Chapter 11 #2
George narrowed his eyes. Ghost problems were usually Andi’s field when Tyler called, so he wasn’t sure why the boy wanted him there as well. Andi didn’t seem to think it strange. He simply got with the program.
“Okay. Are you frightened of them?” Since Chief Norris had not only allowed but explicitly asked Andi to talk to Tyler, his partner had developed a catalogue of questions he went through when ghosts were involved.
On the other hand, when Tyler called to rant about his mother, all Andi did was nod and make affirmative noises.
It was usually George who gave him advice on how to handle his parents.
For ghosts, Andi was the first responder, so to speak.
“No, I don’t get violent vibes from them. They’re just—off.”
“How exactly do they look? Remember the list I gave you about being a good witness.”
“I do. The male is as big as my dad, roughly six-two. He’s bald and has a huge beard, black with streaks of silver.
The man’s skin is darker than mine but lighter than Mom’s.
He has big hands and huge muscles. He’s wearing flares, which are very blue, with five buttons and no zipper.
There are three flowers on the outer side of each flare: red, orange and yellow.
His T-shirt is washed out, white with brown smears.
It says Hotel California and below that Eagles.
The woman has red hair, all curly, and lots of freckles.
A few lines around her eyes. I think she’s younger than the man, but not by much.
Her dress is yellow and white. It looks crocheted and has lots of holes.
She’s barefoot, and her nails are painted orange and white. She has flowers in her hair: daisies.”
“Very good, Tyler. Do you think they could be a couple?”
“The man always stands close to her, and I once saw them kissing before they realized I was there. Then they stopped.”
“You don’t see any wounds?”
“No. They sometimes flicker a bit though. That means this is not how they looked when they died.”
George was proud of Tyler for his observational skills.
Both Andi and George had encouraged him to write down everything he found out about the ghosts who visited him.
Flickering was apparently an indicator that they were projecting an image.
It also meant they were quite strong and had probably been dead for a while.
“Any indication where they could be from?”
“No. As I said, they don’t talk. They just watch.”
“Are they with you now?” Andi’s tone suggested he already knew the answer.
“Yes.”
“They have no reaction to you talking about them?”
“As I said, they’re strange.” George could practically see Tyler’s eye roll. He was almost fifteen and puberty was finally setting in with him, something he’d been eagerly waiting for ever since George and Andi had first met him.
“Fine. Since visual evaluation is exhausted, let’s get to your other senses. Anything standing out?”
“It smells sweet whenever they appear. Also, smoky, but in a good way? A bit grassy. Like when our neighbors smoke on the porch. Then Mom always rolls her eyes and says she doesn’t see anything.”
Andi looked at George. They were thinking the same.
“Am I on speaker, Tyler? Can the ghosts hear me?”
“No, but I can put you on speaker if you want.”
“Yes, please do that. I’m going to say something, and I want you to concentrate on their reaction, yeah?”
“Yes, Andi.”
“What you’re smelling, Tyler, could that be weed?”
“Oh wow. I don’t know what weed is, but they both flickered, and the scent grew stronger.”
“Very good. Now look inside, Tyler. How old do they feel?”
“You know I’m not very good at that, Andi.”
“You’re better than you think. We trained, and I’m sure you can do it. Just find your center, like we practiced, and let the information come to you.”
Yeah, Andi hated kids and didn’t know how to deal with them at all. And yes, Tyler might be a special case, what with seeing ghosts, but he was still essentially very much a child.
“I—” Tyler huffed. “I can feel something. Like a current in a river. I’m not sure how strong it is and if I should tap into it.”
“Then don’t. You can learn a lot from just watching the water flow.” Andi’s voice was calm, soothing, giving Tyler the strength and confidence to keep going.
“There’s music, not what I like. But the melody is kind of nice. I can hear words as well.”
“What words?”
“When the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars…”
“Then peace will guide the planets and love will stir the stars,” Andi ended. “Adding up the clothing, the weed and the music, I’d say the ghosts are from the ’70s. And—”
“Oh wow, they’re flickering again. You must be right.”
“Are they upset?”
“No. Just agitated. Not in a bad way. The woman is smiling.”
“They want us to keep going?”
“Yes. Yes, I think so.”
“I’d say they were hippies.” Since they were now doing detective work, George wasn’t shy about throwing in his two cents.
“Uh, they lost their form for a moment. I could see yellow jeans with huge legs, much bigger than the ones he was wearing before, these plateau shoes I once saw on TV, and the man had the wildest afro.”
“Still no wounds?”
“No—wait. Something’s happening. The woman is bleeding between her legs, and the man has a hole in his forehead. There are tears on her face, and I can hear a baby crying. No! Don’t go! I can’t help if you go!”
“Tyler? Tyler, what’s happening?” George was worried by the frantic begging he could hear through the speaker.
For a moment, there was silence, then Tyler was back. “They’re gone. Just gone again.” He sounded dejected.
“It’s okay, Tyler. This was apparently a major breakthrough and they were skittish before. You can count this as a win.” Andi was pragmatic, soothing.
“Doesn’t feel like one.” Tyler sounded petulant, which was a good sign. He wouldn’t have a meltdown.
“Baby steps, bud. I told you all about it.”
“I hate baby steps.”
“Well, this could be an opportunity. Remember how your dad told you he wished he could help you more? And how you said you wanted that but didn’t know how to make him part of it?
You can ask him to draw the ghosts for you.
Then your mom or we can give the drawings to Shireen, and she can try to find them. ”
“Oh. You’re a genius, Andi! Thank you!” Tyler ended the call.
George started stroking Andi’s nape. “You should charge the Norris family for the excellent therapy you’re providing.”
Andi leaned into his touch with a soft chuckle. “I’ll think about it.”