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Toots, Ida, and Mavis gaped at Sophie, who had turned as pale as the images of their two now-departed spirits. She seemed to be in a mild state of shock.

Knowing they couldn’t remain like that all day, Toots leaned across the wooden table and snapped her fingers directly in front of Sophie’s face.

Sophie jerked to attention, slung the purple sheet off her shoulders, and stood. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am about to get sloshed.” She left the séance room, heading straight for the liquor cabinet with Toots, Ida, and Mavis right on her heels.

“Haunted by Bing Crosby? You actually saw him?” Abby asked.

“Yes,” Sophie confirmed.

“I see.”

“No, I don’t think you do. I’m guessing you think we’re just a bunch of old fuddy-duddies who have lost their marbles.” Sophie stared at Abby. “Am I right?”

Abby reached down to pet Chester and Coco. They were real. Okay, this wasn’t a dream. She was really at her mother’s new beach house in Malibu. And her mother, her strong-willed, no-nonsense, cut-out-the-bullshit mother was talking about ghosts as though they were her new neighbors.

If only one of them believed she’d seen a ghost, Bing Crosby’s ghost, then Abby could explain it away. Too much to drink, not enough sleep, a trick of the light. It could be a number of things. But all four of them? And her mother? No. Her mother wasn’t flighty, airheaded, or someone with an overactive imagination. So, Abby had a decision to make. She could either believe them or tell them they were all losing their minds.

“Tell me about them, the ghosts. Who saw them first?” Abby asked. She could see that she had their undivided attention. The four of them gathered around the patio table, and Abby pulled her lounger as close as she could without bumping into Chester and Coco, who continued to bathe one another with kisses.

“I did,” her mother explained. “It woke me out of a sound sleep.”

“You were awakened by Bing Crosby’s ghost?” Abby asked.

“No, I think I woke up because of the chill in the room. I don’t remember exactly. I just remember feeling as though someone was watching me. Then the next time I opened my eyes, I saw these clouds. They were sort of translucent, almost like fog, but they were shaped like a cloud. There were faces in them. Just heads and the mouths were moving like they were…arguing with one another.”

“You never told me that,” Sophie said.

“No, it just occurred to me that that’s what they were doing. They were male faces, or at least I think they were. One woman, too. Her hair was blond, fixed in one of those bouffant styles of the sixties.”

“How is it you’re able to recall these images with such vivid detail when you couldn’t remember anything about them the day after they materialized?” Sophie questioned. “Don’t make this up just so Abby won’t think you’re nuts. If this is true, then we might be onto something.”

“Sophie, kiss my ass. I wouldn’t lie about something this crazy. You know I never lie. I don’t know why I can recall these details now. They just came to me all of a sudden.”

Abby held up her hand. “Stop it. Both of you. This is too weird. Ida, Mavis, what are your thoughts on this? Neither of you has said much.”

“I didn’t see the ghost clouds your mother saw, but I did see Bing Crosby. This experience has opened up an entire new belief system for me. I never believed in ghosts before now. I know it’s a lot to absorb, but it’s true.” Mavis smiled, a sad smile.

Ida piped in, “They’re telling the truth, Abby. The spirit we saw was definitely Bing Crosby. It’s beyond bizarre, but it’s the truth, I swear.”

Abby nodded. “Show me where you hold the séances. Inside, Chester.”

Mavis scooped Coco up in her arms, and Chester followed right on her heels.

“In the dining room. It’s the only room that we haven’t finished remodeling. Sophie thinks we should leave it alone until we find out more,” Toots said.

Inside the house, Abby entered the dining area and saw the round table with the purple satin sheet draped on top. “Nice touch.” She flipped the light switch but nothing happened. “What about lights?”

“Just candles,” Sophie said. “Spirits don’t do lights, but I was able to pick up some movement with the camcorder. I’ve ordered a motion detector and an infrared camera.”

“Okay, I want to see the video, but later.” Abby paced the length of the dining room several times, always returning to the table. It was as if there was a magnetic force pulling her toward it. “Where did this table come from? I know it’s not yours,” Abby said to her mother.

“It was here when we moved in. I can ask the Realtor if she knows its original owner. What are you thinking, Abby?” her mother asked.

