3 Paws Saloon Attic

Dried autumn leaves crunched underfoot as my friends and I wandered home after school. The topic was how we were going to celebrate Halloween, now that we were 'too old' for Trick or Treating. 

"There's a scary movie marathon on TV. We could watch that and pig out," Alyssa said. Of course weighing like 90 pounds, she could afford to pig out.

"Maybe," I said, wishing I was thinner.

"Well, what ever we do, it can't be at my house," Evie paused for dramatic effect,"you know how my parents are." She tossed back her raven hair.

We all nodded, the word strict didn't even come close to describing them. It was a miracle they even allowed her to hang with us, they were so uptight that something may have a negative influence on her.

In unison we slowed our steps, because the cool kids were standing in a knot on the corner. Cherry's voice carried, "Oh it will be the coolest party ever!" We exchanged glances, asking the unspoken question, "dare we walk past?" To do so meant we'd become targets of taunts. I'm not sure why they were considered the cool kids, when they were just rich snobs, and generally mean.  It just so happened I was feeling rather mean myself, so I began walking, with friends following as if I OWNED the sidewalk. 

"Oh, Megan," Cherry's voice was artificially sweet, and I looked dead at her. "Did you get your invite to my party? Ooops! My mistake we already have a pumpkin!" Then she laughed her hyena laugh with her cronies, Beth and Mia joining in like THAT was so very clever. 

"Is that it? I thought you were going to say something important. Like your herpes cleared up," I smirked as her mouth fell open. I told you I was feeling mean. Cherry had been picking on me forever it seemed like, and enough is enough. "Well, gotta run. Me and the girls are planning our own party. Caio." With that I turned, and started back up the street.  Alyssa and Evie almost fell over laughing after we were out of earshot.

"Oh.My.God.  Megan, How did you come up with that?" Evie asked as Alyssa gasped, "Did you see her face?" Then they both grew quiet and looked at me with apprehension identically etched in their faces.  The thought crossed my mind that looking at the two of them was like looking at night and day; Evie with her dark skin , raven hair, and eyes so dark they looked almost black, while Alyssa was of pale skin, with just a hint of freckles dancing across her nose to even hint she ever saw the sun, her cameo face framed with auburn hair, and green eyes that danced with mischief.   If they were the day and night of our group, then I was the ground - plain as mud. I wasn't even interestingly ugly. Just plain.

I nodded at the girls, reading their unspoken thought, "I know...I know. Once Cherry gets over the shock, I may as well wear a bull's eye."

They both nodded agreement, as we passed the old Turmont place.  Evie stopped dead, staring up at it.  Alyssa and I both looked, and I heard Alyssa ask if she had seen something.  

"It's perfect," Evie said in a hushed tone.

"Perfect for what?" I leaned against the old wrought iron fence and stared up at the dilapidated place.  Shutters hung akimbo, and several windows were broken, the paint peeling. "A haunted house?"

"Yes!"

I whipped my head towards her, "What?!?"

"Don't you see, Megan? We'll have our party in a REAL haunted house. We'll invite everybody-"

"Wait, who said we were having a party?"

"You did, silly. You told Cherry we were planning a party."

"That's true," Alyssa chimed in,"and you know if we don't do something, she'll be calling you a liar."

I knew very well that that was true, and it would be so good to actually outdo  Cherry at something.  Out loud I wondered how we would go about getting permission.

**********

 Unfortunately that meant involving my parents.  Not that that was a bad thing, as parents go mine are pretty cool, it just felt weird asking them about the Turmont place.  My dad was onboard right away.  He simply adores Halloween. My mom hesitated, until it sunk in I was asking to do a social event involving more than just Evie and Alyssa. She was always after me to 'broaden my circle and not limit myself."  After that, I only had to worry that the party would become THEIRS instead of ours, because Dad got over excited with 'effects' and all.  

   I'm still not sure how the arrangements were made for us to 'borrow' the house, or how my parents even figured out who to talk to because the place had been empty for as long as I could remember.   There was just one drawback, as I saw it. My parents would be there.  Really, what teen wants their parents at their party?  Dad told me they'd keep a low profile, down in the basement, operating his effects.  Unless we told, no one would even know they were there. 

    The girls and I got busy with invitations, lists for refreshments, and of course our costumes.  We made especially sure that those invited to Cherry's were also invited to ours. Not that it was a competition or anything, but I really thought that my mom hiring a band to play and a REAL fortune teller gave us an edge, but when Evie's parents said they'd spring for catering it really put us over the top.   My dad was being all mysterious about his 'effects', and would only wink at me saying, "oh - you'll be surprised! Muhahaha!" Dad can actually do a decent Bella Lugosi  type laugh, and it was kind of contagious.  

  The fact that I was seeing Cherry's veneer of superiority crumbling bit by bit at school, as our party and who was going became THE topic of discussion, was just icing on my euphoric cake.  It was like Evie said one night, "You know, we pull this off and WE might become the cool kids."  It was true, kids who had barely said hi to us all year, were suddenly being friendly and fishing for an invitation.  Of course none of us believed for one second they'd ever be real friends - still it was nice to be getting offers to join in on things.  I just hoped none of Dad's tricks came off as too hokey, or that he and mom broke their word about staying hidden. I really wanted this pretense of being popular to last awhile.  Even boys were beginning to talk to us. Suddenly we were no longer invisible, we were somebodies.

