“What happened then?”
“I kept close to home for a while, but it was kind of hard to watch my Ma and Pa grieving over two lost boys instead of just the one. I didn’t know I’d end up hurting them so bad. The last time I saw my body was at receiving friends. I didn’t watch them lower me in the ground, though.”
Vivian swallowed hard. “I can see why you wouldn’t want to see that.”
“Anyway, after that, I just sort of wandered around. I tried to get noticed by the living, but no one could see me. Not then, anyhow. I spent a little time with some other spirits, like the ones in Nolensville. They said they could probably get a guardian to come and help me, but I figured this was my punishment for James and for killing myself, so I’d just take it like a man. I could at least do that.”
Her heart went out to the lost and lonely soul, and she vowed to find a way to help him. “So, how did you get so you could move objects and talk to little kids?”
“Oh, that happened a few years after I died, or maybe ten or more. It’s hard to say. I can’t seem to keep up with time like I used to.”
Time is a little different on the other side.
That’s what Zeke had told her. Apparently time was a little different for the departed still trapped on Earth.
“Anyway,” Junior said, “I was watching some little ’uns play and I spotted this little towhead boy running around. Scout was a redhead, like Scooter here, but there was something about him that reminded me of my brother. Maybe it was his laugh, I don’t remember. I do remember getting closer to him and being scared half to death, so to speak, when he started talking to me. I started following him around and we kept each other company until he outgrew me.”
“Wow,” Vivian said. “I can see the appeal. Were you able to move objects, too?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I found out that if I thought real hard, I could make things move. I kept practicing until I got really good, and every time I met a new little boy who wanted to be my friend, it got easier and easier. It made life less lonely, anyway. Plus, I was able to look out for the little guys.”
“So the only living people who ever see you are kids?”
“I guess so,” he said with a shrug. “I mean, other than you. I sure was glad to meet Scooter. He reminds me so much of Scout. I’ve been looking out for him and making sure he doesn’t get himself into trouble when his mama’s busy or when his sisters aren’t looking. He’s a handful.”
“Don’t I know it,” Vivian replied, remembering how scared she had been when he went missing at the zoo. Then it hit her. He didn’t actually need her help. He’d already found his place, even if he didn’t realize it.
“You know what?” she said, bursting with excitement. “It seems like you’ve found a purpose instead of a punishment. And it seems to me like you’re getting rewarded for it.”
“How do you figure?” he asked, gaze wary but hopeful.
“Well, you said you started getting stronger once you took up with the first kid who saw you, right?” She held up a finger.
“Yup.”
“Has it gotten a little easier to move things and to project yourself with each new kid?” She said, holding up a second finger.
“Well, yeah, it has,” he said, scratching his head. “But I always have a little trouble just after the kids stop seeing me. They seem to outgrow me around four or five. I’m pretty sad for a year or two after that.”
“That makes sense,” she said. “But you seem to have built up a lot more energy since you’ve been around Scooter.” She held up a third finger, ticking off another item on her mental checklist of guardian duties.
He nodded, a grin slowly spreading across his boyish face.
“So, maybe you’ve been working to become a guardian spirit all along, and you just didn’t know it,” she said, spreading her hands wide.
“You really think so?” He seemed positively giddy at the prospect.
“I do,” Vivian said. “In fact, I’m going to have a talk with Ezra and Jeanne about it to see if there’s anything they can do to help.”
“You’d do that for me?” He seemed stunned, which made her heart break as she fell in love with him a little more. If ever there was a guardian spirit, Junior was it—the real deal.
“Of course I would! You’ve been taking such good care of my favorite little man here, it’s the least I can do.” She leaned over to ruffle Connor’s hair. He wiggled a bit and shifted, but then returned to a peaceful slumber.
“Now, do you think you’d be up for helping me out with breakfast for the Clemmens clan?”
“Why, sure,” replied the giddy spirit. “I like them. It’s almost like I’m a part of a family again.”
