By Kelleys-Creations

Little Timmy was playing tag again outside. His mother was watching him through the farmhouse kitchen window while she was doing dishes. She smiled and thought what a vivid imagination Timmy has.

Timmy was running and giggling as if someone was chasing and playing with him. He had his favorite teddy bear from his grandpa snuggled tightly under his arm.

Timmy’s mother was happy the four year old could entertain himself so well. Living seven miles from other homes made it difficult to make play dates with other children. In three months, Timmy would have a little sister and his mother hoped that Timmy would not be jealous of the new arrival.

Ever since Timmy’s grandmother passed away seven months ago, Timmy has had nightmares. He would wake up screaming and calling for his grandmother. Night after night this horrifying situation for their son ripped little Timmy’s parent’s hearts out.

It was almost dinnertime so Timmy’s mom, Grace, went outside to get him. As she was walking outside she saw Timmy pointing and talking. The name Willy kept coming up as always. Grace had a puzzled look on her face and took Timmy by the hand to go inside the house.

“Daddy will be home soon. Let’s wash your hands for dinner.” Grace explained to Timmy.

“No. Play outside with Willy.” Timmy adamantly said.

“Dinnertime Timmy. Play later.” Grace sternly said.

Timmy yelled, “Willy!” and motioned his left hand as if to gesture to come here and follow him.

Grace thought to herself it will be nice when Shae is born and old enough to play with Timmy, hopefully all of the imaginary friends will disappear.

Watson, Grace’s husband and Timmy’s father, walked through the door and the screen door slammed shut. He had sweat on his brow from plowing the fields all day and cleaning out the cow stalls. Watson bent down to give Grace a kiss on the cheek. Then he picked up little Timmy and threw him in the air.

“Hey little buddy!” Watson excitedly said.

“Daddy stinks!” and Timmy crumpled up his nose with a slight grin.

“Yes, daddy was working. I will shower and see you at dinner.” and Watson gave his son a kiss on the forehead.

While Watson, or Bud as everyone called him, showered Grace set the table and got dinner on the table.

Roast, real mashed potatoes, gravy and a fresh salad filled with julienne carrots, chopped celery, eggs, onion, cheddar cheese and freshly ground pepper were ready to be eaten. Garlic croutons were offered as well.

Timmy’s mom poured everyone a glass of ice cold milk.

Timmy was in the playroom when he heard his mother call him to come to dinner.

“You play here Willy.” Timmy said. “I’ll come back.”

Timmy ran to the kitchen. His mother sent him in the bathroom again to wash his hands since something sticky appeared to have gotten on them from the playroom.

Timmy went to the bathroom. He stood up on his little stool. He washed his hands and started to giggle. The sound of water being splashed was heard by his mother. She quickly walked to the bathroom.

“Timmy! Stop that! Water is everywhere again.”

Timmy continued to splash as if he was involved with playing with someone else.

“Timmy!” his mother raised her voice again with angry eyes.

Timmy finally looked up.

“Sorry mama, Willy and I were having fun.”

“Oh Timmy” his mother signed, “You and your imaginary friend, Willy.”

“What’s “maaaginary“?”

“I-maginary means not real. Willy is not real.”

“He is too real!” Timmy proclaimed.

“We are not going to argue about this again, Timmy.” his mother said curtly.

Timmy finished washing his hands. He and his mother headed for the dinner table. As they were sitting down Bud came down the stairs to meet them at the dinner table.

“I am starving! I could eat a dinosaur!” Bud growled.

“Dinosaurs are big daddy.” Timmy said.

“Yes they are and I could eat a T-Rex!” his dad howled.

Timmy giggled.

Everyone enjoyed their meal. After dinner Timmy went back into the playroom. Grace sipped on caramel tea while Bud had a cup of black decaf coffee.

Grace explained to Bud how she was getting more concerned about Timothy’s imaginary friend. She told Bud how it seems like he plays with Willy all day long. Bud told her to mention it to their pediatrician again.

After two hours everyone settled in for bed. Timmy’s dad read him a story about a little dog who tried to please people. Timmy quickly fell asleep.

For another hour Grace and Bud watched TV in their bedroom before dozing off. At 3:00 a.m. both parents were rudely awakened by an ear piercing scream. Grace and Bud both jumped out of bed and ran over to Timmy’s bedroom.

Timmy was crying. He could hardly catch his breath he was crying so hard.

