Nine Letters Long

by J. C. Burke

  The bathroom door rattles and begins to open.

  ‘Who is it?’ Evie calls, splashing into the bath.

  Her mother stands at the door. Evie covers her body with the bubbles.

  ‘I’ve been banging and banging on the door,’ Robin yells. ‘No wonder you couldn’t hear me.’ She turns down the music. ‘Phew. That’s better.’

  Robin sits on the edge of the bath. Evie crosses her arms, feeling self-conscious with her there. She can’t remember the last time her mother saw her naked. It’s the opposite at Alex’s place. They all walk around naked.

  ‘Good music,’ Robin says, staring at her hands in her lap. ‘Sort of jazz.’

  ‘Sort of,’ nods Evie. ‘Seb’s starting a band. They like this sort of style.’

  ‘Does Seb still play the double bass?’ Robin’s fingers twist around each other in discomfort.

  ‘And the trumpet, too,’ replies Evie.

  ‘He’s very talented,’ she says. ‘Look, I’m sorry about before.’

  ‘Don’t worry.’

  ‘Dad and I reckon it’s fine for you to go on Saturday night.’

  ‘Ah! That’s unreal!’ Evie screams, jumping out of the bath, exposing her body lathered in bubbles. Robin sneaks a peek before turning her head away.

  ‘Thank you so much, Mum.’ Evie grabs a towel. ‘I’ve got to ring Al back. Don’t let the bath out.’

  Evie runs to the phone and presses redial. ‘Don’t be on msn, Alex,’ she squeals. ‘Please, please.’

  The phone rings then picks up. Evie goes to speak but a recorded voice clicks over. ‘Victoria Gaunt is unable to take your call,’ it says. ‘Please leave a message after the tone.’

  ‘Oh?’ Evie says into the phone. ‘Sorry, I, um, expected Alex. Um? No message. Hope you’re well. Bye.’

  Evie stands there staring at the handset, while somewhere in the back of her head a familiar voice begins to tell her that something isn’t quite right.

  The girls arrange to get dressed at Evie’s place. Alex arrives with a garbage bag full of outfits, and, as always, Poppy turns up in jeans and trainers.

  ‘Poppy, at least wear one of Evie’s belts,’ Alex says, crimping her hair. ‘I mean you look too … plain in just … jeans.’

  ‘I don’t care,’ Poppy shrugs. ‘I’m comfortable like this.’

  ‘Just a suggestion,’ replies Alex.

  ‘What about this?’ Evie hands Poppy a long woollen scarf. ‘It’ll just pick it up a bit. Yeah?’

  ‘My dad would like this,’ Poppy says, wrapping it around her neck. ‘South Sydney colours.’

  ‘That’s why my dad doesn’t like it,’ Evie mumbles, ripping the price tag off a dusty pink mini. ‘He’s a Wests Tigers man.’

  ‘Evie Simmons!’ Alex slowly grins. ‘Did I just see you with a price tag on a brand-newskirt!’

  Evie looks up. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Poppy, you’re my witness,’ Alex says. ‘Today – what’s the date?’

  ‘The sixth of October,’ answers Poppy.

  ‘Today, the sixth of October, you are my witness, Poppy Kaldos, that Evie Simmons, for the first time I can remember, is wearing a brand-new piece of clothing, bought from a real shop like us boring, unfashionable, taste-up-our-arses simpletons do,’ announces Alex. ‘Where is my camera when I need it? We are witnessing history in the making, Poppy.’

  The girls laugh.

  ‘Well, I liked the skirt,’ Evie says, ‘so I bought it. I do actually have some non-vintage articles.’

  ‘Vintage!’ Alex scoffs. ‘I like the way you never call them used or second-hand.’

  Evie leans into the cupboard, searching for her other boot. She doesn’t admit what she’s really feeling – that she’s a little nervous of vintage clothes these days. Terrified actually.

  The girls walk into the kitchen. Robin is driving them to the party.

  ‘Look at the girls,’ whistles Nick’s oldest friend, Theo. ‘Oh to be seventeen again.’

  ‘Were you this hairy at seventeen?’ Evie teases Theo as she gives him a hug.

  ‘Phew,’ Theo snorts. ‘My aftershave and your hairspray. What a combination!’

  ‘It’s fudge, not hairspray, Theo,’ Nick corrects. ‘Get it right.’

  ‘So have you come over to see us all glammed up?’ Alex spins around.

  ‘Wouldn’t miss it, Alex,’ Theo says. ‘You all look great. Watch out, fellas; here come the chicks!’

