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She soaked in the tub for another half hour before she washed her hair and shaved her legs. She wanted to look nice just in case Chris showed up, and for whatever spirit decided to make its presence known.

Abby wrapped a thick bath sheet around her body and a smaller one around her head to soak up the dampness in her thick hair, which took forever to blow-dry. She flicked her CD player on. Norah Jones crooned from the speakers. Abby went to her closet, not sure what to wear. She was just going to her mother’s, so she didn’t have to dress up, but still she wanted to look a little special. Just in case. She chose a pair of dark denim jeans and a white blouse with billowing sleeves. She’d wear a pair of flats just in case Chris showed up and he invited her for a stroll down the beach. Flats could be kicked off easily. She was way ahead of herself, but that was all the fun. Anticipation, she thought as she removed the towel from her head. With a wide-tooth comb, she attacked the mass of heavy curls. Thirty minutes later she’d tamed her hair into soft waves. She decided to wear a little bit of makeup, but not too much. She didn’t want to appear overly done up, as Sophie called it. Pink blush, a light brown eyeliner, black mascara, and a touch of clear gloss on her lips. She looked in the mirror, studied her handiwork. Not too bad, she thought.

She put her towels in the clothes hamper and rinsed out the tub before going out back to bring Chester inside. “Dinnertime,” she called out into the backyard. She heard Chester’s paws as they smacked against the ground. It still amazed her that a single word had the power to bring him running. He bounded through the back door, heading straight for the kitchen. Abby scooped a hearty amount of kibble in his bowl, then added some leftover meat loaf to the mixture. She knew she shouldn’t give him table food, but he liked it, and the vet said he was healthy as ever, so there!

While Chester crunched down his dinner, Abby went through the house locking doors, making sure the timers for the inside and outside lights were set to come on precisely at nine o’clock. When Chester finished, she rinsed out his bowl and dried it with paper towels. She took a handful of treats from his canister and stuffed them inside a plastic bag for later. She carried a bag full in the trunk of her car, but those were trunk treats only to be given in case of an emergency. With nothing left to do, she grabbed her purse, cell phone, and Chester’s leash. “Come on, boy, we’re going to a séance.”

Chester looked at her and howled.

Chris debated whether or not he should show up for Toots’s big séance. He didn’t believe in the supernatural, whatever they were calling it these days, but he knew Abby would be there, and it wouldn’t hurt to at least pretend to suspend his disbelief for one night.

So it looked like he was going to Malibu after all. He checked his watch. Toots said they would start the séance promptly at nine o’clock. It was already half past eight. He’d been on the beach and smelled like salt, wind, and sand. Ten minutes later he was showered, shaved, teeth brushed, and he’d even taken the time to comb his hair. Jeans, a navy polo shirt, and deck shoes. Pretty spiffy, he thought. He’d like to see someone get spiffed up as fast as he could, then he remembered Abby said she could get ready for the inauguration in thirty minutes or less. A no-frills girl, she’d said. He didn’t care if it took her a week to decide what to wear; Chris was smitten and knew it and loved it. For the first time in forever, he was ass-kicking happy. He still had to take his floozy female clients out on the town, and he wanted to talk to Abby about that. He never knew when his face and that of the latest starlet would be splashed across the pages of movie magazines. He wanted to tell her that those were business dates, they weren’t even dates. He knew she didn’t like seeing women wrapped around him. Maybe it was time to switch gears, do something different. Something to think on, that was for sure. He had no great love for entertainment law. He’d wanted to be a farmer when he was a kid. Maybe he’d move, buy a bit of land, and try working it himself. That he had the option was enough to make him smile.

Yep, Chris old buddy, life is lookin’ good.

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Sophie added two extra chairs around the old wooden table just in case Abby and Chris showed up for the séance. She was pretty confident Abby would, but she wasn’t sure about Chris. He’d acted like they were crazy when she’d told him what they were doing and who had made their ghostly presences known.