She grinned and then added, “Just, please, for the love of Pete don’t blow up anything in the kitchen, okay?”
***
“Auntie Viv! Auntie Viv! Hooray, Auntie Viv!”
Kaitlyn wasn’t known for her dulcet tones. Aside from the high frequency of the squeal, which she suspected could make dogs’ ears bleed, Vivian was pleased with the greeting. Kate was a morning person in the making, but she was just so darned cute about it. She flew into Vivian’s arms and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
“What are you making?” Kate asked.
“Coffee, for starters,” Vivian replied, kissing her back and settling her on the ground.
“Can I have some?”
“No, you may not.”
“Awwww, why not?” Kate asked, her not-so-dulcet tone going an octave higher.
“Because you aren’t old enough yet. Wait until college. That’s when you’ll need it,” Vivian answered. That seemed to satisfy her as she turned her attention to what was on the counter.
“Ooooh, biscuits,” she said, licking her lips. Can I help?”
“Sure. Grab your apron and let’s get started.”
Vivian had her elbow-deep in Crisco and Martha White when Connor came bounding down the hall calling out, “I hungry, I hungry!”
His surly older sister was walking close behind, shooting daggers at the back of his head with her gaze.
“Morning, all,” Vivian said. “Connor, we’re having biscuits, gravy, and sausage. It’s not ready yet, though. I want you to go potty with Anna while I cook, okay?”
“No,” he whined. “No! I don’t wanna go!”
“Fine, ’cause I don’t want to take you,” Anna shot back.
Damn, no wonder Kay had been at her wits end. A few more minutes of this, and Vivian’s head might explode along with her temper. Squaring her shoulders and giving each of them her best stern look of authority, she said, “I didn’t ask either of you, and I’m not asking now. I’m telling you to do it!”
With much reluctance and a few more dirty looks, the youngest Clemmens kid accompanied the oldest to the bathroom. In the meantime, the middle child helped Vivian finish folding the biscuit dough after she added the buttermilk.
As they were stamping out some rounds, Kate asked, “Is Mama still mad and sad?”
Figuring honesty was the best policy, Vivian said, “Not as much as she was. You worried?”
“Yeah.”
“I think she’s going to be okay. But if you ever get worried or scared, you can always tell your Aunt Viv about it.”
“I know that.”
Kate was apparently satisfied with Vivian’s answer, since she didn’t bring up the subject again. When Kay woke up, she looked better and seemed to be in better spirits. Coffee helped. Connor seemed unaffected by the previous night’s events, which relieved Kay.
Annabelle remained sullen and refused to speak to her mother.
Steeling herself, Vivian decided to have a little chat with the girl during kitchen clean up and while Kay took Kate and Connor out for some errands.
“So,” Vivian began. “You’re still pretty ticked off at your mom, huh?”
“I don’t like it when she yells so much. It scares Kate and Connor,” she replied, her gaze never leaving her work at the sink.
<
br /> “Does it scare you?”
“Not anymore. Except when she yells at Dad. I don’t want them to get divorced.”
“I don’t either,” said Vivian.
“My friend Megan’s mom and dad got divorced. She spends a lot of time at her grandma’s while her mom works and her dad spends time with his new girlfriend.”
“Hmm,” Vivian replied. She didn’t want to lead Anna too much. She figured she’d get more out of the girl if she just let Anna reveal what she wanted to share in her own time and in her own way.
“I’d hate it if my dad started going out with some skank.”
“I would, too,” said Vivian.
“Like the skank Mr. Jace is going out with?”
“I don’t like it,” Vivian said, trying not to let her composure slip. “But there’s nothing I can do about it. Besides, we weren’t married.”
“I don’t want to get married ever. Or have kids.”
Vivian could tell that Anna was trying to get a rise out of her and was smart enough not to take the bait. Again, honesty was the best policy. It was easier for Vivian, too, since Anna wasn’t her kid.
“I don’t think I do, either,” Vivian said.
Anna gave her a funny look. “Really?”
