Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews!
Chapter 2- The Arrival
Johanna cursed herself for walking out of the house without her gloves as she walked across the old cemetery, heading for the black wrought iron fence at the far end of the property where her grandparents graves were located. She shivered, the cold air wrapping around her despite the warm black coat she wore. She had a bouquet of red and white carnations clutched in one hand; the other securely wrapped around the strap of her purse. Another shiver raced through her but it had nothing to do with the cold as she stepped around a patch of ice; the place was eerie and quiet…so very quiet. It always unnerved her and made her question her judgment about visiting but she had promised her aunt Bridget that she'd always make sure that Sarah and Patrick McKenzie had flowers for the holidays. She took a breath, the cold air stinging her lungs as she quickened her pace a little. She had another reason for coming as well…a mission she hoped could be completed quickly.
A cardinal was perched on Sarah's stone as Johanna approached; the bird squawking as soon as she came near. She smirked a little, not surprised in the slightest when the bird didn't move when she came to a stop in front of the graves. She separated her bouquet and kneeled down to place the flowers in each vase, the bird carrying on its racket as she did so.
"I know it's you, Sarah; stop squawking at me and say your piece if you're of a mind to do so."
The bird ruffled its feathers, puffing itself up with indignation as it squawked louder. Johanna rolled her eyes. "If you expect me to understand that I'm going to need a translator."
The cardinal flew away but Johanna remained kneeling on the ground. She had a feeling Sarah would show herself sooner or later…and she hoped it would be sooner. She was sure that Sarah was around, not only because of the cardinal, but because Jim's phone had misbehaved all morning, her paperweight was missing again and the house had been chilly. She breathed deeply; she didn't mind Sarah's mischief or her occasional visits…but she had a feeling that there might be something more to Sarah's return beyond keeping her promise to pop in once in awhile. Her grandmother was an opinionated woman; Jim's joke the night before could be correct…Sarah might not be pleased with her attitude.
Johanna sighed; just what she needed; a moody ghost.
"You could've waited for me at home," Sarah declared as she appeared next to her. "It's not like I don't know where to find you."
"I know," she answered; "But I wanted to bring flowers anyway."
Her grandmother eyed her knowingly. "Mhmm…and you were hoping to head off anything I might have to say that you won't like."
Johanna's brow rose. "Does that mean you intend to say things I won't like?"
Sarah shrugged as she motioned for her to rise from her place on the ground. "I usually always stumble across something that you aren't too crazy about; but it's alright, I don't fear your temper, kitten."
"Why don't I like the sound of that?" she asked. "That sounds like you have something up your sleeve."
Sarah held her gaze. "I believe you suspected that already…that's why you came here. You thought if you came here that it would be a brief conversation that you could shut down quickly and then go one your way…but, kitten, your grandmother isn't a fool. I know you, I know the tricks up your sleeve…so I think we should get you out of this cold weather before you get sniffles that will have Jim fretting and get you home. Your house is nice and cozy and far more comfortable."
She knew it wouldn't do any good to protest; Sarah could come and go as she pleased; she could find her anywhere and at any time. There was no running from a ghost…and it seemed, there was no running from the opinions of others and the things she'd like to avoid. Her head lowered in a moment of defeat.
"You're a McKenzie," Sarah stated.
The comment made her raise her head, her cold hand slipping into her pocket for her car keys. "I guess I'll see you at home, Sarah," she said in resignation.
The ghost shook her head. "No, I'll ride along with you."
"You're coming with me?"
"Oh yes; I love to ride in automobiles and yours is so pretty. Red is such a lovely color."
Johanna nodded. "It's my favorite."
"I know," Sarah remarked. "Come along; let's get going."
"I have a question," she said as they made their way toward the car. "Do I need to open the door for you or are you going to get in on your own."
"I can get in on my own," Sarah answered; "But it might be nice to have someone open a door for me for a change."
"Is anyone going to see me doing that?" Johanna asked; "Because I assume I'm the only one who can see you at the moment."
"No one will see," the spirit promised.
She wasn't too sure about that but she unlocked the passenger side door and made a show of laying her purse inside as Sarah glided into the seat, a cool tingling breeze brushing against Johanna as she did so. Seeing that her companion was seated, Johanna closed the door and hurried around to the driver's side and got in, locking the door behind her.
"I can't believe this," she muttered; looking at the beaming spirit in the seat next to her. "I'm chauffeuring a ghost."
"How do you know that you haven't before? You have no idea who might have been in your car at various times."
"I'm not sure that's an entirely comforting thought so let's move on," Johanna said as she put the key in the ignition and started the car.
"May I play with your telephone?" Sarah asked as she plucked it from the pocket of Johanna's purse. "Do you still have that candy game you showed me before?"
