Cказки Призраков. Tales of Ghosts. Премия им. Эдгара По / Edgar Poe Award (Билингва: Rus/Eng)

«Is my dad coming?»

«Of course, he is! Go to your room, it’s getting late!»

«Come on, Alice… Talk to me!» Christina said almost in a whisper, averting her gaze to the side.

I didn’t know how to react to her words. None of the pupils addressed me like that, and I was about to reprimand the girl, but then, looking into her sad eyes, I changed my mind. Besides, the Christmas atmosphere was already in the air: the blizzard had turned the edge of the forest into a fairy tale, it was still snowing, and the lanterns were winking mysteriously…

«Go back to your place, Chris!» I repeated, but the girl didn’t move and remained silent, forcing me to add categorically, «I have to go, see you tomorrow!»

I told a lie, there was no need for me to rush, I just didn’t want to stay alone with her.

After walking about ten meters towards the staff building, I heard her voice calling me,

«Alice! You look like…»

However, I didn’t turn around…

***

On the eve of the PTA meeting, I planned to take a walk along the lake with my friend, a seventh grade teacher, but she was suddenly called by our chief, and I had to wander alone.

As I sat down on the bench, Christina materialized next to me, as if out of nowhere.

«Why are you alone, Chris?» I asked.

«I like it this way.»

«Don’t you like to play with other children?»

«I don’t.»

«Why?»

«I’m not like them.»

I wanted to ask «why» again, but I said nothing.

«Come on, Alice… let’s talk,» Christina added quietly.

«Well-bred girls don’t talk like that to those who are older!»

«I will talk like that only to you!»

I saw tears in her eyes, however, I’d been sickened by crybabies since childhood.

«That’s no way to behave! Join your friends!» I said in a semi-commanding voice.

Christina got up silently and walked away.

***

I held the PTA meeting successfully enough. When everyone had gone and left me alone in the office, Christina appeared at the door.

«Haven’t you gone yet?» I asked.

«Dad hasn’t arrived,» she said sadly.

«And your mother?»

The girl shrugged.

«Will you call home?» I suggested.

«Come on, Alice…»

«Oh, these familiarities again!» I thought.

Christina dialed some phone number and was answered, but she remained silent and hung up.

«Wrong number?» I supposed.

Christina silently left the room. I made her come back and called to their house myself. Her grandma answered me.