“I see them too, but I guess it doesn’t bother me the way it does you two,” Becky said. “I’m not offended by it and I don’t feel it is an invasion of my privacy.”
“You don’t have to worry anymore,” Justin said, startling his three children with his booming voice. Barb physically jumped in her chair. Bobby hung his head in shame and Becky waved a greeting at her father. “We’ve gotten the message. Or at least I have. I’ll make sure Joyce understands too. We never meant to interfere or spy on you.”
“Sorry, Pops,” Bobby said, “but it feels like spying to us.”
“Well, if you want to limit that, don’t think about us all the dang time!” Justin shouted.
“Dad, let’s make sure you got the correct message,” Becky softly said.
“Oh, we understand. We’re driving you to do stupid things with drugs,” he accused as he eyed Barb and Bobby.
“No, that isn’t the message we intended to give you,” Becky thoughtfully replied. “We love you. And, because we love you, we can’t help but think about you.” Becky paused for a few moments and let that sink in before she continued, “But there is a difference in thinking about you and needing to see you. Do you understand?”
“Of course I understand!” Justin indignantly replied. “You know, we do have other things to do ourselves, but every time you think ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad,’ we can’t help appearing to you. We are here instantly because there is no time or space where we are. All it takes is a thought to travel the distance of the world, the universe.”
“I know,” Becky said, “and I understand, but next time you hear us think about you, don’t show yourselves to us. Wait for us to say, ‘Mom, Dad, I need to see you.’ Just watch for a minute to determine if we called you or just thought about you. If we didn’t specifically call you, then you can get back to those other things without worrying about us. Wait for us to say, ‘Dad, Mom, I need you.’”
“Now, you’ve really upset your mother. Joyce is out there crying her eyes out right now. But, I’ll try my best to help her understand.”
None of them knew what to say so they remained silent.
“I just wish you would’ve spoken up sooner. Sounds like we’d all have been happier if you had explained yourselves earlier.”
Still, everyone remained silent.
“I’ll catch you later… when you call… that is if you ever call again,” Justin’s voice was indignant, but it faded as his presence melted away.
The room grew was even quieter.
Chapter 15
“Do we all understand,” Becky finally asked. “Our key words to our parents are: I need you.”
Barb and Bobby nodded.
“You know,” Barb added, breaking the silence, “I always thought that when spirits crossed over, they were just gone. What is the deal with our parents?”
“Normally, when spirits cross-over, they are gone,” Becky explained.
“Everyone except out parents? That can’t be right,” Bobby quipped.
“But, just like our parents do, other spirits return each time their loved ones think of them,” Becky continued, ignoring Bobby’s comment. “The difference is that we are mediums, all of us. Normal people don’t see their departed loved ones standing in the room with them the way we do. So to them, their loved ones are truly gone.”
“If thinking about the person brings their spirit to the living, didn’t you ever think about Josh?” Barb asked.
“I’m sure I did, especially right after he died,” Becky said. “I mean, I don’t recall thinking about him. Not really. Not like I think about Mom and Dad. Anything can bring them to mind… a special cup that Dad liked. A favorite platter that Mom loved. Admiring the twinkling lights they hung on the patio. Just about anything can cause me to think about them.”
“Nothing comes to mind about Josh though?” Barb persisted.
“Not really. I guess that does seem odd. After the tears dried, I just let him go,” Becky replied. “Of course, our abilities weren’t known to us when Josh died. Even if he’d visited me, I wouldn’t have seen him.”
“Could that be part of the problem?” Bobby asked. “Could he be angry that you didn’t mourn him for a longer period of time? That you didn’t miss him and show it?”
“I honestly don’t know… Maybe,” Becky said.
“If that’s the case,” Barb added, “maybe you didn’t love Josh. Maybe you weren’t as connected to him as he was to you. You’ve already admitted that you didn’t have sex with him so maybe a strong connection never developed.”
“Makes sense,” Bobby added.
“I think our little sister is still a virgin,” Barb concluded as she winked at Bobby.
“That is really none of your business!” Becky indignantly replied. Then, to change the subject, Becky said, “At least now we understand how to limit the visitations with Mom and Dad.”
“Well, let’s see if this little chat with, or rather, about them changes anything at all,” Bobby said.
“It should,” Becky replied.
“I agree,” Barb added.
“I hope so,” Bobby said, “but according to my good buddy, Kris Woodward, this is not a society built by realists.”
“What?” Becky and Barb said in unison.
“Oh, you two!” Bobby laughed. “Whoosh!” he said as he gestured a hand flying over his head, indicating his comment was too deep and too fast for either of them.
“Big brothers,” Becky replied with exaggerated exasperation.
“Little brothers, too,” Barb commented.
When Barb could manage, and the nausea had subsided, she drove home to Raleigh. Bobby also left and Becky was at home alone. Becky was looking forward to the work week, which for her, began on Mondays. She was anxious to see if she could enlist Marty Smith’s assistance.
