Spring Showers Box-set

by Avell Kro

  I check the room to see if Mary Hull has returned. She hasn’t. I point out the story to Franklin.

  “You think the maid could be our upstairs ghost?”

  “I know it’s not much to go on, but I have a feeling. .”

  We’re still reading articles a few minutes later when I get a text from Mol y. She’s at Violet’s house and ready to set up the chat. I fire up the video app on my tablet, and in a few moments, Franklin

  and I are looking at Molly’s face in the chat window. I recognize Violet’s kitchen in the background.

  Molly says hi with a grin and then swivels her tablet. Violet’s face comes into view, peering at the

  screen like it’s a crystal ball.

  “Hello, Abby! Oh, this is such fun!”

  “Hi, Violet. Thanks so much for talking with me.”

  Violet is in her mid-seventies, with a full-moon face and lively blue eyes. Her long white hair is

  currently dyed with bright streaks of red and green, no doubt for the Christmas season.

  I move the camera and introduce Franklin. He says hello with a wag of eyebrows and a little wave

  of his fingers.

  Violet and I talk for a few minutes, catching up. She asks how I’m doing with my magical studies,

  and I have to confess I haven’t given them a lot of effort lately, but I hope to do more starting next

  summer, once I return to Harmony Springs. Violet just smiles and assures me it’s okay. Every true

  magician advances at their own pace. Violet is always so non-pressure and nonjudgmental—a lot

  like Granma and, I have to say, unlike Mom sometimes.

  “So, tell me about this ghost you’ve met.”

  “Wel , there are two, actually. .”

  I give her a quick summary, starting with Mary’s first appearance. Franklin drops in comments

  from time to time, and on the other side of the ocean, Molly asks probing questions to clarify some

  of the details. Violet nods and listens.

  When I finish, she taps an index finger to her lips. “Hmm. It’s a little hard to sense things through

  the computer. I’ll try a reading.”

  She’s already got her Tarot cards out, and I hear her shuffle. Since Franklin and I are not physically

  present, she gets Molly to cut the deck. Molly moves the camera so I can see the cards spread out

  and then brings it back to Violet’s face.

  “Wel , judging from this, the two ghosts are definitely connected,” Violet says. “But I’m not sure

  Mary actually pushed Lady Alice down the stairs. Or, if she did, there’s more to the story.”

  None of this is helping. I scratch the back of my neck. “Can you suggest what we ought to do about

  them, Violet?”

  She frowns, scrunching her lips. “Oh, well…You’ve already communicated with Mary and shown

  her how to move on. You can do the same thing with Lady Alice, if you see her again.”

  “But Mary refused to move on.”

  “I know, dear. But that’s up to her. You can’t force them. I mean, there are formulations you can use to compel a spirit to do your bidding. But that gets difficult and dangerous—not to mention

  ethically dodgy. I would not advise you to go there unless you had a really good reason.”

  I turn to Franklin, who is wincing.

  “What’s the problem?” Violet asks.

  “Well…”

  “I am the problem,” Franklin announces. “This ghost terrifies me.”

  “I understand,” Violet says. “But a ghost can’t really hurt you, you know.”

  “That’s what Abby told me. I know I should just suck it up, but it’s not so simple. When I see the

  ghost, it triggers me to a panic attack.”

  “He has anxiety disorder,” I explain. “He copes with it fine, most of the time.”

  “Oh…I understand.” Violet ponders for a moment. “Abby, can you put Franklin back on the camera?”

  “Sure.” I place the tablet so Franklin’s face appears, grim and sheepish in the local window.

  “Would you like me to do a reading for you?” Violet asks him.

  “I guess. If you think it might help.”

  Violet stares at the camera, looking at Franklin as she shuffles. She lays out the cards and stares at

  them for a while. When she lifts her eyes, I sense she’s gone into a trance.

  “Listen to me, young man. All of us die, but that’s just a transition to another stage of life. All of us

  are in this life to learn. If you try to escape your lessons, they will often come back and hit you

  harder, in another way. Sometimes what we have to do is simply face our fears.”

  Franklin stares, looking totally perplexed.

  “I want you to think about what I’m saying,” Violet continues. “Remember, this ghost can’t hurt

  you, unless you give it power over you. And remember, you have a friend there to help you. Abby is

  a very powerful magician, and she is not going to let anything happen to you.”

  Whoa. Forget what I said about Violet not putting any pressure on me.

  “Do you understand me?” she asks.

  Face strained, Franklin gives a little nod. Violet blinks and shakes herself.

  “I think that’s all for the reading. Abby, you still there?”

  I move the camera back on me.

  Violet says, “You might want to weave a little protection around Franklin—if he is willing. You

  know, direct the waters of the Springs into his aura. He’s got some things he needs to sort out, I

  think. You understand?”

  I don’t entirely. But I sense that I will see what she means once I start the magic.

  I glance at Franklin. He looks in shock. “I’ll try, Violet. If he is willing.”

  “Good. Well, it was great talking with you, Abby. Stay in touch now, and do let me know how things

  work out.”

  “Can I call you again if I need to?”

