Chapter 5

Melinda clutched the diary to her chest as the apparition faded away and thought about what the ghost had said. She wondered if, just perhaps, all of the answers lied within the words scrawled on the pages. Of all the names of her ancestors, Melinda could not place the name Pearl Russell, but, she supposed, Miss Russell might just have the answers that she had been seeking. The ghost that was offering to help could conceivably be the spirit of Pearl herself, there to help her through.

Melinda was startled to hear footsteps outside the attic door. She didn't know why, but she tucked the little diary away out of sight. She jumped to her feet, wiped the dust from her jeans, and smoothed out her hair. A light rapping came from the other side of the door as she heard her mother calling her name almost nervously.

"Melly?" Piper called gently.

Melinda half smiled. She hadn't hear that name since she was probably about 10 years old. She pushed her hair out of her face and ran to open the door.

"Hey, Mom." She said a little too cheerily.

Piper looked at her youngest child and a frown creased across her forhead. She raised her eyebrows as she did a quick survey of the attic.

"What are you doing?" Piper asked.

"Nothing," Melinda replied defensively. "I was just studying the book a little."

"So, you're okay?" Piper asked with concern lacing every word. She worried about her youngest child all the time. All of her children were visions of beauty and grace, but Melinda was a completely different world apart from the boys. Piper shook off a lingering thought that hovered in the back of her mind. A thought that Melinda possessed something dark deep within her soul.

"Yes, Mom." Melinda replied forcing a smile. "I'm fine, everything is fine I promise. I'm sorry about that outburst earlier. I don't know what's wrong with me, but that is why I'm up here. I need to figure it… figure myself out before I drive the entire family insane."

Piper smiled and spontaneously hugged her daughter. She couldn't imagine why she would even think that her daughter had a dark anything about her.

"It's late, Honey." Piper said maternally. "You should get some sleep."

"Yeah, I was actually just getting my stuff together so that I could head up to bed." Melinda lied.

"Do you want some help?" Piper asked as she surveyed the many books and notepads laying in a heap on the floor.

"No." Melinda snapped. "I can do it on my own. Mom, I just need some space that's all. I can't do anything for myself if I always have someone helping me. That includes cleaning up after myself."

Piper stifled a laugh and Melinda grinned with her. After Piper disappeared down the steps, and Melinda heard her mothers bedroom door shut firmly, she rushed back to where she had hidden the diary. She put it between some other books in case she ran into one of her brothers on the way to her room. She didn't know why she was being so secretive, but it just seemed like the right thing to do.