Page 127 of Switch!

Gismonda hobbles over to Trixie, and without warning, grabs her ears. She begins to massage them, and when this doesn’t satisfy her, she cups her hands over them instead. Trixie looks thrilled.

“And I thought the man with the mouth was bad,” Gismonda says, releasing her at last.

“Another purple person?” Trixie asks. “What was his power? More importantly, do you know why?”

“Why? Why what?”

“Why we’re like this,” Trixie replies.

“Because the gods like to play games,” Gismonda says, moving to a small table near a window. She walks around it to sit in a plush chair, gesturing that we should do the same. Our chairs are wooden and have cushions so thin as to be nearly pointless. I get the impression she doesn’t like people to overstay their welcome.

“Gods?” I ask as I try to make myself comfortable. “Plural?”

“There is more than one of everything in this universe,” Gismonda says. “Why should gods be any different?”

“And they made us this way?” Trixie asks.

Gismonda shakes her head. “The universe makes itself. We are all part of that, the gods included. You don’t need to worry about them. They are merely observers, watching each of us dance across the stage toward our final curtain call. Unless you are the type who encourages audience participation. Me? I say life is chaotic enough without inviting unwanted attention. Especially for people like us. We make them nervous.” She looks directly at me. “Although I doubt many would be able to see you. Especially here.”

“So there’s more of us,” I say. “People with unusual abilities.”

“One in a million, if even that, but yes.”

“So what’s your power?” Trixie asks.

Gismonda considers her. “My turn to ask questions. What exactly is it that you can hear?”

“The truth.”

“Ah. What a terrible curse that must be.”

“You’ve got that right,” Trixie mutters.

“But also a blessing,” Gismonda says, her tone softer. “That is the nature of our gifts. Would you care for something to drink?”

“I’d rather keep talking,” Trixie says before looking over at me. “Sorry. Did you want…”

“I’m fine,” I say, returning my attention to Gismonda. “If you aren’t psychic, then how do you know so much?”

“I can interact with spirits,” Gismonda says. “That is my gift.”

“Have you ever seen a ghost?” Trixie asks.

Gismonda gestures to the empty chair next to her.

A shiver runs down my spine. “Albert?” I ask.

Gismonda nods.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Trixie says to the empty chair. Then she turns toward Gismonda again. “So that’s your thing? You can see dead people?”

“I can do much more than that,” Gismonda says with a sniff. “As with any skill, we are only limited by our own creativity. And the laws of physics. Oh, and politics too. Those often get in the way. Money is another issue, but don’t worry about any of that. Stay in school and you should both be fine, okay? Anything else?”

“I’m a dropout,” Trixie says.

“And I’m in my thirties now,” I add.

Gismonda shrugs. “Everyone deserves a second chance. I recommend you both reenroll immediately.”