Ghosts of Bliss Bayou Read online

Nothing paranormal has been reported in the last week, and Molly’s sounding a little frustrated. She wonders out loud if her Quick Paranormal Investigations post might have been an overreaction.

  “Don’t worry about it today,” I tell her. “Let’s just enjoy ourselves.”

  “You’re right, I suppose.” Molly sighs. “Sometimes I think I’m too obsessive about my blogging. Do you think I might have a personality disorder?”

  I laugh at that. “Molly, I’ve known people with psychological problems. Trust me, you’re not one of them.”

  We walk back toward the river and end up on the path overlooking the swimming hole. It’s crowded with kids wading and splashing. Some are running off the dock and jumping in. Others lie on a wood raft floating at the edge of the inlet.

  “Wanna go swimming?” Molly asks.

  “I didn’t bring a suit.”

  “That doesn’t matter around here, girl. I could get us towels out of my dad’s Jeep.”

  For a second I’m actually tempted. I’m wearing cutoffs and a tank top, and I see kids in the water dressed like that. But I’m hesitant, shy. Then I have a moment of panic—the thought of jumping into cold water reminds me of my nightmares.

  Molly picks up on it right away. “The idea of swimming here reminds you of your drowning visions?”

  “Yeah…freaky, I know. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  The path takes us down to the edge of the dock. Three guys come up to us, dripping wet. I realize one of them is Ray-Ray. I almost didn’t recognize him without his uniform.

  “Hello, ladies,” he says, smiling. “Coming in the water?”

  I hesitate, so Molly answers. “We’re gonna pass today.”

  “Oh, come on. The water feels great.” Ray-Ray’s looking down at me. Without his shirt, he seems even taller—wider in the shoulders, too.

  “Nope,” Molly says. “Passing.” She starts to walk around him.

  Ray-Ray steps right in front of me with a wise-guy smile. “You know, Abby, sometimes a person really wants to go swimming, they’re too just shy. They need a little encouragement. Well, I’m here for that. Heck, I could even throw you in, if you want.”

  Oh my god, he’s flirting with me! Now my feelings are rushing all over the place. Part of me wants to flirt back, even goad him into throwing me in. But another part of me is terrified.

  So I stand there speechless, like an idiot, till Molly steps protectively between me and her brother.

  “Back off, Ray-Ray! She doesn’t want to go swimming, okay?”

  He looks startled and raises his hands. “Okay. No problem.”

  He and his buddies turn away. They run out onto the dock and cannonball into the water.

  I feel awful. “We hurt his feelings.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about him,” Molly says as we start walking again. “Sometimes he acts like he’s still in junior high.”

  “He was trying to be friendly. Now he must think I’m a total dweeb.”

  Molly puts on a mocking, singsong voice. “Somebody likes my brother, Ray-Ray!”

  Without meaning to, I smile. “Well, he does look good soaking wet.”

  Molly laughs. “I think he likes you too. Too bad he’s so socially challenged about showing it.”

  “No, you’re just being harsh…Doesn’t he have a girlfriend?”

  “He did have. He went steady the last two years with a girl named Laurel Atkins, a cheerleader, no less. She broke up with him just before graduation. I don’t think his future looked grand enough for her.”

  “What about his future?” I know he just graduated, but Molly’s told me nothing about his plans.

  “He wants to go into law enforcement like our dad. Become a detective. He’s going to Clermont State to study criminal justice. Laurel’s going to UF in Gainesville to major in finding a rich husband.”

  “Whoa! You are snarky today!”

  “Well, I’m sorry. I don’t like the way she treated my brother. Ray-Ray was good enough for her when he played varsity basketball for two years. Then she dumps him right after senior prom. And the way she did it was so cold-blooded. By text! Ray-Ray tried not to show it, but it kind of broke his heart.”

  The thought of Ray-Ray with a broken heart makes me sad. “In that case, I agree with you. I don’t like Laurel Atkins either.”

