Matthew sat up in bed when he heard the knock on the door, "Matthew, time to get up or you will be late for school." Gregory paused and when he heard no reply, "You don't have to go, we can continue to school you here." Gregory Teased.
If Matthew was groggy before, he definitely wasn't now "I am up Papa." He called out to the man on the other side of the door. Matt jumped out of bed, quickly headed to the armoire and pulled out his clothes for the day. When he was presentable, he headed down the stairs and to the kitchen.
Matthew looked around and noticed the room, the place was set. Something off. It took him a moment to realize what was wrong. Ania was there and so was Gregory, but Emmeline was missing. "Where's Emmy?"
Gregory looked up at the ceiling, "She resting."
Matthew thought about it for a moment, his mind going wild with possibilities, "Is she still sick from yesterday?"
"Mm." Gregory confirmed.
Matt heart sank the dead can get sick? He thought to himself. That can't be right, can it? Matthew was silent for a moment just thinking and then it dawned on his with what happened to Emmeline he didn't ask, "Papa, I was wondering if I can join the soccer team at school? The coach invited me."
Gregory was quiet for a moment before speaking, "I don't see why not, but you are not to let your studies slip. You dear boy are going to have to do exceptionally well in school so you can go to college on a scholarship."
"I know."
"Don't 'I know' me Matthew, I expect you to do well in your studies, understand."
"Yes sir." Matthew bowed his head and continued eating his breakfast. The atmosphere in the room felt different, it felt wrong. Matthew looked up to ceiling where Emmeline must have been laying in one of the rooms. "I hope she feels better."
Matthew wasn't the only one worried they all were.
Ania returned from the kitchen and set the tobacco tin lunchbox on the table with a thump, "I made you lunch." she paused for a minute and grabbed a pile of clothes, "AND! I made you gym clothes." She held up the t-shirt and then the shorts. She was beaming!
Matthew examined the clothes, he could tell that Emmeline didn't make them, her skill was...better. He would never tell Ania that because he would never want to see her smile drop from her face. The clothes were simple and made from a old night gown that had been transformed into a shirt. And the shorts were from an old pair of trousers that became too short when he had a sudden growth spurt. "Thank Ania, I really appreciate it, for the lunch and the clothes. Truly, thank you."
Ania's deed had a warmth that spread from his heart along his entire body. She didn't have to make the clothes or the lunch, but she did. When Emmeline couldn't; Ania stepped up and for that he was grateful. His ghost family truly loved him and he was thankful to have fallen into their care.
"Papa, since I will be staying late after school for practice, can you pick me up? Or is that too much of a hassle."
"No, no don't worry, I'll pick you up, but you are taking the bus to school! Speaking of which, you will need to leave now if you want to make the bus."
"Yes sir." Matthew grabbed his things and then headed down the long drive and just as we was making it there, he saw the bus come down the road, he just made it!
"Lucky Duck! I don't think Papa would have been thrilled if he had to drive you to school!"
Before he entered the bus doors, he turned to his invisible sister, "I know!"
Matthew boarded the bus, he picked an empty seat and Ania sat next to him. He was aware of the eyes around him, and he made sure not to speak or look at Ania, they already thought he was weird he didn't need them to think he was insane too!
Eventually the bus became full and a younger student decided to sit by him, sharing the bench seat. Matthew had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. Ania yelped and stood up right away not wanting to be in the same space as the boy. Fortunately the yelp was drowned out by all of the student talking...loudly! She considered seating in the seat and creating a cold spot due to her displeasure, but she realized that could potentially cause additional problems for Matthew. Instead she stood in the aisle way, making ridiculous faces at the boy, unhappy that she could no longer sit next to her brother. The boy couldn't see her, but she felt justified and it made her feel better. Matthew pursed his lips to keep from laughing.
***
Gregory checked on Emmeline who still lay in bed, in the same position he had set her in the previous night. He walked (i.e. floated) to the farm across the street. He spoke to the farmer briefly, apologizing that he was unable to work today and then went back to Emmeline. He was worried about her. Something was wrong he knew it deep down and he didn't want to leave her alone, not when she was like this, so vulnerable.
"...we will find each other again..." she mumbled in her dream-like state. "...fated..."
Gregory waited for her to say more, but she was mum for the time being. He held her face and for a brief moment, he felt a warmth envelope his hand from her body. That was different. He almost didn't register the feeling because it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He sat on the edge of the bed and just watched for any change or movement. He noticed she was flickering between being visible and invisible. What was going on?