Lena (Gypsy Spirits Book 3)

by Marianne Spitzer

  “That’s a nice idea. He must need one.”

  Maureen jumped to her feet when she saw Sam and Annamarie enter the waiting room.

  “What are you doing here, you witch. You did this to George.”

  “Are you crazy, Maureen? I was nowhere near your house today.”

  Maureen marched right up to Annamarie and whispered, “George told me you did this and you’re a witch. I’m going to ruin you in this town.”

  Annamarie whispered back, “Do you remember when you had the black spot on your brain? If you believe I’m a witch, wait until you see what happens next. I’ll see to it that your brain melts slowly and painfully. You’ll wish you only had the black spot.”

  Maureen backed away from Annamarie and cried, “Help me. She’s going to melt my brain. She’s a witch.” She ran to the nurse’s desk, reached across the desk, and grabbed a nurse by her uniform. “Save me, please.”

  Two orderlies rushed out, helped Maureen into a wheelchair, and rolled her into the E.R. exam area. She kept screaming about being cursed.

  Annamarie overheard two nurses say that George’s problems were most likely caused by Maureen. “So much for Maureen making me sound crazy,” Annamarie mumbled.

  She walked back to Sam and Lena. Annamarie shrugged. “I have no idea what her problem is.”

  Sam said, “It might be a good idea if we went home. I’m already late for work and I doubt if George or Maureen wants to speak to any of us.”

  Lena shook her head, “Why would Daniel do this to his own parents? How can he be so cruel? I can’t believe he’s my father.” She turned to Sam. “I’m glad you’re my Dad now.” She threw her arms around him.

  Annamarie dropped Sam at work and she and Lena headed home. Lena was very quiet which was unusual. Annamarie glanced at her daughter. Lena was staring out the car window.

  “Is something troubling you, sweetie?”

  “Mom, no matter how this turns out, it’s going to be bad. Either grandma is going to convince people you’re evil or they’ll think she’s crazy.”

  “I don’t think it’ll get that bad. Maureen had a medical condition when you were a toddler. People chalked up her odd behavior as a medical issue. They’ll do the same now.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  The answering machine light was blinking when they arrived home. Annamarie listened to the message from the doctor at the hospital. She leaned against the wall and groaned. She picked up the phone and returned his call.

  “No doctor, I only spoke to Maureen for a moment inquiring about George’s health. I’m not sure where she would get that idea. How can anyone melt a brain? She did have a spot on her brain about thirteen years ago. I hope it hasn’t returned. At that time she also thought I cursed her. Of course, call anytime. I want to help Maureen get better, if I can.”

  She dropped the phone back in its cradle and turned to see Lena staring at her.

  “Grandma Maureen is still telling people you’re going to melt her brain.”

  Annamarie nodded. “I think the scare over George’s sudden illness has taxed Maureen to her limits. If she keeps this up, she could end up in the psyche ward.” Annamarie bit her tongue to keep from laughing. Maureen in the psychiatric ward was the perfect solution. She knew Maureen would make trouble and Daniel would add to it. Having Maureen out of the way for a while would work out well.

  Maureen screamed and cried while the orderlies tried to get her to lie down on a gurney. She fought hard swinging her fists at them. Connecting with the shorter man, his nose began to bleed. Before they could lift her, a nurse walked up behind then and injected Maureen with a strong sedative. She crumbled in the wheelchair. They placed her in a bed in one of the E.R. exam rooms and used restraints to keep her from becoming violent again when she woke.

  “Damn, who’d think a little middle aged lady could be so strong?” The orderly mumbled holding a cloth to his nose.

  “Must be the adrenaline. She was terrified some woman in the waiting room was a witch and put a curse on her.”

  “If anyone was cursed, it was me. I think my nose is broken. I’m going to ask the doc.” He left the room. The second orderly followed him leaving the door open. He was sure the crazy woman would make a scene when she woke.

  The doctor checked Maureen’s vitals and decided sleeping off the sedative in restraints was best. He walked to George’s room.

  “Hi, George, how are you feeling?”

  “A lot better. My stomach is still queasy, but my chest doesn’t hurt.”

