The secret to Becky’s potato salad was to mix all the ingredients together when cool except the chopped boiled eggs and olives. She added those last and while the eggs were still warm. The disintegrating yolks gave the salad a lovely yellow tint. Finding the taste too tangy, she never used mustard in her potato salad, only several large heaping spoons of real mayonnaise to give it a silky texture. Now, she tossed all the ingredients making sure it was well mixed, covered the large serving bowl, and returned it to the refrigerator. To taste its best, her potato salad needed to be thoroughly chilled.
Josh didn’t reappear while Becky was busy assembling the party dishes, but that didn’t mean her day went undisturbed. When she didn’t go into the antique shop that morning, two spirits who needed help decided to visit her at home.
“What is so important that I can’t have a day off?” Becky asked, slightly irritated at the interruption. She felt their presence before she saw them.
“Oh, sorry; we didn’t know you were taking the day off,” the spokesperson replied. Becky recognized him as a regular. His name was Jacob and she’d seen him around many times. He was often at the antique store and in the River Arts District. He was what Becky called a ‘helper’ ghost. “Is it a special day? Perhaps your birthday?” Jacob asked.
“Yes, it’s my birthday and I’m preparing for guests.”
“Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Jacob. Now, how can I help you?” Becky asked again, this time far less annoyed.
“Can you help Suzanna?” Jacob asked.
“What do you need help with, Suzanna?” Becky asked as she wiped her hands on a nearby dishcloth. The lights in the kitchen lightly buzzed and flickered. It was a sure sign of frustration. “What’s wrong?” Becky asked.
“She doesn’t speak, but she wants to let her aunt know where to find the key she took, rather stole, to the storage unit. If it’s all right, she’ll give you the address and the information through me.”
She doesn’t speak, Becky silently mused, looking closely at the frightened new ghost who tried to hide behind Jacob. No, of course she doesn’t speak... her throat has been cut.
“Who did this to her?” Becky gently asked.
“She’s not ready to talk about that yet,” Jacob replied. “She feels very guilty for what she did. And, between you and me, I think she believes that if she hadn’t stolen the key, none of this would’ve happened, that perhaps she’d still be alive.”
“I see,” Becky replied. “Well, tell me everything I should know, Jacob. I suppose we’ll deal with the other thing when she is ready?” Jacob nodded. Becky took paper and pen from a kitchen drawer preparing to take down the information.
“Suzanna wants to tell her aunt that the key to the storage unit is locked inside the unit and it is placed inside the mouth of the bear that holds the nanny cam that she packed away,” Jacob said.
“That’s it?” Becky asked.
“Yes, that is what she wants for her aunt to know,” Jacob confirmed, once again looking at Suzanna. The frightened young ghost nodded.
“This is the address,” Jacob continued as Becky wrote down the information.
When she was finished, Becky promised Suzanna, “I’ll send the message out with the next postal mail. Come back to me when you want help with any other problems.”
“Thank you,” Jacob replied for both of them.
“You’ve been around for a while, Jacob. Aren’t you ready to cross-over yet?” Becky asked.
“No, not yet; if I did, who would help those who can’t help themselves?” He grinned, and then, he and Suzanna disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
Chapter 8
Bobby arrived at four-thirty that Saturday afternoon to make sure the grill was ready to use. He was meticulous about grilling. Having been the last person to use the large charcoal cooker, he’d cleaned it before putting it away. Still, as usual, he’d give it another once over before firing it up today.
He gave Becky a warm hug, sat a small wrapped package on the dining room table, and wished her happy birthday again. Then, he headed out to the covered patio to get the grill started. Becky was glad that Bobby took grilling seriously. She didn’t really enjoy the preliminary smell of charring meat.
In only a few minutes time, Becky heard Bobby pop the top on a cold beer before he got started. She wished she could join him, but she still had things to do in preparation for the party and her other guests. Some would be on time, others would arrive late.
