The Silent Ghost (4 page)

“During the week I run earlier so I can shower and dress and get to class on time,” she further explained. “But today’s Saturday and I didn’t think you’d be too happy about me showing up at seven.”

“I’m not too sure I’m happy about you showing up now. It’s still pretty early.” Tanisha was wearing an oversized Red Sox t-shirt that reached mid-thigh. Her black hair was wild and uncombed. She ran a hand through it. “Of course, you could have called first if you hadn’t gone all drama queen and tore up my card.”

Kelly was glad Granny wasn’t present to hear the comment.

In spite of Granny’s surveillance, Kelly still wasn’t convinced of Tanisha Costello’s motives. Card or no card, she still might not have called. She’d arrived at Tanisha’s doorstep at nine-thirty, a somewhat reasonable hour on a Saturday, hoping to catch the journalist off guard. Noting Tanisha’s hesitance and disheveled appearance, a thought occurred to her. “Of course, if you’re not alone, I could come back later or even tomorrow.”

In answer, Tanisha opened the door wider. “You’re here now. You might as well come in.”

Kelly entered the apartment, standing awkwardly by the closed front door. Her eyes scanned the place for any signs of ghosts, but even Granny wasn’t present. She’d disappeared as soon as Kelly pressed the downstairs buzzer.

The apartment was a huge loft with exposed brick on two main walls, hardwood floors, and large windows. It was partitioned into living, dining, and sleeping areas with tasteful rugs and well-positioned furniture. To the right of the door was a kitchen area with the latest appliances and a long counter separating it from the rest of the loft. On the far end, in front of one of the brick walls, a king-sized platform bed with a leather headboard stood sentry next to a wide double door, opened to reveal a dressing area and bathroom. To the left of the front door, in a corner, a large L-shaped desk was set up, designating a home office. It was covered with files and papers. Next to it, hung on the wall, was a large cork bulletin board with notes of various sizes and colors tacked to it, along with some photos. The entire loft was furnished in a chic blend of modern and antique furniture, with an unfussy décor of rich earth tones and the occasional burst of color.

Tanisha studied Kelly, hands on hips as if still trying to decide whether to let her stay or throw her out. “How did you find where I live?” she asked. “I don’t give out my home address and this place isn’t in my name.”

“This is a really nice loft,” Kelly observed, avoiding the question. She stepped further into the apartment and looked out one of the large windows. It provided a great view. “I didn’t realize budding journalists fresh out of Columbia were paid this well.” She turned to look at her hostess. “Or are you
loft-sitting?”

“You’re not the only one in the room with a rich daddy.” Tanisha indicated for Kelly to take a seat on the sofa, a trendy sectional in a dark brick red covered with throw pillows in an African-inspired print.

“Would you like some coffee?” Tanisha offered, having recovered from Kelly’s surprise visit. “I just made a pot.”

“Sure. Thanks.” Kelly took a seat on the sofa.

“I’m guessing you take milk and sugar.”

Kelly nodded. “Just one spoon of sugar.”

Tanisha poured coffee into two large, dark orange mugs, adding milk to both, sugar to one. While she waited, Kelly examined the books and knickknacks on the coffee table.

“If you know about Columbia,” Tanisha said, handing Kelly the mug with both milk and sugar, “you did your homework. You just didn’t search deep enough. I hope you’re not planning on being a journalist, because digging deep is what it’s all about.” She took a seat on the opposite side of the sectional.

With her free hand, Kelly held up one of the books from the coffee table. It was a large novel with a dark, brooding cover. “Your father is Gino Costello, the big-time crime novelist?”

“Guilty.”

“Phil, my mom’s boyfriend, loves his stuff.” She put the book down. “I just bought one of your dad’s books for him for his birthday.” Kelly leaned forward, somewhat relieved. “So you know what it’s like, being the kid of someone famous.”

Tanisha offered up a half laugh. “Well, not like you. People don’t pay any attention to the families of writers. Most folks couldn’t pick my dad out of a crowd, even though they’ve read all his books. So it’s pretty easy for me to slip under the radar. But I do understand your specific…um…challenges.”

“So your dad bought you this place?” Kelly looked around again. “Very nice. I like it a lot.”

“I moved in around the first of the year. Dad came to visit me at Thanksgiving and hated the place I was renting. Called it a slum. Next thing I knew, his assistant flew out here to condo shop with me.”

“His assistant?”

