The Silent Ghost Read Free

freelance.”
    Kelly lifted a lip in a semi-snarl. “Leave me alone.”
    “I’m not some bottom-feeder, Kelly.” Tanisha’s voice was stern, but calm. She’d expected this kind of initial reaction. “A piece I wrote on Afghan women living in the U.S. was in the
Globe
on Tuesday. It’s hardly gossip fodder. Check it out.”
    Granny drifted close to Kelly. “She can see me, Kelly,” the ghost reported.
    Kelly Whitecastle stopped dead in her tracks, but didn’t turn around. “Are you sure?” she whispered to the ghost.
    “Maybe not clearly, like you,” Granny clarified, “but she does seem to sense my presence. Watch.”
    As Granny left Kelly’s side, Kelly turned back around to face Tanisha. The ghost sidled up to the reporter and as she did, Kelly caught Tanisha start to turn her head towards Granny, then quickly correct her actions to look back at Kelly. As Granny moved around Tanisha, Tanisha’s eyes fought not to follow the apparition.
    Kelly took a step forward. “Who are you really?”
    Fishing around in her bag, Tanisha located a business card and handed it to Kelly. Her name, e-mail, telephone number, and occupation were printed in a clear, unfussy font on the cream-colored card. “I’m who I say I am. If you don’t believe me, ask Zak back at Gabby’s.”
    “Zak?” Puzzled, Kelly looked up from the card. “Oh, you mean the tall guy who works there.”
    “Yes. He’s known me for a few years. Or you can call the
Globe
. I’ve done several pieces for them.”
    Granny was behind Tanisha. “Boo!” the ghost shouted, but Tanisha didn’t flinch. Granny leaned in close. “State your business, girl,” she demanded. Again, Tanisha gave no indication of hearing anything.
    “I don’t think she can hear me,” Granny told Kelly. “Either that or she’s a mighty fine actress.” Granny moved around Tanisha and took up her place next to Kelly. She folded her arms across her small ghostly chest and scowled at the intruder as if it would intimidate her.
    Still holding Tanisha’s card, Kelly asked, “What do you want to talk to me about?”
    Tanisha gave Kelly a half-grin, then moved her eyes off to Kelly’s side, where she saw the hazy cluster. “I assume the ghost checked me out and approves?”
    Granny smacked her hands together, but the action produced no sound. “I told you she could see me!” The tiny sprit hopped from foot to foot in a victory dance.
    “Ghost? What in the world are you talking about?” Kelly knitted her brows. “I don’t have time for this nonsense.” She adjusted her backpack again and turned away.
    “I know who your mother is and what she is. And I think you’re the same.”
    Tanisha’s words stopped her in her tracks. This time Kelly didn’t turn around but stood cemented to the ground. Around them, the trees lining the street rustled their golden foliage in a final farewell. Very soon the trees would be bare and the air would turn cold. Even now, the breeze held a nip of winter’s prelude that would only grow as the afternoon wore on and the sun set.
    After a few heartbeats, both women took a deep breath. Then, without a word, Kelly continued heading back to campus, leaving Tanisha alone on the sidewalk.
    “I need your help, Kelly.” Tanisha closed the growing space between them in another effort.
    Granny got in front of Tanisha, her hands on her hips. “Are you deaf, girl? Can’t you see Kelly wants to be left alone.”
    Tanisha, seeing the haze clustered in front of her, stopped short, but determined to reach Kelly, she plowed through the spirit.
    “Boy, I hate that!” sputtered Granny. “If the girl wants to know about ghosts, then she needs to learn some manners.”
    Kelly was ready to answer Granny, but bit her lip. The reporter had no hard evidence Kelly could see and talk to ghosts like her mother, and she wasn’t about to give her any.
    Slowing, but not stopping, Kelly said, “My mother is out of the country right now, but I’m sure if you