Giving Up the Ghost

by Magenta Wilde

  I stood up and gave her a hug in thanks. “I owe you big time,” I whispered into her ear.

  She waved me off. “You’d do the same for me.”

  As we made our way out the café’s door, we ran into two familiar faces.

  “How was the movie?” Scott called out.

  Roger and Heather paused and turned to look in our direction.

  “Hey,” Roger said. “I saw you two leave a while ago. I thought you were …” he trailed off, a question unuttered.

  “Poppy wasn’t feeling good,” Scott said. “She got her period.”

  I shot Scott a dirty look.

  “That’s why she climbed on me earlier,” Scott continued. “She wanted all my Milk Duds. Chocolate cravings, you know. Her PMS made her not want to share. Then she got mad because I got Milk Duds instead of something more chocolate-y.”

  “Seriously?” I rolled my eyes at Scott and could feel my cheeks coloring in shame.

  “We passed by Emily’s and chanced upon her,” Scott continued. He was enjoying this a little bit too much. “She served some tea for Poppy’s cramps.”

  “Are you feeling better?” Roger asked, concern etched into his features. “You still look pale.”

  I nodded and rested my hands on my belly to play up the cramping angle. In truth, I felt better because I was now sure he didn’t think I had left early to sleep with Scott. I also felt better because I felt more like myself. I took a small sip of tea, to be on the safe side.

  “So, what are you two doing now?” Roger asked. Heather in the meantime had been trying to tug him away in the opposite direction.

  “Well, I walked here, since I’m just a block away, so I was going to get my car and take Poppy home,” Scott said.

  “I’m actually parked right behind the theater,” Roger said. “I could drive everybody home. Heather is staying with her sister, over by the college. I could drop her off first so she’s not waiting around, and then I’ll drop you off at your place, Scott, and then take Poppy home, since she lives close to me.”

  Heather began to open her mouth in protest. I could tell she was hoping for alone time with Roger.

  “That’s nice of you to offer,” I said, putting my hand on Roger’s forearm, and cutting Heather off.

  “Let’s do that, then,” Scott said, before turning to me. “What about what Emily suggested? Do you need anything else?”

  I shook my head. “No. I’ve got the tea, which I’ll keep sipping to soothe my, um, cramps. I have the rest of the ingredients she suggested at home.”

  Scott gave me a thumbs-up. “Let’s go, then, shall we?”

  “Just how bad is this period?” Heather asked, her expression incredulous.

  “Oh, it’s a bad one,” I said. “Really, really bad.”

  After Roger dropped off Heather and Scott, he drove me to my house. He followed me inside, asking if I needed him to fetch me anything.

  “No need,” I said. I began to busy myself, brewing water to make more of Emily’s exorcism tea. Okay, that’s not technically what it was, but I thought the name had a certain ring to it. I figured I’d make a huge pot of it, sugar it up and drink it cold, to make it more tolerable. I’d be willing to gain a couple pounds if it meant keeping Ivy out of my mind and body. The pesky ghost may have weighed nothing, but she was a ton of trouble.

  “Can I ask you a question?” he asked.

  I inwardly flinched, worried he’d bring up something I didn’t want to talk about, namely kissing Scott. Or Ivy’s kissing Scott. How would I explain that one? Scott’s period excuse was a good one, but me attacking him for Milk Duds was a bit too far-fetched.

  I nodded. “I’m not sure if I can answer it, whatever it may be, but I’ll try,” I replied, making a lame attempt at levity.

  “I’m not going to ask what you think I’m going to ask. Not yet, anyways. I was mainly noticing that after seeing you make your way out of Emily’s, you seem more like … yourself.”

  I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Was he picking up on something happening?

  “Right now you seem,” he continued, “more like the Poppy I met that first time in your shop, or when you first brought your car in for me to look at, or when we talked for a while at the Classy Dive. At other times, though, like right after we ran into Heather after having dinner at Tom and Fiona’s, or earlier tonight before the movie, you seemed … how do I put it? … you didn’t seem like you.”

