Me and My Ghoulfriends

by Rose Pressey

  "Well, you sure came to the right place then. I have tons of books.” I laughed. Did I really just say that? So much for me being witty and charming. Less than a minute into the conversation, and that fantasy was already shattered to pieces.

  "Yes, I suppose I did.” He laughed.

  Callahan looked down at the table full of books in front of him.

  I tried to read his face, maybe it would give be a clue as to why he was there; had he really come to buy a book? Whatever the reason for his unexpected visit, I wasn't complaining. I could certainly become accustomed to his gorgeous face.

  Mindy would be pissed when she found out he had come over and I hadn't tape recorded our entire conversation. I hoped I could hang onto every word to give her a play by play. Moving out from behind the counter, I forced my legs to walk toward him. If it weren't for him thinking I was completely insane, I would have helped my legs along by placing my hands on them and forcing each leg to take another step. At that point they needed the help, before I became frozen to the spot. Finally, I moved.

  As I inched closer to Callahan, Abe popped up directly behind him. Standing there with his suit and huge hat, beaming with a smile from ear to ear. Uh oh! That meant nothing but trouble.

  "Are you all right?” Callahan asked. He'd noticed my displeased expression.

  "Um...” Think fast. “You have a bug on your shoulder."

  I reached over and pulled the imaginary creature from his shoulder as Abe watched with a sly smile on his face. He knew I hated it when he did that. I'd warned him repeatedly: Do not pop up when others are around, it's enormously distracting.

  "I got it!"

  I threw the imaginary bug on the ground, stomped it feverishly and looked back up at his face to read his expression. By the look of his scrunched nose and eyes, he must have thought it was the vilest insect ever.

  At that moment, the sunlight flowed past a break in the clouds, gleaming through the window, hitting Callahan right in his eyes; he squinted to see me. I was thankful for his momentary blurred vision because maybe now he wouldn't see me glaring at Abe. I needed to think of something to say quickly. I usually had no problems with conversation, but around him I was tongue-tied.

  Finally, I said, “So, do you need some help picking out a book?"

  I figured I'd just treat him like an ordinary customer. That was the best idea I could come up with, at the moment. But, sadly, curiosity was plucking away at me and I truly wanted him to be there for me. Not just some book.

  "I ... I think I'll take this one,” he stammered.

  He fidgeted. If I hadn't known better, I'd have sworn he was nervous.

  "Excellent choice. I loved that book. I really think you'll like it too.” I smiled at him.

  His gaze locked on me.

  I swallowed hard and bit my lip, thinking about the situation at hand. I soon realized my heart was pitter-pattering worse than it ever had during any of my ghost hunts. Without giving a second thought, I glanced over at Abe who was still lingering where I didn't want him to.

  With a wave of his hand, he motioned for me to continue the conversation. Prodding me to move forward in the dialogue.

  I raised my eyebrow and eyed him agitatedly, mouthing be quiet in his direction. Only problem was, I forgot Callahan was still watching me. He had moved away from the sun and could now see me.

  "Did you say something?"

  "I'll ring that up for you.” I said as I grabbed the book from his hands.

  Whew. More quick thinking, except now he probably thought I was trying to get rid of him. Again, my mind was trying to think of something clever to say so he wouldn't think I was completely nuts. Nothing came out. Apparently, talking to dead people was much easier for me than talking to live ones.

  I trudged over to the register and he obediently followed. Slowly I pushed at the buttons on the register, turning to look at him and smile every few seconds. After giving him his total, I met his gaze. If he continued to look at me with those piercing baby blues, he could have anything in the store he wanted. And that wasn't limited to books, either. Suddenly, his eyes shifted and I quickly handed him his change. I didn't dare touch his fingers, I did not know what I would do if I did.

  "Um. I was wondering...” he said.

  I swallowed hard. What was he going to ask? Oh God, what if he were asking me for a discount?

  "Would you be interested in joining me for dinner sometime?"

  Yay! He hadn't asked for a discount on his purchase ... Remain calm.

