Yuletide Spirits

Short short story about an unusual holiday discovery.

"No Joke, Mrs. M. My house is haunted. I hear someone in the dining room every night. Thing is I can't make out if it’s a guy or a girl cause it sounds kind of funny. Like a bad radio station." I took a break from draping the net lights over the rectangular shrub in my front yard.

 

“Look, John, I don’t buy it. If there really was something in your house I can’t believe you would just be chatting about it like it’s something you saw on television. “ I rolled my eyes and got back to work. John was seventeen and deceptively handsome. He was known to wander around the neighborhood and chat up ladies like a fresh faced Lothario.

“Scouts honor.” He laughed while he rolled out an extension cord. I huffed, rearranging my lights. He sauntered up beside me, leaning in close.

 

“What’s the matter Mrs. M? Am I scaring you?” His voice was huskier than it had been a minute before.

 

“John, go home before I call your mother,” I laughed.

 

“Whatever you say. Sweet dreams.”  With a final cocky wink he was gone.  I hoped for his mother’s sake the occasional rumors of late night assistance he offered weren’t true.

 

That night I sat up reading and waiting for my husband to get home from work. However, my focus was constantly slipping. I’d never given it much thought but now, alone, I felt a tickle at my eardrum; much like when someone opens a door and air rushes quietly into the room. My hair stood up on end and as my fear grew so did my need to seek out any possible intruder. I set aside my book and grabbed my pepper spray and a Maglite hoping desperately not to need them. The ground level of the house was clear but as I crept upstairs some distant sound became more distinct. I knew the sound though I had never sought it out. I had told myself it was the normal noises of a house at night. I zeroed in on the door of the guest bedroom with my heart beating louder. Thu-thump! Thu-THUMP!

I pressed my ear to the door. There was a crackle of static. “never believe who I saw her talking to tod-“ the voice faded out. “alking to that Joh--- brazen as day.” It was female, I thought, but I was having trouble making sense of the words.

 

“no good, we all know that. He’s a fox that young one, ” Another female, it seemed.  I noticed the door was open a crack and my curiosity drew me to it. Slowly I inched forward and pressed my eye against it. There were women, five of them flickering in and out in smart dresses sitting around a table. As I gazed transfixed by their ghostly cards, “Hey! What do you think you’re doing you snoop!” A misty face burst into existence before my own and sent me screaming from the ghastly gossiping bridge club.

Author's Note

Any criticism is welcome :)

Reviews

[Chris Yip]

Short and cute story of ghosts. Very clever and good writing. I was transfixed from start to end. Definitely very readable, in fact rather professional I would say!!! Keep up with the good work!!