Page 13 of Ghost of a Chance

“On my phone,” Jasper said, going out into the hall and coming back with it.

“I have a pocket printer. AirDrop it to me and I’ll go print it out,” Gia volunteered. She left and then returned a few minutes later, handing it to Jasper.

“Let’s put the photo in the middle of the candles on top of the textbook. Also it’s important to stay calm, we don’t want to frighten him off if we get him.”

Jasper seemed lost as he stared at the photo. His expression was inscrutable, which given that he was normally a bit easier to read told her volumes. For his sake she hoped this séance worked not just for her own credibility. If ever a man needed closure it was him.

Gia leaned over Jasper’s shoulder and touched the photo. “He was cute.”

“Yeah. Cute, smart, kind, Paul was all of that and more.”

“You need a minute?” Kirsty asked. She didn’t know how she’d feel if it were her trying to talk to Gia. She’d be a mess.

Jasper gave the photo one more look before placing it where she asked him to. “I’m good.”

She doubted that but wasn’t going to let on that she saw through him.

Right now they both needed this séance to work.

She had to concentrate on that. If she could…

who was she kidding…her chances of actually connecting with Paul were very slim.

But maybe something would happen to give Jasper some closure.

“Then we’re ready to begin. Do you want to start the camera?” she suggested to Jasper since Dan was watching from another room, wanting no part of the séance.

He did it then sat back down.

“Let’s start with a meditation. Try to be calm and reach out to Paul. I’m going to try to open my third eye while you both close your eyes.”

Keeping her eyes open, Kirsty made sure they followed her instructions. Jasper’s eyes were tight in concentration, while Gia’s seemed at ease, like she was taking a mini meditation break. She rested her hand on the textbook and let her head fall back, her eyes rolling back in her head.

She’d done this a couple of times. She knew it looked authentic, like a spirit was invading her being. Truth to tell it had never gotten her any results. Truthfully she always felt like the biggest fraudster on the planet.

Except maybe you’re not.

What?

Her eyes flew open as she looked around the room but there wasn’t anyone else there. Jasper and Gia were quiet and still. An icy feeling shot up her spine. Whatever voice she heard didn’t sound like either of them. Could it be…?

Kirsty closed hers again and concentrated, but the voice was gone.

That was freaky. Maybe she’d imagined it. Probably because she was putting so much stress on herself to make this seem real. Doing some yoga breathing helped steady her pulse and she slipped back into the role of medium.

“Are you both ready to take part in the séance?” she asked.

“Yes,” they said in unison.

“Join hands.” A shiver went up her arm when Jasper’s warm palm rubbed against hers. Gia’s fingers were cold and shook a little, either from nerves or excitement.

“Focus your energy toward the book in the center of the circle of candles,” Kirsty said. She slitted her eyes so she could keep an eye out for any more interference.

“Tonight we are here to contact the spirit of Paul…”

“Lester. Paul, it’s Jasper.”

“Slow down. Let me do the incantation first,” Kirsty warned him. She had to keep a semblance of order or her ruse would fall apart fast. But she felt how eager Jasper was to talk to his roommate.

“Sorry,” Jasper said, squeezing her fingers.

“We welcome friendly spirits who can help us contact Paul Lester. All good spirits who are near our circle are welcome to contact us. We seek information and mean no harm,” Kirsty said.

A cool breeze brushed against her neck and Gia’s hand tightened in response. The candles flickered. She wasn’t sure if there was a draft coming from a vent or the window. The idea that this was actually working seemed preposterous.

“Someone’s here,” Gia said. “Paul? Is that you?”

Kirsty took a deep breath, prepared to channel Paul but she felt the weight of a hand on her shoulder.

No more lies.

The words were so loud in her head that she jerked her hands away from Jasper and Gia. Breaking the circle.

Neither of them seemed concerned. Jasper was in the middle of asking a question, but Kirsty couldn’t pay attention. Her hands were shaking. That was fucking weird. This was probably her imagination, her conscience playing tricks on her because she didn’t want to do this.

“Paul? Are you here?” Her voice came out ragged and frantic.

Nothing happened. That cool breeze was gone, and Kirsty was afraid to go back into playing her role.

After a moment, she calmed herself. She was clearly freaking out over nothing. She had to keep pushing forward, if just for her reputation. They tried a few more times but nothing happened.

“Sorry, guys, I think we’ll have to try again another time,” Kirsty said.

“I wonder if he left for good because he doesn’t want to talk to me.” A note of sadness in Jasper’s voice.

The lights in the room flickered on and off at Jasper’s words. And then the sound of the TV blasted loudly from the other room.

“My guess is no.”