A Medium's Birthday Surprise

by Chariss K. Walker

  “You’re doing very well, Candy. Is this the first time you’ve seen your husband since his death?” Becky asked. She understood the static image Candy described. It indicated that the spirit was held by some type of electrical charge which could be coming from another ghost or a place.

  “No, I saw him once before, but he looked just as he always had looked. It was nothing like this. You see, after his funeral and wake, after everyone left to go home, I fell asleep here in this room. Paul came to me and told me not to worry, that everything would be all right. He told me he had left some money for me in the safe deposit box and that he had taken care of me with his employee insurance and company benefits. He said I should live my life and find someone new to love… That he wanted me to be happy.”

  “And he’s never appeared to you again?” Becky queried.

  “No, he hasn’t. I thought he was at peace and that made me feel peaceful. Now, I’m not so sure.”

  “Why do you think you’re seeing him now?” Becky asked.

  “Well, this is the tenth anniversary of his death. I’m not sure why he would come to me again now. Except, I recently started dating someone. Do you think that has anything to do with it? Do you think he is unhappy about that or that he’s trying to warn me about my new friend?”

  Becky’s heart was pounding. Now she was sure that this had something to do with Josh. Candy’s husband had died ten years ago the same as Josh. There had to be a connection. Becky took a deep breath before she continued the interview.

  “I’m not sure what it means yet, Candy. I need to ask more questions. What kind of work did your husband do?” Becky asked.

  “Paul worked for one of the big breweries in town. He was a salesman. He made a lot of money, but sometimes, I wondered if he had a sideline business because we were paying off the home mortgage, both our student loans, and all of our debts much more quickly than two twenty-five year olds can do it. You know? I mean, I was an LPN and my job didn’t pay that well. His paid a lot better, but I still had a lot of questions. I never got around to asking them. Maybe I just didn’t want to know.” Candy dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

  “If you had to guess, what other kind of business could Paul have been involved in on the side?” Becky asked.

  “Something else that he was selling,” Candy replied without hesitation. She hurried on to explain, “Well, he had an established route for the brewery sales so it seems only natural that he would use that base to sell something else.”

  “What else do you suppose that he was selling?”

  “I honestly don’t know and I’m afraid to guess… I’m afraid to think of the many things that are sold this day and age,” Candy admitted. “I only hope and pray that whatever it was, he didn’t sell it to teenagers! Oh, I feel terrible for saying that. Surely the Paul I knew would never do something like that!” Candy burst into tears, feeling quite ashamed of herself for doubting her husband. Becky patted Candy’s hand in encouragement, but she was worried too. Was there a connection to the money in Josh’s wallet? Was he some kind of distributor for Paul? Were they both involved in something very illegal and terrible? Josh was still in high school and had access to a campus full of potential buyers. The thought of that was devastating. Becky took another deep breath to calm her nerves.

  “If I check into this, will it cause any embarrassment for you or your new relationship?”

  “I think enough time has passed that it shouldn’t matter,” Candy said after gaining more self-control. “If Paul was doing something illegal, if the money he left me was dirty, I think I’m ready to know. I think I need to know.”

  “Do you think it might cause trouble for you with your new friend?”

  “My new relationship is with a doctor over at the Minnie Jones clinic. After all the things he sees on a daily basis, I think he can handle just about anything. At least I hope so and I suppose that I would rather find out now than later.”

  Chapter 19

  Becky had several contacts in law enforcement, including the one she’d recently made with Sgt. Marty Smith. Danny Stewart worked for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department. Becky had gone to school with Danny at Erwin High. She knew she could count on his discretion and help anytime because they’d been close friends for many years, but she wasn’t sure he was the one she needed to call for this.

  It was different with Marty Smith. Becky hardly knew him. He was a person she’d like to cultivate as an ally because of his previous relationship with Barbara. And, because he had actually worked the scene of Josh’s accident, she knew he could be helpful. She also knew it wasn’t wise to reach out to Marty again so soon.

