Ghost Academy 1: Summer Term, page 31
“Nah, just a little bit of a rough start. I’ll be good.” Ben sat on the cooler. “So, is Jessica gonna be joining us?”
“Nah, she couldn’t make it. But she wanted me to tell you guys she said hi.”
Thanks, Nicky. I want your friends to like me.
Just as Nick gave the chicken a turn on the grill, the sliding glass door opened, and Zoey stepped out with a platter of hot dogs and another with burger patties.
Zoey had been a fixture in Ben’s life since he and Nick were fifteen. Much like her high school sweetheart, Zoey had grown into herself in the six years since the three of them graduated.
Her half-Vietnamese heritage was evident in her round face, almond-shaped eyes, and shoulder-length black hair threaded with highlights of deep brown. Zoey’s tan, slender form was clad in a knee-length dark blue sundress that showed off toned arms and legs.
Nick had always liked Zoey, even when they were teens. She was chill, funny, intelligent, and athletic. A dedicated golfer from the age of eight, she’d almost gone pro at nineteen. Unfortunately, she’d suffered a spinal fracture from a car accident, and though she could still play, her dreams of being a pro golfer had died. Now she was the resident golf instructor at the local country club.
“I see you’re keeping Ben and the beer company,” Zoey drawled, setting the platters of meat on Ben’s grill staging table. She pulled Nick in for a hug and then stepped back to give him a once over. “And you decided to wear your best.”
She snickered at Nick’s mossy-green t-shirt with a picture of a chimpanzee smoking a corncob pipe on the front and his dark gray shorts.
Nick nodded at Ben’s ridiculous outfit. “I didn’t want to take the spotlight away from this guy.”
Zoey narrowed her eyes at Ben and gave him a playful kick to the shin. “Speaking of this guy, get up. Break time is over. You need to get these on before the guests show up.”
Ben stood up, kissed his wife on the cheek, swatted her butt, and took the platters from her. “Yes, ma’am.” He dumped the charcoal out of the chimney starter and got to work.
The last of the burgers were flipped by the time a carload of people—some family and some friends—arrived at the house. Soon, Ben and Zoey were being pulled in for hugs and a flurry of people completing the meal’s preparation began buzzing around the entire backyard.
Nick was left to manage both grills, but he didn’t mind. He turned it into a miniature problem-solving exercise. Nick challenged himself to get all of the food ready at the same time without drying out the chicken. He was so lost in the game of positioning meat into different pockets of direct and indirect heat that he almost didn’t notice Lotus standing next to him.
“Need another beer, working man?”
“Thanks.” Nick downed the last of his open can and accepted the offered replacement. When he looked at Lotus, he had to stop himself from doing a double take. Apparently, he wasn’t the only party guest who decided to bring a ghost.
There was a faint green outline of a brunette woman with rosy cheeks and a mild look of annoyance on her face, wearing a peasant-style blouse, standing inside of Lotus.
Oooh, she brought Vivian. That’s fun.
Then Nick did another double take. Lotus was wearing a…dress?
She looked like a sexy summer pixie in a tiny pale yellow sundress that molded to her round breasts, nipped in at her waist, and hugged her thighs well above the knee. From the way her nipples pressed against the fabric, it was clear she wasn’t wearing a bra.
He forced himself to look away from his coworker’s provocative outfit.
“Me and Viv might take off early, but I’m glad I came.” She peered at the surface of the grill, seemingly oblivious to how hot she looked. “It’s saying a lot that Ben and Zoey trust you enough to take care of the cooking.” Lotus gave his shoulder a playful nudge. “Don’t screw it up.”
Nick chuckled and gave her a slight nudge back. “We’ll revisit this conversation when you’re standing in line for seconds.”
A few minutes later, Nick felt like he was a cook at the carving station of a buffet. He was pulling meat off of the grills and placing them onto the plates of hungry guests as quickly as possible. Finally, his last customer, Zoey, approached and asked for two patties and a hot dog.
