The Calling: A Paranormal Mystery Vol. I (7 page)

Tina felt the warmth of the sun on her face as she woke up Saturday morning on Anna’s couch.  She was up, for the first time in three weeks, having had a good night of uninterrupted sleep.  Anna had quietly crept out into the kitchen and started some coffee. 

“Good morning sunshine,” Tina chirped.

“Morning,” responded Anna.

“What do you think about last night?” said Tina wondering if Anna had a good night’s sleep as well.

“You mean the distinct sound of SILENCE?” Anna said as she motioned to the coffee pot. 

“Sure,” said Tina. “I like it black. And yes, for the first time in three weeks I had glorious uninterrupted sleep!”

“Well maybe whatever it is, has to take a rest once in a while,” Anna said, not actually believing what she was saying.

“I need to text Greg and tell him he has to come back for this house blessing, or cleansing, or whatever it is Karen and her friends are going to do,” Tina said sipping her coffee as she reached for her phone. 

“Do you think he’ll come back?” Anna asked as she plopped down in the chair across from Tina.

“I don’t know.  I can’t believe he left in the first place.  Especially since we had just talked about staying together. I thought I would feel a little safer with him here.  Clearly we did fine on our own,” said Tina with pride.

Anna laughed, “Oh yeah, Greg, the great protector! He was gone so fast, I couldn’t believe it! He didn’t even have the balls to tell us he was leaving.  Now here we are, the women, holding down the fort!”

“Don’t be too hard on him,” said Tina.  “He’s a good guy.  He obviously just got spooked.”

Tina was concerned because Karen said to have the three residents there Saturday so the whole house could be blessed.  If Greg didn’t come back, his apartment would not be included and that would mean the blessing would be a waste of time. 
How could he just leave us and not even say anything at all when he left!
Tina pondered the “Greg Issue” and began texting him.

“Greg my friend is coming to do a blessing on the triplex but we need you here.  Will you please come back? They will be here around 11:00 am.”

Lizzy couldn’t believe the beautiful day that greeted her. The sky was particularly clear and blue. Lizzy picked up Karen and sprinkled a little holy water on her as she got in the car.  “Hey!  What are you doing?” Karen said surprised.

“It’s a little holy water.  It’s supposed to enhance our protection.”

“Maybe give a girl some warning!” Karen dropped into the seat and stuck her coffee into the cup holder.

“I have to pick up Janet; she agreed to do this with us this morning.  Isn’t that great!” beamed Lizzy.

“It is great.  Are you sure, you have everything you need for the ceremony?” 

“Yup,” Lizzy steered the car toward Janet’s house.

Lizzy introduced Janet as she got into the car and gave her a good splash of holy water as well. 

“Oh my! I guess that is kind of refreshing,” Janet laughed. 

“In all seriousness,” Lizzy lowered her voice and pulled out some anointing oil from her bag.  “We need to say a prayer of protection anytime we are doing this kind of work.  We need to be mindful and reverent. I don’t think God will care that I had a little fun getting the holy water on you but this is important.”

Dipping her finger into the anointing oil, Lizzy placed a cross on each of their foreheads and prayed for them to be surrounded in holy light and protection. 

“It’s important that we always remember to do this before we go into any homes or deal with anyone who has been haunted.  It’s a good practice to just do it daily, don’t you think?” Lizzy said and both Karen and Janet agreed. 

The hour trip went by quickly as the women discussed the paranormal activities. “It’s all a little surreal,” Karen said shaking her head.

Janet fiddled with her glasses. “I’m a little nervous.  I’ve never tried to use my gifts in this way. I don’t know if I’ll be helpful or pick up anything. I hope I don’t let you down.” 

“You can’t let us down, Janet,” Karen patted her on the shoulder. 

“Janet,” Lizzy said looking at her in the rear view mirror, “you are one of the most giving people I know.  I’m not worried.  You will feel what you feel.  If you don’t pick up on anything, don’t worry about it.  What is supposed to happen will happen. We all want to help.  I think that is the most important intention.  I believe our intent is the most important thing we put out there and our intent is to be of service and help bring in light where there may be darkness. Together we can only be stronger.”