Sophie didn’t want to change too many things for fear it would scare their ghosts away. Was that weird or what? Scaring the ghosts away. It was usually the other way around. But not in this house. She’d kept the purple silk sheet as her tablecloth, and she still used the same glass. She’d purchased more candles, but other than that and adding the two chairs, Sophie was prepared to talk to dead people. If they would talk to her. She hoped like hell that something would show itself and, even better, that something would show on her new camera equipment. Then Abby could use the photos for The Informer. She wasn’t sure if the grainy images she’d seen were of good enough quality to reproduce, let alone to enlarge and put on the front page.

“So are we all ready and set to go?” Toots asked as she entered the dark dining room. She hadn’t touched a thing in the room since remodeling the rest of the house and didn’t think she would. They were having too much fun.

“Yep, all that’s missing are the ghosts. Toots, you imagine Abby and Chris think we’re a bunch of crazy old women with too much time and money on their hands?”

Toots considered Sophie’s question. “I don’t think they do. Chris is very, very skeptical about the whole ghost thing. Abby likes this as much as we do. With her new column at the paper, I think we’ll be having more séances than ever. This ghost thing has really been a hit with the readers. I would bet anything before all is said and done that The Enquirer and The Globe follow in our footsteps. I know Abby is excited when ‘her boss’ sends her e-mails telling her how well the paper is doing. I think Abby likes being the editor in chief. I haven’t heard her complaining about not being out on the streets chasing stars. I think this is her niche. What about it, Sophie, what do you think?”

“You don’t want to know. I have crazy thoughts about everything these days. Nothing that would scare anyone. Seriously, I think this new twist with the ghosts is going to be an even bigger hit. There are so many new television programs now, I can’t keep up with them. This happened at just the right time for Abby. She walks around with a glow on her face lately, have you noticed?”

“Yes, of course I’ve noticed, I’m her mother, for God’s sake.”

“Well I am her godmother!” Sophie shot back.

“That glow you’re talking about isn’t from writing stories about ghostly encounters. I think she and Chris are in love with one another.”

Sophie shot a big, toothy grin. “I think so, too, and I think it’s fantastic! What about you, Toots? Are you okay with Abby and Chris if something were to come of their attraction, whatever you want to call it? I know you loved Chris’s father, and I also know that you are a wonderful mom to Abby, and Chris thinks you’re the cream of the crop, too. I’ve heard him refer to you as his mom when he’s talking on the phone. I guess what I want to know is if you’re okay if Abby decided to marry your stepson?”

“That’s always been one of the things I admire about you, Soph. You’re so damn honest, cut straight through the flesh and dive right to the bone. To answer your question, yes. I would like nothing more than to see them become a couple. Garland, Chris’s father, and I talked about it on more than one occasion before he died. He would’ve liked seeing them together, too. Chris is as handsome as his father, don’t you think?” Toots asked. She sometimes got all teary-eyed when she talked about the husbands she’d actually loved. Garland had been second-best, right behind Abby’s father, John Simpson.

“I agree. Both are fine-looking specimens. Sure as hell looked better than that old warthead Walter. Toots, can I ask you a question?”

“You will anyway, so why would you ask if you can ask a question?”

“You’re an old whining bitch, Toots, but I love you anyway. Today.”

“Ask the question, Sophie,” Toots insisted.

“Did you ever suspect Walter was using me as a punching bag before you came to New York and saw it first-hand?”

Toots drew a deep breath. “Let’s go out on the deck and have a cigarette before we get started.”

“I’m game,” Sophie said before charging out to the deck.

They smoked so much Toots had installed a small freezer where she kept at least twenty cartons of cigarettes on hand at all times. They sat in their favorite chairs, getting comfy before lighting up. After they’d sucked in a few good doses of the deadly toxins, Toots spoke up. “I had my suspicions, but I’d never seen him hit you. I always thought you would leave him if he got too rough. What about that doctor you worked for? Did you two have something going on?”

Sophie took a puff off her cig, blew the smoke out the corner of her mouth. “No, but I wish I had. He was good to me. He knew what an asshole Walter was, but, like you, he figured that if I was getting the daylights beat out of me, I would leave. I took my marriage vows seriously. It was the Catholic thing beaten into me by my parents. So I stuck it out till death did us part! The old son of a bitch. I hope Satan is torching his ass every day. Let’s stop talking about Walter. It will ruin my night. Toss me another cigarette.”

