Chapter 4: Goodbye, Mrs. Clara

Scene 1: The Unexpected Reunion

Eli took another step closer, his eyes wide with wonder as he saw the familiar figure in the hallway—Mrs. Clara, her favorite floral-print dress swaying softly as if caught in a gentle breeze. His mother had told him she had gone to Paranice, and Eli had thought he'd never see her again. But here she was, standing right in front of him.

It was strange, though. His mother said that Paranice was far away, somewhere across the ocean. Was this Paranice? He felt no fear, no worry—only a strange calm curiosity. He moved closer to her and, without thinking, reached out to tug on her dress like he had always done when they would talk.

But his hand went right through her.

Startled, Eli stared at his hand. He pulled it back, waving it through the air again, but there was nothing wrong with his hand. He looked back up at Mrs. Clara, confused. She was still there, facing him now, with a strange smile on her face. Her expression didn't change, but he felt something from her—an old warmth, like the kind that used to fill the room whenever they spent time together.

"Mrs. Clara?" he asked, still trying to wrap his mind around what was happening. "I thought you went on a plane."

She didn't speak, but he could feel it again—her familiar, joyful presence. It was as if her voice was carried in the air itself, and her smell—lavender, just like when she was alive—filled his nose.

"Mrs. Clara," he repeated, this time more sure of himself, "I thought you went to Paranice?"

For a moment, she remained silent. Then, as if triggered by his words, an image flashed into Eli's mind. It wasn't something he saw—it was something he felt, like her voice pressing against his skin, soft and warm.

"Oh, I've missed you, boy," the voice said, though her lips didn't move. "This isn't Paranice at all. Your mother was just trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" Eli asked, frowning. "What do you mean?"

Mrs. Clara's smile stayed fixed on her face, but the feeling in the room shifted slightly. There was a sadness beneath her warmth, like a weight she carried with her.

"Don't worry about it, Eli," she said gently. "I'm not able to leave here. I forgot something where you are and can't come back to get it."

Eli nodded, trying to understand. "So... you're stuck here?"

Mrs. Clara let out a quiet, almost breathless laugh. "There's only one plane that goes to this place, dear, and it doesn't come back."

Eli stared at her, his mind trying to process her words. "One plane that doesn't come back?" He didn't fully understand, but he felt something heavy in her words. He wanted to help her. He missed her, too.

"I wish I could see you again in person," Mrs. Clara continued. "So I could hug you like always. I miss you, Eli, and I miss my husband..." As she said those words, Eli felt something change in the air. A sudden wave of oppressive sadness filled the space, so thick he could almost taste it. It was heavy, like a weight pressing down on him. The lights in the hallway flickered for a moment.

The sadness passed, but it left an imprint. Mrs. Clara's smile remained, but her eyes seemed distant, far away, locked in memories Eli couldn't reach.

"Since you can't get what you left behind... why don't I get it for you?" Eli asked, eager to help his old friend. His innocent voice broke through the lingering sadness.

Mrs. Clara's smile brightened, and Eli could feel her joy radiating off of her like warmth from the sun. "Oh, Eli, you're such a sweet boy. You'd do that for me?"

Eli nodded. "Of course! What do you need me to get?"

"It's a box," Mrs. Clara explained, her voice filling the space again, as though it was wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. "I buried it under the old tree outside the hospital. It's my will—I wanted to give it to my daughter, but I left before I could tell anyone where I put it."

"Oh," Eli replied, glancing toward the window. He could see the tree from here. "So all I have to do is dig it up and call your daughter?"

"Yes, dear. She's in a bad place right now, and she really needs it." Her voice softened, and for a moment, the oppressive sadness returned, but this time it was lighter, more bearable. "It's the last thing I can do for her."

Eli looked out the window again, picturing himself digging at the base of the tree with a small garden shovel. His mind buzzed with excitement—he could help her! He'd always liked helping Mrs. Clara, and now he had one last thing to do for her.

A short while later, Eli found himself outside, the soft evening light casting long shadows around the hospital grounds. He had managed to convince a nurse to give him a small shovel, and with the IV drip still attached to his arm, he made his way to the tree Mrs. Clara had described. He was still weak, but his determination to help her pushed him forward.

Finally, after what felt like hours, his shovel hit something solid. Eli brushed the dirt away and saw the edge of a wooden box poking through the soil. He grinned triumphantly and pulled it out, wiping it off with the sleeve of his hospital gown.

Back in his hospital room, Eli sat on the bed, the box resting on his lap. Mrs. Clara floated beside him, her form lighter, as though helping her had lifted some of the burden she carried. She watched eagerly as Eli dialed the phone number she had given him.

The phone rang a few times before a tired, quiet voice answered. "Hello?"

"Hi, Mrs. Jenna?" Eli asked, gripping the box a little tighter. "Your mother left a box at the hospital for you. She told me to give it to you."

There was silence on the other end of the line. After a few moments, the voice returned, but it was softer, almost unsure. "My mother is... dead."

The room suddenly felt colder, the air heavy with something Eli couldn't quite describe. But he pressed on, determined to deliver Mrs. Clara's message.

"Oh, no," Eli said quickly. "She's in Paranice. She told me to get this box for you because she can't touch things anymore."

There was another long pause on the other end, and Eli thought he could hear soft sobs, barely audible. Finally, the voice came back, shaky but more present.

"How old are you?" Mrs. Jenna asked.

"I'm five," Eli answered, frowning a little. "But Mrs. Clara told me—"

"Is there... anything on the box?" Mrs. Jenna interrupted, her voice suddenly sharper, more alert.

"No," Eli said, glancing at the plain wooden box. "But she keeps telling me to say goodbye. She said, 'Goodbye, little doll. I'm going to see Papa.'"

The phone went silent again, and Eli heard what he thought was the sound of quiet crying on the other end. His heart tightened, wondering why Mrs. Jenna was sad. After all, Mrs. Clara was happy to see him.

Scene 5: The Final Goodbye

As Eli sat by the door of the hospital, waiting for Mrs. Jenna to arrive, Mrs. Clara floated beside him, her form even lighter now, almost shimmering in the dim evening light.

When a car pulled up to the door, Eli felt Mrs. Clara's presence shift. He could feel her joy and sorrow mingling together. As Mrs. Jenna stepped out of the car, Eli heard Mrs. Clara's voice one last time.

"Goodbye, Eli," she said softly. "And say hello to your mother for me."

Eli waved as Mrs. Clara's presence faded, the warmth of her spirit lingering for just a moment longer before disappearing completely. He watched as Mrs. Jenna approached, tears in her eyes, and handed her the box.