“Yes, Leroy. He does everything for Dad except wipe his ass.” Tanisha took a drink of coffee. “Who knows, maybe he does that, too. At least Leroy is better than my stepmother flying in on her broom. Not that she would lift a finger to help me with anything.”

Kelly raised her mug in a salute. “Here’s to stepmothers who ride brooms.”

“Oh, yeah,” Tanisha said, one corner of her mouth slightly upturned. “I seem to recall your father marrying some low-level actress he knocked up.”

“Her name’s Carolyn. A real gold digger. Although Oscar, my half brother, is pretty cute.” Kelly let out a deep sigh. “Did your folks go through a messy divorce, too?”

“Can’t divorce if you never married.” She took another drink of her coffee before explaining. “I’m the love child of an Italian father and a black mother. I grew up being handed back and forth until I was thirteen, when my mother was killed in a car accident.”

“Tanisha, I’m so sorry.”

Tanisha shrugged, but her eyes showed the still raw pain. “It was pretty terrible. She was hit by a drunk driver on her way home from Spelman College, where she was a professor. After that, I was shipped off to boarding school.” She cleared her throat. “Dad lives in Chicago. They met while Dad was researching a book. He was married to wife number two at the time. He’s currently on number four. He wanted my mother to be number three, but she was too smart to buy into his bull.”

“You don’t like your father?”

Tanisha fixed Kelly with a knowing eye. “Do you like yours?”

“I love my dad.”

“I love mine, too, but loving isn’t the same as liking.” Tanisha put her mug down and leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. It was then Kelly noticed the deep, dark circles under
Tanisha’s eyes and the nervous twitch of her hands. At first, Kelly thought she had woken Tanisha up. Now she wondered if she’d ever gone to bed.

“Tell me,” Tanisha continued, “if you weren’t Grant Whitecastle’s daughter, is he someone you’d want to spend time with, removing, of course, his celebrity status?”

Kelly didn’t answer. She couldn’t because she didn’t know what the answer would be, and anything less than an affirmative seemed like treason.

“Don’t worry, this won’t go beyond these walls,” Tanisha assured her. “I’m currently off the clock as a writer.”

Sensing Kelly’s continued discomfort, she amended the question. “Try this instead. If you weren’t Emma Whitecastle’s daughter, is she someone you’d want to spend time with?”

“Sure,” Kelly answered without a second thought. “Mom’s great, even if she can be overprotective. We hang out a lot when I’m home.”

“There’s your answer.”

Before Kelly could say anything else, Tanisha excused herself and disappeared through the open doors by the bed. A few minutes later she returned wearing jeans and a large sweatshirt. On her feet were colorful striped socks. Her hair had been half tamed by a large clip at the back of her head. While she was gone, Kelly again tried to determine if there were any spirits nearby but felt none. Even Granny hadn’t returned.

Tanisha took her seat again followed by a big gulp of her coffee. “You never did answer my question about how you found me.”

Kelly didn’t even try to wiggle out of the truth. “Granny showed me. That’s the ghost you saw with me the other day.”

Tanisha’s face didn’t move a muscle. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. She led me here. She followed you home from Gabby’s a few days ago.”

Tanisha slapped the arm of the sofa. “I knew it!” She jumped to her feet and paced in front of the
windows. It was the most passion and energy she’d displayed since Kelly’s arrival. “I knew there was a different ghost here. For the past couple of days, right?” Without giving Kelly a chance to answer, she kept going. “I could feel it and I thought I could see it.”

“How could you tell it was a different ghost?” Kelly leaned forward, really wanting to know.

Tanisha ran a hand over the top of her head, freeing some tendrils. “Just a feeling. I saw the outline of a ghost. You know, that hazy but drifting image, but it felt different from the ghost I usually see. It seemed…well, bolder, yet less intimidating.” She shook her head. “I know that sounds like a contradiction.”

Kelly smiled to herself. “Perfect sense. Granny will get right in your face when she wants to, but she’d never hurt anyone.”

Tanisha perched on the arm of the sofa. “Who is this Granny?”

“She’s my great-grand-mother several times over. She’s tiny and dressed in
Little House on the Prairie
clothes and can be very annoying, but also fun.”

“But she’s not here right now, is she?” Tanisha glanced around her loft. “At least I can’t see or feel her. Usually when I see my ghost, I get very cold. Same thing happened when Granny was here. Is that normal?”