“Coming right up. Is it just me, or is the barbecue a bit larger this year?”
Zoey popped a small charred piece of gristle into her mouth before replying a little too breezily. “Yep. We wanted to invite some extended family members who happened to be passing through town. Thanks so much for handling the grill, Nick. Ben’s a little nervous.”
Nervous? Wait, did he go to the doctor and find out he’s going to die?
It’s possible. Maybe a doctor would be able to help reverse whatever’s going to cause his untimely death.
“No problem, Zoey. Let me grab a plate.”
“Sure. There’s a seat for you at our table.”
A few minutes later, Nick navigated through the yard filled with more than fifty party-goers and plopped down in a chair at the folding table where Ben and Zoey sat.
Ben gave Nick an uneasy smile that destroyed Nick’s appetite.
His friend clanked a plastic fork against his beer can to get everyone’s attention and stood. “Everyone, Zoey and I want to thank you for coming out. This has been an annual tradition for a while now, and I think this year is going to be especially important.”
There were cheers from the other guests along with some clinking cups and cans from the few people who thought Ben was done speaking.
“Hang on guys, I haven’t even gotten to the important part.” Ben looked down at Zoey, a smile of pure love spreading across his face. His nervousness seemed to melt. “Zoey’s pregnant.”
The entire yard erupted in shouts, claps, and cheers.
Nick, staring at Ben’s crumbling nekros, felt his stomach give way.
Ben and Zoey were quickly surrounded by family, friends, and coworkers congratulating them. Nick didn’t remember getting to his feet, but he was quickly pushed back as guests jockeyed for space to hug the expecting parents and pepper them with an endless barrage of questions.
Nick sensed eyes on him and turned to face Lotus. They shared a troubled moment at the back of the crowd while all the others at the party were blissfully unaware that the soon-to-be father was facing a death sentence.
Nick’s throat nearly closed up as a golf-ball-sized chunk of the nekros flaked away from the area near the number eight.
He needed to compose himself. Ben had evidently noticed his absence and waved him over, but Nick’s legs wouldn’t move. He was frozen in place.
I need to say something.
He won’t listen, Nicky.
Suddenly, a soft hand clasped his and tugged Nick forward. “Come on, they’re waiting for us.” He and Lotus took a couple of steps before she whispered, “Remember to smile. This is a happy occasion for them.”
Nick squeezed Lotus’s hand and hoped it communicated all of the gratitude he felt for her. A few moments later, they were standing in front of the now misty-eyed hosts.
“Jeez, it sure took you long enough to come say something, dick. Do you know how hard it’s been not being able to talk to you about this?” Ben whined after Nick congratulated him and Zoey.
Nick steadied himself and put on the mask of an enthusiastic best friend. “Sorry, I was a little overwhelmed by the great news. I’m so happy for you guys.”
Standing next to him, Lotus chatted with Zoey and played the part of a normal house guest perfectly. “It’s probably way too early, but have you guys been discussing names?”
Another piece of the nekros crumbled, and Nick decided to take action. “Ben, you need to know that—”
“That he’s going to miss his drinking and biking buddy while you’re off being a responsible dad, right, Nick?” Lotus tugged at Nick’s hand. “Hey, you remember how my car was acting up?”
Nick shook himself. “Yeah, the uh, radiator was causing you some trouble, right?”
“Right. Well, I had another problem with it on the way here. I hate to be that girl, but my landlord’s been blowing me up with messages about checking my unit for water damage. Do you think you could follow me home in case anything happens? I don’t want to piss off Mr. Cox any more than I already have.”
“Sure…but I don’t want to leave without—”
“I think there are plenty of people here that would be happy to help the expecting parents clean up.”
Ben cleared his throat and nodded at another person trying to get his attention. “She’s right, there’s plenty of people who’ll help. Last time I checked, Zoey’s Uncle Charlie was the only one blocking you in. I’ll have him move, and you guys can be on your way.”
“Sounds good. Sorry to leave early, and I’m so happy for you guys.”