  I didn't know exactly what to say. Did I answer right away or play it cool? Who am I kidding? I doubt I could actually play it cool even if I tried. I needed to say something soon because the pause was beginning to be very weird.

  "Yes, I'd like that.” All the debating in my mind and that was the best answer I could think up. It served its purpose though, because I had just agreed to go to dinner with Mr. Yummy. Now, if I could remember not to call him that to his face, I'd be okay.

  "How about tomorrow night?"

  Abe was nodding yes feverishly.

  I glanced away from him and focused my eyes on Callahan.

  "I ... yes, that would be fine.” Tomorrow night would be more than fine, it would be fabulous.

  "Do you have plans?” He gave me an uncertain look.

  If he only knew.

  He continued, “If you do I understand completely. I know it's really short notice."

  "No!"

  All right, that wasn't meant to come out as a scream.

  "Er ... No,” I said calmly. “I do have to go out of town this weekend, but I'm not leaving until Saturday morning, so tomorrow night would be fine."

  I tried to remain calm.

  "You're sure?” He flashed me a concerned look. Callahan scooped up his bag with his purchase tucked securely inside.

  "I'm positive.” I smiled.

  "Should I pick you up at seven, then?"

  "That sounds perfect. Do you want to meet me here?"

  "I can pick you up at your home, if you'd like. Although, being new in town, I might need a map."

  "No maps necessary. I have a few errands to run, so I can meet you here."

  "I'll be here at seven, then,” he said, showing me his dazzling white smile.

  My stomach tingled again. How did he make my body have such magnificent reactions?

  "I'm looking forward to it,” he added.

  I was giddy. I had to try to contain myself. Breathe.

  Mindy would be beside herself when I told her he had asked me out. Pee-her-pants excited, she would say.

  I inhaled deeply and said, “I'm looking forward to it, too.” I instinctively bit my lip; bad habit I had. In that instance, it was my way of making a weak attempt to flirt. I wondered if it were working.

  The sun was still glinting in the window, this time blanketing a magical gold color around the room and across Mr. Yummy's face, not directly in his eyes now, though. His face sparkled as the dust motes glided effortlessly through the air. As he turned around to leave he pivoted on his heels and then he walked backward for a few steps, waving goodbye all the while.

  I must have been dreaming. Dropped down in front of me was a little piece of heaven, and I was grateful. Okay, that was corny, but seriously, I was excited.

  Abe chuckled from the corner of the room; once again, I ignored him. The more I ignored him maybe the sooner he would cross over. If I looked his way, it would only encourage him.

  Callahan disappeared out the door and around the corner.

  I couldn't wait to ring Mindy to tell her the exciting news. Across the street, peeking out from the window watching me, I noticed a little head. I swear I could sense the hate from all the way across the street, wafting through the air like stink from a skunk. Brianna was glaring at the scene of Callahan leaving my store, and I knew it really pissed her off to see him anywhere near me.

  She was none too happy. By the glare on her face, I could tell she was quite possibly declaring war on
me. Operation Get Rid of Larue.

  I turned away from the window and tried to force her evil stares to the back of my mind. I scrambled over, grabbed my cellphone, and punched in Mindy's number as fast as my fingers would dial. After several rings, she finally picked up.

  "I was ready to hang up. What took you so long?” I snorted.

  "Aren't you Miss Impatient today? What's so urgent? What's going on?"

  "Oh, nothing much. Other than gorgeous coffee shop owner just came over here and asked me out for dinner tomorrow night,” I said casually.

  I nonchalantly studied my pink-painted nails, as if she could see what I was doing through the phone. I was totally in control and calm. All right, who was I kidding? I was panicked.

  "Get out! You're kidding me? You can't be serious!” she yelled.

  "Would I kid about something that serious? Seriously. And, for that matter, is it really all that unbelievable that he would ask me out?"

  "No. No. That's not what I meant. Okay, maybe that's what I meant, a little.” She laughed.

  "Very funny,” I snorted.

  "I want every detail,” she demanded.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't record the conversation, so I don't have every detail. He just came over and bought a book."

