Chapter 2 #4
Whoa… was that part of the job description?
“Hattie thinks you’re a nice boy,” I parrot, “and, um, apparently I’m now the ghosts’ representative?”
“Hattie,” he says in exasperation. “Don’t scare him away!”
She sniffs. “You look like you’ve got too much fortitude to be scared off by the likes of me.”
“Thank you,” I say automatically, then when Kieran raises a brow, “She thinks I have fortitude. So… should I be asking questions?”
“The ghosts will likely be talking your ear off most of the time,” he confesses. “They do that to us, every second they can. The only time we get peace is when they’re too tired to manifest.”
“Excuse me,” Hattie says indignantly. “Peace? We’re very peaceful!”
Kieran, unable to hear her—or sense her, since she’s not yelling—blithely continues, “So when they know you can hear them all the time, they’ll probably bring their complaints to you.”
“Complaints?” Hattie’s voice rises shrilly.
“He’s not saying you complain nonstop.” My hasty attempt at mediation earns me a look of doubting disapproval from Hattie and a cringe from Kieran.
“Whoops,” he says. “Sorry, Hattie. I’m not calling you a complainer. I just meant that there are things you and the other ghosts need, which are sometimes genuine complaints about guest behavior, and someone who can speak to you even when you’re tired is a good thing.”
She purses her lips but nods. “Apology accepted.”
I relay that to Kieran, then add, “I guess that sounds fine. But Hattie, if I’m going to live on-site, you and the other ghosts need to respect my privacy. If you don’t, I’ll salt my room and keep you out by force.”
Hattie’s eyes widen. “Goodness, you’re a feisty one.” She leans closer. “Are you a proper medium?”
I shake my head. “No. I met one once who wanted to train me, but then she left town, and I didn’t have the money to go with her.”
“Um,” Kieran begins apologetically, and I repeat Hattie’s question.
“Oh. We’ve had a few mediums come through the estate over the years.
They like it there because our ghosts are all friendly and nobody treats them oddly.
If you want some training, maybe I can reach out and see if someone’s interested? ”
My head spins dizzyingly. Is this Josh-wins-at-life day?
“That would be… great,” I manage, then pull myself together. “Maybe not right away, though? I’d like to get settled in first.”
“The offer’s open whenever you’re ready,” he assures me. “I’m sure one of them will pop back through for a weekend or something over the next few months, if you want to meet them before you decide.”
I nod. “Let’s do that.” Wow, medium training? I wouldn’t have to rely on salt to keep nasty ghosts away. I could force them to move on.
Mind you, if I’m living at the estate, where, so Kieran says, all the ghosts are friendly, that’s not going to be an issue anyway.
“Do you want to come out to the estate and have a tour?” he offers now. “What time’s your bus back to the city?”
“Not until five. I wanted to allow plenty of time for this interview.” And, in the event it went badly, give myself time to look around town for other jobs and somewhere to live.
Because a mostly new town like this has few ghosts, and that’s somewhere I want to be.
Wanted to be. Somewhere I can openly be myself is even better.
“Great! Someone will bring you back in plenty of time, and we can get the paperwork started. When can you start, by the way? And do you need to stop at the motel to pick up your stuff and check out?”
“Uh, yes, please. And… Monday? If that works for you.” It’ll give me a few days to tie up loose ends in the city and pack my meager collection of stuff.
“Monday’s perfect. I’ll show you your rooms today. They’re clean and ready for you, so if you want to come down early, that’s no hassle, but we’ll set your start date for Monday.” He looks toward Hattie. “How’s that sound?”
“Wonderful,” she approves. “That will give me plenty of time to ensure everyone’s aware of the rules. But maybe lay in a supply of salt, just in case,” she suggests. “Some of the younger ghosts are still somewhat rowdy and like to push boundaries.” She rolls her eyes. “Children.”
“Thanks for the tip,” I say solemnly.
Kieran and I carry our cups back to the counter, where Mindy takes them with a smile and a wave, then we step out onto the street.
“I’m parked just there,” he says, pointing to a late-model blue sedan at the curb about twenty feet down. I’m reaching for the passenger door handle when I realize Hattie is hovering at my elbow.
“Um… would you like to sit in the front seat?” I offer after a quick glance to make sure there are no strangers nearby, feeling wholly stupid. I mean, she’s a ghost.
She smiles at me. “What lovely manners you have, dear. Thank you, but no.” She fades through the side of the car and reforms in the back seat, leaving me blinking like a fool. Did she just want me to ask?
Deciding it’s safest to let it go, I get into the car and close the door. Here we go. I can’t wait to see the place where the next stage of my life begins.