  Then, there was Hillary Sweetwater. Hillary worked as a dispatcher for the Asheville Police Department and she heard anything and everything that went on behind those departmental walls. Becky thought it was time to invite Hillary to join her for a drink at West Asheville Pub.

  She placed the call and the two young women agreed to meet the next evening at seven o’clock. In the meantime, Becky went home hoping for a good night’s sleep. She was disappointed once again.

  At the shop the next morning, Becky was surprised that none of the regular ghosts were there that morning either. She thought that very odd. They seemed to always be around or at least within sight in the River Arts District. The place felt empty without them.

  Ghosts had a tendency to stay close to their homes or their places of death. Many had died of natural causes over the years and their final stop was the Mission Hospital, a community hospital that had served the Asheville area for over 130 years. It was only natural that these departed spirits gravitated to the nearby River Arts District.

  Some came out of curiosity. Others were drawn to the lights, bustling activity, music, and appetizing aromas from nearby food trucks and restaurants. Once they’d discovered the hippy-style community of shops and eateries, they naturally preferred to stay there. Becky couldn’t blame them. It was her favorite place to be also when not at home.

  Business at the antique shop was slow that day and it seemed to take forever for the hours to tick away on the large west minster mantel clock that sat facing the cash register. Each quarter hour the clock chimed, reminding Becky that she wasn’t any closer to understanding anything about Josh and where he’d been since his death.

  Still, no ghosts to ask either; none of them had returned to the shop that day. She wondered how every ghost she was familiar with could simply disappear. And, there was still no new report from her parents on Josh either. Even when she did think about her parents, they were mysteriously absent too. She worried about that. Had she hurt their feelings? Had she and her siblings been wrong to ask for more privacy?

  Becky reminded herself that ‘time’ wasn’t the same for spirits as it was for the living. Ghosts were often distracted and drawn to anything that caught their attention. Even a shiny trinket floating down the French Broad River could amuse them for hours and cause them to forget their original mission. Even though they had been very worried about Becky during her family party, she knew it was likely that her parents had also been distracted from finding answers about Josh.

  Becky grew a little irritated; she wasn’t sure what she should do about any of it. The uncertainty bothered her the most. She’d tried to concentrate on the shop that day, but it was difficult. She’d made a few sales during the morning rush, but nothing to brag about. Now, she floundered in insecurity.

  Chapter 20

  Becky met Hillary at the West Asheville Pub on time. They hugged, and then, spent some time catching up on the things they had missed for the last several months while sipping a cold draft and sharing a basket of chicken fingers and celery with blue cheese dressing.

  Becky and Hillary had been friends since kindergarten. They had spent the night at each other’s homes, changed each level of schools together, and graduated from Erwin High School together. However, when Becky decided to attend UNCA, Hillary had decided she was going to Chapel Hill. It w
as over two hundred miles away and they didn’t see each other as often. After Hillary had graduated and returned to Asheville, they’d tried to pick up where they left off, but something had changed. Although still good friends, they weren’t as close as they had once been when younger.

  They were both pleasantly surprised when Mason, Hillary’s brother, stopped by their table.

  “Hi Becky. Hello Sis. What are you two doing out without any male companions?’ he joked.

  “What are you doing out, Mason? I thought they were working you to death at the lab?” Hillary replied as she stood up to hug her brother.

  Mason Sweetwater was the same age as Bobby, but he’d always known what he wanted to be when he grew up. He was now a research chemist for one of the largest diagnostics labs in the area. From everything Hillary had said about Mason, he really loved his work.

  “Sit, Mason, please. Have a draft with us,” Becky encouraged.

  “Nawh, I can’t do that. I have to pick up a food order and get back to work. Maybe when I’m not so…”

  “Well if you three don’t look exactly like an Oreo cookie – two chocolate crusts with a creamy white filling,” Patty’s shrill country voice cut through their conversation like a knife.

