Newlyweds

“I’m sorry,” said Dylan adjusting the weight in his arms. “You’re just not all that scary.”

WooooEeeeeeAhhh, said the ghost.

“I think the phrase you are looking for is Boo,” said Dylan.

“Dylan, this is not the great apartment you promised,” said his new bride Liana.

“I think it is,” said Dylan adjusting the weight again and chuffing like a tired horse, or donkey.

“Well I’m not setting foot in the apartment if it has ghosts,” said Liana.

“Be reasonable,” protested Dylan. “We’re across the threshold, I have to put you down sometime.”

He is turning red in the face, said the ghost. Either you weigh more than you look like you would, or he can’t handle the weight.

“You’re so strong,” said Dylan. “Do you want to take a turn.”

I can’t hold any weight, said the ghost.

“Hey,” said Liana. “I am not overweight.”

“My guess is that not really being here the ghost can’t lift or move anything,” said Dylan. “And of course you are not overweight at all my love. I am clearly under strong.”

Dylan carried Liana through the living room area of the apartment and through a door into a large room. The ghost followed along. “This apartment used to be the manager’s office of the theater for the most part. He had the large office for staff meetings, there was a break room that is now a kitchen, and he had a private apartment where the bedroom and the bathroom are. I thought you might like to look at this area of the apartment. It used to be a rehearsal hall and my Uncle Charlie included it in our apartment as part of the remodeling. The back stage areas of the theater are now all redone as apartments. The stage and auditorium will be used for an event hall and the lobby surprisingly enough will be a lobby.”

“Why did he add this big room to the apartment you want me to live in?” asked Liana.

“Well he couldn’t figure a way to use it as just another apartment,” said Dylan. “He thought the building manager might as well have the big room. You might notice the large windows are in the south so you would get excellent light in here all day.”

“Put me down, put me down,” said Liana. When her feet hit the floor she ran to the windows and pulled back the drapes. “Being high in the building like this I get a great view of the city as well. This can be my studio. Hey just a minute, did you say building manager, are we going to be the landlords here?”

“Just the building superintendent,” said Dylan. “That is why we get such an affordable rent.”

Affordable rent! Said the ghost. He saw you coming boy. You should get rent free and be paid if you have to run the building.

“Exactly,” said Liana with a nod to the ghost. “I have to life here with a ghost, and also listen to all the tenants complaints and pay for the privilege? What a great deal you got.”

“Uncle Charlie says once the apartments are rented he will pay us and not charge us rent,” said Dylan. “He just needs cash flow for now.”

Okay that makes some sense, said the ghost with a judicial nod.

“Let’s go back to the living room and sit down,” said Dylan walking to the door. “I want to discuss the situation with Mr.—what did you say your name was?”

Sid, Sid Sidowsky, and there is nothing to talk over. You saw the place now you need to leave.

Entering the living room Dylan casually took a seat on the coach, pointing toward a nearby overstuffed chair while looking at the ghost.  Liana entered the room and took a seat on the couch next to her new husband staring and shaking her head. The ghost stood in the middle of the room with one hand on his hip and the other pointing to the front door. Dylan simply smiled and indicated the chair with both hands in a palm up gesture. The ghost crossed his arms and stared at the newlyweds. Liana looked at Dylan and then the ghost and then shrugged pointing at the chair. Finally Sid Sidowsky sat down.

“To be reasonable Mr. Sidowsky what are you planning on doing in this space?” asked Dylan.

It’s my office, it is where I do business, Now would you please leave, huffed the ghost with crossed arms.

“We’ve rented the room from the owner,” said Dylan. “We need it as a place to live, not easy to find a nice room this cheap.”

I’m the owner, said the ghost jutting out his chin and looking at the young marrieds with an eye that had a hard glare. I purchased the land, and I had the building built.. I ran this theater for thirty years.

“When was the last time you did any business in this office?” asked Dylan still in a calm voice.

August thirteenth nineteen seventy eight, said Sidowsky.

“Why no business after that day?” asked Dylan.

That’s the day I had my stroke, right here in this room, said the ghost.

“I assume you had a will?” asked Dylan.

Of course!

“I could do the research if I have to do it,” said Dylan. “However I will bet that whoever the theater was left to sold it. It was a warehouse for almost fifty years and then my Uncle Charlie bought it. He remodeled it int apartments, he is the owner, and we rented this room from the legal owner. I think the chain of ownership means you must get out.”

I’m a ghost. I get to haunt where I died!

“Who says?” asked Liana. “Dylan’s right, the chain of ownership says you don’t have any right here, you gave away the place.”

 I worked here, I lived here. I died here for heaven’s sake. Where do you expect me to go? asked he ghost.

“Go to hell,” said Liana gently. “Better still go to heaven. You just can’t stay here. I plan to paint in that studio over there and live here.”

Easy for you to say, said Sidowsky. Have you ever tried to find heaven, or hell for that matter?

“We haven’t been in that situation ever,” said Dylan. “Here’s a question for you. Can you lift my cell phone off this table?” Dylan put his phone on the table.

I told you I can’t lift things.

“I didn’t think so,” said Dylan with a grin. “Based on that I would guess you can’t make us leave.”

