Theodorah

She died in that house. It wasn't a violent death, at least she didn't remember it being violent. No. No, she was ill. Yes, she was ill and just faded away. She really didn't remember much, it was so long ago.

Theodorah haunted the old Victorian at the end of the winding lane, lined with the most exquisite crepe myrtle bushes; they were trees now, tall as the three-story home where her spirit resided.

Oh, she had seen so many families come and go. Her own daughter--who was no more than six months when Theodorah died--raised a family in that house till she slipped into the grave at 94. A life well lived and Theodorah watched in shadows proudly at the amazing woman she had created.

Some families lived a generation or two in the house, others, not so long; but Theodorah did not mind. She did not interfere. She observed from behind the veiled mists and whispers in the dark. She had no desire to interact with the living, except when babies were born. She adored babies. Many parents would comment to their neighbors that their babies would wake in the night crying, as babies do. But once the parent whose turn it was to change a diaper managed to get down the hall, stumbling over toys or the family cat, they would notice their infant smiling, giggling, and looking in the opposite direction of the baffled parent standing in the doorway of the nursery.

As the years marched on, Theodorah remained in the house, quietly observing and staying out of history's way. Other than the occasional run-in with a hypervigilant family pet or the odd aunt from up north who would 'sense a presence', Theodorah remained a spectator kind of specter. Never showing herself, never interfering, just observing the lives around her.

This new family moving in would be no different. A cute young couple, just starting in life. Recently married, new jobs, a new beginning--just like every family before them. But something about this family felt different to Theodorah. The husband, William, a tall, dark-haired slender man with stark features, had a friend that Theodorah didn't like. The friend, Rodney, had an aura that put Theodorah on alert. She did not trust that man. He seemed to be...oh what would father call those kinds of men again? Carpetbaggers? Scoundrel was more like it. She didn't like using such strong language, but this man was not to be trusted.

"Hey, Will, " Rodney called as he held a box at the bottom of the stairs. "Where do you want the box of picture albums?"

"Just leave them in the den," Will called from the upstairs hallway. "Cat will want to go through them, I'm sure."

Ah yes, Cat. The new lady of the house. Theodorah liked her; she reminded Theodorah of her departed daughter. She was young, had the most beautiful auburn ringlets, short stature, and was feisty--never had a problem speaking her mind. Theodorah respected a woman who could speak her mind. She may not have approved of some of the language used, but Theodorah would always smile when the feisty little Cat would 'tell it like it is'.

"Will, do you think we can get the house fixed by Christmas? I would love to have Christmas here," Cat asked as she put her arms around his waist.

"Well, there is a lot of work to do. We haven't even seen the attic or the roof, the gutters are ancient, the windows need to be replaced, the wiring is questionable, and the wallpaper needs to be replaced," Will said light-heartedly as he hugged his wife. He kissed her on her forehead.

"You are a wonderful man, William Lance," Cat said, standing on her tip-toes to kiss his lips. Cat then turned and picked up a box and took it toward the kitchen.

Will smiled and then looked around the room and sighed. He opened a box and started removing his tools.

Theodorah discovered that the husband, William, was a carpenter--or a 'contractor' as the letters on the stack of small cards by the front door stated. He seemed to know what he was doing, even though he had trouble being on time. Theodorah would watch him from the corner of the room as he measured, hammered, and worked diligently fixing this and that. Theodorah hated the sound of that big saw he used to cut wood. When he started that noisy thing up, she would often gravitate toward Cat. For the next several weeks, Theodorah observed the couple as they decorated the house to their liking. She would often hover in the farthest corner of the tall ceiling, watching them build a life in the home she loved and haunted for so long.

Occasionally, Cat would take a break from opening boxes and write in a small black notebook. Cat liked keeping a journal of her daily adventures. She mainly wrote about the house and how the couple was doing. Theodorah would read over Cat's shoulder, being nosy, but it had been so long since anyone had kept a journal in the house. Theodorah felt a little guilty reading the innermost thoughts of this new tenant but she felt that there was no harm in getting to know these people who now shared her home.

The couple soon settled into a routine. Theodorah, too, had her routine. Every morning when Cat got up and went to shart the coffee brewing, Theodorah would follow behind her. She loved the smell of coffee and always enjoyed the speed at which coffee could be made these days. Theodorah remembered her father and her husband loved coffee but it was such a rare item when she was alive.