  Becky and Mason sucked in their breaths. They were shocked that such blatant racism was still alive in Asheville. Hillary reacted differently. She took a deep breath and squared off with their intruder.

  “What’s your problem, Patty? Hasn’t your world expanded even a tiny bit since high school? You still running around trying to convert the sinners in the area? You still prancing around with the delusion that the world owes you something because you’re white and a Christian? Come on now; try to grow up a little.”

  “Oh, race and religion has nothing to do with it, Hills,” Patty replied as she flipped her blonde ponytail.

  “You don’t get to call me that,” Hillary refuted. “Not you. Only my closest friends and family call me that. And, race and religion has always been your crusade, so yeah, it does.”

  “This is not the least bit entertaining,” Mason said as he extricated himself from the group. “Besides, I see them waving me over to the register. I guess my order is ready. Becky, it’s always a pleasure. Hills, I’ll see you Sunday at church.” He briefly glanced at Patty, but didn’t acknowledge her in any way.

  “I can’t believe you are still close friends with this freak,” Patty rebuffed as she indicated Becky, but she was met with silence. “Oh, I get it. You still have a crush on Bobby so you stay close to Becky hoping it will keep you near him. What a riot! Nothing ever changes in small town USA.”

  “You got that right!” Hillary scoffed. “You’re living proof of that. Once a biatch, always a biatch.”

  “Well, just so you know, Hillary. You’ll never have a chance with Bobby Tibbs. He can have any girl in town, and believe me, they all want him. He’s even finer than he was in high school. He’d never settle for dark-chocolate when he can have all the white fudge he wants.”

  Hillary’s infatuation with Bobby was news to Becky. Maybe that was the very thing that had changed in their relationship. Regardless, Becky didn’t care. She couldn’t stand one more moment of Patty’s bigotry.

  “Patty, please move along,” Becky insisted. “Hillary and I are catching up on good times and you were never a part of that. So, run along, missy. You just go on and find someone else to torment or convert.”

  “Well, I never!” Patty replied as she flipped her ponytail again.

  “I can believe that,” Hillary laughed.

  After Patty was gone, Becky said, “I can’t believe that she is still the same after all these years. I was dumbfounded and almost speechless.”

  “Becks, you got in the best one at the end and that’s what counts. You surprised me. You are too nice for your own good. You’ve always been too kind and sweet, but that’s what I love about you. Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?”

  Becky and Hillary clasped hands and had a good laugh about Patty Lawless and her hypocritical escapades while they were all at Erwin High together. Patty had been convinced that everyone was going to hell except her. She’d preached her doctrine to anyone who would listen and shamed anyone who wouldn’t. Funny thing though, Patty was the biggest slut on campus. She’d had sex with nearly every willing boy, and it was rumored with a few of the coaches.

  “Do you think she ever had sex with Bobby?” Hillary suddenly asked. “Oh, that would just make me sick if I thought he’d ever had a piece of that white-trash.”

  “I don’t know,” Becky admitted. “Do you want me to ask him?”

  “All I can say is that I hope not,” Hillary acknowledged.

  The hours passed quickly and it was almost time to leave before Becky got around to asking Hillary for her help.

  “Hills, can you look into something for me while you’re at work tomorrow?”

  “Probably; what is it?” Hillary excitedly replied.

  “I need to know anything you can dig up on Paul Applewhite. It would really help me to know if there was anything suspicious about him or his death. Actually, anything you can find out would be of great benefit to me.”

  “Is this ghost related?” Hillary asked with a giggle. “You know I love to help you with your ghost cases. It’s the highlight of my job.”

  “Yes, it is ghost related,” Becky replied as she smiled broadly at her friend. She found Hillary’s response to ‘ghost related’ inquiries comical.

  “I’ll get right on it. Do you have a time frame?”

  “Around ten years ago,” Becky replied.

