Old Ghosts

Chapter 4

Kate sat straight up in bed, heart pounding, her eyes flickering around. Thunder boomed above her house, lightning lit up the sky, and in the distance her phone rang. Cursing loudly, she stumbled from her bed and into the lounge room, stubbing her toe on the coffee table before picking up the phone.

“Hello?” she asked, pain making her voice husky.

“It’s Lee,” came the low rumble from the other end.

“It’s two in the morning, Lee,” Kate complained pitifully, siting on the arm of the couch.

“Sorry, Doc, it was the only time I had available to call you,” his familiar pet name for her ran shivers down her spine.

“I haven’t been called Doc in a while, you must be lonely,” she commented, idly petting Charli who had come out to see what was happening.

“Haven’t had a decent talk in a while,” Lee mentioned calmly.

“With the way you look?” Kate scoffed, “I thought the women would be knocking over one another for a chance to speak to you.”

“Well, there ain’t a lot of talking going on with those women, Katie,” Lee said sheepishly, causing Kate to laugh. “Let me guess; Husky voice, slightly whiny attitude; I think you stubbed your foot answering the phone.”

Thunder boomed over the house, causing Kate to jump. “Not to mention the fact that there is a thunderstorm over my house as well.”

“So what have you been up to?” Lee asked, sounds of him moving around drifted to Kate’s end.

“Well, I officially loathe almost the entire population of this town,” Kate said lightly, getting off the arm and sitting on the actual chair, aware that Lee felt like a long chat.

“Why is that, Katie?” Lee asked curiously.

“Well, yesterday I went to pick up the guns - they’re going to cost you a pretty penny by the way - and remembered that I needed to get a few linens and whatnot for the spare bedroom so I went to the only homeware store in town. God, I swear that woman has the devil in her bones. She completely took over and ended up making me pay for a few things that I really wasn’t going to buy.”

“You have never let anyone take over your spending before,” Lee commented lightly.

Kate blushed furiously. “Yeah, well, I’ve never been truly intimidated by anyone but you before.”

Lee laughed, making Kate smile softly. “The last time I tried to intimidate you was in eighth grade and you turned around and gave me a black eye. It is a miracle that someone else can accomplish that feat.”

“Bully,” Kate scrunched her nose at the phone. “How’s retirement going for you?”

“Dull. I need to find something to keep my interest up,” Lee answered immediately.

“You know, the offer for you to come here still stands. Be nice to have someone that I know for sure is in my side of the court,” Kate offered, hoping that he would accept the offer this time.

“I’ll take a raincheck on that one. If I can’t find something to interest me in the next few months I may take a trial run,” Lee said, not quite giving in. “Maybe I’d be able to protect you a little better from those mean teenagers,” Lee teased.

“You, mister, are cruising for a bruising,” Kate said, using the age-old cliché. Lee laughed again.

“I had better let you go, Doc. Expect me some time before dinner. Sam is aching for some of your stew,” Lee said fondly.

“Alright, I’ll see you later, Lee.” Kate sighed as soon as she heard the dial tone before placing the receiver gently on the cradle. “I wish he would visit a bit more often, Charli, maybe I wouldn’t be so lonely up here by myself.” She stared at the darkened space around her. “And maybe it wouldn’t seem so empty.”

*******

The next day found Kate furiously absorbed in her housework. Dressed in old jeans and a frayed long sleeved top, Kate swiped at the sweat that beaded on her forehead before turning back to the sweeping. Charli and Bandit stared at her, bored expressions only changing to disappointed looks as the rain pounded against the window.

“Stuff this,” Kate puffed after all her hard work. “I don’t know why he makes me feel this way, dogs. It isn’t like he is turning up in an hour or so.” Kate glanced at the now clean house. “Why does this always happen? I get word that he’s drifting into town and I go on a cleaning rampage long before he is due and have to wait days without anything to do.” She blew at a hair that was tickling her nose and glared at the house. “Well, since I’m already antsy, I may as well go through what is in the attic.” With that, Kate marched towards the manhole determinedly.

Bandit and Charli glanced up at the racket in the ceiling before resting their heads back onto their paws.

*****

Kate paced the length of her bedroom, glancing at the clock every few minutes. That evening had consisted of cooking meals, a major face clean and hours of sewing. Dressed in duck pyjama bottoms and a faded blue-sleeved bed top, Kate continuously braided and re-braided her hair, needing something to do with her hands. It was times like this when she yearned to have a few more friends in town that she could call and chat for a while to waste more time. Her body was exhausted; the day’s cleaning effectively making her body ache but her mind continuously swirled with thoughts. Kate sighed and looked at the clock, wincing as the glowing numbers showed that it was past midnight. The phone shrilled. Jumping, Kate raced into the lounge room and answered the phone.

“Hello?” she asked breathlessly.

“Go to bed, Doc, you’re wearing out the carpet,” Lee said roughly.

“How-?” Kate looked at the phone confused.

“Three days before the Prom I got a phone call from your mom saying that you’ve turned into an insomniac and wouldn’t just sit down,” Lee informed her.

“You suck,” Kate returned petulantly.

“I’ve known you for too many years, Doc. Grab the cd I made for you and put it on. I hope that that should help you drift off to sleep. Don’t forget to focus on your breathing,” Lee reminded her before he hung up.

Kate stared at the phone incredulously before shaking her head and obeying his instructions. Shortly after, soothing notes floated through the house. Kate rested on the bed after turning the lights off and focused on the music and her breathing. Before she knew it, Kate was asleep.


Thank you to my two Betas! You are Brilliant.
Remember to review, they make me feel fantastic and continue to write!