GHOSTS It’s hard enough for me to understand how hair grows on the rough parts of my big toes, that being said I’m even much less inclined to explain God, Aliens, Ghosts, or even the ridiculously low prices at IKEA.
If my blog ever gets read, even by 100 people, than the town of Baird, TX will have gotten more recognition than ever previously expected. This town is so small and conservative that only recently the prohibition acts were lifted from county law. Baird, TX, however, hasn’t always been so unadventurous. The town had a train station in the early 1900’s that made it a popular hub for people migrating west and landing in Texas. One of the stops in these olden times may have well been my Grandfathers old house. Back then it was small and hadn’t yet been added on to, but it did have extra rooms for out of town guests to stay in and many people had been rumored to have died there. That being said, it’s the oldest house still standing in Baird and the second oldest is right across the street. The house is right next to downtown, a street as long as a foot ball field with nothing but a few antique stores, a bank and the dentist.
Once, past my bed-time when I was about eight years old I strolled down the large hallway to find some car keys. I had the great idea that I would take my Uncle’s keys to his van and try to run away to anywhere that pecan tree’s didn’t exist. The house was massive, especially for an eight year old boy. I was tucked in by my Uncle this night which especially made me feel bad for wanting to run away. Usually my uncle didn’t tuck us in and he always seemed to be a bit of a hard ass. He had bought me this huge stuffed raccoon that I named Racky. He was my size and I slept with him every night. My brother Josh was also in the same room so I had to be quiet enough as to not wake him. After I said my goodbyes to Racky, I proceeded to leave the room and step into the kitchen. As I was walking out it occurred to me that I wouldn’t have any food to eat when I left, and I certainly didn’t have any concept as to the worth of money. I ate some cookies and grabbed whatever would fit in a plastic grocery bag. As I stepped into the great room that consisted of the dinning/living room, I had this deep and profound feeling of loss for my twin brother. If anything would happen to him, it would be my fault for leaving. I don’t know why, I just kept going. At this point I wanted to see how far I could get; maybe I’d only make it to Clyde, the next town, or maybe Canada.
The hallways always had a creepy feel to them because they were only lit by dim night lights. These hallways could test even the least frightful person. As I turned around the corner to walk through the hallway I saw a man clear as day in front of me. He only stared. It was like he knew who I was and didn’t like that I was running away. He was average in height for a man and had a semi tethered suit on with a bowler hat that was flat on the top. His face was serious and I wanted to cry or hide or call for help, but I was frozen. As I would move, so would he and it really started to creep me out. After we both stood there for a couple minutes I got more and more brave. Three minutes gave me the courage to try and sneak past him. If I could get to the front door than I believed he couldn’t get me, he was a ghost… so it’s not like he could leave the house, right? As I reached the middle ground of the hallway I suddenly noticed the Ghost had disappeared, or so I thought. I looked behind myself and there he was, standing and staring, seriously about to grab me. I took one step back and as I did he rushed over my body like he had run right through me. I screamed like a girl scout falling into a well. I didn’t think to look back and ran straight to my room and woke my brother up immediately. I only tried to run away once after this incident, also not a good ending. For about a year afterwards and almost every time I spent the night in my Grandfather’s house I would either experience something creepy or dream of my brother Josh dying in a tragic car accident and I’d wake up sobbing. I don’t know why, I can’t explain it… it’s just what I experienced and every time I try to rationalize it I can only think about how real it felt and how vivid the memory is even after all these years.
So you DO care! Aww. I love you too, bro.
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