by Lynn Hones
This little bit of information whet her appetite for more. Turning off the burner, she took hold of her purse and now, with the help of a cane to walk, headed out the door.
“Mr. Puds, keep a watch over everything. I’ll be back soon.”
The library scanned all the newspapers ever printed onto microfiche, which people could then view on specific machines. She could browse around and find more information on the Eberstarks. She wanted to know why she decided to hang around after death, and most of all, why she wanted to hang around her daughter.
Seated comfortably at a machine, she opened the box of film, dated nineteen fifty-one. She figured this would be a good start date, and struck gold. A wedding announcement for Daniel Eberstark and his young bride, Klara Kohler, caught her eye. They married in a downtown synagogue. The picture showed a fresh-faced, happy couple ready to take on the world after a history of loss. Daniel Eberstark, also from Germany, was a wealthy self-made man, according to the article. He’d made his fortune here in the states. They’d met at the German American Club.
Scanning further on, only a few months later, there was an article regarding the club that caught her eye. It had burned to the ground early one morning, the owner still inside, and was ruled arson. That must be the man in the ballfield.
Ruth sat back and rubbed her tired eyes, and scrolled on. She’d have to quit for the day and get home, but right before she switched the machine off, another, smaller article, jumped out at her, titled Local Family is still Missing.
The family of Herschel Schuster has not been seen since the night of October 27, 1951. Neighbors say that the Schusters, recent immigrants from Poland, were a quiet family. Mr. Schuster works as a pipe fitter and Mrs. Schuster is a housewife. Their daughter, Elise, attends the local public school. Friends and acquaintances could think of no reason anyone would want to harm them. No immediate family members could be found for questioning.
Stunned, Ruth reread the article. “Elise! That was the name of the little girl visiting Pearl. Her name was Elise Schuster.
Deep in thought, Ruth turned off the machine, gathered her belongings, and stood. Dark spots swarmed in front of her eyes, but that was normal for her now. She had transformed from a healthy mother taking care of her family into an old, frail woman overnight. She headed out of the library, the last sentence ringing in her head. “Why couldn’t they find any relatives?” she said aloud to herself. She opened the door of her car, got in, and started it up. She pulled out of her parking spot and made her way home, more confused than ever.
Chapter Fifteen
“I don’t care, Paul. I don’t give a damn what you think anymore. Our marriage is suffering, our family is in shreds, and all you want to do is stick your head in the sand. Not anymore. He’s coming, and if you don’t like it, then get out.”
The words still rang in her head two days after she spoke them, and Paul, now staying at his mother’s house, wouldn’t or couldn’t let go of the fact that because this wasn’t scientific, it didn’t exist. He took the girls with him, which was a good thing. She didn’t want them exposed to the type of lunacy about to come forth in their home. The shock of finding the little girl, Elise, in the paper proved too much for Ruth, and she was done. She wanted answers and she wanted them now.
Her mind, in an attempt to wrap around the reality her world had entered, went deep into introspection and when the doorbell rang, she yelled out. “Oh, God.” She breathed deep. “Come in,” Ruth said nervously as she opened the door.
Al Geist came to do a full-out investigation. The box of equipment he brought sat on her front step and baffled her.
“Here, let me help you.” She bent for the box, but Al gently insisted she go inside while he brought it in. She’d forgotten to put Puddles in the back, and he growled at the stranger in his home.
“Please, don’t be afraid, his bark is much worse than his bite.”
He smiled nervously at the dog.
“I’ve seen these ghost shows,” Ruth said apprehensively. “Where’s all the computer equipment? Ya know, the technological stuff?”
“As much as I’d love to use that type of paraphernalia,” Al said, “as far as I’m concerned the old ways are the best ways.”
“What I plan to do is set up a few of the things I brought, spend as much time as I need to gather information and then do my conclusion. Are you planning on staying?”
“Yes. I want whatever is here to know I’m not backing down. They’re messing with my baby, and that’s unacceptable.”
The first thing Al pulled out was an ancient barometer. “This,” he said confidently, “is essential in knowing the barometric pressure in a room. Ghosts are known to affect that.”
She pushed a question his way. “That sounds very complicated. Is there anything else that can affect that?”
“Yes, but I don’t just depend on one thing registering a change. That’s why I have pieces of equipment that compliment each other.”
Next, he pulled out candles and matches. “These are self-explanatory. If a ghost wants to let me know they are around, they will often times simply make the flame of a candle rise up, or bend. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, they will go out completely.”
She tried to keep her tone light. “Sounds intimidating.”
Energized with him there, she took deep interest in all he did and glanced at a compass he put on the table.
Al explained. “A compass is useful for navigation and for picking up electromagnetic forces. It will react to electrical and magnetic stimulus. It’s better to avoid an electronic compass and use the kind where the needle points north.”
“These things work, huh?”
“Much better than the modern stuff. Those things can be easily manipulated, malfunction or lose battery power. These cannot.”
Next, he traced a quarter on a sheet of paper. “This,” Al explained, “is to see if there is any change in the position of the coin. Many times a ghost will use these types of things to let us know they’re around and want to communicate.”
