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“So tell me more about this chair. I need to know what they plan to do with it.”
“I told them to just take it to the dump. He did throw it into the bed of his truck when I was leaving to come here. It’d be nice if there was a priest here that actually believed me…or some who believed in the paranormal. They could cleanse the damn thing but that old lady may need more than a cleanse. The weird scream, growl, moan thing she did freaked me the fuck out. How her jaw basically unhinged, pulling on her facial skin.” I shudder at the memory. “I'm actually headed over to their house after this to speak with Tanner's wife.”
“Tanner? I don't know a Tanner. Did they just move here and why here of all places?”
“They did just move here. Maybe a month ago, into the house across the street from me. I couldn't tell you why they did but you're more than welcome to join me on this journey to discover how fast it takes them to kick me out of their house and bar the doors.” I say with a laugh. Noah just frowns at me and shakes his head.
“Of course I want to come and then after we can work on your house.” I give him a smile and nod my head as I finish off my sandwich. We grab our drinks and throw our trash away. I throw some change into the tip jar on our way out.
“I've gotta stop and get some groceries, you want to come with? Or meet me at my house? You can head over now if you want. I left the door unlocked but I should really just give you a key huh?”
“Yeah, you should! I’m hurt that you haven't yet. I thought I was your favorite human too.” He says with a fake pout. He starts laughing and pats me on the shoulder. Oof, if there ever was a friend zone hand pat, that was it. “I'll meet you at your house, it'll give me a minute to snoop and see what our next project should be.” He starts to walk down the street to his old beat up pickup while I just stand there for a second.
I shake my head and push my escaping feelings back down. Deep, deep down. I walk to my car and get in. I sit for a second and make sure I have my wallet and phone in my pockets. I connect my phone via Bluetooth and start playing my ‘can’t decide’ playlist. My playlist has everything and I mean everything, Noah has judged my playlist heavily before. Says he doesn't know if he should stand in a salt circle or break out the tissues.
First on my list, is to stop at the grocery store. It’s a small store but you can get your commercially bought food here, ones that go in the toaster or microwave. Most of the bigger stores around here are a ‘fill your own container’ idea. It’s less waste I guess, saves the planet. It’s actually a really cool idea, but I like to eat frozen foods that I can pop in the toaster and be out the door.
I pull into the parking lot and there aren't many cars. Thank the gods because I am not a fan of crowds. Well, not a fan of people who live in this town. They are all very judgy. My reputation is not something to be proud of around here. Maybe, in another city I would be the weird quirky cool girl. The girl who can see ghosts; feel them. Here, I’m just a person to ridicule. The small town mentality is something else. Generations of people teaching kids shitty behavior and passing it down the family tree. Being stuck in a bubble with little outside interference continues the cycle.
In high school I had a few tormentors, ‘Spaz’ was a very dull and unimaginative nickname I earned when some kids saw what happens when ghosts sneak up on me, or try to touch me. It has stuck…even years later. The old people are the worst. Good lord, you would think since they were closer to meeting their maker they would try to get right with their god. Nope. I don't understand how my ‘sight’ has spread to the older community. It’s not like many of them have seen it. It’s like one old heifer saw something and spread the rumor at her next bingo meet. It’s wild to think about. I have just learned to ignore what everyone says and do what I want. When I want and how I want. Within reason, of course.
The store is practically desolate when I grab a cart and go down the isles. I grab the necessities; bread, milk, eggs, vodka and some juice. I grab other things while I wander the isles. I really should leave before I put more in this basket and end up having to give the cashier a kidney. I pull up to the cashier and he gives me a friendly nod. I bag my items as he rings me up. I get everything in the cart and pay the guy. Cash. No kidneys needed this time.
I walk out to the car and pack my stuff up and head over to the hardware store. I think I will get him the most obnoxious key I can find.
“Hey! Welcome in, can I help you with anything?” A gangly teenager asks from behind the counter.
“Yeah, I need a key and I need it to be pink; sparkles if you have it.”
“Yeah, let's take a look at the options over here.” The kid leads me to a spinning tower of keys and find exactly what I’m looking for and it’s even one of those big keys with a huge square handle bit. I hand over my house key and the kid gets to work. I wander around the store and find some other things I may need. I know I’m going to be peeling wallpaper if we do the downstairs powder room. I grab some spray bottles, a jug of vinegar and some paint swatches. I bring the items to the counter and pay for everything including the key. I walk out and stuff everything in the trunk of the car. I plop into the front seat and freeze.
The hairs on the back of my neck raise and I have to force myself to look into the backseat from the rearview mirror. I see nothing but there is something there watching me. I can feel it. I turn around and see something trying to flicker into existence. At first I think it’s Hank but then it flickers again like a bad TV signal. I get out of the car and stand at the back of my car watching. The ghost flickers a few more times. Turning around to look at me. Then it completely disappears. I wait a few moments to see if it’s going to try and come back but it doesn’t.
I cautiously get back into my car. Keeping an eye on my rearview mirror and checking the back seat often. I’m torn between speeding home and keeping an eye on the back. When I do make it to my street a few minutes later I’m practically hyperventilating.
When I get home I see Noah's Chevy sitting in the driveway...parked crooked. I roll my eyes, knowing there's a reason for his mayhem. Probably pay back for scaring him. He’s a spiteful being. I take a moment to calm myself as I park along the street. I gather my wits and hope out of the car. As I'm grabbing bags the neighbor Tanner is pulling into the driveway, the driveway is also devoid of the creepy rocking chair and old lady. I give him a wave and I turn around filled from elbows to wrist with bags. When I turn around Noah is standing right behind me. I scream and stumble back. Noah laughs as he lunges forward to grab and steady me.
“Gods! Noah! What is wrong with you?” This just makes him laugh harder. He grabs some bags from me.
“See? Sucks, doesn't it? Getting jump scares suck.” He says while turning around to walk up to the house.
“You know, you could have been a decent human and parked like a normal human being, and let me park in my own damn driveway.” I say hurrying up behind him. We walk through the house and place all the groceries on the counter.
“I could have but how else would I get back at you for not giving me a key to your house? What if you fall and can’t get up? What if the sole ambulance in this blasted town is busy? Who would pick your ass up? Also, you scared me and interrupted me today. Call it penance for your crimes.”
“That was dramatic and,” I hand him the hardware bag and he digs in, “now you have to park like a normal human and not like a degenerate.”
“Why in the hell is it pink? Dana…” he sighs my name like he’s reached the limit of his patience, “really? And it sparkles! It's never going on my keyring.” I shrug.
“Sounds like a ‘you’ problem and that's all they had.” I lie like a rug as I finish putting away groceries. Noah glares at me like he can sniff out the lie, while he pockets the key, proving he won't put it on his key ring. Then he swiftly steals the vodka out of the bag. He turns around to rummage through my fridge looking for a mixer I assume.
“First off, it's barely 11am.” I lean against the counter and cross my arms. “Secondly, don't lose that key. It is your most prized possession now. Thirdly, it's barely 11am! I bought that for later!”
“You said that twice.” He points out while grabbing a glass. Mixing himself a healthy dose of vodka and seltzer. I roll my eyes and grab seltzer from the fridge. “It’s five o’clock somewhere. At least that’s what Alan tells me.”
“I know exactly what I said. Just making sure your ears are hearing me. I mean, you can't even park right today so, I'm left with the impression your head is only ornamental. It's a good thing it’s pretty.”
“I am pretty aren't I?” He wags his eyebrows at me and starts laughing. “Also, that was rude. Come on, let's go meet these new neighbors who harbor creepy old ladies.” Noah exaggerates a shiver.
