This is the third part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I and Part II before continuing.
It was a few more weeks before Tanya and I were ready to host a housewarming part. OK, it was a few more weeks before I was ready to host. Tanya was born ready to host, but I’ve never enjoyed all the prep work, managing the RSVPs, trying to be sociable to everyone (not my strong suit), and then cleaning up when I was already exhausted from the previous three tasks.
Tanya loved it. She came up with themes and obsessively checked the RSVP list so she could carefully monitor the amount of food and beverages to be ordered. During the event itself, she was the life of the party. She thrived in an environment full of admirers, and since I was one of her biggest admirers, it was hard for me to deny her the chance to shine. Although I was not above putting it off as long as possible.
Finally, I reached a point where I could no longer reasonably deny her the opportunity to show off our new home (and her hosting skills). Invitations were sent out, food and beverages were ordered, and I did my best not to dread the occasion with every fiber of my being.
The day finally arrived, and the house quickly filled with people I had never met, but since most of them were my new neighbors, I figured it was ultimately in my best interests to get to know at least some of them, so I took a deep breath and did my best to mingle.
It went pretty much as expected until I joined Tanya in talking to a woman who was wearing a giant statement necklace and matching earrings. I told her I liked her necklace as a way to break the ice, and as she was telling us the story of how she got it, the necklace slipped right off her neck.
I was shocked, but she and Tanya immediately laughed it off.
“Cassie here thinks the house might be haunted,” said Tanya. “Maybe the ghost is playing with your jewelry.”
I looked at her astounded, having never told her I thought the house was haunted. But as I looked at her, the playful twinkle left her eyes and they went wide with astonishment. I followed her gaze just in time to see my new neighbor’s second earring fall to the floor, the first one having fallen off while I was staring at my sister.
The woman picked up her jewelry, mumbled an excuse without looking at either of us, and quickly left the house. I was sure we would never see her again.
Tanya and I exchanged a glance in which we both used our eyes to say, WTF?
“OK, first of all, I never said anything about the house being haunted, but after that…”
“That was so strange,” said Tanya.
“There has to be a rational explanation for it, right?”
She looked at me with an expression that said, What other explanation could there possibly be? And that look scared me more than if I had seen an actual ghost floating before me.
To be continued…
One comment
Comments are closed.