  “What, or who did I seem like, then?”

  “Well, this is really weird, but when I saw you fidgeting with your ear, it reminded me of my sister.”

  “That was a tic of hers?” I asked.

  He nodded. “You’ve done some other things that remind me of her, little facial expressions, or you’ll get a bit more hyper like she would when she was excited about something.”

  I felt relief that he had picked up on that. I didn’t know what to say, though. If he was friends with Tom and chummy with Emily, he was fine with a bit of magic and eccentricity, but how much more he could take, I couldn’t fathom.

  The kettle started to whistle. I switched off the burner and poured boiling water into a huge glass jar. I added a few bags of Emily’s tea and stirred in a couple large scoops of sugar. I offered Roger something, but he declined, content to simply sit at my kitchen table and scratch Fido behind his ear.

  “Is that eucalyptus in there?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  “My sister hated eucalyptus. If she got sick and my mom wanted her to inhale some steam with eucalyptus oil, or apply some Vick’s Vapo Rub, she’d have a fit.”

  “I’m not wild about it myself,” I admitted. “But Emily recommended it, and it’s making me feel better.”

  “My sister hated it so much she’d said we could use it to torture her. One time when she followed Wyatt and me to a friend’s place where we were going to go snowmobiling around their property, we punished her by rubbing Vick’s all over her favorite doll, especially in its hair. She was so mad. She found a couple Playboys I had stashed under my mattress. When mom let her stay home sick one day, she went into my room and glued the pictures all over my walls. When I came home from school, my mom followed me into my room, telling me to collect my dirty clothes to take to the laundry room. When she saw all the naked women on the walls. I got grounded big time.” His eyes were misty as he chuckled over the memory.

  I smiled at the sibling rivalry. “Did she get in trouble, too?”

  “Yeah. After my mom made me take the pictures down, Ivy had to help me scrub the walls to get rid of the glue.”

  “Sounds fair, in its own odd way,” I mused.

  “But seriously,” he changed course. “What’s going on, Poppy?” His eyes bore into me.

  “You’ll have to be more specific. Anyway, I suspect you know. You just said I seemed more like myself again, and then told me a non-sequitor story about when your sister narced on you in a passive aggressive way.”

  “I guess I felt like we’d kind of clicked. But half the time you seem like the person I want to get to know more of and spend time with. Other times I feel like you’re channeling my little sister who’s been dead for eight years.”

  There’s a reason for that, I thought to myself.

  He continued. “I’m torn about what I saw tonight. I saw you climbing on Scott’s lap, and I was really upset when I saw you leave with him. But when we left the movie and I spotted you two coming out of Emily’s, I was relieved.”

  “Despite what you saw, I don’t want to do Scott and Poppy, part three.”

  “You told me that before. So why did you do that to Scott?”

  “You heard him. He told you I have my period.”

  “I could believe that, but I don’t believe that you climbed on his lap and kissed him hard for Milk Duds.”

  “Maybe I’m a big fan of caramel.”

  “No one is that big a fan of caramel.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t have an answer that I think will satisfy
you.”

  He raised an eyebrow at my statement. “That’s all you have to say about it?”

  “At the moment, yes.”

  For a second I wished I had that oil blend that Lady Silvia had recommended, to help Roger see his sister. Yet even if I would have had it on me, I didn’t think I would risk bringing Ivy so close. Not after what had happened tonight.

  “Anyways, thanks for the ride home,” I said, stretching and yawning theatrically. “I really am tired and would like some rest.”

  He left without pressing the matter further. This evening wasn’t going to be a night for resolutions. I had things to do, per Emily’s instructions. And as much as I wanted to be near him, I had to work on preserving myself first.

  A few moments later I burned sage while I crumbled protective herbs into a bucket of salt, mixing up a large batch to sprinkle as a magical barrier. I stepped outside and put a solid ring around my house and saved enough to circle my shop the following morning.

