“I’m lucky to have met you all,” Sue said. “I’ve never had friends like you.”
Lorna went to her and hugged her around the shoulders. “We’re happy to have met you too, Sue. Whatever comes, we’re here for you. You’re not alone.”
Julia’s words echoed in her mind. “Some things others can’t do for you. Remember that. Inner strength does not come from outside. It can’t be given.”
Sue struggled to keep the tears out of her eyes. She didn’t want to cry. These women were so generous, so giving. She couldn’t ask them to face Hank if he came back. Hank was her demon. Julia had told her she needed to confront him alone.
“Others can’t do for you.”
“Books and coffee.” Vivien smiled, picking up her muffin as she changed the subject back to Sue and Jameson. “That’s actually kind of poetic.”
“I thought so,” Sue agreed. “If I didn’t freak him out, we have a date tonight.”
Suddenly, she frowned.
“What?” Heather asked.
Sue glanced at her suitcase, still unpacked. “I don’t have anything to wear on a date. When my television became possessed, and the remote started hovering in the air, I panicked. I threw some stuff into a suitcase, but it’s like two outfits, twenty pairs of underwear, and that kitten shirt.”
“That’s why God invented stores,” Vivien said. “And friends. You’ll raid our closets. I’m sure we have plenty that will fit you until you can go shopping.”
“That reminds me. It’s laundry day for me,” Lorna said. “We should go home. I need to be back here in a few hours to set up for the matinee.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Okay, I know I’m forty-whatever years old, but I still don’t know what this extra crotch pocket is for.” Heather held up a pair of panties she was folding. They sat in the living room of Old Anderson House doing laundry. Already they’d filled a basket of clothes Sue could borrow, a variety of outfits that looked nothing like her old life but a perfect combination to create something new.
Vivien glanced at Heather and answered with a straight face, “That’s where I stash my vag cash for emergencies. Carrying a purse is so last century.”
Sue covered her mouth as she choked on her surprised laugh.
“It’s called a gusset,” Lorna answered, folding a towel. “It’s to make underwear more comfortable on the lady parts by covering seams or lace. Also, it’s breathable, so you don’t get yeast infections.”
“I kind of hate that you know the real answer,” Vivien made a face at Lorna. She’d spent more time going through the piles looking for clothes for Sue than actually folding them. “I think vagina cash is—”
“That’s horrifying. I’m going to start knocking.” A man held up his hands and slowly backed out of the living room doorway. Windblown brown hair framed a handsome face. His looks made it obvious he and Heather were related.
“William, wait…” Lorna pushed up from the couch and moved to the window. She frowned as she saw his truck leaving the driveway. “He left without me.”
“He’ll drive around the block and be back.” Heather continued folding her clothes. “He thinks he’s funny.”
“We should talk about tampons when he comes back,” Vivien suggested. Suddenly, she stood. “That reminds me, Lorna. I bought you a gift.”
“Tampons reminded you to give me something?” Lorna arched a brow and joked, “Now I’m horrified.”
Vivien opened a couple of boxes before finding what she was looking for. She tossed a small plastic bag at Lorna. “Housewarming gift. You’re welcome.”
Lorna looked at the bag’s logo. “From a truck stop?”
Vivien nodded. “Open it.”
Lorna pulled out a condom-sized packet and read, “French tickler.”
“They were selling them from vending machines in the bathroom,” Vivien answered. “It made me think of you.”
“Gee. You shouldn’t have,” Heather drawled.
“Don’t be jealous. I got you love gel.” Vivien produced another bag and tossed it at Heather. “It’s banana flavored.”
“Eww.” Heather grimaced.
“Sorry, Sue, we hadn’t met when I got these, but next time.” Vivien sat back down.
“That’s okay,” Sue said.
“Now everyone can have a date night tonight with their manfriends.” Vivien reached to Lorna’s pile and took a couple of folded towels. She handed them to Sue. “You’ll need these, too.”
