by Gerald Lopez
“I thought that might get y’all moving,” Jorri said. “Trust me, the meal will be worth getting up for, boys.”
Nikki and Bean walked in holding plush, white towels.
“Come and get ‘em,” Bean said. “They’re clean so come dry yourselves.”
Once we were dry, we all wrapped the towels around our waists and made our way back to the pavilion. When we got there we found a veritable feast waiting on the tables. There was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, ambrosia, and four huge platters stacked high with juicy, barbecue ribs.
“Wow, look at all that food!” Sister Randy said.
“Everything looks good!” I said.
“Julio, sorry about the beer,” Sister Joe said.
“Hey, I was glad to be rid of those ghosts,” Julio said. “They can be a pain in the ass, and leave a big mess behind to clean up. Besides, you guys brought a cooler full of sodas and wine coolers—I even saw a few beers in there. So, it’s all good.”
“Hello, hello, it’s me Granny and I brought the brats.”
Granny walked into the pavilion holding a large box. Beside her were Bogie and Antoinette. They were all dressed in the same clothes from earlier.
“I was beginning to worry about you, Granny,” Nikki said.
“Nikki, girl, we were lucky to make it here,” Granny said. “Between the breeze, those annoying ghosts, and all the people running around screaming it was a madhouse.”
“There were old people falling down or rolling around all over the place,” Bogie said.
“I almost got runned over by wheelchairs and walker thingy’s,” Antoinette said. “What’s with ghosts coming out during the day? Don’t they know they only come out at night?”
“I don’t think they do,” Sister Vaughn said.
“Lucky thing I had my cross which I always wear,” Granny said, then took out her small gold cross she wore around her neck and held it up in the air.
“You call that a cross,” Bogie said. “This is what I call a cross.” He removed a cross from inside his shirt that was almost half the size he was.
“That’s a big cross,” Bella said.
“I’m just glad my pies made it here in good shape,” Granny said, then placed her box on the table.
Bean and Nikki got the pies out of the box. One was a mile-high meringue pie that looked delicious.
“There’s lemon meringue,” Granny said. “I also brought apple, and caramel apple pies—homemade.”
“Yeah, believe it or not, she cooks,” Antoinette said.
“We had to peel the apples,” Bogie said.
“Well, thank you for that, Bogie,” Nikki said.
Bogie smiled at Nikki, then looked my way and shot me a dirty look.
“OK, everybody grab a seat, and dig in,” Jorri said.
While we were eating, Forrest got a call to help patrol the downtown area. He agreed to go, after he finished eating and getting dressed.
“They need you there, copper,” Bogie said. “Those people were going crazy running down to the beach naked. All those flopping ding-a-lings, and flapping boobies. It was really yicky. I mean, some of the boobies on those old ladies went down to their knees. I’m surprised they didn’t trip over them. Yuck!”
“That’s enough, Bogie,” Granny said. “The golden waters were gone pretty quickly.”
“Not quick enough,” Bogie said. “I had to cover Antoinette’s eyes with my hands. She doesn’t need to see so much craziness.”
“Well, that sort of stuff is gone for now I’d say,” Jorri said. “No need to worry about naked old folks at the moment, little Antoinette.”
“I’ll be sure to check on the state of things,” Forrest said. “For now, let’s eat.”
“Sister Joe,” Nikki said, “would you say grace, please?”
“Sure,” Sister Joe said, then said grace.
We ate family style and passed plates of food around. The chicken was crisp yet light, the ribs were meaty and tender, and the mashed potatoes did indeed have a slight kick to them.
“How come you’re all wearing towels?” Antoinette said.
“We went for a nude dip in the golden water,” Bean said. “It’s good luck in these parts to go in the gold waters naked.”
“That’s true,” Bella said.
“I don’t think it’s always wise to get involved in supernatural things,” Granny said, then ate some mashed potatoes. “Delicious.”
“It’s an old tradition,” Bella said. “The gold waters are harmless.”
“And what about the ghosts?” Bogie said.
