Ch 8

Three days after the dinner party

All night I've been thinking about the love of my life. I should have checked out those books in the library when I had the chance. All those "cheesy" romance books Suze has been reading…the ones you find sitting on the downstairs toilet. I've tried them out before, back when I was in seventh grade, but the emotions in those books aren't anything compared to what I feel when I see that unforgettable smile…and those eyes. So captivating like a moth drawn to flame…and irresistible like the ocean tide…its waves always coming to the shore. I guess I was the poor unfortunate insect left to burn…or the sand left on the beach…pulled away with the force of the tide. Which was caused by the moon; the tide, I mean. Gathering up my courage, I dialed up this special person. Such a lovely person; smart. Beautiful. Kind. Flawless. Perfect for a guy like me. But…who would like me? I mean, of all people…I mean, come on, that's… untouchable. Reserved. Incest. It's just wrong to go after someone who could very well be related to me in the future. I sighed sadly. Earlier, Suze mentioned that I had two personalities; one, the normal ninth grader deep inside that lonely little mind of mine, and the other was that super smart everything nerd that would just invade my soul like that fungus called-

There it goes again. I guess I felt like being the normal ninth grader for once. I try, seriously, I do. I try to be normal. Just once. Maybe, I won't screw up and go all E.T. on her-

I've got to stop reading those documentaries on extraterrestrials. Or Area 51. Yeah. That might be it, too. Science fiction might not be too appealing for date conversations, either. Even fictional topics. (Yeah, what do you think of Uruk-hai? I mean, not only do they resemble corpses, to me at least, but they're cannibals too! And did you know, that humans, just like in William Golding's Lord of the Flies, will indeed resort to human cannibalism when they're desperate. Yeah, I saw that on the History Channel on this show called "Weird Travels". Those soccer players who were stranded on a mountain ended up eating their own teammates in the fight for survival." Yeah. I'm sure that's great date material.)

I've got to get rid of that educated side of me.

I tried uselessly to slick back my red hair and coughed a little when I heard the dial tone. I started to perspire. The antiperspirant Suze got for me just might come in handy. I tugged on my suddenly too tight collar and gulped.

Please God, please; let my first ever crush pick up…it was love at first sight. I can't help it if that's so wrong. Please oh please oh please oh please let the love of my life pick-

"Hello? de Silva residence, this is" my mind, ignoring that part, caused me not to hear what else was said. "… speaking." Who was speaking? Drats! My upper lip started to sweat. What do I say?

"Err, hi…babe?" I tried out the word I heard Brad use on every female that contacted the house. Even mom.

"Who is this? David? What are you doing calling me?"

Ahh…just hearing…His musical tenor voice! I didn't think he'd pick up. I thought, at the least, Miss Social Queen Carmen would…I'm not even prepared! Err, oh gosh, this is so embarrassing…big brother protection…

"David? Dios, what is the meaning of this? Is this Suze's idea of a joke? Did you just say 'I'm not even prepared'?"

Did I really say that aloud? You think that me, with my extraordinary mind, would-

Well, it doesn't matter now, now does it

I sighed. I couldn't help it. Hearing the voice that had drawn me would be a dream come true. Jesse would understand. He wouldn't go all 'that's it, we're moving back to Spain', would he?

I inhaled deeply, willing my frazzled nerves to stop jolting on me like that. "I'm in love." There. It was out in the open. Out of the closet. The truth.

There was a pause. "What!"

Shucks. Aww, shuckshuckshucks-

"David, are you all right?"

Dang, I had to get it out.

"I'm in love."

There was another long awkward silence. I decided to continue on, using his stunned silence to my benefit

"With your sister. Is Valencia home? I want to talk to her."

"Oh! You're trying to talk to her?" There was a hint relief in his voice.

It clicked as I thought about what I had said. "Ooh, no! Nononononononononono…I'm not gay in any way whatsoever, nor drawn to both genders as so in the term 'bisexual'. I've just been inflicted by the radically deranging syndrome know as 'love'. You see, this is only human nature, after there's been a drastic hormonal change in a man, such as my age, to suddenly be attracted to-it's the pheromones I tell you! But it could very well be phenylethylamine for all I know! But I'm pretty positive it's the endorphins. The norepinephrine. Yes, that's it! So-"

Instead of Jesse telling me that Valencia wasn't home, I heard a sweet, husky voice. "Hello? Norepinephrine? Why are you bringing up euphoria-inducing chemicals?"

The speech I had just rehearsed mentally flew out the window. This wasn't like giving a science presentation at the City Hall. No note cards, no nada. Just me, my scientific brain, and well…Valencia.

Valencia…

"Who is this?" she demanded.

"Oh! Uh, Valencia! Hi!" I squeaked. "Um, it's me, David Ackerman, remember, you know, your friendly ol'…neighbor across the street, and I, um, just err, wanted to, um, wish you a happy, uh, birthday." While her voice was husky, mine was, well…squeaky. It was as though I haven't even reached puberty yet. Which, I have. Mentally of course. As a youth my age, I should have been growing hair on my legs, cutting my lip while shaving, anything. I was in ninth grade! But what did I have? An IQ of over 196. That was back when I was in seventh grade. I'm assuming that it raised over the two years.

