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I could command him to haunt Alicia’s house, which would allow him to leave this property, but then I’d have to explain to others how I managed it. Helping spirits cross over is one thing; ordering them to do your bidding no matter what is next level.
I couldn’t risk revealing exactly how many levels I was.
“Ray,” I said gently. “You can fix toilets, not people.”
He chuckled despite his distress. “How profound. You should put that on a mug.”
“I was thinking a bumper sticker.”
“If I can’t help the people I love while I’m still tethered to this plane, then what’s the point of being here at all?”
“Only you can answer that.” Although I was beginning to better understand his reason for staying. “Maybe you could talk to Alicia about having a heart-to-heart with her mom.”
“Except I need you for that.”
So he did. “You know, if you keep practicing your poltergeist skills, you could write a letter in no time.”
“Might be easier to type one on the computer.”
“Then there won’t be a way to prove it was from you. Your own handwriting will go a long way toward convincing your daughter.”
“Guess I’d better get to work then. Lord knows I’ve got nothing else to do.”
“You already finished the book I got from the library?”
“Read it in five hours.”
“You’re a library legend, Ray.”
He shook his head ruefully. “I only wish I had more time when I was alive.” He paused. “Correction, I only wish I’d made more time for things I enjoyed. I’m watching my daughter make the same mistakes I did, and it’s heartbreaking.”
I turned to face him. “Alicia’s going to be fine. With some people, you can just tell. She’s got that special sparkle.” I pointed to his left eye. “Right there.”
“I call that the devil in her eye,” Ray said, chuckling. “She was a mischievous little thing, always charming her way out of trouble.” His smile faded. “She was real lucky you and Mr. Sullivan took a personal interest in her, or her luck would’ve run out in the Wild Acres.”
As much as I didn’t want to be responsible for other people, I was glad too.
He pivoted to the night sky. “I never knew Fairhaven could look so pretty. Perspective is everything, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know about everything, but it definitely makes a difference.”
He pursed his lips. “The longer I’m here, the more I can see why you bought this place.”
“It’s a diamond in the rough,” I agreed.
He nudged me with his phantom elbow. “You think somebody might feel that way about the house on Thoreau Street?”
“We’ll know soon enough.”
‘Soon enough’ turned out to be a month later, when a gift basket arrived on my front porch.
Nana Pratt examined the contents. “The notecard says thank you for your help. The house is officially under contract. Kindest regards, Fatima.”
“I can read, Nana, but thank you.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Oh, this has nuts. I’m allergic to nuts.”
I glanced at her. “You do realize you can’t eat any of this, right?”
