Finders Keepers

CHAPTER SEVEN

SO HOW DID IT go with Amanda?

Ken yawned. It was Saturday morning, he was still in bed, and for once he didn’t mind having a chat with his old friend.

I don’t know. She was sort of weird.

How do you mean, weird?

Well, like, at first things were really good. I mean, we were kind of connecting, you know? We talked a lot on the way there. And during the seance I couldn’t even look at her because I was afraid we’d start laughing. I thought things were going pretty well for us.

Cool.

But then things changed. After the seance, coming home, she barely spoke to me. I asked her if she wanted to get something to eat, but she said she wasn’t hungry. So I took her home. And she didn’t invite me to come in.

Did you kiss her?

I didn’t even get a chance. The second we arrived at her place, she went inside and closed the door. She didn’t even say goodbye!

That’s pretty weird. Maybe she’s just not into you. Hey, what are you doing today?

I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.

Why don’t you go to the pool?

The indoor pool at the Community Centre? Nah, it’s too crowded on Saturdays.

Oh, c’mon, you could use a good swim. Work out your frustrations over Amanda. And you’d be doing me a favour.

How’s that?

Lucy goes to the pool every Saturday. It’ll give you a chance to talk to her. Find out what’s going on between her and Dowell.

Ken sighed. Well, if he was going to help Jack he’d have to talk to Lucy sooner or later, and he might as well get it over with. The pool was as good a place as any.

When he arrived, he saw that the pool wasn’t as crowded as he’d expected. He didn’t see Lucy around so he decided to make the most of it. He dived in.

The thing he liked best about swimming was that he could put his mind on automatic pilot and let his thoughts wander. And his thoughts went back to Amanda. He hoped she didn’t go to the pool on Saturdays. Nah, the public swimming pool was probably beneath her.

She’d really been a major disappointment, he thought as he swam his lengths. He’d been feeling positive about her at the seance and when the seance was over he’d looked forward to discussing what they’d just observed, and comparing their reactions.

But Amanda had been totally uninterested in having any kind of conversation. When he tried to talk to her, she acted like the whole thing had been boring. She just kept shrugging her shoulders and saying, ‘Whatever’. He’d asked her if she was worrying about her operation, and all she said was that she hoped she could get a manicure at the hospital! She was like a different person from the one he’d gone to the seance with. Maybe Jack was right, and she just wasn’t into him. Maybe she’d decided his ‘gift’ really did make him a freak.

When he emerged from the pool, he saw that Lucy had arrived. She was setting down her bag beside a table and chairs, and she was alone. He ambled over to her.

‘Hi.’

She looked up. ‘Oh, hi, Ken. How’s Jack?’

‘Fine,’ he murmured, hoping no one he knew could overhear their conversation.

She pulled out a chair for herself and one for Ken. ‘Sit down.’

He did.

‘I was just wondering, what’s it like, talking to a dead person?’

Ken couldn’t meet her eyes. ‘It’s hard to describe.’

‘Did you contact more dead people at the seance?’ she asked.

‘Some people did. Not me.’

‘Do you ever talk to dead people besides Jack? Anyone famous?’

‘No, nobody famous. Listen, Lucy, I really don’t like talking about this, OK?’

She nodded. ‘I can understand that. Because most people aren’t as open-minded as I am. They’d think you were nuts.’

He couldn’t argue with that. Just then, Lucy’s handbag started to beep.

‘Ooh, I’ve got a text message,’ she said. She fumbled in her bag and pulled out her phone. She punched some buttons and looked at the screen. ‘Yay!’ she exclaimed.

‘Good news?’ Ken enquired politely.

‘Simon Dowell wants to know if I’ll go to the basketball game with him on Tuesday evening.’

‘Oh.’ He scratched his head. ‘Are you going to go?’

‘Sure. Why not?’

‘Um, well. you know, Simon has a reputation. I’ve heard he’s kind of a player, if you know what I mean. Do you really like him?’

Lucy shrugged. ‘He’s OK. But if you don’t think I should go out with him, I won’t.’

He wished he could tell her it was Jack who was concerned, not him. ‘Well, I can’t tell you what to do. I just wanted to warn you.’

‘Thank you, Ken. Listen. what are you doing later?’

‘Later?’

‘Mm. Like, tonight.’

‘Tonight?’ he repeated stupidly.

‘I thought maybe you’d like to come over to my place.’ She lowered her eyes demurely. ‘My parents are going out.’

Ken swallowed. ‘Uh, thanks, but, no, um, I have to do something. See ya, Lucy.’ He jumped up and hurried to the boys’ locker room. Once he was safe in all-male territory, he leaned against the wall and let out the breath he’d been holding. Oh, great. She thought he was interested in her — and not in a big brother way. What had Jack got him into? Man, if his best friend wasn’t already dead, Ken would have killed him.

Maybe Jack heard his thoughts, because he didn’t try to contact Ken the rest of the weekend, and Ken could think about more important subjects. Like the next seance on Monday.

