Chapter 1: A Strange Occurrence

Recently, I encountered something puzzling that left me questioning my perception of reality. This incident unfolded on April 14, 2024, and it all began with a seemingly trivial detail: my husband had left the long middle drawer of his dresser slightly ajar. This was a common occurrence, one I usually addressed without a second thought.

After my usual morning routine in the bathroom, which involved washing my face and getting dressed in yesterday's attire—because comfort takes precedence in my retirement—I headed back into the bedroom to check my devices. That’s when I noticed that the small drawer on the upper left side was wide open.

At first, I brushed it off, attributing it to my husband’s possible visit to grab a pair of socks while I was occupied. However, my instincts urged me to investigate further, as his pattern of behavior didn’t align with this assumption.

I leaned over the railing and called down to him, “Were you just upstairs?”

His answer was a simple “No,” followed by confusion. “Why?”

“Oh,” I paused, “something odd just happened. You need to come up here.”

Being a logical thinker, my husband reasoned that he must have left it open the night before when he selected his clothes. But I insisted, “You only left the middle drawer slightly open. There’s no way I could have missed that other drawer being open.”

I was beginning to feel unsettled; the evidence was undeniable.

The disbelief on my husband’s part prompted him to reconsider, and eventually, he accepted my account. Yet, accepting my version meant we were left without an explanation, which led our minds into a spiral of speculation.

The first thought that crossed my mind was: could it be a ghost?

However, we inhabit a relatively modern semi-detached home, devoid of the character that typically surrounds older residences known for their ghostly tales. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something unusual was at play.

To share the peculiar experience, I posted about it on Facebook, seeking the opinions of friends. The responses varied widely, from inquiries about possible inherited items to suggestions of a ghostly presence. Some speculated that perhaps something was hidden within or beneath the drawer, beckoning my attention.

I found nothing amiss and did not feel compelled to delve deeper into my emotional state. Other theories included the possibility of a simple mistake, such as inadvertently opening the drawer while passing by, yet nothing seemed to fit.

Then, a troubling thought emerged when my husband’s brother suggested I might be experiencing early signs of dementia. I quickly dismissed that notion, as did my daughter, humorously turning the suggestion back on her father.

Despite our logical minds, I couldn’t help but explore the possibilities as I recalled my childhood habit of indulging in fear-based "what-if" scenarios.

Do I believe in ghosts? Honestly, I’m ambivalent. While I’m open to the idea, I crave concrete evidence.

To add to the oddity, I jokingly proposed that perhaps we had unwittingly brought back a spirit from a recent visit to a deceased friend's home, where I spent considerable time in the past.

The reasoning behind my visit to her home was twofold. First, my husband and I were attending a funeral nearby, and second, I wanted to capture memories of my friend’s house, which had fallen into disrepair after her passing.

The house, over 200 years old, was filled with antiques, and if one subscribes to the notion that objects can carry energies, I might have unwittingly invited something home with me.

During a past gathering at my friend's house, many attendees expressed feelings of discomfort and unease, a sentiment I shared, despite my friend’s comfort within its walls.

After my visit, I fell ill with a sore throat and an arthritic flare-up in my leg, leading to four days of hobbling around. This led me to explore the connection between energy and illness; there are theories suggesting that entities can affect our physical well-being.

As time passed, the strange drawer incident faded into the background, and my husband’s pragmatic view prevailed: “If it happens again, we’ll know it’s something.”

I invite you to share your own experiences with the strange and unexplainable.

Barbara Carter, a visual artist and writer, focuses on healing from childhood trauma, addiction, and living authentically. She enjoys walking, reading, watching TV dramas, practicing Qi-gong, and working on her memoir series, BARBARA BY THE BAY.

Section 1.1: Exploring the Paranormal

Chapter 2: The Aftermath of the Incident

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