Me and My Ghoulfriends

by Rose Pressey

  I didn't look over and acknowledge her presence. Instead, I forced my hand to turn the key. As the engine purred to life, she continued.

  "Let's see, you wear revealing clothing to work in a business environment.” She ticked that one off on her stubby little finger. Then she clicked another finger. “And now you're a stripper,” she hissed.

  My cheeks grew hot. Frustration surged inside of me.

  "I am not a stripper,” I shrieked. I was so angry, I couldn't believe a ghost was responsible for making me feel that way. “And so what if I were? That happens to be pole fitness, and I'm just helping out my best friend."

  She shrugged. “Whatever you say.” She had a nasty smirk on her face.

  If I could have opened the door and thrown her out, I would have. She'd only pop right back in the car, and there was no getting rid of her.

  As I cruised out of the parking lot, I was thanking my lucky stars that at least Abe and Mr. Haynes had listened to me and stayed in the car. Or at any rate, I prayed they had stayed in the car. I trusted them, though, and knew Mrs. Williams was the only one who would do the opposite of what I told her. If Abe and Mr. Haynes hadn't, I'd have been doomed.

  At least the class had given me some time to reflect, and I decided one thing. And that one thing was I didn't have time for a love life anyway. Who needed a love life when they had so many friends to entertain them? Not me. Especially since my friends were all dead people. They just made things more interesting. I turned the radio on to keep me company while I navigated the streets home.

  Daydreaming once again, as I shifted from one street to the next. I sure had been daydreaming a lot lately; I guess I was trying to escape the reality of my life. I knew one thing for sure, though: if Mrs. Williams didn't leave me alone tonight and stop with the singing I would have to invest in earplugs.

  Oh, and not to mention how handy those earplugs would come in for my intense history lessons of the past month. He really likes to talk, that Abraham Lincoln.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 17

  I hated to admit it, and I doubted I would tell Mindy, but I did feel slightly better. I felt somewhat refreshed, really. It was probably due to the fact I'd actually exercised. I was sore in places I didn't know muscles existed, though.

  Yes, I had a good feeling about the day. A fresh start; it was just what I needed. Then, in an instant, it all changed. My good mood was drained away in the twinkling of an eye.

  A huge black cloud, in the form of Brianna, stepped into my store and everything changed. Her eyes scanned my body as she took in every feature, eyeing me from the top of my head, and not stopping until she reached my freshly painted toenails. Thankfully, Mindy wasn't around, because she probably would have slugged her as soon as she saw the smug look on her face.

  Brianna flashed me an innocent smile that made my skin crawl and said, “Oh, Larue! I'm dreadfully sorry things didn't work out for you and Callahan. It's too bad, but that's the way the cookie crumbles."

  I didn't respond. Instead, I just glared at her.

  "You know, things happen that way sometimes. If the chemistry isn't there, it isn't there. He really didn't know how to tell you about us. He said you're a sweet girl and all, but just not his type. He felt sorry for you, really. He said it seemed obvious you needed a date."

  I was surprised steam wasn't rolling out of my ears. Despite what she was saying, I didn't want to believe it, but a little part of me wondered if it were true. It did sting to hear those words; I couldn't lie. It was all I could do not to reach over and strangle Brianna at that point.

  I withheld, though, and instead, I said, “Look, I really don't care. Was there some other reason why you stopped in? Did you need a book?” I stared her right in her wicked little eyes.

  I was trying to give off an I-don't-care attitude. Even though it was hard, I tried to do the right thing, really I did. It was my motto to always treat others as I wanted to be treated, but with her, it was impossible.

  Brianna snorted as if to say she'd never actually buy anything from me. Who was I kidding, she probably never even read books.

  "Well, there is one additional thing I wanted to mention to you. How do I put this..."

  I wasn't sure if I was ready for what she was about to say, but apparently I had no choice. She wasn't leaving until she'd said what was on her mind. What she'd said already was bad enough. Could it get any worse?