“Now them—they’re bad,” Sister Joe said.
“Yeah one grabbed hold of Sister Joe’s willy and wouldn’t let go,” Sister Mack said and laughed.
“Did the ghost rip your thing off?” Bogie said, then took another bite of the rib he was eating.
“Yeah, and you’re eating it,” Sister Joe said, and chuckled.
Bogie picked up his rib, looked at it then spoke. “This thing is too big and thick to be your junk.”
“Do we have to use the word ‘junk’?” Braeden said. “It’s such insulting slang. Men shouldn’t talk about our bodies as junk. Imagine the outcry if we referred to women’s vaginas as ‘junk’.”
Everyone laughed.
“Those ghosts can get a bit touchy-feely,” Bean said.
“Well, if they would’ve touched Granny or Antoinette, I would’ve clobbered them,” Bogie said.
“We’ve got a regular lil wonder boy at the other end of the table in Bogie,” Sister Randy said and chuckled.
“I’ll show you who’s a lil boy when I smack you in the face with my rib bone, chump!” Bogie said.
“Everybody laughed, and Bogie angrily threw his rib bone at Sister Randy.
“That’s enough,” Granny said. “Bogie, sit down and finish your food. Stop being rude.”
I watched Granny interacting with the children and found them intensely curious. Something was up with that group.
“We’ve heard that the bunch in this compound need the treasure to rebuild their nightclub,” I said, “but why do you and your crew need it, Granny?”
“You’re on to me and my bunch, eh,” Granny said.
“The act is a bit much,” I said. “But then it’s meant to be, isn’t it? It’s a distraction.”
“You think you’re more clever than me, do you?” Granny said, then ate some mashed potatoes. “Randall, these potatoes are scrumptious.”
“Thank you,” Randall said. “It’s my grandmother’s recipe.”
Everyone looked at Granny, then at me, silently waiting for one of us to make a move.
“Family is very important,” Granny said. “In fact, it’s everything in this world.” She looked my way. “I won’t deny a thing. A granny’s gotta have some tricks to survive in this cold, harsh world. My daughter’s been sick, and I need the money because of her—that’s it in a nutshell.”
“Is that true?” I said. It had the ring of truth, but not the whole truth.
“Yes,” Granny said. “But you only have my word for it, and I have been known to lie or bend the truth to suit me. Anyone who says they’ve never lied is lying right there.”
“Now, girl, we all know that much,” Nikki said.
“I need to use the little girl’s room,” Antoinette said.
“There’s a bathroom to the left of the pavilion,” Jorri said.
“Thank you,” Antoinette said. “I’ll be right back.”
Once Antoinette was gone, I spoke again. “Granny, why admit you’re after the treasure?”
“Why not?” Granny said. “Everyone here is after the treasure.”
“That’s true enough,” Jorri said.
“It feels strange out here suddenly,” Alex said. “Chilly.”
“Oh no,” Braeden said. “Not again.”
“They’re coming!” Don said.
Chapter 20
Return Visit
“M
Y MOM SHOULD’VE never showed them her new tits,” Pete said. “The pirates are coming back for another look.”
A strong breeze flowed through the pavilion, and a loud, ghostly shriek was heard.
“I won’t mess up this time,” Sister Joe said. “I’ve got an idea.”
As pirate ghosts began to materialize, Sister Joe grabbed his can of beer, blessed it, then went around blessing the cement posts of the pavilion. In my opinion it was a smart move on his part. Everyone held onto their plates as yet another gust of wind filled the pavilion. The pirates had fully materialized and were floating all around the pavilion.
“Go away, you ugly things” Bogie said, then raised his fists toward the ghosts.
“They are pretty gnarly,” Sister Vaughn said.
Their skin looked like it was rotting, and their hair was long and scraggly. One had a peg leg, and another was missing an arm. They had us surrounded, but couldn’t come inside and it was getting them frustrated.
“Good job, Sister Joe,” Forrest said.
“Thanks,” Sister Joe said.