He’d decided he was definitely going back. That Cassandra, the medium — Ken didn’t have any experience with mediums, but she seemed like the real thing. Her voice, when she related the messages from Margaret’s mother, sounded sincere to him. Like she was really listening to another voice, and like she really cared.

That poor Margaret! He hoped the medium would be able to help her. Maybe if she knew her mother was OK, in heaven or whatever, she’d feel better and be able to get on with her life. The older woman, Dahlia — she seemed a little nuts, but it was possible she actually had experienced other live s. Lots of intelligent people believed in reincarnation.

But the one who had really touched him was Stevie. The boy really cared about his family, and he was desperate to help them.

Ken was dying to talk about this, to share the experience. But he couldn’t tell his friends — they’d just laugh. And how could he explain his own interest without revealing his gift? Lucy knew about it, but he was afraid to talk to her about anything. She’d only think he was coming on to her. So for once he was really looking forward to the gifted class. His classmates were the only people he could tell.

He arrived early at class that Monday. Emily was the only other student already there.

‘I bought a Get Well Soon card for Amanda,’ she told Ken. ‘Will you sign it?’

Ken grimaced. Of course he’d have to sign it — it would be childish and mean to refuse. And it wasn’t as if he wanted her to die, or suffer terribly. But what would he write?

Emily had already contributed her message. ‘Hi, Amanda, we miss you!!! Get well quickly!!! Love, Emily.’

After thinking a moment, he scrawled,‘I hope you feel better soon. Best wishes, Ken Preston.’ It was the kind of thing you’d write on a card that was going to someone you barely knew. But that was how he felt about her now.

He sat at his desk and waited impatiently for the others to arrive. Emily made each of them sign the card, and when Madame arrived she had to sign it too.

As soon as the bell rang, his hand flew up. So did Tracey’s. Madame called on her first.

‘Madame, could we take up a collection to send Amanda some flowers?’

‘That’s a nice idea, Tracey,’ Madame said.

Charles didn’t think so. ‘Her family’s rich. They can afford to buy her plenty of flowers.’

Madame frowned. ‘That’s not the point, Charles. We want Amanda to know we’re thinking about her.’

Martin raised his hand. ‘I’m not thinking about her.’

Jenna turned to him. ‘Just fake it, Martin. It’s the right thing to do.’

‘I think she likes roses,’ Tracey said. ‘Yellow ones would be nice.’

‘Roses are really expensive,’ Emily said. ‘I don’t know if we’ll be able to collect that much money. Are tulips in season now?’

Ken slumped in his seat. Personally, he felt like agreeing with Charles and Martin. But mainly he wanted this discussion of flowers to end so he could bring up his news.

Finally the money was collected and Emily said she’d go to the florist and see what kind of flowers they could buy. The second she finished speaking, Ken put his hand up, and Madame nodded to him.

‘There’s something I want to tell the class about,’ he said. ‘Last Friday night I went to a seance.’

‘What’s a seance?’ Martin asked.

Madame answered for Ken. ‘It’s a ritual where people try to contact friends and family who have passed on.’ She frowned.‘What were you doing there, Ken?’

‘I just thought it would be interesting,’ he said. ‘To meet people who do what I do.’

Now Madame looked seriously concerned. ‘Did you participate in the seance, Ken? Did you let people know about your gift?’

‘No, no, nothing like that,’ he assured her. ‘I was just listening. Anyway, there was this kid—’

He was interrupted before he could get any further. ‘Are you nuts?’ Jenna asked. ‘Those things are scams.’

‘You don’t know if that’s true,’ he declared. ‘Hey, if I can talk to the dead, there must be other people who can do it.’

But Madame was shaking her head. ‘That’s not necessarily true, Ken. Your gift may be unique.’

‘I don’t think so,’ Ken argued. ‘This medium, Cassandra, she wants to help people. She doesn’t even charge money for coming to the seance.’

Madame didn’t look convinced. ‘I’m sorry, Ken, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to attend meetings like that. You’ll be urged to join in. You may feel compelled to share your gift.’

Ken scowled. ‘I can control myself, Madame.’

‘That’s not true,’ Jenna interjected. ‘You’re always saying how you can’t control your gift.’

Ken glared at her. ‘I meant, I know how to keep my mouth shut.’

‘I’m sure you do,’ Madame said smoothly. ‘But Ken, you’ll encounter temptations. Perhaps a participant in the seance will be desperate to contact a deceased loved one and you’ll actually receive a message from that person who’s passed on. You’ll want to relay the message.’

She had a point, and Ken found it extremely annoying. It was as if she didn’t trust him to behave properly. And his classmates weren’t sympathetic either.

‘Do you understand what we’re saying, Ken?’ Madame asked.

He shrugged. ‘Whatever.’

But that evening he told his parents he was going to the library. Instead he went back to Cassandra’s apartment.

He got there early, but he wasn’t the first to arrive. Dahlia was already there, having an intense conversation with Cassandra.

‘I knew Cleopatra very well, you see. I was one of her handmaidens. And I told her over and over again, “Cleo, Mark Antony is worth a dozen Caesars.” But would she ever listen to me? That woman had a mind of her own. She could be so stubborn.’

