by Megan Atwood
Even from the picnic table, Jinx could see that the driver looked like Todd. Only a pale and skinny Todd. The driver had dark circles under his eyes, and his fingers drummed on the steering wheel, a steady, frantic beat.
Todd’s face darkened. “Just a minute. I’ll be right back.” He jogged to the car and leaned his head through the window.
Jackson and Jinx looked at each other. “Is that his brother or something?” Jinx asked.
Jackson shrugged. “It looks like it, doesn’t it?”
Jinx let out a long, slow whistle. “I bet that dude is strung out.”
Jackson laughed. “And how would you know what that looks like?”
“I’ve seen CSI!”
Todd came jogging back to the table, and Jinx and Jackson stopped talking immediately. He sat down with a thump, and his eyes remained dark.
“That was my brother,” Todd mumbled. “He needed to borrow some money.” Under his breath he whispered, “Again.”
Jinx tilted her head knowingly at Jackson.
“I was just about to say,” Todd continued, “that all the stuff in the bar started happening when my brother moved back in and started helping out again. He’s twenty, so he’d had his own place for a while, but he had to come live with my parents because of money.” His voice drifted off, and he stared into space.
If Jinx didn’t watch it, she’d start feeling bad for him. He looked genuinely lost.
“What sorts of things started happening?”
Todd ran a hand through his hair. Jinx pictured running her own hand through his hair, but stopped herself mid-thought. This was business. With a Neanderthal.
He went on, “Well, it didn’t happen right away. But pretty close to when he came back. Anyway, about two weeks ago when Devon—that’s my brother—and I were closing up the bar, things just started...moving.”
Jinx’s eyebrows rose. “Moving how?”
“The glasses on the bar started shaking. At first I thought it was an earthquake, because they were all knocking against each other like the floor was shaking. The liquor bottles started shaking, too.”
“How do you know it wasn’t just some heavy machinery outside or something like that?” Jinx asked
Todd shook his head. “It was two thirty a.m., after the last bar patron had left. And also, the next thing that happened convinced me...” His eyes went dark again.
Jackson leaned forward, and Jinx could feel the whole picnic table shift with him. “What happened?”
“Three glasses came shooting off the bar and crashed into the wall behind us,” Todd said. “That’s when me and Devon took off. We ran out into the street and just stared at the bar. There wasn’t one other person in sight. It couldn’t have been anything except...well, you know.”
Jinx twisted her lip. That did sound pretty convincing. But so had Emily’s story, and she had been lying to them. Still, Todd looked completely sincere—just the right amount of upset.
“Were there any other unusual things that happened before that? Any events leading up to it? Or, in years past, have things happened that seemed...paranormal?” Jinx had a hard time not adding, “Please.” She wanted her research to pan out.
Todd squirmed at the table. “Well, my parents have always said the place was haunted.” He ran his hand through his hair again. “In fact, they both talk to the ghosts. Have ever since they bought it in the eighties. They say it keeps the spirits happy and not in haunting mode. And anyway, our ghost is supposed to be, well...really nice. Everyone in the neighborhood knows about him. Our ghost, that is.” He smiled sheepishly, and Jinx tried really hard not to smile back.
She twisted her lip again. “OK, so it started when your brother came...do your parents know that things have been escalating?”
Todd nodded vigorously. “Oh yeah. Everyone knows. We’re losing some of our regulars because of this. Like this one guy, Pete, was taking a”—he looked at Jinx and then corrected himself—“going to the bathroom, and all the faucets turned on at once. But worse...one of the toilets shot water straight up in the air. It scared the crap out of Pete. And it’s totally not like the stuff that normally happens. ”
Jinx looked at Jackson in surprise and saw that his eyebrows were raised too. “Wait. Your ghost is normally friends with everyone?” Jackson asked. A small smile dangled on his lips, and Jinx could tell he was trying to hide it.
“Yeah. He’s always been a nice ghost. My dad says his name is John. Normally, he’s just mischievous. Like, he’ll move your car keys from one place to another, and my dad swears he can hear him giggling about it.” He smiled shyly at Jackson and Jinx. “I know it sounds crazy...But anyway, we just don’t understand why all of a sudden things have gotten bad.”