  ‘He’s also getting a feed,’ Robin adds.

  ‘Spoilsport,’ Theo replies.

  Robin picks up her bag. ‘Has someone got the address?’

  ‘I do,’ answers Poppy.

  ‘Let’s go, girls.’

  Evie steps out the front door and into a world she’s never found welcoming. The butterflies flitter in her tummy. Just a regular teenager. She has waited for this.

  The music from the party still rings in her ears as Evie slips into bed. Her hand feels under the mattress for her diary. She wants to write it all down before she forgets the tiniest detail.

  ‘The seventh of October, 12.45 a.m.,’ Evie begins. ‘Dear Athena, I’ve just had the best night.’ The first entry in her diary to Athena is the fifth of July. How much has changed. Evie chews the end of the pencil, thinking of that strange morning three months ago.

  She is at the airport with her dad and Theo. They have just arrived in Adelaide. Waiting by the escalator are two men in dark suits. They walk towards the detectives. Evie is scared. Scared of what they will say. Scared of what they will find. The police have asked her to come to Adelaide to help find Athena’s body. How dark are those days ahead, yet if she turns away she will never discover who she truly is – a girl with a sixth sense and a vision into the future. What was once a curse can now become a gift. For Evie now knows she’s … special.

  The blank page stares back, waiting to be filled with the present. The past has moved on; that Evie knows, but sometimes it’s hard to forget, to put it all behind her. Now she must focus on the future. The future will be better.

  Evie goes back to her writing.

  Yes, I did it! I did it, Athena! I went to a party and had fun. Real fun. No pretending, I promise. At first I was a bit nervous; there were heaps of people I didn’t know. Heaps of girls from school, but Seb found me and we went out to the veranda where Zac and some of his other mates were.

  I had a couple of beers, which made me feel a bit fuzzy but kind of relaxed too. The boys were talking about the band and Seb asked me in front of everyone what I thought of The Cat Empire. It seemed like they were really interested in what I had to say. One of the guys asked if they could borrow my Jeff Buckley CD.

  So many people said they liked my hair. A couple of guys came up to me and asked what my name was. That was pretty embarrassing. Thank god it was dark and they didn’t see me go purple.

  Alex and Zac seemed to be chatting a bit. I noticed Zac’s one of those guys who looks around the whole time you talk to them. I bet I hear about that from Alex. It’s pretty rude. Poppy was talking to anyone and everyone. She’s so laidback. I wish I could be like that.

  But you know what, Athena; not once did I sense people thinking things about me or looking at me in a funny way. I just blended in.

  Wow. I’m not going to be able to wipe the smile off my face. This is better than I ever could have hoped.

  You were there tonight, weren’t you? You kept your distance but I still felt your warmth trailing just behind me. That’s how I knew it was you. Were you looking after me? You did a good job – thanks. It was better than I ever could’ve hoped for. Good night. I’m sooooo happy,

  Evie xo.

  I ‘can’t believe your parents have actually gone away for the weekend.’ Alex flops onto the couch. ‘It’s too good to be true. Two whole nights here on our own. If they’d given you more notice, Evie, I could’ve organised a bit of a party.’

  ‘Very inconsiderate of them,’ Poppy adds, putting her feet up on the coffee table. ‘It’s a good
house for a party.’

  ‘Now, that Mum and Dad would not cope with,’ Evie tells them. ‘They kept saying they were going, then they weren’t, then they were. Then they talked about me going to Canberra with them. Luckily I talked them out of that.’

  ‘My oldies love dragging us away with them on weekends,’ Poppy says. ‘Saves them from having to talk to each other. Anyone want a drink?’ she calls on her way to the kitchen.

  ‘So, no party?’ Alex asks Evie.

  ‘I just can’t, Al. Mum and I are finally getting on a bit and you know it’s …’

  ‘Yeah, it’s not worth it,’ Alex agrees. ‘We’ve got to keep her on side so you can keep par-par-partying!’

  ‘They were a bit nervous about leaving me for the weekend,’ Evie says. ‘So I just reckon I shouldn’t push it. Early days still.’

  On Saturday night the girls order takeaway pizza for the second night in a row.

  ‘I hope that cute guy delivers it again,’ Alex mumbles through a mouthful of chips. ‘I bags answer the door.’

  ‘I thought you only had eyes for Zac,’ Poppy says.

  ‘Yeah, but I’m not sure what he thinks. Shall we go meat-lovers and Thai chicken again?’

  Evie walks into the living room with the phone. ‘How about meat-lovers and Mexicana?’

