The next day, the Harveys were driving down the road in their fully packed car, and James was loudly singing along with the music on the radio; Kat was sitting in the front seat with her sunglasses on, and Michelle was sitting in the crowded back seat, listening to her CD player. The older sister was still sulking over her crushed dreams of settling down and going to college.
Kat eventually got tired of her father singing, so she turned the radio off, and James stopped singing. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry about your cactus corners," James apologized.
Kat just muttered something as Michelle removed her earphones. "I don't care what they said," James told his younger daughter, "You and your sister are not demented. Both of you are a picture of health."
"They were talking about you!" Kat snapped, "I mean, try explaining afterlife therapy to a bunch of junior high kids!"
"Not to mention those who wanna go to college – like me!" Michelle added.
"Michelle, please!" James said to his older daughter, "I've told you – college can wait!" He turned back to Kat and said, "Hey, some people go through life, never questioning the norm. But you, Michelle, and I – we're doing something extraordinary with our lives!"
"No, we're not," muttered Michelle.
Kat removed her shades and added, "She's right for once – we aren't doing anything! You're the one who's been packing up my stuff, and Michelle's, and moving us around the country!"
"And you're also ruining my dreams!" Michelle snapped.
"Michelle, let it go!" James sternly said to his older daughter.
"I mean, in two years," Kat continued to her father, "I have been to nine different schools, and eaten in nine different cafeterias. I mean, I can't even remember anyone's name! For once, I would just like to be in one place, long enough to make a friend!"
"And I'd like to go to a better school where I can plan my career and get away from HER!" Michelle added with anger, "I'm tired of listening to Kat bitch all the time, Dad!"
"Michelle, Kat isn't the only one bitching here," James frowned at her before he turned back to Kat, "Honey, you and Michelle both will find a friend." The girls both scoffed as James smiled, "I mean, come on – we're moving to Friendship, Maine! Even I might make one!"
"Yeah, you'd better, Dad," Kat said with a sarcastic smile, "Cause with a single guy your age, it's more likely to become a band customs than to make new friends."
James chuckled and said, "You sound like your mother."
Those words hit Michelle like a punch in the face. Michelle was much closer to her mother than she was with her father. So she turned away from her family and stared out her window in order to hide back silent tears.
Kat also felt a sudden pang in her heart about her late mother, but she decided to hold in the feelings. She looked at her father and stated, "You're not gonna find her. Mom's not a ghost, Dad."
It doesn't matter what she is, thought Michelle as she let a tear flow down her cheek, she's gone forever, and nothing can bring her back.
"Oh, yes, she is," James said to Kat; he was still determined to seek the spirit of his wife and make contact with her. "She has unfinished business," he continued.
"There's no such thing as ghosts," Kat said with no interest.
"I'm with her for once," Michelle said under her breath as she wiped her eyes.
James decided to pull off to the side of the road and stop the car. "I'll tell you girls what," James said to his daughters, "You two go with me one last time, I don't find what I'm looking for – then, it's over. No more moving, no more ghost finding. And Michelle, then you may go to college."
Michelle and Kat looked at their father with disbelief. "You promise?" asked Kat.
"You swear it?" added Michelle; she was a bit suspicious and unsure.
"Promise," James nodded.
Kat smiled and held her pinky finger up as she said, "Deal!"
"Deal!" James said as he also took his pinky finger and locked it into Kat's.
Michelle thought for a moment, and then decided to stick her pinky finger out as she said, "Deal." The three of them did a big pinky swear, and then James continued driving down the highway.
For several days, the Harveys travelled along the highways of America, going all the way from New Mexico to Maine. Before long, they reached the town of Friendship. Michelle was in awe as she saw all the pretty autumn scenes and the glittering waters of the boat harbors. "I never thought New England would be so gorgeous in the autumn," the older girl breathed with amazement.
Soon the family drove off the road and onto some grassy paths over to Whipstaff Manor. When they got out, James and his girls looked up at the creepy-looking mansion in awe. "Wow!" James breathed, "It's not so bad, huh?"
"I dunno, Dad," Michelle said uneasily, "I don't like the looks of this. I don't even wanna think about all the spiders and rats living in there!"
"Michelle, it'll be okay," James assured her.
"Stephen King," mumbled Kat. Just then, there came the sound of a car horn.
The Harveys looked over and saw Carrigan and Dibs come out of their own car. "Dr. Harvey, hello!" Carrigan greeted as she walked over to James and his girls, "I'm Carrigan Crittenden, and this is Dibs."
"Hello," Dibs smiled as he shook Dr. Harvey's hand, "I'm a close, personal friend!"
James smiled as he brought his girls over. "And this is my daughter Michelle, and her younger sister Kat," he said as he introduced the uninterested girls.
"His close, personal daughter," Kat said with a forced smile.
"And I'm his personal but not quite so close daughter," Michelle said glumly, much to her father's annoyance.
Carrigan and Dibs examined the girls as Carrigan stated, "Very nice to meet you, Kat and Michelle."
"Yes, very nice to meet you," repeated Dibs.
"You have two beautiful daughters, Dr. Harvey," Carrigan complimented as she looked at Kat and Michelle's faces.
"Very beautiful," repeated Dibs.
"I can't tell you two how happy we are that you could come all the way to Whipstaff!" Carrigan said.
"Very happy," agreed Dibs.
"The both of us," said Carrigan.
"Do you mind?" Michelle asked with annoyance.
"You're kinda hurting my face," Kat said before Carrigan let go of her chin.
The blonde woman turned to James and asked, "So, Dr. Harvey, exactly what kind of time frame are you looking at? Please tell me you'll just go in the house and spray it, and that's it."
Dibs mimicked a spraying can and made its noises to improvise.
"No, no," James stated to Dibs and Carrigan, "As with the traditional psychological cure, it can take weeks, or even years!"
"Excuse me," Carrigan said as she held her hand up, "You didn't just say the word 'years', did you?"
"It's conceivable," said James.
"No, it isn't!" Carrigan said softly with disbelief, "Days is conceivable, weeks, maybe."
"Possible," Dibs whispered to Dr. Harvey.
"Months, no," Carrigan continued, "Years – forget it!"
"Forget it!" repeated Dibs.
"Dibs, check!" said the blonde woman. Dibs took out a check, and Carrigan snatched it from him. "Get back!" She turned to James and warned, "Now, Dr. Harvey, I will be watching you very closely!"
Dibs went over to the car and got out a big bouquet of flowers. Carrigan took the flowers and shoved at James as she finished, "These are for you!"
"Have a lovely night," Dibs smiled as he and Carrigan went off. James just gave a small smile and nodded.