Chapter 1
"My name is Melinda Gordon. I'm married and I live in a small town. I own an antique shop. I might be just like you. Except from the time I was a little girl I knew I could talk to the dead. Earthbound spirits my grandmother called them. The ones who have not crossed over yet because they have unfinished business with the living and they come to me for help. My son, Aiden, and my daughter, Nancy, can see them too. In order to tell you my story, I have to tell you theirs."
Melinda, Aiden, and Delia in the middle of the antique store going through boxes Melinda purchased from a garage sale.
"Wow, Mom," Aiden said. "How much stuff did you buy?"
"A lot," Melinda replied. "Please don't tell your father."
"Okay," Aiden said.
Melinda looked outside to see her 8-year-old daughter, Nancy, in the park talking.
"Aiden," Melinda said. "Can you go get your sister?"
"Sure," Aiden said.
Aiden walked out of the shop and across the street to the park. Nancy stood there talking to a shinie named Anna.
"I want you to give your brother a message," Anna said. "Tell him that the river will…"
"Nancy," Aiden said. "Mom said you need to come inside."
Nancy looked and Anna was gone.
"I was talking to Anna," Nancy said.
"Who's Anna?" Aiden asked.
"She's a shinie," Nancy replied. "She said to tell you that the river will…"
"The river will what?" Aiden asked.
"I don't know," Nancy replied. "You scared her off."
"I wish I could still see shinies," Aiden said.
"Why can't you?" Nancy asked.
"I don't know," Aiden replied. "When I turned 13, I realized I couldn't see them anymore."
"But you still see spirits," Nancy said.
"I know," Aiden said. "It's so strange."
"Do you think it will happen to me too?" Nancy asked.
"I don't know," Aiden replied.
"Hello!" a voice shouted. "Can anyone see me?"
Aiden and Nancy turned around to see a little boy with light brown hair.
"Can you see me?" the boy asked.