Although it wasn’t really a party-party, Becky considered the gathering of her siblings as the real celebration. She wanted it to be a great get-together for all of them. It wasn’t often that the three of them met in the family home anymore. Partly because of the way they had discovered their gifts, partly because they all tried to stay busy in their respective careers.
Bobby worked for Habitat for Humanity building homes for the less fortunate. He was off on weekends. Barb held a teaching position with North Carolina State University in Raleigh. She also had weekends off.
Barb arrived at five o’clock sharp carrying an overnight bag. She hugged Becky, added her gift to the dining room table, and wished her sister a ‘happy birthday.’ As soon as the greetings were over, Barb asked, “Do you have anything to drink?” Her eyes darted around the room as if she expected others to already be at the gathering.
“Sure,” Becky replied. “There’s iced tea, bottled water, and wine in the fridge. I also have beer in a cooler on the patio which Bobby has already gotten into. Help yourself to anything you desire.”
“Wine it is,” Barb said with a wide grin.
“I have to ask, Barb… is it safe for you to drink alcohol along with your meds… your prescribed medications?”
“Only if I spend the night… can I?”
“Of course; you’re always welcome to spend the night,” Becky replied as she patted Barb’s shoulder. “I’ll put your bag in your old room.”
“Great! Believe me; I’ll need the alcohol with the pills to get through the party. I know; I know… I sound sick, but it’s what I need right now.” At Becky’s frown and drooping shoulders, Barb hurried on, “Oh, it’s not about you, Sis. I’m so happy to celebrate your twenty-sixth birthday with you. Really. I just can’t deal with Mom and Dad tonight. In all truth, I’m to the point where I can’t deal with them any night. I know they’ll show. They always do. I don’t want to see them. I don’t want to interact with them. Please, don’t make me feel guilty about that, OK?”
“Who’s feeling guilty?” Bobby asked as he came inside with an opened beer in his hand and one for Becky. Seeing Barb, he offered it to her first, but she shook her head.
“Me; and I don’t need you and Becky to make me feel any worse,” Barb said as she hurried into the kitchen. She found an extra-large wine goblet that Becky sometimes used as a small vase and quickly filled it to the top with chilled Bordeaux, the perfect accompaniment for the barbeque dinner Becky had planned. When she returned, she added, “Sorry, Bobby; I needed something a little stronger and this will do the trick.”
“Whatever you say,” Bobby replied. “Now, what was that about guilt? Since I’m overburdened with the nasty emotion too, I enjoy hearing about someone else’s guilty pleasures and their guilty conscious.” He softly chuckled.
Barb went straight to her handbag and fished out a bottle of Xanax prescribed by her doctor. She swallowed a blue, football shaped pill with a gulp of wine.
“She wants to get sloshed so she doesn’t have to deal with Mom and Dad,” Becky replied feeling like a traitor for mentioning it. At Barb’s sharp gasp, Becky added, “He needs to know. We’re all here tonight and there shouldn’t be any secrets between us.”
“Does that really work?” Bobby asked. His question sounded a little more sarcastic than he’d intended. Barb looked like she was about to cry so he quickly added, “I know it works. I was just teasing. It works for me to drink myself silly, but it never works when it’s about the pa
rents. I can’t ever block them out, but I’ve been pretty successful jamming-up every other ghost in town.”
“She’s mixing the booze with her meds,” Becky added so that Bobby had the full picture.
“Oh,” he replied with raised eyebrows. “Then, I ask again… does that really work?”
“It should,” Barb replied and shrugged her shoulders slightly. “I’ve never actually tried it before, but like you, even though I can block out most spirits with the pills alone, my medication doesn’t block out our parents. I’m trying something new tonight.”
“Well, this is the safest place to do that,” Becky added even though she didn’t think it was such a good idea. Barb and Becky grew conspicuously silent as they stared at each other. Everything was quiet, but not peaceful.
“Hooah!” Bobby yelled, startling both his sisters. Then, the three laughed hysterically for a few seconds before things settled down again.
“What’s new with you two?” Barb asked as she first looked at Bobby and then gazed at Becky. “You’re unusually quiet, Becks.”
