Author: Janet E
Fandom: None - Original Fiction
Rating: U Gen
It's almost ten o'clock, time for Dad's daily call. I stare at the clock. Its rhythmic ticking seems unnaturally loud. Something's not right. Then I remember, I can't phone him: he died a couple of weeks ago. Heaviness drags at my heart. I shrink into myself.
The ticking grows louder; the room plunged in darkness. My dog cocks her head and stares at me. Fear stabs my insides. I wish Fred would come home; he'll be a while yet.
The candle's shadow paints a flickering pattern on the pale wallpaper. The light glows brightly against the gloom.
The silence is deafening. As the hour approaches 10pm, there is only the ticking of the clock. It must be my imagination; can it really be that loud?
The hands reach 10. Without warning, the hall phone rings. I almost jump out of my skin and labour to my feet to answer it. The ticking stops. The light is out in the hall. I grab the phone on the last ring.
"Hello." I say, voice breathless and faint.
My heart beats with an inexplicable sense of irrational fear at the silence on the other end of the line.
Then: "Hello chick, how are you?"
My knees buckle. It's Dad's voice! His gentle tone is unmistakable. I pinch myself but can't feel a thing. The hall is pitch black. A lone shaft of light falls ominously through the front door window across the phone.
I try to speak, a strangled, incoherent sound.
"Dad? Is that you?" I choke.
"Yes, chick."
"But, it can't be. You're..."
"Yes I am!"
"So, how, I don't understand?"
His voice is serious. "There's no time, so listen carefully. I can't answer any of your questions so you must not ask any."
I nod. How stupid! He can't see me. Or, can he?
"I want you to know I am all right," he continues. "Everyone is here. Your mum sends her love."
Tears stream down my face.
"Even Shep's here! He's still fighting." Dad laughs, his own funny little laugh.
"Shep!" I hear myself choke back a laugh too. I feel sick.
"You remember we talked about your life and what you were going to do in the future."
"Yes."
"Well, I want you to achieve your dreams. No, I want you to exceed them. Use your gifts to make a difference. You've had setbacks, losing me, getting sick, but you'll heal and be just as strong as you were before, perhaps stronger. You have a lot to do. Do you understand?
"I think so, but..."
"I want this for you and all our family. Will you tell them for me?"
"Of course I will, you know that."
He interrupts. "My time is up. I have to go. Live as if I am still with you. Tell me your troubles and achievements. Let me watch you grow. We'll all watch over you. You will get what you need, you must believe that."
I sob uncontrollably, eyes sightless from the tears.
"Will you do this for me, chick? For all of us?"
"Yes." My faint reply brushes the air.
"I must go now." His voice fades.
"Please, stay. Just a little longer?" I beg.
His voice shrinks to a whisper. "Love you, little one."
Then he's gone. Only silence hammers my ears. I drop the receiver and stumble back to the living room. Time stands still but, as I sit, the clock resumes its ticking. I struggle to recall what was said, but it flees my memory like a soaring bird. Emotion wracks me as I try to make sense of the last few minutes. Noticing my distress, the dog clambers into my lap. Laying her head on my shoulder, she licks the tears from my cheeks. My face is hot and sticky, my body clammy against her rough coat.
The room fades to black. I bury my face in the warmth of her fur. I squeeze her too tightly, but she doesn't mind. I relax, my sobs reduced to noiseless hiccups. Soon we are asleep.
I've been under for an eternity. I fight back into wakefulness and reach for the dog. She's not there. I gaze around the room. Everything is as it should be. I touch my cheek; it is not sticky, my body not clammy.
I breathe deeply. The distinctive scent of Brylcreem lingers in the air. It makes me shudder. How can that be?
The dog wanders in to give me an odd questioning look. Realisation dawns. It was a dream. I feel cheated, empty, but also uneasy. I don't understand, but I watch the clock anyway. As it approaches 10pm, the ticking grows louder and the light fades.
Events repeat themselves: at precisely the stroke of the hour, the telephone rings. I freeze on the spot. But I must answer. By the time I reach the phone, it falls silent. The caller has rung off. I hold the receiver to my ear, just in case, but the faint hum of the dial tone stretches into night's dark infinity.
I breathe a sigh of relief, drop the receiver, and remember Dad's words. I have a lot to do. No time to waste, not if I'm going to keep my promise.
I've always lived within the boundaries of reality. But now I realize other worlds can traverse them. I am both startled and comforted. Something deep inside acknowledges there is more to Heaven and Earth than I can know. A boundary has been ruptured. Hope is re-kindled.
Was it a dream? I wonder...?
~fin~