Train Spirits

I woke up to the sound of the church bell pealing its siren away. I was lying naked on the bathroom floor, with clear spots of water lying close to my face, a red towel curled around my neck, and my underwear on the floor. My head throbbed, and I felt giddy and numb all over.

The lights were on and the shower running. I rose to my feet and winced from the numbness in my feet. It felt like a thousand needles pricking at once. I turned off the water, stretched for a moment, then took a long shower.

As the water ran down my face, I discovered that I had no idea where I was or why I was taking a shower. How did I get here, and why was I lying completely naked on a bathroom floor? Did I live here? I had to get answers.

There was music coming from below, and vehicles passed nearby. I entered two other rooms before finally finding one with clothes that looked like mine. The rooms belonged to kids, and I appeared in the photos that decorated their walls. I concluded that I was their father.

There is a beautiful woman in the photos as well. She looks like a Barbie doll, and if I married her, I would be the happiest man in the world. As I got dressed, I noticed a small bottle on the bed. It had no label, but somehow it seemed familiar. Something about it wanted to rush into my mind.

The Daughter

I was eager to find out if I was a lucky man, father, and husband of this family. There is a wristwatch on the night table. I decided to put it on and wonder why on earth I would buy an item this expensive. It was pure gold and simple, said Rolex. Was I a spoiled, rich brat who always gets what I want?

The staircase is made of pure mahogany, and the odor brings back memories of a zoo, animals, lakes, and a ferry. It ached a bit.  My memory seemed to be battling for survival. A young woman was sitting at the foot of the stairs. She was the older of the two kids. She looked prettier than the photos showed.

She was eating a small, red fruit, maybe an apple, and listening to music with wireless earphones. Her body swayed to the music, her feet and hands dancing slowly.  She must have heard my footsteps or sensed the movement on the stairs. She gazed over her shoulders and when she saw me, her face paled, and her eyes popped open.

She echoed a scream and ran towards the closed door. She yanked at it for a moment before it burst open, and she escaped to the green, flushed lawn. I gulped as she garnered speed and disappeared into a mango grove.

I slapped my face and kicked at the wall. Ouch! That hurt. I am not dead. It bothered me even more. If I am not a ghost, why did she flee like that? What kind of monstrous dad was I? Why was she so afraid of me?

I had to find answers. Someone here could help me. I walked down the stairs, and my mouth dropped wide open at the mere size of the sitting room. There were about five sets of sofas and two television screens bigger than a theatre. Am I some kind of a rock star?

The Son

The second child was playing with LEGOs, and I had to admit that he built an amazing castle. He had the same blonde curls as I did, and as he turned to look at me, I saw myself.  A perfect mini-me. So, yes, this is my home.

He stood up, dropped his toys, and ran towards me, giving me a big hug. It felt so good that someone did not run away.

‘Daddy, Mommy is in the kitchen. You won’t hurt her, will you? Please, Daddy, don’t hurt her.’

“ Son, I promise that I won’t hurt her. I promise.’

He guided me towards the kitchen, which looked more like a cafeteria, and once again, I was impressed by the sheer elegance. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but I believed that an adult, my wife, could better help.

The Adorable Wife

She was so cute, blonde, and slender. Why would I hurt someone so pretty? This was beginning to look like a fairytale. She was sitting on a silver stool with her hands cupping her face. She looked so tender that I swallowed hard at the thought of being cruel to her. Yet, I obviously have been an abusive husband. This would end now. The new me would get medical help.

‘Mom, dad…..’

My wife raised her head, looked me in the eyes, and fell from the stool. I rushed over, but not in time. I sat down beside her and raised her head, placing it in my lap. What kind of creature was I? My daughter fled the sight of me, my son pleaded with me not to get violent, and now my wife fainted on seeing me.

‘Son, can you fetch me a glass of water, please?’

He was back quickly with the water, and I gently splashed some on her face. Was it too late to turn all this around? I opened the top buttons of her blouse and allowed the water to drip softly down her cheek.  She blinked and then opened her eyes.