  “Hey, that’s around the same time that Josh died, isn’t it?” Becky nodded. “Did you ever find out what happened to him?”

  “No,” Becky replied, “but I’m also looking into that case as well. Anything you hear or can find out is also appreciated.”

  “You got it, Becks!”

  The young women parted company in the parking lot, making sure each got safely into their cars. Asheville was a relatively safe community, but it was always wise to be cautious. There had been recent reports of a purse snatcher who attacked women in parking lots.

  Because Becky was already out and across town, she decided to stop by to see Bobby’s new home. He’d just moved in two weeks ago and she hadn’t made time to see him or his new residence yet. She was certain he’d be happy to see her.

  Hadn’t Jacob mentioned that earlier?

  On the way, she stopped and picked up a pound of butter, a pound of sugar, a pound of flour, a pound of peanut butter, a pound of chocolate, and a pound of coffee. These gifts represented the traditional ‘pounding’ implied when welcoming someone to their new home. It was an old and outdated custom, but one the Tibbs family had held in high regard. Becky placed all the items in a gift basket and then drove to Bobby’s new address. He was still in West Asheville, but the sprawling city covered a large area through winding mountain roads. It took her about fifteen minutes to get there.

  Becky heard a dog barking when she neared Bobby’s front door. It was a happy yap, but still, she hadn’t known that Bobby had a pet. He hadn’t mentioned it. She could hear Bobby laughing and calling out, “Here, Rings. Over here!”

  There was also an unusually loud din coming from inside. Becky knocked soundly on the wooden door, but after several minutes, and when no one answered, she opened the door and walked into the foyer.

  She couldn’t believe her eyes. Every single ghost that usually hung out in the River Arts District was in Bobby’s living room, including her parents. Now, the conversation she’d previously overheard from Jacob, Myrtle, and Lois about Rings and his new owner made perfect sense to Becky.

  Rings was a ghost dog.

  It was obvious where Rings had gotten his name. A beautiful Dalmatian, the young pup with huge paws had a large black ring around each eye. The happy pup bounded from ghost to ghost in greeting.

  “Bobby, you have a lot of explaining to do,” B
ecky said in her best imitation of Ricky Ricardo, Lucille Ball’s television husband.

  A hushed silence enveloped the previously boisterous room. Ghosts scattered in all directions and Rings lay on the floor with his head on his paws. The pup moaned a pitiful whine that echoed in the now empty room. Empty except for Bobby and Becky.

  “Where did everyone go?” Becky asked in surprise.

  “I guess they scattered when you crashed the party,” Bobby replied rather sheepishly.

  “A party…? What gives? Why was every ghost in town here?”

  “It was a ‘we like your new digs’ kind of party and ‘glad Rings took up with you’ kind of party,” Bobby admitted.

  “Bobby, you hate ghosts. You do everything you can to keep them away from you. What the heck?”

  “Aw, Sis; I don’t hate ghosts. I just like their visits to be on my terms. Rings is awesome. I love that pup.” At the sound of his name, Rings lifted his head, stretched, and then softly padded his large feet over to Bobby. Bobby scratched the pup’s ears and then softly patted his back. “Yes, he’s a good doggy, a good doggy,” Bobby enthusiastically announced.

  “Do you ever help ghosts?” Becky softly asked as she gently rubbed the bridge of the pup’s nose.

  “No; to be honest, I tell them about you. I send anyone who wants help to your doorstep. I feel it is your responsibility, your calling, not mine. Besides, you do such a good job of it and we don’t need two or even three, counting Barbara, mediums in town.”

  “But you like to party with ghosts?” Becky asked with true surprise.

  “Well, let’s face it Becks; I’ve always been an unusual bird. I never fit into the general populace. I have two, maybe three friends at most who understand me. I was always the odd ball, the one who knew too much, read too much, was too ‘astute’ as you’ve often told me. I enjoy the ghosts because they hold no judgments about me or the way I am.”