  "Which book?"

  "Does it really matter which book?"

  "Of course it matters which book. Don't be silly. I mean, you can tell a lot about someone by which book he reads. Was it for him or was it a gift?"

  "It was for him; at least he said it was."

  "All right then, so was it like a self-help book? Because he could have some serious issues he's trying to correct."

  "Um ... No self-help books, no how to rid yourself of an annoying best friend book or anything like that either."

  "Funny."

  "Don't worry, it was Stephen King's latest."

  "Oh well ... I suppose that's all right. Continue."

  "Anyway, as I was saying, as he was paying for the book he asked me out to dinner."

  As I said the words aloud, a rush of panic flooded me just thinking about my closet. What was I going to wear? I had no date attire; when you don't date, you don't need date clothing. I had a serious dilemma on my hands. All right, my closet was overflowing, but going out with Callahan required donning something extra special.

  "What am I going to wear?” I screeched into the phone.

  The bell chimed again, and I looked up to see a woman with a small child walk in. I covered the phone and greeted them.

  Mindy was still chatting away about my pitiful wardrobe. “We'll just have to go shopping,” she finished, finally taking a breather.

  "Fine. Meet me here at six and we'll go. But do not even suggest going to Brianna's shop. I refuse to go in there. She saw Callahan leave the store and I'm convinced she'll probably put out a hit on me. You know, murder for hire, that sort of thing."

  "What? Don't be ridiculous! That's exactly where we are going. I can't wait to rub it in her face,” Mindy snorted.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 4

  I couldn't say for sure where Mindy's hatred of Brianna had come from, but it was evident. She couldn't have made it more apparent if she'd rented a billboard along the I-65. As a matter of fact, I couldn't say I blamed her for her loathsome feelings, either.

  Unquestionably, Brianna didn't have many friends in town. More than likely because she was the kind of friend who'd tell you that you looked fabulous as you walked out the door for a date with Mr. Wonderful when, in reality, you looked like a deranged clown.

  I could hear Brianna now, “Oh, yeah, Larue...” snicker, “You look great. Totally great...” snort, “I think you need just a tad more makeup...” ha ha ha, “ahem, I mean, here use some of my blush."

  Brianna certainly didn't hesitate to give lots of people reasons to hate her. I had my own living grown-up version of Nelly Olsen. All Brianna needed were the golden ringlets and petticoat.

  "Ugh. I have a bad feeling about this. It can't turn out good."

  "What's the worst that can happen?"

  "What's the worst that can happen? I'll tell you. First, one thing that could happen is I'm giving her some of my hard-earned cash. Secondly, she may kill us both."

  "Don't be ridiculous. I'll even pay for the outfit."

  "You must really hate her if you're willing to let go of money.” A free outfit was tempting.

  "You got it.” Mindy grunted.

  "Fine, meet me here at six and we'll go. Listen, I have to run. I have a customer and I don't want people to think I'm nuts by hearing my conversation with you."

  "Are you sure someone is there or are you just saying that to get me off the phone?"

  I didn't answer that question.

  "All right, I'll see you at six then."

  "Bye.” I hurried off the phone.

  It probably didn't matter if the lady had heard the conversation because it looked as if I might lose the shopper anyway. The slightly frazzled-looking woman was standing in the corner, trying to read a book jacket as her little girl zealously yanked on the leg of her pants and yelled, “Mommy, Mommy, Abraham Lincoln is standing beside you."

  Poor kid. The mother was telling her to be quiet.

  Watching the confused little girl brought back memories from when I was a child. I'd caught the same kind of treatment when I was small. No one had ever believed me when I told them I saw an invisible person. It was always my “imaginary friends,” as they'd say.

  I supposed I'd started seeing spirits since birth. My mother said I'd stare at invisible things when I was a baby.

  The first apparition I remembered was my great-grandmother Annie. She'd come into my bedroom at night, read me bedtime stories and carefully tuck the covers up tightly around me.

