“Tuna sandwich, my boy,” he said, sliding the plate onto the table. “Your absolute favorite.” At least it had been before the accident. “There you go, buddy.”
He guided Shaun’s hands toward his mouth, not helping him as much as he normally did. A small amount of tuna and mayonnaise fell out and landed on Shaun’s shirt, but he didn’t notice. He took another generous bite and chewed, watching Evan with large eyes.
“Eat?”
“Yep, we’re eating, buddy.”
“Eat?”
“Oh, you want me to eat? I will after you’re done.”
As Shaun finished his last bite, the sound of a boat motor neared, becoming louder and louder, and Evan walked to the window overlooking the lake. A small red boat coasted to a stop beside the dock, and Becky Tram tied a mooring rope to the supports before climbing out. She wore jeans and a windbreaker, with a hat pulled down over her dark hair.
“Your friend is here, Shaun. Will you be okay if she stays and Dad goes to town for a bit?”
“Yesh.”
“Really?”
“Na.”
Evan frowned. “Well, which is it? Yes or no?”
Shaun smiled and turned his head to the side but kept his eyes on Evan. The expression looked so funny, Evan burst out laughing.
“You’re a card.”
A knock came from the door, and he went to let Becky inside. When he opened the door, the young PCA stood on the stoop, a little out of breath.
“Hi, Becky, nice to see you.”
“You too, Mr. Tormer.”
“Call me Evan,” he said, leading her inside.
“Wow, this is really nice.”
Evan watched her turn in a small circle, her eyes roaming the walls and floors.
“Thanks, it’s actually my best friend’s place. We’re watching it for him.”
“Hmm,” Becky said.
“Hi,” Shaun said.
“Hi, Shaun,” Becky said, walking over to the table. “How are you today? Good?” Shaun reached out and tried to touch her face. “Are we going to have fun this afternoon?”
Evan let Becky and Shaun get reacquainted before leading her on a brief tour of the house.
“And what’s through those doors?” Becky asked, pointing to the master bedroom and basement when they reentered the kitchen.
“The master bedroom and basement. You won’t need to go in there,” Evan said, tapping a notebook on the kitchen counter. “Here’s my cell phone, and here’s Selena’s number in case of an emergency. If you need anything, call and I’ll come right back. I shouldn’t be gone for more than a few hours.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. We’re going to do lots of stuff, right, Shaun?”
Becky knelt next to Shaun’s chair. He kicked his feet with excitement and smiled. A sudden anxiety gripped Evan, a cold fist inside his chest. An overwhelming urge to stay blanketed him. He frowned, trying to trace where the feeling came from, but as swiftly as it appeared, the dread vanished.
He shook his head, waiting for something else. Another warning? Premonition?
“Evan, are you okay?”
He glanced at Becky, who still held Shaun’s hands in hers. Her eyes looked cautious. How long had he been standing there?
“I’m fine, gathering my wits. Not much to gather, though.”
Becky laughed politely at the joke.
“Okay, you be good,” Evan said, stepping forward to kiss Shaun on the forehead. “And like I said, you need anything, definitely call.”
“Will do.”
He stopped at the door to don a sweater and grab his laptop. He knew if he looked back one more time, he wouldn’t leave. With the feeling of plunging out of an airplane, he shut the door behind him and jogged down the hill, toward the lake.
~
Evan glanced at the van’s dashboard clock and looked around the vacant park for the third time. Wind buffeted the vehicle, making it rock on its springs. The street he parked on had no traffic, and the only buildings in sight were a row of townhouses and one small apartment complex on the corner. Dead leaves from the previous fall skipped down the sidewalk, their hides raw and brown, ready to crack and break apart with the spring’s moisture. Other than the breeze and pressing clouds, he was alone.
The door to the van opened, filling the vehicle with cool air.
“Shit, you scared me,” Evan said, relaxing as Selena smiled and climbed into the passenger seat.
She wore a blue knitted hat that contrasted her brown hair nicely, along with smart-looking slacks and a short coat.
“Sorry, couldn’t help myself,” she said, still grinning.
“Yeah, you look sorry,” Evan said, putting the van in drive. “Did you really eat lunch out in this weather?”
“Well, no, not today, actually. But I almost always do when it’s nice. I love that park. Barely anyone comes there, it’s so peaceful.”
“I could’ve picked you up at your office.”
“I know, but I like to walk, and it’s not that far from my building.”
Evan guided the van through the streets of Mill River until they rode south out of town. He couldn’t help look out his window at the lake, seeking the island.
“You doing okay?” Selena asked.
He brought his eyes back to the road. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“Worried about him?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes.” She smiled and lightly touched his arm. “I’m sure he’s fine. You said the PCA was highly recommended, right?”
He sighed. “Yeah, she is.”
“Then they’ll have fun while you’re off ghost hunting.”
He had to smile. “I hope we don’t run into any ghosts.”
“You said we’re going to an abandoned mansion, right? All those places are haunted, don’t you watch TV?”
“You believe in ghosts? A learned woman of psychology?”
“Sure. There’s too many people telling too many stories for it not to be true.”
“Collective hallucinations.”
“Not a chance.” She looked at him. “What do you think?”
He remained quiet for a long time. “People are haunted, not buildings. There’s things inside that they can’t let go of, and that changes them, usually not for the better.”