Walnut Grove House

by Alexie Aaron

“If you play Jesse again, I believe I can help you out. You see, Jesse has a tell.”

  “You’ve played with him before?”

  “Yes, back when I didn’t have two kids. Alas, my children turned out to be smart. They’ll be headed to college, and so my leisure fund is now a college fund. The boys take after their mother.”

  “What’s his tell?” Cid asked to bring Pete back on point.

  “His hands get sweaty when he’s excited. He’ll wipe one hand on his pants if he has a good hand. He’ll set his cards down and wipe both hands if it’s a great hand.”

  “I’ll look for that. Now there’s Sally…”

  “Lover boy, that’s your problem. If you gaze over at her like Mr. Darcy, maybe, just maybe, she’ll lose her concentration.”

  Cid’s eyes lit up. “Pete, you’re a genius. Your boys get their smarts from both you and your wife.”

  “Maybe write that down on a piece of paper. My wife will never believe another human being called me smart.”

  ~

  Kiki rubbed her stomach and grinned. “If I put any more down here, it’s going to rebel.”

  Alan smiled. “Dessert?” he tempted.

  “No dessert.”

  “Tell you what, let’s walk off the meal. I need to sober up before driving. We could peek in the shops. And then we can return for some dessert.”

  “I can see something else is up. Spill the beans, Alan.”

  “It’s actually about the beans,” Alan said, putting his hand to the middle of his stomach. He leaned over and whispered, “I saw a drugstore up the street. I bet they have Tums.”

  Kiki nodded conspiratorially.

  While Kiki was in the washroom, Alan retrieved his American Express that he palmed to the hostess when Kiki wasn’t looking. He pulled on his coat and straightened his back. He didn’t like lying to Kiki, but her life and their lives together were in jeopardy.

  “I’m ready,” she said. “Off to the CVS.”

  Alan and Kiki enjoyed a good nose around the drugstore. She bought two jars of the salt scrub, one to return to Sally and the other to use herself. They left intending to head back to the car, but Alan got distracted by a shop window. Kiki humored him and then found she too was interested in the vibrant displays. They went in and out of shop after shop until they ended up a considerable way from the car. Alan suggested they duck into the public library so he could use the facilities before hiking back.

  The library was an older building. Kiki admired the craftsmanship of the interior. She ran her hand up a support pillar and was gobsmacked by the carved ceiling. When she looked back, she was startled to see a volunteer smiling at her.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you. I was enjoying the look of wonderment on your face for our carved ceiling. Most people never look up and see the beauty there.”

  “It’s amazing and, for a public building, magnificently kept,” Kiki said.

  The older woman pushed away the rude public building comment and said, “We have a crew who love nothing better than to carefully make the wood shine. They use natural products, and if a problem starts, we have a historic building fund to dip into.”

  “I would think that in a city this size it would be busier,” Kiki said, enjoying the warm quiet atmosphere.

  “Most people go to the new library. Free parking and it’s on the main bus line. I’m not enamored with the new place, so I volunteer here. The new one is all glass and fluorescent lights,” the woman explained. “I like the smell of wood wax and enjoy the low lights. Also, I do believe I look twenty years younger in this light. I wish I could take it home with me.”

  Alan was concerned when he didn’t see Kiki when he left the bathroom. He had used his time to fire off texts to Ms. Wells and Father Santos. He walked quickly through the library. Would she leave by herself? She didn’t have his keys, but Kiki was resourceful. If she wanted to get back to the Atwater house, she would find a way. He realized he was holding his breath until he found Kiki thumbing through a card catalog.

  “I saw a computer over there. I’m sure it would be faster,” he said, hoping his heavy breathing wasn’t noticed.

  Kiki thought Alan must have had a hell of a stomach ache and reached out and hugged him. “I hope you feel better soon. Pork, even good pork, will do that to a chap. I’m in no hurry. I’m enjoying reading the tiny blurbs on the cards. I did find something interesting though…” Kiki said, pulling Alan by the sleeve. “See this.”

