Adelaide Confused (8 page)

With renewed anxiety he
began to flip pages. Only he couldn’t now because he’d lost his
solid form. Frantically he continued to try again and again, his
hand blurring it moved so quickly. The ghost’s anxiety was replaced
by torment, a feeling I particularly despised.

He turned to me, looking
helpless as his face began to expand, turning a pearly white. And
then his form surged outward, raining down into a puddle of slowly
swirling mist.

“Uh...”

A door opened and closed
across the parking lot. Pattie hustled toward me, asking, “Are you
alright, dear? I heard a scream.”

I looked for the cloudy
mist, but it was gone, no longer hovering over the asphalt. “I’m
fine, I just fell is all.” Slowly I got to my feet.

“
Oh,” Pattie said, feeling
slightly confused, “my scarf.” She bent down, picking up the ugly
thing.

“
I was returning it to
you.” I reluctantly took up the phonebook. “This too, the one in
your room is outdated.”

“Oh, thank you.”

But I was already running
back to the office, pausing to yell over my shoulder, “Have a good
night!” I couldn’t reach the phone fast enough. Once inside, I
began searching for the Parlor’s number. I dialed, hoping they were
open.

“
You’ve reached the Parlor,
where—”

“
Nancy, it’s Adelaide,” I
cut in. “Adelaide Graves, you remember?”

“Of course, is everything alright?”

“
No! I just got
poltergeisted!”

“
What happened?” I could
hear her concern, but was unable to feel it through the
phone.

“
I just saw fog turn itself
into a man-shaped ghost thing. I thought he was going to hit me,
but he was only interested in getting the phonebook. It was so
strange, he kept changing. I watched him turn from fog into an
opaque gray man. I think he even went solid, I mean, I know he did,
because he hit the book from my hands. And then he turned into this
faintly colored hologram looking thing before turning back into a
puddle. What’s this all about? Does he have some sort of ghost
disease that makes him... broken?”

“
I’m sorry I don’t have any
definitive answers, all I have are Percy’s theories.”

“Well?”

“
Percy thought that when a
ghost crossed over the veil they had a very one-sided experience.
They could see things, hear things, but they could never be a part
of this world, not really.”

“
I’ve figured that much, go
on.”

“
It seems to require an
effort on their part to appear in their living form, and even then
it’s just a projection from their memory. Percy thought whatever
kept a ghost from forming properly might be the same thing that
kept them from speaking.”

“Is that what you believe?”

“
If that’s the case then
why do they turn solid at all, even in brief bouts?”

“Alright, any other theories?” I asked.

“
In the end, Percy believed
it was unnatural for them to cross. On this side of the veil they
seem drained, lacking energy. I don’t know much more, Adelaide, I’m
sorry.”

“Well if they can turn solid, even briefly,
doesn’t that mean they’re dangerous, or potentially dangerous?”

“
Specters are rare, and a
corporeal one more so.”

“
Oh great, there’s a term
for it.”

“
Percy very rarely felt
threatened by a spirit, and when he did, he just ignored it. You
see, ghosts have no way of knowing that you can sense them. It will
be your reaction that tips them off.”

“You might have mentioned that before.”

“
Well, to be honest, I
didn’t think you’d wear the ring so soon.”

“
I didn’t. I remember
taking it off. I remember leaving it at home.” She was silent for
so long I asked, “Nancy?”

“Yes, I’m here,” she answered.

“I know it sounds crazy,” I admitted.

“
No, I’m sure there’s a
reason. I’m just not sure what it is.”

“
That’s alright, you’ve
been able to tell me more than I knew. I’ll call if I have more
questions.”

“Yes, do that. I’ll read the cards and be in
touch if they can shed some light.”

“
Um... okay,
thanks.”

My shift was winding down,
and I expected Missy to show up sometime soon. So when the door
opened I naturally assumed it would be her, I didn’t even bother to
look.

