The Spirit Who Loved Me: Spirit Whispers Book One

by Stacey Virginia Longmuir

  “Okay, let’s get this cleaned up,” announced Tammy. “Krystal, clear the table. I’ll do the washing, Malcom, you rinse. And Candace, how would you like to dry?” Candace clapped her hands.

  “I’ll take that as a yes!” Tammy exclaimed, giving Candace a high five. We got to work, and within ten minutes, we were finishing up.

  “Wow,” said Malcom’s mom as I wiped down the dining table. “I need ya’ll to come over more often. Thank you all so much.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I laughed. “And thanks for dinner”

  “So, Mr. and Mrs. White, would you mind if we all go into the living room to discuss our thing? Candace may want to find something else to do.” Tammy, bless her heart, tried to give Mrs. White a knowing look.

  “Sure. Candace, why don’t you play in your room, honey?”

  “No!” Tammy, Malcom and myself cried out in unison.

  “Um, no, maybe you should hold off on that for a minute,” I offered. “And remember that the light’s out?”

  “Okay,” almost came out as a drawn out question as Mrs. White said the word. “Candace, why don’t you get started on your homework in the kitchen.”

  Candace groaned in answer but did as her mother said. I highly doubted if she’d accomplish anything right in the next room. Little ones have big ears, as my granny would say.

  Tammy hooked her phone up to the computer and turned it so the screen was facing Malcom’s parents.

  “So, Malcom shared a little bit about what has been going on with Candace,” She began.

  “Malcom, you know that is no one else’s business, but this family’s….”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. White. But we kinda bullied it out of him,” I said giving Malcom a little elbow to the side. “We could tell something was bothering him, and we wouldn’t let up until he told us.”

  “Totally our fault,” Tammy added. “So, as I was saying. Basically, we wanted to see if there was some merit to Candace’s claims…” Tammy started the recording from Candace’s room. “This is what happened, and I think you need to see it to believe it.”

  Utter disbelief, horror and shock, all those things and more passed over the faces of the Whites as they watched while the ball was played with by some invisible force. I could hear Tammy’s voice asking the spirit to perform, sounds of the ball hitting the walls, the pop of the bulb exploding, the shattering glass. We could just barely make out the giggling and the no’s of the little ghost too, its disembodied voice scratchy and full of static, and Tammy replayed that part over a few times as the Whites tried to interpret the sounds. You could hear me on the recording asking my friends, “don’t you hear that?” The White’s didn’t pick up on that in their shock. But Tammy had noticed and was staring intently at me again.

  “If this thing can do all this, what else do you think it could do?” asked Malcom’s dad, but he really wasn’t asking us. “Shawna,” said Mr. White to his wife, “call the preacher. Ask him to get here soon as possible. Tell him we have an emergency.”

  Chapter 8

  “Hey, Tammy. What’s up with you this morning?” I asked plopping down next to her on the bus. I took a quick look around. “No Malcom today?”

  “I guess not. Ug,” She groaned. “I so did not want to get up this morning.” Tammy had her knees resting on the seat in front of us, and she laid her forehead down on her legs with a sigh. “I think I could fall sleep right now.”

  “Late night, huh?”

  “Yep. Soooooo….” She pushed her hair out of her eyes to see me better. “I was watching the recording from last night and all, and I just can’t get over it.”

  Oh boy, here we go. “I know, that was just crazy. I wonder what happened after we left? Maybe we can call Malcom this afternoon if he doesn’t come to school.”

  “Try and keep your voice down,” Tammy gave a little chuckle, and I rolled my eyes slower than molasses.

  “Here’s the thing, though,” her voice now little more than a whisper. “You could hear it, couldn’t you? Couldn’t you?” She paused. “Us, we could barely even make it out on the recording but not you. You heard it when it was happening.”

  “A lot was going on,” I shrugged. “You and Malcom were probably just preoccupied with it all and just missed it.”

  “Hmmm. I guess that’s possible, but I don’t think so. You sounded, ah, pretty flustered on the recording to barely have heard something.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  “Well, aren’t you going to tell me what it sounded like?”

  I don’t know why, but I could feel myself starting to get angry at Tammy’s prodding. I anxiously bobbed my legs back and forth and pressed my lips together, holding in the profanity that threatened to spill forth from my mouth at any second.

  “Hey, Krystal,” Tammy’s voice soft. “You don’t need to get mad. I was just curious. I wish I had been able to hear it too, and I’m kinda bummed I didn’t.”

  “A little girl,” I breathed. “I could hear a little girl. And it sounded like she was having the time of her life.”

  Tammy thought it over. “I wonder why you could hear her, and we couldn’t.”

  “Your guess is as good as mine.” I wanted to shout Halleluiah to the heavens when we finally got to school. I tried to hurry off so I could get some much needed space, but Tammy finally caught up with me.

  “What’s up with the attitude anyway?”

  “I guess I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.”

  “Well….. I know what will cheer you up.” Tammy wiggled her eyebrows up and down a few times. “I happen to know that someone’s birthday is coming up soon.”