"Oh! Thank you! You're the first one who mentioned it!"

"R-r-really?"

"Yeah! It's 4:32 in the morning. Everyone's still sleeping like a normal person, well, except for Jesse and me…and you…,but thanks!"

"Oh, um, you're welcome. Why are you up so early?"

"Couldn't sleep…and I have a modeling session later. I figured why not prep for it? In other words, eat a little before all that doesn't digest."

"Oh, um, wow. That's very early for a shoot. Well, I'm up because, I couldn't sleep either! Wow! What a coincidence! Well, I was surprised that Jesse didn't tell me to take a hike because all the girls, when we call are 'in the shower' but it's only because the girl we want to talk to doesn't want to speak with-well, never mind. I'm calling because I got you a gift! You can, um, pick it up, date her, I mean, later." I was so glad I was on the phone…Valencia couldn't see the deep blush on my face. GOSH. David, go and blurt that out! Cookie points to you, as Suze would say.

I could hear the smile in her voice. "Thanks! I'll pick it up now."

She hung up and for a second, I sat there. Just for a bit. Probably a millisecond. Then I dressed the fastest I've ever dressed. I grabbed a t-shirt and khaki shorts that Suze bought for me last Christmas, saying that I'd fit in more if I wore baggy, surf stuff, shoved my legs through the pants and quickly thrust my head through the shirt collar. Twice, I accidentally bumped over my nightstand. Then I stood in front of a mirror and took out the contacts I had bought with my savings…seven years of saving my allowance. I removed my glasses and struggled as I put in the contacts, pulling and twisting at my eyelid. (I poked my eye quite a bit.) Then I picked up my bottle of hair gel…I spiked every inch of my curly head, hoping the spikes weren't too much…or too high…or too curly.

Picking up the gift I got for her, I ran downstairs.

God, I hope she liked it.

- - -

Suze's POV

I peered into the bucket again and coughed. Twice. Whatever happened to Tupperware? I wrinkled my nose. "No. That is NOT going in your car. Do you know how disgusting that is? Really. It's like, inhumane if you really think about it. Besides…who's going to hold it?"

"Susannah…"

"Seriously! Do you know how bad that'll stink up your car? You'll need those air fresheners. And the leather! Think of the leather. Do you know how BADLY that'll ruin your leather if it tips? What kind of sadistic girlfriend would let you do that? Not me. So in conclusion, let's not. I mean, it's free! Just, I don't know, dump it on the curb…feed the critters. We'll come back in your dad's pick-up for some more. It's not necessary."

"Do you honestly think that leather means more than me than the safety of querida?" Jesse leaned over his trunk, his torso stretched out and he stared at me with those dark eyes. He rolled onto his stomach and continued watching me. I was suddenly reminded of Spike and how his eyes would just follow your every move. I felt my resolve lessen slightly under that inquisitive and intelligent stare and I swallowed. I would not be hindered, or deterred. I stood my ground.

"Well, duh. I mean, come on; it's a Lamborghini. Do you not speak English?" My eyes drifted down to the bucket.

Jesse looked as though he were trying very, very hard not to smile, the corners of his lips twitching. He lifted the bucket up by its cheap aluminum handle with his index finger. It tipped precariously and I jerked backwards. I was NOT going to hold that bucket (of all things a bucket) the whole car ride. That was NOT going to stain my halter top. No way. Even if it was black. It was just too disgusting if I ruined my outfit. Why didn't I wear something more casual? If I had known Jesse would make a stop here…

"Susannah…" he said patiently. With one finger at the base, he tilted it towards me while the other supported the handle, showing me the contents inside as it sloshed around, staining the sides. "The bucket of chicken blood is Not. Going. To tip onto you and stain your shirt. I promise. If it makes you feel better, you can drive while I hold it the whole car ride home." It started rocking as he reached into his pocket for his keys. My eyes didn't lift from the bucket…not once.

"Me? Drive! I can't even pass the exam let alone have my License! I don't even know how to drive automatic let alone stick shift. If it is. No way. Besides…I'd end up trashing your car. We're both going to die if I even sit in the driver's seat."

Jesse looked up said, "Querida. It's for your own safety unless you're suggesting that we use human blood. Besides, you know me as the most stubborn person on the, ah, planet. We are not going to dump it onto the curb to feed the bloodsucking critters and that is final. That would be inhumane. And a waste of this poor departed chicken. Now…" he calmed down, "…reach into my back pocket and grab the keys, would you please?"

- - -

I had to hold it the whole car ride. If you're thinking it, stop; I'm not some ditz…I'm used to blood and I've done exorcisms before, but the thing is, if you're wearing a two hundred some dollar outfit, a skirt your best friend bought, and an irreplaceable priceless halter top, you wouldn't want it staining either. And if you were riding in an even more expensive ride, you wouldn't want to ruin the leather.