Well you can’t make me leave either, said Sidowsky scrunching his face into a grimace. The difference is I can make your life miserable with noises and cursing in the middle of the night.

“I can get used to a lot of things,” said Liana crossing her arms and making a face back at the ghost. “Who’s to say we can’t make your life, or I mean your death miserable”

Who said my death isn’t already miserable, said Sidowsky with a groan. You said it yourself, I’m dead why can’t I be in heaven. Heaven or hell or no place, just not stuck here with nothing to do.

“So we can’t get rid of each other.” Said Dylan. “Let’s try and find a way to get along. Can you go away if you want to?”

I can.

“So I propose that you leave us alone in the evening, unless we invite you to visit,” said Dylan. “I will be out most days at school or work. You haunt the apartment as much as you want during the day, leaving Liana alone in the studio while she paints.”

Sounds like you get the best of the deal, said Sidowsky.

“Well we have the better claim, legally,” said Dylan. “Still I imagine it has been pretty lonely haunting an empty warehouse.”

It has, nodded Sidowsky.

“Well from four to six we can socialize,” Said Dylan with his head to one side and a kind look in his face. “That way we can have some peace, and you can have some company.”

I guess we can try it.

“Perhaps,” said Liana, “We can figure out between the group of us why you are stuck here, and how you can move on.”

That’s an idea too, said the ghost. Since we are going to be friends you can call me Sid.

“Nice to meet you Sid, We are Liana and Dylan,” said Liana with a broad smile.

I guess it is time for me to leave the place to you. Good night. The ghost faded away as he walked through a wall

Other Deaths no Other Ghosts

The next morning Liana and Dylan were having breakfast together when Sid came through the wall that overlooked the theater auditorium. Sid stopped in his tracks, looked back and forth between Liana, Dylan and the wall clock.

Oops, sorry, said the small statured semitranslucent businessman. We didn’t say last night when my shift started in here. I usually had my office hours starting at seven, and it is already nine.

“Come on in and sit with us Sid,” said Dylan.

You don’t mind? When I make a deal I try to stick with it.

“It’s fine,” said Liana. “You’re right Dylan did not set up the parameters very well last night. I’m almost resigned to having a ghost around, certainly a polite ghost.”

I want to be a polite ghost, said Sid. I mean I was always a grumpy businessman, but polite. Polite is important, it is the start of being friendly and friendly is what we want, no?

“Of course, Sid,” said Dylan. “We are having breakfast a little late this morning, can we say office hours starting at half past nine on most mornings?”

Nine thirty start the day and socialize after four, I won’t get much done.

“What on earth do you do anyway?” asked Liana.

I work at that desk there, with the mention of a desk a semitransparent desk appeared in front of the window that overlooked the auditorium. The desk was piled high with stacks of papers, some loose and some in folders. There were two phones and a mechanical adding machine on the desk as well. August thirteenth nineteen seventy-eight I was sitting at the desk. I had the budget for the new production halfway reviewed when pow, dead. I still have the rest of that work to do.

“But surely you haven’t had any new business since then. What do you do?” asked Liana

I finish the work at my desk, said Sid, then there was a long pause as he looked at the desk. He was clearly frustrated. Then I do it again, what else would I do?

“I don’t know,” said Liana. “I am sorry to hear that. So I am going to the studio to paint, I want to put down the image of being carried across the threshold to see a ghost in my first married home.”

“Don’t you usually do landscapes or cityscapes?” asked Dylan with a wrinkled forehead.

“This is a special case,” said Liana. “I have to record when my new husband surprised me with a ghost as a wedding gift.”

A polite ghost remember, said Sid.

“Even a polite ghost is more of a surprise than I ever expect to have in the future,” said Liana giving Dylan a meaningful look. “Unless you have been hiding the Loch Ness monster in the toilet tank.”

“Of course not!” said Dylan. His look was hurt, confused, possibly innocent. “the Loch Ness monster is not in the toilet tank---not there.”

Husband and wife shared a look that was much like the look the cartoon Tom and Jerry would share, then they laughed. Liana left to the rehearsal hall studio. Dylan turned to speak with Sid.

“Listen Sid,” said Dylan. “I don’t mean to interrupt your work, but I have been asked to get acquainted with the building and try all the keys to be sure they work. I would love to have you accompany me, help me get used to the place. You can leave the office can’t you.”

Leave the office? Of course I can leave the office. The office is mine, the building is mine. The plays we put on I didn’t run, the business I ran.

“Good do you mind coming with me?” asked Dylan as he stood up and grabbed a peg board that had numerous hooks each holding three keys. “If not. let’s go.”

The living building superintendent and the one-time owner of the building went through the front door of the apartment. Across the hallway from the apartment door were floor to ceiling windows looking out on the sidewalk in front of the old theater. There was also a view of the city since the building faced the downhill slope of a hill.

“Very nice view here,” said Dylan. “Was there a practical need for the windows on the face of the building?”

It would have been cheaper to just put in a wall here, said Sid leaning his head to one side, his face held a smile. My wife wanted the windows so she could have the view, she also said that light spilling out of a palace of art onto the sidewalk was a nice metaphor. She thought of things like that.

“I didn’t realize you had been married,” said Dylan.

So how would you know? asked Sid his square head righted on his square shoulders. We are just getting to know each other. Besides she didn’t last much longer than the opening of the building. So where are these apartments.