‘Barry!’ she managed to shout and passed out again.

‘Daddy, is Mom going to be all right? Please, Daddy, promise me that you won’t be angry with Mommy.’

There is fear in his voice, but his hand rests firmly on my shoulder and his head on my neck. He went over to the kitchen and brought me a small bottle. I read it.

‘Did mommy give me this to drink?’

As he nodded, it all became clear. Why didn’t I die? Most men, my size literally die with a single dosage. How much did I drink?

There was another bottle on the bed in our room. What was it? I called the ambulance after my wife fainted the third time. They got there in five, a new record, I guess.

The nurse walked over to me and shook my hand. ‘Did she hit her head on anything?’

‘No, ma’am, she just fainted. I tried to revive her, but she fainted again and again.’

‘Say, Bill, do you think it’s a post-trauma?’

‘I am not sure, but what usually triggers a trauma?’

‘Look, Bill, you don’t usually win the lottery every day, at least not 410 million!’

Did I win this money or did my wife? Or was this just a metaphor?

‘Will she be alright, I mean, it’s not something bad, really…?’

‘We will keep her under observation for tonight, and most likely be over by morning. Where is Stacy? Who will stay with Junior?’

So, my daughter is Stacy, and my son is Barry. Junior, I love that.

‘She stepped out. She should be back in a while. I will come over to the center as soon as she gets home…’

‘’Barry, what happened to your forehead? Did you faint as well?’

‘No, bumped my head on the wall during my shower, trying to find the soap without opening my eyes.’  She laughed out loud at my lie. Did she believe me?

‘Please come over to the clinic as soon as possible. By the way, Mathew wants to remind you that he is available if you need an account.’

‘Have him give me a call, will you? I could really use some help.’

As the ambulance faded in the distance, I ran the events through my head. What was in the other bottle? We went upstairs, and I reviewed the bottle. Nothing. The label was peeled off. Why?

I looked around the room but found nothing. Bryan had no idea what it was either. Maybe my daughter would know more. Where was she, and why did she run away?

There were so many unanswered questions. Somehow, I won a lot of money. 410 million dollars. Wow.

Alone Again, Naturally

The phone rang, and Mathew wanted to come over tomorrow.  As I hung up the phone, there was a knock on the door. We opened to find a pair of cops.

‘Good evening. Are you Bryan Orchard? We would like to have a chat with you.’

We sat on the sofa, and they started to ask me questions. Some of which I could not answer.

“What is your relationship with Paul O’Toole? Can you explain why he and your daughter fled the hospital with your wife?’

‘Officer, this is all news to me. I was not informed by the hospital. Maybe they are headed here.’

‘Do you know why your wife went into trauma, and why she woke up afraid that you may have gone to the police?’

I gave them the details of everything that had happened so far.

‘Bryan, I hate to be the bearer of this news. But we suspected it when Dr. Grizzle called in the report. Your story only confirms our suspicion. All three are now wanted for attempted murder.

‘We will continue more into the details, but it would seem that your wife had an extramarital affair with Paul. I am not sure how you managed to be alive, but this poison usually does the trick in small doses.’

“Sir, I think I have an idea. Look at the date on this bottle. It is two years old.’ The detective took the bottle and shook his head. He handed me the bottle, and I smiled inside. It was not my time yet.

Maybe they bought it on the black market to avoid suspicion or leave any trace. The poison would cause heart failure, and the cause of death would be natural. My wife would inherit all the money and live happily ever after with Paul. Who was Paul?

How I wished I could remember.

There were so many unanswered questions, chief among which was my memory. Why am I unable to recall anything? Was it the expired dosage of the poison? Or, did someone hit me over the head?

‘’Bryan, I am afraid that we will have to take you and your son into protective custody for the next 2 – 3 days. But first, we need to get you both to the hospital for a doctor’s review.

‘’Henry, please accompany Mr. Orchard to pack clothes for three days. You do know where to find that, do you, my friend?’’

I nodded and headed up the stairs with Henry. Did I know him?