“Oh, honesty is good for Barb, but not for you?” Bobby said when Becky remained silent. “Tsk, tsk, Little Sister. Tell her or I will.”
“Shouldn’t you be out there tending to the meat?” Becky asked trying to distract him from her recent situation.
“Yeah, I should. Come on Barb. I’ll tell you all about it while I flip and sauce the chicken and ribs.”
Becky knew she had to tag along to make sure Bobby told the story correctly. He had a tendency to embellish when retelling anything to do with her. Since she was the ‘baby’ of the family, he loved to pick on her. He always had.
Becky listened as Bobby repeated the details about her earlier visit from Josh. He didn’t add any extra elements as he recapped everything for Barb, which allowed Becky’s mind to relax. Her thoughts began to wonder a bit.
She just didn’t get it. She couldn’t understand why Barb and Bobby went to such lengths to block out their parents or ghosts either for that matter. Sure, Justin and Joyce could be annoying at times, but they meant well. Becky normally enjoyed their visits. Then again, she generally enjoyed most of her interactions with ghosts.
Most, but not the one with Josh this morning, Becky sighed.
Like Bobby and Barb, she also knew her parents would show up tonight for her birthday. Personally, she’d be happy to see them. But, she didn’t relish their reactions to Barb if her sister’s little trick worked to block them out. That would not be fun! More than likely there would be tears and hurt feelings. Joyce had a tendency to be very vocal when displeased.
After Bobby finished perfecting the barbeque, the three gathered in the dining room to eat. Everything was delicious. As soon as Becky finished eating, Barb insisted, “Come on, Becks, open your presents while I’m still conscious.” She giggled for several minutes while Becky obliged the request.
Bobby had given her a nice pair of sterling earrings with a small turquoise stone that dangled on a silver chain. And Barb had given her a matching necklace with a slightly larger stone. They had coordinated their gifts which was not the norm. Becky was very pleased.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you,” Becky beamed.
With a mouthful of potato salad, Bobby mumbled, “You’re welcome.” Then, they all had another good laugh at his antics.
Chapter 9
“Lordy, lordy; that was delicious, Becks,” Bobby said while he patted his slightly protruding stomach.
Becky laughed, “Bobby, you are so much like Dad. You even sound like him.”
“Aw shucks,” Bobby replied, “do I look like him too?”
“A little,” Barb admitted with a chuckle.
“Even so, I’m serious about the potato salad. Look at me. I’m about to burst,” Bobby said. He wasn’t the least bit ruffled that his sisters thought he was like their Pops. “Your potato salad is always the best. I could eat a whole bowl of it by myself. And, I’m talking about a huge serving bowl just like this.” He tapped the large bowl with the edge of his knife to emphasize his sincerity.
“It is good, Becky,” Barb slowly added.
“Where did you learn to do that?” Bobby asked next. “I mean, I know you didn’t get the recipe from Mom. Her potato salad never tasted that good.” He laughed again.
“I don’t know really. I just added all the things I like to it and that’s the way it turned out. It’s also amazingly simple to make,” Becky said. “Would you like the recipe, Bobby?”
“No, I don’t trust myself to cook anything except breakfast, but I do make a mean omelet and a pretty good frittata,” he replied. “Feel free to tell me what makes it so special.”
“Nothing really. Like I said, it has all the ingredients I like such as potatoes, onions, boiled eggs, black olives, mayonnaise, and seasoning. No special ingredients.”
“Well, it’s the best I’ve ever eaten,” Bobby said. “Isn’t it Barb?” he added while winking at Becky and nodding at his older sister. “Look at her,” he whispered.
Becky did look closely at Barb and realized her sister was out of it. So far, Barb had finished the bottle of wine by herself. Becky had drunk only one beer while Bobby had finished off the rest. Becky was a little worried about her sister. Barb had also downed another Xanax, maybe more when Becky wasn’t looking. The combination and excess couldn’t be good for her.
