MIRACLE

"Yes, and who are you?" Eric pronounced the word "you" slowly as he raised his head noticing the person standing at the door.

"What the fuck, Jane?" He was shocked to the bone.

He reached out for a hug, but she pushed him outside.

"Listen, I don't know you, and you don't know me, okay?" She spoke quickly.

"Fiona, who's at the door?" Grandma's voice rang in her ears, making her turn as if her head were about to fall off.

"Are you paying attention?" Eric, who was staring at her, was puzzled

"I'm coming!" She yelled.

"Come on in," she said, motioning him inside.

Eric nodded and rushed inside

"What took you so long?" Grandma inquired as she stood. She'd wanted to check on Fiona earlier.

"I was getting this from the truck," Eric said, pointing to the dumplings in the package. "Hey!" he said to Samuel, who was still eating.

"Hey! I thought you were taking it to the restaurant." Samuel replied, his gaze fixed on the dumplings.

"Yes, but Mrs. Tess gave me something to give to Grandma," he said, handing her an envelope.

"Are you not going to ask who she is?" Grandma asked, motioning Fiona to sit because she was standing.

"Oh, I forgot, who is she?" Eric asked staring at Fiona in confusion.

"Well, she's Fiona, our new guest, and she's family," Grandma cheerfully explained.

"Fiona?" Eric parted his lips and cast a glance at her.

"Yes, her name is Fiona; do you know who she is? Have you ever seen her before?" Samuel turned away from his food to inquire.

As Fiona turned sideways, Eric noticed her gnashing her teeth.

"No, I haven't," he answered.

"You see, she has no recollection of anything that happened to her, so think hard," Samuel was still speaking when Grandma cut him off.

"Stop it, he said he didn't know her, and Fiona doesn't know him either," "Right?" she asked, turning to face Fiona.

Fiona replied with a smile, "I don't think I've ever seen this face before."

Grandma turned to Samuel and said, "That settles it; now it's time to get ready for school,"

"I know," Samuel stood up and left for the kitchen.

"So, what have we got here?" Looking at the envelope, Grandma examined it.

"She said it's an invitation or something," Eric said, sitting down on the chair Samuel had risen from. In the dining room, there were only three chairs.

"Fiona here said she likes making dumplings, but I'm not sure if she's an expert," Grandma said, holding Fiona's hand.

"I'm still learning," Fiona requested.

"Then Eric can teach you; don't worry, he's jobless; he only works for my best friend on occasion,"

"I am at your service," Eric said, forcing a smile.

"Can we begin today?" Fiona requested.

"Today? That's so soon, I doubt our dear Eric will have time..."

"I have time today," he cut in.

"Are you sure?" Grandma inquired.

"Yes," Eric said, his eyes locked on Fiona.

"Well," Grandma stood up, "have a wonderful day with your newly founded friend Eric,"

Fiona nervously laughed.

"Let me get ready," Grandma said before leaving them alone.

"How did you end up here?" Eric mouthed without any sound coming out of his mouth.

Fiona didn't respond, instead carrying her plate to the kitchen.

"What do you want, sir?" Fiona inquired as she entered the dining room.

"Nothing, I'd already eaten before coming here," Eric said.

"All right," Fiona said and sat down; they didn't say anything to each other.

After a couple of minutes, Grandma and Samuel came out from their respective rooms.

"I know she's lovely, but try something stupid." As she stepped out of the house, Grandma whispered in Eric's ear.

"Wait, Eric isn't going out with us?" Samuel questioned upon seeing Eric open the door for them.

"No, I decided he keeps her company because he has nothing else to do," Grandma replied, smiling.

"OK," Samuel mumbled as he carried the package Eric had brought to the truck.

"Take care okay?" She told Fiona and then entered the truck.

"Bye," Fiona waved as they drove away, and as soon as the car was out of sight, she quickly locked the door.

"Did I just happen to get lucky, or am I dreaming?"

She asked, happily pacing around.

"This is Eric; you're not dreaming!" Eric sobbed and rushed in for a hug.

"Wait," Fiona said as she stepped out of the hug. "We need to go somewhere," she added.

"Where? You haven't explained what happened or how you got here. Look at your face, there are a few bruises on it. Did you get beaten or something? "Eric peppered her with questions. He was confused; he had just seen her, and she had assumed a new identity and was living with people he knew.

"What time is it?" Fiona inquired, avoiding his questions.

Eric sighed and reached for his phone.

"It's only 8:00 a.m.; where are you going this morning? Don't tell me you've got a job!" Surprised, he asked.

"What job?" Fiona scoffed and proceeded to the living room to get her phone.

"C'mon don't keep me in suspense," Eric pleaded.

"I'll explain later," she said as she dialed a phone number.

"Explain now," he demanded hurriedly.

"Hey, let's meet now," Fiona said as she answered the phone, her finger on Eric's lip.

"Claire's Road, correct? I'll be there in 30 minutes "She kept talking on the phone.

"Who was that?" He inquired as she hung up the phone.

"Let me get ready," she said as she began walking to her room. Then she stopped, facing him, "Feel at home,".

"You don't need to tell me that it's literally my second home; what I want you to tell me is..." He stopped talking because she was already walking away.

"What happened," He said quietly, almost as if he was talking to himself, which he was.

______

"Was that necessary?" Samuel asked in the car.

"What?" Grandma pretended not to hear what he was saying.

"You heard me,"

Grandma laughed heartily, "She wanted Eric to teach her how to make dumplings, who am I to subject her?" Grandma made a dubious gesture with her two hands.

"Dumplings? I thought she said she could do it."

"Well, it appears she is still learning,"

"Oh," Samuel said, nodding.

"What is it to you, you've been acting unconcerned about her problem lately," Grandma asked, adjusting her position to get a better look at him.

"What exactly are you saying? I'm just being myself; you said she was strange yesterday; why are you blaming it on me?" Samuel tutted.

"You're the strange one," Grandma chuckled.

"There isn't even flour in the house; what will he use?" Samuel inquired.

"There is, and even if there isn't, he'll get some from the store," Grandma smirked.

"I understand what you're trying to do; stop," Samuel said.

"What am I attempting?" Grandmother rolled her eyes.

"I don't know, just stop," Samuel laughed.

Grandma laughed as she saw him smile.

__________

"Jane, Clare's gate is right next to the Coast community cemetery; it's a lonely road; what are you going to do there?" Eric wondered as they drove away from the house.

When Fiona heard him say "Cemetery," she got goosebumps all over her body.

Is Roger inviting her on a lonely road trip?

She paused for a beat before saying, "Let's go together."

"What are your plans?"

"We don't have time, I will tell you when we get back home".

"OK," Eric said as he pulled to the side of the road.

As they walked, they could feel the wind rustling the dry leaves on the ground and the leaves on the trees dancing to the rhythm of the wind.

As they stared at the road, they realized they were the only ones on the road.

"Are you sure this isn't a cemetery?" Fiona contemplated, slightly concerned.

"Beat me, I've been in this town for over a year and haven't been here once," Eric explained.

"Ouch," He winced as Fiona slapped him across the head,

"You haven't been here before? So, how did you know here?" She inquired.

"Did you not notice the signboard?" He turned back pointing at the gate in front of them.

"What the hell!" Eric exclaimed, causing Fiona to frown.

"What?" She inquired about turning.

"What the heck!" She yelled, clutching Eric's arm tightly.

In front of them, a man was smiling cunningly.