Threes

Twisted Tale - April 2025 - Where is the line between superstition and reality?

         "Here she comes, Miss Goody-Two Shoes. She is always in a sappy good mood. Nothing bothers her. Give me a break." Taffi said softly to Whisper.

         Looking down the aisle, Whisper adds, "I know, right? The other day, when they announced mandatory two-hour overtime, she was the only one who didn't complain. She smiled. I bet that score points with Jim."

         She consistently suggests ways to improve the efficiency of our work. She volunteers for every committee. Ugh. I bet she polishes his shoes, too." Taffi quietly tells Whisper.

         "Also, she never speaks ill of anyone. No one can be that perfect all the time."

         "Shh, here she comes." Looking Michelle in the eyes, Taffi feigns interest and says, "I love your outfit, Michelle. You always look precious when you are here. How do you manage it?"

         "Thanks, Taffi. That was sweet of you to say. I get up before 5:30 every morning and go for a jog. It always clears my head. I then do my Yoga exercises until 6:45, eat a light, no-carb, no-meat breakfast, and then get ready." Addressing Whisper. " Good morning, Whisper. How are you doing today?"

         Forcing a smile, Whisper answers, "I'm doing well." Turning and looking wide-eyed at Taffi, Whisper asks, "How about you, Taffi? Are you doing well today, too?"

         Trying not to smirk at Michelle, "Oh, of course I am. Who wouldn't be? I'm looking forward to getting those two extra hours tonight.

         "Right? I know I shouldn't take the credit, but I was the one to suggest to Gary, Jim's boss, that they consider the overtime. No incoming calls. We can work on special projects on my back burner."

         "Wait, you're the one who suggested to Gary, Jim's boss, that we get mandatory overtime?" Taffi looked at Whisper wide-eyed.

         Michelle went on talking as if she hadn't heard Wisper's question. "I thought we could use the extra time to address the massive backlog. I asked Jim for more work; staying busy is always good. I am only thinking about you. Well, I have to clock in before I'm late, heaven forbid." Smiling and crossing her fingers, Michelle hurries off to her desk.

         Let's hate her now and beat the rush when everyone finds out she's the one who suggested overtime. I'm going to be sick. Something has to happen to that woman," Whisper states as she watches Michelle walk away. "And the sooner, the better."

         "Like Jim will believe anything bad about her. None of the other supervisors will either."

         "There has to be something we can do. I'll have to think about that." Whisper says before she goes back to her desk.

#

         A week later, Jim called an impromptu meeting in the conference room before everyone began work. Change is inevitable whenever a meeting is held in the conference room, and it's never for the better.

         "Thank you for coming on such short notice. I have an announcement I'd like to share with you. I received word from Taffi's family that she was in a car accident last night. Her brakes failed, and she drove through a railroad crossing. She didn't survive. I will be circulating a card for those who wish to sign it. I will include the card with flowers I will send to the funeral home. Is there a volunteer to arrange the card and flowers?"

         "I will be honored to do this," Michelle said, tears welling up.

         "Thank you, Michelle. Let's get back to the floor."

         Jim called for Whisper to stay behind as everyone was excited to enter the conference room.

         "I know you and Taffi were more than friends. I wanted to let you know that Gary and I agreed you could take the five days of bereavement if you need them. Don't worry about Human Resources; we've already contacted them. This is with pay. I'm sorry for your loss.

         Whisper nodded, gathered her purse and phone, and left without speaking.

         Later that morning, Michelle went to Jim's office and inquired about Whisper's whereabouts, as she wasn't at her desk. "I saw Whisper wasn't at her desk? Is she ill? I am asking because I wanted to get her input about the flowers and card."

         "Whisper will be out for five days," Jim replied.

         "Oh, I was unaware of that. I could ask someone else, then. I don't think anyone knew Taffi all that well, though."

         "I'm sure you'll take care of this yourself."

          "Oh, I am not worried about doing an excellent job. Well, I'll get back to work."

#

         "Mom, honestly, I feel all right. I don't need any more time off. Being at work will help me keep my mind busy."

         "Whisp, I'm worried about you. You and Taffi were close. The majority of my recent photographs feature both of you together. I am going to be honest: It will be hard at first. Wanting to call her, expecting to see her at work, and seeing something that reminds you of her.

         "I know, mom. We've already gone over this. There is nothing that will help except time. Now, please, let me grieve the way I want. I'll be okay."

         "It's hard not to worry about you. Promise, tell me if you're having a dark moment."

         "Yes, I promise."

#

         "Thanks, Jim, for letting have that time. I appreciate it. Can you also let Paul know?

