After the car disappeared down the drive Emmeline turned and looked at the boy up and down. He was a mystery and somewhere she knew that their mysteries were interconnected. She felt it the other day for just a moment when she felt the electricity course through her.
"Have you always been able to see the dead?"
Gregory turned and looked at the older ghost, his head cocked to the side, "Um, I don't think so." he mumbled.
"Mm."
"Why?"
"Because, it is strange that you were able to see your father."
"Why, I can see you."
"Yes, I am going to try something." Emmeline stopped 'interacting with the environment' essentially turning herself invisible (for most people that is) "Can you see me?"
"Yeah, you didn't go anywhere."
"Interesting," and Emmeline remained invisible. "Reach out to me and hold my hand."
Matt did as he was told and like magic he could touch her and she could feel his touch. She could feel a small buzzing feeling in her hand.
"Hmm."
Matt squinted his eyes, "I don't get what we are doing."
"Just testing some things out, tis all! Okay, go wash your face and hands before dinner. Go on now."
Matt nodded and headed upstairs to his bedroom closing the door and going to the bathroom er- water closet.
He thought of his parents, he was glad to have Gregory, Emmeline, and Ania, but he missed his house and his stuff. He was hurting and when he tried to bring it up to Ania, she failed to understand. He guessed she was never left completely alone.
He headed back down after he was done, to see Ania and Gregory back. He smiled, maybe now was the time to ask about new clothes! But he stopped and just listened to them instead.
"Can you believe it?" Ania called out.
Emmeline shook her head. "No, how strange! So, you weren't able to get the any of the supplies?"
"No, maybe tomorrow, I am going to speak with a dealer about our money."
"Mm" Emmeline mumbled listening to Gregory speak.
"Besides, 30 dollars wasn't going to get us far anyways."
"Can you believe it, nearly 2 dollars for sugar?! For a small bag."
"Well, i'm glad the woman turned you away then, you'll get it solved, Gregory." Emmeline noted with her hands clasped in front of her.
"I don't know how we are going to be able to support him, I may have to go work as a laborer, where they pay me in cash, otherwise we won't be able to provide for the boy. And he wanted paper for the privy, two rolls was the same as a bag of flour. When did the world get so expensive."
Emmeline shrugged her shoulders and put her hand on Gregory's shoulder, "We will figure it out, you will talk with that dealer, tomorrow."
They disappeared into the dining room, and Matt was still on the steps. He didn't know when the tears started to fall, but they fell hard and he didn't even fully know why. He was burdening them, he was causing them to worry and he wanted new clothes. Matt may be young but, he knew enough to understand that 30 dollars was not a lot of money. You couldn't even buy a video game with that! While they were in the kitchen and dining room, he grabbed his shoes and slipped out the back door without making a sound. And he ran. He didn't know where he was going, but he ran.
"Ania, why don't you check on Matthew, see what is taking him so long, the food will get cold." Emmeline asked.
Ania obliged and headed up the stairs. After several minutes she came back down. "He isn't up there. In his room or anywhere upstairs."
"Okay, I didn't hear him come down stairs." Emmeline bit her lip out of nervousness.
Ania glanced toward the front door. "I don't think he is in the house anymore, his shoes are gone."
"What?! Go get Gregory, we'll split up and look for him. He couldn't have gone far."
"Do you think he is trying to get home?"
"Ania, why do you say that?"
Ania shrugged her shoulders, "At the creek we were talking about his family, he seemed really bummed. I guess, I should have been better at understanding his feelings, it was just hard, it is just different I guess."
Emmeline nodded. Ania called for Gregory and within seconds he appeared. The search party left heading in opposite directions calling out for the missing boy. Ania headed towards the creek, Gregory towards the gate, and Emmeline headed towards the cemetery. If he was talking about death? Maybe she could find him there and her hunch was correct as she noticed the shadow of the boy on the bench.
***
Matthew sat on the bench staring out. He ran away from the house, but he didn't have anywhere to go. He lost his family, his ghost family couldn't afford to keep him. He felt an intense hate towards himself. He was selfish. He shouldn't want for things. Having a home should be enough. Having a warm meal should be enough. Matthew was a swirling pit of emotions his young self could barely grasp.
He was surprised and momentarily startled when the ghost in green sat next to him. She didn't say anything for a couple minutes, "Strange how a cemetery can be so peaceful."
Emmeline turned to the boy that had a nonstop deluge of tears running down his cheeks. She leaned over and hugged him. "I am truly sorry for the pain you have suffered. We want to be there for you. We want to keep you safe. Please come back to the house." Emmeline squeezed him tighter.
And then he hugged her back. The young boy didn't realize how badly his little body needed to be enveloped in a hug.
After she felt the boys sobbing start to slow, she pulled away and looked at him, "Why did you run away? We are not mad, just concerned." Emmeline made sure to clarify, she didn't want to cause any additional grief for the poor boy.
"I overheard you, saying that you couldn't afford me." Matt paused and looked at the ground, unable to meet Emmeline's eyes. "I was going to ask for new clothes and I heard that and I don't know what happened. And so I ran."
Emmeline leaned in and gave him another hug, "Its okay. And no need to worry yourself about it. We promised your family we would take care of you, that we would raise you and that is what we all intend to do. Don't worry yourself about it. As the adults Gregory and I will take care of you." As Emmeline spoke she used her fingers and wiped away his tears.
Matthew nodded and when he was ready they headed back to the house, Ania and Gregory already back and relieved to see Emmeline and Matthew walking back. Emmeline reheated the food and Matthew scarfed it down he didn't realize how hungry crying can make you. They said their goodnights and Matthew went up to his room and passed out, barely able to change into his night clothes.
The next morning at the food of his bed there was a package with a little note that read:
New clothes for a new you! We love you!
From,
Emmeline (Gregory and Ania helped too!)
Matthew opened the package and a 'new' outfit was folded neatly inside. He really didn't deserve them. It wasn't what he was asking for, but he wouldn't complain about the small things any more.