“Really.”
“You don’t like kids?”
Vivian flicked her on the rump with a dishtowel, which earned her a squeal and a smile.
“No, I like kids just fine. But, for starters, I don’t have a partner. And my life’s pretty complicated.”
“You gonna put that on social media?” Anna asked, looking mischievous.
“Smartass,” Vivian shot back. “It just looks like a really tough job. But I think it’s one of the most important jobs you could have.”
“Do you think Mom wishes she didn’t have us?” Anna blurted out.
Vivian looked straight at her and said, “No, I don’t think that at all. I think she loves you more than life itself and that she’s working really hard to be the best mom she can be. She’s tired and she’s depressed. Do you know what depressed is?”
“I guess,” Anna said, shrugging.
“Tell me.”
“It means that she’s sad, like she was just after Connor was born,” Anna said, gaze dropping.
“That’s right. It’s like being sick, only not with a cold. It’s a sickness in your mind. I had it, too, when I was little. I had it later when Mae died.”
“But you’re okay now, right?” she asked, meeting Vivian’s gaze again.
Vivian nodded. “I’m close enough. Your mom will be, too.”
“I hope so,” Anna said. She looked hopeful. Skeptical, but hopeful.
“You can help her, too. You can help out around the house and get your brother and sister to do the same. They’ll listen to you better than they will to your mom and dad.”
“Okay,” she said. “I can do that.”
“Good. So, what are we going to do today?” Vivian asked. She’d told Kay to go out and get a massage or a pedicure while she took the kiddos for the afternoon. Since Kate and Scooter normally got to choose where to go, she figured it was Anna’s turn.
“How about we head out to Radnor Lake? I like the turtles.”
“Sure thing. You know, I saw some wild turkeys last time I was out there. And I caught a big, ugly brown toad—”
“Ewwwwww!” Anna screeched, clearly horrified by the thought.
If they could joke again, Anna must be feeling better. She hoped to talk to her a little bit more in the afternoon, but at least she could reassure Kay that her kids would suffer no long-term damage from her mommy meltdown. She also sent Boyd a text message so she could speak to him about the situation. Not wanting to be meddlesome, she was still sufficiently worried about her friend to want to get Boyd on board with the program.
Besides, a part of her was curious about his side of the story. It was and would always be Vivian’s natural inclination to take Kay’s side, but after what happened between her and Jace, she figured she could use some more insight into the male psyche.
She just hoped she didn’t wind up losing control and unleashing her fury on Boyd like she had on Sarah, especially after last night’s warning message. Then again, she couldn’t very well go about her life and work in fear. If what Darkmore said was true, and he was willing to defend her and those she loved, then maybe she should take his suggestion and try to draw the rogue guardian out in the open. Perhaps she could channel her unique energy into more than simply a solid defense—perhaps she could attack.
At the very least, she could bring the fight out of the shadows and face it head on.
Because one thing was certain—she could and she would continue to work for the living, no matter who was watching.
CHAPTER 15
“I want more wiggle worms, Aunt Vee Vee!” Connor screamed. Ever since she’d pulled out that first slimy nightcrawler from her back garden and showed it to the boy, he’d been hooked on worms. She wasn’t sure if it was legal to dig in the park, but she figured letting Scooter dig in one small spot just off the trail wouldn’t hurt. Kaitlyn was busy chasing butterflies, which left Vivian and Anna sitting on a nearby bench at Radnor Lake and sharing what was left of the Goldfish cracker and yogurt-covered raisin snack stash.
“So, what’s been going on with you these days?” Vivian asked.
“Nothin’ much,” Anna muttered.
“Nothing? It’s been a like a month or so since the zoo, and you mean to tell me that nothing important has happened in all that time?”
“Is this like one of those heart-to-heart talks like they have in all of those stupid movies on Lifetime?”
“No, this is me trying to have a civilized conversation with someone I care about. Someone who’s waaaaaay too close to becoming a surly teenager,” Vivian said, giving her a shove. “Anyway, what’s going on with school? What’s going on with boys? Are you experimenting with drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes? That sort of thing.”