“Enough of this shite!” one of the pirates said, then roared.
As he roared an even fiercer wind filled the pavilion. Bogie began to scream as he was lifted into the air by the wind.
“They’re trying to blow him out of the pavilion!” Granny said.
We all scrambled to try to get a hold of Bogie, who was screaming and crying. Forrest and I each grabbed one of Bogie’s arms, while Sister Mack and Granny had one of his legs. All the pirates were blowing into the pavilion now. Our towels blew off leaving those of us who were wearing them naked. Nikki’s caftan blew over her head and she struggled to keep it down. Granny was desperately holding onto Bogie’s leg with both hands now, and couldn’t hold her black dress down as it blew over her head revealing all.
Sister Joe was praying as he sprayed beer over the ghosts who once again went away screeching. Sister Randy managed to catch Bogie as he fell.
Bogie looked around in shock, and we all waited for one of his rude comments regarding the fact we were naked. Instead Bogie cried like any normal kid who’d just dealt with ghost pirates would do. We all took that moment to gather our clothes which had been blown around the pavilion. While we were dressing, we heard screaming coming from the direction Antoinette had gone in earlier. Bogie struggled to get free from Granny, who held him tightly.
“Antoinette,” Bogie said. “We have to help Antoinette.”
As we were about to leave the pavilion, Antoinette appeared looking distraught. Her hair was a mess, and she had a blank look on her face. Jorri and Nikki quickly pulled her into the pavilion.
“Thank God you’re alright,” Nikki said.
“Well, alright is a relative term,” Randall said. “That hair needs a good brushing… at least.”
Antoinette looked at everyone and started to laugh, her laughter grew louder giving me chills.
“That’s just her nerves, right, Layton?” Sister Vaughn said, as he and the others started to back away from Antoinette.
“I don’t think so,” I said, spotting a ghostly gleam in her eyes.
Antoinette started to wail, then scream. Her open mouth grew larger as she screamed.
“What’s happening to her?” Bogie said as he clutched Granny.
“She’s possessed by the ghosts,” Granny said.
“Oh, that’s all,” Sister Mack said, sincerely. “Sister Joe can handle that sort of thing.” He grabbed Sister Joe’s arm and pulled him forward.
Sister Joe sprinkled beer from the can in his hand all over Antoinette, as he recited some words in Latin. While he did that, Sister Vaughn filled us in on things.
“There was a guy in our dorm who got possessed while using a Ouija board. Sister Joe helped him out with a hand from us and some others, so he’s kind of gotten good at handling this type of situation.
Antoinette let out a loud screech, then fell to the ground and began convulsing. Sister Joe pulled off the cross he wore around his neck and pressed it against Antoinette’s forehead. A large, fat, crying pirate ghost exited her body.
“No fair,” the ghost said. “No fair,” then he disappeared.
Bogie left Granny, and went to Antoinette’s side.
“Wake up, Antoinette, are you alright?” Bogie said.
Antoinette started to sit up, but she was somewhat delirious.
“Don’t take me to The Organization,” Antoinette said. “I don’t want them to lock me away like Bogie’s momma.”
Forrest and Alex both looked my way, but I put my finger to my lips so they’d stay silent.
“Don’t worry,” Granny said. “Even I don’t dislike you enough to let them get their claws on you.”
“What gives?” Sister Randy said. “Why did Antoinette mention The Organization?”
“Yeah,” Sister Vaughn said. “And why is she so scared of them?”
“Look,” Granny said, while peering at the table. “The desserts are unharmed, thank God because I can sure use some sugar after all this drama.”
“Me too,” Antoinette said, as she wiped her eyes.
Sister Joe and Sister Mack helped Antoinette up.
“This is crazy!” Sister Randy said. “We cannot just sit here and eat cake and pie when there are ghosts on the loose.”
“Why not?” Don said.
“I say we enjoy the moment of peace while we have it,” Pete said. “And those pies look good.”