Besides, the whole microwave-blowing-up-lasagna-in-your-face ruined it too. I examined the blood and winced when Jesse hit a pothole. It splashed around and on the surface bobbed a hunk of chicken. I mentally retched and envisioned a nice…hot bath… (I tend to think better submerged in bubbly warm water).

"Susannah…" Jesse said patiently. Obviously he was getting a sickened vibe off me. Like when you're on a roller coaster, and you know the person next to you is about to hurl. "You are never like this…stop worrying…"

"Yeah, you're the one cradling two gallons of chicken blood. In case you haven't noticed, I don't feel much like sacrificing today." This time, Jesse really did chuckle.

"Susannah…you're a mature woman…the bucket isn't going to tip on you anytime soon and, ah, ruin your outfit. You know better than to do that. We're almost home."

I sulked as I sank into my seat and held the bucket away from myself. There was a moment's pause when we both stopped talking. We flew past the intersection and started going uphill. I instantly tilted the bucket away from me. "Jesse?"

"Si, querida?" I think he switched gears, I don't know.

"What happened to that house you bought? You know, after you came alive the first time. And Adam saw us kissing?"

Jesse actually turned his head to look at me when I said "kissing". "What?" He pressed the brake. Or released the clutch. I don't know.

"You know…that house. The awesome one you had customized?"

He smiled with realization. "Oh…that house." He shifted in his car seat. "Well, querida, the thing is, it's still mine…"

I crossed my arms. Or, was about to. Then I realized that that effect wouldn't really work…due to the two gallon bucket of chicken blood. I flinched. "Oh really…"

"Yes. But because I have a family now…my mother and father have decided to pay for it…but after I finish school…and settle down with a wife…"

My jaw dropped. A wife…he wanted a wife…wasn't that what the promise rings were about? I stared at my ring.

"Jesse? You want to marry me!"

Jesse smiled wryly. "No, I don't want to marry you, that's why I bought you that ring on your fourth finger…" he said sarcastically. I blinked. Wow. Sarcasm. This was new. "Of COURSE I want you as my wife! To love and to cherish forever. Mi amor. Si?" He calmed down a bit. "Why…is that a problem? Of course not now, we're not engaged yet" he said hurriedly and started to blush. I smiled. He was so cute. "No, no! I love you, Susannah, but we must get an education before an actual wedding. Right?"

I nodded. "Yeah. An education."

Jesse's head kept nodding. "Si. An education. Then a…" he gulped. "Ay, why did we have to bring this up!" Suddenly, Jesse parked the car in his garage. Shortly after the engine stopped, Jesse ripped off his seat belt and lunged towards me. "Come here!"

He leaned over the gear stick and bucket of chicken blood and cupping my face in his hands, started to kiss me. I leaned against the door and suddenly, there was a strange wet plopping noise. Jesse and I simultaneously looked down. Jesse, in his urge to kiss me, stuck his fist smack dab into the bucket. He pulled his arm out and blood started dripping. He unclenched his fist and in the middle was the chunk of chicken.

"Found the liver," he said sheepishly.

How romantic.

- - -

So the plan was, every other day or something, we'd be sleeping in different places…Jesse's house…mine…Paul's…the mission…for tonight, Jesse would be sleeping in my room. Depending on how persuasive I can be, he'll be sleeping on either the floor or…the floor.

Jesse and I hid the chicken blood under my bed and we rushed downstairs. He quickly sanitized his arm in the bathroom and we plopped into our seats just as everyone picked up their forks. Ha! We weren't late. I grinned at Jesse as I reached for a dinner roll.

Dinner at the Ackerman household was the same; Max drooling on your lap, begging with his soft brown eyes for a morsel, the food being passed around and eaten by everyone else but you, talk about table manners and Brad chewing with his mouth open, conversation about school, jobs, and college. I tried to swallow the quesadilla Andy cooked for me but then my mom spoke.

"So…what's this I hear about a project?"

I choked on the cheese, half of it flying out of my mouth. Brad gave an immature "ew" and reaching over his plate, bent and retrieved the flying hunk of cheese. Then he ate it. I coughed even more, repulsed. Gosh, what was he, an animal? And not the cute, fuzzy ones either. Sleepy was eating with us too, which he had been neglecting to do for the whole summer, really. He was looking rather, well, sleepy, and his head kept nodding off. So it was one big motley crew, I guess. Ha.

"What project?" Jesse put down his fork and swallowed. His eyebrow, the one with the scar, went up. I hacked at my lungs as Jesse patted my back.

Mom put her napkin down. "Well…Father Dom called from the mission…said you two were trying out for Student Council…?"

My eyebrows furrowed as I continued coughing, and reached for my can of diet Cola. Jesse saw me and grabbed it, quickly handing it to me. I smiled and chugged it down.

He turned to my mother and asked politely, "I beg your pardon?"

"Father Dom said that you two were going to try running as VP and-"

Brad interrupted through a mouthful of quesadilla. "Hey Jesse, didn't Kelly ask you to be her partner?"

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Andy scolded. "And please, could our dinnertime conversations not revolve around her?"

Sleepy blinked. "When was it not?" Without waiting for an answer, he buried his quesadilla deep inside his mouth.