He turned to Ruth with a smile. “Now, I’ll ask you to go around with me and turn off all the lights.” He spread his arms out and grazed the air around him. “I’d like to unplug as many electronics as we can. These are the tried and true methods that have worked for centuries.”
“I’d love to help you, but as you can see, I’m not well. I don’t mind you going around and doing that yourself. I trust you.”
He left the room and she heard him unplugging appliances and turning lights out all over the house. She listened to the click of Puddles’ toenails on the ground following him. Afterward, they sat and waited, listening to the creaks and clinks typical in any house that had suddenly become quiet. It didn’t seem to be her house at all, with the candles burning in several rooms and the complete lack of activity. She might as well have been sitting in some historic home in a place like Williamsburg or Gettysburg for that matter.
The ambiance unsettled her nerves and she chewed at her fingernails.
“Sometimes,” Al said, “it’s best to sit it out and wait for some form of activity.” He entertained her with tales of different places he’d been and the different things he’d seen.
“What you must understand, Mrs. Adler—Ruth, is that ghosts are tricky and can be liars. They will say things to vulnerable people to make themselves look good or kind, or to simply mislead, when in reality, they are evil. That’s why I’m concerned for your daughter. She’s young and impressionable. She states that some ghosts are friendly, and some are mean. She must understand, though, not to trust any of them. One exception is Mrs. Eberstark. She knew the old woman in life, so she can be believed.”
“That makes me very nervous,” Ruth heard herself say. “But, that’s why it’s good for you to get to the bottom of this. How long does it usually take for an occurrence?” Ruth whispered.
“It depends. Sometimes nothing at all happens. But then again, sometimes goings-on happen all night.”
“What do you think about the fact my daughter had a visit from a young girl who told her she had been killed?”
“I think that we must be very careful. This truly could be a sweet, young girl, or it could be someone very rotten masquerading as such.”
A bump upstairs startled them and they exchanged glances. Puddles let out a warning bark and stood. “Shall we investigate?” he said.
“Absolutely.”
“Are you sure you’re up to this?” Al stood slowly, and stared at her as she struggled up.
“Yes, I’ll just take it slowly.”
They climbed the stairs at a snail’s pace while Al carried a candle, which gave them a monastic appearance. The only things missing were the robes and chants. Puddles beat them into the room and sat staring into a corner, growling.
“They’re both out,” she said with a matter of fact tone. “The candles we lit in there.”
Quietly, they entered what just happened to be Pearl’s room.
“This room is very cold,” Al said.
“I know that means a ghost is present,” Ruth said. “I mean, at least that’s what I’ve seen on those shows.” She re-lit the candles.
“Yes, you’re right,” he said without hesitation.
“Look at this.” He showed Ruth his compass. “There’s activity in this room.”
Al spoke. “Hello, we’d like to communicate with you.”
Nothing. No noise except for the low growl of Puddles.
“Is there any way you can let us know you’re here?”
It was silent. Ruth could hear only the uneven breaths of herself and Al.
Al spoke. “You must understand what I’m saying to you. You have to leave this good family alone. They don’t want you here. They want you to leave. You have no right to take up residence in their home. You are making the mother ill. She can barely function anymore.”
One of the candles wavered, although there was no wind, and then went out.
“You are unwelcome,” he said. “We are here to make sure you leave. If you don’t like that, then I’m sorry.”
They waited for five minutes, Ruth seated on Pearl’s bed, staring at the one flame still lit. Nothing occurred, so they vacillated between staying in the room and leaving to slip back downstairs.
“It’s frustrating, isn’t it?” Ruth attempted to make conversation once they were out in the hallway again.
“That’s a very good word for it, yes,” Al answered.
Just as Ruth and Al moved to the staircase, they heard an exhale come from Pearl’s room.
Determinedly, Al zipped back and peered in. He put his arm out and stopped Ruth as she tried to enter.
“Perhaps it’s best if you stay here. They know I’m an investigator and don’t live here, they may not want to let you see their real selves.”
Dejected only momentarily, Ruth conceded to his demand and waited. After what felt like forever, he came out of the room with a piece of paper in his hand, shaking his head.
“I found this lying on the bed.”
“What do you mean?” Flabbergasted, she swallowed, hard, her throat raw.
“Let’s go down and read it in the family room. We’ll be more comfortable there, and I can explain what I think this means.”
After they sat, he read the letter.
Fritz Wagner
Allee mit 22 Mitten
Blume Österreich
My dearest Fritz,
I must let you to know, my sweet darling, that living in America is as a dream and much more exciting than I was to realize it would be. It was very easy for a Visa and I hope that you will soon come and join me. It will be good and not to be noticed that we are married since we changed our names. I think back to the war years and all that was lost. How horrible to think of our lives in Germany. Please come, Fritz. I know you wish to be with me. Consider what I say to you. It will to be all worked out. I have enjoyed English classes. It will be good to teach you. Bring everything over in something large. They will not to check anything if it is hidden well. All of my love,
Frieda
Ps.