Chapter 16
Monday morning, after she got to the shop, Becky called Sgt. Marty Smith. Marty recognized her name immediately and agreed to stop by the River Arts District on his lunch break. He also promised to bring Josh’s file. Becky sighed with relief. She knew that if she really wanted to help Josh, she’d have to help solve the cause of his death. From the avoidance issues Josh had displayed, Becky suspected that his death was not an accident. She suspected that Josh knew this too on some level. At the very least, it had been a terrible shock to him. It could explain why he was so angry.
At the antique shop, Becky half-listened to the idle prattle of a group of ghosts while she kept one eye on a customer. She never interfered with shoppers. If they needed any help, they always looked up and around the store to get her attention. Otherwise, she left them alone. They bought more that way.
“So what happened to Rings,” Lois asked the cluster of spirits who stood behind Becky at the cash register. Lois had owned a bakery when alive during the 1950s and she had a tendency to want to be near the cashbox.
“He found a different home,” Jacob advised.
“Is that a good thing?” Myrtle asked. Myrtle was from South Carolina. She simply enjoyed the camaraderie of the other spirits in Asheville more than those in her hometown.
“He seems to be happy,” Jacob said.
“But, what about his new owner?” Lois asked, still worried about the situation. “Doesn’t Rings miss all of us her in the River Arts District. We’ve looked out for him for a long time.”
“His new owner seems to be happy too,” Jacob said, “I don’t think you need to worry about either one of them, Lois.” Then he mischievously added, “Becky, have you been to Bobby’s new house? It’s really nice and he is enjoying it a lot.”
Distracted by thoughts about Josh and waiting for Marty to arrive, Becky only shook her head and tried to block out their conversations. It was difficult enough to concentrate on the day to day and she had a lot on her mind.
She was checking out a customer’s purchases when Marty tapped on the front window. Becky held up a finger, indicating for him to give her a minute. As soon as the c
lient was out the door, Becky put up a ‘be back in thirty minutes’ sign and locked the front door.
Marty was six feet tall and handsome with dark hair and eyes. He looked down at Becky, and because he’d been trained to do so, he noticed everything about her from her incredible blue eyes that were so much like her older sister’s eyes to her lime green cowboy boots. Becky wore a jumper over a green, cotton thermal shirt that matched the ropers on her feet. Marty noted that she was cute as a button, but not nearly as beautiful as her older sister. Then again, he wondered if his comparison was tainted by his profound and deep feelings for Barbara Tibbs.
Becky and Marty walked to the Wedge at Wedge Studios, a neighborhood brewery located in the heart of the River Arts District. This time of year, the place was always bustling with activity. Several food trucks were parked nearby. And Asheville’s residents were enjoying the nice weather and the artsy area. Many wandered aimlessly along the walkways just glad to be out and about. Others were on some errand.
“You can’t live in Asheville without appreciating the beer,” Marty said once they were seated. “I’ll get us two half-pints of farmhouse ale and a medium pizza to share. Sound good to you?”
“Sounds good, Marty,” Becky agreed with a vigorous nod.
While he went to get their food order, Becky looked through the file Marty had brought. There wasn’t much in it that she didn’t already know. It gave quite a lot of details about Josh’s cause of death and how he was found, the name of the witness who found his body, but very little information on why he died. The witness had been interviewed several times, but he didn’t see anything helpful. He had simply stumbled upon the body when he pulled his car over to the I-26 medium and let his dog out to pee.
Becky continued to search for clues in Josh’s folder. She read Josh’s list of personal effects: wallet with a hundred-and-forty-five dollars, keys, lighter, pocket knife, and a cell phone. The cell phone interested her most. She really wanted to know who had called Josh away that night. Still, she also wondered about the money and where Josh had gotten that kind of cash. It was a lot of change for a teenager to have on their person, especially ten years ago. Was it really a clue or something to distract her?
She notated the witness’s name also: Brian DuFour. But Mr. DuFour lived in Georgia and she didn’t relish interviewing him or think it was necessary. Marty and Becky ate the pizza and drank the beers in silence. After they had finished the lunch, Marty asked, “What has you concerned about Josh’s case after all this time?”
“It’s been ten years ago since he died, Marty. No one ever discovered why he was out there on I-26, why he died… I had a small family party for my birthday Saturday night and it just came pouring back to me. You know, how Josh ditched me at my own sixteenth birthday party.”
“Was Barbara at your party?” Marty asked. A soft expression came over him when he mentioned her sister’s name.
Maybe it’s the same for both sexes, Becky mused. Maybe first crushes are hard for both guys and girls to get over.
“Yes, Bobby and Barb were both there.”
“You said he ‘ditched you at your own sixteenth birthday party’… Did he give a reason why?” Marty asked next.
“No, he got a text message and told me he had to leave. Did you or anyone on the police force check his phone?”
“I don’t know, Becky, but I’ll find out. I was a rookie back then and not personally involved in his case. Now, I’m a Sergeant and I can look into it. Maybe, if his phone is still in the evidence locker… just maybe… we can get some answers from it,” Marty said just as he got a radio call. “But, please don’t get your hopes up. His cell phone was probably returned to his family. There’s no telling if it is even still around which would make it a dead end. I have to get back to work, but I’ll let you know. Will you be all right to walk back to your store alone?”
