Message Looming by Tiff Parker

The news of her mom’s engagement to Rick was too much and she was sick to her stomach.

She hated Rick. He had come along shortly after her parents separated. While her dad promised she and her mom with dreams of a fresh start for all of them. Then Rick came along and ruined everything.

“Mom is so clueless” she muttered. Luckily, she had grabbed her phone before storming off. All she wanted was to put as much distance as possible between her and her mom’s sickening giggling. Sometimes, Greta hated her too.

The truth was, she didn’t want a new life. She didn’t want any part of the plans Rick and her mom were making. No one asked her if Rick could move into their house. No one had asked if today of all days, if was ok for Rick to propose to her mom, in front of their family, especially on her birthday.

Greta looked down at her phone. No service. The text she had sent her dad was still pending.

Bad has just got worse. I need you. Please come get me ASAP.

The path she was on soon split in two. She had been hoping to find service, but she was still so angry. She needed to just breathe a moment.

Just then in an instant, out of the corner of her eye was a blur. Funny, it looked like a cat. Then a bit of chill tickled her right ear. So cold and felt like someone whispering. The feeling made Greta a little uneasy. Maybe she should just get back to the party…

“Hello?” Greta turned around to see a girl standing on the trail. Tucked in her arms was an orange cat. Exhaling relief, Greta smiled and gave the girl a little wave.

“Hi, I was taking a walk, sorry if I scared your cat.”

The girl shook her head and laughed “oh he is not scared. I saw you walking a bit and you seemed quite upset.”

Purrs came from the cat as the girl nuzzled his ears. “Are you ok?”

Greta’s eyes swelled up. Not wanting to cry in front of a stranger, yet someone asking her how she was…it was very comforting.

“I’m…” she trailed. She looked to this strange girl’s face. There was true care in her eyes.

“My mom, she and her boyfriend just ruined my birthday by announcing they’re engaged.”  The words felt like sandpaper in her mouth.

The expression on the girl’s face drew solemn and she gently sat her kitten by her feet.

“I understand” she said her voice like a whisper.

A second later, she smiled. “My name is Abbi. Would you like to take a walk down to the swings?” She gestured towards the signs pointing down the road marked “Playground.”

Greta smiled back and the uneasy feeling faded away. She loved the swings and maybe spending time with a new friend was just what she needed.

The next few hours flew by. Greta and Abbi shared stories of their lives. They were both only children and their parents were no longer together. Abbi’s face would stiffen, and her voice tighten when talking about her stepfather.

They sat on the swings with Abbi’s kitten–whose name was Pie–purred itself to sleep.

“I know how you feel, Greta” Abbi sighed as wiped her tears and her eyes grew dark. “What do you think we shall do about this Rick?”

Greta laughed, thinking about all she had wished would happen to Rick from the moment her mom introduced him to her.

“We could do it Greta.” The tone in Abbi’s voice gave her the feeling that the conversation had gone too far.

“Err, listen.” Greta stood up and began to dust the imaginary dirt from her pants. “This was fun and while I love joking about ways to rid Rick from our lives. They are just that–jokes. He’s not going anywhere.”  She looked down to her phone. “I should probably be getting back to the party.

The expression on Abbi’s face remained motionless.

“This was fun, thanks for helping me get my mind of things. for a while at least.”  Greta turned to leave.

“I know what you want” Abbi’s voice trailed and grew thin. “I can see into your soul. We are the same. You and I.”

Greta shot around ready to tell this strange girl off, but she was gone. Vanished. She looked around for Abbi.

“Abbi?”  Ok, so whatever trick this girl was playing, definitely freaked her out. “Umm ok, sooo…I’m gonna go… see ya.”

Greta headed towards the park trail as fast as she could get away from the swings and whatever just happened.

When she returned to the party, she saw her mom talking to a park ranger. Tears were running down her face.

“Greta, I have been so worried!” She pulled her daughter close and tight into her arms.

“I know the past few months have not been easy. Please talk to me,” her mom said as Greta closed her eyes and began to cry.

They sat together on a weathered bench. The great weight and distance between mother and daughter were lifting and for the first time Greta could see how happy her mother was.

They were seeing each other in new light and Greta knew in her heart she wanted to give Rick a chance.

Rick was by the picnic table set up with punch chatting with Greta’s uncle when the silhouette of a girl began to form. A girl whose eyes pierced through Greta. Ghostly arms began to encircle around Rick’s neck and a maniacal smile began to take shape.

She whispered.

“I told you.”

Tiff Parker is a middle grade writer of cats, magic and the supernatural.  She was inspired to write about cats after the passing of her beloved Chai. She has created memories around the world. From feeding pumpkins to an elderly elephant in Thailand, venturing through the home of Frida Kahlo, motorbiking in Vietnam, and finding the Big 5 in Kenya. She lives in a woodland paradise outside of Pittsburgh with seven cats, a turtle and her amazing husband. Her many loves include traveling, camping, treasure hunting, chanting, reading, gardening, good wine, fall, learning the ukulele and mediating by her favorite tree.