“Daddy! She’s here again!!”

Danilo looked to his right and saw that his wife was sound asleep, the cries of their child ineffective against her current dream. He stood up and thought about what the psychologist said to say.

The funeral had been finished about two months ago, but the scars still lingered. At 5 years old they thought that Maine was too young to understand what was happening.

But a few weeks after, Miss Grace had asked to speak to them about what Maine was doing in class.

The little girl that was so bright and filled with energy had become despondent and silent.

And that was separate from the drawings.

Miss Grace noticed the first drawing a few days after they buried her lola. At first, she thought that it was a way of coping. Maybe Maine wanted to channel her grandmother and tried to put those feelings out into the world.

Then Miss Grace saw Maine use darker colors, always red and black.; the calm, caring face of the woman in her drawings becoming more grotesque, the later ones having a gaping jaw and a long tongue.

When Maine was asked what she was drawing the girl would just reply, “She always says hi to me at night. When Mama and Papa turn the lights off, I can see her by the window so I told them to give me a light so she can’t go near me.”

Miss Grace recommended that the family see a psychologist to help Maine get through this difficult time and her parents agreed. They took the words of the psychologist to heart and memorized how they should talk to their daughter.

Danilo knocked on his daughter’s door and asked if he could come in.
“Daddy the light isn’t working and I can see her!”

Maine was right, the nightlight by her bedside was pitch black and definitely broken. He sat by her bedside and asked her what was wrong, carefully remembering to use clear words to let her understand.

“I don’t like her. She’s scary.”

She did seem scared and Danilo took his daughter in his arms. It was at this point that the advice of the psychologist kicked in. Responding to her fear with comfort and reassurance. He asked her if it was really about a woman in the window, and changed the topic to her lola.

“Lola used to tell me about her. She said that if the lights were off and if my eyes were open, I could see the woman.”

Danilo knew this part of the story well enough, it was something that Maine repeated every night since her lola passed. He returned to using the psychologist’s advice. He put her emotions into words, telling her that he knows she feels sad about her lola, and how much everyone loved her. He told her that lola wouldn’t want her to be scared. They sat together and talked about lola, thinking back to happy memories to activate positive feelings.

When they finished remembering Danilo saw the tiredness in Maine’s eyes and told her it was time to get some rest.

She nodded and said, “Okay daddy, but please put the lights on. I don’t want to see her.”

Danilo nodded and opened the door to let the light in. He knew that it would take time for her to heal from the loss and he would be as patient as he needed to be for Maine’s sake.

After all, it’s what parents do.

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Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by a story told by  Teresita Gasga

Kulukupap Illustration by Alvin Gasga

FB: The Art of Alvin Gasga