  “Oh, God, please stop it. You are so corny sometimes.”

  She laughed, and a few of the boys in the hallway glanced her way. I held back the urge to roll my eyes when she started fluffing her hair.

  “Girl, with that bed head you got going on, might as well just give it up,” I snorted. We stopped in front of my locker. “Well, see ya at lunch.”

  “Alrighty, but the conversation about your Birthday isn’t over yet, Kris.” Pure glee was written all over her face.

  I groaned as I started tossing books in my locker. Just great. At least I had a few hours to plan how I was going to get out of whatever Tammy was cooking up.

  I was on my way to my Algebra II class when I ran into a tired looking Malcom in the hallway. I knew there was only a minute left if I was lucky before the bell was going to ring, but I figured I’d take my chances. There’s worse things in the world than being tardy.

  “Hey, where ya been?” I asked.

  “Things ran on late last night, so mom let me sleep in a while. She brought me in after first period.”

  “So, how, did, er, things go?” I didn’t even know what the preacher was going to do last night. An exorcism? Tammy’s mom had pickup up Tammy and myself before the preacher had arrived.

  “Good, I guess. We just have to wait and see.” The bell rang, and I swore under my breath. I gave Malcom a quick hug anyway. At least he had a slip from the front office, he wouldn’t get in any trouble for being late, but I could. So I slipped into my class quietly as I was able. At least Mr. T wasn’t in the room yet, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

  “Girls like you disgust me.”

  I looked up in surprise at the boy sitting across the aisle from me. What was his name, again? Oh, yes, Jacob Brown, vice president of the Future Farmers of America. I looked into his hate filled eyes, my own filled with confusion. What the hell did I do now?

  “You should stick to your own kind. You’re an abomination to God.” Crap, someone must have seen me give Malcom that hug. Damn it!

  “Looking for some cookies and cream, are you now, Krystal? I guess you’re not a “Hag” Haggart for nothing,” Tim Brown, Jake’s cousin, felt the need to add his two cents. “Heard your momma were a whore back in the day too.” The whole class laughed.

  “Ya’ll are nothing but redneck scu
m. You don’t know anything.” Anyone with half a brain knew I had been friends with Malcom since kindergarten, for Christ’s sake. I prayed that Mr. T would get his butt in the room before I lost my temper and started hauling on these stupid ass boys. It wouldn’t be the first time either, but the last thing I wanted right now was to get detention for days, or even worse, suspended.

  “I know you like to ride that chocolate mule, don’t cha? Don’t cha?” Tim cawed like an annoying crow. The class erupted in laughter again, and I dug my nails into legs. My eyes were starting to burn, but I would be damned before I would let them see me cry. Mr. Thompson walked into the room, finally, killing their laughter.

  “Why are you laughing? Care to share the joke?” Nothing but crickets. “No? Well, didn’t you read the board? Your books should be open to page 253. Everyone stays 5 minutes late today for being unprepared.” Meaning that would cut into our lunch, and the class groaned in unison, except for me. At least Tammy might forget about my upcoming birthday seeing I would be late. Doubtful, but I could hope.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jacob and Timothy glaring at me, their anger palatable. Oh, of course, they would blame it all on me, the assholes. I had a feeling I was going to need to do something about those two. Give them a taste of their own medicine. All of sudden, I began to perk up, but my smile was manic the whole rest of class. My class mates began giving me strange little looks, but I didn’t care. I was up to no good, and I liked it.

  I had my books all ready to go as soon as Mr. T gave the word our class was free to go. I didn’t want to be a sitting duck for the Brown cousins. I’d been down that road before, and though I was capable of giving a good fight, it usually ended in me getting beat up. I hauled my ass outta there.

  I met up with my friends at our usual spot in the courtyard. Tammy sat perched on the brick wall, the sunlight filtered through her auburn hair, making it appear as if she were wearing a halo.

  “Why so late?”

  “Ug, Mr. T made us.” I would tell Tammy about the trouble with the Browns later when Malcom wasn’t around. No need to get him all worked up, especially since he had more than enough going on as it was.

  “So Malcom, what happened after we left yesterday?” I asked.

  “The preacher got to the house about an hour after you two left. My dad showed him a copy of the video you took, Tammy.”

  “What did he think?” She asked.

  “He said it was probably a ghost. Like we didn’t figure that out already. My parents told him about how Candace was talking with it and all. He said that wasn’t good because it was giving the Spirit more strength. He is coming out to the house today to do a blessing, and I guess that is supposed to get rid of it. He told Candace not to talk to it anymore in case it’s from the devil. And my mom is having to miss work again today, remember how she took Candace to the docs yesterday? She’s not too happy, but what else can she do?”

  “What about Candace and the doctor stuff anyways? Now that we know she’s not seeing things?”

  “The preacher is calling to speak to the doctor today and will be signing a statement with a Notary stating the house had a ghost, or was haunted, something like that. Hopefully, that’ll end it.”

