Ghost of a Shadow Read online

  New neighbors. Huh. Interesting. I wonder if they have any kids.

  She headed over to investigate.

  Sadie observed her new neighbor for a few minutes as she took some things out of the trunk of a car. The girl had a ton of curly brown hair and appeared to be around her age.

  Sadie walked up the driveway—so new it was a bit sticky.

  She spoke first. “Hi, I’m Sadie. I live across the street in that white ranch.” She turned around and pointed. “Nice sticky driveway you got there.”

  “Hey. My name’s Jennifer, but you can call me Jennifer. Oh, the driveway? Yeah, isn’t that nice? It was a parting gift from the people who lived here before. We just moved here from Chicago. It’s pretty dead around here compared to what I’m used to.” She tucked a bit of her wild hair behind her ear. “Aren’t we supposed to shake hands or something?” Jennifer noted, looking up at the taller girl.

  Sadie shrugged. “We can if you like.”

  Jennifer put out a hand to shake. When Sadie joined in, Jennifer wrapped her thumb around Sadie’s and flittered the rest of her fingers away like a wing. Sadie couldn’t help but smile.

  She helped Jennifer with a few more bags from the trunk and carried them to the front door, where Jennifer’s mom greeted them.

  Jennifer’s mother looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine. Despite it being moving day, she wore a belted dress and knee-high boots. Every wave in her chestnut hair was perfectly placed.

  “Hi, I’m Mrs. Hunt, but you can call me Carol.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Hunt.”

  “Didn’t I just say to call me Carol?” She winked and went back inside, returning with a man who was equally well dressed. “Honey, this is Jennifer’s new friend, Sadie. Sadie, meet my husband, Tom.”

  They both said hi at the same time. Tom gave Sadie a charming smile before heading back into the house.

  “Your parents are so friendly.”

  “Yeah, they’re okay. Hey, thanks for helping with the bags,” Jennifer told Sadie. “You should come back on Saturday. I’ll give you the grand tour. We can hang out. You can have dinner over, maybe watch a movie with me?”

  “Don’t you need to ask your parents?” Sadie could only imagine what her own parents would say if she invited someone over without a formal request.

  Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Please. My parents pretty much let me do whatever I want. As long as I don’t set the house on fire, they don’t care what I do.”

  Sadie agreed on the spot. Yeah, why should I ask my parents? She felt daring.

  “Okay, see you then.”

  Sadie waved from across the street and headed inside. Everything feels right. Could be a new start.

  ❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

  After the doldrums of her daily classes and doing her best to avoid Dave and his cronies all week, Friday afternoon finally had arrived, bringing a sense of relief. Sadie kept an eye out for Jennifer but hadn’t seen her at school. Maybe her parents gave her the week off?

  With her anticipation, it was harder than usual for her to fall asleep that night. Despite that, she woke the next morning feeling rested. This is going to be a good day. I can feel it. Haven’t had one of those in a really long time.

  Sadie got ready then inhaled her cereal, barely chewing it.

  “You’re going to choke. Take it easy over there.” Her mom touched her daughter’s shoulder then handed her a glass of juice.

  “Mmokay, phMom,” Sadie mumbled through a full mouth.

  “Sadie, don’t talk with your mouth full,” her mother scolded, shaking her head.

  Sadie didn’t let that bother her. She gulped down her pulp-laden juice and, while clearing her plate, blurted, “I’m having dinner and watching a movie over at Jennifer’s tonight. See you later, Mom.”

  “Well, I guess that’s okay, Sadie. It’s about time you made a new friend. See you later.” Mom stood, arms crossed and winked. “Have fun.”

  “Later.” She ran out the door.

  The last time she had visited a friend was back before the Dark Ages.

  Jennifer’s house was a split-level with three floors. When Sadie came over after breakfast that day, she looked around, following Jennifer as she indicated the rooms with game-show-model flair.

  “We have a secret den on the bottom level,” she said conspiratorially, “plus a huge basement where I’m going to throw lots of parties.”

  Sadie was intrigued; she definitely was interested in going to parties again.

  As Jennifer showed her around the house, Sadie noticed that her new friend laughed a lot, especially at herself.