The weeks prior to Halloween was one big blur. After school, we'd tear home to change clothes then meet over at the Thurmont place to clean and spruce things up. We had decided to leave as many of the cobwebs intact as we could, because they added atmosphere, but you just can't ask folks to sit on furniture coated with 6 inches of dust. That struck me oddest of all - the place was still fully furnished. It was as if the people had just left, with no attempt to pack anything or to tidy up.  

Alyssa,Evie, and I would work for a couple of hours, then head back to my house to grab some dinner and do homework, until it was time for them to go home. Somewhere in there I also worked on my costume.  Not that there was much for me to do  to it. When Dad was checking out the attic he had come across an old portrait of Eliza Thurmont, and thinking she looked a lot like me (or would that be the other way around?) had brought it down to show us. Right then and there, Alyssa and Evie decided I HAD to be her for the party. "We'll all three dress as Southern Belles!" Alyssa said, her eyes bright when I bulked at the idea. "You know, I bet my mom could even put together something that looks a lot like what she's wearing in the picture."  

"But...aren't we suppose to be scary?" I faltered.  

That's when dear old Dad chimed in. "You haven't heard the Thurmont Legend? What do they teach you in school !?" He feigned shock. 

"What legend?" Instantly we were all ears. 

"Actually, " he frowned a bit, "there isn't one - but that doesn't mean we can't make one up. Something truly gruesome." He followed it up with his Lugosi laugh.  

So it was decided, I would be Eliza for the party. Dad hung her portrait over the fireplace in the 'parlor' where the main part of the party would be, and the girls and I practiced having Southern accents, and moving about in the voluminous skirts. Personally, although I could see a vague resemblance, I didn't think I looked like Eliza at all, she was actually pretty. 

The big day came, and we were pretty nervous, I mean what if no body came? What if they came and it turned out to be totally lame?  What if no one else thought I looked like Eliza and the whole theme fell apart? What if -

Evie interrupted my internal monologue, " You know, even if no one else shows, this is going to be the best party EVER!" She was beaming, waltzing about with Alyssa.

"I do declare, Miss Evie, you dance divinely. I'm sure your dance card will be filled quickly!" Alyssa giggled.

"Why, thank you, Miss Alyssa, now if I could only move so when there's music playing!"  Evie always thought she danced like a three legged chicken.  

Alyssa's mom had really out done herself on the dresses make them as period authentic as possible. Evie's was a gorgeous pale green, that played up her eyes, Alyssa's hair and complexion was show cased with a pale cream, both adorned with tons of ribbon, bows, and lace.  But far and away, mine was simply breath taking.  A light sky blue, with an off the shoulder scooped neckline, that had a large panel of lacing attached almost like a short cape or shawl, that fell in soft folds barely over my shoulders. Matching lace danced around the short puffed sleeve's edges. The entire dress was edged in a deep blue velvet ribbon.  Mrs. Jenning's had studied the portrait and captured every minute detail. Mom handed me the final touch, a cameo on a matching ribbon to tie around my neck.  It looked exactly like the one in the portrait, so I shouldn't have been surprised when she told me Dad had found it while scrounging about laying wire. 

Mom did our makeup and hair - which took FOREVER.  Lots of pinning up and spiral curls, and trying to make the makeup look like we weren't wearing any.   The over all effect on Evie and Alyssa was quite pleasing, but when I peered into the full length mirror -  I was flabbergasted. Instead of seeing me, Megan, looking back it WAS Eliza Thurmont!   I couldn't believe my reflection was really me!

Dad had gone to the house early to fine tune and run last minute checks on everything, and to allow the band to set up.  He chuckled and told us how different folks had been stopping by with weak excuses to take a look inside. No wonder though as it had been a long, long time since anyone had.  "Folks are curious by nature," he said, "and this might be their only chance."  He was showing us how he had hidden microphones  near the fireplace (actually he had multiple cameras and speakers in all the rooms) but this was to ensure that when the legend was told everyone would hear it, and their focus would be on the portrait of Eliza. 

The fortune teller had arrived and was shown to her area behind a gauzy curtain, but not before she had a good look about.  She was older than my parents, and said she remembered when the last family had lived here. I asked her if she knew why they left so fast, and she said,"Why dear child, they just couldn't handle the haunting any more."  With that she turned and wandered off. I thought of catching up to her and asking what haunting, but Dad was signaling me that it was time to take my place upstairs, so I could make my grand entrance. 

Mom was playing maid, letting kids in and taking their coats, while Evie and Alyssa greeted our guests. Once the bulk seemed to have arrived, she'd join my dad in the basement, or haunt central as he called it. I had to hand it to Mom, she had even dressed up as a period maid for the occasion!

In the dimness at the top of the stairs, out of sight, I waited to be cued for my grand entrance. A bit theatrical, but if it had the effect we hoped, it would be well worth it.  