  My mother finally started to believe it was more than an imaginary friend when I described my great-grandmother to a tee, despite never having seen a picture of her. So that's where it all began for me. I really could feel for the little girl standing in my store, with her perfect pigtails and pretty pink dress. She was so confused by the situation she was almost in tears. And rightfully so. I could tell her one thing for sure, it wouldn't get any easier. The confusion caused by the whole thing never got any easier for me.

  Unfortunately, Brianna's shop stayed open just a little later than mine did. What had I been thinking by agreeing to go into her shop? Maybe if I could stall Mindy, I could make us late, and Brianna would be closed. That way, I could avoid the entire fiasco which was inevitably going to unfold. To my regret, I had the rest of the afternoon to worry about the disaster soon to develop. I shuffled over to ask the woman if she needed any help.

  "May I help you find anything?"

  "No, thank you, we're fine. Although...” The woman laughed. “My daughter has developed an instant fascination for Abraham Lincoln. She's been studying presidents in kindergarten, but I didn't think she was that interested,” she said.

  I looked at the little girl nervously.

  "Yes, well I suppose that's a good thing.” I laughed uncertainly.

  Turning my gaze, I eyed Abe, who had obtained another accomplice. A man was standing beside him and, based on the looks on their faces, they were obviously having a lively conversation over one of the new releases.

  I had no idea who the man was, but I knew by his transparency that he was not of this world. I prayed he'd go away soon. I flashed them a go-away glare when the woman wasn't looking.

  However, the little girl saw me, and she knew I could see them too. I gave her a wink and then held my index finger up to my mouth, making a shush expression. She obviously liked having that little secret because she giggled.

  "Please let me know if you need anything,” I said, walking away.

  The woman nodded in acknowledgement and I moved over to the register and tried to pick up where I'd left off with my work, although I was finding it very hard to concentrate. Most of my thoughts were of Callahan and his incredible lips
. I couldn't even think of his body or I'd have to close shop for the rest of the day to recover. Mother and daughter paid for their biography on Lincoln, and I was left to my thoughts.

  The rest of the day was uneventful. However, my nerves were on edge as I watched the clock for six, when Mindy would arrive to take me to my impending execution. At least, on a better note, my mind kept wandering to Mr. Yummy. I was thankful to have him to daydream about.

  I wondered what he was doing over there, mere steps away from me. I was envisioning his rippling muscles as he poured coffee. Okay, so he didn't have a sexy occupation. He wasn't a firefighter or police officer, but with looks like his, he didn't need to be.

  At 5:45 I started becoming increasingly apprehensive about our shopping endeavor. I didn't know why I'd always let Mindy talk me into those types of things. Throughout our entire friendship, she'd gotten us into some crazy escapades. Sure, I'd gotten myself into my fair share, but she was a master at it.

  I remembered the summer we went on vacation with her parents as if it were yesterday. We were both sixteen and, like all teenagers, a little rambunctious. Mindy conveniently forgot to tell her mother about our plans to walk along the sand that evening, and when Mindy and I set out for the beach that fateful night the shoreline was covered by water. Mindy suggested we should walk down the street to the pier instead.

  Again, she didn't bother to share any of that information with her mother. In a panic, her mother had called the police when she'd gone to the beach and seen the tide was in and we were nowhere in sight. The coast guard went out to search the choppy waters for sharks circling our half-eaten bodies. Talk about embarrassing.

  Actually, at first we'd helped in the search because we hadn't known for whom they were searching. We'd thought we were helping. As we stood on the pier watching the chaotic scene, the only details we knew came from a crazy-eyed stranger. He said the search was for two teenagers. Needless to say, the helicopter circling around us hadn't helped us much with trying to impress the boys, which had been our main goal.

  I just prayed our shopping trip didn't turn into another embarrassing search and rescue moment for me.

  Grabbing my purse, I pulled out my lip-gloss and applied a shiny fresh coat. Next, I dabbed on some mascara, and then tried not to bite my nails while waiting for Mindy. I checked my reflection once again. This was more nerve racking then any date I could imagine. Why did I let her get me into these messes?