  “Good. The good news is you didn’t have a heart attack. You may have an ulcer. You said you are under a lot of stress at work. You need to take it easy. I think you felt some pain, thought it was your heart, and had a panic attack. They happen to men, too. I’ll give you a prescription for a mild tranquilizer and want you to use antacids. You’ll see a specialist for an upper G.I x-ray and if you have an ulcer, he’ll treat you. The nurse will give you his card and you can call for an appointment.”

  “Okay, thanks doctor. Do you know why Maureen hasn’t been in here to see me?”

  “Do you remember what happened at home this morning?” The doctor asked as he wrote in George’s chart.

  “Not much. I felt sick, my chest tightened, asked Maureen for help, and falling. Then I woke up when the EMTs were there. Why?” George tried to sit up in bed.

  “Did you tell Maureen you thought Annamarie was responsible for your attack and she was a witch?”

  “What? That’s insane. Oh my God, did Maureen tell you I said that?”

  “Yes, she also had a breakdown in the waiting room after speaking to Annamarie. She was screaming and fighting my orderlies. Gave one a bloody nose. She thinks Annamarie cursed her.”

  “This happened quite a few years ago. She had an odd spot on her brain.”

  The doctor glancing at Maureen’s chart said, “It may be back. Something triggered this. Right now she’s sedated and in restraints. Don’t worry, she’s fine and you can see her. The restraints are to keep her from hurting herself or one of our staff until she settles down. We’re going to do a CT scan on her brain to see if the spot returned. The nurse will be in to give you a pill for your stomach and then she’ll take you to Maureen’s room.”

  George dressed, swallowed the pill brought to him, signed his release papers, and rushed to Maureen’s room. He sat by her and held her hand. He spoke quietly, “When you’re better and out of here, we’re going on that vacation we talked about. A month in the Caribbean away from the stresses and memories of Timmus Woods will help us both. Please get better.” He dropped his head on her bed and fought the anxiety he felt building. His hands trembled as he held hers.

  A nurse walked in. “Mr. Logan, the doctor thought this mild tranquilizer might help you right now until your prescription is filled.” George nodded gratefully and swallowed the pill. He laid his head back on Maureen’s bed and felt calmer as the pill took effect.

  George’s neck began to feel the strain of resting his head on Maureen’s bed. He stood and walked to the recliner and sat. He drifted off to sleep. Approximately six hours later he was woken by Maureen’s panicked voice.

  “George, George, help me, I can’t move.” Maureen was struggling against the restraints.

  He was at her side in a minute. He rang for the nurse. “Calm down, Maureen. I’m sure the nurse will take off the restraints as soon as you are calm.”

  Tears ran down Maureen’s face. “Annamarie’s going to kill us. She’s a witch.”

  “Quiet, Maureen. When you’re better we’ll leave town for a long vacation. You’ll feel more relaxed, but we can’t go if they put you in the psychiatric ward.”

  The nurse and doctor came in. “Well, Maureen, how are you feeling?”

  “Much better, I haven’t had one of those migraines in years,” Maureen lied.

  “You think you had a migraine?”

  “Yes, I used to get them after Daniel died. It was very hard on me and I b
lamed poor Annamarie. My business is growing since the neighboring area has grown and there are so many homes on the market. I thought I could sell them myself, I need an assistant. I should’ve listened to George. When George collapsed this morning I felt the migraine hit, but I ignored it to take care of George.”

  “Okay, then why did you get upset with Annamarie and fight my orderlies?”

  “I’m sorry, I’m not sure. When I used to get them I was at odds with Annamarie. Could it have been a flashback of some sort? They never did find out why the black spot and migraines began.”

  As the doctor removed the restraints, he said, “I’m not sure. Anything is possible. After the CT scan we’ll know more. If it comes back clear, we’ll release you. If we see anything, we’ll discuss it. They’ll be in soon to take you for the scan.”

  Maureen stared at the ceiling. She knew Annamarie could harm them. George told her he agreed, he just forgot. Would she really melt her brain, she did cause the black spot. Maureen decided if the CT scan came back fine she was leaving on that vacation as soon as possible. She’d have George call Lena to tell her they were leaving. Annamarie would find out and leave them alone. She took a deep breath and sighed.