         "Of course, Whisper. I gave others your timely work so you wouldn't come back with an overwhelming catch-up. You can thank Michelle. She took the lion's share."

         "I'm sure she did."

         " By the way, she has been asking about you for days. I think she's concerned about you."

         "I'll stop by her desk and tell her I'm back. Talk to you later."

         After going to her desk first, Whisper reluctantly went to Michelle's desk. As she approached, she overheard a part of Michelle's conversation with someone on the phone.

         "What I am worried about is that death comes in threes. What, you never heard of that? Well, three people you know will die close together. No, it's not a superstition; it's a fact. Try to remember someone you knew who has passed away. Didn't two other people you knew die after that? See? It's not a superstition." Michelle notices Whisper next to her desk. "I got to let you go. I'll call you later. Bye-bye." Turning her attention to Whisper, "You're back. I am glad to see you're here. Everyone missed you. How are you feeling?"

         "I'm fine. Was what you said about deaths happening in three true? Where did you hear that? Does it always happen? In threes, I mean?"

         "From my experience, they do. My mother, father, and boyfriend died within months of each other. I am a firm believer."

          "So, you think another two people will die. Are these random people?"

         "Oh, no. They are people you know; they might even be related. Death doesn't care who it takes, as long as it equals three."

         "That is morbid to think about. You believe there will be two more deaths?"

         "Absolutely. Watch, you'll see it happen. Well, enough of that talk. I am glad you are back. Here are the files I completed for you while you were gone. If you have any more questions, ask."

         "Um, thanks for finishing these cases. I'll let Jim know you returned them." Whisper began walking back to her desk. As she went, she couldn't help but think of what Michelle had told her.

         A month after Taffi's accident, Jim called another meeting in the conference room. This time, Paul was there also.

         "We have received word from a cousin of Michelle that her house burnt down with her inside. There will be no funeral because the body was burned beyond recognition. Her remains will be cremated, and a service will be scheduled for a later date. We will receive notification once the plan is finished."

         As Whisper returned to her desk, she thought about what she and Michelle had discussed regarding three people dying close together. She admitted she didn't know Michelle well. Was this death number two for the people she knew? If it were, who would be the third? Will it be someone she hardly knew like Michelle or someone close like Taffi?

         Her mom.

          Whisper knew her mom had been ill for months, complaining of nausea and headaches. Was this a return of her brain tumor or the cancer she had in her fifties? When did her mom last go to the doctor for a check-up? It was challenging to get her mom to go because, while she complained of feeling ill, she refused to seek medical advice. Whisper needed to call and make an appointment for her mom. Making the appointment will be easy, but having her go would be difficult.
         

#

          "Mom, I'm not going to argue about this. You are going to Dr. Agnew. I made the appointment for this Thursday at two. I have already asked for a half a day off at work."

          "I am fine. Going is a waste of time. She will tell you the same thing."

          "I doubt the doctor will say going is a waste of time. You canceled your last two appointments: you're going. If that means I drag you cussing and spitting, so be it."

          "You're being obstinate about this. You'll see there is nothing wrong."
         

#

          "I told you. There was nothing wrong with me. The doctor said so."

          "Dr. Agnew didn't say there was nothing wrong. She said you were experiencing extreme postmenopausal symptoms. You're lucky you don't have heart disease due to your low estrogen level: extremely low estrogen level. The doctor even said you could still get cardiovascular disease."

          "Oh, pooh. I am fine."

          "Mom, I worry about you."

          "Oh, Whisp. Don't worry about me. I am 75 years old. I have outlived two of my children, your father, my parents, all my aunts and uncles, my sister, and my brothers. I still have spring in my step. What's got you so worried about my health anyway? Why all of a sudden?"

          "I have always been worried about your health."

          "Not like this, you haven't."

          "I'd rather not talk about it, to be honest."

          "Okay, what's going on? You might as well tell me because I will keep bugging you until you do. Spill it."

          After a few minutes, Whisper begins, "Have you heard that death comes in threes?"

          "Oh, my, yes. That's been around longer, since before I was born. When my mom, dad, and Uncle Elmo died, that's all everyone kept talking about. Is that what got you so worried?"

          "Yes. I heard that if you lose one person you know, two more will die, too. I have lost Taffi and a woman I worked with named Michelle."

          "You're worried I will be the third, right?"

          "Yes. I am beside myself with worry."

          "Well, don't be. Whisp, I have a long life. I have battled brain tumors, cancer, and this blasted postmenopausal. It will happen one day. Until then, I will be thankful for every day and every minute I am still around. Now, let's talk about where you are taking me for supper. I am hungry for Mexican."
         

