Bewitched

Chapter 5

After getting over the shock of what Paul had told me, I shook my head and told Father Dominic what I came there to tell. "Father Dominic, I have something to tell you. About that ghost, Mary."

He nodded, confirming that he was listening.

"She was the one that dropped the chandelier," I said. "She was the reason that Mrs. Grace was sent away."

His eyes widened. "How do you know this, child?" he asked incredulously.

"I was there, Father. I saw her do it."

Paul just looked confused. "Who's Mary?" he asked, looking from me to Father Dominic.

We just ignored him. "Susannah," Father Dominic said, "this is very vital information. If we could just—"

"No," I said. "Not a chance. No one's going to believe us. No one. There's no proof and, honestly, I don't want to be next to Mrs. Grace in the hanging."

Father Dominic sighed. "Susannah, you must see. It's the only way to save her."

"See, that's where you're wrong, Father. I did do all I could to save her. I'm not putting my life in jeopardy. I know it sounds selfish, but I just can't do it."

He sighed again. "I see." He took his hat off and rubbed his forehead.

"We have to exorcize her," I said. "It's the only way to stop this."

Paul just looked at me and grinned. What that was for, I have no idea.

Father Dominic straightened up. "No! We cannot do that, Susannah. We have to do it the peaceful way."

Paul was looking on, bemused. Although, I did not see what was so amusing to him. He took a seat in one of the pews and just kept watching us.

I sighed. "All right." And I took a seat in one of the pews as well.

"Oh, Susannah," Father Dominic said. "I met that other ghost you were talking about. Jesse, his name was."

I perked up at that. I don't know why. I just did. Just the sound of his name brought light into my life. It was...weird, to say the least. "What did he say?"

He smiled. "He just said that he was not sure what was holding him back."

I rolled my eyes. "I could have told you that. He didn't tell you how he died?" I asked, hopeful.

He shook his head. "I asked, but he just avoided it. Although, I must say, he is a very well-mannered gentleman. It's a pity he is dead. We could use some more men like him in our world."

I smiled. It was true. I looked out the window. It was getting late. "Father Dominic, I really should go home now. My mother is probably wondering where I am."

He smiled. "Until next time, Susannah."

I turned to walk out of the chapel, when Paul's voice broke in the silence. "I'll walk you home." He came up behind me and put his arm around my shoulders.

And, while he was a very good-looking guy, I still felt a little uncomfortable with his arm around me. So, as politely as I could, I took his arm off of me. "You just moved here. I doubt you know your way around the village yet."

He smirked. "Well, you could show me."

I rolled my eyes and went to go walk out the door again. When Paul caught up with me, he looked confused. I did not question him. I kept on walking in the direction of my house.

"Susannah, let me walk you home," he said, his pace falling in step with mine.

"With all due respect, Paul, I can take care of myself. And the name is Suze," I said, correcting him. I cannot count how many times I have had to correct people with my name. It gets rather annoying.

He grinned. "Suze," he said, trying out my name. "Is that the tough, no-nonsense name or the leave-me-alone name?" he asked.

"Both," I said and continued walking.

I know I come off as cold to him. I mean, I did only just meet him. But there was something about him that made me not trust him. Sure, he was very attractive, but he did not seem like a very trust-worthy person.

And, I knew, as soon as he started appearing at town meetings, Kelly would be all over him. Not that I cared or anything. But, well, she always gets all the really good-looking guys. The ones that all the girls fawn over all the time.

Paul laughed."You're not like the other girls I've met," he stated.

"Is that a bad thing?" I asked.

He grinned. "No, its not. It's a very good thing."

And, for the first time that night, I found myself smiling at him. Maybe he was not all that bad...

Finally, we reached my house. "Bye," I said, walking up to the door.

"Wait," he said. He came up to me and put a hand on my shoulder. "Will I see you again?"

I smirked. "Well, you know where I live now. So, I guess that would be a yes."

He smiled. Then I noticed that his head was moving ever so closely toward mine. And, for a fleeting second, I thought he was going to kiss me.

Oh, my Lord. He is going to kiss me!

Right when his lips were a centimeter away from mine, the door swung open and there stood Brad. To say he looked surprised would be a major understatement.

"Suze?" he asked in disbelief.

I pushed Paul away and smoothed down my dress. "Uh . . .yeah," I said. "I was just about to go inside."

Brad smirked. "Who is this?" he asked, gesturing to Paul.

I looked at Paul. "Um, someone I met at my meeting with Father Dominic. He's new here."

"Showing him around?" he asked, his smirk turning wry.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Just like you were showing Debbie around?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

When Brad remained speechless, I turned to Paul, "Goodnight," I said, and went inside.

That was interesting.

Then what Paul was about to do sunk in. Oh, dear, he was about to kiss me. My first kiss.

I shook my head and went upstairs. I undressed and went to go to sleep, when Jesse materialized. "Susannah," he said, "who was that man that walked you home?"