“But, you don’t want to help them.” Becky stated, somewhat confused.
“Like I said, that’s your area of expertise.”
“Bobby, what you said about yourself simply isn’t true. You and Barbara were the popular ones, the shining stars of the family. Everybody loved both of you. You were a great ball player, loved by students, talented in so many ways. The girls loved you. I don’t understand why you would feel like an odd ball. I was the one that no one noticed. In our family, that was being the odd ball.”
“When no one notices you, you escape their expectations and judgments. Count your blessings, Becks. Count your many, many blessings. Besides, you’re what people call a late bloomer. You came into your own after college. That’s a blessing too.”
Becky was amused and bemused by the things her brother had admitted. She hadn’t expected any of this – the confessions Bobby had made or the gathering of spirits at his new home… although it did explain their absence. She also considered what Bobby had said about his interaction with spirits. It made sense from his perspective. He liked ghosts on his terms. She knew he had never been comfortable with the rest of a medium’s responsibilities or duties.
Becky had never managed to set ground rules with the ghosts she worked with, but she decided right then that it was a very good idea. She would try to implement some rules of her own.
“I’ve been looking for ghosts all day and none were in sight,” Becky said. “I had hoped that someone would know where Josh has been all this time.”
“You’re still not any closer to finding answers than you were at your party?”
“No.”
“Tell me what you’ve done so far,” Bobby encouraged.
Becky shared the information about her dream, spotting Marty Smith at the accident scene, contacting him, and their ensuing lunch. Then, she told him about the new development with Candy Applewhite that seemed to be connected or at least related to Josh’s death. Finally, she told him about meeting Hillary to enlist her help.
When she’d finished the lengthy tale, Bobby said, “You’ve tapped all your resources except the ghosts. It sounds like you do need some spirit-filled insight. If we both ask nicely, perhaps we can get a satisfactory answer. OK?”
“OK,” Becky agreed.
Chapter 21
Bobby and Becky sat in his living room and called for the Asheville ghosts as well as their parents to return to them. Soon, the room was once again filled with spirits. However, this time they were quiet and worried rather than the animated crowd that had been there earlier. Becky felt bad that she was such a party –pooper, but she needed their help.
The ghosts in Asheville liked the Tibbs family very much. They respected Becky for the support she was always willing to give. And, they just plain liked Bobby. He was fun. Now, they were worried because they wondered if they’d done something wrong. They would never want to do anything to alienate the resident medium of Asheville which to everyone’s thinking was Becky Tibbs.
No one spoke for a several minutes. Most of the spirits looked uneasy. Several scuffed their feet against Bobby’s new hardwood floors, looking rather awkward. Bobby touched Becky’s shoulder and nodded, encouraging her to speak.
“I have a problem and I need your help,” Becky announced.
“We’d be glad to help you. What do you need?” Jacob said, breathing a sigh of relief. Everyone had been worried about being called on the carpet, especially since Bobby liked to keep his affairs private even from his sister.
“Josh Edwards was a very close friend of mine who died ten years ago,” Becky said. “The problem now is that he didn’t know he was dead until Bobby told him Saturday night.” At their looks of confusion, Becky clarified, “Four days ago on my birthday.”
“Ahh,” The room buzzed with understanding and soft, low comments.
“I don’t know where he has been all this time or why he didn’t know he was dead,” Becky continued. “Do any of you know? Do you know where ghosts go if they don’t know they’re dead?”
“Most ghosts remain close to the place where they died,” Jacob said and others nodded their heads in agreement. “I haven’t met this spirit that you mention. I don’t think that any of us have heard of him.” He looked around the room to confirm his suspicions and almost every head was nodding again. “Do you want to call him here? Maybe an introduction to the rest of us would help him and you,” Jacob suggested.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Bobby said. “He’s very upset and hostile.”
“Ahh,” the other spirits acknowledged.
“Well, he won’t get any less irritated unless we help him,” Jacob advised. “What’s the worst that can happen?”
“I guess I can try,” Becky nervously said, “but be aware that, like Bobby said, he is very volatile.” She knew that even ghosts avoided other spirits with anger-management issues.
Becky closed her eyes and thought about Josh for several minutes. Nothing happened. She opened her eyes and said his name three times, “Josh Edwards. Josh Edwards. Josh Edwards.”
Static filled the room as the lights in Bobby’s living room blinked off and on. An icy draft could be felt by everyone present. It was even chilling to the ghosts. Rings began to whine and hid behind the sofa. A black and white image of Josh locked in combat with another man appeared. From the description Candy had given, Becky could only assume it was Paul Applewhite.
“Josh!” Becky gasped in shock. “What are you doing? Why are you fighting with Paul?”
At the mention of his name, Josh momentarily stopped his struggles. Paul was able to escape his grasp, and once free, he vanished. Josh glared at everyone in the room before he also disappeared.
“Well, that went well,” Bobby sarcastically quipped.
“I just don’t understand,” Becky worried. “What am I missing here?”