Theodorah would smile to herself, watching Will struggle to put his work boots on--he was running late again. Cat would kiss Will and then head out the door, her coffee mug in hand. Will would rush out the door only to return a few moments later the get his keys.

"God!" Will mumbled to himself. "I am so fucking late!"

Theodorah smiled to herself. His silly state each morning was so entertaining! She laughed to herself and locked the front door. Normally she would not interfere but considering Will's tardiness this morning, she felt that she could help him out a bit--this time. Theodorah really did enjoy this couple being in the house.

A few weeks went by and the couple decided to have a house party. All Theodorah knew was it involved a game.

"Hey, Cat," Will stated as he came into the kitchen. "We have the beer, the pizza rolls, chips, salsa...is there anything else we need?"

"I don't think so," Cat said while opening a bag of chips and pouring them into a big bowl. "Besides, won't y'all be watching the game?"

"You know as well as I do that the snacks make the game-watching experience," Will smiled as he got a jar of salsa out of the fridge. Theodorah remained in the shadows; she didn't like crowds of people when she was alive and had no interest in being part of this crowd either. Especially since Rodney would be here this evening. Theodorah still did not like Rodney. He reminded her too much of those undesirable farm managers and she would often fade into the attic when he was around.

The doorbell rings. There stood Rodney with a six-pack and a large pizza.

"Hey, how the hell are you, crazy son of a bitch!" Will laughed as he opened the door and let Rodney in.

"I brought the good beer," Rodney said as he entered and sat the pizza box down on the coffee table in the living room. After a few moments, other men arrived and became rowdy. Theodorah wasn't used to so many men being so vocal and animated over a game.

"Cat, come join us," Will said. Cat was sitting in the kitchen, writing in her little black notebook journal. Theodorah could tell Cat was not excited about the idea of being in the middle of that loud group, but Cat did enjoy spending time with Will. Cat sighed, closed her notebook, and walked into the living room.

Theodorah retreated to the upstairs. She had no interest in the activities going on. She preferrend sitting in the big window at the top of the stairs and watching the stars. This spot was her sanctuary from the noise below.

One afternoon, Cat finally decided to organize the attic. There were many old boxes and trinkets left by families over the years. Cat a few boxes up the steps and placed them close to the spot in the attic where Theodorah was hiding out. Theodora carefully tried to avoid her, but occasionally Cat would stop and look around like she had felt something. Theodorah froze. The last thing she ever wanted to do was frighten Cat.

Cat looked around and dusted off the old boxes and trunks. She opened an old steamer trunk and pulled out feather boas, a few extravagant hats, and a few faded black and white photos. Cat tried on a hat and boa, then pretended she was a flapper at a speak-easy! She did a few steps of the Charleston. Theodorah couldn't help but laugh.

Cat placed the hat and boa back in the trunk, closed it, and continued to investigate. Theodorah enjoyed watching Cat explore. 'She is so much like my daughter,' Theodorah thought.

As Cat came to another trunk, this one was smaller, dustier, and quite a bit older than all the others. She pulled it out from behind a rafter and begin to blow off the grime and dirt.

Theodorah vaguely remembered this trunk. She knew it, but why? It had been so long, and she rarely gave it a glance when hiding out in the attic. Theodorah cautiously approached Cat, hovered behind, and just over her shoulder so she could see, too.

Cat struggled to open the trunk, the hinges creaking with age. Once she worked the rusted clasp up, she found a piece of wood to wedge in the small opening she was able to force in the top. Theodorah could hardly stand the suspense. She knew she could always look in the trunk as she was a ghost, but she really wanted to experience this discovery with Cat.

After a few cuss words and a lot of physical effort, Cat managed to pry the top off. She had opened the trunk so hard that the rusty hinges broke, and the top flew off to the other side of the attic. Inside was a black cloth covering something. As she pulled it back, the light hit something that started to sparkle. Cat and Theodorah were in awe!

"Wow!" Cat said to herself, carefully looking at all the jewelry, silverware, and precious items in the small trunk. "There must be like $20,000 here!"

Suddenly, Theodorah remembered this trunk! "No!" She gasped, stepping back in shock, causing the floor to creak.

"Who's there!?" Cat jumped.

Their eyes locked on each other.

"Who are you!?" Cat asked, alarmed.

Theodorah stood there staring at Cat.

"You can see me?!"