Her eyes light up. “It’s awesome. I’m taking several graphic design classes this semester. I’m loving it.”
He smiles wide, showcasing straight, white teeth. “I’m sure you’ll excel at whatever you do.”
Ava offers her most dazzling smile in return. I don’t miss how her eyes stray to the younger of the two, cheeks turning a shade of pink that implies a crush.
“Well... thanks again, Nick,” I say, pushing a gawking Ava toward her door.
“I meant to ask if you’ve remembered anything else about the other night. Anything at all that could be added to the report.”
I grind my teeth, pushing Ava down into her seat and turning toward Nick. “I thought we were skipping the report, considering...” I let my words trail off, hoping to convey that I don’t want to discuss the events of that night with Ava present.
His eyes narrow slightly, and I see the light bulb moment as he looks to Ava out of the corner of his eye. “Right. Well, I’ll let you two get going. We can talk about it another time.”
“Wait. What report? What happened?” Ava’s head peeks over the car door, bouncing between Nick and me.
I close my eyes as I inhale deeply, opening them with a huff that blows a wayward hair away from my face.
“There was an incident, and I recruited Mr.West to help me.” Ava’s lips form a thin line and I know she’s growing frustrated with me. The jig’s up. “We can discuss it at home,” I say. “Thanks again, Nick. I’ll be in touch if I think of anything else.”
His chin tilts down. “Have a good day, Alyssa,” he says, turning and walking away.
“You have some explaining to do,” Ava cuts into my thoughts as I slide behind the wheel.
“Can’t it wait?” I groan.
She shakes her head. “Spill it, Mom.”
I speed through the events that occurred after my friends left, and when I’m done, Ava is speechless for several moments.
“Let me get this straight. You ran through the rain... in your pajamas... next door to Mr.West’s house?” She doubles over, holding her belly as she laughs. “I would’ve paid money to see that.” Her voice cracks through her laughter.
“It’s not funny, Ava! I was petrified.” I cry. “And of all the things I just told you, that’s what you’re focusing on?” I stare at her, puzzled. “I told you I’m being haunted.”
She raises a finger. “One... based on what you said, it sounds more likely that you drank too much wine.”
My head jerks back. “Too much wine?”
“Mom... think about it. You went to a psychic, who also happens to be a medium, and asked to connect with Dad. You claim to have seen visions that couldn’t be your own, and you begged Dad to come to you.” She pauses, allowing that to sink in. When I continue to stare at her uncomprehending, she continues. “The same night, some strange man whom you find out isactuallydead shows up in your room and vanishes into thin air.”
“And you jump straight to too much wine?”
She sighs. “I think you had a very vivid dream.”
I massage my temple as I prepare myself to lie through my teeth to the one person I swore never to lie to. “You’re probably right. Thanks for setting me straight.”
She purses her lips, seemingly contemplating my words. “You don’t mean that,” she says, seeing right through me.
I’m about to insist I agree with her and that ghosts don’t exist, but she speaks.
“What did you say his name was?”
“Who?” I ask, bewildered by the shift in questioning.
She smacks her lips together as though she’s annoyed. “The man in your dream.”
I have to school my features so that I don’t show my annoyance.
Blowing out a breath, I answer. “Billy Garet.”
