The Tin Pale | SHORT STORY

"The Pale"

There it was. Jennifer Carter had never seen it before in all her life, but
there it was. Of course, she asked her mom about the cute
statue, but she denied ever seeing it before. She also told
Jenni she would check with the neighbors to see if they had
misplaced theirs. Then again the dog could have brought it
home. She stared at it for the longest time. It was a white
concrete statue of a young girl on the beach. Jennifer could tell
it was a beach, since around her feet were sea shells. One
hand was holding her straw hat in place while the other held
her tin pale. She wore cover-alls over shirt and had the
legs of them rolled up.

"Well, it doesn't belong to the Joneses or the Peacocks," Helen
told her daughter as she entered the medium-sized kitchen.

Jenni sat at the table, where the statue was standing for the
moment. The kitchen had cabinets in the center as well as
around the wall. The sink and dishwasher were parallel to
the center cabinet with the refrigerator on the adjacent
wall. Oh, how Helen loved stainless steel appliances and
wood-stained cabinets. Of course, the counter tops had to be
marble.

"So what are you going to do?" Jenni asked as she looked toward
her. She could feel this throbbing in her head. Migrains were
always such a pain.

"I guess we'll just keep it," she spoke as she gave Jennifer a
funny look. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a mild headache," Jenni replied as she stood and
staggered.

"No, I think you should lie down," she said. "GO!"

"I'm not nine, you know?" Jen complained. She wasn't in the
mood to argue, though. Even if she was sixteen. She made it to
her room and sat down for a moment. Clutching her head as a
sharp pain shot through it. She had to turn off all the lights
and close the blinds. She didn't need the light or noise. She
even closed my door. Breathing deeply, she laid on top of
her blue bed sheets. They were so cool. They were quite
comforting. With her eyes green eyes closed, she rested her red
hair-filled head on the pillow. Comfy.

Her mom had been in the kitchen preparing dinner for the two of them. She had
such a hard time not setting out a third plate. Her father had been
gone for six months already. It was hard, Jenni was sure. It was
like having your arm or leg severed and still feel it
itching.

Jennifer had dosed off at some point and was dead to the world.
Well, She was, until she heard mom yell. It startled her enough
to shake the poor girl out of bed. Her heart raced. She thought it would
burst out of her chest and beat her to the kitchen. When she entered, she found her mom holding her arm. "What happened?"

"I burned myself," she said. "I'm fine."

"Let me see," Jenni responded, hoping to see the extent of the
damage. "How did this happen?"

"I just wasn't paying attention."

"I'll finish it, okay?" Jennifer told her as she moved away from the
table where she sat. "Spaghetti?"

"Yeah, your dad's favorite," she replied.

"Okay, I can do it," Jennifer stated as she began to work with what
her mom already had. It had been so long since Jen had cooked. She
spent the first few weeks after her father died cooking for her
mother. Helen wasn't well.

"Thanks, honey," she said breathing deeply.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Jennifer asked as she grew more worried
about her. The statue now faced her mother. Jennifer put the
thought out of her head that it had moved on its own. Of
course, she recalled it in another position.

"I'll be fine," she spoke softly.

Jenni continued to make the spaghetti to her mother's liking. She had
shown Jen many years ago when she was smaller. Jennifer still
remembered the basics. Something wasn't right, and the girl could feel it. Her mom started to feel weird and dizzy. The next thing Jen remember was hearing a loud thunderous crash. Helen was on the floor. Jennifer rushed to her mom to check her breathing, but couldn't feel her pulse. She jumped to the phone on the counter and dialed the emergency number as fast as she could.

This was her first real health issue ever. Jennifer had never even heard stories of her mom being ill even during her childhood, which was rare. Why all of a sudden? Jen allowed her mom to be carried off to the hospital, but she had to put things away before visiting her. She put away dinner into plastic storage containers and stashed them into the fridge. She was so busy that she hadn't noticed one odd thing about the room now.

It was gone. The statue was gone.

"Lacy?" Jennifer called out for our dog, but no luck there. She thought Lacy had taken the small statue out to the garden. So, she went to check. It wasn't there. She sighed heavily as she went back into the house to finished her cleaning.

Withing an hour, she was all done and on her way to see her mom, but her gut was churning. Jen had an uneasy feeling about that statue. It was stupid, she knew it, too, but all this bad luck all of a sudden was making her point fingers. She wasn't the kind of girl to believe in voodoo or witchcraft. So, why was she feeling this way? The statue was around when she got her bad headache, when Helen got burned, and when she had her fainting spell. Coincidence?

Jennifer was stopped at the front desk by the receptionist. "I'm looking for my mother, Helen Carter."

"You must be Jennifer Carter," she said to Jen. "Please, go on up. She's in room 312."

"Thank you." Jenni replied as she headed to the elevator. It was taking its sweet time and the feeling in her gut wasn't subsiding. It was getting worse. Her foot began to tap impatiently on the floor. It was only three floors up. She could make it up faster than the elevator. After all, she used to run track, so it would be easy.