  ‘Too much chilli,’ Alex says, licking the salt off the chip packet. ‘You know, Zac has this really annoying habit of looking everywhere but at you when you’re talking to him.’

  ‘Maybe you’re boring his pants off,’ suggests Poppy.

  ‘I wish!’ Alex dials the pizza place. ‘Nah, not sure what he thinks about me. He’s a slippery one. Oh no, not you,’ she snorts to the person on the phone. ‘I was just talking about my … pet python.’

  Poppy and Evie are killing themselves.

  ‘I’d like to order a meat-lovers, a Thai chicken and a Mexicana. Home delivered, please.’

  ‘We’ll be stuffed,’ Evie calls.

  ‘She’ll eat it,’ Poppy tells her. ‘She finished all that ice-cream in the middle of the night.’

  ‘Pig!’

  ‘Piss off,’ Alex laughs, throwing herself on top of Evie.

  ‘Get off me,’ Evie squeals. ‘I’m not Zac.’

  Poppy raps her knuckles on the coffee table. ‘Ladies,’ she says. ‘I have a proposition.’

  ‘Your propositions make me nervous.’ Alex rolls off Evie and onto the couch next to her.

  ‘No, you’ll like this proposition, Alex. It’s especially for you.’

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘I know a way we can find out if Zac has the hots for you.’

  ‘You’re not going to ring Seb, are you?’ Evie grimaces.

  ‘No! It’s way better than that.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘A séance.’

  ‘A séance?’ Alex repeats.

  ‘Yeah. A séance,’ Poppy keeps nodding. ‘That’s how Laura Bruce from Year 12 found out her boyfriend was two-timing her.’

  ‘Crap,’ says Alex.

  ‘No, it’s true. A spirit told Laura that, and it was right.’ Poppy pauses. ‘The next day she caught him with his tongue down someone else’s throat. Now all the girls are doing it.’

  ‘What? Sticking their tongues down her boyfriend’s throat?’

  ‘No, Alex, you smartarse. Séances. Everyone’s. Doing. Séances.’

  Evie sits there listening, a thousand thoughts flying through her head. Shit. A séance, she thinks. Should I? Poppy’ll think I’m a straightarse if I say no. What’ll I say?

  ‘Evie?’ Alex has been watching her.

  ‘Hmm?’ Evie pretends she hasn’t noticed.

  ‘Do you … you know, feel okay about doing one?’

  ‘Oh, a séance?’ Evie stares at her knees. ‘Oh yeah, I’ll be …’

  ‘Pop?’ Alex butts in. Evie hears the tone in her voice. ‘Poppy, I don’t know, maybe it’s not such a good idea.’

  ‘Eh?’ Poppy answers. There’s a second of silence before Poppy adds, ‘Oh. Yeah.’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry about me.’ Evie shakes her head. ‘It’s just – silly stuff. I’m sure it’s a load of crap anyway.’

  ‘See!’ Poppy eyeballs Alex. ‘She’s not freaked out. Are you, Evie?’

  ‘Noooo,’ Evie lies.

  ‘Sure?’ Alex frowns. ‘Absolutely positive?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Evie nods. ‘Let’s do it.’

  Evie takes the pizza boxes out to the recycling. She needs the air, and a few seconds to herself. Leaning against the garage wall, she takes slow deep breaths.

  ‘This is nothing,’ she says to herself. ‘Don’t read anything into it. It’s silly fun, that’s all.’

  But, as Evie walks back into the house, a familiar hum sings quietly in her head. Tonight she chooses to ignore it.

  Poppy has Alex cutting out letters of the alphabet into little squares. ‘The numbers have to be bigger,’ she is telling her. ‘We have to be able to see them.’

  ‘How do you know all this?’

  ‘I looked it up on the Net.’ Poppy spreads out the letters and the words ‘YES’ and ‘NO’ around the dining table.

  ‘Aren’t there rules and stuff with a séance?’ Alex asks.

  ‘Don’t know,’ Evie lies.

  ‘Nah,’ Poppy says, walking over to the light switch.

  ‘Hang on,’ Alex calls. ‘I’m turning on the lamp. I’m not sitting here in the dark.’

  Alex frowns at Evie and mouths ‘Are you okay?’. In return, Evie shrugs. It’s too late now. Still the voices duel in her head. ‘Why am I doing this?’ ‘Relax, it’s just a bit of fun.’ Evie feels her hands and feet starting to sweat. ‘I shouldn’t be doing this. This isn’t a good idea.’ ‘Calm down. Stop being so uptight.’ Evie takes off her thongs, wiping the soles of her feet on the carpet.