  “Are you alright, dear?”

  “Yes, just relaxing.” She looked at the door and saw a young woman enter.

  “Hi, Mrs. Logan. I’m going to take you for your scan. Mr. Logan, you can wait here.”

  George nodded.

  An hour later, Maureen was rolled back into her room. She smiled at George. He was relieved to see her and her smile.

  “Are you okay? Was the test difficult?”

  “No, it was interesting. It was a large round machine. They slid my head into it and it moved back and forth. They told me to hold my breath and it took pictures. They told me it takes x-rays in tiny strips so they can see more of my brain. New technology is remarkable. I hope we know soon.”

  As they were discussing Maureen’s experience, the doctor arrived. “The radiologist couldn’t see anything negative. We agree it must have been a very bad migraine. I’m going to give you a prescription and I want you to relax.”

  “We’re going on vacation right away,” Maureen smiled.

  “Good idea. If you have any problems, go to a local hospital and they can contact me,” the doctor jotted more notes in her chart. “The nurse will be here with instructions and the prescription. Relax on your vacation. You both need it.” He smiled and left the room.

  The nurse came in with the paperwork, Maureen dressed, and they left.

  Less than two hours later Maureen and George were packed and driving down Prairie Road away from Timmus Woods. Both felt relaxed to be leaving their stress and health issues behind them.

  Lena walked outside to talk to her mom. Annamarie was watering flowers. “Mom, Grandpa Logan called me. He and grandma are leaving town on a vacation right away. He’s not sure when they’ll be back.”

  “They must feel a vacation is needed after his health scare this morning. I hope it helps them,” Annamarie said and she thought maybe Maureen believed her. She smiled to herself.

  “Damn,” mumbled Daniel. “My parents are leaving town on an extended vacation. My mom sure won’t cause Annamarie any problems while they’re gone. She must have scared my mom more than I did. My mom doesn’t back down easily.”

  “We’ll find a way to get to her. We can possess almost anyone. Maybe you can scare Annamarie into having a breakdown. If they have her locked up full of drugs she won’t be able to fight you.”

  “You have a point there. We need to plan this carefully.”

  “Hey, let’s possess more bodies. I would like to eat a lot of food.”

  “Shut up, Garret, all in good time.”

  Chapter Seven

  Sam walked in the back door. He grabbed Annamarie and swung her around. “So how was your day, gorgeous wife?”

  “Interesting to say the least.” Annamarie told Sam about George and Maureen.

  “What the heck do you think went on?”

  “It was Daniel, hi Dad, welcome home,” Lena said entering the room.

  “Daniel, how?”

  Sam sat wide eyed as he listened while Annamarie and Lena explained their day.

  “At least they’re out of town. We have enough to deal with. Maureen and George would add to the disaster I’m sure Daniel’s planning. We can worry about that later. What’s for supper?”

  Annamarie began to answer when the phone rang. “I’ll get it,” yelled Lena. She rushed back into the kitchen and said, “It was Uncle Carl. The twins just blurted out that Daniel and Garret are going to scare people as ghosts.”

  “What? Can they do that?” Annamarie dropped into a chair.

  “I’m not sure, but they must be up to something. The girls feel it, but I don’t. The twins and I have the same powers, but together they can see the future clearer than I can.”

  Sam said, “There must be something to it. I’m sure Carl will warn Bonnie and your parents. I’m worried about the rest of the town. They don’t know what’s going on. I’ll see if I can call Steve. He needs to know and at least I can warn Deb when I call.”

  Annamarie looked at Lena, “This is insane. Can they become ghosts to scare people? What good would that do?”

  “Grandma and grandpa left town. Daniel counted on them to trash your name. He’s going to blame you somehow for this.”

  “For what?”

  “Oh no, Mom. I can feel Daniel’s thoughts. He and Garret are going to possess dead bodies and scare the town. Remember that zombie movie we watched at the drive in? They’ll scare people then possess someone important who will blame you somehow. They don’t have that figured out yet.”