  Two more guys come down the path, shirtless and with towels slung over their shoulders. One of them is Hank, the guy from the kayak rental shop. He smiles at Molly as they pass.

  Molly stops in her tracks. “You know, I think I might go swimming after all. Would you be okay with that?”

  I give her a teasing look. “Sure. But I can’t imagine what changed your mind.”

  I head back to our picnic spot and find Granma sitting in the shade. She’s been joined by Kevin and Violet. Violet is hard to miss. She’s wearing a navy blue dress with white stars, and her long white hair is dyed with red stripes.

  “You look just like the American flag!”

  She spreads her hands. “Well, of course, dear.”

  Later I meet up with Molly again, and we buy drinks from the Springs of Coffee guys, who have a table set up near the pavilion. We take our cups over to the basketball court, where a pickup game is on.

  Sipping my iced coffee, I watch Ray-Ray run up and down the court. He moves with a loping grace I did not expect. His personality on the court is surprising too. Serious, low-key police intern guy has morphed into a fiery, intense baller. The idea that this guy likes me enough to flirt is doing nice things for my self-esteem. When he scores on a breakaway dunk, Molly and I erupt in cheers.

  After dark I sit with Granma, Violet, and Kevin and watch the fireworks explode in the sky over the river. Across the park, little kids are running around with sparklers. It makes me think of fairies dancing in the woods.

  The enchanted forest.

  This was supposed to be my last night in Harmony Springs. I’m so glad I’m coming back.

  

  When Granma and I get home, I have to finish packing, since the shuttle is picking me up at eight in the morning. I set out my clothes for the trip, and on top I place the gold cameo ring. It is way too big for my fingers, but Granma has given me an antique chain from her shop so I can wear the ring around my neck.

  Downstairs, Granma and I have a cup of herbal tea. Then we sit facing each other on cushions in the living room and begin the Daily Ablution.

  We’ve practiced together several times in the past few days. It’s interesting. I can sense Granma’s presence as we work our way up the springs. She is more experienced than I am, of course, and at times her influence steadies me. But concentration is hard for her, and sometimes it is me who helps bring her back to center.

  This time it’s really smooth. We’ve both had such a happy, relaxing day that the deep harmony is easy to reach. At the end, I open my eyes and see bliss reflected on Granma’s face.

  Something flickers at the edge of my sight. My gaze swings to the doorway, and for an instant I think I see Shadow Man.

  Then the dark thing is gone. I think I must have imagined it.

  Still, I have the feeling he was there watching us, and that he ducked out of sight because I discovered him.

  “Something wrong, sweetie?” Granma asks.

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  I look in the hallway, just to be sure. Nothing there.

  Granma asks again, so I tell her I thought I might have seen my evil shadow creature. “But he’s not here now.”

  “Maybe you’re anxious about the trip,” Granma says, stretching her arms. “I was always nervous before flying. Still, just to be safe, I could do a banishing ritual for you in the morning. A little protective magic never hurts.”

  “That would be great, Granma. Thanks.”

  I don’t think I really saw Shadow Man in the hall. Still, I’m worried and sleepless most of the night.r />
  And it’s not just because I’m flying the next day.

  12. How was Florida? Did you get in any surfing?

  But in the morning Granma does her banishing magic, and everything seems fine.

  She fixes me a big breakfast and gives me a hug just before I climb into the van. I ride to Orlando, navigate the airport, get on the plane. I wear Thomas Renshaw’s magic ring under my shirt, and it makes me feel strong and protected.

  Mom is waiting for me outside the security gate in Newark. She’s all smiles and tells me how glad she is to see me. She says I look like I’ve grown two inches. I assure her I’m still five seven, and that I’m happy to see her too.