  “Ab to Atwater.”

  “Now look at this one.” Kiki lifted her hand that was hiding the drawer below it.

  “Atwater,” Alan read.

  Kiki pulled it out. “It’s completely filled. These are all books or pamphlets. Some are from previous political campaigns. The Atwaters have a whole card catalog drawer full of information. Yet, I couldn’t find a damn thing online. I thought maybe this was just left over, so I looked up one of the pamphlets, and it was nestled amongst many others. Go over to that fancy computer and look up Atwater.”

  Alan did as he was told. His search came up with nothing.

  “They forgot the card catalog when they were erasing history,” Kiki said. “I’m going to send Cid here just as soon as I get back. Put him up in a hotel and have him investigate Walnut Grove House properly.”

  Alan was alarmed. He couldn’t let Kiki return. “Why don’t we get a hotel room and spend our days here and our nights…”

  Kiki’s eyes lit up. “I can’t. I have a dangerous property to manage.”

  “Then it’s your responsibility to do the research yourself. And you have with you your personal lawyer, who is licensed in five surrounding states, including this one. I passed the reference section when I was looking for you. I found that this library has an antique but viable set of law books.”

  Kiki looked at Alan. “What about your practice?”

  “I don’t have an office meeting scheduled for over a week, and Ms. Wells runs the office anyway. She just lets me have my name on the door.”

  “I don’t have any clothes.”

  “Buy what you need. I’ll do the same. We’ll live dangerously and see if we can be happy using the same toothpaste. It will be the first test of living together.”

  “But I sleep over…”

  “Not the same as being stuck in a hotel sharing the same bathroom, especially after eating all that pork.”

  “Alan, this could be a deal breaker.”

  “Better for us to have found out now than to arrive married in Hawaii and hate each other after enjoying roast pig at a luau.”

  Kiki couldn’t fault his reasoning. “I have to buy a charger for my phone.”

  Alan pulled out his from his pocket and compared ends. “Can you share mine?”

  “That may be pushing it.”

  “Then we’re off to Best Buy. But first, I’m going to see if I can reserve a room so we can actually speak above a whisper while we’re working.”

  “You’re amazing,” Kiki said.

  Alan smiled.

  “I’m going outside to call Cid to tell him that I’m spending a day…” she looked at the drawer and corrected… “two days at the library. It’ll piss him off.”

  “That’ll fix him. That man loves his libraries.”

  Cid picked up his phone from where he was mending a section of carved wood cornice. “Kiki, let me walk outside… There, I can hear you better. What’s up?”

  Kiki explained what she and Alan were going to do.

  “Really? And you’re telling me instead of Wayne because you want to rub it in.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Do you need Sally or me to drive your truck over with some clothes?”

  “Nope, going to buy local, eat local, sleep local. I hear the hotel puts on the high thread count sheets in the expensive rooms.”

  “PEEPs is lucky to give me room to unroll my sleeping bag. You know I can hear you smiling,” Cid lied.

&nbs
p; “Mind telling me how things are going?” Kiki asked.

  “Wayne’s in charge. We finished the media room. We’re going to move on and tackle the three bathrooms since they are on the same floor. We’re going to split up and have two of us per bathroom.”

  “Good idea.”

  “It’s Wayne’s idea. He gave me and Jesse the bathroom with the least amount of tile work to do. Evidently, Jesse uses too much grout.”

  “He does,” Kiki agreed. “He slabs it on, and cleanup takes twice as long as any of the other guys.”

  “I’ll remember that,” Cid said.

  “Cid, could you do me a favor?”

  “Sure, what?”

  “Could you smooth things over with Audrey? I’m not sure I was nice when I told her I didn’t need her services, and now I do.”

  “I’ll see what I can do. Shall I call you…”

  “No, have her call me if she’s still interested in doing research.”

  “Will do. Audrey has had to work with grumpy Burt, impatient Mia, and pedantic me. You’ll find she’s very professional and forgiving.”