“This table looks very old. I’ve always believed things, such as furniture or clothing or a house, can hold a person’s spirit. Maybe this table is connected to the spirits in some way.”

“You’ve never told me that,” Toots said.

“You never asked, and the issue never came up,” Abby said to her mother. “Let’s just say I have always kept an open mind. Growing up in Charleston, you can’t help but know something about ghosts. All those old plantations that are supposedly haunted, Fort Sumter, the ghost tours. Didn’t we take one of those when we first moved to Charleston?” Abby asked.

“We did; if memory serves me right, you were scared to death. I can’t remember why, only that when it came time for you to go to bed that night, you wouldn’t let me turn out the light or close your door.” Toots smiled at the memory.

“I do remember that. What was I, ten or twelve?”

“Something like that.”

“So do you want to join us at our next séance?” Sophie asked.

“I think so, but I’m not sure. It depends on how things go at the paper. I’m probably going to get fired, so I’m sure I’ll have a lot of free time on my hands.”

“Let’s go in the kitchen. I’ll make us a drink and, Abby, you can tell us why you think you’re about to be fired,” Toots said.

“You don’t want to know, trust me.”

Toots turned to her daughter. “Trust me, I do.”

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Toots, Abby, and her three godmothers were seated at the white country French kitchen table with their drinks and a plate of fresh fruit with cheese and crackers courtesy of Mavis.

“I was so excited about the prospect of interviewing the famous couple, I lost sight of important details, such as actually meeting with the publicist. I admit it was totally unprofessional. If I lose this job, it’s my own fault. I don’t know why I fight so hard to hold on to the damn job in the first place. It’s not real news. Just silly stuff of no importance.”

“Don’t you dare say that, Abby Simpson! Those tabloids got me through many a lonely night between husbands. I cherished every word I read. Don’t think I’m the only one in this room who thinks that way either.” Toots looked at Ida, Sophie, and Mavis. Their heads bobbed up and down like Halloween apples in a barrel of water.

“We grew up in an era in which movies were magic, and so were the stars that played in them. Every Saturday the four of us would trek to the matinee. Then we’d spend the rest of the day wishing we were movie stars,” Ida said, her face softening with the memory.

“There are a lot of us out there, Abby. Don’t sell yourself short. What you do has value, you just don’t hear about it.” Toots reached across the table and took Abby’s hand in hers. “Is there anything we can do to help you?”

“Short of kidnapping the Pitt/Jolie crew?” Abby shook her head. “I don’t think so, but thanks. It’s nice to know that, between ghosts and séances, you’re willing to help me out. If only I had some magical way to create the news, I’d be a happy girl.”

Sophie’s eyes brightened. Toots grinned.

“Maybe we can help out. What if you were to write about this?” Sophie gestured toward the dining room.

“You mean write about the séances? Bing Crosby’s ghost?” Abby asked.

“Why not? It’s Hollywood, where anything is possible,” Toots said.

“I don’t know, Mom. This generation probably doesn’t have a clue who Bing Crosby is. I’m not sure I would, if not for you watching all those old movies. I doubt if my boss would go for something so…out there.”

“You could ask them. It can’t hurt. The Enquirer writes about aliens, and it hasn’t hurt their reputation,” Toots advised her daughter. She wanted to tell her right there on the spot that she owned the paper and she read the tabloids. It was an excellent idea. With all the new television programs on ghosts and haunted houses, Toots was sure that a ghost story would be quite popular with the public, but she couldn’t reveal her ownership to Abby. Not yet; maybe someday, but not anytime soon. Abby loved her job, and Toots would do whatever needed to be done to keep her daughter happy.

“I suppose I could ask. I’m sure that after they realize the mess I’ve made with all the teasers leading up to this so-called exclusive interview, I’ll be on the chopping block anyway. I might as well go out with a bang.”

“Nonsense! I bet they would love the idea,” Mavis said, smiling encouragingly at Toots and Sophie.

“I agree. I think it’s a wonderful idea for a story.” Ida paused. “And I don’t read the tabloids as often as your mother does. I do enjoy a good romance novel, though.”

Sophie shot Ida a dirty look. “I bet you only read the sex scenes.”

They all burst out laughing.