“It’s almost nine o’clock; we’d better get Ida and Mavis and get started,” Toots said.

“All right. I guess I can live without another cigarette for a few hours.”

Sophie and Toots went inside, where they found Ida and Mavis in the kitchen. Ida was making coffee, and Mavis was slicing a tray of raw vegetables and, of course, fruit.

“You two about ready to get this séance started?” Sophie asked. “I am going to check one more time to make sure I didn’t forget anything.” She flew out of the kitchen like a witch on her broom.

A loud knock on the front door, then, “Mom, you guys didn’t start without me, did you?”

“Abby, come on back, we’re in the kitchen. We were waiting for you and Chris.”

“He didn’t come with me,” Abby said.

Toots looked around. “He isn’t with you? I thought for sure the two of you would ride together.”

“No, I haven’t mentioned this to him. I think he’s a little on the unbelievers’ side.”

“This isn’t for everyone,” Toots said to Abby, though she could clearly see the disappointment in her daughter’s face.

“That’s cool. I don’t care. So what are we waiting for? I’ve been hoping I would make contact with a major star from way back when. I would love to have something mind-blowing to put on the front page of The Informer.”

“Never say never,” her mother said.

“Ida and Mavis, whenever you are ready, just meet us in the séance room,” Toots said

“The séance room?”

“That’s what Sophie and I are calling it now. That is what we do in there.”

A loud knock on the front door startled both Abby and her mother. Abby hurried to the front door. “Chris! Hi. Mom and I didn’t think you’d make it,” Abby said.

Toots heard the joy in Abby’s voice at the sight of Chris.

“I debated, but I couldn’t convince myself to pass up an opportunity to spend an evening with my two favorite ladies in the world. So if I have to hang out with a ghost or two, I’m willing to do that.”

“Well, then what are we waiting for?” Toots said.

Abby, Chris, and Toots entered the old dining room, where Sophie was lighting candles. Ida and Mavis were placing them around the room so they wouldn’t be in total darkness. Once that was complete, Sophie asked everyone to take their usual places around the table.

“Chris, Abby, you can sit here.” Sophie pointed to two chairs side by side and to her right. “Because neither of you have attended a séance before, I’d like to take a minute to explain a few things, but you both must promise not to laugh.”

“Cross my heart,” Abby said.

Chris gave the Boy Scout sign. “I swear on the Boy Scout handbook.”

“That’s good enough. Everybody get seated while I explain the procedure.”

Abby and Chris found their seats. Ida and Mavis took their usual chairs. Toots was the last to be seated.

Sophie took her seat center stage, or rather, center table. “First, I want to explain exactly what a séance is. A séance is the coming together of a number of people for the purpose of seeking to communicate with those who are no longer of this world. People who attend séances should as far as possible be of opposite temperaments. I think we can agree we meet that criterion. Of course, we must all have an open mind so that a phenomenon can occur. Successful séances require never fewer than three people and no more than twelve. Is everyone following me? In my studies the past few days, I’ve learned that it’s best to go through what the proper conditions are for a successful séance. If I bore you, just bear with me.

“Subdued lighting is best, hence the candles. Abby, Chris, if either of you plans to attend another séance, we always use the same seats. We should all lay our hands on the table with our palms down. They say that wood when charged becomes a conductor, so it’s not really necessary to hold hands. I like to think the spirits see us united with the same goal, so I think it’s good to hold one another’s hands.”

“Hey, I like that idea, too,” Chris said, then reached for Abby’s hand.

They all laughed.

“They say it’s best not to have any fruits or flowers in the room unless the flowers are fresh. I personally don’t think this matters one way or the other.”

“Chris, Abby, do either one of you have any questions so far?” Sophie asked.

“Nothing yet,” Abby said. Chris nodded.

“I usually open the séance with a prayer of sorts, then we ask if there is anyone who would like to make contact with us. That’s about it, so you kids still game?” Sophie asked, grinning. “If you think you won’t be frightened, you may want to rethink that. Right, girls?”