“
Working hard, no doubt.”
My head jerked up at the sound of his smooth voice. He was dressed
casually, but even so, it was an effort not to stare.

I reminded myself how much
I hated him, and the effects of his charm seemed to lessen. With
the ghost incident earlier, I was twitchy like an addict. Reed
Wallace couldn’t have picked a worse time to harass me. I glared at
him as he came closer.

“
You seem to have formed an
aversion to my PA. I thought it best to come myself.”

Apart from her choice of
employer, I didn’t have a problem with her. It was the secretary
that was adverse. But I wouldn’t say that aloud. He wanted me to
react, to speak. He could smile all he pleased, but we both knew I
could feel his rising irritation.

He handed me an invitation.
It was for a dinner party the evening after next, held at the
country club. “It’s for my employees—senior members, board members,
the higher-ups. I just need you to mingle and feel for anything
odd.”

Could he be more vague?

“You’ll notice the invitation doesn’t offer a
plus one, that’s because you are the plus one. You’re going as my
date.”

“No,” I said instantly.

“
Why doesn’t that surprise
me,” he responded with a pang of disappointment. “You can’t attend
as a server, you wouldn’t get enough exposure.” He eyed me
cynically. “Besides, customer service isn’t your strong
suit.”

“
Not my problem, figure out
something else.”

“
This group is familiar
with one another. They’ll know you’re too...” He smiled, wielding
his charm like a weapon. “...beautiful to be an employee, but it
won’t be hard for them to imagine we’re seeing each other. You
could easily pass for my—”

“
Don’t insult me,” I cut
in. “It’s a bad idea to piss off the people you need.”

I could feel his
irritation, and maybe just a tiny bit of resentment and contempt. I
liked knowing I could needle him so easily. “It’s not a matter of
need. I’m blackmailing you, remember?” His voice was chilling; the
sound startled me into looking up at his face. His expression held
something I didn’t want to understand.

The door burst open. I was
grateful for the distraction as it forced Reed to move away. He
stepped back, fast and fluid. I wondered when he had gotten so
close. It would appear I wasn’t entirely impervious to his charm.
I’d let him hover above me without even noticing.

“
Adelaide, you’ll never
guess who’s put up his employees at the Crowne,” Francesca gushed.
She was rummaging through her narrow purse, oblivious to
Reed.

“Could it be Reed Wallace?”

“
Who told?” she pouted,
feeling a bit surprised. “No one talks to you but me.”

“That’s not at all flattering,” Reed said
with a smile.

Francesca went from
slightly surprised to extremely astonished, all the while staring
at Reed. She’d just pulled the lip gloss from her purse when he
spoke. She still held it, her hand hovering in the air.

“
Francesca was it?” he
asked, stepping toward her.

Recovering from her daze,
she more than met him halfway, rushing to his side. “Yes, Francesca
Black. What a strange coincidence seeing you again. Or maybe it’s
fate,” she flirted.

“
No, not fate, I’m afraid,”
he said leaning closer. “I’ve come to speak with Adelaide. She’s
temporarily working with me on a project.”

Francesca looked totally
flabbergasted. Turning to me she asked, “Why didn’t you mention
it?” She was hurt, confused, and yes, even jealous.

Feeling guilty, I admitted
what I could. “I tried to turn him down but he blackmailed
me.”

Reed laughed like I was
joking. “Adelaide wasn’t eager to offer her assistance. It’s true,
she did turn me down.”

“
Don’t call me
Adelaide.”

“
Adelaide!” Francesca
scolded. Turning back to Reed, she made my excuses for me. “She’s
not a people person, you must forgive her.”

“It’s quite refreshing,” he said
magnanimously.

“Uh, I’m right here.”

Francesca continued as if I
hadn’t spoken. “She’ll be happy to help you I’m sure, we both will.
Is there anything I can do?” She stepped closer, her boobs grazing
his upper arm.

“
Yes, actually,” he said
gazing down at her. “Ms. Graves,” he didn’t bother looking at me,
“will need a formal gown. I can’t think of anyone...”

