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Next morning, Lydia felt dazed and it was hard to wake up. Something extraordinary had happened and she didn’t know what to make of it. It was like she had left her body and gone somewhere else. Now, she had to get this one moving, and concentrated on the many things that had to be done. This was a world of time, and duties, work, achievements, goals, jobs. That is how people defined themselves.
Then she remembered Margie’s hurt looks when she and Pearl talked about Mother’s ghost. How was she going to deal with that? And how much did Pearl really understand? And what if she had been keeping the ghost image going? Sometimes a community prided itself on having a local ghost or two. Even gaining publicity. Sometimes getting outsiders to come and take a look. Maybe even charge a fee for a ghost tour. Jeez. Lydia hated to think of that happening in New Hope. All she wanted was to find some way to help her mother find peace and go on doing what people are supposed to do in the astral world, leaving the physical world behind.
Lydia stumbled down the stairs to the smell of coffee already made and found Margie solemnly pouring cold cereal into a dish. She checked Sid’s food and water and then poured out cereal for herself and sat down at the table near her sister.
“Have you looked out at the side lawn?” Margie asked, not looking up from her eating.
“Well, no, I didn’t bother this morning.”
“It’s those girls. All five of them standing there, staring at our house.”
“But hasn’t school started?” Lydia didn’t think she had gotten up that late. Surely the buses had come and gone and the children already in their classes.
“Oh, now they have. But earlier. Like they’re planning something. Nudging each other, laughing, looking over our way.”
“Margie, it’s probably nothing.”
“No, I can feel it. They’re going to start harassing us. They don’t want us here. And it’s their parents and that Pearl that’s put them up to it.”
“Margie, what’s gotten into you? What’s bothering you? What’s happened?” Lydia worried. Her sister sounded paranoid, and that wasn’t like her at all. Margie looked like she was close to tears. “You get a call from Dianne?”
“How’d you know?”
“The way you’re acting. What’d she have to say?”
“She’s complaining about Brad. Blaming me for making him restrict her from going to this party. But I didn’t even know anything about it.”
“Did you tell her to take it up with him?”
“She says he’s not speaking to her. She’s threatening to sneak out and go anyway. And if I tell Brad she’ll just lie and tell him she wouldn’t do that.”
“So, she’s playing you two against each other, sounds like.”
Margie put down her spoon and sat back, spread out her legs and lifted her arms like a plea to the heavens. “I’m totally helpless, Lydia. And she knows it. She’s going to be the death of me. If not of herself. Lydia, Lydia, what can I do?” Margie stood up, said she didn’t feel like eating, her stomach wasn’t up to it.
“First of all, don’t blame yourself. Second of all, I think she wants you to call Brad and be angry with him. Which maybe you are, but you can’t afford to let him know that. Maybe an email would be the best. He does read them, doesn’t he? Maybe you could offer to let her come here when school’s out. Or tell her we’d be happy to have her here if she’s not happy there. Or lastly, ignore her. And not worry about her. She asked to be with Brad, right? Let him work it out.”
Margie let out a long sigh. “You might be right. What can I do, anyway?” She let her hands drop heavily to her sides. “I’ve got to help Sherrie get out some Craft Fair flyers this morning.” She sighed again. “I told Dianne I had no intention of calling Brad and I told her if she went against his wishes she’d just have to pay the consequences. She hung up on me.”
“Well, that’s that. She’s had her temper tantrum. We can only pray that she not be too foolish.” Lydia couldn’t help but think about the teenagers who were with Dale on his murderous night. None of the parents could imagine what their children were doing, could they?
“Look,” Lydia said, “those girls. They’re just curious. We’re going to have to get to know them, have them come over and show them around or something. Pearl said something about their class planning an end of year party. It’s kind of a celebration for the sixth grade going on into junior high. She said something about them making it a treasure hunt all over the school grounds. Maybe that was what they were doing, Margie.”
“Oh.” Margie let the word out as if startled, embarrassed. “You might be right.”
The day was warm and spring like. Lydia wanted to be outdoors, see what might be coming up. “Hey,” she said. “I think I’ll take a crack at cleaning up the back yard today. Work at those vines covering the shed. What do you think?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want.” Margie was never one to like outdoor work. “I guess Sherrie and I can do without you.” She smiled at Lydia. “I’m sorry if I was cross, Lydia. I do get worried.”
“Well, of course. Jeez, what kids can put parents through. It’s a wonder, isn’t it?” She was going to say more, but let it go. Today was too nice to be analyzing and philosophizing.
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