Ghosts

Chapter 6

It was eight in the evening and something had woken her up. A full bladder. She had dozed on and off during the day. The coffee and sandwiches were gone, as had most of the packet of biscuits. It was completely dark and she had to use the torch to light her way to the bathroom. Once she had done her business, she washed her hands and face in cold water, and cursed herself for forgetting to bring her toothbrush. Returning to the lounge, she shook the sleeping bag and lay it on the floor. Kicking off her shoes and removing some of her clothes, she turned off the torch with the intention of getting in the sleeping bag. 'Bloody hell!' Sitting in the chair was Uncle Ben. 'You scared the bloody crap out of me.' 'You look like you've seen a ghost.' 'I've been trying to see bloody ghosts all day.' 'Sorry, Violet.' 'Okay. But don't sneak up on me like that.' There was an eerie luminescence about him and for some strange reason he was wearing what looked like a hooded, one piece gown that went right to the floor. She had seen Aunt Daphne in a similar outfit. What was that all about, she wondered? 'What's all the fuss about?' Aunt Daphne asked as she walked through the wall. 'Oh. Violet.' 'Yes, Violet. All day I've been here, waiting to talk to you two.' Uncle Ben said, 'You sound angry. What's the problem?' 'What...what's the problem?' 'Well, yes. Is it something we've done?' Violet couldn't believe her ears. 'You know what it's about. Every time I bring somebody to view the house, you show yourselves. I'd have sold the place a dozen times if you didn't screw it up for me.' 'You want to sell our house?' Aunt Daphne said. 'Why do you want to sell our house?' 'I don't believe this. Because mom and dad need the money, that's why.' The ghosts looked at each other, confusion on their faces. They kept fading in and out, barely visible one minute, almost solid enough to touch the next. 'That's not very nice, Violet, trying to sell our home,' said Aunt Daphne. 'It isn't nice, is it Ben?' 'No. I don't think it's nice, either. I think you should leave, Violet.' 'Oh no you don't. We have to talk about this.' 'Are you saying those strangers you brought here were wanting our home?' Aunt Daphne said. 'Finally we are getting somewhere. Yes! And I want you to cooperate. Stop spooking them off.' Uncle Ben stood up. 'I think you owe us an explanation, young lady.' 'Yes, Violet. What gives you the right to come in our home and try to sell it to some strangers? Come on. Out with it.' Violet backed away from them. 'I ...don't understand.' 'You don't understand,' said Aunt Daphne. 'For some unknown reason, you think you've got the right to come in here and sell our home from under us. Violet. I know you are our niece, and we love you, but this is ridiculous. I want you to go now.' 'But Aunt Daph...' 'Just go. Shoo.' 'She's right, Violet. You've upset your aunt. And me. I think you should go now.' They stepped closer, and Violet was scared. Each step they took towards her, she took a step backwards. She couldn't recall ever seeing them this angry looking. She had to get out of that house. She raced for the front door and as the ghosts closed in on her, she opened it and ran for home. There was a bang behind her as the door slammed shut. Grandma was still on the porch, moths fluttering against the outside light. Jimmy Hendrix was belting out Purple Haze inside, as if to match the brown haze outside. Grandma lit another huge joint. Violet took it off her and inhaled deeply. The first blast nearly had her retching. 'Take it easy with that. You have to get used to it.' 'Grandma. Do you believe in ghosts?' It had been agreed not to tell her about the ghosts. Grandma lit another joint. Cyclops rolled over on her lap, stretched and yawned, sniffed the air and dozed off again.' 'We're all ghosts, Violet. You and me are ghosts. We just ain't dead yet.' From Grandma, that actually made some sort of sense, but then she said, 'Did I ever tell you about that time with Bob Dylan?' 'Goodnight, Grandma.'