Page 9 of Ghost in the Cupboard

“It’s Friday,” I said. “See you Monday?”

Rhonda reached up and laid a delicate hand against the side of her head and grinned, her eyes sliding shut dramatically.

“Of course, of course!” She chuckled.

“But I will see you on Monday,” I replied.

Rhonda opened her eyes, her mouth sliding open to respond, but the sound of a truck engine and tires on pavement stopped her short. Her gaze shifted to the gate that led into the driveway that ran alongside the house. Turning on my heels to check things out for myself, I immediately recognized the dual-cab pickup that was waiting for the tall wrought-iron gate to slide out of the way and admit entrance.

Before anything could be said, I turned back to Rhonda and gave her a nod of my head.

“Well,” I said, “since you have company, I’ll be on my way. Crossed fingers for next time!”

Rhonda glanced back at me, smiled, and held up a pair of crossed fingers, her attention not really on me. I turned away once again and dashed across the porch at a pace that, I hoped, didn’t read as panic. I skipped down the steps, doing my best to keep my eyes forward, on the path towards the gate, as I made my way from the house.

Never one to leave well enough alone, once the driveway gate was fully open, and the truck was pulling up the drive, I couldn’t help but glance over. Without even trying, my eyes connected with the truck driver’s and I quickly whipped my head back around. A second later, I was at the gate, and I pushed it open and dashed through, making my escape.

I made sure the gate closed behind me, but I kept my eyes on anything but Rhonda’s house, the driveway, the truck, and its driver. Once I was certain that it was shut securely behind me, I dashed down the sidewalk and away from my client’s house. The money that Rhonda Milner tossed at me five days a week to try and summon her dead husband was a boon for The Lunch Counter. However, it wasn’t enough to deal with some things that came with being her client.

So, like an adult, I avoided those things.