“Lucky for me, I don’t need to fantasize about a sex life. I have one,” Ida replied haughtily.

“You’re a real rip,” Toots said.

Mavis clapped her hands together to get their attention. “Stop it before it starts. I swear you three are worse than some of my former students.”

“Oh stop trying to change the subject, Mavis. You know we’re going to ask if you’re boinking George. You might as well spill the beans,” Sophie teased.

Mavis blushed. “It’s none of your business. I was taught it wasn’t polite to kiss and tell.”

Abby stood up. “I would love to sit here and discuss your sex lives, but while I still have a job, I’d best go home and get a good night’s rest. Chester, are you ready to go?” The dog dropped to the ground. He whined, then licked Coco. “Let’s go, Chester. Go! Now!” Abby pointed to the door, grabbed his leash. He wouldn’t budge. “I guess he doesn’t want to go. I’ve never seen him like this. It must be true love.”

“Leave him here for the night. Coco would love to have company,” Mavis said.

“I can’t. He’s sort of like my security blanket. I don’t feel safe without him,” Abby explained. “Sorry.”

Toots took over. “Why don’t you and Chester stay here tonight? It’s too late for you to drive all the way back to Brentwood alone anyway. We have plenty of room. And who knows, you may be graced by old Bing’s ghost while you’re here.”

Abby looked at her mother and her three godmothers. It’d been forever since they all had been together for an entire night. She could get to work from Malibu just as easily as from her house in Brentwood. “You’ve talked me into it. But if I stay, I want to sleep in the room where Mom saw the ghosts.”

“That would be my room,” Sophie said. “The bed is huge. You can bunk with me.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal. Now how about another drink? I want to hear more about these séances you’ve been conducting. How do you know about this stuff anyway?”

As usual, Sophie was delighted to be in the limelight, especially when Abby was involved. “Back in New York, I had a friend who had an interest in anything paranormal. She told me all these creepy stories. After a few years with Walter, ghosts started looking really good to me. I spent some time learning how to read tarot cards. I used to read cards for a few of the girls in the office. I’ve always been fascinated with ghosts and ghouls. Haven’t you heard about all the haunted hotels here in Los Angeles?”

Abby nodded. “Sure, but I never truly gave them much thought. They’re part of the Hollywood legend. All those old hotels have a ghost story connected to them. A few of them are said to be haunted: the Roosevelt, the Knicker-bocker.”

When Sophie got excited, anyone who was remotely acquainted with her knew to stay out of her way and let her do whatever she wanted. She became so animated, arms flapping all over the place. She’d knock over anything in her path. She was getting overly excited now.

“Yes, the Roosevelt. I’ve seen it, but I haven’t been inside. I want to go there before I leave. I hear Marilyn Monroe’s haunted mirror is still hanging on the wall in the lobby. I remember reading where some of the hotel’s guests said they saw a blond woman’s reflection in the glass. Some die-hard fans believe that her life was so sad that her image was permanently impressed in the glass.”

“I hope you’re not stupid enough to believe that,” Ida said.

“After what I’ve seen the past three weeks? Are you kidding? I’d be afraid to say I didn’t believe. You better watch what you say. You never know when they’re listening. I wouldn’t want to get on the bad side of a ghost.”

“Tone it down, Soph,” Toots said.

“Why? Am I scaring you, too?”

“No, you only do that in the morning,” Toots commented dryly.

“Kiss my ass,” Sophie suggested.

“I’ll pass.”

“Mother, you two stop it. I swear, you act like two schoolgirls.”

“I know it may be hard to fathom, but dear old Sophie and I were schoolgirls. Once. A hundred years ago.”

They all laughed.

“It’s getting late. I’m tired, and I’ve had too much to drink. Come on, Abby.” Sophie stood up and stretched. “Maybe we’ll catch a glimpse of a spirit tonight.”

“Okay. Mom, Ida, Mavis, I’ll see you in the morning. Chester, I assume you’re sleeping with Coco tonight?”

“Woof!”

“I’ll take that as yes,” Abby said.

“Night, Mom.”

Mavis cleared the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Toots locked all the doors and turned off the lights. Ida made her way up to her room. She was going to soak in the tub and think about lending Sammy $3 million.

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