“What do you think it’s like to be a ghost,” Lorna asked. “I mean, Julia is lucid and seems to feel things. Do you think they feel like we feel, or is it just a residual motivational energy type thing? I’m not sure I’d like being like that forever.”
“I would,” Vivien said. “I want to experience everything, even the afterlife. Though, I’d have to be lucid like Julia, not some moaning phantom doing the same thing over and over, trapped in a loop.”
“What would you do as a lucid ghost?” Sue asked. “Help people?”
Vivien laughed. “I like to think that ghost me would take the high road and try to help the living like solving crimes or whatnot, but if I’m honest, I know I’ll mess with people all the time. And maybe haunt the men’s showers at the gym or something fun like that.”
“That’s the second time someone mentioned ghosts and showers. Julia said the same thing. I might never bathe again,” Sue said.
“Try not to think about it,” Lorna advised.
The door opened, and William came back inside. “Is it over?”
Lorna smiled, instantly standing to greet him. “Fair warning, Vivien’s on a roll but don’t leave. I need that ride to work. Let me grab my purse, and then we can go.”
Lorna ran upstairs.
“Hi Willy.” Vivien smiled at him and wiggled her fingers. “How are you?”
“Has Vivien been day drinking again?” William asked Heather. He remained standing as he waited for Lorna to return.
“I’ve only had one glass of red wine last night before bed,” Vivien said. “That’s the perfect amount to get all the benefits with none of the badifits.”
“Badifits?” William arched a brow. “Please tell me you know that’s not a real thing.”
Sue knew William was Heather’s brother, but he and Vivien bickered like siblings.
“Do you want to see the present I got Lorna?” Vivien offered.
“No.” William shook his head in denial. “Definitely not.”
“Hey, you didn’t get a chance to meet Sue, yet, have you?” Heather interrupted. “Sue, this is my brother William. Will, Sue is one of us. She just bought the bookstore downtown.”
His eyes went to the ring on her hand, and he took a deep breath as if seeing it confirmed something for him. “Hi Sue.”
“Nice to meet you,” Sue answered.
“And she’s dating Jameson Lloyd,” Vivien interjected.
“Really?” William nodded. “Jameson’s a good guy. He helped me change a tire on my truck a few months back. I picked up a nail at one of the construction sites.”
“That reminds me.” Heather reached to take a notepad and pen out of her flannel shirt pocket and spoke as she scribbled, “Buy nails.”
“I got a bunch in the truck,” William said. “What kind you need?”
“Masonry,” Heather said.
“Sure, they’re in the toolbox.” William motioned that his sister should follow him. “Take as many as you need.”
“Awesome, that saves me a trip.” Heather joined him, and they went outside.
“What’s this I hear from Butch about one of your genius tenants tapping into a sewer pipe to fill a hot tub?” William asked.
“It wasn’t the sewer,” Heather said before her voice became too far away to hear.
“He seems nice,” Sue said.
“I’ve known William practically our whole lives.” Vivien studied Sue. “Heather meant it when she said you’re one of us.”
Sue didn’t an
swer.
“I felt a twinge like you still think you’re interrupting our lives or an intruder.” Vivien shook her head. “You’re not, you know. There is plenty of room in our lives for one more friend.”
Sue nodded. “Thank you.”
A phone dinged. Vivien sighed and sat back in her chair. She produced her cell phone from beside her hip and began scrolling.
Lorna came downstairs. She looked around the front room and frowned. “Viv, did you chase my ride off again?”
Vivien waved her hand in dismissal. “He’s outside getting nails for Heather.” She started typing on her phone.
Lorna took a deep breath and fanned her face. She moved to look at the thermostat on the wall. “Is anyone else hot? I would have sworn it was ninety degrees in here.”
“I think it’s okay,” Sue answered when Vivien kept reading her phone, frowning.
“Viv?” Lorna asked.
Vivien turned off her screen and looked up. “Fry cook was horsing around last night. He slipped and hit his head. They took him to the emergency room. He’s fine. A couple of stitches. I sent a group text to all of the managers for a mandatory safety meeting again.”