She sighed and remained parked, holding out her hand for the phone so she could launch the app. "I think maybe it was a bad idea that I showed you this," she remarked, laying the phone on top of her purse for Sarah to retrieve as she wanted to pull out before the car approaching could park near her.
"I like it," the spirit quipped as she picked up the phone and began to touch the screen.
"Yes, I know…knock yourself out."
"Can we go on a short trip?" Sarah asked, glancing away from the screen.
"Where do you want to go?"
"I want to see my house," she replied. "I haven't seen my house in a long time."
"How come?"
"Because once Patrick had joined me and it was sold, there was no reason for me to visit it…but I would like to see it, if it isn't too much trouble."
"No, no trouble at all," Johanna said softly.
The soft sound of the radio was the noise in the car for several minutes as Johanna headed toward the home that Patrick and Sarah McKenzie had lived in…a house she could find her way to blindfolded because it sat at the bottom of the street she had grown up on. She couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like if things had gone differently and she had grown up with Sarah just down the street.
"It would've been nice," Sarah spoke; startling her from her thoughts.
"What?" Johanna asked.
"If I had gotten to live down the street from you when you were growing up; it would've been nice."
"Yeah; it would've been…I have a feeling the time I ran away, I probably would've run to you if you had been there."
Sarah gave her a small sad smile. "I would've taken you inside and set you down for cookies and tea; listened to your troubles and then called your mother to arrange an overnight stay."
"That would've been nice," she murmured. "It would've been way better than being brought home by that cop."
The spirit smiled. "I was glad he came across you when he did…I wasn't sure how to get you out of that train station. That was a trying day for both of us."
Johanna gave a soft laugh. "I'm sorry."
"Oh it's alright; a little excitement is good for us," Sarah quipped. "I would've never let you get on the train though, even if you had enough money. I would've taken drastic measures."
"Like what?"
"Like scaring the hell out of you and sending you running back home."
"That doesn't sound like fun," Johanna remarked. "I'm glad it didn't come to that."
"Me too."
Soon enough, Johanna was turning onto that familiar street, an ancient ache spreading slowly across her heart as she recalled that her mother was no longer just two more minutes away from the house her grandparents had owned. She pulled over in front of her grandfather's house, glancing at Sarah as she peered out at it. "Where's my tree?" the spirit asked softly; her pale hands fluttering against her chest. "Where's my Cherry Blossom tree?"
"I guess the most recent owners had it cut down," Johanna said gently.
"Oh how could they!" Sarah cried. "Patrick got me that tree because I loved them so. Oh how could they be so cruel?"
"I'm sorry, Sarah," Johanna murmured. "The tree was still there before I left so I assume the most recent owners are responsible. It was a beautiful tree; I can see why you loved it."
The spirit's lower lip trembled and she glanced away for a second before looking back to the house that she had called home. "They painted my shutters and the trim blue…Patrick always kept them black."
"I remember," Johanna told her.
"I suppose my flower beds in the back are probably gone too," Sarah said with a whimper. "The ones beside the porch certainly are."
She nodded; the ghost's sadness easily felt as it filled the car. "I see toys in the yard; children must live here," she said; hoping to bring Sarah some kind of comfort.
The spirit nodded. "It is a house meant to be full of children."
"Judging from the toys I'd say there's at least two; a boy and a girl."
"Take me away from here, Josie; my heart hurts," Sarah whispered as if she couldn't bear the sight of her old home any longer.
Johanna put the car in drive and drove up the street, coming to a stop in front the house she had grown up in. The for sale sign was still in the yard; the windows empty of curtains and blinds.
"This is where you grew up," Sarah stated.
"Yes," she whispered; "And it makes my heart hurt too. I keep trying to convince Greg to buy it so it can be brought back into the family. He's looking for a house for him and Kelly and Ally…and baby number two; whoever it might be. He says he's considering it…I keep hoping they'll get it."
"Perhaps they will and then you'll be able to visit home again," the spirit stated.
"That would be nice."
"I'm sure you have fond Christmas memories in that house," Sarah commented.
Johanna stiffened slightly. "Yes; I do."
"It would probably be nice to be back there at Christmas time again; it wouldn't be the same of course; but being in that house, with family living there once again…I bet it would feel very special."
"I'm sure you have fond memories of your house too, Sarah," she said as she put the car in drive and continued on down the road so she could turn around and head back the way she needed.
"I do…especially at Christmas time. Everything is so much warmer and special at Christmas; don't you agree?"
Johanna glanced at her quickly; her jaw tight with tension. "No; I don't."
"Hmm," Sarah said; "That sounds like a problem we need to address."
"We don't."