Ben pulled him in for a one-armed bro hug. “You already said that, genius. But it’s still nice to hear. We’ll talk more once things die down a bit.”
Nick followed Lotus to her car. She popped the hood to make their cover story a bit more believable.
Once both of their heads were in the engine bay, she started talking. “I’m sorry for taking you away from the barbecue, but I thought you were going to crack.”
He let out a sardonic chuckle, his knuckles white where they flexed on the bumper. “Me too.”
“You know that you can’t tell Ben about the nekros. You know he won’t believe you,” she said gently.
“I know, but it just feels like I’m standing still.” Nick felt like he needed to do something with hands and actually checked Lotus’s radiator. “I can’t sit back and watch him die. And now he has a kid on the way. Think of what it would do to Zoey and their kid if he…”
Lotus rubbed his shoulder. “You’re gonna save him, remember.”
“I’m nearly a month into Medium classes, and I haven’t helped a single ghost. How am I supposed to help fifteen in the time I have left?” He stood up and closed her hood harder than necessary, frustration and helplessness eating him up inside.
“It’s part of the learning curve. You’ll get there.”
Nick drew in a deep breath and steadied himself. “I need you to do me a favor.”
Lotus’s face hardened. “If it’s about you breaking your promise, you can forget it. No extra trips to Limbo.”
“I sort of thought you’d say that.” Nick scratched the back of his head. “What time does Mocha Magic close on Monday?”
“Five.”
“I need you to keep Tina open for ten extra minutes.”
Chapter 36
Mocha Magic
Nick parked the Infiniti next to Lotus’s Ford. The only other car in Mocha Magic’s parking lot was a green Subaru Forester—presumably Tina’s.
So why’d you bring me back to this place?
Like I told you, Nick thinks we’ve found Beanie.
If I’m right, you should be able to put some pieces together once you see the inside.
Nick walked toward Mocha Magic’s door. Thus far, his plan had worked.
Lotus was able to slip out of the office a few minutes early to stall Tina. Jared’s suspicions were aroused when Nick mentioned checking the new firewall appliance in order to visit Limbo just before five, but it couldn’t be helped. Jessica and Emma were ready when he arrived, standing next to the large wooden welcome desk.
Now, he just needed Emma’s memory to kickstart from one of Tina’s pictures. This still didn’t solve the problem of what Emma’s burden was, but it was a start. After learning Ben was going to be a father, he needed to start accumulating some wins. And fast.
Ben’s nekros was crumbling rapidly.
The red “Sorry, we’re closed” sign hanging inside of the door dampened Nick’s mood for a moment, but he could hear and see people inside. Nick tried the handle, and the door opened.
“Oh, so now Mr. No Coffee’s joining us,” Tina chided from behind the counter with her hands on her ample hips. “Is this who I needed to stay open for, Lotus?”
The raven-haired Medium was leaning against the counter, sipping an iced drink.
Since an image of Vivian wasn’t superimposed over Lotus, Nick assumed the new Poltergeist was either back at Lotus’s haven or waiting in Limbo.
Lotus stopped sucking from the straw sticking out of her drink. “Yeah, Nick…wanted to see you.”
I hope I’m not going to regret this, he thought as he approached the counter. For all he knew, he could be way off base with this lead, and Tina would just end up miffed that they’d wasted her time.
Emma, I need you to look at the pictures.
“I felt bad for not liking the coffee soda you gave me last week. I was sort of hoping you’d make me something different.”
Tina leaned back and crossed her arms. “It’s okay, Nick. But I’ve already put away half of my stuff. I’m not really in a great spot for experimentation. Did you have something else in mind?”
Emma sucked in a breath. Beanie!
Nick’s eyes widened, and his heart thudded with excitement. With hope.
Tell Beanie I want one of her famous mochas. A large one. Emma’s voice cracked with emotion.
His eyes found Lotus’s. Nick quickly pointed at his chest.
Lotus nodded and strolled to one of the tables and sat down.
Nick cleared his throat. “I’ll have a large mocha, please.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You will? Hot or iced?”