  After all that had happened earlier that evening, I wasn’t sure if I’d sleep. As soon as I climbed into bed, both cats curled up next to me, and I drifted into a dreamless slumber almost immediately.

  25

  The next morning I woke early, feeling better. It may have been simply due to the fact that I felt safe within my four walls, but a win was a win, as far as I was concerned.

  I went to my shop earlier than usual to sprinkle the salt mixture around the perimeter and proceeded to enjoy an uneventful day.

  The poppy was still in its small vase. It remained bright red and fresh as the day as it was cut. I took that as a good sign. There were no daffodils, either, which was also good.

  While Vanessa worked, I ran out to get more protective supplies, namely plenty of eucalyptus. As much as I usually hated it, right now I loved it for its potential to repel Ivy.

  That night I went home and read up as much as I could on ghosts and possession. I felt better schooled, but not necessarily better prepared. Still, with the wards up, I slept peacefully and awakened feeling positively renewed.

  I wondered if Emily had added some kind of restorative to the tea she had given me. I was sure I was making a solid recovery from what I was starting to call my case of the Ivy flu.

  Not long after I closed shop that evening, I heard a rapping on my door. I looked up and spotted Roger.

  I flipped the lock and let him in. He pulled a chair over and sat down. He looked around my shop, his expression serious.

  He smelled the air. “Is that eucalyptus?”

  I nodded.

  He grimaced. “Ivy always hated the smell of it.”

  I gave him a pointed look.

  “Didn’t you say you weren’t fond of it yourself?”

  I nodded.

  “Then why do you have it up?”

  I shrugged. “Let’s say it’s up in the spirit of the season.” I switched topics. “How’s Heather? Have you talked to her since that night at the movies?”

  “Just for a moment. She’s fine. She went back home this morning.”

  “Are you going to see her again?”

  Roger shook his head. “No.”

  “You sound pretty firm about that.”

  “I am. Initially Wyatt talked about some stacked blonde he was after, and how he needed a date for her friend or her sister. I asked him if the blonde he was talking about was Vanessa.”

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “Why do you think?”

  The corners of my mouth tipped up in pleasure. “What did he say?”

  “He didn’t say it was Vanessa, but he was being evasive, hinting that I’d be happy – really happy – when I met this blonde’s friend.”

  “You know Heather and Brittany are sisters, not friends,” I corrected.

  “I learned that. Wyatt isn’t a stickler for details, however.”

  “I can believe that. Why would he be coy and let you believe – I’m assuming that’s what happened? – it was Vanessa instead of Brittany?”

  “Why do you think?” Roger raised an eyebrow.

  I fought the urge to smile, and failed miserably. I also wanted to say something flirty, but I chickened out.

  “Both girls were in my shop a couple days before Autumn Daze. I’d heard Brittany talking about some guy she was hot about. I didn’t know who it was, but I think she had designs on him beyond becoming a notch on his bed post.”

  “Wyatt is not interested in dating anyone seriously,” Roger said.

  “He’s in his mid-twenties, right?”

  Roger nodded.

  “He may as well enjoy himself a bit.”

  “I assure you, that is Wyatt’s life plan.”

  “So,” I continued, “I understand how you ended up on that first date, but why did you go with her to the movies?”

  “Honestly? I felt bad for her. She had some nasty burns, and was crying a lot to her sister, so Wyatt, who still was interested in having a go with Brittany, kept on me. I just caved and agreed to take her out. I figured a movie would be safe. We’d just be staring at a screen for two hours. Her sister seemed to have enough of her. I didn’t like the girl – definitely not in that way, and she is on the whiny side – but she’s a bit lost. I was just trying to be nice.”

  The tension in my shoulders abated somewhat. “That was gentlemanly of you.”

  “But you didn’t like that, did you?”

  “No,” I admitted. “When she first arrived in my shop, I felt sorry for her. I could see she felt like she was missing out, especially when she saw her sister having – how can I phrase it? – an active social life. But when I saw her with you, I admit I was jealous. I felt like we had clicked, too.”