  Mom and Jim arrived home just yesterday, and Jim is busy catching up on work. So Mom takes me to dinner at my favorite café, on Hill Street in Englewood. I notice dark circles under Mom’s eyes and realize she is suffering from jet lag. She tells me a little about Paris and Venice but mostly talks about the new job in London. She’s super-excited for the opportunity, but under the surface I feel apprehension. Of course, it’s a huge change in her life, and right now she has a million details to handle.

  “But London is going to be great,” she says. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me next week? It’s not too late to change your plane ticket.”

  “Now, Mom—”

  “Seriously, Abby. I don’t want to force you, but I would like you to reconsider.”

  “Mom, we settled this.”

  “I know. I know I said it was okay. But I’ve had more time to think about it. I’m just not comfortable with you going back to Florida for a month.”

  This makes me explode. “I can’t believe you’re bringing this up again. I’ve got myself all set on it, and now you’re jerking me around!”

  She looks embarrassed. “Abby, keep your voice down. Let’s try to have a rational discussion.”

  I just stare at her, waiting for her to start the rational segment of our talk.

  She gets the message. “All right…I’m having a hard time reconciling myself to your being away from me for another whole month. Maybe I’m being silly and overprotective. I know you’re almost grown up and that I’m going to be away a lot this year—that is, if you don’t change your mind about going to school in London…”

  “Not happening, Mom.”

  “All right.” She holds up her hands. “But Florida—Harmony Springs. I just don’t get the attraction. Maybe if you’d tell me more about how you’re spending your time down there…”

  Well, Mom, I’ve initiated into a secret magical order. And I’m riding around on a motorbike with a crazy girl blogger, hunting for ghosts.

  Better skip those parts.

  I take a deep breath. I tell her about working in the antique shop, meeting Granma’s friends Kevin and Violet, and having “interesting conversations about the history of the town.” And about making friends with Molly and meeting Fiona and working with them on Save Harmony Springs.

  “Fiona’s really nice,” I tell her. “She said you two were good friends.”

  “Well, more business acquaintances, really,” Mom says. “I forgot you were helping her with that. You sound really passionate about it.”

  “Yes. It feels really important to help save the springs.”

  She sets down her wine glass and looks at me thoughtfully. “You know, when you first decided to go down there, I worried that seeing the place again would bring back bad memories—about losing your dad and all. But I think the opposite has happened. Confronting the place has done you good.”

  “I’m glad you think so too.”

  “Okay,” she says, “I admit I was wrong. And I’ll stop haranguing you about it. But I want you to know, I’m really going to miss you when I’m in London.”

  So now it hits me. This is not about Mom controlling my life, and only partly about her being protective. The other part, maybe the bigger part, is about her missing me. And not just having me around, but having my emotional support.

  It sounds all wrong. She’s always been the strong one, and me the fragile child leaning on her. Yet right this moment, she looks vulnerable.

  “I’ll miss you too, Mom. But Harmony Springs is where I need to be right now, just like London is where you need to be.”

  She smiles sadly and reaches for my hand. “I understand. And I’m proud of you, Abby. You definitely know who you are.”

  Really? I do?

  

  That night I dream I’m running through the woods around Bliss Bayou. This time no one is chasing me. Instead the woods are on fire, and I’m rushing to get to Granma’s house because I know she and Violet are trapped there.

  When I arrive, the house is burning.

  I sit up in bed, gasping, possessed by a hopeless, smothering fear.

  I get up and walk around my bedroom, doing stretches and deep breathing. Finally I sit back down and do the Daily Ablution. That settles me enough that I’m able to go back to sleep.

  

  Next day is Monday, and I meet up with Franklin for lunch. I go to the men’s clothing store where he’s working, and we walk down the block to the Sweet Shoppe. We both order grilled cheese sandwiches and double-thick shakes. Franklin tells me he’s on a diet but is making a special exception in my honor. He has weight issues, but I’ve long ago given up encouraging him to exercise.

  Franklin has sandy hair, bushy eyebrows, and a face that always looks like he’s about to say something ironic—which he often is. He pulls out his phone and sends me an email. “I looked up what’s playing in London. These are my top five theater recommendations.”

