“Didn’t you let him in on the plan?” I asked.
“It’s still Ian,” Hunter continued. “Let’s assume he doesn’t faint. So then Maggie and Toby will head off together next and then you and Payne leaving Cassie here with Archer. Does she have her own car?”
“No,” I said. “Her mother’s dropping her off.”
“You know this may blow up in your face,” Maggie pointed out.
I raised an eyebrow at her.
“Trust me. Ooh, here she comes.”
Cassie waved as she came in, dressed in blue jeans and a green top with a sweater. She was about five seven, with a round face and a chubby frame, she had the friendliest smile and was such a happy person. I did introductions. As it turned out, she knew most people at the table, and they remembered her once she walked in. They had all had a class or two with her through the years, but she simply didn’t stand out in anyone’s mind.
Maggie pulled me to the side.
“I hate to say this,” Maggie began, “but are you nuts? How is it you think that this girl and Archer are going to hit it off?”
I looked at Cassie and shrugged.
“She’s really nice,” I said. “Just get to know her.”
“Look. I’m sure she’s sweet, but have you seen the girls that Archer has gone out with? They make men drool. I mean, Toby likes the fact that I’m so zany. It’s part of my charm. But Archer? He’s always gone for the girls who have everything going on here,” she made a motion with her hands that indicated her body, “and not so much going on up here.” She pointed to her head.
“Archer is growing up,” I told her. “He wants someone different.”
We both looked to Cassie, who was trying to balance a spoon on her nose. When it fell to the table, she snorted with laughter.
“Well, she’s different.” Maggie said. “Here comes Archer and Ian. Let’s see what happens.”
I was confident about this, whispering to her as we sat down again. “I’ll bet you five bucks he asks her to prom.”
As the two boys reached the table, they said hello to everyone. Ian shyly gave Hunter a kiss. Archer sat in the only open spot, right next to Cassie, and offered her his hand as he said hello.
Cassie pretended to not see it and just gave him a quick hello before turning her back on him.
“You’re on,” Maggie whispered back. “You want to give me the five bucks now or later?”
I ignored her.
For the next hour we all ordered food and milkshakes. Everyone agreed that the milkshakes were great here, but Payne and Toby still missed the onion rings from Frank’s.
Cassie listened intently to what people were saying. She had a goofball sense of humor that she displayed more than once. In school, she was much more reserved, but here she seemed very relaxed. She quickly became pretty comfortable with everyone—except Archer.
Hunter and Ian left first, just as planned. Ian knocked into a waitress on the way out, and ended up spilling water on his shirt. Toby and Maggie left next. I made sure to tell Toby to say hello to his grandmother.
That left me, Payne, Cassie and Archer. I was hoping that Archer could drive Cassie home by the end of the night, but she seemed to be ignoring Archer. I wondered if she was just shy, and figured I could help them out.
“You know,” I said. “I just found out recently that Archer has a lot of talent with drawing. Didn’t you tell me you had some pictures of your family that you’ve done?”
“Yeah,” Archer looked confused. “I didn’t bring them.”
There was silence, broken only by Payne who was drumming his fingers on the table, clearly amused.
“Do you like dogs?” I asked. Cassie nodded enthusiastically. I smiled. “Archer and I just rescued some puppies. In less than a month, they might be ready for homes. Would you want to go see them?”
Cassie shook her head sadly. “I’ve got four already. If I try and bring home another, my parents will disown me.”
More silence. Payne sent me a smug look. He’d been telling me this was a bad idea for more than a week.
“So, Cassie, what are you doing for prom?” I asked.
For a brief moment, my heart soared as Cassie glanced towards Archer. However, the raised eyebrow and dismissive scowl had it plummeting again. “I’ll probably go stag, if I decide to go. My mother thinks I should. My father thinks I shouldn’t. Which means I’ll probably go. Mom always wins. Personally, I think I’d rather stay home and watch a Star Trek marathon.”
“Oh,” I said. “My cousin’s a big fan. So’s Archer, I think. May the force be with you, or something?”
“That’s Star Wars,” Archer said.
Cassie rolled her eyes.
“Listen,” she said. “Thanks for inviting me out tonight. It was fun, but I should get going.”
“Wait,” I tried to say.
“It’s all right,” she said. “I think I know why you invited me here, but really, Archer isn’t my type.”
Suddenly, Archer’s eyes popped open. “What? Why would I be—”
Cassie looked him up and down.
“I’m not interested in someone who can’t understand why a girl might not be interested in them.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Archer asked.
“Let me ask you a question. Have you ever noticed me before? Do you even remember me?”
Archer took a look at Cassie before shaking his head.
“I’m sure I’ve seen you around,” he said.
“Try sophomore year,” she said. “You were dating that idiot Priscilla.”
“Wait,” I said. “You dated Priscilla?”
“Yeah,” Archer said. “It was a long time ago.”
“Archer dated all of the cheerleaders,” Cassie said. “But Priscilla used to harass me something fierce until I threatened to beat her into a pulp. But whenever she did, you and you cousins all laughed your butts off. Not you, Payne,” Cassie added quickly, “and not all the McKnights. But Archer definitely did.”
