Page 40 of Ghost in the Cupboard

Sometimes it’s better not knowing some things.

Regardless of which column a person falls into, over time, the skepticism creeps into everyone’s cracks. Even your most ardent supporters begin to side eye and whisper about you. Unless they see constant proof that you commune with the dead, or feel that every message you pass along is perfect, they will begin to doubt you.

If you refuse to treat your abilities like a party trick, the doubt begins. If you won’t summon certain people who have nothing to do with the client, they will doubt you. And, worst of all, if you have no interest in working with the police, the doubt begins.

I will not come to your dinner party, thinking I’m being treated to a meal, only to find out my entrance fee is a séance. I will not summon Marilyn Monroe so you can ask her about JFK. And I will not put myself and others in potential danger to help the police. Could you imagine everyone knowing you have a one-hundred percent success rate finding bodies and who killed the person?

I’d constantly have a price on my head. I’d never be safe anywhere.

No, thank you, please.

If you want to have a decent life as a medium, you have to do one of two things. Ignore your abilities, or become comfortable dealing with the doubt and skepticism of even those closest to you. You have to understand that even the people who love and care about you most may feel you’re full of horse crap.

It’s part of the gig.

As I approached Rhonda’s mansion, Danny’s truck came into view. Immediately, I was tempted to turn around and head back to the diner. However, the wind had already turned my cheeks red and my fingers into icicles. The thought of Rhonda’s oppressively warm front room, with all of the candles aglow, was more tempting.

I let myself in through the gate, dashed up the walk, and made my way up the stairs to the front door. Since she had company, it took Rhonda a little bit longer to come to the door. However, it wasn’t too long before the door flew open and Rhonda was screaming and ushering me inside. I followed her, as I always did, while she proclaimed to know that this particular day was the day we’d be successful.

I knew better. Even mediums can grow to be skeptics.

As she dragged me into the front room, I was focused on her and removing my coat and scarf. So, we’d been standing in the doorway of the room, as I listened to her talk, for several moments before I looked over at the sofa she typically sat on. I kept my face neutral somehow as I took in Danny sitting there, crossed-legged and tense, watching us.

“I just know that one day you’re going to—” Rhonda cut off.

She looked at my eyes and then followed their gaze over to her son. Lighting up with excitement, she clapped her hands with glee.

“Oh,” she said, “I hope you don’t mind, Silas. I invited my son to sit in on this session.”

“I see,” I said.

Danny gave me a polite nod.

“You remember him, don’t you?” she asked, pulling me towards the sofa and practically shoving me into it.

I laid my coat and scarf over the back of the couch and settled in, trying to look comfortable. Keeping my eyes on Rhonda standing next to me, I ignored Danny.

“You two were in high school together,” Rhonda said. “It hasn’t been that long. Surely you—”

“Of course,” I said, managing a small smile and nod at Danny. “How have you been?”

“Danny,” Rhonda said, reminding me.

“How have you been, Danny?” I asked.

Danny managed a small smile.

“I’ve been great,” he said. “You?”

I gestured vaguely. “Can’t complain.”

Rhonda chortled and glided over to sit down on the sofa next to Danny. She reached over and patted his knee, but Danny’s eyes stayed on mine for a moment before he glanced over at his mother and smiled at her. A better smile than he’d given me.

“I don’t know,” Rhonda said, looking at her son, “but I thought maybe if Danny was also here…”

I watched her hand on his knee for a moment and how they were staring at each other. There was so much hope there. It both broke my heart and angered me. I wasn’t so certain that it was Rhonda’s idea to invite her son. Danny planting the seed in her mind was definitely likely.

His mother didn’t even know that we’d been seeing each other since high school. I was his little secret. I didn’t even know if Rhonda knew that her son preferred the company of other men. However, I’d respected that Danny liked to keep his private life private. So, inserting himself in my private moments with his mother made my blood pressure rise.