The triplex felt impending to Lizzy as they pulled into the driveway.  Would it be if she didn’t think it was haunted?  Maybe not, maybe she would think it was beautiful.  The tri-colored Victorian house was over 4000 square feet and painted maroon with golden yellow trim with grey blue shutters.  Anna’s upstairs apartment benefited from the rounded
cornices
. The eves on the second floor looked like eyebrows over the upper story windows. Were they ominously looking down upon them or innocently projecting beautiful Victorian curves? She couldn’t be sure. 

Tina and Anna stepped out onto the porch as Karen, Lizzy and Janet began collecting their bags with items to bless the home. 

Tina hugged Karen, “Thank you so much for coming.” 

“Of course,” said Karen as she hugged Tina.  The entourage climbed up the steps on to the porch and shuffled into the house. Anna opened the door and introduced herself, “Hi, I’m Anna; I live in the apartment upstairs. Tina has talked nonstop about all of you and I’m really happy to see you.” 

“We’re happy to be here, Anna.  Let’s take a look inside,” said Lizzy, “and see if Janet can pick up on anything.  Then we will begin the blessing.” 

They all stood in the foyer for a few moments trying to get a feel for the place.  Janet began to breathe deeply to calm herself.  She said an internal prayer and blessing. She asked to be open to what she needed to connect with, that which would help the most. “Something is missing,” Janet said, feeling a little confused. 

“What do you mean?” asked Lizzy quietly. 

“I’m not sure,” said Janet.  Janet turned and looked at Tina and Anna, “There is a piece of this that’s missing.”

Like deer in the headlights, Anna and Tina stared back at Janet, not knowing what she meant or how to answer.  Janet said it again, “There is a piece of the puzzle missing. That is what I’m picking up. What is missing?”

Then it occurred to Anna that maybe it wasn’t something but someone. “Greg!” she blurted out. 

“Oh yea,” said Tina.  She pointed to Greg’s apartment, “He lives there but he went to his parents last night after we all talked about what we were experiencing.” 

Janet shook her head,  “Lizzy, it’s not here. I think it’s with Greg.” 

“What?” Lizzy gasped.  “What do you mean?  Are you sure?” 

Janet walked to Greg’s door and placed the palm of her hand on it.  “I’m pretty sure it is with him. Was there any activity last night after he left?” 

They looked at each other, amazed, and both began shaking their heads. 

“In fact,” said Anna, “we both commented this morning on how we had finally gotten a full night's sleep.” 

“What does this mean?” asked Karen. “This spirit suddenly has begun hopping from person to person?  What the hell?” 

Lizzy wasn’t sure what to think. 

Janet nodded.  “I feel she left with Greg.” 

Lizzy’s head began to spin. 
What now?
How will we be able to help anyone if we can’t
find the spirit?

“Janet, do you get anything else?” asked Karen.

“I don’t feel a presence of any sort but I do feel Greg was very scared when he left. He in fight or flight and his choice was flight.”

“I think from the beginning he was the most freaked out of the three of us,” said Anna. 

“Yes, once we all figured out none of us were making the noises and knocking on the walls, he got very uptight,” said Tina. “The plan was that we were all going to stay with each other until you could get up here to do the blessing.  He left right after we met with Anna and actually never told us he was leaving.”  

“When was that?” asked Lizzy feeling frustrated.  

“Last night,” replied Anna.

“We should still do the blessing, shouldn’t we Lizzy? I mean it would help keep her from coming back, wouldn’t it?” asked Karen. 

“I agree,” said Lizzy.  “We’ve come all the way here and it certainly won’t hurt to do the blessing. I don’t know if it will keep her out when Greg comes back though. If it doesn’t, you girls can do the blessing again yourselves.” 

Janet began moving toward Tina’s apartment door and put her hand on it.  “Have either of you talked to Greg since he left?” 