"We do but it can wait until your home. I can't believe that you really don't enjoy the feel the holidays bring."
"Well believe it," she snapped. "I am through with holidays."
"Yes; you've been saying that…I just don't think it's such a good idea."
"I wasn't aware that I had asked your opinion."
"Don't you take that tone with me, young lady!"
"I wouldn't take a tone with you if you didn't poke into things that don't need poked."
"Like last year?" Sarah asked. "I think you needed a lot of…shall we say, provoking, at that time too."
Johanna sighed. "Am I in for another round of visitors, Sarah?"
"At the moment you'll just be putting up with me…but if I need to bring a few friends in to help with this endeavor; I will."
"They're suiting up in the locker room, huh?"
"Something like that," Sarah declared as she put Johanna's phone back in her purse.
"Giving up on the game already?"
"Yes; I can't seem to win that round."
"I've been stuck on it all week if it makes you feel any better."
"A little; but I shall feel much better once we adjust your attitude a little."
"My attitude is fine," Johanna declared.
"Not about some things."
She sighed. "Must we do this?"
"Not right at this second, no," Sarah said. "I'll meet you at your home and we'll continue there."
"Oh good, something to look forward to," Johanna said; her tone carrying a hint of snark as Sarah faded from sight.
As Johanna stepped through the back door and into the kitchen, she could tell that Sarah was indeed waiting for her somewhere in the house. Her home felt chilly as it always did when she had a guest from the other realm waiting on her and she could hear the distressed meows of her kitten…or perhaps it wasn't right to still call her a kitten; she was only a few months short of a year old. Scarlett wasn't overly fond of Sarah's random visits; Johanna mused as she dropped her purse and keys on the table and shrugged out of her coat; draping it over the chair before heading in the direction of the office. For some reason the spirit frightened her small grey and white tabby.
As she pushed open the door of the office, Scarlett came running toward her with a meow. She stooped down and picked up her cat, cuddling her close as Sarah meowed at her. Johanna cut her a sharp look. "Sarah, don't torment my cat; she's just a baby."
"I'm not tormenting her," the spirit declared from the piano bench that she had dragged over in front of Johanna's desk.
"Then what do you call it?"
"Trying to speak to her in her own language," Sarah remarked. "She gives new meaning to the term scaredy cat."
"She does not," Johanna said as she carried the cat to her chair and settled down, placing her on her lap. "It's alright, Scarlett; Sarah won't hurt you."
The cat meowed and jumped down to hide beneath the desk, settling closed to Johanna's feet. Sarah shook her head. "I hope you weren't counting on her to be some type of guard animal."
"Do you have a problem with my cat?" she asked.
"Yes; she doesn't like me," her grandmother declared. "Why doesn't she like me?"
"Maybe because you pop up in front of her and it scares the hell out of her…and then you meow at her," Johanna replied. "Maybe you should be nice to her."
"Alright; I'll bring her a kitty treat next time I come."
"Where are you going to get kitty treats?"
"I get what I need," Sarah declared. "I'm still not sure Scarlett is a proper name for a kitty; it's quite unusual."
"I named her after Scarlett O'Hara," Johanna remarked. "I was reading Gone With The Wind when Jim gave her to me; I already explained that to you."
"Yes, I know," Sarah said with a wave of her hand. "Let's move on. First of all; it's so nice to see you again, darling."
"It's nice to see you too, Sarah," she replied warmly. "I missed you when fall came and your random summer visits stopped."
"I missed our chats too but I was still with you."
"I know…I do wish though that you'd quit breaking glasses around here. They aren't as cheap as they were in your day, you know?"
"I'm sure things have gone up a little," Sarah remarked.
"A little," Johanna scoffed. "Try a lot."
"Anyway," the spirit declared. "Let's move on to more pressing topics."
"Oh goody," she said sarcastically. "I can hardly wait."
Sarah smiled. "Your wait is over, kitten. We shall broach the topic that's had you jolting awake all night; fearing that you're going to see me standing next to your bed and tell you to touch my dress so that we can fly off to the past."
"We're not going to do that, are we?" Johanna asked with trepidation.
"No; not that I know of…but if you press me, I might have to do it just to teach you a lesson."
Johanna shuddered at the thought. "I don't think I want to sign up for that experience."
Her grandmother's lips tipped upwards at one corner, a victorious look in her eyes. "No; you definitely do not want to sign up for that."
She sighed as she leaned down and unzipped her boots; pulling them off carefully to keep from hitting the cat who was still curled up next to her feet. "Let's just get on with it, Sarah."
A stern look crossed the spirit's features. "What is this business about you not celebrating Christmas this year?"
"It's really quite simple; I'm not doing it."
"Why not?"
