The Sexton House

Episode 28

After Charlie had told me about how
Jane’s brother died in that car wreck, I
became slightly depressed. I feel like I
hardly know Jane, yet we talk as if we
have known each other for years. Jane is
a sweet girl, she really is. I think we get
on well.

After sitting outside alone for a few
minutes I finally get up and head for the
house, slowly making my way to the
back porch and inside. I kick off my
shoes, since it started raining, and mud
has stuck to the bottom of them. I grab
myself a cup from the kitchen and fill it
with water. I head upstairs hoping Anna
is in a mood to talk.

I open the door, hoping I won’t startle
her. As the door opens I spot her
standing near the window gazing out at
the stars.
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” I say
leaning against the doorframe. She jolts
back, obviously startled, even though I
wasn’t trying to scare her.
“Oh, Harry I didn’t even hear you come
up here.” She says while holding her
heart. I wonder why she does that?
” I didn’t mean to scare you.” I laugh,
while walking over to the large window
where she stands.
“I would say you scared me to death, but
it’s a little late for that.” She cracks a
smile and so do I.

“That’s terrible.” I laugh, she nods her
head agreeing that it was wrong.
“So you like star gazing?”
“Very much so. Sometimes I forget how
big the world really is, that is until I look
up at the sky and see all the millions of
stars that litter it. It’s truly
extraordinary.” The moon cast a glow
onto Anna’s face, which holds such
peace, calmness. She seems so peaceful
just gazing up at the sky.

“Would you maybe want to experience it
a little closer?” I question, nodding my
head towards the doorway.
“No, no, Harry. I haven’t been out of this
room in years.” She explains, stepping
away from the window and over by her
squeaky, old bed.
“Why not? The world is beautiful. There
is so much to see. How could you live
your life in this tiny room?”
“I will agree, the world itself is beautiful,
but the people in it aren’t.” Her eyes
never leave mine. She seems so serious
about it. “The world is a terrible place,
Harry. There is so much to fear and so
little of good in the world.”
“I will agree, the world is a frightening
place, but that’s part of it. That’s part of
life. We have to face things that scare us
or we will never overcome them.” Total
silence. Not a word was said for several
moments.

“How do you face something that is
living, when you aren’t even alive
yourself?” I’m taken back. Sometimes I
forget that Anna is actually dead, and has
been for years.

“But everyday they have the possibility
to die, and you don’t. So what are you
afraid of?” I question, watching as she
messes with a piece of lose string on the
bed.
“I guess I’m afraid of living.” She looks
back up at me and says, “I guess I’m
afraid of feeling again. I’ve been numb
for years, Harry. I don’t even know what
it feels like to feel again.” I walk over to
her bed and sit beside her.
“What if I promise to protect you? I’ll be
your shield, I won’t let anyone or
anything harm you.” She shakes her
head, “I don’t know, Harry the world is a
terrible place, you might get tainted by
the worlds harsh and unforgiving colors.
You seem like a good man, I wouldn’t
want you risking that over someone who
isn’t even alive.”

“Maybe I want to, Anna.” I grab her face
and say,”please let me show you what’s
beyond these four walls.” I search her
eyes, wanting, craving for her to give me
permission to show her what’s outside of
this house.

She takes a deep breath before saying,”
well since you aren’t getting any
younger, I say we do this.” She speaks in
such a proper voice. My smile stretches
across my face. “I can show you the
world just like Aladdin did with
Jasmine,” I joke, as I stand from my seat.
“Who?” Anna questions, as I grab her
hand.