Writober Flash Fiction Prompt: Impostor Syndrome

Photographer Unknown

We are a family of four.

There is my sister Kimberly, my Dad Lionel and our Mother Beth.

My name is Callie.

We have always lived in our small gray house on Green Lake. Before we lived there my Great Grandparents lived there. In fact, they built our small gray house.

After they took over the  house, my Dad planted the cherry tree  and two apple trees in the back yard. My Mom planted the roses along the walkway from the sidewalk to our porch steps before me and Kimberly were born. My Great Grandfather buried his favorite dog along the fence line, but he’s not sure exactly where Tippy is buried.

Sometimes I think I can see Tippy, late at night,  strolling around the fence, looking for her unmarked grave.

Just before Halloween, I was in the back yard raking leaves when my Dad walked up behind me. He asked me if I knew what time Mom would be home and when I turned around to answer him, I dropped my rake. I felt an cold icy stream of sweat roll from the base of my neck down my spine.

The man standing there under the cherry tree my Dad had planted and had just asked where my Mom was- he looked like my Dad, he sounded like my Dad, but when he tilted his head down and waited for my answer- I knew it. There was a dark light shining from his eyes. That’s when I knew it for certain. I felt it in my bones- that man standing there was not my Dad and it took everything I had not to scream.

I finished raking the leaves. I bagged them. Then I walked around the side yard to the front yard and when I was sure I was alone I took sat down on the steps and waited for my Mom to come home.

When I saw her drive up with my sister riding shotgun I nearly cried in relief. I ran to the the car.

From the driver’s seat my Mom saw me standing there, my arms crossed across my chest. I was shifting from one foot to another. I felt cold. I was freezing.

I watched her turn to my Sister, then I saw my Mom nod. They got out of the car and my Mom asked why I was standing out here looking like I was about to wet myself. Did I get locked out of the house? Why didn’t I just go to the neighbors house and use their bathroom? What the heck was the matter with me?

Typical practical Mom stuff- I almost cried but this time it was in relief, then my Sister looked at me. She turned to my Mom and shook her head.

I heard her say to my Mom as they walked into the house:

” I’m telling you Mom, it’s not her. It looks like Callie, but it’s not her. ”

My Mom looked at my sister, then she looked at me and I saw that same dark light in my Mom’s eyes. I looked at my Sister and that same shadow was shining just a little bit in my Sister’s left eye.

When I was sure the coast was clear, I snuck into the house. I went into the bathroom. I looked into the mirror.

I am Callie. I knew it. I am Callie.

I have always lived in this house with my Mom and Dad and my Sister and my Great Grandfather’s dog that’s buried in our back yard somewhere.

I put my hand on my reflection’s face. I saw shadow spill from my right eye. It was crept to my left eye.

I am Callie I told my reflection.

Now.