Chapter Seven. #2
I’d spent the day organising things and putting a plan together. Deep in my bones, I felt I was correct. One by one, the team filed in, and Fiona and Simon came with them. Several of them sent me dark looks, but I ignored them.
“What’s this about, Sunny?” Jack asked after everyone had eaten.
“I think I know why the ghosts are so active.”
“Go ahead,” Callie replied with an uncertain smile.
“What’s the worst thing as a person to happen to you? To be forgotten—and it’s even worse when you don’t move on. Can anyone here deny that everything the ghosts are doing is for attention?”
“No,” Callie drawled slowly. Several of the others agreed with her. Fiona sat up and looked interested.
“The older spirits are concerned about keeping the children safe and entertained. They don’t want exorcisms or to lose any of them. The children want attention, like any child does,” I said. “Ignoring them is causing them pain.”
“How can we stop hurting them?” Fiona asked.
“By giving them chores,” I replied, and everyone frowned.
“What?” Simon asked.
“The spirits here are strong. There’s a ley line running under this mountain, which is what I think they’re drawing energy from. You can’t move the town or the ley line. The adults are desperate to protect the children from anyone who might harm them, including being forgotten.
“But if you ask the adults to do certain things to entertain the children, they’ll feel useful, and the children are entertained, such as those ice hockey-playing penguins.
Get the adults to do that and illustrate it.
Use them to reposition the static elves and the gnomes.
Ask them what they’d like to do. Plan and keep things moving forward.
Let the children move things in Santa’s Village and explain it again, animatronics and robotics,” I said.
“Do you think that will work?” Fiona asked, sitting up straight.
“Yes. They don’t intend to antagonise anyone. They want to be remembered and to be useful. The children have been ignored since they died. Acknowledging them will go a long way. I’d also suggest setting up a museum for them to be remembered in,” I stated.
“How can we communicate?” Simon inquired.
“Use the amended Ovilus we have. If it breaks, contact us for another one, but they can talk through that. It’s already been proved. If you allow the ghosts to help create the magic here, then I think everything will calm down for you,” I said.
“Could that work?” Fiona turned to Connor, looking hopeful.
I noted how the team seemed stunned. “It’s a good idea, and not one we’d have considered. Sunny certainly thought out of the box,” Connor replied.
“There’s a lot around here that the ghosts can do that can be explained away easily. They’ll have to stay out of the cabins, but this place is huge. They might even have some ideas of their own,” I added. “Why don’t you ask them?”
I placed the Ovilus on the table. “Ernest, are you here?”
“Yes.”
“Did you hear my suggestions?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“What do you think?”
“Doable. Fun. Keep children safe. Help sick children.” The words spat from the Ovilus.
“Could you make plans with us?” Fiona breathed, leaning forward.
“Definitely. Expand ideas.”
“Wow,” Jack muttered, sitting back and staring at the Ovilus.
“Will you stop the scary things that might frighten people?” Simon demanded.
“Yes, give us work.”
“We can do that, right?” Fiona turned to Simon, hope blazing across her face.
“For sure. What about a museum? Would you like that?” Simon grasped Fiona’s hand.
“Yes, give names. Research. Pictures. Items. Remember us. Remember children. We’ll teach you.”
“They can tell you the names and stories of those who originally lived there!” Callie exclaimed.
“Margaret and Ernest can be your main contacts. If you leave this running, people can reach you at any time. Just lock it in your office so no nosy parkers can interfere. Freddie can also hook it up to a laptop so you’ll have three ways of ensuring their messages get through to you,” I said.
“Wow, you’ve found a way to resolve this,” Callie replied, staring at me in awe. I puffed up at her praise.
“Do you believe it will work?” I asked her.
“Yes. We never picked up anything malicious; it was about attention. What a wonderful idea, Sunny.” Callie beamed.
“Tomorrow, I’ve also asked Simon and Fiona if they wish to trial their Christmas Day on us as well,” I said.
Several jaws dropped in surprise, including Mom’s.
“Really?” Jack asked.
For a brief moment, I wanted to punch him in the mouth, but I refrained. He’d never get a chance with Callie because I’d break my back for her. A day wouldn’t go by without her knowing the depth of my love for her and Bean.
“Yeah, I also thought that tonight we could make plans with the ghosts. Let them know how much they can help and see what ideas they have,” I concluded.
“You did all that?” Callie whispered.
“I love you, babe, I’ll never stop. I’ve been a miserable asshole, and I can’t tell you the reason. Honestly, I don’t know why. But that idiot is gone, and I’m back. And I’ve also booked a room here for the next five Christmases to bring Bean,” I said, smiling.
Callie let out a shriek and wrapped her arms around me as she kissed me. Her inner light, which had been dimmed, fully ignited, and my beautiful wife was back. Callie would never suffer anything like this again, certainly not because I was an asshole.
Ernest
“We did it, Ernest, protected the children and made sure they’d never be forgotten again,” Margaret said, approaching me in the dining room.
“Are the children occupied?” I asked.
“Yes, the others are making reindeer run through the woods, and the children are chasing them. They all like this idea of Mr Scrooge’s.” Margaret chuckled.
“Are they on board? The living are,” I inquired. The adults who’d stayed behind were good-hearted people, but they could be ornery.
“Yes. They said they’ll feel useful again. And now, understanding that sick children will be coming, they’re determined to make this place work. All children are special,” Margaret replied.
“They certainly are. And hopefully this special town, which has come together so many times in the past, will help give a gift that can’t be replaced.”
“The others voted for you to talk to Fiona and Simon. They don’t want anything to do with it. Just point them where you want them to go,” Margaret added.
“Fine by me. Come on, Margaret, let’s fix some plans into place!” Ernest carefully reached out and grasped Margaret’s hand and squeezed.
Then they headed for the Ovilus.