Okay, so maybe she was mistaken. She hadn't run track in two years since her hurt my knee. Jen was out of breath, but she reached her destination. She made her way down the hall to find room 312. Medical personnel were racing past her and yelling something. "Code blue." Her heart stopped.

They were all going into room 312, where her mother was. Jenni pushed her way through to see them doing CPR on her mother.

"I'm calling it," one of the doctors said. "I don't know what happened. She just started crashing."

"Mom?"

The doctors all turned around to Jen to calm her and get her out. They even tried to sympathize with her. As she was being pushed out, she saw it! That damn statue and her pale. Jennifer stayed out in the hall as everyone in the room cleared out. She wanted to see her mom and get that statue. How did it get here?

"Jenni?" A doctor called out to me.

"Yes?"

"You can go in now."


"Thanks," Jenni said as she stood and wiped away her tears. She entered and was shocked to see it still there. "Oh, mom. . ." She didn't know what else to say. Jen was heart broken, having lost her father six months before. Why did this have to be? She took one last look at that statue before knocking it off the table. It shattered into a hundred pieces, except the tin pale. Jennifer felt relief rush over her. It was over. No more voodoo and bad luck. The price paid already was great.

***

15 years later. . .

Jennifer Carter wiped sweat from her brow as she worked her garden. It was hard to believe it had been fifteen years since the accident. At least that's what the coroner called it. They believed the shock from the burn caused her asthma to act up. Jen knew better. It was behind her, usually. On days like today, she always remember her mom. Jenni took up her mom's habit to be closer to the woman who raised her. The garden was so beautiful now. She would've been proud. Jen set her hoe down in the grass behind her so she could maneuver down the row. She was pulling out a few weeds when she noticed something in the dirt. She dug it out and saw it! The tin pale!

She jumped back, forgetting about the hoe and stepped on it. Jenni lost my balance and slipped. As she fell, the bird bath broke her fall, smashing the back of her skull. The blood began to flow over the pieces.

The Door | SHORT STORY

It was so beautiful. The office was filled with such
wonderful furniture such as the mahogany desk and matching
chairs. The desk was so large and in order. The glass on
top spanned the entire surface of the desk and was covered
with files and folders, as well as a computer. The twin
cabinets behind it were mahogany as well and housed several
books, several old books. The plants in the office were
scarce, but there were a few placed in the corners. It must
have cost thousands of dollars to have furnished this office
as they had done. If all the other offices were like this,
my office surely was just as lovely. That's when he came in.
Mr. Mitchell Cambridge, owner of the Cambridge Corporation.
He looked good for his age of 53. He looked more like 43.
It was amazing.

"Mr. McKinley," Mitchell spoke loudly as he entered and
closed the door to his office. "I'm so enthused to see you
have returned."

"Well, this job means a lot to me, sir," I replied bravely.

"I've gone over your file, and sent it upstairs for
investigation," he told me.

"Investigation?" I began to worry about that word. I felt
myself sweating, but as soon as I wiped my brow there was
nothing there.

"Don't worry yourself to death,it's just for background and
reference check," Mitchell said. "I'm sure you'll check out.
Though, I noticed you had no next of kin and weren't even
married."

"Yeah, I just haven't had the time with graduating with my
MBA in accounting and my parents are dead," I explained
shortly.

"I'm sorry to hear that. So, what happened to them?"

"They were in a car accident when I was younger," I answered.

"Why don't we get you settled into your office?" Mitchell
asked as he stood up. "I'm sure you'll love it."

"So, you don't have to wait for the background check and
all?"

"It's just a precaution, Samuel, but you are qualified for
the job," he told me as he walked me into the hall and down
to the end where my office rested. "What's that?" I asked
about a closed and locked door with no name on it.

"That? It's a closet, but you don't want to go in there,"
Mitchell stated. "It's off limits to everyone who works
here."

"What's in it?" I asked curiously.

"Oh, don't worry about that," Mitchell said as he unlocked my
office with a set of keys. "Here we go." Then he handed me
the keys.

when I entered, the office was very well kept and in order
like the rest of the offices throughout the building. "You
run a tight ship, huh?"

"Progress can't be made unless there's is order, Samuel
McKinley," Mitchell stated as he handed me the keys. I
looked at the multiple keys, which were made of various
materials. Some of the keys looked like nickel while others
looked more on the copper side.

"Thanks," I said as I jingled the keys.

"I'll leave you to get used to your office," he said as he
headed back down the hall. I didn't bother to see where he
was going. I just went on in to check out my office.

An oak desk sat in the middle of the room with a large
crimson leather chair behind it. Matching oak chairs in
front of the desk were for customers or guests. The office
was just as nice as Mitchell Cambridge's.

I sat down in the leather chair and examined my office
further. It was comfortable and homey. Then came a knock at my door. It was a beautiful young woman who must have been Mitchell's secretary. Her hair was long and wavy and chestnut in color.

