Where’s Grandpa?

The gravel crunched under the tires of Milano’s car as she helped herself out. She unbuckled Chelsea from her booster seat and Chelsea ran up to the front door. “Be careful there. Wait for Mommy.”

Chelsea knocked on the door, excitedly as grandma opened it for her.

“Hi, Mom,” Milano said as she closed the door behind her.

“I wasn't expecting to see you today.”

“I gave you a call, Mom,” she said, chuckling.

“I know but Herb called me as well.”

“What is Herb doing calling you?”

“He told me he was bringing my grand baby over but that he wasn’t able to.”

“Ugh, I really don’t know why he’d even say that.”

“It’s okay. She’s here now, isn’t she? I’m happy to see y’all.”

“Happy to see you too, Mom.” Milano kissed her mom on the cheek as the house made a roaring sound.

“Oh, don’t look alarmed. The house is just settling. It makes scary noises all the time.”

“If you say so. You know I get worried about you being in this big house all alone.”

“I know and you should. But, I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

“Okay, Mom. I love you and have fun, okay. Take care of my baby.”

“I will. Love you, baby. Bye.”

Grandma Lynn turned around after closing the door and Chelsea had already disappeared. “Chelsea?” The floor creaked as she walked forward looking around a corner. “Hmm.”

“Rawr.”

“Jesus!”

Chelsea jumped out of a cupboard and Grandma Lynn jumped back. “Don’t do that. I oughta give you a pop on your legs.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, baby. You just can’t scare an old woman like that. Anything could’ve happened.”

“Okay,” Chelsea said as she put her head down with a frown.

“Don’t cry, baby. Grandma isn’t mad at you. Just a little startled.”

“Okay.”

“Now. What’s the first thing Chelsea wants to do today?”

“I’m actually a little sleepy. The car ride was so long. Can I go and lye down?”

She rubbed Chelsea’s cheek with her thumb. “Of course you can. I’m gonna go start on dinner.” Lynn reached for a pot and cut the water on before turning back around. “What are you in the mood for?” And Chelsea was gone again. “Jesus,” she mumbled to herself. “Age is catching up with me.” Lynn walked into Chelsea’s room where she had put herself to bed. “You’re a fast little one, aren’t you?” Chelsea chuckled.

“What do you want me to cook for dinner?”

She shrugged her shoulders and said, “I don’t know. I’ll eat anything.”

“Are you sure? Because you girls are picky.”

“Not me. Kelsey’s the picky one.”

“Kelsey; Chelsea. I can barely tell you two apart. Well, I’ll leave you to it. Get some rest, sweetie.”

Lynn stirred the pot of roast beef when Chelsea sprinted past the kitchen. “No running in the house, Chelsea.” She put the lid back on the pot and rinsed the collard greens. Just as she turned the water back off, Chelsea did it again, laughing this time. Lynn put her head outside of the kitchen and caught a glimpse of Chelsea’s golden hair flowing as she ran in the opposite direction. “Chelsea, stop that. Come here.”

“Yes, grandma,” she said, huffing.

“Don’t run in the house.”

“I’m just so happy to be here. I love your house, grandma.”

“Listen to you. You need your inhaler. Sit tight, I’ll grab it for you.” Lynn pointed a finger at her and said, “Don’t move.”

Lynn climbed the tall staircase, her knees aching with every slow step. She finally reached the top, heaving for breath. She opened the door and pulled the inhaler from the bag only to jump back, dropping it. “Chelsea?”

She stepped closer to the bed. “Didn’t I tell you not to move? I came all the way up here for you. How did you even get up here without me seeing you?”

No reply.

“Chelsea?” She pulled the covers back and Chelsea’s eyes were closed as she was snoring. “What the?” Lynn backed up into the hallway and stared at Chelsea for just a minute before rushing down the stairs faster than she had in years. She was at the bottom of the stairs when Chelsea was in the same spot drinking a glass of water.

“Did you get it?”

“You were just upstairs … in your bed … asleep.”

“But, I’m not tired anymore.”

“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing but I don’t appreciate it, young lady. Lynn walked over and snatched Chelsea by her forearm.

“Game? Grandma, that hurts.”

They rushed up the stairs and Lynn kicked the room door open. “What have you done?”

“Grandma, I don’t understand.”

“I left you downstairs in the kitchen and then I came up here and you were asleep in your bed. And now you’ve somehow sneaked your little self back in that chair before I could catch you.”

“I just wanted to play. I never went to sleep.”

Lynn grabbed Chelsea by her shoulders. “What kind of game are you playing on me?”

“Nothing.”

Lynn was sitting in the center of the living room and she had placed Chelsea diagonal to her. “Get that mug off your face. You’re the one who did this to yourself.”

“I just wanted to play.”

“Well, I’m watching my stories … and you’re in timeout.”

Lynn had fallen asleep in her chair when she awoke to the sound of metal clanging. She shot up, “Chelsea?” The kitchen had looked like a natural disaster ran through it. “CHELSEA!”

“Yeah?”

“Pull your dress up. I’m whooping your little heinie.” Chelsea backed up slowly just as the organ in the living room played. Lynn ran in there to see that Chelsea had suddenly become a child prodigy. Then the tv flipped through channels. Stumbling over herself, Lynn ran back into the kitchen. Chelsea had been standing there with an evil smirk on her face. “What’s so funny?”

Chelsea stared in silence.

“You demon child. I’m calling your mother. You won’t be coming back here.”

“Where’s grandpa?”

“He died. You know this, baby. You’re too young to understand death.”

Chelsea walked forward and Lynn stepped back. “Where’s grandpa?”

“Chelsea stop.”

Lynn heard a chair collapse as it smashed against the wall. She jumped as the wooden pieces flew everywhere. Lynn fell trying to get away from Chelsea. When she looked up, Chelsea was behind her … and in front of her. Lynn grabbed her head and said, “this can’t be.”

“Where’s grandpa?” Whispered Kelsey.

Lynn scooted herself into the wall and said, “Girls, this isn’t funny.”

Kelsey Snatched a picture off the wall and slammed in it down in front of Lynn. “Where’s grandpa?”

The girls closed in on Lynn, chanting, “Where’s grandpa? Where’s Grandpa?”

Lynn pushed them aside as she darted for the back door. She ran to the edge of the cliff and cried in circles as she had no where else to run. Chelsea and Kelsey continued walking toward her.

“Please!” She said while throwing her hands up. “Please, I didn’t do it. I swear, I didn’t do it.” Gracie walked out of the bush behind Lynn, a smirk on her face. “All of you? What are you girls doing to me?”

Gracie moved a brown strand out of her face and said, “What did you do to grandpa?”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Gracie put a hand on Lynn’s shoulder and she took one too many steps back. Her scream became distant as the girls stood over the cliff watching. The three of them looked at each other when the door slid open.

Milano ran out frantically yelling, “Girls! Girls!”

“Yes, Mommy?” Said the three of them.

She put her hand on their faces and said, “Are you all hurt?” They shook their heads. “Get back.” Milano stepped closer to the cliff taking a peak over the edge.

***

Milano buckled the triplets in and began driving. She looked in the rear view mirror and they were already staring at her. “You know I love you girls?”

“We love you too,” said Gracie.

“Did she confess?”

“She fell before we got a confession.”

“Old bat. Died of food poisoning my ass.