Jinx said, trying hard not to sound too friendly, “Are you sure this Pete guy wasn’t making this up? Was he super drunk?”
Todd’s face turned somber. “No way. Pete barely ever drinks. He’s good friends with my parents and comes in to talk my dad up while he’s at the bar. He normally orders club soda. And anyway, he’s not the only one who has noticed the change. My cousin Michael is our busboy. He quit because he won’t go down to the basement anymore to get supplies. Every time he goes down there, something flies at him. He’s had about six black eyes. He was never afraid of the ghost before, because there was nothing to be afraid of. Now it’s just downright dangerous.”
Jinx asked, “Are you sure it’s not another ghost? A different entity, maybe?”
Todd shook his head. “No, the patrons and my parents say they can hear John’s laugh. I haven’t heard it yet, but they have. They say it’s him, all right, but a really mean version of him. None of us understands what’s going on.”
Jinx thought hard for a second. This could be an amazing case. She twisted her lip and stayed quiet. Then she made a decision. A decision that had nothing to do with Todd’s long eyelashes and tousled hair.
“We’ll do it.”
Jackson cleared his throat, annoyed.
“What?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Nothing. Just maybe you should ask the entire team before you make final decisions.”
“OK, OK. Team—what do you think?”
Jackson turned toward Todd, grinning. “We’ll do it.”
J
inx walked to her next class in a daze, working out the logistics of the next few days. After chatting with Todd some more, the three of them had decided that the upcoming Friday would be the night that Jackson and Jinx would spend at the bar. Jinx had to think of another “friend’s” house to stay overnight at for her parents. Last time, they had been so happy to learn that Jinx had a friend besides Jackson, they didn’t ask her any questions. They’d even dropped her off at the apartment building. This time would be trickier. She doubted even her laid-back dad would agree to her spending all night in a pub.
She headed into her English class and sat behind Haley, the school’s most popular cheerleader—and Jinx’s worst enemy. Haley used to invite Jackson to parties all the time in middle school, sometimes right in front of her. She’d never asked Jinx, even when Jinx was standing right there.
Jinx flopped into her seat, accidentally bumping into Haley’s desk. Haley turned around and shot her a dirty look. Jinx stared back and knocked the desk forward again. Haley turned to the front with a huff, and Jinx smiled to herself. Score one for the weird girl, she thought.
Haley turned to the girl sitting across from her, another cheerleader. “Maddie, I think that new cheer we made for Todd is totally gonna help him.”
Maddie nodded, and Jinx tried to tune them out. Everything about their voices made her cringe. She scowled to herself and started to make a list of things they’d need for the overnight. Jinx’s stomach butterflied as she thought of spending the night at Todd’s tavern. He had seemed nice, and he didn’t once seem like he thought she was crazy or awful. Or worse, boring. He’d definitely been into the conversation. Jinx’s mind drifted off into a daydream. One with g
hosts and her ghost-hunting equipment and maybe, just maybe, Todd’s lips...
Fingers snapped in front of her face. Startled, she sat up and dropped her pencil. She expected it to be her English teacher, Ms. Owen, who was tough about daydreaming in class. Instead, she looked into the big blue eyes of Haley.
“Hellooo?” Haley said. “That must have been some fantasy.” She looked over at Maddie, and the two giggled.
“Never. Snap. Your. Fingers. At. Me. Again,” Jinx said through clenched teeth.
Haley’s eyes grew wide in mock alarm. “Whoa, you’re so scary.” She snickered at Maddie again. “I forgot your name, and I need to ask you a question. But you were way off in dreamland.”
Jinx couldn’t believe it. She’d forgotten her name? She’d even forgotten her new name? Leave it to Haley to be that oblivious to everyone but herself.
“Well, if the question is ‘do I look fat in this outfit?’ the answer is yes.” Jinx knew exactly where to hit Haley. And if Haley didn’t remember who she was, well...there was nothing she could fire back with.
Sure enough, Haley’s face hardened. It was her turn to clench her teeth. She spit out at her, “Were you sitting with Jackson and Todd at a picnic table fourth period?”