"You know, Jake, in forcing the food down your esophagus, you are in great danger of choking. Might I recommend chewing for once? That's the point of molars, you know." David smiled sweetly. Sleepy-err, Jake, just looked up and raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, yes. I remember." Jesse nodded urgently, trying to continue the Student Council subject, and asked if I had a catchy slogan. He was starting to get with the program, the whole twenty-first century thing. I scratched my eyebrow and shrugged. He continued talking. "You see, Brad, Kelly did ask me, but I declined and wanted Susannah to be my running mate."

"Oh, and by the way, Suzie, you have messages." Mom pointed with her knife towards the answering machine, its display flashing 'three'. I glanced at it, then turned to Andy. Wow. This was a first. My mother actually letting me listen to the messages at dinner.

"May I be excused?" I asked and strode to the phone. "Monday 3:56 p.m.:"

Suddenly, a voice came on and I froze. "Hey! Uh, hi, Suze? Listen, it's me, Matt? The guy at school and the beach? Yeah, hi, I was just wondering, even though I know you have de Silva, if you'd like to go out or something. You know, as friends of course. I'll bring Paul and even McTavish along. You can bring that albino freak-, er, I mean friend of yours. We plan on catching some waves. Come on. It'll be fun. Just, give me a ring, all right? Well, not a ring ring. Just a ring. Well, you get the point. I mean, that would be nice, but, whatever. You know. De Silva. Anyway. You have my cell. Call anytime. Can't wait. See you then! Righteous!"

"Monday 4:27 p.m.:"

"Simon! Hey! I know you've been busy lately, and I don't blame you, but we seriously need to talk." In the background, I heard Adam yell a "Hey!" "Yeah, that's Adam," Cee Cee confirmed, "and we really wanted to get some coffee, or for you, something less caffeinated. Give me a call back, okay? Yeah, so see you later!"

"Monday 5:38 p.m.:"

"Susannah, it's Father Dominic. I'm calling because of the Student Council meeting next…Tuesday. Yes, next Tuesday." What a liar. Can't believe it, a priest. Lying. "So if you would call me back that would be greatly appreciated. Good day, Susannah. Oh-by the way, make sure Mr. de Silva is with you."

"End of messages."

Think of all the people I had to reply to!

I quickly deleted the messages and stared at the machine. How did he get our number? Matt, I mean. I was so glad I didn't have a cell phone…yet. Suddenly I noticed just how quiet it was in the kitchen. I turned around and saw everyone staring at me. Even Sleepy didn't look so, sleepy.

My eyes widened. "What!"

"Querida-what is-"

I jumped. The phone rang behind me. I let it ring and started walking back to my seat, willing to eat my greasy quesadilla rather than talk on the phone. Honestly, though, I don't know how people can stand so much cheese.

Jesse's eyes narrowed as he growled, "Aren't you going to answer it?" I blinked. Was he okay? I frowned.

"Whoa-kay."

I picked up the receiver and pressed 'Talk'. "Hello? Ackerman and Simon resi-"

"SUZE, Suzie, Suze Suze my woman! Suze, babe, is that you?"

I frowned. Babe?Just imagine if my mom picked up. "Err, who's this?"

"It's me, Matt. Matt Copan? Duh!" In the background, I could hear the waves on the beach and people shouting.

I looked around anxiously. "Oh, uh, hi!" it felt as though someone was stepping on my throat. "Um, listen, now's not a good time to-"

"So can you make it? We've been waiting for you!" he cut me off.

"Umm…" I frantically looked around and accidentally made eye contact with Jesse. He narrowed his eyes again and I cringed. "now is really…really not a good time…" suddenly, the call waiting button went off. "Oh! Yes! Um, sorry, other line!" I pressed the button. "Hello?"

"Ackerman."

"Err, yeah, they all are, who's this?"

The girl on the other end giggled. "Is Jake or Brad there?" More giggling. Honestly, that was really sickening. They had to stop.

I blinked. "It's called 'dinnertime'. Call back later."

I hung up. The phone rang again and I jumped.

"Suze."

"Simon."

"Err, yeah, that's me. Who's this?"

"Uh…duh. It's that one albino you know. What are you, paranoid, or did senior year get to you?"

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank God."

I could swear I heard her hold the phone farther away and rub the earpiece. Then her voice came back on. "Thank God what! I thought you were atheist or whatever. Never mind. Listen, were you ever going to tell me about the murder? A girl would think that her best friend would talk about something like that. You could give me a private rendition."

"Um, Cee Cee, can I talk to you later? I'm eating dinner right now…"

"Oh! Right, sorry, I know what a sacred thing dinner is for your family. Tootles, all right?"

"Bye."

I hung up and was about to put it back on its charger but then it went off again. Groaning, I picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Suze! It's Kelly. Listen, Matt called me and invited me to the beach. He asked me to try and convince you too. By the way, is Jesse there?"

"Um. He's eating dinner with the family."

"Oh. Okay. I'll just call him later. Well, tell him I'm willing to partner up with him. Not that you're a sucky VP, you know? But, I mean, he's so, yeah. So can you?"