Archer looked shocked.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Look, I’m not going to make excuses for the way I acted. I’m not the same person that I was back then.”
“Yeah, and I really hope it’s sincere, but I don’t need someone to fix me up on a date. I’m happy on my own until the right person comes along. After all, I’m a pretty terrific gal. I’m fun. I’ve got a screwball sense of humor and love to make people laugh. I’m loyal, and I’m worth more than being someone’s new project.”
“New project,” Archer said. “What does that even mean?”
Cassie tapped her fingers on the table. “Look at Ian. There was a time when he was nothing more than easy prey to you. Now, I know what happened to you. I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself, and I’m sure Ian figures he’s lucky that you’re his friend now. But you can’t just be nice to him and expect it to make up for what you did.”
“Cassie,” I said. “That’s not fair.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. She began to get up. “I should go.”
“No, wait,” Archer said. “You have it all wrong with Ian. Please.”
Cassie raised her eyebrows skeptically, but she did sit back down.
“Look, being friends with Ian makes me feel better, but I’m the one that’s lucky to have him as a friend. I was an idiot for taking so long to see how cool he was. If anything, Ian’s doing me the favor. I know he cares about me, and he’ll tell me if I’m being a jerk. I can’t go back and change the things I did. I can only go on from here.”
My cell phone chimed. I answered it.
“It’s my uncle,” I whispered to the others. “What’s going on?”
I listened for a moment.
“Yeah, I’m leaving now. I’ll be home when you get there.” A moment later and I was off the phone.
“What’s up?” Archer asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I promise, I’ll keep you in the loop.”
He nodded.
&
nbsp; “I hope everything is okay,” Cassie said. “Let me know if I can help. I should really go. I’ll just take the bus.”
“Wait,” Archer said. “It’s late. Let me drive you.”
Cassie looked doubtful. “You don’t have to.”
“It’s not a problem,” Archer insisted. “My car’s right outside.”
Cassie considered a moment, then shrugged.
“I’ll see you on Monday,” she said.
“One of you,” Archer added as he got up. He pulled out Cassie’s chair for her, then looked towards me. “Call me.”
I nodded. Payne went to get up, but I put a hand on his arm to have him hold back.
“I didn’t want to say anything in front of Cassie,” I said. “But Uncle Mark has a lead on Seth.”
“Good,” Payne said. “We’re both going. No argument.”
“Fine,” I said. “I’m guessing Archer will insist on tagging along. Keep in mind, it’s not my call.”
I got up and we started for the door.
“I’ll talk to your uncle,” Payne said. “I can be very persuasive.”
“Go for it,” I said.
“By the way,” Payne smiled as he held the door open for me on our way out. “I think you’re losing your touch. Cassie and Archer are a strange idea for a match to begin with. Maybe you should stay out of the matchmaking business?”
We crossed into the parking lot and headed for Payne’s car.
“Why would I want to do a thing like that?” I asked, as we got within sight of the car. Archer was parked right behind us, and was sitting in his front seat, but he didn’t see us walk up.
He was too busy kissing Cassie Doolittle.
Payne’s mouth dropped open.
“Don’t tell me I’m losing my touch,” I said.
Chapter Seven
Pizza vs. Raw Fish
The house was quiet except for the occasional shout from Zack’s room as he played his football video game. Simon was out with Skyler. And Grandpa was at his lodge, doing whatever it is they do on a Friday night. I shuddered at the thought.
“Who are you talking to?” Zack said from the doorway. “A dead person?”
I sent Zack a shocked look.
“No, there’s no dead people in here. Just me and Ricky. Stop saying things like that. It’s horrible.”
“But it’s funny,” He said. “I like the look you get on your face.”
I crossed my arms and tried to send him my most fearsome scowl.
“Very funny,” I said.
Zack came in and plopped on my bed with a smile on his face.
He and I hadn’t talked about the fact that he knew since last week. I had been so afraid that he would look at me differently, but he hadn’t. He was still the same little adorable ball of energy that he always was.
Well, maybe not as little as he was when I first got here. He was nearly as tall as Simon was. I had a feeling that by the time Zack was in High School, he was going to be towering over me. He was certainly going to break hearts with his sweet face and blue eyes. I sat down next to him on the bed.
“Zack,” I said. “Do you want to ask me any questions?”
He shrugged a little.
“Like about sex?” he grinned.
“What?” I said. “No, not about sex!”
Zack’s little smirk told me he was just winding me up again. I gave him a light smack on his head.
“How does it work?” His smirk was fading. “Is it scary?”
I sighed a little and sat back so we were side by side.
“People just appear,” I said. “I never know when one might show up. And they aren’t scary. They want to talk to me. Sometimes they just need me to listen before they can move on. While I was growing up, there were many who were very nice to me. They were there for me when I needed someone to talk to, but I’ve never been afraid of them.”
“What about last week?” He said. “Did you scream because it was just a clown?”
I nodded.
“That’s funny.”
“Yeah,” I said. “It was hilarious.”
“So you’ve seen ghosts all your life,” Zack stated. “Can you do anything else?”