"Hi, I'm Rebecca Davison," she spoke with a soft voice. She must've been an angel.

"I'm Samuel McKinley," I replied. "It's nice to meet you."

"I just thought I'd welcome you to the office," she said before turning, but she stopped. "You'll be a nice addition." Then she headed down the hall, swaying her hips, making her blue dress swish side to side.

Wow, I thought as I sat back in my chair. This job was beginning to look better and better, especially with that lovely secretary. I leaned back in my chair hoping to get my mind back on track, but there was another knock at my door. Who was it now? As I looked up, I noticed there was no one there. I stepped out into the hallway, but spotted nothing. "Hello?" But I got nothing in return. Odd.

Then the loud knock came again, but this time I noticed where it originated. It was from the locked closet door. I badly wanted to go near it. So bad that I could not stand it anymore. I closed in on the wooden door and pulled my keys out. I began trying each one until one fit it, but just as I was about to turn it, Mr. Cambridge stopped me.

"What are you doing there, Mr. McKinley?" He asked.

I was so nervous. I had no clue what to say in response. "I heard a noise."

"But I told you not to go in. No matter what."

"I know, Mr. Cambridge," I said nervously. "I thought it was empty."

"Please, call me Mitch," he spoke as he put his arm around me and turned me back into my office. "Don't worry. I'm sure it's just the wind."

I knew the wind didn't make the door do that. I didn't even feel a draft anywhere in the building. I had to know what was going on.

***

"So, what did you do?" Jason asked as he took a drink of his beer and set it down on the bar. He ran his hands through his short brown hair trying to think for a moment.

"I stayed in my office arranging things to my liking before it was time to go home. I thought it best to talk to someone and see if I'm crazy."

"I tell you what," Jason spoke. "Go in early or stay late. Sneak into the closet."

"That's not a bad idea. I'll go in early and see how it goes. Wish me luck."

"Good luck," Jason said as he finished his beer. "Hey, Sam. Listen, since you're my best friend and all, do be careful. This company sounds very dangerous to be hiding secrets in the closet."

"I'll be safe, Jason."

Jason set his beer on the bar and was the last to leave out of the bar.

***

The next day proved to be difficult. Mr. Cambridge was there earlier than everyone else, and Rebecca showed up at the same time that I did. I couldn't help but notice that Rebecca was wearing a lower cut dress than yesterday. But I had work to do. I didn't have time to think about it. Mitch had placed thirty files on my desk for me to go through and make sure the numbers were correct. Ah, how I love accounting.

"Sam?" Cambridge called as he entered my office. "I need you to work late today. I have someone coming in tomorrow and I need those files done by tonight. Can you do it?"

I froze and looked around my office for a moment. I could go look inside that closet if I'm all alone in here. "Sure. I have no problem with that at all."

"Good, I'm counting on you. This company is counting on you. Though remember my number one rule, don't peek in the closet." He continued to watch my expression. I knew he didn't trust me. "I mean it. My father built this company and always told me to stay out of that closet. So, I did as he told me. No one has stepped foot in there ever."

"Yes, sir, I will stay away from the closet," I replied. "I promise."

"Good," he said before heading off.

When quitting time arrived everyone headed out, except Rebecca. Just as i realized she was the only one besides myself there, she entered my office. Just my luck. When I want to finish my work and check out the contents of that closet. Before I knew it, she was sucking on my ear and kissing my lips. Oh God, did I forget where I was. My pants were down and her dress was up. My desk was sturdy enough to hold her up and not make noise. The only noise came from her.

Within half an hour, we were done and she was back in her office gathering her things. When she left, and my heart had calmed down, I decided to take a look in that closet. Though, not before writing this down. I'm not sure what might come of this. They might erase the files on this computer or whatever. They're hiding something and I plan to find out what it is.

I was making my way down the hall and to the door with the key that could open it before I knew what was going on. My mind raced with possibilities. I unlocked the door and pulled it open, before entering into the darkness. The only thing seen in the abyss were two glowing eyes. . .

That was when everything went black. The door slammed hard and the scream came as if someone were being murdered. A low growl escaped through the crack in the door.

***

The next day, Mr. Cambridge arrived to find the place in order and Samuel McKinley nowhere to be found. He picked up the finished files and as he exited the office, he saw the keys in the door. He pulled them out and headed to his office. "Good night?" He asked as he spotted Rebecca entering.

"Mhmm," she smiled as passed by him. "I think curiosity killed the cat."

"I'm sure father enjoyed every bit of his meal, sister," Cambridge spoke as he looked at the door and grinned evilly.

"Indeed," Rebecca stated coldly. "I just had to 'mark' Sam and father knew. He always had a way of knowing about the men I slept with."

Cambridge turned his attention to his sister and then toward his office. "I have another accountant to interview to see if he's. . . Cambridge 'material'." He laughed maniacally and moved into his office.

Rebecca shook her head and took her seat behind her desk. She breathed easily as she began her paperwork.