"Can I what? Be your VP? Hell n-"

"Come to the beach!" She said it like it was the most obvious thing.

"Um. I'm eating dinner right now too. With the family." Didn't Sleepy ever tell you how holy it was? It was against our religion to forsake it. I wanted to say. But I bit my tongue back. Wow…if I keep biting…maybe I'll have a tongue piercing…

"But it's only five!"

"More like five forty. Yeah, well, my quesadilla's getting cold so…"

"Oh, yeah! Sorry! Well, can't say I didn't try. Bye hon. Oh. By the way, the whole murder thing? Totally righteous how you handled it all. I could almost say 'Heroine Worship' right now. Well, ciao!"

Then she hung up. But before she did, the Call Waiting light flashed. I pressed talk. What is with people today!

"Suze speaking."

"Susannah…hi…am I interrupting anything?"

Crap. Just from that 'Susannah' I could hear the freakishly sugar-sweet tone. Father Dom wasn't happy. "Err, hi. Um, I'm kind of eating dinner."

He sounded slightly disappointed when he said, "Oh. Well, tell your parents I said, 'Hello', and is Jesse with you?"

"Um, yeah, want to leave a message for him?"

"No, where is he? I'd rather tell him what I have to say myself."

I motioned for Jesse to come to the phone. "Here he is."

Jesse frowned. "Who is it? Kelly?" Kelly? I decided to question him later.

"Father Dom," I mouthed. His eyebrows raised and he quickly grabbed the phone. "Good evening."

I sat back down at the dinner table but no one noticed; they were all listening in to Jesse's phone call.

"How did Father Dom know he was here?" my mom asked.

"Oh," I waved my hand airily, "he knows everything."

Her left eyebrow slowly went up.

"I mean—the whole Student Rep thing…" I added quickly.

She shook her head sadly and continued eating.

"-no, Father, I promise you; it's all right. We'll do fine… No… Nothing has happened…we have your blessings. Father Dominic, she hasn't come yet… Yes, we bought it… For protection. It's under her mattress. We're going to use it at night… No accidents… We're doing it… I understand; you being a priest…but Father Dominic; it's necessary! I love her! … Sorry, but a Catholic one takes too long, as Susannah says, 'How about Brazilian?' No! Of course not. I will not take advantage over her…you have my word, a Spaniard's honor…yes, good day to you too, Father… buena noche."

He hung up and shaking his head, resumed his place next to me. Brad, unfortunately, spoke up.

"What the hell was that all about?"

Andy, for once, didn't contradict him.

Mom stabbed at her lettuce and Doc quickly buried his face in his plate. Sleepy actually looked interested, and Dopey grinned stupidly and said his favorite when-talking-to-me four words; "You. Are so busted."

And you know what? I knew I was.

---

Somehow, I don't know how, but Jesse sweet talked the 'rents into letting him sleep in my room. And they actually trusted him. They, however, did not trust me. Me! Talk about a way to roll out the welcome mat…talk about harsh.

"You," Andy said, after he pulled me into the family room, waggled his finger in my face and looked me in the eye, "are not to do anything to Jesse, do you hear me?"

I blinked and scoffed. "As if."

"Don't use your feminine wiles to your advantage." I blinked. Since when did I ever use my nonexistent wiles? Like, never. Why did that sound so familiar? Oh yeah. Father Dom said that to me. A freakin' priest.

My mom looked at me, then at Andy. "Andy, honey, I don't think she's going to be doing anything…"

"Still, you never know. I'm just looking out for her."

"But if it's the right moment, you know, I'm behind you one hundred percent, honey." She patted my shoulder, "Just be happy. And don't forget what I bought for you. You're big enough to know now."

I groaned. "Can I leave now?"

---

As I've said before, I think better submerged in warm, soapy suds.

I eagerly sank into the steamy water with only my knees and half my thighs and shins, neck and head showing, and sighed. It felt so good to relax. With two sides of my bathtub not against the wall, I let my arms hang over the exposed faces and gently let my fingertips trail the cool tiling. I shut my eyes and thought about today…about school. I grabbed the note that Jesse gave me out of my skirt (I had just let it slide to the floor) and studied it. I didn't notice earlier that he had written in a flowing cursive. I flipped it over and smiled slightly, then I tossed it expertly onto the counter.

Now…what to do about Crissi.

Ignoring the cold feeling in my heart, I leaned against the cool sides and sank lower into the water until the loose tendrils of hair, which I had put up in a messy bun, dipped into the water.

Who would know what to do…how to trick her? Someone smart…incredibly smart…

I shot straight up, ignoring how cold it was out of the water. My eyes widened. Of course!

I stood up and grabbed my terry bathrobe, quickly put it on and tied the sash, wrenched open the door and raced into the hallway, water dripping onto the carpet.

I didn't have time for a priest. I needed answers. And I needed him now. Luckily, he was only feet away.

Or, so I thought.

---

I knocked anxiously on Doc's door.

"Doc- I mean, David? You in here?"

