House Secrets

(Ghost Narrator) They are looking around again. I hear the realtor explaining the heating system and where the grade school is. Is she…no, not yet. Soon though. Not here. It CANNOT be in this house.

“Think we can lowball ‘em?” Martin said, keeping his eyes on Susan, the realtor. “Or is that rude?”

“A little less, I’d say. It’s a solid house, lots of updates, and a new roof. Just painted, even. There’s a one-year warranty too. They might bite if you shave off two grand. This house is hot on the market; the open house last week was packed.”

(Ghost Narrator) They’d accept much less after all that happened here. I wonder if they have to mention Renee? She wasn't in this house when it happened, but her parents were living here. And the animals—just look at the green plots next to the shed by the swing set.

“Martin, I can’t wait to move into the house! The sunroom in the back, the small koi pond. It is perfect to start our family.” Martin swung Ravenna in circles until she was dizzy, and he had to keep her upright.

**

(Ghost Narrator) They’ve been here for months and haven’t mentioned Renee. Can’t they see her? She watches them—Ravenna bathing, the two of them in bed. They’re too dense to sense her presence.

The gynecologist's visit gave good news. “The test is positive, Ravenna. You are about eight weeks pregnant.” Martin hugged his wife at the good news. They made their follow-up appointment and left.

“You are skipping and moving so fast, Rave, I can’t keep up.”

“I know, but I’m so happy, I can’t help it. I am going to sign up for the yoga for pregnant women and for the macrobiotic cooking class. Let’s go window shopping for nursery furniture!”

That night, Ravenna dreamed she was shut in a coffin—screaming, pounding the lid, unheard. Then, suddenly, she woke, drenched in sweat, the screams still echoing. Martin gripped her shoulder, voice sharp: "Wake up!"

“It was horrid.” She described the dream to him, and he rocked her.

(Ghost Narrator) There she is, sitting on the dresser, smiling. Staring at Ravenna. Oh no, here we go, she is approaching the bed.

“Did you feel that?” Ravenna was looking directly at Renee, who was sitting next to her. “It is like someone sat beside me; breath and heat. Weird.”

(Ghost Narrator) Now that she's pregnant, she senses Renee's presence. Interesting.

The following morning, Ravenna was planting some geraniums and marigolds near the shed when her trowel struck a box buried about eight inches under. She brushed the dirt off of it, pulled it out of its tiny plot, and opened it. A decomposed skeleton with long claws and a tail startled her. She continued digging and, in all, exhumed seven boxes, some with cats, some obviously dogs.

(Ghot Narrator) Shut up, Renee. Yes, I see her digging them up. Renee, you can’t very well expect them to rest in peace when you caused their deaths, you little monster. Yes, you are a monster. Stop your simpering! You ask, " What am I? I’m the ghost of the man who used to live here before your family. I’m protecting them from you. Well, yes, Renee, I might tell them.

**

“Ravenna, where are you? It stinks in here. You know I’m allergic to shrimp,” Martin called out. His wife seemed to float into the kitchen, her protruding stomach leading the way.

“I’m not cooking shrimp. Why do you think that?” She opened the pot and gasped. “I swear, I was not cooking shrimp and have no idea how those got in the stew pot!”

(Ghost Narrator) That little monster! Ravenna, look here. If you squint, you’ll see me in the mirror. Ravenna!

“What’s wrong? You jumped like you saw a ghost.” Martin frowned at his wife.

(Ghost Narrator) She saw me, not you, Renee. Leave—this house isn't yours. Maybe it was your parents', but it is not yours, you little monster.

“I thought I saw a man in the mirror. He was wearing jeans and a maroon sweatshirt that said Roger Did It.”

“You saw all of that in a second, in the mirror!”

“You don’t believe me - you ass!”

“No Babe, come on, I’m sorry. I believe you.”

“I’m going outside. Throw away that food but use rubber gloves. Put it in a plastic bag and toss it. Just get rid of it. I’m not cooking now.”

Ravenna went to her garden and sat on the iron chair, her back to the house. Renee sidled up to her and touched her hair, making Ravenna grab her neck. Renee slid to the front and pushed a glass figurine off the table, the glass splattering Ravenna’s shins. Blood appeared, trickling down to her ankles. “Damn the wind. It broke that beautiful piece.” She went inside to wipe her leg and shut the bathroom window. Renee opened it. Ravenna shut it, pushed the latch, and walked toward her chaise. Renee tripped her, and the woman fell, rolling onto her side, howling in pain. She had cracked her elbow. Renee giggled, and Ravenna turned her head toward her. She gasped. “Who are you? How did you get in – wait, did you trip me?” Renee grinned a toothless grin and charged toward Ravenna, only to slam into the male ghost, who grabbed her by her hair and whipped her away. She charged again, and he did the same. This continued until the child was sobbing. He led her to the dug-up holes outside and pointed.

**

“I’m sorry,” Renee said. “It wasn’t really my fault they died. I loved them; that is why they were buried and not just thrown in the garbage. I miss Mommy and Daddy, and they don’t’ want me. I am alone and want to go…”

“Where?”

“I don’t know because I don’t have a home. I only have this house.”

“You can’t stay here. Those two people in there are happy. You will ruin it. Come on.”

“Where are you taking me?” Renee questioned.

“To the house next door. That man beats his wife. Together, we will teach him to be nice.”

Copyright © 3/28/2026 by Andrea O. Corwin Thanks for stopping by! 😃 If you like ♡ my scribbles, hit the subscribe button. Please consider leaving a comment. ✍️❤️