Page 55 of Ghost in the Cupboard

Then she allowed a smile to take over her face.

“Well,” she said, “I guess we’ve at least proved that he’s moved on or whatever spirits do. That’s good, right?”

I shrugged. “I just summon ‘em. I don’t know what comes after the ghost life.”

She nodded. “But…”

“I’ve never seen evidence of anything bad in the afterlife,” I said. “At least, nothing worse than what we have here.”

I gestured vaguely around and chuckled.

Rhonda snorted.

“Well,” she said, “I suppose that’s bad enough.”

I laughed. “It can be.”

I looked at her a moment longer, gave her a nod, then turned.

“Wait,” Rhonda said. “Silas.”

“Yeah?” I turned back to her.

“You could still come around,” she said, thoughtfully. “Maybe once a month? Do a little séance for me. And a few of my friends? Like old times?”

“I—”

“A few hours?” she quickly added. “I’d pay you what I’ve been paying you for daily visits all month. It could be a little secret club. The girls and I are desperate for excitement. Something silly we can all do. I can’t talk to Harlan, but we could talk to others?”

I stared at her for a moment. Ghosts weren’t games. But The Lunch Counter didn’t pay for itself. My electricity bill couldn’t be paid with charm, not that I had a ton to spare.

“Okay.”

Rhonda danced in place with glee.

“We’ll keep in contact and set the dates up?” she asked quickly.

I nodded.

“I’ll text you my available evenings later tonight,” I agreed.

Rhonda squealed, said a few pleasantries, then locked me out of the house like the help once more. I made my way off the porch, down the path, and through the gate again. The ghost fell in behind me as I made my way back to the diner, following me the entire way.

When I was putting my coat on the rack by the door inside the diner a few minutes later, Ginny was handing the daily bag of orders to Sal. I greeted her as I rounded the counter and grabbed my apron to tie it back on. The two were in an animated discussion about whatever might be happening at The Eternity Inn. Fortunately, that kept me from having to say anything. Of course, all good things come to an end, and finally they ran out of things to say about the scene across the way.

I was beginning to clean things up when Sal’s attention turned to me.

“Have you seen Gary?” she asked when Ginny disappeared into the back.

“Yes,” I said, turning to look at her across the counter.

“He’s back,” Sal said simply. “With the camp.”

I nodded.

“Did you have any information for him?” Sal asked, full of hope.

I considered my answer for a moment.