I didn't hear anyone so I opened the door. I didn't see anyone so when I turned to leave, I heard a squeaky, "Uhh…be there in a sec!"

I walked into his room. Right when I needed him, he was off doing something else. Probably found a cure for morning breath or something. My ears, weirdly, had water in them, so my hearing was slightly skewered…and the fact that Dopey's Marilyn Manson cd was blaring out of his speaker. The walls in Doc's room shook, but maybe because Dopey was a room over. "Where are you?"

"Uh…not in my room."

I heard his voice come from the downstairs bathroom so I ran down the stairs and knocked. Again. "David? Open up. I need to talk to you. And no, this doesn't involve my calculus homework."

I frowned. He didn't say anything. I opened the door slowly and saw David. He whirled around with his eyes wide and quickly turned away. He shoved a box into the medicine cabinet.

"DAVID! What are you doing?"

He jumped and turned around, the box that he was hiding fell off the shelf before he could properly shut it. It slid across the tiling, amazingly. I clutched the front of my robe and picked it up. Black hair dye. I looked at him, shocked.

"Why the hell do you want to dye your hair?" I raised an eyebrow.

He looked at the ground and kicked at an invisible something. I noticed the big toe sticking out of his Hanes sock wiggle. "I hate my hair."

"What?" I said in disbelief. "Since when? Your mother loved it."

Doc, I saw, looked chagrined. "I know…but that's the past. Valencia thought it looked funny. It's so different."

Oh. My God.

"You're in love? With Valencia!" I studied his apparel and my eyes widened; he was going for the preppy look! He was wearing a blue and navy thick striped tee, with a collar and everything. He even stuck his collars straight up I tell you! Baggy cargo pants… "Is that why you've been changing the way you look!"

Really, this was just too much to process. I burst out laughing.

He turned beet red. He pushed me out of the way and ran upstairs to his room.

Poor tyke. He had it rough. I followed him.

"Was it your gift, then?"

"Go away, Suze."

"No, let's talk. I'm a girl. You need some major girl information."

"No, I'm perfectly capable of understanding x and y chromosomes." He slammed his bedroom door shut. Pity that there wasn't a lock on it. I gave the bottom a gentle kick.

This really was way too much. I sat on the corner of his bed and watched him type furiously away on his keyboard. There was silence, save for the tapping of the keys.

"I'm sorry for laughing." Not really, but it was a start. I mean, I only laughed at the shock of it all. I mean, David? In love?

I thought of a way for him to open up. There was another tense silence then I realized what.

"It was because of Heather." I said bluntly.

He half turned, then his neck snapped back to the screen. He ignored me. For once in my life, David was angry with me.

"The breezeway incident. Heather Chambers. It was because I was performing an exorcism."

He nodded slowly to the monitor, as if to say, "yeah, right, whatever," then his head practically did a three-sixty. Realization hit him in the face. "What are you talking about? Heather Chambers is dead. It's not possible that it was Heather's fault unless…"

"Unless she was a ghost."

David looked at me suspiciously. "A ghost. Ah. What are you trying to tell me, Suze?"

"Remember how that one ghost woke you up?"

He nodded. "Yes. I do."

"That was Jesse. Jesse de Silva, the guy you researched. The one who was murdered? And Dope-I mean, Brad, dug up his body while cracking his skull in the process? He was the ghost in my room…the room that you knew was haunted…and you wanted to trade with me. Just so happens that he was downstairs eating with us."

Doc's eyes widened. "That's not possible! Does that mean that everyone could see him? A dead person? And ghosts can eat?"

I shook my head.

"He-was he…reincarnated?"

"Not really…"

"Then…how…-"

"Don't ask me…I have no idea myself…I'm just the mediator. I don't know everything about all the ghosts I've had to send away."

"Jesse wasn't the only ghost?"

I laughed. "Hardly. In my whole life, I've probably met up with hundreds. They're everywhere, Doc. And it's my job to help them pass on. I can see ghosts, and not the recently deceased, either. But my job isn't completely easy. Some ghosts, let's just say, don't' want to leave. Like Heather." I nodded. "Paul, you know, Slater, and Jesse, Father Dominic, and a think a few others, can see the dead too.. I can't believe that back in NYNY, I didn't know any other mediators. Here, on the Monterey Peninsula, there are how many? Well, anyway, that's part of my confession…me, Susannah Simon, the Mediator."

"What?" He whipped out a notebook and pen from his desk and started jotting everything down.

"Mediator. Medium. Shifter…does the Ninth Key tarot card ring a bell?"

Doc's eyes widened. "I have three tarot decks! I want to see."

Doc went rummaging around in his drawers, then pulled out a thick tarot decks. He started shuffling and combining all his decks together, did some weird thing and then asked if I would pull three cards. I obliged. And out came three Ninth Key cards.

Doc was in awe. "Wow. Wow…" there was a moment when all he could say was "Wow", but then came the Hundred Questions game. Like one question, if ghosts were like dogs. I told him, "I've tried calling ghosts before" but I don't feel like calling up Crissi. I didn't think the reunion would be very…pleasant. I tried answering them all, but some got too personal. Like the one when I knew what a mediator was. See, I knew I could see the dead…at the age of two, actually, but when I learned what my gift was called was because of my father. Who died. But that's a separate story.