  ‘Okay. So does everyone understand how it works, then?’ Poppy asks.

  Evie hasn’t heard a thing she’s said.

  ‘Alex?’

  ‘I’ll just go with it, Pop.’

  ‘Evie?’

  Evie nods.

  ‘Evie, are you sure you’re okay?’ Alex asks aloud this time.

  Poppy stops and faces Evie.

  ‘I’m just being stupid,’ Evie sighs. ‘Okay. I feel better now I’ve said it. Let’s do it.’

  ‘We can stop at any time, Evie,’ Poppy tells her. ‘You just let me know. I’ll be in charge.’

  The girls place a finger on a glass that sits in the middle of the letters.

  ‘I’ll lead,’ Poppy whispers.

  The others nod.

  ‘Is anyone there?’ Poppy asks. ‘Is anyone there to talk to us?’

  Silence.

  ‘Is anyone there?’ Poppy asks again. ‘We would like to talk to someone from the spirit world.’ This time, Poppy speaks in a zombie-like voice.

  Alex starts giggling.

  ‘Sshh.’

  ‘Sorry, Mistress Poppy.’

  Now Evie finds herself giggling. At last her back relaxes into the chair.

  ‘We have to concentrate,’ Poppy scolds. ‘Please can I call on someone in the spirit world? I’d like to ask a question.’

  ‘I think I should ask the question,’ Alex interrupts. ‘It’s about me, remember?’

  ‘All right.’ Poppy rolls her eyes. ‘Go on.’

  ‘I would like to ask if Zac Arcos likes me – Alex, the one speaking.’

  Slowly, Poppy moves the glass to the word ‘NO’. Alex glares at her. Poppy then moves the glass around the letters to spell, ‘He thinks you stink’.

  ‘Piss off,’ Alex mouths. Evie is trying so hard not to laugh.

  ‘Does Zac like me?’ Alex repeats. ‘I will spell his name for you, so you in the spirit world know who I’m talking about.’ The girls push the glass to the letter Z, then to A and C. ‘If someone is there, could they answer my question, please? Does Zac – Zac Arcos – like me?’

  They wait, their fingers resting on the glass. Slowly, it begins to mov
e. It slides to C, then A, then Z.

  ‘Caz?’ Alex says. ‘Not C-A-Z. Z-A-C.’

  Again, very slowly, C-A-Z is spelt.

  ‘I think the spirit you’ve called up is dyslexic, Poppy.’

  ‘Very funny, Alex.’

  The letters C-A-Z are spelt out again, just a little faster this time. Evie shifts her weight in the chair, unsticking the backs of her thighs that seem to be glued to the seat.

  ‘Poppy?’ Alex snaps.

  The glass keeps moving in the same direction. ‘C-A-Z, C-A-Z, C-A-Z.’

  A bead of sweat slips down Evie’s forehead.

  ‘Poppy!’

  ‘It’s not me, Alex! Promise.’ The fear in Poppy’s voice bounces off the living-room walls. ‘It’s not. Look!’ Poppy lifts her finger off, yet the glass continues to slide across the table, scratching the timber as it points to the letters ‘CAZCAZCAZCAZCAZ’, over and over.

  Now Alex’s finger is off the glass, too. ‘Shit!’ she cries.

  Only Evie’s is left.

  Her cheeks burn red as the glass whizzes around the centre of the table, jerking her arm in and out as it hits the letters at a frantic pace. Evie watches her hand in horror, aware of a heat that is descending from the ceiling and settling around her shoulders.

  ‘What’s … what’s it doing, Evie?’ squeals Alex, her arms wrapped around Poppy. ‘Can’t you make it stop? Tell it to stop! Stop!’

  The glass fishtails around the table, swiping numbers and letters off on its way.

  ‘Talk to it!’ Alex is shrieking now. ‘Tell, talk, ask who …’

  Evie tries to swallow. Her mouth is so dry. Her skin is burning hot. The heat is almost too much to bear. She must be close now. Very close.

  ‘Evie! Do something!’

  ‘Um, um,’ mumbles Evie. A new word is starting to form. Evie can barely hear herself as she calls the letters out. ‘S-H-E. S-H-E.’

  ‘She,’ whispers Poppy. ‘S-A-Y-S, S-H-E S-A-Y-S. She says.’

  Now the force is so strong that Evie throws herself against the edge of the table to steady herself. ‘She says, she says.’ Her voice is breathless as she spells it out. ‘Y-O-U W-I-L-L, S-H-E S-A-Y-S. She says you will. W-I-L-L W-I-L-L …’