"I celebrated last year; it was a disaster. I don't want a repeat and I'm not doing it. I'm done with all of it; the shopping, the decorating, the baking, and whatever else there is."
"You're really going to give those things called gift cards?"
"Yes," she said with a nod.
"What exactly is a gift card, darling?"
Johanna opened one of her desk drawers and took out the credit card she used for online shopping. "See this credit card?"
"Yes."
"A gift card is the same size and shape as this; they're decorated for the holiday. You go to a specific store and you pick up one from their display and you tell the cashier how much money you want to put on it; for example, I would give Valerie a $100 gift card for Macy's; so I'd go ahead and pay Macy's that amount and they'd put it on the card for Valerie to use when she goes shopping."
Sarah frowned. "How utterly exciting. How does one stand the suspense when that card is handed over?"
Johanna smirked at her as she put her credit card away. "It's how things are done now, Sarah."
"Not by you."
"Yes; it's now going to be done by me too. Everybody gets gift cards."
Sarah arched a dark brow. "You're really going to give little Ally and little Jacob gift cards?"
Johanna sighed. "No; I'll order the little ones a toy and an outfit; plus give them a few dollars for their savings accounts."
"How nice of you…what about Gabby?"
"Gabby is a teenage girl; she'll be happy with a gift card; she'll have the freedom to pick her own gift."
"And Jim?"
"I'm buying Jim gifts. I already have a list of books he wants, the usual things like new clothes and cologne, things of that nature. I'm getting him a new wallet for sure; because that thing he's been carrying around for the last twenty years is about shot. I'll get him some tickets for an upcoming sports game and I'll find something big to get him too. I'd like to find himself something for the Camaro he's restoring but that might be a little harder to work with."
"I wasn't speaking of Jim gift wise; you already told him that you'd be buying him gifts," the spirit declared. "I meant celebration wise. Perhaps he'd like to celebrate the holiday."
Johanna laughed. "No, he doesn't."
"You don't know that for sure."
"Trust me, I do."
Sarah gave her a sharp look. "How do you know that he doesn't want to make up for last year?"
"Because I know my husband; when he wants to make up for something, he does it within a few days…not a year later. Jim doesn't care about Christmas and I'm totally over it. We're fine…expect for the fact that he doesn't want to go to the cabin and I'd like nothing more."
"Perhaps his reluctance means he wants to stay here and make Christmas good for you again."
"He doesn't; he just doesn't want to go right now. I figure he doesn't think his work will be done on time. Believe me, he doesn't care if we celebrate the holiday or not; he told me as much."
"What if it's just a front?"
"It's not," Johanna argued.
Sarah sighed. "Darling; I love you…but you can't just shun the holiday and pretend it doesn't exist. You've always loved Christmas."
"The key word in the sentence is loved, which is past tense. I no longer love it; I haven't for a long time."
"You were finding joy in it last year," Sarah said softly.
Johanna smirked at her. "Yeah; and we saw how that ended. I appreciate your concern about the topic, Sarah; but I'm not going to change my mind, so you may as well stop this live of conversation. I'm more than happy to have you pop in for your visits but the case of the holiday is closed."
"We'll see about that," Sarah said; her eyes flashing with challenge.
"I guess we will because I'm not going to budge on this, Sarah."
"Oh you'll budge," the spirit declared; "If I have to shove you myself. You will learn to embrace Christmas once more. It's supposed to be the happiest time of the year and damn it you're going to be happy!"
Johanna laughed. "What are you going to do? Tie me to a Christmas tree?"
"I haven't ruled anything out yet," she declared.
"I'm all a tremble," Johanna replied, rolling her eyes as she did so.
"Don't sass me, kitten," Sarah retorted. "You're going to celebrate Christmas…one way or another."
She smiled; disbelief shining in her eyes. "Sure, Sarah; whatever you say."
A flick of Sarah's wrist and the shelf full of books went tumbling to the floor from the book case; startling Scarlett and causing her to leap up on Johanna's lap, trembling beneath her hand as it stroked over her soothingly. "Damn it, Sarah; I hate when you do that!"
Sarah gave an exaggerated pout. "Oh isn't that a pity?" she said dramatically. "Perhaps it will teach you not to sass your grandmother. This is far from over, Johanna Elizabeth. Mark my words; you haven't heard the last of this."
"If you say so," Johanna replied.
The spirit gave her a sharp look before fading away once more; Johanna's phone suddenly blaring music from the kitchen. She sighed and looked down at her cat who was snuggled as close as she could get to her. "It's alright, Scarlett; she's gone now."
The cat meowed and she continued to pet her soothingly. "I know she scares you but really she's harmless," Johanna told her pet. "At least I think so."
