The morning was just as dark as the night before had been. However, there was a slight difference now that Joli was here. Christopher stared at Joli as her tiny fame rose and fell in rhythm with her soft breathing. Was she a person like he was? Could it be possible to have so much energy, light, and happiness and still be human?
Joli stirred from her place on the rug and stretched with her arms above her head. She then quickly sat upright, eyes wide open, flung out her arms, and enthusiastically said,
"Gooood morning!"
Christopher unconsciously scooted back from her, momentarily forgetting how energetic she could be.
Joli's bright blond hair was plastered to the right side of her face and stood bunched and tousled on the left side of her head. She spun in place on the rug until her eyes found Christopher. Once they locked eyes, Joli's face brightened and she quickly got to her feet.
"Christopher!" she beamed.
He blanched with terror as Joli ran straight at him and tacked him with a full force bear hug. Christopher's whole body was rigid with confusion and fear as Joli released him.
"I had a great idea last night," whispered Joli, voice quivering with excitement.
Recovering from the shock of the embrace, Christopher gave her an exasperated look.
"I was thinking," she paused for dramatic effect, "what if we decorate!"
The suggestion was rather anticlimactic for Christopher and his brief interest reverted to indifference.
"No, listen," Joli insisted. "This place is huge! Can you imagine all the secrets to be discovered here? We can explore your house and fix it up at the same time! Besides, I'll just bet that after the house stops looking like a tomb, the sun will feel like it can say hello."
Christopher's fingers dug into the carpet in realization.
"I don't want to explore the house," he whispered hoarsely, "and I don't want to know what is hidden here. The house is empty. There is nothing here."
"I doubt the house is empty. But if it is, we can furnish it!"
Christopher started to tremble violently. "No, he said weakly."
Joli stopped flitting about and looked at him with puzzlement and concern.
"Are you ok, Chris?"
Christopher bent over where he sat and burst into a fit of tears. He heaved and gasped, feeling embarrassed for having a seizure in front of Joli.
Joli stood transfixed by Christopher's jerking sobs. Her brow furrowed in concern and she gingerly sat next to him, carful not to touch him.
"What did I say?" she asked in confusion.
Christopher felt the familiar heaving in his stomach and throat. It was a retching movement that only expelled air and failed to be rid of grief that refused to leave. After about fifteen minutes, his sobs died away and he rolled over on his back gasping for air, torso muscles unclenching gradually.
"We don't have to clean your house, Chris." Spoke Joli softly, her cheeks damp with silent tears. "It's your house and it's your decision."
"No, you are right," intoned Chris, "but I am just one kid. How can I clean this entire house by myself?
Joli punched his arm, hard. "I am here, dumb-dumb."
Her expression morphed into a dazzling smile and she started bouncing around the room again. Christopher doubted that two kids would hardly be better than one when taking on a project that would likely last for the rest of their lives.
"Once we find the power box, we can start with this room," she bubbled. "We can look for furniture in the attic and and.. Oh my goodness, I am so excited! she squealed."
Christopher felt a blooming feeling in his chest and allowed himself a small smile. His face muscles felt strained as the corners of his mouth formed the unfamiliar expression.
"And those," she said in an uncharacteristically firm tone, pointing at the dark green curtains, "those have got to go."
Christopher gazed up at the curtains that seemed to climb up the windows for miles.
"We need breakfast first." He had given up on arguing with Joli. Removing the curtains would only reveal the vast, frozen wasteland outside, but he would humor her. He led the bright fairy girl to his room and found the stash of cereal in his cedar trunk. He remained silent as they munched on dried fruit and wheat squares. Chris didn't want to know what was in the uncharted areas of his house. He doubted whether his parents had even been in all of the rooms and hallways. Fear prickled in the back of his mind as he remembered the night he found his father. When the time came to clean that room, he silently swore that he would protect Joli from the ugly truth. He couldn't stand the idea of Joli losing the brightness of her smile.