Take note that I write in English. I am learning much. Are you proud of your little wife?
Ruth took the letter from him.
“So you think that Frieda might be the lady Pearl sees? The Radio Lady?”
“Yes, I believe it is. It seems these people did wrong in Germany and are trying to make a new life in America by using fake names. I’m a sensitive on top of everything else, and I think it’s going to be necessary to stay here until this all gets worked out. There is someone, or actually a few ghosts who want to destroy your daughter. I don’t know why. But it’s best to keep her away.”
“But how—how did that letter just show up?”
“Spirits are very good at manipulating the environment around them. It’s not unusual at all for them to move things around. They have been known to manifest materials out of thin air. This is an old home. There may even be letters here in this home she wants, or letters elsewhere. Or, she simply meant only for this to be found.”
“Al, I told you about the woman I saw. She told me to find documents. Should we search?” She had to admit she didn’t like the idea of going into every nook and cranny of her house, but dammit, she was desperate. “This woman was dressed as a Nazi.”
“We have to do whatever we must to get this taken care of,” Al said.
Ruth eventually fell asleep sitting up on the couch. Puddles curled next to her.
Chapter Sixteen
After staying up all night, Al decided to head home for the day and reconvene in the evening.
Paul had decided it would be all right for Pearl and Lotus to go home and gather a few things, as long as they were gone once Al got back.
“I don’t want to play that one,” Pearl, snapped. “It’s stupid.”
“Then you can play alone,” Lotus said. She put the controller down to their game unit and turned to leave.
“What are you two fighting about?” Ruth, also fed up and tired, was in no mood for their shenanigans. “I never should have said you could play a game.”
“She always wants to play all the really stupid ones. I don’t get it,” Pearl said.
“They’re not stupid, stupid,” Lotus retorted.
“Okay, enough.” Ruth headed into the living room with a basketful of laundry to fold. She set it down and breathed as if she’d just ran a marathon. “Come on, you two munchkins,” she said wheezing and coughing, “give me a hand.”
They gathered around their mother, reaching into the clothes.
“So, Mom,” Lotus said. “Did you find out anything yesterday?”
“Mmm, yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“What?” Pearl asked. Her eyes, as sweet as Hershey drops, looked to her mother for reinforcement.
“A letter.”
“A letter? Where did they find a letter?” Pearl asked.
“Actually, Al found it on your bed.”
“What did it say?”
“It was a letter that someone wrote when they moved to America. She was lonely and hoped to have someone come live here with her.”
“Did they?”
“I don’t know. That’s what we’re trying to find out.”
“But, Mom,” Lotus said again. “How did the letter end up on Pearl’s bed?”
“Good question, squirt. It seems that spirits, or at least the ones that Pearl can see, can move things. Al seems to think that there are more of these letters in this house and they want us to find them. He thinks once we do, the ghosts will leave Pearl alone.” She bent and kissed Pearl’s nose.
“I don’t get why the letters will stop the ghosts, if they’re just a bunch of letters.”
“I think I do,” Pearl said.
“Why?” Lotus folded a towel.
“‘Cuz the ghosts keep asking for them.”
Ruth’s eyes popped open wide at this new information. “They’ve asked y
ou?”
“Yeah, but they told me not to tell you.”
“What have I told you about that,” Ruth said, exasperated.
“I won’t keep secrets anymore, I promise,” Pearl said.
“Did they tell you what the letters were for, or what they said?”
Pearl shook her head.
Bewildered by this new information, Ruth was now convinced they needed to find whatever was hidden in their home.
Changing the subject, Ruth brightened. “What do you guys say we go for a little drive? Let’s go to the Schuster’s farm. I’m in the mood for some fudge.” She also needed to question the Schusters if there was any relation between them and the family that had disappeared in 1951.
“Sorry, Mom,” Lotus said. “Goats Milk Fudge sounds disgusting. Besides, do you really think you’re in any condition to drive?”
“I drive just fine. My eyes are feeling a bit better today.”
“No offense, but I’ll stay here. Nothing scary happens to me here, and I want to catch up with my friends.”
“Fine. Pearl, you with me?”
“Sure, Mama. I want Goat Fudge.”
On the ride there, they discussed everything that was happening to their family.
“Mom, why do you think all of this stuff about Germany is happening to me? I’m not German, I’m Chinese.”
“I wish I knew, baby. I really do. This area we live in has a high population of Americans with German heritage. A lot of immigrants from Europe moved to this area after the war. Sometimes they like to stick together. You know, help each other out.”
“Is that why we have a place in the city that’s called Little Germany and a lot of bars called Beer Gardens. Daddy said Germans like their beer.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Too bad a bunch of Chinese people didn’t come here. We could be Little China.”
“I know, honey. We’ll take you to San Francisco someday. They have a place called Chinatown.”
The crunch of gravel under their tires as they pulled into the Schusters must have alerted them. They both came out, he wearing his brown old-man pants with suspenders and she with a loose dress and apron.