  “Alrighty then,” murmured Tammy before breaking out in a smile. “Know what, you guys? We did it!” And she started to high five us.

  “Yep, guess we did,” I said looking at Malcom as he smiled back at me.

  “So. Now we can get down to business!” Tammy started rubbing her hands together, grinning wickedly. “Malcom, did you know Kris’s birthday is next week?”

  “Oh, yeah. It is, isn’t it?” He nodded his head sagely, and smiled, the first smile to actually reach his eyes in days.

  Tammy broke out in a wicked laugh. “So what are we going to do about it?”

  “Nothing. We don’t need to do anything for my birthday this year. Last year was the big one,” I answered.

  “Sorry, Kris, you’re not getting outta this.” She tapped the bricks with her fingertips. “I get my driving privileges back on Monday. Wanna go do something on Saturday? Then we won’t have to worry about getting home early for school. It wouldn’t be on your actual birthday though,” she added with a pout.

  I rolled my eyes. “Okay. What if we…. Hmmm,” I thought. “Hey, what if we go hang in Chapel Hill?”

  “That would be awesome!” Tammy loved Chapel Hill. She clapped her hands together like a little kid. “Maybe we can hit Time Out? Their fried chicken is so good! Maybe we can see if there’s anyone good playing at the Cat’s Cradle too! This is going to be so much fun! Malcom, you’re gonna come too, right?”

  “Yeah, girl. Count me in.”

  The bell rang, calling us back to class. Tammy was doing a happy dance on her way in. I just shook my head and kept pace with Malcom.

  “We’re really just doing this for her, aren’t we?” Malcom asked, amusement filling his voice.

  “You got it.”

  Malcom tilted his head back and laughed.

  Chapter 9

  At first, I thought I was dreaming the most beautiful, vibrant dream that I’d ever had in my entire life. I was in this hall way with these super shiny linoleum floors, lit up with what seemed like the brightest florescent lights ever. I started walking, the sound of each of my footsteps echoing loudly against the walls. Double doors were on my left, double doors were on my right, and on and on they went as I continued my slow progress down the hallway. I bet I walked half a mile before I finally felt compelled to turn to a set of those double doors on my left. I placed my palms against the bar, its coolness sinking into my skin, and gave it a gentle push open.

  I was blinded by a brightness that took my breath away. I was blinking and blinking stupidly until my vision finally started to clear. The light was radiating from everything, and I could hear a gentle humming. I noticed myself standing in a lush meadow, the green grass so lush and vibrant I could actually see it pulsing. A couple of little hills slopped gently downward and on the other side of them stood a towering old oak tree. I stilled. I knew that oak tree. It couldn’t be the same oak tree from Granny’s yard, could it?

  And under that old oak tree was laid out a red and white checkered table cloth, and on it she sat, my granny, Abigail Lynn Haggart. Fierce joy exploded through my chest as I sprung forward in a run, and I began laughing and crying all at the same time. Granny stood to greet me, my momentum carrying me straight into her embrace, and we stumbled backwards several steps. She held me tightly for a moment before she pulled back slightly so she could look into my face. She was so beautiful, full of radiance, the picture of perfect health. Her white hair was a halo around her head, her blue eyes shining bright, a big smile lighting up her whole face.

  “What are you waiting for?” she teased. “Give your granny some sugar, girl,” she said laughing. I placed my hands on the bottoms of her soft, wrinkled cheeks, kissing first one side and then the other.

  “Granny, I have missed you so much! How is this possible?” Amazement was apparent in my voice while I spun around in a tiny circle. Stopping in front of her, I asked, “Am I dreaming?” Then I pinched myself, honest to God. “Ouch!”

  “No, not a dream.” She tilted her face, just like I do all the time, and I knew in that instant where I inherited the mannerism. “Come sit with Granny.” She lowered herself with a gracefulness I’d never seen her possess in life and patted the checkered cloth next to her. She reached behind her back and pulled out a tan wicker basket I hadn’t noticed. She gave me that knowing look of hers, one I was all too familiar with and opened up the basket, before starting to pull out food. Of course. Of course, she would have food. She was quite the cook and somehow still apparently was.

  She laid out a platter of fresh biscuits with slices of country ham tucked inside, collard greens, black eyed peas, and cucumber salad, the scent of the vinegar burning my nose. I started to wonder how much more could possibly fit in that basket, I felt like I was watchi
ng Marry Poppins pulling things out of her magic carpet bag. Mason jars filled with sweet tea, one for her, one for me, came next. And last but not least, beginning to sing Happy Birthday much to my embarrassment, she brought forth her special chocolate cake complete with rich milk chocolate icing. I could feel the chocolate butter cream melting on my tongue already.

  Granny opened a cloth napkin with great flair. It billowed gracefully down, and she smoothed it out on her lap. “Here you are, dear.” She handed me a napkin of my own with a biscuit, a slice of ham heaven sitting inside. I took a bite. Delicious. I never remembered being able to taste food in a dream before.