  “Phew, that just took some stress away. Alan’s here. We’re going to find the car and then check into the hotel.”

  “I’ll tell Wayne not to expect you for a few days.”

  “He can call me anytime if he has a problem or if Bridgeton Atwater shows up.”

  “I’ll give him the information immediately. Boss…”

  “Yes?”

  “Have a great time.”

  “I will, Cid,” she said and hung up.

  Cid walked back into the workshop. Work stopped, and he raised his hands up. Where all the jocks understood it as the sign for touchdown, nerdy Cid used it as the victory symbol. “She’s gone for a couple of days.” He looked around, and Faye nodded it was clear. “Kiki found a library with a card catalog full of Atwater information. Alan suggested they investigate it together. She’s going to spend time in the city doing just that.”

  “Does she know that she was possessed?”

  “I don’t think so. If Kiki knew a ghost had taken advantage of her, she’d be back pronto with her fists raised ready to have some one-on-one time with the creature,” Cid said.

  “Is Alan going to tell her?” Wayne asked.

  “That’s up to him. He’s there - losing revenue - making sure the love of his life is safe from herself. I say, until Father Santos has a solution, then let Alan make the hard decisions,” Cid said. “Am I wrong?”

  “What if it were me?” Sally asked from the doorway.

  “I would tell you,” Cid promised.

  “Good.” Sally looked at the others. “Gentlemen, to celebrate the possessed cat being away, we’re having a big poker night in the common room. Cid, you may have to sit this one out unless you’ve gone to the bank.”

  “Ted sent me my allowance,” Cid lied.

  “Good. Any takers?”

  “I’m in,” Jesse said.

  “I’ll be bartender,” Pete said. “My wife monitors my debit card.”

  The other three contractors were in.

  “Next question. What do you want to eat? I know, no food on the card table, but how about before, and to nibble on whilst I take your money?”

  “Sliders,” Jesse said.

  “I can do sliders. Sides?”

  “Is it too late for potato salad?” Carl asked. “She makes the best potato salad.”

  “I already boiled the potatoes,” Sally told them. She enjoyed seeing the stress melt off the men. “I’ll handle all the cooking. Pete, give me a list of what you need to get these guys drunk so I can take their money.”

  He drew out his notebook and jotted down a few things. He handed it to Sally.

  “Looks good, now get back to work,” Sally said leaving them.

  Carl looked at Cid. “That’s her on a mild day.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Faye couldn’t stand the screaming. She moved to the house and witnessed the horror of a ghost feeding off one of the beasts from below stairs. It was gross, and it was unholy. She retreated quickly to Jesse’s trailer. She opened the box containing the emerald and drew as much power as she could stand. She smiled when she saw something that gave her an idea. Faye pulled on two oven mitts before she gathered some of Cid’s possessions and walked out the trailer and moved over to the house. Carrying the tangible items meant she had to open the door physically to get into the house. She wasn’t used to turning knobs, let alone with a mitted hand, but she managed.

  She sought out Jon. When she found him in the east sitting room, he was barely able to function.

  “He’s coming for me, Faye. It’s just me and Blue Daniel left. We’re always last because he needs the most strength to feed off us because we fight him. Leave before he figures out you can be fed off too. My heart would break if you were put through that.”

  Faye heard the oozing slide of the negative elemental. Without a human host, and the minuscule amount of drained power it possessed, it was more of a thick tar than an actual form.

  Faye stood very still behind the door. Jon kept waving her away, and she vigorously shook her head.

  Jon stood in the middle of the room hoping to draw the elemental’s eye. Maybe after he fed, he wouldn’t see Faye, as he would be keen on finding Blue Daniel.

  The elemental launched itself at Jon.

  Jon closed his eyes, fearing the intense pain the elemental’s power drain caused the ghost.

  Nothing happened? Nothing with the exception of a swish of air and a loud clang that rattled the windows. He opened his eyes to see Faye wearing oven gloves. She had caught the elemental in full flight and knocked the power out of him with Cid’s large iron skillet she had brought from the trailer.