"So listen. Now you know my dirty little secret-"

"You saw my mom?"

I looked up from peeling apart his quilt. "What?"

"Did you see my mom." He repeated, but there was such conviction in his voice, I was sure he didn't need an answer.

I thought about that before I responded. Wording myself carefully, I said slowly, "Yes. I did. And do you know why it took her so long to pass on?" I didn't wait for his response. "She was calling you 'Red'. 'Red' 'Red' 'Red' 'Red' 'Red'. I thought she was referring to Red Beaumont, you know, and that's why I kind of met up with…bad people. And finally I realized she was talking about you. She'd probably roll in her grave if she knew what you were about to do."

His eyes welled up with tears. "I'm sorry, it's just that-she's really special."

My stomach instantly cringed. My God. He had it bad. I tried patting his shoulder but it came out really awkward. "Aww, jeez, Doc-don't cry…I need your help…I'm in danger."

He quickly wiped his eyes and stared up at me. "What do you need."

"Remember Crissi?"

He nodded. "I try not to, but contrary to my better judgement, yes. I do."

"She's still around."

"Yeah. She ran away, right?"

"No. She's dead. The cops won't find a trace of her, but she's still around. She's a ghost. Listen, ghosts only come back when they have unfinished business-"

"Like in Casper," David confirmed.

"Yeah…Casper…anyway, Crissi has some unfinished business."

"Let me guess-she wants to kill you?"

"Yeah. She wants to kill me. Or maybe it's something else, but she thinks she'll just off me while she's at it. Anyway, so I have a ghost who wants to kill me. But I can't just stop her," I said as Doc opened his mouth, "because she was a mediator too. She knows all my ghost-busting techniques, maybe even more. So exorcisms, like with Heather, are out of the question. I need a way to trick her into getting her back where she belongs. Anyway, we're all trying to think of a way to stop Crissi. Do you have any ideas? I need your help, or else, I'm going to die."

After my speech, Doc didn't say anything. You could say all this information was getting to him. He stood up and stared at his bookshelf, feeling the spine of the nearest "War of the Worlds".

Finally, he spoke. "How did she die in the first place?"

I blinked. I expected something, but not that. "Well," I shifted around uncomfortably. "there's a place off Ocean Avenue where I used to…"

Now David blinked. "What?"

"Just kidding. Anyway, there's a place up there called Shadowland." Doc nodded. "Not exactly heaven…more like…limbo…purgatory. And there are a bunch of doors in this really long hallway. There's fog everywhere. Believe me, I've been there more than enough times so I know. So when you're there, you don't touch the doors. At least, I don't. Because if you touch the doors, anything can happen. You don't know what's beyond those doors. Jesse…the second time…he fell through. And came back alive after how long. Crissi, when she fell through, she wound up dead. That's how she died. She fell through one of the doors. One of the many doors. But I honestly don't know what's going to happen if we pushed her in again. For all we know, she could become alive again. And so…that is out of the question."

Doc nodded, but didn't say anything. He stared at a spot behind my head, his eyes glazing over and unfocused. At first, I thought he was suffering from, a seizure or something. Then he spoke. I looked up at his standing self.

"So how many doors are there?"

I shook my head. "Thousands, maybe. Millions. I don't know. I've never gotten a chance to count them all…heck, I don't think you can." I scratched at an itch on my neck.

"Maybe, you could exorcise her again."

I blinked. Was this his criminally masterminded idea? "Um, David, I don't know if you realize this, but she knows what one is, okay? She'll know just from what I'm-"

He interrupted me. "How many types of exorcisms are there?"

I blinked again. Realization hit me. "Your right! She might not know what a Brazilian one is!"

His eyebrows went up. "What? Well, anyway, here's an idea. I'm still conjuring up the minor detailing, but here's the basic plan; you say that Paul, Jesse, and Father Dominic can see ghosts. Affirmative, right? They all have met with Crissi before. Well, perhaps you can be like, in a matter of speaking, live bait. Then while she's distracted, you could get Paul or Jesse or Father Dom to exorcise her. I mean, it's one against four, right?"

"Well, David, I'm sorry to say, but a ghost, when ticked off, can, well, really cause a lot of damage. I don't know if we can manage that-"

"Suze. Leave it to me. I won't let her hurt you. You're the bets thing that ever happened to me. Well, other than Valencia, of course. But I'll think of something. I promise. But in the meantime, I'll think of an idea, and you make some sort of Catholic protective thing against ghosts, all right? I'll need to go research, but I think I can manage it. Let's see…I'll need to stop at the library, then perhaps the…" his voice trailed off as he continued his mental list.

I smiled. "Wow Doc…didn't know you cared."

He visibly, you could tell his ego bubble went way up, brightened. He straightened his spine and beamed.

He couldn't help but smile. "Suze…you're not bad at all. But anyway," he glanced at his clock, "it's way past eleven. I think you should be heading off to sleep."