“No, we texted him last night and this morning about you all coming today but he never responded,” said Tina.

“Let’s do the blessing,” said Janet. “I think it will accomplish what you hope, here.  I have a funny feeling about Greg.  It would be better if he joined us.”

Greg jolted awake, he heard his mother yelling.

“Tom! Tom! Tom, come here!”  Once again, Tom and Greg were both at their bedroom doors looking at each other alarmed.   Deanna was standing in the hallway in front of the bathroom pointing at the doorway. 

“Mom what is it?” Greg said loudly as he rushed to his mother’s side. 

“Did one of you do that?” she shrieked.  She knew the answer already, but had to make sure.

Greg crept through the bathroom door.  His mother’s makeup was all over the floor and in the tub.  Someone or something had written ‘JOSHNOW’ on the mirror with one of his mother’s red lipsticks.  He backed out of the bathroom into the hall. 

Tom went through the same maneuver, and when he saw the mirror, he caught his breath. 

“What the hell is going on?” croaked Deanna. “Last night, now this?” 

Greg knew exactly what was going on.  Whatever had been at his apartment was now in his parent's house!  It was entirely his fault! 

Tom still couldn’t move.  He stood transfixed in front of the mirror his mouth agape.  Then, like a soft breeze, the smell of Loves Baby Soft filled the bathroom and then whole upstairs.  When the scent hit Tom’s olfactory center, his knees buckled and he grabbed the doorframe to steady himself. 

“Come out of there Tom!" Deana yelled her nerves now raw. When the aroma of Loves Baby Soft filled the upstairs, the hair on the back of her neck stood up and Goosebumps ran up her arms.  “I don’t know what the hell is going on here but we need to get out of here right now!” said Deanna. 

Tom quickly backed out of the bathroom and made it to his bedroom in a daze.

“Greg, get your clothes on we’re going to breakfast,” Deanna yelled from the bedroom.

“You don’t need to twist my arm, let’s go!”  He turned on his heel and got dressed quickly. 

Deanna grabbed Tom’s jeans and threw them to him.  “Get dressed we’re getting out of here.” Deanna pulled on a ball cap without combing her hair.  There was no way she was going into that bathroom.  They moved quickly and dashed to the car in less than five minutes. No one said a word all the way to Rudy’s Diner.

Tom broke into a cold sweat driving to Rudy’s. 
How does that happen?
He thought,
Cold sweat?  It’s not right. Cold and sweat shouldn't happen at the same time. Now I’m rambling in my own head.  Calm down, calm, Tom.
  

Tom couldn’t escape his guilt.  He had been feeling it, full force, since the night before when he smelled the perfume for the first time.  He had managed to bury his guilt and shame for many years but every now and then, something would trigger his memories.  Love’s Baby Soft wafting through his home broke the final straw.  It was his fault and he knew it.

I was a coward and now it is being forced into the open
, he thought.    He would have to talk to Deanna, confess his sins and hope that she would forgive him.  Right now, he just wanted to run.  He hadn’t felt this awful in 25 years. 
Isn’t that amazing
,
there is low, and then there is lower than low.
  Tom wiped the beads of sweat from his brow as he pulled into Rudy’s Café. 
Grab some coffee and get your shit together, after breakfast, talk to Deanna.

Greg’s emotions were running high, he actually felt like crying.    He could hear his heart pounding in his ears but did not understand what was happening.  What he did know is that he brought something home and he was very sorry.  How could he tell his parents?  Would they be angry for his irresponsibility? 

Rudy’s was in full rush when they walked into the dining area. The smell of bacon broke the spell for a moment.

Helen, their favorite server, motioned them in as she cleared off a booth in the back corner. 

“Hello folks!” Helen said cheerfully.  “Sit right on down and I’ll be with you in a minute. I’m gonna assume you want coffee.”  They all nodded and slid into the booth. 

“Dad? I need to tell you and Mom about something but you might want to put me in a straight jacket.” 

