~How can you say that there is no one here if there are so many things in between?
+Natael, I already told you that I have been coming here for several weeks.
This time we didn't stop in the living room and I took them directly to the kitchen where the almost mummified body of the elderly woman lay on a small sofa near the coffee table. Alexander and Natael were horrified.
Natael takes the hands to her mouth.  Alexander was speechless.
+Now I will explain everything to you+ I reassured them.
+You must know that... Well... She...+ I didn't know from where to start.
~She was already dead, wasn't she?~ Natael added.
+Yeah...
-How is it possible?
+It's a long story.
-Then talk.- continued Alexander.
I was cornered but by now those two had gone too far and now they wanted to know.
+No one comes to visit her because she is no longer alive. Her son Johan knows that she died but... She doesn't know it or she can't remember it.
-When did it happen?
+I don't know... A few decades ago.
~ So that's why her cookies were full of maggots.
Natael was still visibly shocked.
+Yes. But there's more. This house when it's isolated from abroad creates an illusion and that woman, she believes she is still alive.  Every day she opens her eyes and waits for her son who will never come. Probably... She died waiting for him.
-I think we should bury her.
+What?!  But...
I did not want to. I had never had a grandmother. She remember of me, she had taught me to knit. I didn't want to abandon her and bury her.
~Alexander is right ... Maybe she will find her peace of mind if she finds out that she is dead.
+Even if we bury her, it would do no good.  She will forget and start over every day like the one before, expecting a child who will never arrive!
A thud. The door closed. Natael let out a cry. Alexander stood still. I sat down on the couch next to the body.
-Johan, is that you?
Alexander and Natael shivered.
+No grandma, I'm Michael. I came back to find you.
-Oh my child, you're back soon.
+Yes grandma, I'm back.
I lifted my hand and placed it on the lifeless woman's body.
+I'm back+ I turned my head and smiled at her.
-Would you like a cup of tea?

The End