‘’Say, Henry, do we know each other? I mean, do we hang out…’

‘’Bryan, we are on the same basketball team. We play together, and sometimes you and my boys go riding…’’

‘’I know how to ride a bike?’’

Henry chuckled. ‘’No, you hate motorbikes. We ride bicycles in the spring. Sometimes we go over to the lake or down to the training center. You don’t remember anything, do you, B?’’

‘’No. For as much as I try. Tell me something, Henry, just curious. It has been bugging me all afternoon. What type of person am I? Am I so horrible that someone would hate me that much? ‘’

Henry laid a pair of towels on the bed, turning at the same time to face me. He placed an arm on my shoulders.

‘’To tell you the truth, I should be one of them. There is not a single day that my wife does not tell me Bryan wouldn’t do that or Bryan wouldn’t say that. A few weeks ago, I went swimming with my two boys, and you missed out since you had to work. My boys missed you so much.

‘’I am just as puzzled as you are B, this is some weird stuff. Only in the movies. But get this straight, you do not deserve this.  You, of all the people. No, I wish I could help you more. I feel so helpless because I can’t.’’

‘’Thank you so much, Henry. ….’

The Green House

My son walked over and started pulling at the tail of my shirt. He looked me in the eyes, and I could see that ever-marveling desire shining in his beautiful smile.

‘’Daddy, Daddy, when are we going to go to the green house? Please, I want to see the floating man again. Please, Daddy.’’

Henry looked at the kid, dropping the clothes on the bed, and he ran down the stairs.   “B, I will be right back.’’

I could hear him chattering with the detective even though I could not make out what he was saying. After a moment, the patrol car rolled down the driveway. Where did he go?

‘’Junior, what do we do at the Green House?’’

‘’Mom and the floating man dance around you. And there is so much chocolate. Why don’t we go back?’’

I tried to fit the pieces together in my head, maybe it could make some sense or jolt a memory. I won the lottery for a huge amount. My wife and daughter tried to kill me, but the poison failed. They escaped with some guy called Paul when I miraculously came back to life.

Why would they want me dead? Who was Paul? Why are they fleeing now? And what happened to my memory? Finally, the floating man in the Green House.

What was I doing there?  Was this some kind of witchcraft? Did I believe in that kind of stuff?

‘I promise you, son, as soon as we get this clear, we will go again.’’

So, Daddy, you aren’t mad with Mom? You promised, Dad.’’

‘’I am not mad at your mother. How could I? She is in the hospital. We are going to go there and see her.’

I knelt on one knee and hugged him. What role did my daughter play in all of this? Did she also want me dead?

We went downstairs and rejoined the detective. I explained that we were ready, and we left in one of the three vehicles parked on our lawn. I asked him to drive since I had no idea where I was or where we were going. We got to the clinic in about twenty minutes.

Doctor Law was expecting us and led us into his study.  My son shook his hand and said ‘’Doctor Law, can you make Daddy remember?’’

‘’We will do everything we can, Junior. Bryan, do you remember who I am or this place?’’

‘’No, Doctor Law. I have no clue.’’

‘’Can you remember what day it is today?’’

‘’It feels like Sunday.  But I do not know that it is.’’

‘’It is Sunday. That is a great sign. Do you recall your son’s name?’’

‘’I learned earlier, Barry, Junior, but when I woke up, I did not recognize him.’

The Doctor ran a series of physical tests, all of which I seemed to pass with flying colors. He then did a blood test, and we sat down as we awaited the results.

‘’Bryan, what were you doing at the Green House?’’

How did he even know that I went there? Besides my son bringing it up, I can’t even remember a place with that name.

‘’I have no clue. Doc, what is the Green House?’’

The study is run by Paul O’Toole.  People go there to make promises in exchange for a wish. It is a secret desire that no one else knows. There is a small ritual where Paul lowers himself from the ceiling dressed as a fairy, but that is just for the camera.

‘’There is no use of drugs or medicine or even a pretense of using them.  Many folks have gone as part of the show and earn a small income from Paul.’’

