Jersey Love!

So, this one only happened a couple of days ago.

And no, I'm not a mean person. I'm really not. See, my mom is from New Jersey, and we have this running joke that people from Jersey show love through pain. If mom makes you feel bad about yourself, she likes you. If she makes you cry, she loves you.
(I can almost feel her sighing as I write this. So in her defense, she's nice sometimes too.)
The reason why this is important to say is because you have to remember, when tears come, that means love is there.

 

*ahem*

Rini and Bug (sister and brother, 8 and 12 respectively) had decided that I needed to be woken up WAY earlier then I am used to. And not only did they wake me up, but they expected to me to not only hold a conversation, but be interested in what they were saying! My brain was having a hard time processing 'you are awake', never mind which pokemon was my favorite or what someone should be wearing.

Then we heard it. The Noise.

The Noise was a low pitched chime, but it caught everyone's attention immediately. Bug, my brother, gives me a "I know what you're doing look" and checks the volume on my computer. Except it's turned off.

"Maybe it's a ghost or something," I mumble, and my sister's eyes widen in horror.

(The Noise, drawn by my sister)

 

Now, I suppose a normal human being would have soothed her fears right then and there, but as I have already stated, I'm from Jersey. I have Jersey blood. They needed to know how much I love them.

Bug, being the mini-scientist he is, goes over to Rini's stereo, looking for the source of The Noise. The Noise is sporadic though, growing louder then stopping for a few minutes... then slowly gaining volume again. Rini's stereo is off too. Bug goes to check on mom, see if it's her music.

As soon as Bug leaves the room, Rini jumps in my bed and curls up against me, then goes completely silent. I ask her what she's doing, and she responds "I'm listening for Bug to scream because he saw a ghost."

Again, another great oppurtunity to comfort her. Nope.

Bug comes back, now thoroughly confused. Mom's stereo was off too. Rini jumps up, runs to the door, slams it shut, then quickly hops back into the bed. "Now it can't get in!" And of course, The Noise stops as soon as she closes it. I tell her she needs to open it, because our dog gets upset when there are closed doors. So she gingerly opens it... OH NO THE NOISE. 

 

It starts up loudly, scaring Rini, who is now plastered against me.

Now, I think I've shown them enough Jersey love at this point, so I say causually, "You know, it *kind* of sounds like a wind chime." Bug's eyes light up and he runs to check the wind chime in the kitchen. He comes back with a dissapointed look on his face. "No, it wasn't that."

"Maybe our neighbors have one?"

So the kids check, and yes, look at that, our neighbors have a windchime. And The Noise only happens when there is wind.
Bug is satsified with this, and goes on with his day.

Rini on the other hand was freaked out about ghosts all day.
I kind of fail at normal love.