“They remodeled the prop rooms, and the dressing rooms,” said Dylan. “I have a question while we walk down to the dressing rooms. I don’t want to surprise Liana more than I need to do. Are there any other ghosts haunting the building?”

None said Sid. A very old and very empty building.

“So you are the only one who ever died in the building?”

It’s unfair, no I am not. But somehow the others all went somewhere, just like I failed to do. Sid had the same not ever satisfied look on his face that Dylan thought was less a scowl and more the resting state of the ghosts face. Why did they get to go somewhere, and I’m stuck reconciling invoices for eternity?

“Liana is pretty clever,” said Dylan. “Maybe we will figure it out eventually. Tell me about some of the other deaths.”

Well there was the one actress that had a pickled liver, said Sid as they reached the bottom of the staircase and started back through the hallway leading to the stage area. She died in the third act of a play right on stage. She was supposed to be a dowager in her sick bed having a discussion with the police inspector explaining the crime, you know a Miss Marple type. Instead she dies as the act gets started. The other actor figured she had passed out drunk, so the actor playing the inspector turns their dialogue into a soliloquy. Then the inspector orders the culprit taken away and the curtain goes down. That is when they discover she was dead.

“And did she become a ghost?” asked Dylan.

Do I know? No I don’t. I was still alive when that happened. What I do know was that she became such a headache. Police, explanations, recasting, who was responsible for a funeral—guess what, no one was responsible. I had to pay. Could it be a cheap funeral? Not with how sensitive actors and publicist can be, no the funeral cost me a nice packet.

“And she never haunted?”

No sign of her then, or after I died. The old lush she finds heaven. Me I pay the bills and get left here.

“Not fair at all,” agreed Dylan. He took one of the keys from the peg board and opened the first apartment door. “Looks like a studio all in one type of place. Not very luxurious.”

It was a star’s dressing room, said Sid with a shrug. Room enough for one person in a home away from home sort of way. Maybe not much for a home as home, but as a relaxing space, not so bad. The one next door was much larger, a chorus dressing room.

They locked the first room and went to the next one. Still a small apartment but separated into specific areas. “Nice enough,” said Dylan. “I’m glad Uncle Charlie gave us the bigger one.”

He must love you, said Sid. A free place for a nephew starting out I would give this or even the studio. Just to let you know the last room I had to remake after a fire. An old actor that was not a drinker, but he would fall asleep in the bed where he took a nap every afternoon. Of course he had to have a cigar just before his nap. Inevitably the old coot fell asleep while smoking, the mattress caught fire and he burned to death. Two thousand dollars that cost me, almost the whole building that cost. Still he moves along, and I get left behind.

“So a second actor dies here but is not left as a ghost,” said Dylan.

As far as I know the old coot is still burning in hell, said Sid. Two thousand dollars from one cigar, sheesh.

“There has to be a reason you are still here and did not get invited to heaven or hell.”

An invitation to hell I could do without, said Sid. Heaven I would like, but I would rather reconcile invoices than go to hell. If endless paperwork isn’t already hell.

“Well you have more than that now,” said Dylan. “You have friends to spend time with. Friends that will help you move along to something better if we can find a way.”

The Grumpy Tenant in Number 10

The tenant in apartment ten did not have the intention of being grumpy. Tim Petersen had an unfortunate collection of problems that combined to push him toward grumpiness. First he had a nagging tooth ache, which never makes it easy to be cheerful. The tooth ache had been with him for weeks and was getting worse. The fact that he was terrified of dentists did not help.

The tooth ache was bad enough, but the ghost made things almost unbearable in his life. When the theater apartments opened Tim thought they sounded perfect. A high class neighborhood within walking distance of his work, and the charm of the original building were selling points he could not resist, even though the cost of first last and deposit, eliminated his life savings. He comforted himself that his savings were so meager they were never going to fund much of an old age anyway.

The ghost was not noisy or intrusive so much as disconcerting. All he ever saw were eyes floating just out of his field of vision hiding. When he caught a good glimpse of the eyes he found them to be very pretty eyes, perhaps the eyes of a young woman. He could not be sure from fleeting glimpses. At first he tried to ignore it and tell himself he was imagining things, but he could not help but see the eyes. They were looking over his shoulder as he brushed his teeth or shaved. He caught their reflection in the toaster, or the glass door on the microwave. When he swung around to see them directly they were always gone.

As the days went on he decided that a full apparition with chains and howling would be easier to take than the fleeting eyes. His tooth, the eyes always behind him, and the fact it would take him at least a year to save up first last and deposit for someplace else, landlords always kept the deposit, kept him in his haunted apartment. He found he could not help to be grumpy.

The final straw was when he almost tripped over the vacuum left in the hall by the dimwitted apartment manager. He might not be able to move, but he could at least complain. Going to the apartment of the apartment manager he stopped on the way to look at the floor to ceiling window in the hall opposite the office door. Most janitors that called themselves apartment managers had small basement apartments. This one was living like a king, the least he could do was not trip the tenants.

A lovely young woman in her twenties opened the door. “Good Morning, how can I help you?” asked the young woman.

“I’m here to see the apartment manager,” Tim Petersen grumped. “I have complaints and he better listen.”

