled.

"I hate to meet and run, but I need to leave now if I’m going to make the meeting in time. I left notes on the counter telling you everything you need to know about the boys and the house. And there should be plenty of pizza left if you’re hungry. Help yourself to anything,” Ms. Montgomery said hurriedly as she grabbed her purse and began heading towards the garage door.

“Hi!” a little boy said suddenly, startling Katie. Shuffling behind him was another small boy, seemingly shy.

As Katie said “hello” to the boys, a lanky teenager walked in, going straight to the refrigerator without saying a word.

“Don’t mind him, he just thinks 13 is old enough to stay home without a sitter,” Ms. Montgomery whispered as she walked past Katie.

“So, these are my boys. Boys, this is Katie. Be nice and please behave!” With that, Ms. Montgomery closed the door.

Katie turned to look at the boys. “So, who’s who?”

“I’m Jacob” the young red-headed one said excitedly. “And that’s Josh” he said about the older boy who was already making his way back upstairs with snacks in hand.

“And who are you?” she asked the shy one she could tell was the youngest.

“Peter!” he said, enthusiastically. Katie was pleased he was already opening up.

“Alright!” Katie said. “So, where’s that pizza?”

**********************************************************************

Katie listened intently as the two little boys rattled on throughout the evening. She barely got a word in as the boys entertained her with stories of their games and adventures. She was so preoccupied with them talking that she didn’t get a chance to read Ms. Montgomery’s lengthy notes. Katie figured the notes were pretty straight-forward. Nothing I haven't seen before she thought to herself. The two younger boys didn't seem to be much trouble and Josh kept mostly to himself, only making occasional appearances.

As Jacob chatted on about another one of his favorite cartoons, Katie noticed Peter looking at her, counting quietly. Or was he looking behind her? Either way it was still unnerving, she thought.

“Four…five” he whispered.

“He does that sometimes,” Jacob said when he saw Katie looking at Peter. He added “sometimes I can see them, too.”

“What are you counting Peter?” Katie said, feeling even more uneasy than before.

“Just things I see,” he replied, shyly looking down.

“Like what?” Katie asked, hoping to get him to open up like he had been all night.

“I dunno. I guess misty shapes… made of clouds,” he mumbled.

“Yeah,” Jacob chimed in, “they look like balls of smoke.”

Nervously, Katie turned her head to look behind her. After seeing what she thought was movement out of the corner of her eye, she turned in her chair to get a better look down the hallway, her heart beating fast. Of course it’s dark, she thought, annoyed with her luck. But she continued to stare, determined to prove to herself that it was only her imagination getting the best of her. Just as she thought she sensed something move again in the darkness, Josh pounded down the stairs, causing Katie to jump!

To hide her embarrassment, Katie stood up and said “Wow, it’s getting late! I think it’s time for you boys to get ready for bed.” That was met with groans from both boys. “I know, I know. But I’m sure your mom would like you ready for bed by the time she gets home.”

“Ahhhhhh!” the boys said in a chorus, but then raced each other upstairs.

After grabbing a water from the fridge, Josh turned to Katie.

“You know mom just humors him, right? You don’t have to,” he chuckled.

“What do you mean? The counting?”

“Yeah, everything,” Josh said, sipping his water. At that moment the garage door opened and Ms. Montgomery walked in.

“Ugh. NEVER run for President of a PTA!” Ms. Montgomery exclaimed exasperated, dropping her purse on the counter. “Were the boys any trouble?” she asked, walking into the kitchen and opening a pizza box.

“No, not at all, they were great. They do love to talk!” Katie said, smiling at Josh.

“They? I can barely get anything out of Josh here,” Ms. Montgomery joked, as Josh rolled his eyes and made his way back upstairs.

“Yeah, they were great. It was pretty uneventful, really” Katie said, shaking off the creepy feeling she still had. “Peter did do that counting thing. But Jacob told me it’s just something he does.”

Ms. Montgomery was placing a slice of pizza in the microwave. “I’m sorry,” she chuckled “what?”

“Yeah, Peter. His counting. He says he counts these ‘misty’ things he sees. They do have very active imaginations.”

“You mean Jacob?” Ms. Montgomery said, looking at Katie, puzzled.

“Yeah, Jacob and Peter,” Katie replied, yet questionably.

“Peter? His imaginary friend, Peter? You are good with kids” Ms. Montgomery said, laughing while turning back to the microwave.

“I’m sorry, what?!? His what?”

“It… it was all in the notes. I mentioned that Jacob has an imaginary playmate named Peter. We think it’s his way of dealing with the divorce. I... I thought I was clear in the notes,” Ms. Montgomery said, stopping to look at Katie.

It was then a definite cold chill ran up Katie’s spine. This time she was sure it had everything to do with seeing Peter standing in the doorway of the kitchen, staring at her, and counting softly.