#

          After three months, Whisper began to relax and not dwell on death. When it came time for her mom to go to Florida to visit Whisper's sister, she had forgotten it. She was too focused on her mom, her job, and rebuilding a social life.

          "When you get to Lori's home, I want you to call me. I know it will be late, but I will still call. Since I know your call is coming, I will stay up and read or sew; I might even watch a movie. I'll see how I am feeling. Oh, call my cell phone, not the landline. I might not be in the living room when you call."

          "Alright, Whisp. I promise to call. I'll give sis the present you sent. Now, before I leave, go out and make some new friends while I am gone. Taffi wouldn't want you to be alone."

          "I'll think about it, okay?"

          {fon t: times}Looking over her shoulder as she walked toward the airline's gate, she said, "Don't worry about me. Get a bottle of that wine you like and have a glass or four." With that, she turned a corner and was gone.
         

#

          When Whisper arrived home, she changed her clothes, picked out her book to read, poured herself a tall glass of wine, and curled up on the sofa. Before she started reading, she took some long sips of wine and noticed her empty glass. Instead of taking her glass out for a refill, she went to get the bottle and brought it to the couch. She filled her glass again, placed the bottle within arm's reach on the end table, and started reading. Before the end of chapter two, her wine bottle and glass are empty, and she is asleep.

          While she slept, she dreamed of Taffi and their relationship. She dreamt that she was still alive and nothing had happened. She dreamed of the vacations they took together, their shared dreams, and their plans. She dreamt of going to the doctor and being vaccinated with Taffi beside her, holding her hand. The dream seemed so real; Whisper even felt the needle sting.

          Her dreams became chaotic. She experienced flashes of light, muffled conversation, and vertigo. She also felt as if she couldn't move. Her conscious self was telling her something, but she didn't understand. The conversation got louder, and the light flashes grew less frequent but longer in duration. She felt a stinging sensation on her face.

          She woke up.

          "Well, it's about time you woke up. I was getting worried about you. I thought I would never hear your voice again."

          As Whisper looked around, trying to orient herself to the person talking, she kept blinking because a bright light was shining directly into her eyes. Blinking several times, she attempted to turn away from the light, only to find out she couldn't move her head. She tried to roll over but found that her body was utterly restrained.

          "Don't worry, you're not dreaming. You really can't move. I secured you so you wouldn't move. As I dissect you, your movement might make me slip and cut an organ before I decide to remove it. I am only thinking about you."

          'I am only thinking about you'? Michelle repeats, still trying to get her eyes to focus.

          "Michelle, is that you? Michelle, what are you doing here? How did you get into my house? Unbuckle me. It's not funny. Wait, you died in a house fire months ago. How are you still alive?"

          "Silly girl. I faked my death. I encouraged another person my size to die for me. It was easy, after all; she was already dead."

          "You burned a corpse? This isn't funny. Unbuckle me and tell me the rest of what happened."

          "I don't think so. My younger sister was quite alive before she had to share."

          Trying to stall for time as she tried to squirm free, she asked, "What do you mean share? What happened to her?"

          "She shared her organs with me, silly."

          Completely shocked by the confession, "You killed your sister? Why? Why would you kill your sister for her organs?"

          "I prefer the word 'share. ' I needed her because the rest of my family already shared."

          "You're twisted and sick. Whisper began to yell, "Help! Help. Can anyone hear me?"

          "Sorry, but no. We are in a safe room in a basement. No one can hear you. You won't be found for weeks."

          "Please, Michelle, let me go. I promise I won't tell anyone about this. I promise. Please?"
          "I don't think so. You're needed, after all. You're critical."

          "Critical? How? If I am so important, then let me go."

          "And then where would I be? It wouldn't be true."

          "What are you talking about? What wouldn't be true? You're not making any sense."

          "What I told you, silly."

          "Told me? You've told me nothing. I don't understand. What are you talking about?" Whisper shouts for help again, this time louder and longer.

          "By all means, keep yelling. I'll just put on my headphones. It won't bother me then." Grabbing her headphones, Michelle placed them over her ears, smiled, and then frowned. "I don't need these. I won't be able to hear you as you share."

          Sobbing uncontrollably, Whisper asks, "Why are you doing this? What did I do to you?"

          "You've done nothing yet, silly. I need you."

          "Need me? For what?"

          "Two people have died. Well, I helped, but they're dead, nonetheless. You'll be the third.
          "You killed Taffi and your sister? Why . . "

          "Now you're just being ignorant. Because deaths come in threes."


          Words: 2,821
          Contest: Twisted Tales