“I’m sorry my husband is away right now,” came the lyrical voice of the young woman. “Come in and sit down, perhaps I can help. Would you care for some lemonade or hot chocolate?”

Despite his mood Tim could not help but be appreciative of the kind welcome. He came into the apartment and sat in an overstuffed chair in the living area of the main room. He accepted some lemonade.

“If I am correct you are Mr. Petersen from apartment ten,” said Liana bringing in the lemonade in a cup with a ginger snap cookie in the saucer. “What is the problem?”

Tim Petersen fully intended to complain about the vacuum in the hall, but the young woman was so nice, and her look was so comforting he spilled his real problems. “It’s the ghost. The ghost is driving me crazy,” he said. “My tooth is killing me, and the ghost is following me all over my apartment. It is too much. Oh and I almost tripped in the hall.”

“Oh I am so sorry,” said Liana in a comforting tone. She looked behind Tim Petersen to see Sid. She raised her eyebrows at the ghost, who shrugged and shook his head. “Are you being bothered by a ghost?”

“I think it is a ghost,” said Tim. “All I ever see are the eyes. They look like a young woman’s eyes. The eyes are pretty like yours, but while you have green eyes, the ghost has blue eyes, and of course they look like ghost eyes not real person eyes. Ohhh,” The last was a small moan given by Tim Petersen as he touched his lower jaw.

“Let’s not think about the ghost a minute. You are clearly in pain and your mouth looks a little swollen. Why haven’t you seen a dentist?” Asked Liana.

“The pain is not as bad as seeing a dentist,” said Tim. “I am hoping the tooth will fall out.”

“That’s not the right answer,” chided Liana. “A dentist could fix you up in no time.”

“I’m afraid of dentists,” said Tim. “Let’s get back to the ghost, it isn’t as scary.”

“Why in the world are you scared of dentists?” asked Liana. “I have one that is very gentle, you would like her.”

Tim rested his head in his hand, his finger massaging the part of his mouth that looked swollen. It appeared as if he was going to pout and refuse to talk. Absent mindedly he took a drink of the cold lemonade. The cold hit the tooth and it was all he could do to swallow instead of spitting out the liquid before he moaned loudly. He swayed back and forth a moment before he could tell his story.

“When I was a child my mother took me to the dentist at least three times a year. He was a grumbly mean man whose fingers always smelled like onions. He would poke all over in my mouth with sharp things. Then he would shove a needle in my mouth and walk out of the room. I could hear him complain to my mother that I was always making noises. She would come in and tell me to be good and not make the dentist nervous with my whining. He would come back and start drilling away. I tried not to make sounds, but it hurt every time. I felt like a coward because I could not stop reacting to the pain and the dentist told me it didn’t hurt because he gave me a shot.”

Tim paused and picked up the lemonade and almost took a drink. Instead he gave the cup a dirty look and put it back in the saucer. “Then when I was fourteen I went through the same torment as always before. As I walked out of the dentist’s office I took a deep breath of cold winter air. Suddenly my mouth went numb. I realized that is what it should have felt like when a dentist deadens the pain. The dentist just had no idea where to shoot the pain killer. Well never again. I have not seen a dentist since then.”

“I am so sorry Mr. Petersen,” said Liana. “I can see how you would be afraid to do that again. My dentist knows how to work painlessly, I promise. And she watches for reactions and is very supportive. Why don’t we do something about your tooth. Who knows, maybe if the tooth doesn’t hurt you won’t see the ghost eyes.”

“I don’t know why Mrs.---”

“Mrs. Garrett, call me Liana,” said Liana with a gentle smile.

“I don’t know why Liana, but I feel I can trust you. I’ll make an appointment if you give me your dentist’s number.” Tim said.

“It so happens I have an appointment this morning,” said Liana. “I will give her office a call and see if she can’t see you instead.”

Liana walked out of the room to use her phone nodding at Sid to follow her.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

“Is that you tormenting this poor man?” asked Liana when she was in the other room with Sid.

Not me, said Sid. I certainly do not have the eyes of a young woman, and mine are brown.

“I am going to get him to my dentist office. While we are away will you go down to number ten and see if you can find the ghost he thinks he sees?”

Sid nodded meaningfully as Liana called her dentist’s office.

Sid Searches Apartment 10

As Sid looked at the door of apartment 10 he could not help but chuckle to himself, he was the perfect person to search. He did not have to pick the lock, since he was going to go right through the door. He did not need a search warrant since if caught he would simply fade out and not be found.

As he entered the apartment the thought in his mind was how to find a ghost that did not want to be found. The ghost was clearly not walking around in full view, nothing but floating eyes. That did not give him much to find. When he did find the ghost could he handle the discovery. He had sudden misgivings. Although he was impervious to trouble from the living, the question of what impact a ghost could have on him was nothing he had ever considered. He was the one and only ghost he knew. He could not push, shove, or hit the living, but what about another ghost? A malicious ghost might be a danger to him, and this ghost was malicious. It was haunting Tim Petersen. What might it do to poor Sid Sidowsky?

If this was not a malicious ghost it would certainly be revealing itself. He was not thrilled with having Dylan and Liana move in on him, but he was polite enough to show himself. He avoided the builders during the remodel, but in doing so he had stayed unseen. This ghost was nothing but creepy eyes floating around the apartment, that had to be scary and so was intended to be a cruel haunting.