“Grandpa crashed his car.” he managed to say between big gulps of air.

“Oh honey”, Grace said and looked at Bud. “It’s only a dream.”

Timmy seemed to have this recurring dream more often. Both parents were surprised Timmy remembered this as well as he did as he was only three when his grandpa died in a car crash.

Grace told Bud to go back to bed as he had to get up early to work on the farm. He gave both of them a kiss and headed to his comfortable bed.

Grace read Timmy a story about a little boy and his family who lived on a farm. She used references to Timmy. Timmy would say, “And Willy, too.” throughout the story. Grace just shook her head yes. At this hour of the morning is not the time to argue with a four year old.

Timmy fell fast asleep.

At 4:45 a.m. Bud was up and at it on the farm. Grace woke up at 7:15 a.m. when Timmy crawled into bed with her. The two of them snuggled. Grace turned the TV on and put a cartoon on for Timmy.

“Willy wants Popeye.”

Grace said, “Popeye? But you like Sesame Street.”

“But Willy likes Popeye.” Timmy replied.

Grace grew more concerned. Could her son have some sort of disorder? Could her son be schizophrenic? She turned Popeye on and the two of them watched it for twenty five minutes.

At 9:00 a.m. Grace called Timmy’s pediatrician to make an appointment. She had to get to the bottom of this imaginary friend.

Grace felt nauseated as one of the symptoms of pregnancy so she lay down on the couch. She closed her eyes. She knew Timmy was safe in his playroom.

Grace must have dozed off and woke up to watching Sylvia Browne on the Montel Williams television show. The audience was enthralled with what Sylvia was saying. Apparently Sylvia Browne is a psychic. Not one to believe in psychics Grace did not give it a second thought. She went to make herself a cup of tea and checked on Timmy. He was fine keeping himself busy in the playroom.

Back on the couch, she heard Sylvia say children are more susceptible to seeing and hearing ghosts than adults are. This caught Grace’s ear. Sylvia explained about the gray area some people get lost in when they die. The gray area is the area before heaven. Those lost in the gray area usually have some unresolved business and cannot head to the light until this is taken care of. The person needs to find peace so he or she can move on.

This gave Grace something to ponder about. Was Timmy seeing someone that was a ghost? He sure made it sound real. Who could Grace talk to about this without sounding like she was totally losing her mind? Grace thought she would just speak to Bud about this if she got up enough guts to.

Grace peeked in on Timmy in the playroom. He was laughing so hard and pointing to a plastic cup. She got closer and saw two plastic cups. She felt like she had crossed eyes as one of the cups flipped over all on its own! She squeezed her eyes shut tight and opened them again. Timmy was laughing because apparently he chose the correct plastic cup that had the golf ball under it.

Grace looked at Timmy. She felt light-headed and told him she was going to go lie back down by the TV.

She lay back down and did not know if her eyes were playing tricks on her or if she saw what she thought she saw. Maybe she was just thinking too much about what Sylvia Browne said and it made her think she saw something ghostly.

By the time Bud got home Grace could not wait to tell him everything. He just stared at her and said she needed to get more rest. This upset Grace as she told him she knew no one would believe her. Bud just told her to sit and think about what she is actually saying to him. This just made Grace turn silent and hold in all of her anger.

Another month went by and more odd happenings around the house with Timmy. Timmy colors pictures and shows other pictures that Willy colored. Willy’s coloring does appear to be different than Timmys. Willy’s coloring is quite a bit neater than Timmys.

Timmy insists that Willy is playing with him constantly in the playroom. Thankfully his pediatrician appointment is this Wednesday. Grace decides to write as much of the strange happenings down as possible so she can show the pediatrician.

That night Grace and Bud are awakened by laughing and footsteps walking and running around noises. They both jump out of bed and head to Timmy’s bedroom. They both peer in the doorway only to see Timmy jumping on his bed, laughing and running around in a circle on the bedroom floor like a dog. Grace and Bud look at each other with a mystified look on each of their faces.

Bud stops Timmy in his tracks and asks him what he is doing.

“Playing with Willy.”

“That is enough now, son.” Bud sternly replies.

“I wanna play with Willy.” Timmy says like a spoiled brat.

“Willy is not here and you need to go to bed!” Bud says.

“No, Willy and I are not tired.” Timmy replies.

“You are going to bed and that is final.” Bud says getting frustrated as he knows he will be shot at work the following day.

“Fine! As long as I can sleep with Willy.”

