Larue Donavon 3 - The Ghoul Next Door (32 page)

“
Sorry about everything,”
Mr. Fine said.

I nodded, but said nothing. What could
I say? It was nice that he’d offered the apology though, even if it
was a little too late.

“
Why did you do this?” I
asked, not really expecting an answer.

“
Because it was fun. It’s
the way I am and it’s what I like to do,” she said with a laugh in
her voice.

“
What you like to do? What’s
that? Wreak havoc in people’s lives?”

She shrugged. “If that’s what you want
to call it, then yes.”

“
You helped Jane do a lot of
mean things,” I said nastily.

“
I’ve helped a lot of people
do mean things and if I get a chance I’ll do it again.”

I pointed toward the spot on the wall.
As if they had no control over their actions, they walked single
file toward the black hole. At least they weren’t trying to fight
it. Things could have been ugly, and I was too tired to fight any
more.

“
What’s happening?” Mindy
asked.

“
There’s a black hole in the
wall and the ghosts are going into it.”

“
Not Elvis,” she
screeched.

I waved my arms. “No, not him… Candy
Cherry and Mr. Fine are leaving.”

“
Are they going down there?”
Mindy pointed toward the floor.

I shrugged. “I have no idea. I think
they’re just going to a holding room for now until that decision is
made.”

“
I hope I never have to go
to that holding room,” she said.

“
I don’t think you have
anything to worry about.” I draped my arm around her shoulders and
squeezed. “By the way Candy Cherry talked and acted though, I think
she’ll be going on the down escalator.”

Mindy shivered. Candy Cherry turned
and glared at me right before she crossed over into the black mass.
Then Mr. Fine followed into the dark abyss. I was glad to see them
go. When they’d disappeared from sight, the hole instantly sealed
shut with a vacuum suck at the end. There was nothing left—no
evidence that they’d ever been there—and I was grateful. Good
riddance.

“
They’re gone
now.”

“
Are you sure they won’t
come back?” Mindy asked.

“
I don’t think it’ll be
possible for them to ever come back.”

I knew my time alone and ghost-free
was limited though. It always was. There would be more ghosts. Who
would show up the next time, I had no idea. I just hoped this time
it was nice ghosts. And maybe if I was lucky I could convince Elvis
to stay. Something told me he wouldn’t go for it though. He had
more important things to do, I was sure.

Elvis leaned against the counter with
a satisfied smile on his face. “Those two won’t be missed around
here.”

Usually it was me who told the ghosts
it was time to leave. But this time Elvis was informing me that he
was needed somewhere else.

“
Do you have to go?” I
asked.

He winked. “I’m sorry. I’d love to
stay and hang around with you and Callahan, but you all don’t need
me anymore.”

That was what he thought. I could have
an Elvis concert every night. I never thought I’d ask a ghost to
stay, but I wanted him to stick around.

“
I can’t tell you how much
fun I had with you here and I hope I wasn’t so much of a pain to
deal with.” I wished I could reach out and hug him. Touching Elvis
Presley? Why, I’d probably faint on the spot.

“
You were wonderful and I
had the most fun time. Thank you for talking with me and for your
hospitality. Callahan is in good hands with you. I know it’ll work
out just fine for you all.”

“
Where do go from here?” I
asked.

“
I’m not sure, really. I
think I’m headed back to Memphis to see some old friends. I make
the rounds a lot between friends and family often. It’s nice seeing
everyone.”

“
I bet it is.”

“
Thank you again. Please
tell Mindy goodbye and I’m honored to have such a loyal
fan.”

“
I’ll make sure to tell her
and she’ll be really happy.” I glanced over at Mindy.

“
What did he say? What did
he say? Was he talking about me?” Mindy asked, practically bouncing
up and down with excitement like a kid wanting candy.

Elvis and I laughed. “He wants to
thank you for being a fan.”

She giggled. “It was my pleasure,” she
said while blushing.

“
Will you come back and
visit?” I asked.

“
You can count on it. Will
you tell Callahan that I said goodbye?”

“
Of course. Give my love to
your mother,” I said.

“ ‘
Til we meet again, may
God bless you. Adios.” He saluted, then turned away.

The light that usually appeared when
ghosts left didn’t appear this time. I knew Elvis had other people
to help. Elvis might not still be alive, but his time on earth
wasn’t finished. He still had things to do. I waved and smiled as
he disappeared.

Mindy touched my shoulder.

“
Elvis is gone,” I said
wiping a tear from under my eye.

I was getting used to having live
performances. It just wouldn’t be the same to go back to my MP3
player.

“
Elvis has left the
build—”

“
Stop right there.” I threw
my hand up. “Don’t say it.”

Mindy laughed and I joined
her.

“
Oh, come on. It was
perfect. You knew I had to say it.”

“
Yeah, I guess it was
inevitable.”

For once there was silence. No chatter
of ghosts. No weird thoughts in my head. Peace and quiet until the
bell on the door jingled and we looked over. Callahan walked toward
me with my favorite chocolate-covered cherry latte in his hand. His
gorgeous smile was from ear to ear and it made my stomach
flip.

“
Latte?” he
asked.

I rushed over and Callahan scooped me
up into a hug. I’d always felt like an outsider, as if I really
didn’t belong. No matter who befriended me or welcomed me into
their little circle. I was always the awkward outsider looking in
on all the fun. Maybe the real reason I’d felt like an outsider all
my life was because I’d always been holding a secret.

Outside Book Nook’s window, I spotted
Matt and the TV crew pull up next to the curb in the SUV. Now that
my secret of speaking to the dead was out would I be able to fit
in? Only time would tell.

About Rose Pressey

Rose Pressey enjoys writing quirky and
fun novels with a paranormal twist. She’s always found the
paranormal interesting. The thought of finding answers to the
unexplained fascinates her.

When she’s not writing about
werewolves, vampires, and every other supernatural creature, she
loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with
family, and listening to oldies from the fifties. Yeah, she loves
Elvis. She can’t help herself.

Rose lives in the beautiful
commonwealth of Kentucky with her husband, son, and two sassy
Chihuahuas.

www.rosepressey.com

[email protected]

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