  “Look at these cheesy paintings I did years ago. My parents save everything and hang it up—I think to humiliate me!” Jennifer cackled, throwing her head back. “It’s so ridiculous. I think I painted this one with my hands behind my back and the brush between my teeth. Come on. Let me show you something.” She took Sadie’s arm and led her upstairs and out the back door.

  They half walked, half ran through a few of the neighbors’ yards and finally up over a hill. Sadie never had wandered to this side of the hill before. As they crested it, she stared with her mouth open. An untouched field of dandelions stretched out for half a mile. Almost every yellow flower had given way to soft white puffs, ready for wishes to be made.

  “Uh, you might want to close your mouth before you start catching mosquitoes.” Jennifer pointed and made a funny face with her mouth hanging open.

  Realizing how she must look, Sadie closed her mouth and hung her head a little.

  “Oh, come on, Sadie. Can’t you take a joke?” Jennifer lightly punched her in the arm.

  “Oh.” Sadie smiled, and they both laughed.

  They ran midway into the field of dandelions, sat down, and thought of wishes. Sadie’s allergies made her nose twitch, but the fragrance was worth it. It reminded her of sunlight—if sunlight could have a smell.

  “I know!” Jennifer said, closing her eyes tightly. “I wish I had straight hair down to my butt.”

  “Oh, that’s a good one, but I love your curly hair.”

  “You do?” she asked, opening one eye first then the other.

  “Yeah, it’s so pretty. My hair is always so straight, and I can’t do anything with it. That’s why I always wear it in pigtails.”

  “Oh, you shouldn’t think like that, Sadie. I like your hair. It’s really nice.”

  Sadie blushed. “Thanks.”

  “What are you going to wish for?” Jennifer asked.

  “I wish I was a princess.” As soon as the word left her lips, she was mortified.

  “A princess? What are you? Six years old?” Jennifer roared hard at that.

  Embarrassed, Sadie thought quickly. She had no idea where that wish had come from. “I’m just kidding. Can’t you tell I’m joking?” Sadie questioned with a bit of nervous laughter.

  “Oh, yeah. I could tell,” mocked Jennifer. “So what are you really going to wish for?”

  Sadie thought for a moment before she answered. “I wish I could be with Gramma Rose again. I miss her.”

  “Why can’t you be with her? Where’d she go? Did she move away?” Jennifer raised an eyebrow.

  “She passed away last year.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Jennifer plucked another dandelion. “I wish that no one we love would ever have to die…and that I marry a super-handsome, rich actor when I grow up.” She giggled then blew until every last seed departed.

  Sadie laughed too, and they spent the next hour whispering back and forth, making wishes.

  “C’mon,” Jennifer coaxed. “Let’s head back to my house. I’m thirsty. Who knew making wishes was such hard work?”

  When they got back, Jennifer pointed at the hose. She twisted the spigot, pressed the nozzle trigger, and took a long drink. She offered the hose to Sadie, who swallowed big mouthfuls of the cold water.

  Without warning, Jennifer grabbed the hose back. Nodding with a mischievous
look, she goaded, “That’s right, I’m going to…” and squirted Sadie in the face.

  Reflexes took over. First Sadie covered her face, and then, without even thinking, she grabbed the hose back, retaliating with a direct hit into Jennifer’s open mouth. “Now who’s catching mosquitoes?”

  Jennifer snarfed the water then bent over, choking.

  “Are you all right?” Sadie asked, growing concerned.

  Jennifer fell to the ground, her eyes rolling back in her head.

  Panicked, Sadie dropped beside her and shook her. “Jennifer, are you okay?” She got no response, so she shook her harder. “Jennifer, wake up!”

  Jennifer’s eyes snapped into focus. “Boo!”

  Sadie screamed, falling backward onto the wet lawn.

  Jennifer rolled onto her side, laughing until tears formed.

  “How could you do that to me?” Sadie demanded, keeping her voice even, but within seconds Jennifer’s laughter grew contagious. Sadie bent over laughing, holding her stomach. “I…bwhahahaha, can’t…hahahahaha…breathe…hahahaha.” Tears of silliness ran down her cheeks.