“Greg, I think after the last 12 hours we all could use a nice, quiet, padded room. We’re listening son, shoot.” 

Greg gulped his words back as Helen slid up to the table and plunked down three coffees and some menus.

“I’ll be back for your order.  Deanna, how you doing this morning?  You look a fright!”  laughed Helen. 

Deanna frowned, “Thanks Helen, it's been a rough night.” 

“Oh sweetie, with a family like this it can’t be that bad!”  She fluttered off into the kitchen.

Deanna felt weird.  “What did you want to tell us Greg?” she asked.

“I don’t know where to start.  A few weeks ago, I started hearing a lot of noise at night.  I thought it was the girls in the triplex.  We’ve all lived there about a year I guess, and have all gotten along fine.  Anna pretty much keeps to herself and Tina is nice.  Anyway, about three weeks ago I began hearing what I thought was furniture being moved around their apartments.  Sometimes it would be in Tina’s apartment and then sometimes it was in Anna’s.  It would go on sometimes until past 3 o’clock in the morning.  Then there was the knocking.  I could hear someone knocking on their doors constantly.  Sometimes I would hear knocking on the wall that separated our apartments.  I was getting pretty frustrated.  So finally, yesterday, I went to Tina’s to ask her to please ‘knock it off!’  I’ve had three hours of sleep a night for the last three weeks…”  Greg paused to get a feel for whether his parents were going to tease him or believe him. 

Deanna and Tom were listening intently.  “Go on,” Deanna pushed.

Greg took a deep breath and continued, “Last night I went over to Tina’s to ask her to please stop all the noise.”  Greg looked down at his hands.  He realized he had been wringing them as he spoke.  He shook his head and sighed.

Just then, Helen swooped in to take their order.  Helen, a tall woman in her mid-fifties ran around the restaurant like a teenager.    She had been at Rudy’s for as long as Greg could remember.  She had  always been very upbeat and loud! 

“Lay it on me guys, what’ll ya have?”

Greg and his parents placed their order quickly and Helen hurried off to hang the ticket.

“Go on Greg,” Tom urged.

“Well, Tina said she wasn’t doing it. She said she had heard the same thing coming from my apartment and Anna’s as well.  While we were talking we heard knocking in my apartment.  There was no one in my apartment.  When we went to my apartment to investigate, the knocking came from her apartment.  We decided to talk to Anna and she said she had heard the same things.  Tina said she had a friend she thought could help and would call her.  In the meantime, we were going to stay at Anna’s, so we had witnesses to our experiences if anything else happened.  We were all a little freaked out at this point.  I went downstairs to get some stuff for the night but when I walked into my apartment it smelled like that perfume…what you said Mom, that Loves Baby Soft.  Then…I just got the creepiest feeling as if someone was watching me and I bolted.  I came home and I’m so sorry because I think it came with me! This BS last night is my fault!”  Greg said progressively getting more wound up.

“Calm down Greg,” Tom said as he grabbed his son’s shoulder and shook him gently.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Dad, what does 'JO SHNOW' mean? Why was that on the mirror?”

Tom was sure the words were JOSH NOW, not JO SHNOW.  He couldn’t get into that right now.  He needed to talk to Deanna first. 

“We’ll figure it out son, don’t worry.”

“I am worried!” Deanna said as she took a shaky sip of coffee.  “I want to know what the hell is going on. Why or how would something come home with Greg? Have you ever heard of that?”

Tom shook his head. 

Greg shrugged and said, “I don’t know but I think it HAS happened.”

Tom felt uneasy.  He knew it wasn’t Greg’s fault but he didn’t know how to approach it. He didn’t understand how Greg got connected to the situation in the first place.

The family smiled politely as Helen plunked the breakfast plates on the table and whizzed away again.

“Let’s relax here and eat our breakfast.  When we get back home your Mother and I will figure this out.”

“We will?” Deanna asked. She was surprised at Tom’s confidence.  She had no idea how to address this and as far as going home she wasn’t very excited about that prospect.