Without waiting for the tall Shade to answer, Nick replied, “Hot, obviously.”
Tina shook her head. “Mr. No Coffee wants a mocha all of sudden? O-kay.”
Thank you, Nick! I can’t believe it. Beanie opened her own cafe, and it’s…perfect.
Anything coming back?
He glanced at the pictures on the wall.
I recognize the other members of our high school coven, but seeing Beanie, it just feels so wonderful…and sad.
Tina placed a large paper cup on the counter. “I’m not going to charge you because I already closed the session on my card reader for today, but then you two need to scram. I want to get home and kick my feet up.”
Nick picked up his coffee.
Cute logo, but it’s not what she wanted. I could draw a better one.
Nick examined the cafe’s logo of a coffee cup with a witch’s hat on top created from steam.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got cash.” He reached for his wallet. “Can you tell me why you chose this logo?”
Tina frowned. “You’ve certainly been very interested in decorations and design choices lately. What gives?”
Come on Emma. Can you give him something?
Oh, oh, where’s the cat?
Cat?
Nick brought the piping hot mocha up to his lips and took a sip. It had a deeper chocolate flavor than Caffé D'arte’s mocha, and the milk was far creamier. Once again, the bitterness punched his taste buds at the end, but the espresso was more nutty than off-puttingly acidic and the quality dairy seemed to lessen the blow a little. If he was being honest with himself, it wasn’t the worst drink he’d ever had.
Oh, that’s so good. Beanie is amazing.
Emma, what about the cat?
Right. The logo. Why isn’t there a cat on the logo?
“So, Mr. Large, Hot Mocha, what do you think?” Tina asked with a cocky grin on her face.
Nick removed the top and blew on the surface of the drink. “Nuh uh, you still haven’t answered my question about the logo. To me, it’s like the logo is missing something.”
“Like what? And I can see you’re stalling on that second sip.”
Beanie loves cats. She wanted one on the front of the mug.
“Maybe you could put a cat on the front of the mug.”
Tina’s genial expression cracked, and she blinked several times. “Where’d you get that idea?”
I can draw it exactly the way she wanted it. I just need some paper and a pencil.
Nick let out a long exhale and took a second drink of his molten hot mocha. “Do you have some paper and a pencil? I’m not sure how, but I might be able to draw what I’m talking about.”
Tina just stared at him for a second. “Sure.” She turned and opened a couple of drawers. A pencil, a small notepad, and something he didn’t catch appeared. Tina quickly placed one of the items in her front pocket.
Lotus pulled out a chair and waved Nick over. After he sat across from her, she whispered, “You’re doing fine, but it’s okay to let Emma talk to her, too. Since Tina trusts us, it might be the fastest way to figure out what Emma’s burden is exactly.”
Tina took off her apron and shook her head of gray curls before walking from behind the counter muttering, “I must be going crazy.”
When she sat down next to Lotus, Tina pushed the notepad of lined paper and mechanical pencil toward Nick. “Here you go. Show me what you had in mind.”
Are you sure about this, Emma?
Yeah. Beanie’s part of my burden. I know that now.
Nick felt a weak version of the mutual touching sensation he’d experienced with Jessica in his wrist. He tried to focus on making his hand respond to what he thought the sensation wanted.
It was awkward. His grip on the pencil resembled when he held onto the handlebars of a mountain bike, and the results were horrific.
The mug looked like a plate with a handle, the witch’s hat of steam resembled a shit emoji, and the cat, if you could call it that, looked worse than something Nick would have drawn while he was in elementary school.
“I don’t mean to be an art critic, but I don’t see it, Nick,” Tina said, crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat.
Why isn’t this working?
You tried to control it, Nicky. You have to let Emma take over.
I tried to take over, but I couldn’t. How do I do that?
Start by trying to talk to Tina.
Nick opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He cleared his throat a couple of times and even took a third drink of coffee.
Through some strain, a voice said, “Bea…nie. Beanie, give me one more shot.”
