by Rose Pressey
When I glanced up, I saw the man fly toward Mindy and then move right through her. Once he’d passed through her body, he disappeared. She fell back onto the ground. I jumped up and raced over to her.
“Are you okay?” I asked as I helped her up.
Mindy seemed stunned and unable to focus on my face. She didn’t speak and her hands were shaking.
I looped my arm around her. “Come on, let’s go inside and sit down.”
She stared straight ahead without saying a word, but she followed me into the shop.
“Is she okay?” Marilyn asked.
“I think she’ll be fine,” I said. “It probably knocked the wind out of her.”
I helped Mindy over to the stool. “Are you better now?”
She finally looked at me. Her eyes were dark and blank, but then, they changed back to the big brown eyes I’d always known.
She pushed the hair out her eyes with her shaky hand. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Apparently, she’d snapped out of it.
“What happened?” she asked.
I wasn’t sure if I should tell her what really occurred, but I didn’t know how else to explain it.
“It was like the strongest wind I’d ever felt.” She shook her head as if trying to get rid of the thought.
Had she not seen the man? Of course she hadn’t. He was a ghost which meant only I’d seen him. Well, Marilyn and me.
I knew I had to be honest with her. I would want her to do the same with me.
“I think a ghost ran through you.” I rushed the words so maybe it wouldn’t sound so bad.
Her eyes widened. “A ghost?”
I hoped Mindy would still come around me. If she was still my friend after all this, then I knew she’d never stop being my friend.
“Is the ghost still around?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, he’s gone.”
“Good, I hope that never happens again.” She straightened her shirt and brushed off her pants.
“Me too,” I said.
Mindy tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I feel better now. I’ll be fine.”
I stared at her for a moment.
“I promise,” she added.
“So, why did you stop by?” I asked.
“I came by to check on you. After you told me what happened with the books, I was concerned. Looks like you got it all taken care of though.” She peered around the place. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner to help.”
I waved my hand. It was no big deal. “I’m used to putting the books up anyway.”
“Yeah, but not that many all at once.” She picked up one of the books and set it back down again. “Do you think what happened to me is related to the event with the books?”
I wished I could tell her no, but I couldn’t. I nodded. “I think they are related.”
“So, you think it was the same ghost?” Mindy asked.
I studied my shoes for a moment and then finally met her stare. “Yes, I do.”
She sighed and then asked, “Where do you think he came from?”
I glanced at Roger, but he avoided eye contact.
“I’m not sure, but plan on finding out.”
Mindy pushed to her feet and grabbed her purse from the counter. “Well, I’d better get out of here.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked.
She placed the purse strap over her shoulder. “You know I’m tough.”
Sometimes being tough wasn’t enough when these bad spirits were involved.
She walked toward the door. “Call me when you can and let me know what Callahan’s big plans were.”
Something was making me nervous about her leaving. I guess I was worried the ghost would be out there waiting or her. She waved and then stepped out onto the sidewalk. Mindy paused and looked to the left and then to the right. I knew she was searching for the ghost too. After I second, she turned to the left and disappeared from view.
“Let’s get out of here,” Roger said.
I nodded. “Fine. We’ll go to my house.”
“Cool,” he said as he followed me out the door. “I hope the place isn’t a drag.”
Marilyn sat in the front with me and Roger was in the middle of the back seat with his body leaning forward.
“Do you have to be so close?” Marilyn asked.
He leaned back slightly, but not all the way. I was like the mom trying to make the kids behave on the car ride. I felt like saying, “Don’t make me turn this car around.”
Gray clouds formed in the distance as if a warning of things yet to come. I could try to outrun them, but I knew they would eventually catch up. After the short drive, we arrived at my house.
“This is an adorable little place,” Marilyn said as we got out of the car.
I opened the door and motioned or the ghosts to enter first. “Make yourself at him.”
What else could I say? They would make themselves at home whether I invited them to or not. My place was a small old farmhouse. The rooms had been redone, so I was proud of the hard work I’d put into it. Roger plopped down onto my oversized white sofa. If he hadn’t been a ghost, I would have told him to take his sneakers off first. But there was little chance he could get it dirty anyway.
“Hey, can you turn on the TV?” he asked.
I sighed and then grabbed the remote. “What do you want to watch?”
“The guy at the last house watched ESPN a lot. Do you have it?”
I flipped through the channels. I can’t believe I’m turning the television for a ghost.”
“You need to get ready for your date,” Marilyn placed her hands on her hips. “Where’s your makeup?”
“It’s all in my bedroom,” I said and motioned for her to follow me.
Was I really going to get fashion advice from Marilyn Monroe? I stepped into the room and she came behind me. At least Roger was occupied with the TV. This was like a girls’ night.
“What are you wearing?” she asked, scanning my room. My bed sat on the far wall between two windows. On the other side of the room was a fireplace with a comfy chair next to it. A sunny yellow color that reminded me of summer covered the walls. The small bathroom was attached to the room.
