The lady’s partner slides his chair back, stands, and shakes Momma’s hand.
“Ms. Beck, I think Winter heard something she shouldn’t have. But we discussed it, and she understands she shouldn’t repeat everything she hears or sees. It was probably kids’ playground talk,” Detective White says.
“So, we’re done here.” Relief starts to settle on Momma’s face, and she pats her chest.
“Yes, you are.”
They walk us to the door. Detective White reaches inside her pocket for a pen and one of her cards.
“Ms. Beck, I think you should take Winter to see this lady. She’s a friend of mine, and she’s good with helping kids sort out what’s real from what’s not. Winter’s a good kid. Try not to be too hard on her.”
Detective White winks at me.
We leave and a week later, my mother takes me to see the lady Detective White had spoken of, Ms. Bellamy. I go in for counseling but get something else. She tells me to lie back, relax, and repeat after her. And I do.
“I’m going to make the ghost go away, but I need your help.”
I trust her because she’s a friend of Ms. White’s, so I do as she tells me.
Ms. Bellamy smiles as she says, “After today, you won’t see any more ghosts, at least, not for a while, I promise.”
***
Wiping the drool from the corner of my mouth, I blink a few times before reaching into my bag for the bottle of water. I hadn’t thought about Ms. White and Ms. Bellamy in years. Back then, I called Ms. Bellamy the good witch because of what she’d done. I’m pretty sure she hypnotized or spelled me. At the time, I was just too young to know it and too young to care. It worked and that was what mattered.
I almost don’t care now, except, it’s been happening again—I’ve been seeing strange things and having even stranger visions. Roman’s been in most of them, and he’s always in trouble and calling out for my help.
I always think about him and wish I wouldn’t. How we broke up, him leaving with no real reason, it didn’t add up. After four years, I thought we had a solid relationship. But six months ago, he’d left, and I haven’t heard from him since. I guess I was wrong about us and what we had.
After taking a swig from the water bottle, I look over at Soraya who’s texting and then down at my watch. It’s been less than an hour since we boarded the bus, but it seems longer.
“I hope you’re texting Liam and you two are making up.”
She’s my best friend and I love her, but I like her better when she’s in a relationship. Otherwise, she becomes a nag, offering advice and solutions to nonexistent problems, when I happen to enjoy my life the way it is.
“Nope, it’s not him. It’s work-related but I’m wrapping it up. You’re lucky to have me, so stop with your griping. Anyway, who goes on a bus ride during Christmas? Only you, and I’ll tell you why; it’s because you don’t have anyone to warm you up.” She places her phone in her bag. Looping her arm in mine, she leans on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m here.” She settles against me.
“Yay, lucky me.”
She’s going on and on about how I need to get laid and in between words, getting as much flavor as possible out of the gum she’s smacking on.
Anyway, I’ll never tell her but she’s right…I’m not feeling the holidays. Soraya has her own theory about why, insisting that having the right someone during the cold months would make me think differently. But I’ve had someone during the winter months. Hell, we were together for four years. Last Christmas we even got a small tree because that’s what Roman wanted. Damn…I hate thinking about him. Everything about this time of year reminds me of him and it doesn’t help that his birthday is December 25. Still, I’m a summer type of girl. I prefer warmer days, less clothes, and beaches, despite my name being Winter and regardless of whether or not I’m in a relationship.
She lifts her head off my shoulder, giving me some much-needed space.
“I thought there was no smoking on this bus,” Soraya says, turning around in her seat curving and glancing down the walkway. Undoubtedly, she was giving the violator a vulgar stare-down with those weird, slanted, amber eyes of hers, with just a hint of copper.
If her candidness didn’t get her the response she wanted, her eyes would. Strangely enough, she’d have the same effect with a softer approach she rarely opted for, since her exotic appearance called for attention, in a good way. She was the very definition of a natural beauty and instead of being a mechanic worker, she could have easily been a model.
“I guess they didn’t get the memo.” I laugh, trying to appease her.
“Well, they’re about to get it.” She was in full Soraya mode and ready to attack. I put my hand on her knee just as she was about to get up.
“Please, let it go.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me. Twenty-three hours of this. I don’t think so.” She pushes my hand away.
I roll my eyes, knowing where this is heading.
“At least try to be nice about it. We’re stuck with them for a while.”
“Umm, yeah, right. I’ll be sure to use my lady voice.” She bats her long, curvy lashes, and give me a sideways smile, showing off the deep dimple in her right cheek.
Sighing, I turn my attention toward the window. There was no point trying to convince her to be cool. Anyway, I couldn’t really blame her. We’d only been on the bus less than an hour. If they’d started to blow smoke already, they’d likely not have a change of heart. Before long, every smoker on here would be pulling out their lighters.
I don’t bother to look back, Soraya isn’t soft-spoken in the least, and I’m sure everyone on the 3556 Greyhound will hear her. Whether they will appreciate her directness will depend on which team they’re on—smokers, versus nonsmokers.
“Do you mind putting out the poison? In case you didn’t notice the signs, this is a nonsmoker’s bus.”
“Lady, it’s just a cigarette.”
“It’s just a cigarette to you but to me and everyone else inhaling secondhand smoke, it’s poison. So stop leading us to a fast death before I report your ass to the driver.”
Something’s telling me to get up and usher her back to her seat but doing so would only make me miserable for the rest of the trip. I’ll let it play out as it may, hoping things won’t go too far.
Digging inside my hoodie pocket, I put in my earbuds and turn up the volume on my MP3 player, high enough to drown out the commotion. Turning to the window, I take in the scenery, which is nice, but I don’t recognize it. I thought I’d known all the back roads, but I guess I was wrong. This area is completely unfamiliar.
Darkness is quickly taking over the skies and the snow is starting to come down heavier. It’s beautiful but I’m becoming concerned. The weather app hadn’t indicated snow until the morning.
I look toward the front of the bus and can barely see out of the window. I’m certain the driver’s sight of the road is impaired too. I can only get a glance of his right side, but don’t miss it when his head turns toward the wooded area. Instinctively, I do the same. I’m assuming he’s looking for a place to pull over.
Taking a double look, I lean in closer to the window, fixing my stare outside. I barely see the shadow of a figure. It’s more of a glow.
The bus is starting to slow down. I remove my earbuds just as Soraya makes it back to her seat.
“You can thank me for a smoke-free trip.” She forces out a deep breath, plunking down next to me. She continues to speak but my focus isn’t on what she’s saying. I’m pretty sure I see the glow again and this time, it’s in front of the bus.
“Are you paying attention?” She shoulder-bumps me.
“Thank you, Soraya,” I say absently.