“Usually there’s a chill when they’re around. My mom keeps a sweater with her most of the time.” Kelly also checked out the loft, just to make sure Granny wasn’t hovering somewhere. “Granny left as soon as I got here. But I’m sure she’ll be back soon,” Kelly added with more hope than assurance. “She’s the reason I’m here. I had totally dismissed talking with you, but she insisted.”

Kelly leaned back against the sofa. “I have to be honest with you, Tanisha. Granny is the only ghost I’ve ever conversed with, even though I’ve seen others. They don’t come to me like they do my mother. I’ve heard a few speak with her, but I’ve never really interacted with them myself. So I don’t know if I can help you or not.”

“Fair enough. We can explore it together. Will Granny help?”

“If she wants to, she will. Usually, she loves to help other ghosts, but she can also be difficult. Mom says she’s stubborn as a mule.”

“I heard that!”

Kelly whipped her head around towards the sound but didn’t see anything. Relaxing her eyes, she kept her focus until she could make out the outline of Granny moving towards them from the kitchen area. As she moved, her appearance became more pronounced.

“She’s here, isn’t she?” asked Tanisha. “Your Granny, I mean.”

“Yes, she just popped in.”

“And she’s…” Tanisha pointed a finger towards the kitchen, then moved it back, then pointed in the direction of the sleeping area, using it like a divining rod. “Well, she was moving towards us, but is now heading there, by the bed.” Her finger swayed in the direction of the windows, then back by the bed. “She’s messing with me, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is.” Kelly watched the ghost float around the apartment, testing Tanisha. “Come on, Granny, quit teasing Tanisha. We’re here to help her.”

“I’m just checking,” snapped the ghost, “to make sure she can see me for real.”

Kelly focused back on Tanisha. “How clearly can you see Granny?”

She lowered her finger. Bending down, she picked up her coffee mug. “You want a refill?” she asked Kelly.

“No, thanks, I’m good.”

Tanisha headed for the coffeepot. “I don’t see her or the other ghost very well. All I ever see is a hazy vertical cloud, like a column of steam that doesn’t dissipate.” She freshened her coffee and came back to the sofa. Lifting up the mug, she pointed it at Granny. “Nice to meet you, Granny.”

“Likewise,” the ghost responded and moved closer to the two young women. “Now can we stop the gabbing and get to work? I want to know more about this other ghost.”

“Can you hear her?” Kelly asked.

After taking a long draw from her mug, Tanisha shook her head. “No. What did she say?”

“She’s happy to meet you, too.”

“That’s it?” Granny stood in front of Kelly, hands on her slight hips. “Your mother translates everything I say.”

Kelly rolled her eyes at the spirit. “No, she doesn’t, and you know it. She just gives a summary most of the time.”

Tanisha watched the seemingly one-sided conversation with interest. “What are you two talking about? Me?”

“Granny’s upset because I didn’t tell you everything she said, word for word.”

Tanisha gave a soft laugh. “Why didn’t you? Was it naughty?”

Granny moved in front of Tanisha. “If this is just a big joke to you, I’ll leave. I have things to do, ya know.”

“Come on, Granny,” Kelly said, shaking her head at the ghost’s attitude. “It’s not like you have a bus to catch. Let Tanisha get used to this before we move forward.”

Granny snapped around to face Kelly. “As soon as I see your mother, I’m gonna tell her to teach you some manners when it comes to spirits.”

Kelly took a deep breath to compose herself. It felt good to be open about Granny with someone else, especially someone close to her own age. Usually, she only discussed it with her family.

“You’re right, Granny, we’re being disrespectful. I apologize.” Kelly shot a look at Tanisha, who caught on quickly.

“I apologize, too, Granny,” Tanisha said with a straight face. “Really, I’m sorry, and I appreciate your willingness to help.”

“That’s better.” The ghost sniffed. “Now, what do you know about this other ghost?”

Kelly relayed Granny’s question, word for word.

“Before we start,” said Kelly, “do you mind if I use your bathroom and wash my face a little? I did run here.”

“No problem.” Tanisha pointed in the direction of the open double doors she’d gone through earlier. “Bathroom is straight back through the closet and vanity area.”

While Kelly was gone, Granny circled Tanisha, inspecting her like a drill sergeant. Tanisha stood rooted to the ground, her eyes following the spirit’s outline. “I really do appreciate you getting Kelly to help, Granny. I’m at my wit’s end.”