Justin and Joyce tried to comfort Becky, but nothing anyone said could ease her pain and regret that she still hadn’t been able to help Josh. She was tormented by unanswered questions.
What kind of personal hell did Josh undergo on a regular basis? Or was it regular? Perhaps it had only started four days ago on her birthday. If that was the case, why now? Why did her birthday trigger it?
“I have to find out more if I ever hope to help him,” Becky admitted to anyone listening. But it seemed everyone was excitedly involved in a debate about Josh who was now considered a strange spirit to everyone present… At least to everyone except the new ghost that had mysteriously appeared in the corner of Bobby’s living room.
At first, Becky thought she was seeing things. This spirit didn’t look like any she had ever seen before. She looked as if she had arrived from a different time. Dressed in a long flowing tunic clasped at one shoulder by a large ruby brooch, this ghost wore a matching scarf headdress embellished with similar jewels. Her hair was also copper like Becky’s, but her curls were soft and well-behaved. Becky briefly wondered if she was an ancestor because there were many red and copper haired relatives from the past in Becky’s family tree. The tan silk scarf accentuated her beautiful red hair and fine porcelain complexion.
She smiled at Becky.
Becky looked at Bobby, but apparently he was unaware of this new being that stood apart from all the other spirits. None of the ghosts were aware of her presence either. Thoughts came rushing into Becky’s mind, thoughts that were obviously pushed by the new apparition.
I am Zetmeh.
Do not worry.
I will help you.
You have proven yourself to be kind and helpful to departed spirits.
I will come to you again.
Be prepared.
Be discreet.
And, tonight when you retire, remember that you control your own space. It is wise to repeat these words each evening, “As the mistress of this home, I will rest undisturbed.”
With that final remark, Zetmeh was gone and Becky was stunned. She was amazed that no one else had seen
the new phantom and even more astounded that Zetmeh offered help for Josh’s most disturbing case.
Chapter 22
That night, after Becky had returned home, she repeated the words Zetmeh had given her. Then, she drifted off to a sound asleep. If Josh did return, his ability to disturb her was blocked. However, as promised, Zetmeh was there to help Becky. During this visit, the new spirit shared much knowledge with Becky, knowledge that wasn’t commonly known.
“You are worried about your friend who did not know he was dead,” Zetmeh said.
“I am very worried about Josh,” Becky admitted.
“You must understand that when a person dies, whatever they assume will happen to them after death is exactly what happens,” Zetmeh confided. “Our strongly held beliefs make it so in death as well as in life.”
“What do you mean?” Becky asked.
“I will give you an example,” Zetmeh said. “During my era, and in many eras before, the common belief was that all the dead must enter the underworld. The underworld was described as a very horrifying place of darkness with many fears and terrors to overcome. We believed that our souls continued to wander in that place until we overcame numerous obstacles and proved ourselves worthy to leave.”
“And, did you wander there, Zetmeh?”
“I did. I drifted in that place until I realized it was an illusion. The underworld was a construct of beliefs that had been passed down to us for many generations, very much like the current belief in purgatory, a place between heaven and hell. A place for those not good enough to enter paradise yet not bad enough to enter hell. All through the centuries there have been many names for each. For the place called heaven: Paradise, Gan Eden, Elysium, Moksha, Valhalla, Swarga Loka, Nirvana, and others. For the place called hell: Hades, Sheol, Naraka, and Gehinnom are the names that come to mind. You see, as times change, rulers change as well, and then, the predominant belief systems also change.”
“But, you escaped. What have you done since that time?” Becky asked.
“I was fortunate; many from my era still wander there, lost and confused. If they could only change their beliefs, they would find the exit just as I did. Since that time, I have observed many tribes and societies, their cultures and religious beliefs in death and in life. This is how I know these things. For centuries, for eons, I have watched and learned.”
“Why should I trust you?” Becky asked and then profusely blushed at her own boldness. “I mean, I know that you said you have come to help me, but why me?”
“You must trust your instincts about my intentions, dear one. Yes, I have come to help you, but only if you allow me to offer my knowledge and wisdom. You must decide. What does your inner being feel? What does your intuition tell you? To trust me, you must trust yourself.”
Becky considered Zetmeh’s words for several moments. She gut-checked her feelings and intuition. In only a few moments, she knew that she did trust this woman from the past. She would heed her advice.
“Let me see if I understand you correctly,” Becky said. Her mind was spinning with new knowledge and yet she felt somewhat confused. “Some today don’t believe in Christ at all; they have other names for their God. Some also believe that they lie in their graves until the second coming of Christ. Sill, others believe that when they die, they are simply dead… that death is the end. And, there are others who believe that they are judged immediately according to the life they have lived. If found worthy, they enter heaven; and, if found unworthy, hell is their destination. I have found that spirits with the latter beliefs are the most reluctant when urged and encouraged to cross-over to the other side. They are fearful of judgment. Is that what you mean?” She didn’t wait for Zetmeh to answer but rushed on, “Oh my! All these mixed-up and confusing beliefs about death and the afterlife could present many problems for those who die!”