Apparently, Barb wasn’t feeling any pain. She swiped at an imaginary gnat, brushing it away from her face and hit her nose instead. She sort of giggled and burped before adding, “I feel no pain. I see nothing. I feel nothing. This is good. This is better than good; this is great!”
“Thank you both for making my birthday so special,” Becky said. “And you can take the rest of the potato salad home with you, Bobby.”
“That, I will gladly do,” he said as he slouched in his chair. Stretching his long legs out under the table; he relaxed to make room for his stomach’s digestion.
Bobby and Becky chatted lightly for several minutes without any contribution from Barb. She was zombied. She was totally relaxed and she could barely keep her eyes open. Becky worried that she would slide right out of her chair.
Suddenly, Bobby sat up straighter and announced, “Oh shucks! Incoming!”
Becky felt them too and then she saw her parents standing behind Bobby’s chair. They weren’t alone. Close to thirty other ancestors had also stopped by to wish Becky a happy birthday. Grandparents and great-grandparents from both sides, cousins, aunts, and uncles. It was a crowd.
The troop sang the birthday song in a high-pitched, off-key sort of way, while Bobby plugged his ears, and then they exuberantly clapped their hands. Becky grinned and thanked everyone for coming. The rest of the spirits made a hasty exit, but Justin and Joyce lingered.
Bobby greeted them too, but Barb stared into space and didn’t acknowledge her parents’ presence in any way. Becky held up her gifts and Joyce admired the sterling set, complimenting Bobby and Barbara on their taste in jewelry, “Very nice, simply lovely.”
“I can’t take any credit,” Bobby admitted, “Barbara told me what to get and where to get it. Right, Big Sis?” Barbara didn’t respond. Her head nodded to one side and Becky worried once again that Barbara would slip off the dining chair.
Chapter 10
“Is she ignoring us? Joyce asked. Her voice grew incredulous as she repeated, “She’s ignoring us!”
“No, she wouldn’t do that,” Justin added as he leaned over and put his snout within a fraction of an inch of Barb’s pert little nose. Barb didn’t react in any way; she didn’t even blink.
“Could it be that she doesn’t hear or see us?” Joyce asked next as she waved her hand in front of Barb’s face. Again, Barb didn’t respond in any fashion. Nothing.
“I’m not sure she sees anyone or anything,” Bobby replied with an uncommonly weird and suspicious chuckle.
“What do you mean?” Justin asked, growing irritated. The chandelier about the dining t
able flickered and sparked, revealing his frustration.
“Why, she’s drugged!” Joyce exclaimed as she looked deeply into Barb’s blue eyes. “She is drugged, by gosh! Her pupils are dilated.”
“Move over, Joyce and let me look at my daughter,” Justin gruffly ordered as he leaned in closer to Barb once more. “By gosh, you’re right! What in this world is going on?”
“Oh my goodness,” Joyce cried. “What did we ever do in our parenting that would cause her to do something like this? She’s drugged! Did you two encourage this? We reared you three better than that. Oh, I simply can’t believe it! And for her to come to a family gathering this way! Why this is simply unacceptable!”
Joyce was headed for a meltdown and tears would be the least of it. Becky quickly tried to intervene, “Mom, before you get even more upset or carried away, please listen to me.”
Joyce continued to wail and rant and refused to be comforted.
“Yeah, Joyce,” Justin added without humor. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. Listen to Becky.”
“Barb isn’t on street drugs,” Becky said, ignoring her parents’ usual snipes at each other. They hadn’t changed much even in death. They never missed an opportunity to backbite each other. She sometimes wondered if being married for over thirty years was the root of their problems… familiarity breeds contempt and all. “She’s taking prescription medication from her psychiatrist. Granted, she shouldn’t have drunk alcohol while taking them, but she did. This is just a temporary situation. She’ll spend the night here with me and be perfectly fine tomorrow,” Becky soothed, all while hoping it was true. “In fact, if Bobby will help me, we’ll put her in her old bedroom now so she can rest. Ready, Bobby?”
Her brother got up immediately and helped Becky steer Barb down the hallway and to her old bedroom.
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