Sid suddenly had a thought that gave him a chill. Tim Petersen had said only the eyes showed. Was that like the eyes you see through a ski hood? Or were the two eyeballs floating around themselves with no part of the face showing between them? Sid had second thoughts about the search and headed back to the door. Then he saw the eyes behind him. There was a mirror on the door and over his shoulder he saw the reflection of the eyes. They were not floating eyeballs, thank heavens. They were the eyes and the face between them, Even that small portion of a face was beautiful, as were the eyes. They did not look in the least cruel, they were like the eyes of a lonely creature not sure what to do.

I am aware that I am not the only ghost in this apartment. Said Sid to the open air, purposely not trying to look at the floating eyes. My name is Sid Sidowsky. Before I died I owned this theater and was the business manager. Then one day I had a stroke and died in the office here. I would love to meet you. What is your name?

Mary. Came a very faint answer from the air. Sid saw lips appear only long enough to say the name.

Nice to meet you Mary. Sid turned around but the eyes floated away like they were running. He walked into the living room area of the apartment and sat down. Pointing to a chair across from him he said. I mean you no harm Mary. Won’t you sit there and talk with me? I spent years alone and found I really missed interacting with others. I have made friends with the living in my apartment, but would like to have a ghost for a friend. I am sure we have a great deal in common with each other.

The eyes floated over to the indicated chair and changed levels looking as though she might have sat down. It is nice to meet you Sid. Said the soft voice with the mouth appearing long enough to frame words.

Mary, why don’t you appear all the way? Just seeing your eyes is a little disconcerting. Sid said and then realized he did see her ears and whisps of dark hair that covered them as he spoke.

I just stopped I guess. I can see and hear and speak, but I can’t smell or touch or taste. As time went on I didn’t think of anything but my eyes and ears. Then for years I lived in this room when it was used as a warehouse and was empty, there was nothing to hear so I just appeared as my eyes to see, if I appeared at all. Then the nice man with a tooth ache moved in and it was less lonely to see what he was doing. The mouth appeared just long enough to show a shy smile.

You know floating eyes are scarier than a whole person. Sid said gently. Will you try and fully appear while we talk?

Oh, I am sorry, said Mary. I was still not thinking about that. Mary appeared sitting in the chair. She had generous quantities of dark hair in the style from the late 1960s, a dark turtleneck, plaid mini skirt and knee-high boots. She was lovely, older than a teenager, but still in her early twenties. Did you know I was murdered?

I knew something about it but didn’t know the details. Please tell me about it. Sid said.

I was so excited. I got a small part in a play here right after college. I showed up early the first day and walked in just as a man was closing the wall over there. Putting in a last brick, you know like that story by Edgar Allen Poe I had to read in high school.

Really? Sid said. Why was he doing that?

I guess he had hidden something in a cavity behind the bricks, said Mary. He asked if I had seen what he hid. I told him no. But then he said he guessed it didn’t matter since I would tell there was something there anyway. He pulled out a gun and shot me, no more warning, just blam. I must have fainted because I woke up to see him have a gun fight with the police. Then he was shot and there was his ghost rising from the corpse.

That must have been terrifying! Sid said leaning forward in his chair. Did his ghost try to hurt you?

He looked at me angry and full of hate, said Mary breathlessly. But before he could come toward me dark shadows swirled around him, then compressed into nothingness and he was gone leaving only a scream.

Sid just stared for a few minutes quietly. Then a question grew in his mind. I guess he was swept off to hell, being a criminal and murdering such a nice young actress. But when you died did you see anything like a bright light or a shining tunnel?

Mary had a pouting look on her face as she said, Kind of. I saw a bright light, but I wasn’t aware I was dead yet, and the police and then the dead bad man and the swirling blackness. I guess I was confused. Ever since I have been stuck in this room.

What about the rest of the theater? Sid asked. Why didn’t you at least visit the rest of the theater?

I would have liked that. I could have watched some of the plays before the theater closed, said Mary. Unluckily I never was in the right place when someone went through the door, and I was afraid of not getting back in here. I guess there is something drawing me here since I died here.

You’re a ghost, said Sid. You could go through the wall or the door anytime.

I can? Mary exclaimed with excitement. She jumped up and ran to the door then hesitated. She disappeared all except her eyes. The eyes went to the door and disappeared clearly going out into the hall.

On the other side of the door in the hallway the eyes floated through the door to look around, which was a surprise to Enid Waters at the door of apartment 9 having just returned from buying groceries. Enid made a gasp, then a gurgle, followed by another gasp. Enid didn’t know what else to say. It did not help that the eyes were followed by ears that were trying to hear what Enid was not saying.

It still did not help when the rest of Mary’s head appeared as she said, sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.

It was fortunate for Enid that Arabella Mahoney from number 11 was coming down the hall. Arabella helped Enid keep her feet even though the other woman was feeling faint. Arabella took the key from Enid’s hand and unlocked the door of number 9. “Mary,” said Arabella. “Your head sticking out through that door is not helping.”

You know who I am? Mary asked surprised.

What’s going on? Sid asked sticking his head through the wall.