“Yes it could and it does,” Zetmeh replied. “The beliefs you have listed only scratch the surface. There are many others with various beliefs worldwide. For you to help your friend, you must find out what he believed because that belief has held him in its grasp these many years. Can you do that?”
“I will, I must,” Becky said and then drifted back to total unconsciousness and a restful sleep.
Chapter 23
The next morning, Becky recalled the conversation with Zetmeh clearly, as if it had happened only a few moments earlier. It gave her a great deal to consider. Mainly, that she had never discussed beliefs with Josh when they were dating. They had only held a common bond about school, friends, and how different their parents were when compared to each other.
Mostly, once they had begun to date, Becky and Josh had spent a great deal of time simply admiring each other. Thinking about it now, Becky wondered how they had maintained any kind of relationship back then when they had so little in common.
Sure, Josh loved Becky’s hair and the freckles across her nose. He’d told her often that he thought she was beautiful. Believing that beauty was in the eye of the beholder, Becky had accepted Josh’s compliments. It confirmed that he cared for her and she needed someone to care for her very much. She needed to feel special during a time when she’d felt so alone and like a misfit. Looking back at that time now, Becky understood that it was the way most teenagers felt. It was a normal response to that period before adulthood.
Josh had always made Becky feel special. Each time she wore the color yellow, he’d told her it was her best color. Of course, there were times when Josh was consumed with his band and the many practices he’d held in one of the band member’s garage. He could also get weighted down by the rules his parents imposed. However, for the most part, Josh was attentive to Becky and she had felt loved.
During her early teens when she had dated Josh, Becky wasn’t sure what she believed about anything. As a young person trying to find her own way, she’d listened to others at school who debated their parents’ political and religious beliefs and doctrines. Each one had a point of view and many tried to convince others of their own truth. Patty Lawless was of that ilk. She pushed her religious beliefs on everyone.
Swaying others made them feel important and it secured their status in the school’s group hierarchy. There had always been three political voices: Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. There had also been three religious views: religious indoctrination, spiritual wellbeing, and those who didn’t know or care about either of those beliefs.
The children of zealots often brought the message of their parents with them and preached it to anyone who would listen between classes and during lunch. They handed out pamphlets and tried to convince their peers that they knew the way, the right way, and only way.
Becky had discovered that she didn’t much care for the bible thumpers who insisted everyone would burn in hell if they didn’t follow this church or that church’s specific rules. She’d wondered which church was right since they all claimed to know the truth and their truths varied. Josh had felt the same way. Becky had believed that they both leaned more towards the spiritually minded group which in essence believed that actions spoke louder than words.
However, while Josh had insisted that his parents, Bradley and Betty Edwards were hypocrites, Becky had trusted her parents. She could see for herself that their actions reflected their principles, beliefs, and feelings. The older she got, the more she firmly held onto her parents’ beliefs. She knew them to be more spiritual than religious by her definition. But that was where she and Josh differed. He’d often said he could never accept what his parents taught him… He could never trust them.
Justin and Joyce Tibbs were good people. They had taught all their children to think and reason out things on their own. Becky had never heard them push their agenda on anyone. And, like many in Asheville, Becky’s parents had their own way of doing things. Making an honest, successful living and spending quality time with their family were often their highest priorities.
The Tibbs family didn’t go to church or practice any partic
ular religion, and yet, they held strong beliefs that affected every aspect of their lives. They believed in kindness to all living things. They cherished the earth’s bounty. They lived their lives with gratitude and believed in giving back.
Although it wasn’t a commonly held belief in the area, the Tibbs family also accepted that death went hand-in-hand with life. To them, death was as much a part of life as living. Death was a time to celebrate a good life and to be reunited with their ancestors. The Tibbs family had faith and didn’t fear death or any kind of judgment. While they were not an intricate part of the elite hippy scene that was prevalent in Asheville, their beliefs were often aligned with that community.
Becky knew that her family’s attitude and viewpoint had made it easy for her to work with ghosts. She’d never feared those who were dead and she’d always worked diligently to help them cross-over, to be reunited with their own loved ones. She was certain that was the end results when they passed through the doorway she opened and entered the light.
Chapter 24
With all these thoughts spinning in her mind, Becky closed the antique store early and called at the Edwards’ home in West Asheville that afternoon. Betty Edwards, Josh’s mother, worked from home making various religious crafts that she sold in some of the shops in the Rivers Arts District, on Etsy, and sometimes on eBay. Becky knocked on the solid front door with an obvious peep hole and waited.
“Oh, it’s Becky, isn’t it?” Mrs. Edwards asked when she opened the door. She didn’t seem surprised to see her visitor.
“Hello, Mrs. Edwards. I wondered if I could come in and speak to you about Josh. I know it’s been a long time… Do you have a few minutes to spare?”
“Yes, but I’m not anxious to speak of Josh… I hope you can understand that, Becky.” Mrs. Edwards opened the door and invited Becky inside. She led her to the kitchen and pointed to the small maple table with four sturdy chairs, indicating that Becky should take a seat. “Can I get you some iced tea or something to drink?”
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