Bud grumbled under his breath and thought to himself he cannot wait to see what kind of explanation the pediatrician comes up with.

The following morning Grace wakes up to find Timmy in the playroom using his chalk and chalkboard. She gets closer to him and sees he is playing tic-tac-toe. There are x’s and o’s. Grace figures he is playing both sides but wants to see what Timmy’s answer is.

“Good morning, honey. So who is winning?”

“I won a game and Willy won two games.” Timmy nonchalantly replies.

Not to start anything Grace tells Timmy to come to breakfast. They walk hand in hand to the kitchen. Grace fixes Timmy some cinnamon apple oatmeal and a small glass of orange juice.

“Willy wants some orange juice.” Timmy says.

Grace drops her orange juice glass and starts to cry. “Timmy! Stop that. I cannot take it anymore! What is wrong with you?!!!”

Timmy stops eating his oatmeal, his eyes are large circles and he jumps off of his booster chair and runs away. He runs to his bedroom and lands face down crying into his pillow.

Grace tries to calm down. She takes a glass of water and a deep breath. She drinks the water and turns on the faucet to put a little cold water on the palm of her right hand. She pats her face and forehead with the water. Grace cautiously walks to Timmy’s bedroom where he is still lightly crying into his pillow.

“Timmy, mommy is so sorry.”

Timmy keeps his face in his pillow and tries to inch away from her voice.

Grace sits on the edge of his bed and starts to rub the hair on his head to console him.

“I just do not see Willy. I am worried about you honey, that is all.” she tells him.

Timmy tries to be a big boy and not cry. He turns over onto his side still with his back towards his mother.

“Mommy loves you, Timmy.”

“Then why did you yell at me?”

“I am worried about you, honey.” she says.

Timmy turns to face her, eyes red, with a single tear coming down his cheek. Grace grabs him to give him a tight hug.

“I am so sorry baby…so sorry.” she says.

“We are going to the doctor today and he can talk to you about Willy.” Grace says matter-of-factly.

“Will he get mad at me?” Timmy asks.

“Oh honey, no the doctor will not get mad at you. Not ever.” she hugs him again.

The two of them start to get ready to leave for the pediatrician’s office. The appointment goes well. The doctor listens to what Timmy and Grace have to say. The doctor believes Timmy has a wild imagination and needs a real friend. The doctor and Grace discuss setting up a play time for a child to come over to play with him. Start out slow, an hour for the first play date, a little longer for the second play date, etc. The doctor is confident once Timmy has a “real” friend, Willy will slowly leave his mind. Grace leaves the clinic with a fresh new perspective and a mission on her mind.

That night Grace discusses what the doctor said to do with regards to Timmy with another child with Bud. They both hug and feel relieved.

The following morning Grace calls her sister. She asks if her five year old can come over to play for the next few weeks. She explains to her sister what has been going on and how she could use her help in getting rid of the imaginary friend. Grace’s sister is happy to oblige and help her pregnant sister. For the next few weeks Timmy plays with his cousin. They go out and feed the cows with Bud. Bud shows them how to clean the stalls. He lets them know someday it will be their job. The boys get into a hay fight. Bud joins in and all three of them end up laughing.

Timmy still talks about Willy when his cousin is not there. Grace and Bud figure it will just take some time for Willy to completely disappear.

A few more weeks go by and Grace is in the hospital about to give birth to Shae. Timmy is staying with Grace’s single parent sister and her son who he has been playing with on a daily basis.

After thirteen long excruciating hours of labor baby Shae finally arrives. The couple is ecstatic as they now have their little boy and their little girl. Shae is beautiful at nineteen inches long and seven pounds, two ounces in weight. She has a full head of black hair.

The following day the entire family goes back to their home. Timmy is in love with his little sister. Timmy cannot wait for Willy to see baby Shae.

“Willy, come and see Shae.” Timmy says to Willy in the playroom. Timmy comes into the living room and sits down by his mom and baby sister.
“Isn’t she cute, Willy?” Timmy softly says.

“Oh Timmy. Mommy thinks that she is very cute, just like you.”

“Willy thinks she is cute and precious as peach pie.” Timmy says.

Grace almost drops the baby. She looks as if she has just seen a ghost.

“What did you say Timmy!?” Grace snaps.

“You are scaring me mommy.” Timmy’s voice shakes.

“Timmy, I’m sorry. What did Willy say?” Grace hurryingly says.