  Sam stood in the doorway listening to Lena. “How do we stop them?”

  “I don’t know, Dad. There’s a battle coming. They have to lose it, but I don’t know when it will be.”

  “I’ve got it,” said Daniel.

  “What,” Garret asked eagerly.

  “We’ll scare the town. We’ll possess some dead bodies and walk around town. Can you imagine the panic?”

  “We can start with Mrs. Graysbe. She’ll tell the entire town.”

  “Great idea, then I’ll possess the mayor and you can possess the head writer at the paper. Together we’ll blame this on Annamarie. People will believe she’s dabbled in witchcraft and it’s gotten out of hand. The witch in Krystaqua taught us enough to know how to make her look guilty.”

  The sun set and Daniel and Garret flew off to the local hospital.

  “I hope there is a body in the morgue.”

  “Even if there is, how do we get it out?”

  “Walk.” Daniel laughed.

  They arrived at the morgue as an elderly man was placed in the refrigerated cubicle.

  Daniel quickly possessed the orderly so he could open the cubicle and check on the corpse. He hoped it was one he could use.

  “We’re in luck, Garret. It’s Mr. Rondell. He lives across the street from Mrs. Graysbe. Get in his body. I’ll find you some clothes.”

  Daniel, in the orderly’s body, left the room and headed for a storage room. He found hospital scrubs that would fit Mr. Rondell’s body. Garret dressed and they left the hospital. Daniel found car keys in the pocket and found the orderly’s car. He drove to within a few short blocks of Mrs. Graysbe’s house and parked. Once Garret was walking on his own, Daniel left the body in the car and joined him. The groggy orderly woke and was confused as to how he had gotten there.

  Daniel’s spirit clung to Garret as he pressed Mrs. Graysbe’s doorbell. When she answered, Mr. Rondell’s body said, “Hi, I came back to get you.”

  Mrs. Graysbe screamed and slammed her door. She was on the phone to the sheriff’s office before Garret left the body and flew to a nearby tree to watch what would happen next.

  Greta, still working part-time for the sheriff’s office answered, “Sheriff’s Office.”

  “Help me; help me; Mr. Rondel
l’s dead body is on my porch. He said he’s here to get me. I don’t want to go with him. He’s dead. I don’t want to die. Please help.” Greta could hear her begin to sob.

  Greta ignored the intercom and yelled, “Sheriff, something bad at Mrs. Graysbe’s. She thinks Mr. Rondell’s body has come to get her.”

  “Oh Lord,” mumbled Sheriff Richardson as he placed his hat on his head and rushed out the door to his cruiser. “I thought that woman had settled down.”

  Greta called for Steve on his Jeep’s radio. “Meet the sheriff at Mrs. Graysbe’s. Dead body walking around.”

  Steve didn’t even ask Greta for details, he responded to her call and headed toward Mrs. Graysbe’s. Before he could get there he saw an orderly from the hospital staggering in the road flagging him down.

  “Help me; I don’t know how I got here.”

  Steve listened to his story, helped him back into his car, called Greta to send the ambulance to that location and rushed to Mrs. Graysbe’s.

  Sheriff Richardson arrived first, but before he could get to the front door, he saw Mr. Rondell’s body lying on Mrs. Graysbe’s front porch.

  “What the hell?” He rang the bell.

  Mrs. Graysbe’s face showed relief when she saw the sheriff. Her eyes bulged and she screamed when she saw Mr. Rondell was still on the porch and slammed the door. Steve rolled up at the same time.

  Daniel and Garret’s spirits were watching the incident unfold and were laughing as hard as they could. Daniel whispered, “This is better than I expected.”

  Steve raced up to the porch, “What’s up sheriff?”

  “I don’t have any idea. Someone stole Mr. Rondell’s body. Mrs. Graysbe said he rang the bell and said he came for her. He’s dead, he can’t talk. I don’t even know how he got here.”

  Steve said, “I found a confused orderly on the street two blocks from here. He said he didn’t know how he got here. Greta’s sending an ambulance. I hear the siren.”