Phoebe: A Short Story

Phoebe sat in her bedroom, softly stroking Salem the cat’s fur. The all black cat nuzzles her hand effectively while purring quietly. She silently reads the latest Goosebumps, taking care not to read out loud. Just as the story climaxes she hears footsteps coming down the hallway. She snatches the open book next to her and hastily whispers what needs to be read. Poof, Salem disappears the moment her bedroom door swings open.

“Phoebe dear. Dinner ahhh-chooo, ahhh-chooo. Is ready. Ahhhh-choo.”  Phoebe jumps from her bed and closes her books tight as if something might accidentally wander out. She joins her still sneezing mother in the kitchen.
“I don’t know what it is about your room that causes me to go into a sneezing fit every time.”
“Me neither momma.”

Phoebe looks at the bowl of beans and her belly rumbles for something more.  Beans every night this week. No meat, no veggies, just brown beans and brown water. Despite her displeasure she sits down at the table with a smile on her face. Her smile dips slightly when she notices her mother’s portion, barely a quarter of her own. With her mother’s back turned she scoops several spoonfuls over into the other  bowl.

“Looks wonderful mother, thank you.”
Her mother’s weary eyes gleam at her amazing daughter. She never had a complaint or even a single negative thing to say about anything. Always looking on the bright side of things and bringing sunshine along with her.  What a blessing Phoebe truly is in her life. Phoebe is her reason for living and not giving up long ago. If it wasn’t for her she wouldn’t know what to do with herself. Waste away she supposes.

After their modest meal came Phoebe’s most favorite time of the day, reading time. She scoots very close to her mother, wanting to feel her warmth and security. Each grab their own book and escapes to a better place. They sat in total silence, entangled in a loving
embrace and untouchable to the actual world. Peace, tranquility and happiness, that is what these moments will forever hold for Phoebe.

Her mom didn’t have the money to take her on vacations or long day trips. They barely had enough money for food and bills. But somehow she always spared a couple dollars for books. Books were her means of traveling to foreign lands and having great adventures. Sometimes they travelled together but more often than not, they chose separate destinations. Despite the location the room always resonated with comfort and compassion.

The next day is a school day, Phoebe hates school. Most of the other kids bully her and will not allow her to play with them. Today she tried to show Sarah her new notebook and cool gel pens she had picked from the class goody box. It was her  token for being a good student this week. Sarah pointed her nose in the air and called Phoebe a nerd. It hurt Phoebe’s feelings but she didn’t  show it.

At recess she always plays alone, lost in her own imagination. But today, she has a tiny secret to keep her company. She glances down into her inner jacket pocket. Tinker Bell smiles big and waves up at her. The two play together until recess is over, quietly reenacting the days of grand adventurers and long lost places.  Who needs human friends when you can have magical creatures to keep you company.

After school she scurries into her room and shuts the door. She quietly returns tinkerbell back to her rightful place. She picks up the next book. and reads confidently. “Salem the cat was perched on a window, in Phoebe’s room.” She adds. Bam, the beloved cat stretches across the window seal. He jumps down and runs to Phoebe’s lap, his second most favorite place to be. She reaches for her all time favorite book Pocahontas but quickly decides for a more quiet companion. Mother would be home soon after all and she didn’t need an ornery humming bird and trouble making raccoon on the loose. Not this time anyways.

She instead pulls out the book Matilda and begins to read. After changing a few words to make the setting read as her room and poof, there the little girl stood in the middle of the area. Matilda was familiar with these rendezvous and was unfazed by the abrupt entrance. She enjoyed the small escapes of coming to Phoebe’s room. What a relief it was compared to her own home. The girls danced and frolicked like they didn’t have a care in the world.

A few moments before 4:00 PM and the house becomes eerily silent once more. All of her friends are now back into the pages where they were pulled from. Phoebe listens closely, waiting to hear her mother’s keys engage the dead bolt lock. Finally the sound of metal on metal breaks the silence.

Her mother walks through the door and hands her a new book, The Dark Hills Divide. She starts reading right away and as mother warms dinner, beans again. By the second chapter she is obsessed with her new book. The next day after school she rushes home to read more of her new companion Alexa Daley. An adventurous young girl determined to escape the trusting walk around her. Although, Phoebe isn’t quite sure why anyone would want to escape such a beautiful place. The library alone is grander than anything she has ever seen.