  “So why were you climbing all over Scott at the movies? I still don’t buy the Milk Duds story. That was overkill. Plus I know Scott is good at spinning yarns.”

  “It wasn’t something I would have done if I’d been in my right mind. All I can say is there’s nothing going on between Scott and me.” I put extra emphasis on the word “me” as I tapped my chest.

  He gave me a curious look, and seemed about to say something. Instead he shut his mouth and thought for a moment before continuing. He leaned in toward me. “I believe that. At least now I do. Plus I talk to Scott from time to time and last night I was at the Classy Dive. He assured me you two are just friends, and that you’ve always made it clear where you two stand. He also said you were, um, dealing with something. Something other than what he mentioned after the movies.”

  “Did he say what?”

  “No. He said I’d just say he was smoking too much weed if I told him what it was.”

  I chuckled, then waited, waiting to see if he’d say more.

  “Do you want to tell me?” he asked.

  “I do,” I told him. “But I think it’s better if I tried and show you.” I rose, making my way toward my office to fetch the vial of oil Lady Silvia had instructed me to mix. Maybe now was the time.

  26

  Roger was moving the chair back to its usual home in my shop when my cell phone rang. It was Trish. I opted to ignore it, figuring she’d call back if it was an emergency.

  I knew I couldn’t use Lady Silvia’s all-seeing oil in my shop because of the wards I had set up. I also couldn’t do this at my home, either.

  “What do you want to show me?” Roger asked.

  “I can’t do it here,” I said. “Can we go to your house? I’ll only need to toss a couple items into my bag, and I can do this ... thing … at your home.”

  “Sure.”

  I nodded, and quickly made a list of what I would need. Mainly the oil and a couple of candles would do it. “Do you have a large-ish mirror we could lay flat on a table?”

  He did.

  “Good. That’ll work. We might not need it, but it could prove handy, depending on how good your, um, sight is.” I stuffed a few candles and a small container of salt into my purse, and added a couple of crystals for added focus, just in case. I held up
the vial of oil for Roger to see. “This,” I waved it for emphasis, “is the most important ingredient.”

  He reached out and I let him take it. He held it to the light and eyed the filmy golden contents. “What will this do?”

  My phone chirped to life again. I looked to see who it was. “It’s Trish. Again.” I hit the green button. “Hi Trish. I’ve just got a minute. What’s up?”

  “I’m stranded out of town and need a jump,” she told me.

  “What are you doing out there?” I asked.

  “Paying a visit to my aunt, and then I went down a side road. Someone there sells farm-fresh eggs, so I thought I’d pick some up. Can you come and get me? Now?”

  “No one else is available?” I looked at Roger, still hoping we’d be able to resolve the Ivy problem tonight at his place.

  “Sorry. My parents are out of town. I can’t reach my sister. I even tried Martin, and he’s pulling a double shift, so he can’t come.”

  “You sure he doesn’t just want to leave you stranded so he won’t have to pay alimony?” I joked.

  “Very funny. Now come and get me.”

  I sighed. “Sure. Tell me where to find you. I’ll be on my way in five minutes.”

  “Does someone need help?” Roger asked.

  I nodded. “It’s Trish. She needs a jump start. She’s out in the boondocks, so I’m going to head out there to give her a boost. We can do this later tonight. Or maybe tomorrow?”

  “Sure.” He slipped the vessel into his pocket and fished his keys out.

  “Don’t lose that container,” I warned. “I can make more, but it takes some mixing and measuring.”

  “It’s safe with me. How about I come along? Or better yet, we take my truck. I have tools and jumper cables, so I can either try and fix the problem or we can tow her back to town.”

  I started to protest, then thought, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. “Okay. Thanks.” I grabbed my keys, phone and purse and locked up the shop.

  I turned to where he was parked. “Oh, I see you have your tow truck. I’ve always wanted to drive one.”