Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

a spirit from one case had comingled with another, and he’d received messages before from various entities who’d used their connection with him to discuss other unrelated topics. “Are you talking about her, or me?”

He waited for a response, but the presence faded, along with the chill. He stared at the shoes in the dark closet and wondered if the man he’d just spoken with had owned them. Looking back at the mirror, he tried again to connect, but the spirit had left, and Mason no longer sensed the energy.

He stood, smoothed his shirt and stretched his neck. His muscles were tight after a strenuous workout that morning. In an attempt to clear his head, he’d gone to the gym before arriving, and had lifted weights and hit the treadmill. Exercise helped him to reset, and he’d needed it after the previous week. Expelling a deep breath, he left the bedroom.

Mrs. Avery sat at her breakfast table, looking lost in thought, his empty coffee cup beside her. Seeing him, she straightened. “I’m sorry. I never got your coffee.”

He waved a hand. “That’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

She stood and went to the coffee pot. “I’ll get it for you.”

“Mrs. Avery…it’s okay. I don’t need any more. Thank you, though.”

Putting the cup down, her face fell. “It’s not Mrs. And you should call me Serita.”

Mason nodded. “Okay.” He paused. “Serita, can I ask you something personal?”

Her pale face lost what little color was left, and her eyes filled. “You saw him, didn’t you?”

He sighed. “I saw the clothes in the closet, and the shoes. Do they belong to the man you are seeing in the mirror? Is that who’s haunting you?”

A tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. “So, I’m not going crazy? It is him?”

Leaning against the kitchen counter, he crossed his arms. “Yes. It is. He’s worried about you. Thinks you’re lonely. He told me to help you. Said he made mistakes, which he regrets.” He recalled the voice’s words. “He said it doesn’t have to continue. You can stop it.”

Her sadness evaporated, and she stiffened. Wiping her cheek, she glared. “Is he going to keep coming around?”

Her reaction surprised him, but he understood how grief could affect the ones left behind. “In my experience, he’ll stay until you get the message. It seemed important to him.”

“He should have thought of that before…” Her face tightened, and she paused. “He lied to me.”

“I understand. It’s hard. He’s not the first man to lie to a woman and won’t be the last. But he knows he was wrong. I think he wants to make amends with you.”

She picked up his coffee cup and dropped it into the sink with a bang, making Mason jump. “Thank you for your time. I appreciate you coming here on short notice.”

Her demeanor had shifted in an instant, and Mason frowned. “He asked me to help you. I’d like to do that.”

“Can you stop him from returning?” She flipped on the faucet and rinsed the cup. “I don’t want to talk to him anymore. I’ve got nothing to say, and if he thinks he can stop me…” She shut off the faucet and turned. “…it’s a waste of time.”

A flare of concern rippled through Mason. “Mrs…Serita. I’m sorry to ask, but you’re not thinking of hurting yourself, are you?”

Her flat face softened, and she chuckled. “Are you serious? What for? So he can thwart me in the afterlife, too? Hell, no, Mr. Redstone. It’ll be a cold day in Satan’s backyard before that happens.”

Mason’s thoughts whirled with how to respond. While he was happy to help, if the person in need didn’t want it, there was little he could do. Still thinking of the connection, he wondered about the parts of the message he assumed were for him, but kept that information to himself. “Is there anything else I can do for you? I wish I could tell you that he won’t come around anymore, but I can’t promise that. I delivered his message to you, so that may help, but if he’s insistent, then you may continue to see him in your mirror.”

“Figures,” she said. “Just as annoying in death as he was in life.” She pushed away from the counter. “I appreciate your assistance.”

Something nudged at him, and he sensed her doubt and her underlying anger. He followed her to the front entry. “If you need anything else, or if he should show again, you are welcome to call. Now that I’ve been here, I’m always available. I may be able to connect with him outside of the home.”

“Lucky you. If you can, let him know he deserved what he got. He should have known better.”

Mason nodded, saddened by her lingering animosity. “You can tell him yourself. Perhaps that’s what he wants.”

“I think what he wants and what I want are two different things. I should have realized that sooner, but I was stupid. Not anymore, though.”

Mason put a hand on her elbow. “He’s gone, Serita. If I could offer a small bit of advice. It’s best not to hold onto old grievances. They tend to be more harmful to the holder, than the one they’re directed toward.”

“Not if I can help it, Mr. Redstone.” Her pointed stare unnerved him, and she must have sensed his discomfort because she took a deep breath and visibly relaxed. “But I see your point, and I’ll take it to heart.” She opened the door. “Thank you again.”

He nodded. “You take care. And you have my number should you need it.”

“I appreciate that. At least I now know who I’m seeing, and that it’s nothing to fear.”

“I find in most cases that tends to be true. It’s rarely as evil as our minds make it out to be.”

She hesitated and her eyes narrowed. “I never questioned whether it was evil, Mr. Redstone. I can handle evil.” Her expression softened, and she blinked and smiled. “You have a nice day.”

Confused, he stepped out, and she shut the door.