  “Yeah, about that. I’m not going to England after all.”

  He slaps his forehead with his palm. “I’m crushed! Mommabot’s job fell through?”

  “No, she’s still going. I just decided not to.”

  Now he slaps both palms against the sides of his face. “I’m crushed and confused. What are you doing instead?”

  “Going back to Florida for the month. I know that sounds boring—”

  “A fella is involved?” He gives me a smirk.

  I think of Ray-Ray. “No, not really. That’s not it.”

  “Then Abigail, what is your motivation in this scene?”

  I tell him about spending time with my Granma and about working for Save Harmony Springs. Franklin looks skeptical, like he can tell I’m holding back. I actually consider telling him more, maybe explaining about the nightmares and hallucinations and how being in Harmony Springs is helping me work through it all. But anything I say about that will just lead to more questions, and when I mentioned the metaphysical stuff to him last time, he joked about needing to put me on meds. No way I’m going there again.

  I hate keeping so much of my life a secret from him. I can see how following the magical path is going to isolate me more and more from my friends.

  But I guess that goes with the territory.

  “Maybe it sounds lame,” I tell him, “but saving Harmony Springs is important to me.”

  Franklin shrugs expressively. “I suppose Abigail Adams must have her causes. Just remember to duck when the musket balls fly.”

  I nod sagely. “Excellent advice, which I shall take to heart, Mr. Franklin.”

  

  I do the spiritual exercises several times a day now, and they help me stay centered. That’s good, because things around the house are pretty hairy. Mom’s at the office ten hours a day and comes home exhausted and frazzled. Some mornings she gets up at five o’clock to teleconference with London.

  I hardly see Jim, but when I do, he’s gloomy. He encouraged Mom to take the UK job, but now it must be sinking in how little she’s going to be around. I’ve never known them to fight, but this week I hear impatience and raised voices whenever they’re together.

  I work hard to keep things on an even keel, to support Mom in the midst of the storm. I fix some meals, do the laundry, keep the ho
use neat. Mom and I are supposed to go to the movies one night, but she looks so tired that I convince her we should just watch something at home instead.

  In the mornings I jog over to the high school and run on the track. I say hi to kids from some of the different sports teams who are working out there, but my friends from track are all out of town. Bridget’s at camp in the Catskills, Lori’s in California looking at schools, and Karen’s on vacation at Long Beach Island on the Jersey shore.

  Luckily Karen gets back midweek, so we’re able to arrange a night out. She picks me up at six thirty in the Mazda her parents bought for her seventeenth birthday, back in April.

  I won’t have my license till August. Mom was supposed to take me driving this week on my learner’s permit, but it doesn’t look like that will happen now.

  Karen sits up straight, both hands on the wheel. She drives slowly and talks fast. She’s all excited about some guy she hooked up with down the shore. He took her surfing, and they made out late at night on the beach. She says there’s a scratch on the roof of her car where he tied on his surfboard.

  “How was Florida?” she asks. “Did you get in any surfing?”

  “Not exactly. The place I stayed is inland. I did get to go kayaking, though. They have some really beautiful natural springs.”

  “That sounds cool. Did you meet any guys?”

  “Well…sort of. Maybe.”

  Karen gives me a sly look. “Come on, Abby.”

  “Well, I did meet a guy that I kind of like. And he flirted with me a little. But it didn’t go beyond that. He thinks I’m strange.”

  “Strange can be devastatingly attractive,” Karen declares. “Besides, everyone knows you’re strange, Abby. Once they get to know you.”

  “Thanks. I think.”

  We go to the Cineplex at the mall to see the latest superhero movie. We both like fantasy and sci-fi, and I haven’t seen any of the summer blockbusters yet. The movie is good, though kind of repetitive with earlier ones in the series. As I watch the energy fights and zooming CGI effects, I remember something Granma said:

  “Magic is not like what you see in the movies.”

  She got that right.