“Yup,” Anna said between bites. “This is definitely turning into a heart-to-heart.” At least she said it with a smile.
“And?”
“And school’s okay. I’ll be glad to be out, though. Boys are boys. Most of them are dumb and loud and act like they don’t have a lick of sense. And I haven’t tried any drugs or cigarettes.”
“Ah-ha!” Vivian said in mock triumph. “Now we’re getting somewhere. Boys don’t have a lick of sense most of the time, and men aren’t much different. But let’s get back to the last. I didn’t hear you confirm or deny experimentation with alcohol.”
“I guess you’re talking about Jace, huh? We saw him a couple times and Dad looked like he wanted to hit him. Mom wasn’t real nice either, and she didn’t even fuss at Kate when she asked him why he was such a big meanie poop-head,” Anna said, her voice and expression overly animated.
Vivian was touched, but she wasn’t fooled by the distraction ploy, “Well, that’s pretty cool of your mom and dad. Now, back to the subject of you and booze…”
“Fine. I had a sip of wine at Lacy’s house when I went for a sleepover. Just a sip,” she said, pleading her case as if she were on the witness stand. “And I didn’t even like it. It wasn’t sweet. It tasted like cough syrup, only way grosser.”
Ugh. Probably the cheap stuff. Good thing, too. It would be harder to argue with a tween who’d sampled fine wine and enjoyed it. “So you aren’t going to be trying any of that stuff again, right? Not until you’re much older?”
“No, I’ll be good, I promise,” Anna swore. “Just don’t tell Mom. Please?”
“That’s good, and I won’t tell your mom,” Vivian said. “But in case you ever forget to be good and find yourself in trouble, I want you to promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“You’ll call me. No matter what time of day or night, call me. I’ll come and get you, no questions asked. Understand?”
“Yeah,” Anna said, offering her a lopsided grin. “I w
ill.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes and watched Kate manage to coax a small white butterfly to land on the tip of her finger for about a nanosecond before Scooter scared it off. To her credit, Kate didn’t hit him. She decided instead to join him on a worm hunt while Vivian and Anna cheered from the sidelines.
Anna looked Vivian up and down and said, “You know, I think you should have some kids, Auntie Viv.”
“Well…maybe someday,” Vivian said with a small, dismissive wave of her hand.
“You’ll meet someone nice. You have to,” she said, then her gaze went wide and she latched onto Vivian’s arm in a death grip. “And you have to do it before Auntie Sue’s wedding. You can’t show up without a date while Jace is walking around with that hoochie mama!”
“First of all, it doesn’t work like that,” Vivian said, ignoring the lurch of anxiety forming in her gut. Damn, she’d forgotten about wrangling a wedding date.
“Like what?” Anna said, bring her attention back to the girl.
“Like, with a deadline,” Vivian replied with exasperation. It was a sad day indeed when her love life, or lack thereof, was under scrutiny from an eleven-year-old. “Second of all, where on Earth did you hear the term ‘hoochie mama’?”
“At school,” she replied primly.
“Well, don’t go repeating everything you hear at school, especially not where your mother can hear. She’ll probably think you’ve been picking that stuff up from me.”
“It’s okay.” Anna grinned. “I learn even weirder stuff from my science teacher. Sometimes.”
“Like what?”
“Like if you put sodium metal in the toilet it will explode.”
“Please tell me you didn’t test that yourself,” Vivian said.
“Nah,” Anna admitted. “But some of the guys wanted to.”
“What else?” Vivian asked.
She thought about it for a minute and said, “Oh, we also learned that this summer is going to be the year of brood nineteen.”
“What?”
“You know, cicadas?”
“Oh, right,” she said. “The ones that come and go every thirteen years, right?” Vivian asked. God, she still remembered the last time they’d hit, shuddering as visions of red eyes danced in her head along with the deafening buzz that came along with them.
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