After such a wonderful conversation with my kid brother, I stood up, about to leave. Then I stopped. "Hey…what did you get her?"

For the first time today, he really, really grinned and started blushing…in a good way, of course. "You will never know."

- - -

I couldn't help but smile. I watched her sleep and my smile grew even more when she muttered my name in her sleep. To take my mind off her contented face, I tucked her into her covers. I must have gazed into space, but suddenly, out of my back pocket came a ring. I jumped and quickly grabbed it and stared.

It was, what did Susannah call it?-a cell phone.

It rang again and I quickly flipped it around and pressed the green phone. Making sure she was not awake, I whispered, "Hello?" She shifted around and moaned a little.

"Jesse!"

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Mother!"

"Si. Where are you? We've been looking all over the house for you. No matter. Your father I and need to talk to you." Despite the sternness in my mother's voice, I smiled as I glanced at Susannah's sleeping form. "Now?" A glance at the bedroom clock told me that it was well past midnight.

"Yes. Now." She hung up, and I slowly, distractedly, flipped the outside portion over the numbers. I don't know if I had shut it completely, but I was too preoccupied.

How was I going to leave her?

I stared hard and then it came to me.

I gingerly wrapped the sleeping Susannah in her blanket-burrito style- and swung her lightly over one shoulder. Her hair grazed my neck as I opened the door. I tried to tuck it behind her ears as I descended the staircase. The house was silent, save for Max. He looked up from the Pottery Barn slipcovers and Dios, I could swear he smiled at me. I smiled back and swung open the front door.

I jumped. Expecting no one, I had run straight into Andy. He glanced at Susannah on my shoulder, clearly asleep, her head lolling over, hair in her face, and her eyes shut, then up at me. I looked down.

"Leaving so soon?"

"I'll be back," I explained hastily, "I forgot my…pillow." I mentally crossed myself. "I just cannot leave Susannah, or let her out of my sight."

He grinned. "Strange excuse, but, good boy," and patted my free shoulder. Then he tossed at me the spare key and shut the door, careful to lock it. I caught it and nodded at him in the front window as he continued to watch me.

I strode across the street and unlocked my front door. I looked behind me and saw that the curtain was swaying in place.

As soon as I stepped past the threshold, my mother greeted me.

I smiled and let her kiss my cheeks. Then she noticed Susannah.

Her eyebrows rose.

"I promised to watch over her."

Shrugging, she kissed Susannah's sleeping face as well and then she nodded. "Sleeps like an angel. Looks like an angel. Is an angel…we all need to talk."

I looked at the clock again. "All right."

By now it was one o' clock. Why was Andy up so early? As with my parents? Were they all conversing with each other?

We walked into the living. Right above our sofa was a crucifix. I laid Susannah gently onto the couch and wiped a few stray bangs away from her face. Then I kneeled down and kissed her on her lips. "Te amo…querida." I whispered longingly, then brushed her lips with my promise band. Smiling, I turned around but stopped short. My parents were staring at me in unease.

"Que?" I questioned nervously and sank back onto my knees.

"Jesse…you're in love, in love with Suze and didn't even tell us?" I smiled. Susannah made them call her 'Suze'.

"I thought it was obvious…but yes," I said confidently, "I am in love with Susannah Simon."

My mother flashed Father a knowing look but he ignored it.

"Jesse…remember that time a while back when we described what a betrothed was?"

I shook my head. "No…" Where was this leading? I adjusted my body into a more comfortable position.

"Remember your betrothed?"

My smile faltered as I blindly reached for Susannah's hand-she whispered my name in her sleep and stirred, but otherwise didn't move.

Her grip comforted me and I heard myself say, "What betrothed?"

"We promised her parents long before you were born."

"Who?" I asked. "Why wasn't I told?"

"Because you weren't old enough. And we did tell you. At the dinner party with the Ackerman's and Miss Simon."

"No." I shook my head in disbelief. How could this be happening? "I'm already in love! I'm in love. With her!" My hand that was clenching Susannah's lifted, showing them, clearly, our promise rings and our hands, together. "Mi amor! Mi querida."

"Jesse…" my mother looked pained.

"Hector…"

"Don't call me Hector! My name is not Hector," I shouted at my father. My father's eyes widened.

"We love Suze just as much as you do, son! We'd love her as a daughter. But this is something we can't break…"

"Who is it?" I demanded.

"We don't like her," papa added darkly, "spoiled little chica. No respect…constantly demands…a face like porcelain but a heart of coal…head as empty as a kettle."

"We've tried to break it off, but we can't."

"Let me do it! Who is it? Tell me!"

My parents breathed in deeply. "Maria de Silva."

A/N: Sorry it took so long! To my readers and to Addie, sorry. But I had to work on this forever. Before you people are all like, "Wait; Maria already had a life. She died at an old age. Why is she back? Well, to tell you the truth, my reasoning is that her life was sort of…well, 'be damned', you know? That's what it said at least. And so her future family all turned out to be not good people. So her life basically wasn't-well, I don't want to ruin it. Please review!

R&R

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