Arabella ignored them both and took Enid into her apartment. Half an hour later there was a knock at the door of number 10. Arabella heard a male voice within say, check to see if the door is locked. We can’t open it for you.

The door was locked and so Arabella could not open it. Instead Sid and Mary came out of the apartment through the wall. Arabella signaled for them to follow her and led them to her apartment. Once inside the apartment Mary could not help but ask, You called me by name. How do you know me?

“Mary, you stayed young while I got old,” said Arabella. “I guess being dead has advantages. We went to high school and college together. I’m Arabella Mahoney. In fact, after you were murdered I got my first acting job replacing you.”

Why did that other lady get so scared, and you didn’t even react? Mary asked. After all not only was my head sticking out of the door, but you even know I was murdered and all.

“Please Mary,” scoffed Arabella. “I’ve been an actress almost forty years. Of course I was frightened. That doesn’t mean I would drop out of character. I was playing the helpful neighbor. If I had been the surprised neighbor I would have screamed on cue.”

The two ghosts and the poised actress had a nice cup of chamomile tea, one cup, and conversation. Mary promised Arabella to fully appear or not appear at all. Sid ducked back into apartment 10 and put his head through the wall, discovering a largish bag of jewelry.

Going forward from that day there were several happy people. Enid was happy because the ghosts carefully avoided appearing in front of her, and her doctor adjusted her blood pressure medications. Arabella enjoyed visiting with Mary and telling her stories of the theater. Sid was happy to have another friend with whom he could spend time. He and Mary would visit each other, and sometimes they would visit Arabella. Liana was happy to have some more ghost paintings to make. The dentist was happy because he was paid promptly by Mr. Petersen. The lawyer that Mr. Peterson consulted was happy, his fee was promptly paid.

Mr. Petersen had reason to be happier since his tooth no longer hurt and he was not afraid of his new dentist. However, he was not happy. The lawyer had made it clear that no judge would take him seriously trying to break a lease because of a ghost. So, Mr. Petersen was stuck living where he did. He didn’t have money for a new first, last and cleaning deposit, not after paying a dentist and a lawyer.

The apartment was nice enough. It was convenient to downtown, comfortable and he had nice neighbors. His ghost was fully visible and a pretty young woman, but also liked to talk. He often wished the eyes were following him around quietly. The worst was that she had come up with another ghost someplace and he would come over to visit far too often. Mr. Petersen spent a great deal of his time watching television with earphones and waiting for his lease to expire.

Nina Asks to Meet the Ghosts

“Mr. Garrett, it is so kind of you to help me with my little project,” said Nina. Nina Bauers was a sweet natured retired schoolteacher that Dylan thought must be pushing ninety hard. Dylan had come to clear away the residue of her plaster statue work. It did not take much, just sweeping dust from the plastic bin and emptying into a trash bag. He stopped past her apartment every Wednesday and Saturday mornings to help. The pipes had remained clear for over a month and a half.

Originally Nina had done her plasterwork in the sink to keep the rest of the apartment neat. That also meant that she simply washed left over plaster and chunks down the drain. the fact that she tried to minimize how much water she used made the plaster only go so far as the trap, get stuck there and collect moisture. In not many days the sink trap would become another impromptu statue. The second time Dylan had been asked to clear the sink he bought her a separate table she could sit at and plastic tub to place no it. He came by to clear the old plaster into trash bags which was much better for the pipes.

“This is really no trouble to do Miss Bauers,” replied Dylan. “My Uncle Charlie would expect no less of me. You are his favorite tenant, just as you were his favorite teacher back in high school. Are the sales of your statues going alright?”

“You have bought three yourself, you are my biggest customer,” said the retired schoolteacher. “However I am making a little money, and it helps. I wonder, could I ask you a special favor?”

“I would certainly do anything I can for you,” smiled Dylan. “You are one of my favorite tenants as well.”

“Could I meet the ghosts?”

“Umm,” said Dylan followed by a long pause. He shifted from one foot to the other a couple of times. “What ghosts do you mean?”

“My friend Enid tells me the apartment house is haunted,” said Nina simply. “I just have never met a ghost and thought it would be interesting.” Before Dylan could protest Miss Bauers raised a hand to stop him. “I know you are keeping the ghosts under wraps so to speak. I think that is very thoughtful of you. I was just thinking I could have them over to tea. Maybe you and your wife could also come with them.”

“I still haven’t said anything about having ghosts,” said Dylan.

“No of course not, and I won’t let your Uncle Charlie know you admitted to them if you think I should ask him instead.”

Dylan gave a long sigh and plopped into the overstuff chair barley missing knitting needles. Miss Bauers who was standing swooped into pick up her knitting as quickly as a woman her age could move.

“To tell you the truth,” said Dylan with his forehead wrinkling, “I haven’t told my Uncle about the ghosts. He invested a great deal in the remodel, and I don’t want to worry him.”

“Are you concerned about my heart? Is that why you won’t let me meet them?” asked Miss Bauers. “I promise my heart is just fine, and unless they are poorly behaved I think I will be okay.”

“Oh, two of the three ghosts are very nice people,” said Dylan accepting that there would be a get together.  “The third ghost is one we recently found. He is less polite, but I think he would try and behave. Maybe Sunday afternoon, after church? You won’t need to provide for the ghosts, they neither eat nor drink, being ghosts.”