“They sure do,” Bean said. “Somebody slice me a piece of that lemon meringue. If we have to talk then do it while we’re eating.”
“I agree,” Bella said. “The sugar will calm my nerves. I don’t know what the hell is going on with these ghosts this year. They are not sticking to the usual schedule.”
“Do ghosts even have a schedule?” Alex said.
“Ours usually do,” Jorri said.
“Everyone is forgetting this is a big anniversary year,” Braeden said, “and we can forget about things going as expected.”
“That much is clear,” Randall said, as he began to cut a piece of lemon meringue. “Who else wants lemon meringue?”
“There’s apple too and caramel apple,” Granny said.
“Mmm,” Sister Joe said. “Cut me a big slice of that caramel apple pie.”
“Oh Lord!” Nikki said.
Everyone jumped and looked around.
“Is it another ghost?” Julio said.
“No,” Nikki said. “I forgot we have vanilla ice cream in the freezer.”
“Girl!” Randall said. “Don’t scare us like that! Just go get the ice cream.”
“I can do that,” Nikki said.
Once everyone was sitting at the table again and had dessert, the conversation started.
“While we’re eating, let’s talk,” Forrest said. “I need to know the folks I’m working alongside of. You, Granny or Grandpa—whatever the case may be—what’s your deal. And I want the full story.”
“Granny, I told you that you should’ve shaved your legs or at least worn long underwear instead of briefs,” Bogie said.
“It’s hot enough wearing this long dress,” Granny said, then looked at everyone. “I was a bit of a thespian in my former life—I like to play different roles in the traveling circus we’re a part of.”
“I wouldn’t have known you were a man until your dress flew up,” Julio said.
“Me neither,” Nikki said. “Why the disguise though, honey?”
“I’m an old-timer traveling with two kids—who’s gonna help me in my regular guise?” Granny said. “Besides, this place is crawling with organization agents. No offense, Layton. You and your people are fairly new to the game.”
“And,” I said, “what’s your beef with organization folks?”
“Are you sure you want to know?” Granny said. “It’s not a pretty tale.”
“Now I wanna hear it,” Sister Vaughn said.
“Shut up, this is grown-up talk,” Don said.
&nbs
p; “We are grown-ups,” Sister Vaughn said. “We’ve been in college for three years.”
“College isn’t real life, dummy,” Sister Mack said.
“I guess that’s true, but we have had to deal with things too,” Sister Vaughn said.
“Argue later, fellas,” I said. “Let’s hear Granny out first.”
“The part about my daughter being sick is true,” Granny said. “I was on a mission when it happened. My husband and daughter were with me, it was supposed to be a safe moment at a restaurant.”
“And what happened?” Alex said.
“We were attacked by a supernatural force significantly more malicious than these pirates,” Granny said. “My husband was killed instantly—completely drained of life. My daughter wasn’t as lucky. What looked like tiny, glowing, paranormal fleas began feeding off her.”
“Oh God,” Randall said. “How did you get them off her?”
“We didn’t,” Granny said. “Locked away somewhere in an organization safe house, my daughter is still being consumed by those damned creatures. Half her face and body are gone. And she’s still alive—in a coma, but technically alive.”
“How horrible!” Nikki said. “Can’t they do anything for her?”
“Who knows?” Granny said. “They’re far more interested in studying the creatures feeding on my daughter’s flesh. It would’ve been more humane to let her die, not exist somewhere between life and death.”
“Don’t you have any say in her treatment,” Pete said.
“None,” Granny said. “They at least let me visit her before. But, I was stupid and questioned their treatment of my daughter one time.”
“How did they respond to that?” I said.
“They moved her to somewhere I can’t find… yet,” Granny said.
“That’s why you want the treasure,” Alex said.
“To hire a lawyer?” Braeden said. “Maybe get custody of your daughter?”
“Getting a lawyer would be a waste of money,” Granny said. “The Organization has unlimited funds, and could fight me in court for years, or at least until my money and assets dry up. I know people… palms I can grease to find out where they’re keeping my little girl.”