  When the two girls finally calmed down, Jennifer playfully punched Sadie in the arm. “Sadie, you’re all right. You’re a lot of fun.”

  “Thanks,” Sadie replied, rubbing her arm. “You are too.”

  They recoiled the hose then headed inside.

  “You’re just in time for dinner, girls,” Carol called from the kitchen.

  Sadie licked her lips at the sight of beer-battered fish and chips. Fantastic! They all sat down and dug in.

  For dessert, Carol presented the girls with sundaes with extra hot fudge.

  Sadie took a big bite. She leaned over so the sauce wouldn’t get all over the table. So amazing. “Yum.” This is too good to be true. I never get to eat like this at home.

  Next on the agenda came hot cocoa and a movie. “Mmm…hot cocoa,” Jennifer cooed. “Good any time. Wouldn’t ya say, Sadie ol’ chum?”

  “Why, yes, Jennifer. Indoobidablee. I would have to agree with you on that. Cheerio!” They chuckled at their unsuccessful attempts at British accents.

  Sadie finished her drink, tapping on the bottom of the mug to get every last drop. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had hot cocoa, especially on such a humid day.

  A shimmer at the bottom of the mug caught her eye. A face formed from the tiny drops of remaining cocoa, and it looked a whole lot like Gramma, but then it started to change. She grew younger. Gramma was gorgeous. This is unreal. It can’t be happening. Then Gramma grew younger still, until she looked around Sadie’s age.

  The face was rising now. In soft wisps the image swirled up to the top of the yellow mug, her arms down, her hands gripping each side of it.

  “Um, Jennifer…”

  Before Jennifer could turn around, the ghostlike girl brought her index finger to her lips. Sadie could have sworn she heard her whisper, “Shhhhhh.”

  “What you want, Sadie?”

  Sadie looked back inside the mug, but all she saw was the last dried bits of cocoa. “Uh, never mind. I was going to show you something, but it doesn’t matter now.”

  “Dang, Sadie,” Jennifer teased, “you’re one weird girl, but I like ya anyway.”

  Sadie laughed that off. I’d better keep stuff to myself before she thinks I’m nuts.

  When the movie, Jaws, was over, Sadie carried her mug to the kitchen. Then she thanked Carol and Tom, hugged Jennifer, and crossed the street to her home. She basked in the glow of her perfect day and evening until she walked through the front door.

  “Hi, Mom. I’m home.” She felt the change in atmosphere as soon as she entered. “I had an awesome day. I’m going to bed.”

  “Okay, Sadie,” Mom muttered, sitting on the sofa, watching the news. “Sleep well. See you in the morning.”

  That night, Sadie lay awake in bed, thinking of the hot-cocoa Gramma ghost girl. Even the ghost had more expression than her mother.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Release the Hounds

  Finn ran his fingers through his hair and pursed his lips the second he heard the Voice.

  You got everyone you need. You found that guy, Fred. What a keeper he is. And who expected an extra from that little Beagle? Now it’s seven, a lucky number if ever there was one.

  “What are you driveling on about, Mr. Oh-So Helpful?”

  Once again it’s time to pack your bags. You know, buddy boy, I shouldn’t have to tell you these simple things anymore. You’re all grown up now. Or are you?

  Ignoring that last taunt, Finn shook his head. “I thought I’d stay for my birthday. It’s only a few more weeks.”

  Stop whining. Who gives a rotten banana about your birthday? Time to go. Snap, snap! Are you sure everyone knows where to meet? At the halfway house?

  Finn rolled his eyes. “Of course. What a stupid question. Everyone’s already there except Beagle and me. There’s Fred and Alistair, Carl, Ben, and Patrick. Beagle’s getting out next month, so I’m sticking around to wait for him…you know, make sure he’s okay.”

  This is where we disagree. Big time. Let that pup use his big-boy pants and do one thing on his own. He’ll be the better for it.

  “I think I’ll stay, if it’s all the same to you.”

  It’s not up to you. You’re leaving today. I saw the papers, signed and sealed.

  “What are you talking about? I’m leaving next month with Beagle. It’s been arranged.”