“Willy thinks she is cute and precious like…like peach pie.” Timmy says.

Grace bursts into tears. Grace has not heard the sentence “precious as peach pie” since her father died. Her father used to say that she was precious as peach pie.

Grace gently puts her hand on Timmy’s shoulder. “Where did you hear that, Timmy? Where did you hear about the peach pie?”

“Willy. I told you Willy said it.” Timmy replies.

Oh my God, Grace thinks to herself. Could it be? Could it really be? Could Willy be her father? It must be. It all makes sense. Her father said he would always look after Timmy. Her father loved little children and only got to see him grow up to the toddler age of three. The imaginary friend’s name is Willy. Willy, short for William Watson Perry, her father’s name. Grace felt sick to her stomach. She was shocked yet happy to know her father has been in their house all of this time.

“Timmy, where is Willy?”

“Right here mommy.”

“What is he doing?” Grace asks.

“He is looking at baby Shae. He said she looks like grandma.”

Tears flood Grace’s face. “Tell Willy mommy says hi and I love him.”

“You just told him, mommy.” Timmy says.

Grace smiles.

Timmy says, “Willy loves you, too.”

Grace grabs Timmy and starts to hug him uncontrollably. A million things run through Grace’s head. She wants to know how her father feels. She wants to know why he is in the gray area and has not gone to the light. She knows Timmy is too young to ask all of these questions to. How can Grace find out all of this information?

Grace tries to remember the TV show Montel Williams. The woman psychic’s name was Sylvia. What was her last name? Why did she have to be so overtired and unable to remember things? For the next hour Grace racked her brain trying to think of Sylvia’s last name. Finally, she went to the computer and looked up “popular psychics Sylvia” on Google.

Sylvia Browne popped up as number one, two, three, four, etc., links to click on. She yelled out, “That is her name!”

Grace had to talk to Sylvia Browne. She needed to get into contact with her father. She found a phone number and called it. She actually got an appointment to fly to California and meet Sylvia. The appointment was an entire nine months away as Sylvia is so booked up in advance. Finally some hope in finding out about my father although I do not know if I can wait nine entire months!

Little Timmy’s cousin and play date came over at 1:00 p.m. just like clockwork. The two of them walked out to the barn to “help” Bud. Bud enjoyed his hour with the two young boys. He liked to show them what hard work there was to be done on the farm. He hoped that Timmy would take over the farm one day. The farm had been in the family for over one hundred years.

The boys giggled when the cows would “moo.” They tried to make the cows moo by “talking” to them with their own mooing.

At 2:00 p.m. Grace came out to the barn with Shae. Grace was grateful Timmy’s nightmares stopped ever since baby Shae came home. When she got closer to the stall she heard some strange noises. The cows were acting all jumpy and strange. The cows knew something was wrong. Grace nestled Shae closer to her chest. She called out for Timmy and his cousin. Her voice became more and more frantic as she saw the cows banging their heads on the stall wall and acting more like horses trying to buck with their legs.

“Timmy! Out here now!” Timmy and Billy came running to their mother and hugged each one of her legs.

“Bud! Where are you?” Grace yelled. Bud was a few stalls away trying to calm the cows down to no avail. Bud came out of the barn, stunned.

“Willy, let’s go!” Timmy yelled.

The two boys ran and Timmy acted like Willy was right by his side. Grace ran, as fast as she safely could hold the baby, back to the farmhouse.

“What is wrong with the cows?” Grace asked Bud.

Bud had no clue. Timmy overheard his parents talking and said, “Willy scared them.”

Both Grace and Bud’s heads quickly turned to Timmy.

“What Timmy?” they said in unison.

“Willy scared the cows.”

“How did he do that Timmy?” Bud replied.

“I don’t know. It’s the first time he came to the barn with us.” Timmy said.

The two adults just stared at each other. They both knew what was running through their minds. The cows saw Willy.

Grace did not know how much more of this she could take. She could not wait for nine months to talk to Sylvia Browne. She decided to question her young son.

“Timmy, I need to talk to you.” Grace quietly said.

“What mommy?”

“Did Willy do anything to the cows?” Grace asked.

“No, he just tried to pet the cows. He wasn’t being mean.” Timmy replied while shaking his head side to side.

That explains the head banging. The cows know something is wrong. Even the cows know Willy is a ghost.

“Mommy?” Timmy asked.

“Yes, honey?” his mom said.

“How did grandma turn into baby Shae?”

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