  “He’s trapped under the pan. Careful, that’s high-quality iron. Iron isn’t your friend. Blue Daniel!” Faye called out. “Jon needs help!”

  Faye stumbled backwards when Blue Daniel materialized. He indeed was blue - that particular blue that death by suffocation brings on. His face had a permanent look of shock. She could tell it took the ghost a lot of power to close his blue lips.

  “How can I help?” Blue Daniel asked.

  “I’m going to give you each enough energy to go into the kitchen. Cid has some blue boxes piled on the counter. Don’t touch them with your hands. Here,” she said, handing him one of the gloves. “Use this. Grab a box and come back here in a hurry.” She touched Blue Daniel. His color seemed to deepen. He pushed away from her and left.

  Faye gave a little more energy to Jon. He kissed her hand after and moved quickly from the room.

  They brought back the boxes. Faye managed to hide the searing pain she was feeling from the residual salt that spilled out as the aluminum spout snapped open. Faye prayed the elemental was still under the skillet. This was a smart creature. It would have learned a lesson from the iron nail Alan used on Kiki. All Faye managed to do was knock it out before covering him with the pan. She took back her gloves and poured a thick salt line around the pan. She lifted the pan, and the black tar stayed in a small flat disc.

  “He doesn’t look so scary now,” Jon said.

  “He looks like a burnt johnnycake,” Blue Daniel said. “Why did you take the pan off, Miss?”

  “Iron is tricky. Some ghosts can build up a tolerance. I didn’t want to take the chance. Now, salt hurts. It hurts a lot. In his present condition, he won’t want to try to cross it. This will give him a time-out… keep him put, for a while. Hopefully enough time for you to build up your strength. I’m going to go and recharge. I’ll be back,” she promised.

  “Faye, we spend our nights in the nursery. We’re not much to look at, especially him,” Jon said, pointing to Blue Daniel. “But we would love it if you would spend some time with us. You know, swap stories. We Orish love to spin a yarn.”

  “I’ll be there. What about the crazy ones?”

  “They only can get t
o the first floor. There is something that stops them.”

  “Leave this room. I’ll pour a salt line so the others can’t get in and smudge the circle.”

  “Warn your building men,” Blue Daniel said and moved through the ceiling.

  “I will,” Faye said.

  “Thank you,” Jon said and followed his friend upwards.

  Faye sealed off the room.

  ~

  The room lit up with a flash and then another. The elemental drew into itself until it was smaller than ever. It fought to control the vile hatred that clouded its mind. It needed to be calm to figure out how to draw enough energy to escape this prison.

  Cid sent the video footage and pictures to Audrey and Orion, who commented to the men on speaker, “How on earth did you trap an elemental without an angel involved?’”

  “We do think of Faye as an angel,” Jesse said.

  “Faye, our company ghost, hit him when he was low energy with a vintage iron skillet,” Cid explained.

  “Not your pride and joy?” Audrey inquired.

  “Yes, the very one. She then poured a salt ring with the help of two of the resident ghosts.”

  “How?” Audrey and Orion asked in unison.

  “Oven mitts. It put enough insulation between her and the salt, but she did have to touch the spouts of the kosher salt boxes.”

  “She is very brave. I’m sending her an eBook card,” Audrey said. “I reward good behavior with books.”

  Faye, who was lounging against the wall in something resembling a silk three-piece heliotrope pajama set, smiled.

  “What are you going to do now?” Orion asked. “Negative elementals are tricky things.”

  “I don’t want to kill it or remove it from the property. Kiki’s contract is very specific about releasing the ghosts. Until I can speak personally with Bridgeton Atwater, I would like to contain this thing.”

  “Nesting dolls,” Audrey said. “In Mia’s notes, she mentions putting a demon ghost into a jar with a lid and then setting it in a larger jar or canister and filling the canister with salt. She also says, ‘Put that canister in one of Cid’s lead comic book boxes. He has a shitload of them.’”