So a plan was made for a Sunday afternoon get together. Liana was not certain it was a good idea; however, Sid and Mary were anxious to attend, Jay promised he could be polite. Miss Bauers included Enid, Uncle Charlie, and Mr. Petersen in her invitations. Uncle Charlie was going to be out of town, Enid Waters said she would not miss it, Mr. Petersen in number ten said he would rather be home enjoying a peaceful afternoon, alone, for once.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Nina Bauers was a fine hostess for the party. There were teas both traditional and herbal from which to choose. She had cakes, cookies and some vegetables stuffed with cheese. Dylan, Liana, Enid and Nina enjoyed their tea, while Sid, Mary and Jay conversed from behind their empty plates and cups, as though they were not left out. The story of Mary and the murderer was told. Mary admitted to being frightened by the light and avoiding it. the story of Jay having found an unused room in the theater and setting up a rent-free apartment for himself was told. The sad tale of the doorknob coming off trapping him inside a room no on ever looked in and his starvation was also told. He had seen a light but not knowing he was dead had not responded thinking it was the police looking for a prowler.

“I think that light was the chance to move on to the next and better life,” said Nina. “You should have gone to it.”

Most people probably do, said Sid. Otherwise there would be ghosts hanging around everywhere. I know of several people who died in this theater and are not around. The three of us missed our chance, which is why we are here.

“What about you Sid?” asked Enid. “Why didn’t you go to the light?”

I was busy on the ledgers and didn’t know I was dead. There was a flash and a pain, probably my stroke, said Sid. I kept working the books, but could not turn the page. I was fussing about that when there was another light. I shaded my eyes and continued to fret over the books.

Jay said, I didn’t even know I was dead. There was a bright light from the direction of the vent at the end of my room. I thought it might be a police search light, and I was certainly not giving myself up.

Mary hung her head, each of us had our one chance and we threw it away, doomed to be ghosts forever.

“I really don’t think that is true,” said Liana. “I believe in a loving God, who wants us to return. We just need to find a way for you to have another chance.”

“Prayer,” said Nina. “Prayer is often an answer, and when you want another chance from God it probably is the answer.”

But I can’t pray, I always used to pray, but I’m a ghost now. Mary said.

“Oh my dear sweet child,” said Enid patting where Mary’s hand was not really there. “Anyone can pray, anywhere, any time.”

“God will listen to girls, old women, and ghosts,” said Nina. “Just believe.”

I think I will try later,” said Mary,

When I was young, said Sid. I learned lots of prayers, but none of them were they prayer for a ghost locked out of Paradise.

Well I’m not going to pray, said Jay. I’m an atheist, I don’t believe in the supernatural.

Everyone at the table stared at Jay for a long moment.

“Jay, you do know that you are a ghost, right?” asked Dylan.

I’m a ghost and you are not, doesn’t prove a thing said Jay.

“There are other dead people who are not ghosts, you heard what Sid said,” Nina said staring hard at Jay.

Losers, Jay said. If you must be dead a ghost is better than a nothing.

Mary looked at Jay shaking her head, Well I will be praying for a second chance at the light. I know it might take a while, blessings often do, but I have faith.

Mr. Petersen Gets Some Rest

Tim Peterson didn't really mind being haunted. He was getting used to it. Sid seemed like a nice enough guy and Mary was certainly a pretty, young lady to have around. He wouldn't have been overly interested even if she had been alive. Yet he still liked having her around. It was fine whenever he had his earphones on he could watch TV and be listening to music, and they wouldn't disturb him so much.

Mary and Sid had taught themselves to move small objects. They could now throw dice, however they did it Tim did not understand, they didn’t even pretend to touch the small object. The two ghosts could use a pencil and move sheets of paper. Therefore they spent a lot of time playing Yahtzee. They were very polite, always inviting him to join them. He never accepted their invitation. They were talking and enjoying each other's company, he did not want to intrude.. Sometimes he thought of joining in, but the dice, paper and pencil moving by themselves was upsetting to him at a deep level.

He could tell that they did not feel they were intruding on his space and time. That was good since he intended to be polite and welcoming as well, even though they were intruding on his quiet life. He had no intention of bringing it up, but it annoyed him the were always there and weren’t even pitching in on the rent. He was a quiet man with quiet habits that did not include spooky dice and pencils, but thought complaining would be rude.

Sometimes he simply had to get out. When he did he would go for a long walk, or he would go down to the stores that were nearby. On one day he had just decided that he would go for a short walk pick up a paper and then return.

His walk was even shorter than intended. Tim Petersen walked across the street to the newsstand, looked over the possibilities, selected a paper and bought it. He was looking at some headlines on other papers when he stepped back to get a better look and bumping into a passing skateboarder he stumbled.

The skateboarder was knocked off the board. Tim fell backwards landing face up on the skateboard and went sliding out into the road looking like a mechanic about to slide under a car. Sadly for Tim what he did slide under was a semi-truck and trailer. Even worse he did not slide under the chassis but the wheels.

Right after he had been run over by nine of the eighteen bus’s wheels he looked up and saw a bright light. In the light was somebody he thought he knew. It looked like his grandfather had come to visit him.

