The House at the End of the Street by Stephanie E. Kusiak

Author:Stephanie E. Kusiak [Kusiak, Stephanie E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapphire Books Publishing
Published: 2016-08-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Caitlin didn’t know what happened the night Natalie came home. It wasn’t because of anything Caitlin had done. No, it was something more far-reaching than that. Caitlin knew she didn’t have that kind of power, or at least she believed she didn’t.

They hadn’t talked about it, not about the night where Caitlin had hugged Natalie until the ghost’s tears had dried, but Caitlin could certainly feel the difference that night created between them. There was a fondness that Natalie bestowed on her now. To be honest, Caitlin didn’t feel she deserved it even though she had apologized more than humanly possible for her trespass in the basement.

There were just some things in Caitlin’s mind that would never be made up.

Had it only been a month since that horrible parting between them? Caitlin couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe how slowly the week had gone while Natalie had been away, and how fast in retrospect they were moving now.

She also couldn’t believe how nice it was to see an occasional sunny smile on Natalie’s face. It warmed her through, and made her forget everything she lost before coming back here. And every time the ghost would seek her out to talk, even about the most benign thing, she didn’t miss her old life nearly as much as before. How could she miss it when it felt like for the first time, she was right where she belonged?

She’d just finished emailing her manuscript to her publisher, had just clicked send, when a knock came at her bedroom door. Caitlin hopped up, excited, because it couldn’t be anyone other than Natalie and she was so excited to tell her she’d finished.

When she opened the door, the ghost was in fact there, but the expression on her face stopped Caitlin from announcing her victory over the blank page. “Hey, Natalie. What’s wrong?”

“I was wondering if you had a little bit of time free.” She frowned her way through the words, making Caitlin confused as to what was happening. She couldn’t imagine anything she’d done that would make the ghost look so disappointed.

“Did I do something to upset you?” she asked reflexively.

“No. I just need…want someone to come with me somewhere.” The ghost, as spectral as she appeared, still adjusted on her feet and took a slow step back. She second-guessed herself so plainly Caitlin watched it happen. “No, I’m sorry. It’s a dumb idea.”

Caitlin stepped onto the landing, before Natalie could turn. “It’s not stupid. Let’s go. I’m ready.”

Natalie regarded her in silence before nodding slowly. “You’ll want to get a bulb and bring it with you.”

“Okay…”

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