  No. You’re not…and no, it hasn’t—not anymore. You’ll get a kick out of this, tiger. They’re giving you an extra month of half freedom in addition to your early release for good behavior. That makes seven months off your two-year sentence…again, a lucky number. Either your psychiatrist put in a good word, or more likely they need your bed for a new kid.

  Finn picked up a book and hurled it across the room, just as two guards strolled up to the door to his cell.

  “Get your stuff together, Montgomery,” one of them commanded. “You’re out of here by the top of the hour.”

  Finn looked at Beagle, who had crammed himself in the corner by the far side of his pillow. The boy whimpered as big ploppy tears rolled down his cheeks.

  “Listen up, Your Majesties,” Finn growled. “My release date is in a month.”

  “You know the rules, Montgomery. It doesn’t work that way. You do what we say.” They left before Finn’s second statement formed on his lips.

  It was too late, yet he repeated it: “My release date is in a month!”

  He changed his tone with restraint and gently sat on Beagle’s bed. “It’s only a month, Beagle,” he reassured the boy. “You can hold it together. You have to. I’ll see you then.”

  Beagle turned his face toward the wall as Finn packed what little he had into a grocery sack and was escorted from the cell.

  ❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

  The month passed slower than Finn could stand. He paced the claustrophobic kitchen of the halfway house on the second floor. The bedrooms on the third floor were nearly as small as his cell at juvie. All the rooms were white, except for the living room, which was an obnoxious shade of pumpkin. Three floors of white walls. He wanted so badly to write all over them, but now wasn’t the time. There were more important tasks on his mind. He could hardly take this place for one more second, but he had to wait for their seventh member before busting out.

  He thought he’d be in a better mood. Beagle was joining them today. But the Voice in his head constantly chided him about that, telling him not to get his hopes up. What the heck does that mean? Finn wondered.

  One of his crew came up to offer him a can of soda. Finn grabbed it and crushed it against the boy’s skull. Foamy, sticky liquid sprayed everywhere. Finn didn’t even notice his own wet shirt.

  “Clean up this mess,” he barked. “All of you! It’s disgusting in here! I want this floor so clean that you can eat off it, because—believe me—you’re going to later tonight. I cannot believe how you’ve kept t
his place. It’s a pigsty!”

  “What, is the queen coming today?” joked Fred.

  “Are you freaking kidding me, Fred? You dare to joke?”

  Finn howled as if the full moon had walked right through the door. “Awwhoooooo!” He stomped one step closer, and Fred got busy cleaning on his haunches, cringing.

  Finn advanced on the cowering boy-giant, prepared to give him a full-on beating, when he heard a car idling outside. Next came the sound of a door slamming out front. The group froze. Fred dared a furtive glance at the window. Finn fastened “The Eye” on each of them in turn. Each stayed put, quickly returning to their cleaning efforts.

  Finn arrived at the window in three long strides and parted the dingy curtains. There he saw the small blond boy, arm in a sling, limping toward the front door with a guard for a companion.

  Blood dripped slowly to the floor as Finn’s anger forced his fingernails into the tender flesh of his palm. Alistair rushed to clean it up.

  “Carl. Ben. Bring Beagle to me,” Finn ordered in a monotone voice.

  “Sure, boss.”

  Finn stared at where his Beagle had walked a moment before. When he got his hands on those who had hurt him… He could already hear their screams.

  Finn was not pleased. Not happy at all. Even the air could tell.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Where Oh Where Has My Christopher Gone?

  Sadie walked over to Jennifer’s house after breakfast. “I had fun yesterday. I don’t know how we’re going to top it.”

  “Hmmm,” mused Jennifer, rubbing her hands together. “I know. Let’s make some money.”

  Sadie’s left eyebrow rose. “Okay. Tell me more.”

  “How about we go door to door with a fake collection box and say we’re taking donations for charity? I’ve done it before with great success. No one will ever know. And I already have a box I’ve used upstairs in my room.”

  Sadie didn’t feel at all comfortable with this proposition. “Are you sure that’s cool, Jen? Sounds wrong to me.”

  “Yeah, it’s fine. Come on. It’s all good.”