  “Of course. I’ll try to remember to answer the phone. I promise.” She turns to the side, “And thank

  you for setting this up, Molly. Such fun. Would you like to stay and have some tea?”

  §

  I tap off the video window and glance at the time in the corner of the screen. Yikes! It’s only five

  minutes till we’re supposed to meet Mom for dinner.

  We take turns in the bathroom. I change into a dress, and Franklin puts on a clean shirt. When we

  join Mom in the dining room she is all bubbly. Jim has flown in from Zurich and is driving up here

  to meet us. Jim is my stepdad. We get along okay, in a distant sort of way. Jim works for the same

  investment bank as Mom. Things have been a little rocky between them ever since Mom took the

  job in London. That’s weird, because Jim was already spending part of his time in Europe, and he

  encouraged her to take the new position. They both work so much of the time, I guess it’s hard to

  keep a marriage flowing smoothly.

  Anyway, Mom is in a good place, anticipating seeing Jim for some down time. Franklin, on the

  other hand, is strange and distant over his roast beef and potatoes. I can tell our talk with Violet is

  preying on his mind.

  So after dessert, I suggest he and I take a stroll outside. It’s well past dark, but the weather is clear,

  and the garden is strung with Christmas lights. We put on our jackets and go out through a side

  door.

  The gardens are terraced and pretty spectacular: fountains with reflecting pools, statues and

  evergreen shrubbery, long views of lawns and groves. As we take our stroll, Franklin says:

  “Do you think I’ll ever be rich enough to own an English manor?”

  I snort. “First you’ll need to get over your fe
ar of ghosts.”

  “Oh, but you’re going to fix that for me. I mean, being such a powerful magician and all.”

  “Right. Violet’s confidence in me is touching.” I let my tone get serious. “I’ll do my best. That’s all I

  can promise.”

  Franklin’s quiet for a few moments. “I’m afraid what Violet said is true. The ghost terrifies me

  because she brings up issues I haven’t faced.”

  “Any idea what those are?”

  He mumbles now, sounding scared. “Yeah. Fear of growing up. Wondering if I made the right

  decision about school.” Franklin’s been accepted at NYU to study drama. “Wondering if I should

  have listened to my dad and gone into something sensible like business or computer science. I

  mean, if I look at it realistically, my chances of succeeding at a career in theater are microscopic.

  But I can’t stand the idea of doing anything else. I think I would just shrivel up and die!” He’s

  getting excited and starting to gasp.

  “Calm down.”

  I make him sit on a bench beside a fountain. Cheery lights are strung along the shrubbery, and the

  pouring water glitters with reflections.

  “I know it’s tough,” I tell him, “but it’s not like you can’t change your mind later on and try

  something else.”

  He scowls at me. I can’t tell if he appreciates the supportive comment or is just annoyed. “Abigail

  Adams, you certainly have your life together.”

  That makes me laugh. “Benjamin Franklin. Trust me, it’s all an illusion.”

  “No, it’s not. You’re acing school, running on the track team. Your college plans are all set. And

  you’ve got your hoodoo-voodoo friends down in Florida.”

  “To me, it feels like my life is always frantic, about to jump the rails.”

  “But you face your fears. Just like Violet said. How do you do it?”

  I have to reflect on that. “I guess you get to the point where not facing your fears is the scarier

  option.”

  Franklin nods. “I think I’m there. What would you suggest?”

  “Wel ...Stand up.”

  Violet recommended that I do a little magic, sending the envisioned waters of Harmony Springs

  into Franklin’s aura. I explain to him what that means and instruct him to visualize along with me.

  The water in the Springs is an amazing color, a pure crystal blue. I try to think how to describe it

  and then realize I don’t have to. I pull out my phone and show him a picture, taken last summer.

  “Oh. Very pretty.”

  “Right. As I’m doing this, relax and imagine water that color flowing through your body and all

  around you. Got it?”

  So, as Franklin stands in front of the fountain, illuminated by Christmas lights, I weave a circle,

  walking slowly around him, silently chanting in my mind a verse to raise power.

  By the Sun that daylight sings,

  By the Moon beneath Her Wings,

  By the One Who Shapes All Things,

  I raise the Power of the Springs.

  I visualize blue light flowing from my circle into his aura, pure and bright, cleansing away all

  darkness, all of his fears and self-loathing. I see the light spiral up inside him and spill out the top

  of his head to fall back down like a gentle fountain.

  I don’t stop till I perceive that his aura is cleansed.

  “How do you feel, Franklin?”

  He shows me a dreamy smile. “Not so bad.”

  §

  Next morning, things get weird—er.

  My sleep is restless, and I wake dull and groggy. I figure the magic took a lot out of me. I suppose I

  am psychically out of shape and need to practice more. I shower and get dressed without hearing

  any noise from Franklin’s room. Wondering if he is still asleep, I knock softly on the bathroom

  door.

  “Enter.”

  I walk in to find him sitting in his pajamas, which are paisley, bright yellow and blue. The thing I

  notice right after the pajamas is a very strange, startled look on his face.

  “You are Fighting Eagle of the Circle of Harmony.”

  The floor drops from under my stomach. “Franklin?”