Jinx leaned in. “What’s it to you?”
“Because, I wanted to know if he is starting on Friday. But that was dumb of me. I don’t know why he’d tell you anything. He probably hit his head during practice and thought you were his mom or something.”
Haley glanced down at the paper Jinx was writing on. Jinx had written an equipment list with supplies like a toothbrush and sleeping bag. She had also written Todd in the upper right-hand corner, surrounded by a 3-D box. Jinx didn’t even remember writing that.
“What. Is. This,” Haley said. “Ohhh my god, what are you writing, you freak?”
Jinx smiled. “Oh, nothing. Just a list of things I need when I spend the night at Todd’s parents’ bar this Friday. After the game, of course.” Jinx couldn’t help it—she decided to dig in further. “Oh, and he is starting.” She had no idea, but it was a fifty-fifty shot anyway.
Jinx knew Todd and Haley had dated a while ago. And while Jinx had told Jackson she couldn’t care less about school gossip, the truth was, she loved it. So she also knew that Todd had broken up with Haley, but everyone thought Haley still had a thing for him.
Another reason to help Todd. The boy had good taste. Or could at least fix his mistakes.
Haley’s eyes widened, and she flipped around in her seat. Even Haley’s pet, Maddie, had nothing to say to that. Jinx gave herself a mental pat on the back. Now let’s see if you forget me, she thought.
As Ms. Owen swept into the room, Jinx felt a wave of regret wash over her. Not because of Haley, but because of Todd. It wasn’t very professional to break confidentiality. And although she’d never promised to keep the haunting a secret, it was bad form to use his situation to her advantage.
Her heart sank. Maybe Haley wouldn’t forget who Jinx was again, but she might also be harming her chances for a heavier caseload. If people thought she was a blabbermouth, who would come to her for an investigation? And then, of course, there was the idea that she might have hurt Todd, a thought Jinx tried hard not to dwell on.
Ms. Owen began speaking in front of her class. “All right, today we start a new unit. Plays. Anyone heard of Death of a Salesman?”
Jinx wondered if the play had the death of a love life in it, too.
T
he pass went wide yet again. Jackson did everything he could to catch it, even though it was just a drill. He just didn’t want Todd to get yelled at again. The quarterback was definitely off his game.
The whole team was mad at Todd. They had a big game on Friday, and no one knew whether or not Coach would start Todd. He was their best player, but he couldn’t seem to get it together.
After practice, Todd didn’t look up at anyone as they walked to the locker room. The team was unusually quiet. Normally it was like a small army walking in. Now, it moved inside like a funeral procession. As the players passed the office, Coach motioned to Todd. Todd hung his head and went into the office like a man on death row. Jackson pretended to get a drink of water near the office to try to hear what Coach was saying. Things like:
“Todd, what the heck is going on out there?”
Jackson didn’t hear a reply. Two of his teammates walked by, so he pretended to tie a shoe by the door.
The coach went on, “My ninety-year-old grandma plays better football than you did today. Every pass went wide, and you missed six snaps. Where’s your head? We play East tomorrow, and we need you on board.”
Todd still didn’t say anything. Jackson gave up all pretense and stood near the door, his ear pressed against the wood.
The coach’s voice took on a different tone. A concerned tone. “Listen, Todd, the recruiter from State will be here next Friday. If you want to get that scholarship, you have to ramp up your performance. After this past coupla weeks, I gotta say, son, I’m worried. Is everything OK?”
The office grew quiet. Then Jackson heard Todd say, “Things are a little messed up for me right now. But I think I’ve figured out how to make it better.”
Jackson heard the coach sigh. “Well, I’ll start you tomorrow, Todd, but if it’s like practice today, I’m putting Jackson in. Got it? And if it stays like this, Jackson starts next Friday, too. Even if he is a sophomore. We need some consistency. Get your head on straight and come ready to play tomorrow. Show us what you’ve got.”
The door handle turned, and Jackson jumped away. He hadn’t expected the conversation to end so soon.
He ducked around the corner just in time to watch Todd come out of the office. Jackson felt like a sneak. He was truly concerned about Todd, though—even though Jackson would have loved to start, he knew the team needed its regular QB. And more than ever, Todd needed the team.
