Page 57 of Ghost in the Cupboard

That night, I allowed myself a rare luxury for autumn. Rare since the nights are usually too chilly, and a luxury because I don’t often take time to myself unless there is absolutely no work to be done. However, I found myself out on my front porch that night, a heavy cardigan was enough to protect me against the slight cold. I was sitting in one of the chairs, my laptop on my knees, going through my emails.

Instead of locking myself up in the atrium to do all my work, I decided that a nice night on the porch to organize my evening’s summonings would be pleasant. I’d get all of my thoughts together before making my way out to the atrium to summon the ghosts I’d been requested to contact. Or maybe I’d summon them right there on the front porch. It was as safe as the atrium, after all.

However, as it usually goes when I’m trying to have a pleasant evening, I was interrupted. The sun had just disappeared and nighttime was creeping in when I heard the tires on gravel. I closed the laptop and set it on the table by my chair and looked down the driveway. As expected, Danny’s truck came into view, headlights bobbling down the long driveway to the house.

When he finally parked and slid down from his truck, I had my arms crossed over my chest, waiting for him. With his hands in his pockets, and his head down, he approached the porch. He didn’t walk onto the porch, but instead stood there, his hands in his pants pockets, looking contrite.

“Well,” I said, “what do you want?”

Danny looked up and sighed.

“You fired my mom,” he said. “Why?”

“Why do you care?”

He stared at me.

“Your dad wasn’t going to show up,” I said. “It was for the best.”

“But why now?”

I shrugged.

“I don’t like being involved with one ghost for long,” I said. “My business model is I summon, get the information or message needed, report back, and move on with my life. Your dad doesn’t want to show up to talk to her. No point in taking all my time and hers bothering with it any longer.”

I looked away.

“Séances?” Danny snorted.

“It was a compromise,” I said, still looking away. “I make my money, she can talk to other ghosts, she can show off for her friends, and you can’t be pissed off about me trying to give her hope about your dad any longer. Though I’m sure you’re pissed that I’m a fraud who still takes money from your mother.”

“Yeah?”

I shrugged.

“And I don’t care,” I said.

Danny said nothing; didn’t react. He stared at me.

“Is that it?” I asked. “I’ve got work.”

I nodded at the laptop on the table.

“Are you going to invite me in?”

“Not tonight.”

Danny looked down.

“Not tonight?” he asked. “Or never again?”

“Not tonight,” I said immediately. “I have work. Some things I need to take care of.”

He nodded, looking down at the ground.

“Maybe,” I said, thinking about it, “give me a few days. I’m free this weekend mostly. Work, but it doesn’t take all that long, actually.”

Danny looked up, a hopeful gleam in his eye, and nodded.