Downstairs, I heard Evie and Alyssa talking, the mikes picking up their soft 'conversation' really well.  

"This portrait of  Eliza Thurmont, is really well done. Don't you think, Alyssa?"

"Oh, my, yes! It's a pity about what happened to her.  Quite shocking!"

"I've only heard bits and pieces. Do tell what you know!"

"Well, I heard that at one of their gala affairs, just like this -" Now, when everyone in the room was looking at them, I descended  to the  landing, bringing myself even with the portrait.

"Welcome! Welcome one and all to my home!" I held a fancy hand fan, about midsection high, and smiled brightly at the guests,  while Evie and Alyssa gasped "Eliza Thurmont! But you're dead!" Murmurs rippled through the room. Success!

"Dead? " I paused for effect. "Why, I suppose I am, that nasty incident you know. But why should that spoil our evening?  Maestro, play us something!" The band started up.

Several called out, "What happened to you?" and " What incident?"  The three of us exchanged smiles. We had them.

"Are you sure you really want to know?" I asked . Several cries of yes followed, with the band falling silent.  I finished descending the stairs and joined the girls in front of the fireplace, placing my hand gently on Alyssa's arm. "Alyssa, isn't it? What fanciful tale have you heard?"

"Nothing much," Alyssa was looking at me a bit strangely I thought."Just that it was at a party such as this one, you killed yourself. No one seems to know why."

"I committed suicide? And they managed to convince everyone of that lie?" I was feeling stranger by the minute. "Not true. Not true at all. I had long suspected my husband of having an affair, and his mistress was the woman who feigned being my best friend. Long had I tried to ignore the looks they shared, the 'accidental' touches." My voice was sounding a bit odd to my ears, and it seemed like someone else was speaking." I tried, really tried to convince myself that I was mistaken, that I was making something of nothing. When I saw the two of them slip away from the party, I followed them intending to spy - deceitful, I know, but I thought it would put my mind at ease, and then I could move forwards and decided what to do, instead of remaining in that tormented position.   

I followed them out out into the back garden, quite a piece from the house. Clearly they wanted a bit of privacy, and to not be easily seen. There they were in quite the compromising position! I struggled to maintain myself. BETRAYERS! I spat the word at them.  

It was one thing to be slipping behind my back and at least be  discreet about it. But here and now? When we were entertaining half the town? That borders on public humiliation, and I could not have that. Anger got the best of me and I rushed at him, even as they were hurriedly adjusting their clothes.  I smacked him hard, and turning smacked her too! And then I ran, wanting nothing more than to hide away for a bit, and regain some semblance of composure...  

I heard him running and calling after me, and I ran faster, but not fast enough. He caught up with me, grabbing my arms hard, yelling at me to calm down and listen. I was beyond listening. I saw her arrive, eyes large with fright, or was it excitement? Did she know what was about to happen?  

I pounded my fists against his chest, twisted this way and that, trying to break his hold. We fell with his wait pinning me, and I saw his face had twisted with rage.  He slapped me hard, twice - and then I saw a glint in the moonlight. I recognized the thin bladed dagger I had given my friend for protection on her birthday.  I felt it driven into  my heart. In the confusion, I wasn't sure who wielded the blade,  husband, friend, or together." I lowered my fan completely, revealing  my bodice now dripping with blood, a nasty cut in my chest.  "Tell me does this look like suicide to you?" 

Alyssa and Evie both gasped and then rushed to grab me as my knees buckled. There was a slight shimmering, as if something was leaving my body, and there stood a fairly transparent Eliza Thurmont. "Thank you, for allowing me to speak the truth tonight. I have been trying for years and years to get someone to listen, but they always cried 'ghost' and ran. Perhaps now I can rest. Please enjoy yourselves." With that she was gone.

Applause broke out, and the girls and I took bows, while both whispered to me that I could have let them in on it, and that was some effect dad came up with.  Only, I knew it was no effect. Eliza Thurmont had come back to tell her side of the story. 

The band started playing, and soon everyone appeared to be having a good time. Time flew by and soon everyone was leaving. We had heard from some late arrivals that Cherry's party was not going well. Her sound system kept playing up, and Cherry had fallen into the pool, claiming to have been pushed. Unfortunately, her costume wasn't very water friendly, and everyone saw her in her underwear.  As a result, she left her own party to pout in her room.

Eliza did pay us one last visit. The next day, we'd gone back to finish cleaning up our party mess, and for dad to gather his equipment. We'd waited for him to get home from work, so it was already getting dark. 

Alyssa and Evie were half teasing that they still hadn't forgiven me for not letting them in on the script change, and I was trying to explain. But heck, even I wouldn't have believed it. When there she stood, not inches from us. "I wanted to thank you again. I know I should have asked first, but you just looked so much like me - I hope you understand." I sort of nodded, and Evie and Alyssa just sort of gaped at her. Then once more she was gone.

"Nobody's going to believe this," Evie said. 

"Nobody," I agreed.

Alyssa who was always the smartest of us said,"so we'll just let them keep thinking, Best Halloween prank -EVER!"