Chapter six

Hope

Dinner at the Ackerman house was pretty creepy tonight. Everyone was behaved. Even Dopey. Which, if you think about it, is very scary all by itself.

Anyways, the reason why no one was acting like a pig at the table was because next to Dopey, with a big smile on her face sat, Debbie Mancuso. She sat straight up and was attentive and ready to answer any question fired her way. Which, in this case, was a lot. And surprising enough, most of the questions that were asked, were from non other than my mother herself.

I mean, yeah, we live in the same house, eat the same food, watch the same television, try to avoid one another, but do we really relate to each other? I mean, you would think that half or most of these questions would be asked by Andy, since Brad is his son. But, NOOOOOO. The asker has to be my mother. And, wicked, the askee is Debbie Mancuso.

Just thinking that name runs chills down my spine. But does she scare me? Hell no. And that is my final answer.

"So…" My mother began, trying to start up the conversation from the deafening silence crowding the small room. "How long have you and Brad been together, Debbie?"

Oh, God. I hope I'm the only one who heard that. The way my mom said Debbie was like she was referring to a goddess. She never did that with me! Well, I guess Debbie isn't a mediator either, so:

Suze: 0

Debbie: 1

I suck.

"Oh, well, I'm not sure exactly." Debbie turned to Brad for help. "How long has it been sweetie?"

I had to do it. I had to. You would have to. I mean, who calls their guy, Sweetie? Obviously, not me, since no boy would ever want a freak like me as a girlfriend. Well, Paul would. But, he doesn't count. I don't think the son of Satan is qualified for that role. And then, Jesse. Oh course, he is qualified. A little dead, but we can work around that.

Right?

Brad looked jumbled and a little confused. Of course he didn't know. He didn't even know what 12 x 12 was. Easy, 144. Ha, Brad! Take that!

"Well…" Oh, God. Now he's thinking. We're all doomed. "About two weeks, I think." He had the expression that thinking hurt his brain, and that he could double over and pass out if he did anymore, so he stopped. Debbie saw this and started rubbing his arm up and down. I guess no one noticed this little action but me. And Brad. And Jesse.

Uh-oh. How long had he been standing there? He was standing behind Andy, eyeing me with something that I couldn't quite figure out. When he saw that I noticed his presence, he gave a half smile and waved his hand for me to come into the next room.

"Uh, Mom, I'll be right back." I said standing up.

"Ok, Sweetie."

"Want anything?"

"I would like a glass of water, Suze." Debbie asked sweetly. I smiled back and bumbled out of the dinning room into the kitchen.

Jesse was looking at the objects that were stuck to the fridge. Mostly old graded papers. Pictures of Jake, Brad and David covered the top and two pictures of me were held to the electronic by cute magnets that said, "If you are what you eat, I'm fast, cheap and easy."

Okay, maybe they're not so cute. Disgusting, come to think of it.

"Jesse?" I asked, trying not to disturb his peaceful search.

He jumped. And then, seeing that it was me, alone, he relaxed.

"Why did you jump? I'm the only one who can see you, dummy." I laughed quietly.

He smiled sheepishly. I had to laugh again, trying to keep my voice down so no one could hear me but Jesse. "So, what is it that you want?" I asked after my laughing had ended.

"Father Dominick wishes to see you." I let out a moan. "It's about the murders. He thinks he has come up with a reasonable suspect."

I plopped down in one of the chairs at the kitchen table, slumping in my chair. "I think it would be wise of you to go Susannah."

I moaned again letting my forehead hit the table, hard. I'm so glad that didn't hurt. Otherwise I would be seeing dancing ghosts around my head. Mainly Jesse.

"Susannah?" I didn't answer. I didn't want to go anywhere. Especially to Father Dom. I mean, I'm in the middle of a wonderfully made dinner, sitting across from one of Dopeys bimbo girlfriends, planning on my ways of escaping from Paul for tomorrow night. Now, do I really want to go to Father Doms?

No.

"Susannah." Now he wasn't asking, he was telling. I could tell he was a little peeved by me not answering him, the cabinets doors were shaking. I tensed, ready for them to come off the hinges. I must have been shaking a little because Jesses voice turned from a little angry, to calm and gentle. "Querida." I now noticed the cabinets had stopped shaking.

I looked up. Then I had to look down. Jesse was squatting at my side. His eyes were a perfection staring back at me. My heart almost stopped at the sight of him. His stare was intense, I could feel him look through me.

"Jesse." Was all I could get out. I blinked braking my trance. I looked over Jesse to see that everyone was still at the table. Then I brought my eyes back to Jesse, who was still staring at me. "If we want a normal conversation without all the whispering, I suggest we head up to my room."

He laughed and nodded.

I quietly escaped the kitchen, tip toeing, with Jesse following. Except, he didn't have to be quiet or tip toe. He has the luxury of sneaking around as loud as he wants because of the fact that he's dead. I wonder if Shifters have that kind of power. You know, where they can make all of the noise around them disappear. Hmm. That's a question I have to ask Paul.

Walking up the steps quietly was a little challenging, since the steps would creak under your weight. The whole time up them I couldn't help but wonder: Is Jesse staring at my butt?

Nah. He wouldn't. He's too formal and proper. He would never stare at a girls butt. Well, I hope I'm not right. I mean, yeah, if it was some other guy I wouldn't want him staring at my butt. But come on, this is Jesse. My love. He HAS to be staring. I only wish that hopes would come true. Because, boy, was I hoping.

In my room, Jesse and I made ourselves comfortable on my bed. Well, I made myself comfortable by laying down and scooting over, hoping that he would want to join me. But he just walked over to my nightstand and looked down on it.

"Are you going to sit down," I said patting the space in front of me on my bed, hoping to get his attention, "or are you going to stand there staring at my phone ignoring my presence ?" That got his attention. He smiled and climbed in next to me.

We were both facing each other. Laying on our sides, so we could see the others face. Silence. No movement at all. I wanted something to happen. I knew it was in my eyes. I could see it in his. But he was holding himself back. And I knew the reason.

He's dead. I'm alive.

This made my heart ache. I wanted him so bad. I knew he wanted me as well. But because of the whole Alive/dead thing we couldn't really make anything out of this. I would grow old and die, while he stayed the same handsome age he is now. I wanted to scream. I wanted to curse everyone and everything that made my life such a living hell. But, I do know this. Even though I hate being a mediator, I'm glad I am one. I would never have met Jesse if I wasn't. But, then again, I would never have to grow up with a broken heart because I know me and Jesse cant be together.

But the things with the psychic. She said that I was a mediator. And that I would only have one love in my life. Is Jesse my one love? If so, am I supposed to live without him, loving him until the day I die. Or is there a chance that Jesse can be brought back to life? Thinking of this makes me wonder if there is a way, will there have to be a sacrifice? And if there is, will it require a life? Or a gift?

Because, if there is a way, and it can use a gift… I'll gladly fork mine over and lose all ties to the afterlife.

Anything….

For my Jesse….

(P&P: I hope everyone liked this chapter. Sorry I haven't updated in so long. I have been very busy. I've been helping my friend with his health problems. On the 8th it was my 15 birthday. My Minnie me spent the night over and didn't go home until the 9th. So, yeah. I've been a little busy. Well, please R&R. Chapter seven will be coming along soon.