I stopped listening to them
blubber at each other. I turned toward the phone, picking it up to
dial. It rang for a while and I nearly gave up. But finally she
answered sounding groggy. “Uh, yes hello?”

“
Pattie, it’s me from the
front desk. I need you to come to the office right
away.”

“Can’t it wait? I’ve already turned in.”

“
No, and I promise you’ll
always regret it if you don’t.” I winced, those were Francesca’s
words to me the first time I’d met Reed. “Oh, and try to look nice,
but hurry.”

Pattie impressed me. She
showed up less than a minute later. Unfortunately she was wearing a
robe, florescent pink with matching slippers. I guess she hadn’t
taken me seriously when I advised her to look nice, or maybe she
had. I couldn’t tell.

She spotted Reed instantly,
he hadn’t moved. “Oh! Oh my!” She rushed him, inserting herself
into his personal space.

Francesca was annoyed, no
doubt at the loss of his attention. Reed was weary but tolerant; he
probably dealt with this daily. And Pattie, well, she was a lot of
things. Feeling her was like feeling two people have sex—mostly it
was disturbing. It was also: bliss, adoration, attraction, delight,
lust, elation... you get the picture. I hadn’t realized she would
react so strongly.

“
Reed Wallace, I can’t
believe my luck! You’ve got to come to my room and sign things,”
Pattie insisted.

I could feel his
reluctance, but he was all charm when he answered. Smiling, “I’d be
glad to.” He spared a glance over his shoulder while Francesca and
Pattie fawned over him. The look he gave me was downright hostile.
I smiled, enjoying the loss of control which made his charming
façade slip.

Just then Missy stepped
through the door. Her first words “Oh shit, you’re Reed
Wallace.”

I rolled my eyes, had
everyone heard of him? Discreetly I gathered my things and left. I
doubt they even noticed I was gone.

I stared at the ring,
feeling undecided. It looked inconsequential lying atop my dresser,
just a cheap bead and some wire. I didn’t want to wear it, but I
was afraid the damn thing wouldn’t give me a choice.

“
Fine,” I said out loud. I
slipped it onto my index finger. It fit perfectly, nice and snug,
but not too tight. I glanced around the room, waiting for something
to pop out. When nothing happened I shrugged, continuing on with my
morning routine.

I spent some time in the
living room, concocting a puzzle. Teetered on the tip of my couch,
I hunched over the coffee table staring down at the classic red
truck I’d pieced together. The puzzle was, well... laughable. The
truck was boldly parked king-of-the-mountain style at the top of a
grassy green incline. Amused, I’d been unable to resist buying such
a hillbilly gem.

A bowl of half-eaten cereal
was perched to my right. Soggy and forgotten, it left a wet ring on
the glass tabletop. I was totally preoccupied, and yet I noticed it
immediately this time. No subtle sneaking, though the feeling was
still subtle.

The little ghost pranced in
from the kitchen, swirling and shifting, fading and misting.
Details appeared when its form flashed in solid. This only happened
for a few brief moments, tiny blips, and even then the ghost was
nothing more than a lumpy blob with four dainty paws and a nub
tail. Nancy had said they projected the image they remembered,
which made more sense just then.

I sat completely still as
the little dog flounced about the room for a minute, then it ran
through the front door. The
closed
front door.

I sat for a moment longer,
staring after it. I reluctantly got up and walked to the window,
wondering what Percy would do. It was, after all, his gift I was
wearing.

Outside the dog was busy
trying to dig up my front lawn, but it was unsuccessful. I couldn’t
put animal feelings in human terms, but all the same I recognized
neediness. As it danced in circles, I didn’t doubt that there was
something buried out there that it desperately wanted.

I deliberated for a second
or two, though I’d already made up my mind. I left the house
through the back door, walking the ever more familiar path. I
doubted Lucas would be home, but it was worth a try. He surprised
me, answering the door amid my knocking.