Without being told Tim knew it was time to go on. He looked at his grandfather and asked, “I’m tired of being haunted. I won't be haunted there will I?”

“Not here I promise,” said his grandfather.

Tim Petersen rushed into the welcoming light. That is how the theater apartment building lost its first tenant.

Mary Has a Second Chance

Mary and Sid could have continued to spend time together in apartment 10. Mr. Petersen was not coming back, clearly he had moved on. They found they did not like the empty apartment however, it seemed spooky.

Sid had asked if Liana and Dylan minded Mary joining them for breakfast. “What’s one ghost more or less,” Dylan had said.

The breakfast group had become normalized over the next couple of weeks. Mary mentioned more than once she appreciated being welcome to visit. In fact often as Dylan and Sid were walking around the building checking on things Mary would watch Liana paint and they would talk of this or that, becoming fast friends.

While waiting for breakfast one particular morning they had discussed the upcoming craft fair, there would be many more vendors this time. They also discussed how many rejections Dylan had received for his book. All discussion stopped when Liana brought what looked like a complicated and delicious breakfast casserole to the table.

“This looks amazing,” said Dylan clearly looking around for something.

“What are you looking for? asked Liana. “Dig in.”

“I was looking for a hammer and chisel,” said Dylan.

Sid shook his head at Dylan, Be polite enough to try the serving spoon first. It might work.

Really, Mary said. You two are so insensitive. Clearly Liana has worked hard on this.

Dylan did use the serving spoon and gave himself a big helping. He tried it and his eyes grew big. Liana sighed and told Mary, “To be fair neither Dylan nor I have had much luck with anything more complicated than corn flakes.”

“You got lucky today love,” said Dylan. “Light fluffy and delicious. How did you do it?”

“I watched a YouTube and followed the instructions step by step.”

“Well when all else fails follow someone who knows how,” said Dylan.

“For the sake of the food budget you need to do the same from now on,” said Liana.

I followed the lead of someone who seemed to know what they were doing, Mary said with a tear on her face. It didn’t help. Please don’t feel like I want to abandon our friendships, but I have been praying night and morning. I’m still here. No gates of heaven opening.

“Sometimes it takes a while,” said Dylan simply.

It’s been a while, Mary replied. I know that I am nobody special, but I always thought God listened to my prayers. I always tried hard to obey the commandments and was kind to people, even Jay, you know how hard that must have been. I am beginning to feel abandoned.

“I was reading a Psalm last night,” said Liana. “It had a phrase I liked, Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. I think His time is different than ours, be patient.”

You are right, Mary said with a heavy sigh. I will wait patiently.

“Don’t wait too patiently,” said a soft gentle voice that came from a growing bright light near the door to the studio. “We are anxious to see you again daughter.”

Father and Mother! Mary exclaimed. Good-bye, Good-bye my friends. She swooped suddenly from the table and toward the light. In less than a moment she and the light were gone.

Sid stood blinking. He hung his head and said, Why not me? Why wasn’t there anyone for me?

“I don’t know Sid but listen,” said Liana and then she stopped.

Liana looked off into the distance for a long moment. Dylan signaled to Sid to wait by looking from Sid to Liana and holding his hand up to Sid with a gentle forward and back motion. Sid nodded and just looked at Liana. “I will share something with you,” she said finally. “Something I have never shared with anyone else, but I trust you two. When I was a very little girl, probably about four years old I would visit my grandmother’s house. Behind grandma’s house was another little cottage where my great grandma lived. Great Grandma was very old and frail by then and did not get around much, but grandma would take me with her to sit with the old woman while cleaning the house and such. Grandma would always bake bread and cookies while we were there. Great grandma would tell me, ‘I taught your grandma to bake cookies and bread. I am too old now, and you are still too young. But we can take part by eating the goodies.’ Then she would smile at me and hold my little hand.”

“We did eat the cookies together, or maybe fresh bread with butter and honey. Even though she was old, I still loved being with her. When she died I missed her very much.”

Liana hesitated and stopped, Dylan reached out and took her hand, Sid was restless but continued to listen. “I was hit by a falling tree branch when I was outside during a storm, I was eight. They took me to the hospital, and I died on the operating table.” Sid looked more closely and intently at Liana. “There was a bright tunnel of light and I heard a soft voice saying, ‘Hello there little Liana. Have you eaten any cookies lately?’ It was my Great grandma.”

You saw the circle of light?

“I did. I thought it was all over for me. But my Great grandma went on to tell me it was not time for me yet, I should go back. I argued that I did not want to go back, the light was too beautiful, and I had her to be with. She told me she would be there when the time was right. I asked what if I missed her next time. She told me that God would never abandon those he loves, even if he has to try more than once. Then I woke up again. I hurt for weeks and could not play for a couple of months because of casts and drainage tubes. But here I am. I know you will not be abandoned. Maybe it is not time for you yet.”

Thank you Liana. I feel better and will continue to hope.

“I suppose we are well suited to help displaced ghosts because of our past,” said Dylan. “Thank you for sharing dear.”

Liana smiled and nodded. Then she looked an inquiry at Dylan. It sounded like he also had a story of ghosts in his past. However, since he said nothing more she did not push. He would surely share his story at a different time. In the meantime one ghost had moved on and she and Dylan still had two more to help along their way.