“I’m glad to hear he’s not seriously hurt,” Lorna said. “Let me know if that changes. We can take a trip wherever he is and help.”
“I think he’s wearing the stitches as a badge of honor,” Vivien said. “The manager told me the others gave him the nickname Slippy. He’s been asking for the security tapes so he can put the video on social media.”
“Ah, teenagers,” Lorna chuckled. “Gotta love ‘em.”
“What were you asking?” Vivien turned her full attention to Lorna.
“Oh, I was just saying I thought it was hot in here.” Lorna lifted her arms and fanned her armpits for effect. “I’m on my period and sweating under my boobs.”
“I really need to start knocking before I walk in here,” William said from the doorway with a rueful shake of his head. “Ready, my love?”
“Coming.” Lorna moved to follow him. Before she left, she said to Vivien, “Hot flashes suck ass. Fuck growing old empowerment. We were wrong.” As she walked through the door, she cried playfully, “Retreat, retreat, retreat!”
“You’re wrong. We’re awesome, beautiful, strong creatures,” Vivien yelled after her. “Don’t you forget it.”
“Look who I found,” Heather said, coming back inside.
Sue had met January briefly when Martin stopped by the theater to drop her off. The ten-year-old girl looked a lot like her father. It wasn’t just her dark hair and eyes, but the way she carried herself. She wore a long-sleeve t-shirt and cargo pants that had tiny splatters of white paint on them like she’d been working on a construction site. She carried a backpack.
“Hey there, Jan,” Vivien said. “Are you hanging out with us today?”
The girl nodded. “Heather, can I read in the tower?”
“Sure,” Heather said. “Say hi to Sue first.”
“Hey, Sue.” Jan frowned.
“Hi January,” Sue answered, smiling. “What’s the tower?”
Jan shrugged and edged away from her.
“Cupola,” Vivien answered. “That small thing on the top of the house. It served as a lookout toward the ocean.”
Jan tugged at Heather’s hand and whispered none too softly, “Whose that angry guy with her? He looks mean.”
Sue shot up from her chair and spun around. Her heart leaped in her chest, and she found it hard to breathe. She didn’t see or smell anything.
“It’s nothing. We’re taking care of it. Head on up,” Heather urged the girl.
“Can I help with the exorcism?” Jan asked.
“Not with this one,” Heather said. “Maybe next time. Go on.”
January ran up the stairs two at a time.
Vivien had also stood. “Heather?”
“I don’t see anything.” Heather frowned.
“I should go,” Sue said. “It’s not safe for me to be here.”
“Nonsense,” Vivien denied.
Sue glanced toward the ceiling. “Not with Jan here.”
Vivien nodded. “Grab the clothes. We’ll go to the theater.”
“I’ll call Martin and have him come back to pick her up,” Heather said.
“Nonsense,” Vivien denied. “You can’t see him, and if we’re not allowed to séance him, there is nothing we can do but wait. That girl needs your steady presence. Besides, if Hank is popping in unannounced and unnoticed, we need you to start applying any protection measures you can think of to keep danger out of this place. Smudge the whole damn house until smoke is rolling out of the windows, and it looks like it’s on fire if you have to.”
“Call me if you need me,” Heather said.
“We will.” Vivien helped Sue carry the clothes to the car. “I know you’re worried, but I promise, we’ll figure this out.”
They kept saying that, but Sue wasn’t so sure they would figure it out. None of them had realized Hank had been in the room with them. Was he beside her even now? She glanced back at the house to see January watching her from a third-story window. Sue tried to smile at the girl in reassurance. Seeing ghosts at that age couldn’t be easy. The child’s worried expression didn’t change.
“Let’s go,” Vivien said, slamming her trunk shut.
Sue jumped at the sound and hurried to get in the car.
Chapter Fourteen
“I don’t want to hear any excuses. That is fear talking. You’re going on this date tonight.” Vivien held up two dress choices—a red and a black. “You can’t live your life in fear of what Hank’s ghost is going to do.”