  "I really think it's best if you don't go into the coffee shop anymore. Callahan says it would be just plain awkward. And you make him terribly nervous. He said he actually has visions of you being like that woman from the movie Fatal Attraction.” She eyed her fingernail nonchalantly, looking for a chip.

  Okay, so it could get worse. I could feel the heat rising in my head. I wanted to scream at her. Actually, I wanted to pull every last one of her spiked little hairs out of her head. I couldn't let her get to me that way though; I needed to appear calm. Even if, on the inside, I was on fire.

  "I don't think he has anything to worry about. I have no desire to go into his shop. And I can assure you I am not like that woman from the movie.” I told her his coffee was lousy too, but that would have just sounded petty.

  I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. My throat was tightening up. I wanted to cry. How could anyone be so cruel? There was no need for her to come into my store and tell me that. Especially since I hadn't been in his store. Okay, I guess I did go in that one day just to see for myself what Mindy had said about his eyes. I had gotten my coffee and left right away, though. It's not like I lingered around. I wanted her out of my shop, and I wanted her out right that second.

  The gang had been standing around protectively. They could sense Brianna was trouble. For once, I was glad to have them around and to not to be alone, even if, to Brianna, it did appear that I was all on my own.

  Abe was standing in the corner of the store nearest to me. I tilted my head to see that Mr. Haynes had popped up in the opposite corner. The next thing I knew, Vivian and Mrs. Williams were there, too. They all made a move forward and were circling around her like sharks ready to chomp her into little bits at any second. It looked as if they were surrounding Brianna, ready to rumble.

  How was I going to explain if anything weird started happening to her? By the look in their eyes it appeared they were all pretty steamed. Especially Abe—he had a fire in his eyes I'd never seen before.

  He'd recently become very protective of me, just like a father figure. A father figure I'd never really had. In a way I was actually enjoying that part, although I'd never admit it to him.

  I looked over at Abe again, and he had a cheeky grin plastered on his face. He nodded and then gave me a wink. I knew by the wink that something was about to happen. First, Vivian glided over in her beautiful gown, hauled her arm back and gave a hefty swing, knocking Brianna's purse right off her shoulder and halfway across the floor.

  My eyes widened at her bold act; she had quite a punch.

  Brianna let out a large gasp, her mouth open with shock. Then she gave me a confused look, followed by an evil glare. Her venom slapped me in the face.

  I furrowed my eyebrows and returned the look, letting her know I wasn't backing down. It would take more than a dirty glare to get to me. By the look on her face, I could tell she was stunned and confused by what had just happened.

  Finally, I pasted a nonchalant look on my face. I tried to play along and not let on that I knew what was really happening to her.

  Brianna reached down and hurriedly scooped up her purse from the floor. She delicately brushed it off with her pointy little fingers, as if it were made from the finest china.

  "Is there anything else you need to tell me?” I asked through gritted teeth. I creased my eyebrows and gave her my best attempt at an annoyed look.

  Mr. Haynes grabbed a nearby book and hurled it at Brianna.

  As much as I detested her, I was thankful it wasn't aimed at her head. I disliked her, but
I didn't want to kill her. The book landed at her feet and she gasped as she gazed down at it.

  Actually, she appeared bewildered; I had never quite seen that expression from her before. One thing was for sure, she looked furious with me. As if she knew I was somehow responsible for the flying book.

  "Did you do that?” she huffed.

  "Do what?"

  "You know what. You threw that book at me!” She looked down again at the book, still stunned. Her stance implied she was ready to fight, one hand placed on her hip and the other coiled up at her side as if she had an imaginary gun holster and she was ready to challenge me to a duel.

  Luckily, her only weapons were the daggers she was throwing at me with her eyes. Her eyes grew dark and almost appeared to change colors from their usual blue. I didn't think I'd ever seen anyone so angry before. Not even the demons I'd come into contact with over the past few years.

  "Brianna, I was standing right here all along. Don't be ridiculous. How could I possibly throw a book at you? You were watching me the whole time."