Nonetheless, she follows Alexa through an elf size secret door and into the open world. Phoebe carries the book in her hand, ready to return herself at any inclination of danger. She wasn’t sure what would happen if she died in a fictional world but today wasn’t the day to find out.

Murphey the squirrel greets them on the other side with enthusiasm. Alexa hands her the magical stone and suddenly his squeaks turn into audible words.
“Hi, how are ya? I’m Murphy. You must be a friend of Alexa.” The words come out fast and short. Phoebe giggles, reaching out to pet the tiny creature.
“Indeed. I am.” The three romp and play in the forest until Phoebe is forced to return from fear of her mother finding out her secret.  Before she leaves, Alexa hands her a tiny purple stone.
“Here keep this as a reminder of our friendship. When you are lonely and can’t be here, you will always have someone to talk to.”
“Wow! Thank you! Salem is going to love this!” Phoebe exclaims. In a blink of an eye she is at home, in her own room. She rushes to the kitchen to await her mother’s return, with the purple stone tucked away for safekeeping. 

Just then she recalls her mother saying she would be stopping at the supermarket on her way home this evening. Deciding she has at least another hour she grabs another book, The Boxcar Children. She loves it when Benny, Violet, Jessie and Henry come to play. Although Henry always makes a comment about the dangers
of going into a story he did not belong to. However, he always eases up and plays eventually.

Henry jumps at the unexpected sight of Phoebe.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to come and play.”
The other three ran to her side, excited about her arrival. Soon they are laughing, engrossed in a game of tag, chasing each other around the box car. Now red faced and out of breath, they return to Henry still lounging inside. 

“I wish you could stay here with us forever.” Violet says as she pours everyone a glass of water.
“She doesn’t belong here. Only
short visits are permitted.”  Henry corrects Violet. Phoebe looks around at the cozy box car. It wasn’t much but it was more than she had in the real world. She would be lying if she said the thought had never crossed her mind. To stay buried in a book instead of returning to the cruelty of the real world.
“Maybe that could work. I could stay here and help out. I can cook and clean and pitch in. My mom…,”  Phoebe halts. “My mom wouldn’t be able to come would she? All eyes cast to the floor not wanting to answer.
“I’m sorry Phoebe. Having you stay here would be crazy enough if not  impossible, but an adult, no way.”
“Mom could help you guys. All of you. She could teach you things and find a decent home.”
Henry shakes his head no.
“I can not permit your mother, it’s too risky. You have to choose, stay here with us or go back home.”
“My mother needs me, I am all she has. I could never leave her.”
“I am sorry I should have never mentioned it Phoebe, I just miss you so much.” Violet says.
“It’s okay. I understand. Although, I should probably go now.”
With those words she was transported back to her bedroom. Her mother stood in the doorway, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently. “And just where have you been, little miss?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”  “Try me.” Her mother says.

Phoebe discloses to her mother her secret gift. She explains how she can read aloud the story and change key details to match her world, creating a slightly new narrative. Then as if she had written the story herself, they appear. Not fictional characters but tangible beings. She could also transport herself right into the story by the same practice but in reverse. Her mother giggles and pulls a tiny black notebook. The front reads, The Adventures of Clementine.

“I wrote this when you were a baby.”  She opens the notepad and begins to read.

Bella the bumblebee flew through the sky and right through the opened window, landing on a small hand. Phoebe watched in awe as a bumblebee came and rested on her mother’s hand.
“I can do it too. That is why I never read out loud to you.”  Phoebe’s heart swelled with delight.
“I have some more exciting news. I was offered a job today and I accepted, of course. Unfortunately, we must move  to another city. New city, new home, new life, a fresh start. What do you think?”
“I think that sounds like a dream come true, mom.”

Two weeks later, Phoebe and Clementine are sitting in their new kitchen eating a four course meal. Finally the weekend has arrived and the two have a moment to slow down and enjoy all the excitement.
“What should we do after dinner.”
“Let’s have a housewarming party to christen our new home properly.”
“Housewarming party? Momma we just got here, we don’t know anyone to invite to a party.”
Clementine’s eyes twinkle. “No, but I can think of a few characters that would love to help us celebrate.”