  “No. I am Mary. Mary Hull.”

  4. Try not to antagonize the ghost

  I jump back, my hands shaking. The ghost of Mary Hull is not only still with us, she is possessing

  Franklin.

  He looks around the room. Or rather, she does. “How wonderful it is, to see everything so clearly. To

  feel everything.”

  “Franklin?” I almost shout. “Are you in there?”

  His fingers wave dismissively. “Oh, he is here also. But I am in control. I was in the shadows for so

  long. I did not even know I was a ghost, until you told me. This is so much nicer.”

  Instinct drives me. I crouch in front of him, clamp my hands on his arms, and shake hard.

  “Franklin! Wake up!”

  He shudders and blinks. “Abby?” He’s himself again. Thank God.

  But then his face slackens, and he drops back into Mary’s voice. “We are both here. Franklin will

  just have to make room for me, I think. From now on.”

  “No! You have to leave him alone.”

  She gives a wild, creepy laugh. “I do not have to. I will not leave him.”

  I pace around the room, struggling to push down my panic, to think.

  “Abby.” Franklin’s cries. “Help me. Make her go away!”

  I bend over and stare into his eyes. “Try to stay with me, Franklin. You are stronger than she is.

  You’re the one in control.”

  He looks doubtful and terrified. Mary laughs again. “Franklin, dear Franklin. Do not be upset. We

  will enjoy ourselves together.”

  This is way out of my depth. I rush back to my room and grab my phone. As I walk back to

  Franklin’s room, I tap the screen to get to Violet’s number. It’s three AM where she is, but this is an

  emergency. I hold the phone to my ear and listen while it clicks and then rings. I stand over

  Franklin, watching him. Mary Hull looks up at me, smug and unconcerned.

  After four rings, the message machine kicks in. At the beep, I start blathering.

  “Hi, this is Abby. I’m sorry to call you in the middle of the night, but I have to speak with Violet. It’s

  urgent. That thing we talked about yesterday—it’s gotten a whole lot worse!”

  I hear a click and then: “Hi, Abby, this is Kevin.” Kevin is Violet’s live-in boyfriend.

  “Oh, thank God. I’m really sorry—”

  “It’s okay. Here she is.”

  Violet gets on, sounding half asleep. I blurt out an explanation, that one of the ghosts is now possessing Franklin.

  “Oh, no,” Violet says. “When did this start?”

  I describe how I found him a few minutes ago, how he’s Mary one second and Franklin the next,

  and how they seem to be fighting for control.

  “I did the magic last night like you suggested. And it seemed to calm him. But now I’m wondering if

  it might have left him too open. So the ghost was able to walk in and take over.”

  “Oh, I doubt that,” Violet says. “But, to be perfectly honest, I’ve never encountered anything quite

  like this before.”

  Great. “What should I do, Violet? We’re both really scared.”

  “I’m not sure, dear. I’ll need some time to research and do trance work. Can you give me till noon

  tomorrow? Can you call me back then?”

  “Okay. I’ll see if I can get Molly to do another chat.”

  “That would be fine. Meantime,
remain calm. Keep telling Franklin that everything is all right. But

  try not to antagonize the ghost. Give her as much leeway as you can till I can figure out what to do.”

  “All right. I’ll try. Thanks, Violet. Sorry to wake you up in the middle of the night.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that.” Violet chuckles. “You always come up with such interesting

  problems.”

  Yup. That’s me, the interesting problems girl.

  After hanging up, I check the time. Noon in Florida will be six PM here. That means I’ve got nine

  hours to try to keep a lid on this.

  Mary/Franklin stands up and stretches. “Such a lovely room. But I believe I would like to see the

  rest of the house now.”

  She starts for the door.

  “Whoa, whoa!” I rush over and jump in front of her/them. “I think it would be better if you stayed

  here.”

  She smiles mischievously. “Don’t be silly, Fighting Eagle. You can’t expect us to stay in one room, no

  matter how pleasant it is.”

  “But you can’t go out dressed like that. At least let Franklin put on some clothes.”

  She glances down at the paisley pajamas. “This is an outlandish costume. Very well. What garments

  shall we wear?”

  I’m looking through the wardrobe to get clothes for Franklin when a knock on the door makes me

  jump out of my skin.

  “Are you kids in there?” Mom calls. “Time for breakfast.”

  “Okay, Mom. You go ahead. We’ll uh…we’ll be down.” My voice sounds far from certain.

  “Breakfast?” Mary says. “Yes. I do believe I’m peckish.”

  “Well, hurry up,” Mom says. “I don’t like eating alone.”

  Wel , I don’t think that will be the problem.

  §

  Dressed in black jeans, a plaid shirt, and sneakers, Franklin walks beside me along the hallway and

  down the stairs. One moment, his face is pale and grim. The next, Mary slips out and gazes around

  at everything with a look of wonderful joy.

  “It all appears so different, and yet familiar.”

  “That’s great,” I whisper. “But remember, you need to keep quiet while we’re at the table.”

  I’ve explained that she needs to keep her presence a secret, that if my mom or anyone else realizes

  she has “taken up residence” in Franklin’s body, they could both end up confined in an asylum—