The Voice

by Adele

I’m silently fuming as I climb off the merry-go-round.

She hops off behind us and catches up, linking her arm in mine. “But seriously, those horses need a paint job, or something. And what was with that cheesy old music?”

In the most nonchalant voice I can muster, I reply, “I guess everything here is a little old, Cassie.”

She laughs. “That’s for sure. And why is the food so crappy? That hamburger tasted funny.”

And it was free, I think, biting my tongue. Because Sam and I paid for it.

Out loud, I just sigh.

Sam adds, “I didn’t mind the food at the Fry Shack. The shakes aren’t half bad.”

“Eh,” Cassie shrugs.

When she heads for the restroom up ahead, Sam sits down under a tree.

“I am so sick of her!” I burst out in a whisper, pacing back and forth in front of him. “Why can’t she just be grateful for once?”

Sam catches my hand and squeezes it reassuringly.

“She. Drives. Me. Crazy.” I mutter. “You know, she could stand to eat less anyway. She seriously eats more than you and I combined.” And it shows.

Sam pats my hand. “I know you love this place,” he says. “Just relax and have fun.”

“Kinda hard when nothing is ever good enough--”

I see Cassie approaching and quickly shut my mouth, giving her my best smile.

“Should we start heading toward the exit?” she asks cheerily. “Or do you guys want to go on more rides?”

“We’ve only been here for two hours.” Sam says, then adds in a spooky voice, “You still haven’t seen the House o’ Horrors.”

Cassie laughs, “I’m sure it’s real scary.”

“Thirteen floors of scariness,” Sam says. “With a dizzying view from the top. Come on, you’ll like it.”

“All right,” Cassie shrugs. “If you want, we can go.”

“I’m going to wait this one out, guys,” I say, sitting down on the grass under the tree. “I think I need a break.” From you, Cassie.

They promise to call me when they finish with the House o’ Horrors. They walk off, Cassie launching into a description of the awesome haunted house “back home.”

I kick off my sweaty shoes and lean against the tree.

That’s gratitude for you. Sure, she’s been through a lot, but then, so have we. And a simple thank you wouldn’t kill her for all the things we’ve done for her. Why doesn’t she just go back home if everything is so much better there?

After a few minutes, my phone rings. I look to see who it is.

Yep, Cassie. Apparently there isn’t anything here that can entertain her for very long. Nope, nothing is ever good enough.

I sigh and flip my phone open.

“Done already?” I ask.

No reply.

“Hello? Cassie? Are you guys done?” I say after a moment.

Still no reply.

I am about to hang up when I hear the voice.

“And it was free. Because Sam and I paid for it.”

Confused, I pause. Is that my voice?

Then “Um…” I hear Cassie’s voice say.

“I am so sick of you!” The voice, my voice, seems to be yelling from the phone. “Why can’t you just be grateful for once?”

A moment of silence, and then I hear Cassie say, “Aunt Laurie… I’m sorry--I didn’t--”

And there I am again, unmistakable.

“You. Drive. Me. Crazy!” my voice is shouting. And then, “You know, you could stand to eat less anyway. You seriously eat more than we do, combined. And it shows.”

There is another pause, longer, and then I hear crying.

“Cassie, listen to me, I’m not sure what’s going on,” I finally attempt, standing up and holding the phone with both hands. “Listen, where are you guys? Did you--”

The voice on the line suddenly continues with a nasty edge. “Nothing is ever good enough, is it? That’s gratitude for you. Sure, you’ve been through a lot, but then, so have we. And a simple thank you wouldn’t kill you for all the things we’ve done for you. Why don’t you just go back home if everything is so much better there? Oh, that’s right, because they don’t want you. Nobody does.”

I gasp, my stomach churning at the terrible words being spoken. I want to stop them, hang up the phone, do something.

I hear Cassie’s voice, quiet and full of emotion. “You’re right. You’re right, Aunt Laurie.”

“No! That’s not me saying those things! I’m Aunt Laurie! That’s not me!” I shout into the phone, knowing it’s useless. Knowing Cassie won’t hear me.

And that is when it hits me.

Those are my words. I have muttered them to myself, or to Sam, or to really any person who will listen and feel sorry for me, give me a sympathetic pat on the back and a knowing look when Cassie has turned the other way. When she isn’t watching.

I listen, numbly, as the voice continues. It’s softer now, crueler.

“No, all we have here are crappy hamburgers and lame old merry-go-rounds. Definitely not good enough for someone like you. Maybe you should leave. Maybe you should try what you tried before, but this time do it right.”

I drop the phone in horror. I have to find Cassie. Is Sam with her now?

Oh. The House o’ Horrors. With its thirteen stories and old, creaky handrails on the roof.

I run as fast as I can, past the souvenir stands and the rides and the cotton candy. I cut through the line, shoving the handful of people out of my way. They stare at me and yell but I keep running, finally diving into the elevator and pushing the button labeled ROOF.

Then I am at the top and I see her. She is leaning over the railing.

“Stop!” I scream as I run toward her. “I didn’t mean it! I’m so sorry I hurt you, Cassie! Stop stop stop!”

And then she turns to look at me, frustration on her face, and confusion.

“What?” she asks as I grab her arm. “What are you doing?”

“Where is Sam?” I pant, trying to catch my breath.

She looks at me, irritated.

“I accidentally dropped my cell phone over the railing about ten minutes ago. He went to go find a maintenance guy or something to see if it can be salvaged in all that junk down there. My brand new phone! Soooo annoying.”

She gestures around her. “And really, what a joke. The merry-go-round was scarier than this.”