“Sure; and thanks for the information and lunch.”
Marty took the lunch ticket to the counter, quickly paid, and left.
Becky walked back to the antique store alone. By the time she got there, she’d come up with another plan.
Chapter 17
The normal group of residing ghosts wasn’t in the antique shop when she returned. They’d disappeared. That put a pin in her plans. She’d intended to ask them if they’d heard anything about Josh or knew where he’d been for all these years, but it would have to wait.
Becky had several customers that afternoon. One in particular, a slender brunette wearing nursing shoes, seemed to be distracted and had a lot on her mind. She lingered and handled many items, but didn’t seem serious about shopping. Finally, when all the other customers had cleared out, she approached Becky, “You’re a medium right?” the fortyish year old woman asked.
“Yes, I’m Becky Tibbs. I own this store and I help people with ghost problems. Do you have a ghost problem?”
“I’m not sure,” the woman hesitated and then asked, “How would I know?”
“Flickering lights? Cold spots? Things moved around and not where you left them? Does any of that sound familiar?”
“Yes, all of it. I’m Candy, by the way. Candy Applewhite. I live in West Asheville.”
“How did you hear about me?” Becky asked next.
“Oh, I think everyone knows about you,” Candy said and then she hurried on to explain, “That’s not a bad thing. It’s important to know where and when you can get help for things like this.”
“Are you a native of the area?” Becky asked.
“No, my husband and I moved here fifteen years ago. After he passed away, I remained. I liked the area and I couldn’t see starting over in a new place without him.”
“Do you think he is your ghost?” Becky asked. “Do you think your husband is the one moving things around?”
“Noooo! Oh, no,” Candy exclaimed. “Whoever is doing this is frightening me. My husband would never do anything that would scare me like this.”
“Sometimes, the departed don’t realize that the things they do around the living can be frightening. They’re simply trying to get our attention.”
“That’s why I came to see you,” Candy said. “I want your help to understand who it is. I really don’t think my husband would do this to me. It’s just not like him.”
“I can help you,” Becky confidently replied. “What else can you tell me?”
“I’m not sure,” Candy said. “This is my first time dealing with something like this but I think…,” Candy halted in mid-sentence when a late customer came in the front door. Candy was startled. She hurriedly asked, “If you would make a house call, this is my home address.” She quickly scribbled out the address on a receipt she’d pulled from her handbag. “And here is a check for your time and services. Would you stop by this afternoon?”
Becky took the check and the address from Candy. “I close at six this evening. I’ll be there by six-thirty.”
“Thank you,” Candy Applewhite whispered and quickly left. Becky noticed that Candy’s worried expression had turned to one of relief.
The late customer bought several tables and an antique serving set along with almost all the lace doilies and tablecloths that Becky had on display. It was a good sale, but Becky’s mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Candy Applewhite and what she would find at her home.
Chapter 18
Becky drove the 2001 F-150 pickup that Justin had left her to the address that Candy had scribbled on the receipt. She knew exactly why her father had willed the truck to her. While she had attended UNCA, her summer job for the family was to take the truck to all nearby towns in the mountains and scour the areas for antiques. Becky had always loved her father’s truck. It was easy to drive, held a lot of merchandise, and the color was beneficial too. Since it was tan on the outside and tan on the inside, it didn’t get steaming hot during the summer months.
When Becky arrived at Candy Applewhite’s home she realized that she was familiar with the neighborhood. Josh had lived only t
wo blocks away. As she opened the door and slid to the pavement a chill ran down her spine. Did this have anything to do with Josh and his reappearance after so many years? Becky pushed the disturbing thought away and then grunted in disgust. She’d stepped right into a two-inch deep pothole that was filled with rainwater from the previous evening’s thunderstorm. The soles of her green ropers were soaked.
Each step squished as she walked to the front door. Becky vigorously wiped her feet on the bristled welcome mat while she waited for Candy to answer. Candy led Becky into the den. It was a lovely room with a large corner fireplace and two walls of floor to ceiling bookcases filled with many books and wonderful crystal and brass trinkets. The final wall held three eight foot windows covered by translucent sheer drapes that let in soft afternoon light. There wasn’t a television or other entertainment system located anywhere in the nicely appointed space. That fact alone made the room feel especially private.
“So, Candy, tell me what has been happening?” Becky asked.
“Well, it all started a couple of nights ago. I believe it was Friday evening. I haven’t slept well since that night because I believe that something or someone is disturbing my dreams.” Candy paused to gather her thoughts while Becky’s mind raced.
Oh my gosh! Becky silently exclaimed in alarm. This is the same night that Josh returned. The same night that my sleep was also disturbed. It has to have something to do with Josh! It can’t be a coincidence, can it?
“I keep seeing Paul, my late husband, but it’s not a clear image of him,” Candy continued. “It’s more like he is static or the image one might see in an old black and white television set during a storm… Only he can’t seem to hold physical form. He disappears in static. I’m sorry; I don’t really know how to describe it.”
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