  Brianna twisted around and studied the empty bookstore.

  "All right, then, who did it? Who's in here with us? Is it your trampy little friend? Where is she hiding?"

  "My friend is not trampy.” My blood was boiling. It was one thing to call me names, but no one messed with my friends.

  "And there is no one here but us.” And the ghosts.

  Abe circled around her. It was hard not to snicker at the fact we truly weren't alone. And the fact Abraham Lincoln was one of the spirits drifting around was pretty cool, too.

  Brianna smirked at me, then rushed around the store, bobbing around corners and looking behind shelves. Her spiky hair was the only thing I could see moving up and down as she searched for the person responsible for throwing the hardback at her. If she were that mad over a book landing at her feet, what would she have done if it had hit her in the head? That was truly a scary thought.

  "I know you're up to something, Larue, and I intend to get to the bottom of it.” She waved her hand at me.

  "Look, Brianna, I have no idea what you're talking about. We've been over this already. I didn't throw the book at you. It simply fell, that's all."

  "No. You know there's more to it than that. Strange things have been going on, and I think you're somehow responsible for them."

  She narrowed her ever suspicious pale-blue eyes at me.

  "I haven't been near you. I actually work, unlike some people in this town, and I don't have time to play your games. I don't know what kind of strange things you are talking about."

  "You moved that book somehow, without your hands, and there have been other strange things going on, too. I want you to leave me alone, or you'll be sorry!"

  "Is that a threat?"

  "Yes, it is.” She stared me squarely in the eyes.

  "I think it's time you left."

  "Oh, I'll leave, all right. But just remember, Callahan is mine and there's nothing you can do about that. Leave him alone.” She wiggled her finger at me.

  "Gladly,” I shrieked.

  "I'll get you for this, Larue. You're just jealous that I have Callahan and you don't. I can't believe you attacked me like this."

  I didn't know what to say. I was totally speechless. She had actually just accused me of attacking her with a book. As if I had somehow moved it with my mind.

  "Brianna, I don't know what to say, I didn't throw a book at you. I really don't want anything to do with you. I'm not jealous, I just want to be left alone. Now get out!"

  Brianna turned on her heel and bolted for the door, mumbling under her breath the entire way. My head was spinning as if I'd just battled an F5 tornado.

  I tried to shake the thought of what had just happened out of my head. For a brief moment, while Brianna had been standing in front of me, I'd thought she was going to attack me. Maybe I should have let the ghosts throw the book somewhere other than her leg. Just being around her caused me to have a sinking sensation and a terrible sense of dread. How was I going to deal with her? Working right across from her and seeing her every day didn't make it easy to just ignore her.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 18

  I didn't think it was possible, but things with Brianna kept getting worse. Despite my denial, Brianna was convinced I was carrying out mischievous and hateful incidents against her. There was no doubt about it—I had to get the gang to leave her alone for my own sanity and safety.

  "I need to talk to you guys. Where are you? Come out. I know you're here somewhere."

  Of all the times for them to hide from me like children who knew they were in trouble and about to be punished. I crossed my arms in front of my chest to let them know I meant business.

  "Come out right now. You too, Mrs. Williams. If you want my help, then show yourself right now,” I demanded.

  After a minute passed, Abe appeared, looking at me innocently.

  "Now where are the rest of you? I'd better see all of you at once. This is important."

  Vivian slowly materialized in the corner of the room. She was holding her head down bashfully.

  "Mr. Haynes? Don't be shy, now. Come out here and talk to me."

  "Hello, Larue.” Mr. Haynes popped up next to me, like he hadn't known I'd been looking for him.

  I heart lurched. “Oh, don't do that. You scared me to dea ... Um, you scared me."

  I tried not to use the word death around them. No need to rekindle bad memories for them.

  "What are you guys doing to Brianna? She has it out for me because she thinks I'm doing things to her. I know you're up to something, and are responsible for the shenanigans."