“I guess I hadn’t thought about it,” I said.
She motioned toward the closet door. “Well, let’s see what you have.”
I opened the door and Marilyn stepped closer. She was silent for a long time as she peered into the depths of my closet. I took that as a bad sign. I hoped she didn’t look in the back where I had stored the outdated jeans and T-shirts.
“I guess we can come up with something. You want it to be sexy, but leave him wanting more, too,” she said in her sex kitten voice.
She obviously knew more than me about this, so I would do as I was told. She’d made a career out of being a sex symbol, so I knew she knew what she was talking about.
“What about this?” I asked, holding up a yellow dress for her to examine.
She shook her head, blonde curls bouncing with the motion. “Do you have anything in a deep blue? I think that color would look great on you.”
“Oh, I have a dress.” I fished around in the closet and pulled it out. “Here it is.”
She eyed the dress up and down. “That will be good for now. We should go shopping though.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
I figured I should take her advice on fashion and glamour. Soon, I found myself wearing the blue dress that hit just above my knees. It had a full skirt and small straps. I wore black strappy heels with it. Marilyn had helped instruct me with my makeup. Of course, I’d been wearing makeup for years, but I didn’t argue with her. I did feel like I might be a little overdressed. What if Callahan was just taking me to the movies? What if he wanted to go to the local pub? I guess I’d just be overdressed.
Even though I was excited for the date, I couldn’t stop thinking about Mindy. I should have gone with her and made sure she was okay.
/> The doorbell rang and my stomach did a little dance.
“Looks like your date is here,” Marilyn said. “Now, go get him.”
I hurried toward the door. Roger was already standing beside it. How would I convince the two of them to stay at my house while I went out with Callahan?
When I opened the door, Callahan’s eyes widened. “Wow, you look gorgeous. Not that you don’t always look gorgeous.”
His cheeks blushed and he grinned. I knew what he meant.
“Thank you,” I said.
I turned to Roger and Marilyn. “Okay, I’ll be back later.”
Marilyn moved around Callahan and now stood on my front porch. “I’m going with you.”
I wouldn’t even bother arguing with them. I just wanted to have a nice evening. The chatter of ghosts in my ear would be distracting, but I had dealt with it in the past. What was one more time, right?
Chapter 6
We stepped out onto the porch and I locked the door behind us. At least the rain had held off, but I felt the storm brewing in the air.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?” I asked as I walked with Callahan toward his car.
He opened the door for me and I slipped inside. “You’ll see when we get there.”
“I hate surprises,” Marilyn said from the back seat.
Roger was back there already, too.
Callahan got behind the wheel. He paused with his hand on the ignition and studied my face. “Are you okay? It seems like something is bothering you. Is it still what occurred this morning?”
I hadn’t told him about what had happened to Mindy yet. I sighed and then recounted the incident.
“If it’s bothering you that much, then we should go check on her,” Callahan said.
“What about our plans? I don’t want to ruin the evening for you.”
He started engine. “As long as I’m with you nothing’s ruined ever.”
My stomach did a little dance. He always knew what to say.
He pulled out onto the street and headed toward her house. “What kind of things can happen when a spirit travels through you?”
“Their emotions can stay with you for quite a while. In some cases, the spirit actually takes possession of the body and they hang around for a while, waiting for a chance to take over the mind.” I watched him for a reaction.
Callahan flashed me a worried look. “Do you think this happened to Mindy?”
“I think the ghost left, but I suspect she’s still feeling the aftereffects of the spirit.” I leaned my head back against the seat.
“Kind of like a hangover?” he asked.
“Exactly,” I said.
After the short drive, we pulled up to her house. I was relieved to see Mindy’s car parked in her driveway. Callahan and I got out and walked up to the door. A few sprinkles of rain had started to fall. Marilyn and Roger came with us.
“I hope Mindy is okay,” Marilyn said.
“I hope she has the TV on,” Roger said. “I want to catch the last half of the game.”
I knocked on the door and called out, “Mindy, it’s Larue.”
There was a lot of noise on the other side of the door. Callahan and I exchanged a glance.
“What’s going on in there?” Roger asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
I was starting to really worry when she finally answered the door. Mindy stepped out onto the porch giving us a funny look. She had dark circles under her eyes and a blank stare in her eyes. Now I was more worried than ever. The attack really had an effect on her. I hoped it wouldn’t last much longer. Callahan looked at me worriedly. He could tell this wasn’t good.
“Mindy are you okay?” I asked.
At the sound of my voice, she seemed to snap out of it. Her eyes seemed to focus and she acknowledged me.
“Oh, Larue. I’m glad you’re here.”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I can’t shake this feeling. I keep getting angry and I don’t know why.” Mindy rubbed her arms.