As Todd passed Jackson, he didn’t even turn his head. Still, Jackson could see that his eyes were wet and red.
Todd went to his locker and started taking off his pads. One by one, members of the team left the row of lockers, stealing glances at Todd but not saying anything. Soon it was just Jackson and Todd left.
Showered and dressed, Jackson went up to Todd.
“Listen, I heard what Coach said. And we need you, dude. Jinx and I are going to make this right, I promise.” Jackson set his jaw. He meant every word.
Todd looked up at him, tears threatening at the corners of his eyes. “That’s good, man. Because I don’t think I can take much more of this.” He cleared his throat. “I need that scholarship! If I don’t get it because of some stupid ghost...well, maybe I don’t deserve it then.”
Jackson slapped him on the shoulder. “That’s not going to happen. You deserve that scholarship just like your parents deserve a bar that is still running. I promise you, we will make this better.”
Todd looked at Jackson in relief. “No pressure, man, but I’m counting on you. If you don’t get rid of this ghost, my life will be ruined.”
Jackson looked away. No pressure.
“S
leeping bag?”
Jinx read from the list like a drill sergeant.
“Check.” Jackson patted his bag.
“Toothbrush and toothpaste?”
“Check and check.”
“Banishing stones?”
“Check.” Jackson had no idea if the stones worked—he’d just ordered them from the back of a catalog—but he did have them.
“Night goggles?”
Jackson almost said check, but then looked down at his duffel bag. No telltale goggle bulge. He thought about where he’d put them, but couldn’t remember—he could have sworn he’d put them in the bag.
He had found the goggles in the attic just a few months ago and knew immediately that they would be perfect on the next case. They had been his dad’s during his military time, so Jackson had a lot of sentimental feelings for them. But he couldn�
�t find them. He started rifling through his bag one more time, frantic, resolving to try his closet if he couldn’t find them. He would tear apart the attic again if he had to.
Just then, the light switched off and something grabbed his shoulder.
“Boo!” yelled Jinx. Jackson knew what that meant. He sighed.
“Very funny, Jinx. Don’t play with those, you’ll break them.” After his talk with Todd, Jackson wasn’t in the mood.
Jinx snorted, then turned on the lights. She dangled the goggles by the strap from a finger of her left hand. “They seem pretty much indestructible. Why are you so cranky, anyway?” She threw the goggles to Jackson, who caught them and swooped them into his bag before Jinx got an idea to play hide-and-seek. He shrugged off her question.
“Those are cool, Jackson. I’m so glad you found them. Especially if we’re in for a wild night.”
Jackson’s arms broke out into goose bumps. Todd’s description of the ghost’s recent activity had been spooky. He was glad they had the goggles too. He was almost sad to leave the comfort of his own room—something he’d never in a million years admit to Jinx—but the idea that ghosts were making contact with people—even if they were throwing glasses—gave Jackson hope. If he could figure it out, maybe someday he could contact his dad.
“OK!” Jinx clapped her hands together. “I think we’re good to go. Black Eagle Tavern, here we come!”
Jinx began loading everything on her back. Jackson thought she seemed extra eager to start the case. He had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with Todd, and a strange feeling pinched him. He pushed it away. She was probably just excited because she’d have lots to blog about. Although her hair did seem extra combed. He stared at her sideways.
She was all loaded up and eating a Twizzler loudly. She looked at Jackson and, with her mouth full and bright red, said, “Wha?”
Jackson just smiled. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”
Jinx rolled her eyes. “Yeah, and we wouldn’t want to offend the ghost.”
It was a short trip to the bar, but Jinx shrunk down in Jackson’s car anyway, on the off chance she would see her parents out driving around. Even though it was two in the morning. She had told them she was going to Haley’s house to spend the night and that Jackson, Haley, and she were going to a movie first, so Jackson would drop her off. Jackson thought the ducking down was a little overkill, but he knew her parents would be super mad if they knew what she was doing. And since it was two in the morning, it would look extra suspicious. Jackson was glad his mom wasn’t quite so tough to get around.