  I was met with silence. “Come on, guys. I need to know what you've done.” Everyone was looking at the floor, not saying anything.

  "Mr. Haynes, I know you will tell me.” I released a deep sigh. Why were they being so difficult?

  "We merely made some noise."

  I raised my eyebrow. “And?"

  "We hid some of her things."

  I couldn't help but let out a snicker. “What kind of things?"

  "Nothing major, a hairbrush here, a toothbrush there. And maybe her keys on a few occasions."

  I could see Brianna searching her house in vain for the items.

  "You guys have to leave Brianna alone. It is causing me so many headaches. She's suspicious I'm somehow involved in the pranks going on around her.” I gave an exasperated look and slumped further down on my seat.

  "You are involved,” Mrs. Williams said as she stood across the room, leafing through one of the books.

  I just gave her a warning glare. There was no point in arguing with her; she didn't listen. She was one stubborn woman.

  "Now does everyone understand me? Leave Brianna alone. I know you're just trying to help, but right now, it's not helping. Actually, it's making things far worse for me. You'll stop? No more pranks?"

  I scanned everyone's pale, somewhat transparent faces, waiting for an answer. Silence filled the space. No answer. I shot another stern look their way. Finally, everyone reluctantly nodded in agreement.

  "Of course, dear,” Mr. Haynes said.

  "Good, now that we've got that settled, we can drop the subject of Brianna. I don't want to even think of her. Now, I need to get to work. Here comes a customer. Everyone, please do not do anything to her."

  My frown deepened as I eyed Mrs. Williams; she couldn't be trusted.

  After the customer had gone I took a seat behind the counter and grabbed the mail. I hadn't opened it the day before, so a pile was quickly stacking up. Nothing but the usual letters and bills, until I spotted a neatly wrapped package.

  I picked it up and eyed the return address. It was a package from my mother. I slid my finger under the edge and carefully opened it. I wonder why she's sending me a package to work.

  Inside the package was a pretty golden box of candy. Chocolate truffles to be exact. My favorite of course. I wondered what the occasion
was; my mother never mailed me things. If she bought me something, she usually used it as an excuse to stop by. I guess I'd been hoping the box was from a secret admirer instead.

  My mother knew how I loved chocolate, but she also never wanted me to gain an ounce, so it surprised me that she'd sent it. Me eating chocolate might impair my chances of meeting Mr. Right, her exact words. There was no letter included, though, so maybe she was finally easing up on her relentless badgering.

  The shiny golden box was dazzling in front of me and oh-so-pretty. I just couldn't resist breaking into the package immediately. I opened the top and retrieved a couple of pieces of chocolate. Hoping to eat them before the customer in the non-fiction section needed my help, I hurriedly popped one in my mouth. It wouldn't look very professional if I got caught chewing a mouthful of chocolate.

  Reluctantly, I sat the box aside and finished going through the mail as I nibbled on the other pieces of chocolate. Fortunately, I'd finished chomping them before the customer came over to pay for her book. I rang up her total and, as she exited the shop, I peeked down at the sparkly gold box again. Okay, just one more piece wouldn't hurt. I still couldn't believe my mother had sent the candy to tempt me; my day was looking up is spite of everything. And all it had taken was a box of candy in a pretty gilded package.

  An hour later and my stomach was not being kind to me. Sharp pains were shooting through my abdomen like tiny knives were being jabbed at me by unseen hands. Not since my twenty-first birthday had I been so sick. Waves of nausea were overpowering my mind, making every thought fuzzy.

  Slipping down to my knees from my stool, I managed to crawl across the hardwood floor to the open sign dangling on the front door and flip it to closed. With a low groan, I reached up, stretching as hard as my body would allow and switched the lock shut; I was in no condition to wait on customers. I rolled my body over slightly and reached into my pocket to grab my cellphone.

  The room was becoming increasingly dark. The edges of my vision were going black. In a daze, I fumbled with my phone, finally able to punch in Mindy's number. Thankfully, she picked up right away.