“Well,” I said with a sigh. “I sometimes get these visions of things. Sometimes the past, or the future, or the present, and sometimes if you’re feeling something strong, I can sense that. Again, I have no control over when any of it happens.”
Zack twiddled his thumbs as he thought about what I said.
“Does that have anything to do with your trip?” He asked. “Are you going because of a ghost?”
“Not exactly,” I said. “There’s a boy somewhere. We think that he’s in California. He’s alive, but he’s like me. He can see ghosts. That clown ghost told me about him. And he’s in trouble. He’s being held prisoner by somebody. So we’re going to try and find him. We think that since he can see ghosts, he might be either a Blackburn or a McKnight.”
Zack thought about it, shifted his feet around.
“I know about Grandpa,” he said. “How he can heal people. McKnights have powers, but I don’t have one. At least not yet. I wish I did. Grandpa said to me that we should never ask anyone about their abilities. It’s private. And if someone tells us or if we find out, we have to keep the secret.”
I kissed the top of his head.
“He’s right,” I said. “And I know you’ll keep my secret.”
“Is this boy the only other person that can do what you do?” he asked.
“As far as I know,” I answered.
“I bet Payne has a really cool power,” Zack said after a second. “Can you tell him that I know about you and that if he wants to tell me, I’ll keep his secret?”
“I can tell him,” I said. “But don’t expect him to tell you. It’s private.”
“I know,” Zack said with a sigh. His eyes brightened and he grinned again. “I’ll bet I know Hunter’s power. She’s super-pretty.”
“Oh?” I said. “Is she now? Maybe I should tell her that you think so.” I figured that ought to shut him up.
“Go ahead,” he told me. “I know she likes Ian now. I was hoping when I was older, she’d like me, but there are other pretty girls around.”
“Are there?” I asked.
“Sure,” Zack said. “You’re kinda pretty too, but you’re like a sister, so I don’t see it as much.”
I wasn’t sure if I should feel flattered or insulted.
“So you’re sure this boy isn’t a ghost?” He said.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m sure. Zack, I can help a ghost to move on. To come to terms with the fact that they’ve died, but once they’re dead, I can’t save them. I can’t bring back the dead.”
Zack nodded. He was holding my hand, fidgeting as he worked up the courage to ask the next question.
“Have you ever seen my mom?”
I had been dreading this one.
“Yes,” I said. “Once.”
Zack sat up, his eyes fixed on mine.
“Do you remember the day we met?” I said. “You and your dad and brother drove all the way down to Manhattan to get me?”
He nodded.
“On the way up, I fell asleep. She came to me in a vision. She was very nice and beautiful. She wanted to tell me that I could trust your dad. She also wanted to tell me a little about you and Simon. She was hoping that since she couldn’t be here for you guys, that I could. Usually, once a spirit has moved on, they don’t come back. But in her case, I think it was because of how much that she loved you that she was able to find her way to me. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about her then, but I had always kept my power hidden. I promise if she ever comes again I’ll tell you right away.”
Zack turned away, and I pretended not to see the tears that he wiped away with his sleeve. He slid off the bed and looked into Ricky’s tank. Ricky had gone into his soup can to hide.
“Will he live with us?” Zack asked. “This boy, when you find him?”
He clearly wanted to change the subject.
“I’m not sure,” I said. “We don’t know if he has family or not.”
Zack turned to face me. “If he does, he can share my room. I’ve got bunk beds now.” After a moment, he sat back again.
“Can I ask you one more thing? About when you saw my mom?”
I nodded.
“Anything.”
“What did she say about Grandpa?”
He smiled and I laughed.
“She told me that he had a unique and challenging personality.”
Zack laughed.
“That sounds like Grandpa, all right.”
We laughed a little more, but a knock on the door made us get quiet.
Uncle Mark poked his head into the room. “Bristol? You got a second?”
Zack was back in his room playing video games, and Uncle Mark came in and closed the door. His face looked grim. Frowning, Uncle Mark approached the bed as I sat up and felt my heart slam in my chest. I imagined this was the same face Uncle Mark wore when he had to inform someone that their loved one was killed in an accident.
“Is it Seth? I asked as he sat down on the edge of my bed. “Have you found him yet?”
Uncle Mark shook his head. “No. But we have a better idea where to look. That label you saw, Sierra Water. The water’s made in a bottling plant in rural California. They don’t ship out of state. And the Iweda County Tadpoles are a local group for young children. Like the scouts.”
“Is there an Iweda County in California?”
“Yes,” Uncle Mark answered. “They sell Sierra Water in that area, and near the plant is a chain of gas stations with convenience stores owned by a company called ‘On the Go.’ There’s about fifty of them. So that narrows it down a little more. All of this is out of my jurisdiction, but Varick has some contacts. He’s reaching out.”
I nodded, picturing Seth’s little face in my mind. We were getting closer. “Do you think it’s enough to find him?”
“I don’t know,” Uncle Mark answered. “It’s a big state and we still don’t have much to work with.
I had an idea, but I wasn’t sure if my very protective uncle was going to like it.
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