He really didn’t want to get caught up in this conversation, and he was relieved when Stevie arrived next.

‘Hey, how ’s it going?’ he asked the younger boy.

Stevie didn’t look any more cheerful than he’d looked at the last seance.

‘OK, I guess,’ he said.‘Mom took Dad’s old clothes to a second-hand shop and sold them. We didn’t get much though.’ He smiled sadly. ‘It’s not like he wore designer clothes.’

Ken nodded sympathetically, and Stevie continued.

‘I’ve been trying to get a job delivering newspapers, but you have to be twelve and I’m only eleven.’ He looked at Ken hopefully. ‘Do you know anyone who would hire me? I’m very mature for my age. I could run errands, mow lawns, carry groceries …’

‘I’ll ask my mother,’ Ken promised him. ‘Listen, I get a pretty decent allowance. I could give you a few bucks …’

Stevie shook his head violently. ‘I won’t take charity,’ he stated firmly. Ken could see that he was trying to look older than his eleven years. It made Ken hurt inside. He wished the medium would pay more attention to the boy and less to the lady with the past lives. Dahlia just wanted to say hi to old friends but Stevie was in serious need of help.

Another woman walked in, and it took Ken a minute to realize she was Margaret. She looked completely different tonight. Her hair was shorter, she wore jeans, and she was — well, kind of pretty! He was amazed. Had that brief message from her mother completely changed her life?

Cassandra seemed very surprised to see her too. She ushered them all to the table, but she kept looking at Margaret with a puzzled expression.

They joined hands and the medium began. ‘Oh spirits, hear our fervent plea. We are in great need of your presence. Please speak with us tonight.’

The group was silent, and Ken concentrated very hard. Maybe something would happen for Stevie tonight.

‘A spirit is approaching,’ the medium said. ‘I am getting a message.’

Ken held his breath. Oh please, he thought, let it be Stevie’s father.

After a moment she added, ‘It’s a man,’ and his heart leapt. Come on, Mr Fisher, Stevie needs you.

Then Cassandra said,‘He’s carrying red roses,’ and Dahlia let out a squeal.

‘It’s Vladimir!’ she cried out. ‘He always brought me red roses.’

Ken opened his eyes. ‘Who’s Vladimir?’

‘My lover, in Russia,’ Dahlia said. ‘Before the Revolution. Does he have a message for me?’

‘Yes,’ Cassandra said. ‘He wants you to know he waits for you in eternity.’

‘Oh, how lovely,’ Dahlia said happily. ‘I have such wonderful memories of my time with Vladimir. I’m so happy to know he still thinks of me.’

Ken couldn’t help rolling his eyes, and then he realized Margaret was looking straight at him. And she was smiling! He was so surprised, he couldn’t even smile back at her. He closed his eyes.

The medium had more words from Vladimir for Dahlia — mushy stuff that almost made Ken blush. Finally Vladimir made an exit, and Cassandra was available to hear from another spirit.

‘Margaret, your mother is here.’

‘Oh, yeah?’

‘She wants to know if you’ve been taking your vitamins.’

‘Uh, sure.’

‘She wants you to know she’s watching you, Margaret.’

‘OK.’

‘And thinking about you.’

‘Great,’ Margaret said.‘Tell her I’m thinking about her too.’

Ken opened his eyes again. There was no sign of a tear on Margaret’s face. He noticed that, above the veils, the medium’s eyes were open too. Ken didn’t blame her. This was a completely different Margaret from the one they’d seen the previous Friday.

‘Well,’ Cassandra said finally, ‘your mother is very pleased to see you’re feeling better. She wants to say goodbye now.’

‘Bye, Mom,’ Margaret said.

The medium noticed that Ken’s eyes were open, and she frowned. Obediently, he closed them.

‘Someone else is coming,’ Cassandra said. ‘I think it may be Cleopatra, Dahlia.’

Ken uttered a silent groan. Where was Stevie’s father? Didn’t the man realize how desperately Stevie needed to talk to him?

He made a decision. As soon as the seance was over he was going to have a private conversation with the medium. Despite Madame’s warning, he was going to tell her about his gift.

Because together, if they joined forces, they just might be able to help Stevie.

Hey, man, what’s up?

Jack, not now! I’m in the middle of a seance. I ’m trying to concentrate!

But did you talk to Lucy? Did you tell her not to go out with Simon?

Yeah, I told her.

Thanks, pal. Look, could you do something else for me? You’ve still got my iPod, right? I left it at your place a couple of days before I died, remember?

I think so. Why?

Could you give it to Lucy for me? And tell her it’s from me?

OK, OK. Jack, listen, I gotta go. I really want to concentrate on this seance.

Sure, man. See ya.

Ken opened his eyes for a minute, and realized that Cassandra’s eyes were open too. And she was looking straight at him. Maybe she’d sensed he hadn’t been paying attention. Obediently, he closed his eyes and thought about Stevie’s father.

But Cleopatra was the last dead person to speak to them that night.