She’d barely finished the sentence when the front door slammed shut. The force had made the wreath fall from the hanger. Mindy jumped and moved closer to us. With wide eyes, she reached out and held onto my arm.
“Cool,” Roger said.
This was certainly not cool. I wasn’t liking what was going on.
“How did that happen?” Marilyn asked.
“There’s obviously a ghost in my house,” Mindy said with fear in her voice.
“I don’t think Mindy should be alone until she recovers,” Callahan said.
He was right, she didn’t need to be by herself. As for a ghost in her house, I was about to find out.
Mindy wrapped her arms in front of her waist as if that would somehow make her safe. “I really don’t want to stay here right now.”
I looked to Callahan.
Callahan touched my arm. “Why don’t you all go back to your place, Larue? You can hang out until Mindy feels better.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I have a lot of paperwork to do anyway. We can do this another night.”
I nodded. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m positive.”
“Where were we going, by the way?” I whispered.
“I thought we’d go to that new restaurant in town,” Callahan said.
“Oh, I would have loved that,” I said.
“We’ll go soon. Just let me know when you want to go and we’re there.” Callahan touched my chin with his index finger.
Roger hurried down the steps. “Good, maybe if we hurry home I can catch the last of the game.”
I had news for him, Mindy and I were going to watch a good movie so she could take her mind off things. Maybe have some junk food and drinks, too.
Mindy twisted the doorknob and it opened. “I need to get a couple things.”
“I’ll be right behind you,” I said.
Callahan cradled my head with his hands, leaned down, and softly placed a kiss on my lips. I opened my eyes and looked at him. The warm imprint of his lips lingered on my mouth.
“Now that’s a kiss,” Marilyn said.
“Do you want me to drive you all to your house?” Callahan asked.
“That’s okay. We can take Mindy’s car. Everything will be fine,” I said.
He studied my face for a moment as if he was trying to see if I was being honest. “Call me if you need anything.”
I waved as Callahan climbed into his car and drove away. I walked inside to help Mindy gather her things. She emerged from the bedroom with a big bag packed.
“How long does she think this will take?” Marilyn asked.
I didn’t think it would take that long, but if it made Mindy feel better to bring half of her closet, then that was fine with me. She grabbed her car keys.
“You’re never getting her to leave your house,” Roger said.
I ignored him, and said, “Are you okay? I can drive your car if you want me to.”
She handed me the keys. “Maybe that’s a good idea.”
After Mindy locked the front door, we headed to her car. A few drops of rain still sputtered from the sky as if it was trying to downpour, but couldn’t get started. The wind had picked up making the tree branches sway. The rustling of the leaves sounded like the whisper of voices, only I couldn’t make out the words. I reached out to grab the door handle when suddenly the locks shut.
“Did you do that?” I whispered.
She shook her head. I punched the key fob again.
“Maybe I accidentally hit it,” I said.
I knew that I hadn’t though.
Something was playing tricks with us.
“I don’t think he wants you to leave,” Marilyn said.
“Who?” I looked at her.
She pointed toward Mindy’s house. I peered up, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“Who was it?” I a
sked.
“It was the same man,” she whispered.
Her words sent a chill down my spine. Why was the man here? I thought we’d left him on the sidewalk in front of the bookstore. I didn’t think he’d actually follow Mindy home. I pushed to unlock the doors again, but nothing would happen.
“Maybe it needs a new battery,” Mindy said.
“Do you have the other one?” I asked.
“I think it’s in the kitchen.” She peered back at the house and I knew she didn’t want to go in there alone.
“If you tell me where it is, I can go get it,” I said.
“It’s in the top drawer by the refrigerator.” She pointed.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.” I hurried up the path and to the front door.
I shoved the key in and unlocked the door. I wanted to get the key fob and get out. The house was silent and the sensation of being watched followed me with every step. I could have brushed it off as my imagination, but it was never my imagination. Something or someone was observing me.
When I reached the kitchen, I gasped when I saw that all the cabinet doors and drawers were open. There was no way Mindy had left them like that. What reason would she have to leave them open? I needed to check out the drawers as quickly as possible and then get out of there. One thing was for sure, I had a spirit problem on my hands.
I inched into the kitchen, praying nothing would happen while I was there. The room was a lot bigger than I realized. It seemed like forever before I reached the cabinets. Peering into the opened the drawer by the refrigerator, I spotted the key fob right away. I shoved my hand in to grab it, but the drawer slammed shut. It almost took my hand off.
I whipped around expecting to see the spirit behind me, but there was no one there. After releasing a deep breath, I grabbed the drawer handle and yanked it open again. I’d expected it not to open, but much to my surprise it did. Now, I had to stick my hand in there again. Once I’d shoved my hand in, I grabbed the key fob, and then rushed out of the kitchen back to the front door. Footfalls echoed behind me. I didn’t have time to turn around to see who or what was there.