Sue shook her head, not moving from her place on the bed. Her wet hair hung around her face. She’d taken a shower, which was a nerve-racking feat considering she kept imagining perverted spirits watching her. Now she sat wrapped in a towel, watching Vivien pick out an outfit for her date.
“Hank is an abuser. He’s selfish, narcissistic, and only cares about himself. That is what those types are like. In his mind, if he can’t have you, no one can.” Vivien dropped the red dress and tried to hand Sue the black one. “He wants you scared and hiding. He doesn’t want you out there having fun and living your life. This is your chance to kick him in the cosmic balls and tell him to go fuck himself all the way to hell.”
“Jan said he was angry. I know what he’s like when he’s angry. There is no reasoning with him. What if he tries to hurt Jameson?” Sue hadn’t thought things through when she’d slept with Jameson. What if Hank saw? What if he knew? “What if he hurts you, or Lorna, or Heather? I can’t live with that. I have been thinking, and maybe it’s best I go back to St. Louis by myself.”
Vivien dropped the hand holding the dress. The slinky black material bunched on the bed. “Try it.”
“What?” Sue asked in surprise at her tone.
“I said try it.” Vivien pursed her lips together and arched a brow.
Sue lowered her gaze.
“You are our friend, Sue. You might not believe that yet or understand that true friends are always there for each other no matter what, but we’re not going anywhere. You can go back to St. Louis, but you’re delusional if you think I won’t jump into the car and follow you there.” She again held up the dress. “I think you should wear this one.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. “No one has ever fought for me before.”
“Tell me this. If a demon was going after Lorna, or a spirit convinced Jan to burn down Heather’s house, or my first husband kept trying to lure me to my death in the ocean, would you just step back and let it happen? Or would you do all you could to help?”
“That’s a silly question,” Sue said. “Of course, I’d help.”
“There you go.” Vivien took the black dress off the hanger and tossed it at Sue. “So you do get it. We’re friends. That’s what friends do.”
Sue sighed and pulled the dress off her head. She couldn’t argue with Vivien’s logic
. Vivien turned her back so Sue could get dressed.
Sue stood by the bed and dropped the towel. “Julia mentioned a demon crossing over with Lorna’s husband. Is that what happened?”
“It was our first séance. We made a mistake. Don’t worry, we vanquished it,” Vivien answered.
Sue slipped the dress over her head. “And the fire?”
“Heather’s son wanted her to move on. He was ten when he died. Let’s just say he and Jan, in all their ten-year-old wisdom, decided if they burned down the house, then Heather would have to literally move on.”
“That’s so sad,” Sue said. “I feel that pain in her when we touch.”
“Things like that can never completely heal,” Vivien said. “It’s a part of her now. She’s doing better, though, now that she had a chance to say goodbye to him.”
“And you? Your first husband tried to drown you in the ocean?”
Vivien glanced over her shoulder. Seeing Sue had the dress on, she twirled her finger to indicate Sue should turn around. When she did, Vivien reached for the zipper.
“Not on purpose. Sam was trying to lead me to a bottle that he had buried in the sand. The most direct route was through the water to the beach across the way from my old house.” Vivien zipped the dress and turned Sue by her shoulders. She gave an approving nod. “I knew that dress would look great on you, better than it looks on me. You should keep it.”
Sue moved toward the bathroom to look in a mirror. The gown hugged her body with the skirt flaring around her hips to create a nice flow when she walked. The neckline plunged between her breasts, teasing without revealing too much.
“It’s beautiful, thank you,” Sue said.
“You make the dress.” Vivien went back to the clothing bags she’d brought in. “I have some shoes for you to try in here somewhere.”
Sue’s phone started to vibrate on the counter. Vivien went to check it for her. “Kathy.”
“Hank’s mother. Don’t answer,” Sue said.
Vivien silenced the call. She began snooping through Sue’s phone. “This woman has called you thirty-six times, left twenty-three voice mails, and,” Vivien pushed at the screen, “she’s been rage messaging.”
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