‘’And did their wish ever come true?’’

‘’No, Bryan, it is just a part of the show. People will later tell the audience that the wish came true, but just playing the part.’’

‘’Doc, how did you know that I went to the show?’’

My Anna and Gina are soulmates. She invited us when you decided to go. So, we all went.’’

A nurse came in with the test results and handed them to the doctor.  She whispered in his ear, and he smiled.

‘’Detective, can you take Junior outside, please?’’ The detective left reluctantly as he felt that he needed to be there.

‘’Bryan, there is nothing in your blood. No trace of poison or even anything that should not be there. As a matter of fact, you are so clean that it seems you are a new baby. All of your vitals are optimum. It is good, but that is only possible if you have a rebirth. You had some warnings from us about your blood sugar last year, and we were even worried about you continuing your stage shows.’’

‘’What do you mean, Doc? My wife did not try to kill me?’’

‘’I can’t say, but your blood is showing a 100% change from your last tests two months ago. Only a baby could have blood samples like this. Even newborn babies have some alterations in their vitals. They are never perfect. But yours is. That is why we are re-running the tests.’ ‘

The detective entered without my son and whispered to the Doctor.  Once again, he just said, “Be right back’’ and left the room. Even as he left, I knew that I did not want to hear the truth that he would return with. Somehow, I believed that it would erase my last ray of hope.

Another thing was also clear: my attempted murderers were experts. They left no trace in my blood. How did I manage to survive?

Doctor Law and Henry came into the studio. There was a smile on his face. Henry spoke first.

‘’B, we now understand everything. Doctor Law and his wife Anna are both witnesses. Last Wednesday, you all went to the Greenhouse. You told Paul of your financial chaos and how you were about to lose everything.

‘’He asked you to jot your ‘secret wish’ into the diary of Silent Wishes, which no one ever revises. However, given your current situation, I forced him to grant me access or face an investigation for attempted murder. I shared my hunch with Detective Howley, and he consented.’’

‘’What was my silent wish, Henry?’’

We’ll get to that. When your son mentioned the place, it dawned on me that you have never bought a raffle ticket, much less the lottery.  You are so anti-gambling that I decided to visit the Green House.

‘’Your wife and daughter were there as we expected…..’’

‘’Yeah, planning their escape. They are going to pay for this.’’ The blood boiled in my veins, and I felt the nerve to strangle that Paul O’Toole.

‘’No, B, they were meeting with the District Attorney, trying to figure out what happened. You went to the show on Wednesday and won the lottery the following day. That same evening, you called Paul and thanked him for his help.

Things started going down last night, during a visit from Paul and his wife. You suddenly collapsed, and by midnight you were dead. They tried to revive you, but by five o’clock, they declared you dead. Dr. Bissel created a docket and sent a car to get you at six.

‘’However, when they went to find you, the body was not there.’’

‘’What do you mean, ‘my body was not there’!’’

‘’Yes, B, I read the report myself. Dr. Bissel blamed murder and then theft of the body on your wife and Paul. That is why they fled. There was no way to escape prison. So, when you suddenly reappeared and walked down the stairs, your daughter fled, and your wife fainted….’’

‘’They thought that I was a phantom or spirit…Henry what was my ‘Silent Wish?’’

‘’Let me read it, ‘’ I wish that I would wake up and find my problems resolved and all my yesterday gone with it…. Somehow it came true. We have no explanation, but it came true….’’

I remember years ago that an old lady sat at the top of the stairs leading to the main road. She wanted to give me a gift before she died. I hugged her that morning, telling her that she should never worry; she would not die. But somehow, she knew. She passed away that very evening.

Who controls our fate? Who listens to our wishes? And more than ever, who grants them?

 I have never gambled in my life, but I somehow won the lottery. I died, disappeared, and somehow returned. Who did all of that? Who made it happen,

‘’Henry, can you get my wife and my daughter so that I can hug them once more…’’ I smiled for the first time, even though I knew that I would never remember my yesterdays.