Four

"Susannah? Susannah!" I heard someone call my name. I groaned and rolled over. "Just five more minutes, mom."

"Susannah, it's me. Jesse," Jesse shook my shoulder.

I suddenly remembered that I was married. And what had happened yesterday. "Oh my gosh. What happened yesterday?" I asked Jesse.

"Once you fainted, I brought you home. They let me 'cause I'm a doctor. Then some more ghosts show up. No Gina. But Jake has called twice. He said he's coming ten minutes later," Jesse said.

I got up and set to make myself look presentable. I wouldn't want ghosts to see what an unglamorous mediator I am. Hey, I'm a fashion designer, and Jesse's a doctor, yet why does he always look so good in the morning?

Ding! Dong! The doorbell rang. Jesse pulled it open. Jake came rushing in. "Suze! What the heck was that about?"

"What?" I asked, confused.

"The…psychic thing! It's shown on every cable news programme! 'Plane crash on the Big Sur—Mediator saw its ghosts'. Mrs. Susannah de Silva has been a mediator since the age of two. She sees ghosts on a regular basis and helps them move on to the afterlife. That's freaky, you know! Are you serious?" Jake cried.

I nodded. "More than a few people have this gift, Jake. Me, Jesse, and even Father Dom. And Paul Slater and his brother."

"But…but…" Jake stammered. He looked at me as though I'm crazy.

"I saw your mom, Jake. Ten years ago. She asked me to tell David what happened to her was not his fault," I said.

Jake took a deep breath. "OK, I believe you. Who knows about this?"

"Gina, David, and CeeCee," I said.

"Gina… Suze, did you see her? Is she dead or alive?" I looked at Jesse.

Jesse shook his head. "So far they have found six living people. None of them is Gina."

Jake fell back onto the couch. "Gina…"

The phone rang. I picked it up. "Susannah! You told…? Are you alright? There are some unseen forces at work, be careful…" It's Father Dom.

"Um…I'm OK." Beep. "Father Dominic, the call waiting just went off. Talk to you later." "Hello?"

"Susie! What's going on? Andy and I were just settling down to

supper when suddenly the telecaster talked about 'plane crash on the Big Sur'…it's Gina's plane! And then suddenly it showed pictures of you, and said you can see ghosts, and that's how you knew where the plane crashed, the ghosts told you…Why didn't you tell me about this?" My mom asked frantically.

"Mom, I was scared that you would take me to a psychologist, or lock me up in a mental ward. Another mediator was labelled a 'crazy gork' when he tried to tell the world what he is." I was referring to the late Dr. Slaski.

"Oh… Suze, I just want you to know…Andy and I will always be behind you. We believe you," My mom said.

"Thanks, mom. By the way, Dad is happily in heaven. The last thing he told me is to take care of you and myself. So, mom, take care of yourself. I'll be fine. I've survived ghost-busting before," I said.

"So…that's why you got the brass knuckles…" my mom gave an embarrassed laugh. "Oh, if only I'd known. I wouldn't confiscate it if I know that's for self-protection."

Beep! I turned and saw Jesse pointing at a teenage girl who gave off a ghostly aura. She was busy texting her friend, then giving a shout of frustration when the text isn't sending off. Then she turned and saw Jesse and me staring at her.

"What? Who the hell are you two, anyway? I was just texting my friend in the plane when suddenly I woke up here. What's going on?" she demanded.

I sighed, said good-bye to my mom, and began to begin on the 'you're-dead-and-I'm-so-sorry-what's-holding-you-back-I'll-help-you-move-on" speech. One ghost down, three hundred more to go.