Carolyn Ridder Aspenson [Aspenson - Haunting Hooligans

She swept the browned crisp leaves into a pile and swooped it with one big swing of her rake. The big pile of leaves, underbrush, and whatever little wormy creatures lived in the mess all landed directly on top of the spirits remains. Of course, my neighbor couldnt see the body since it had been removed when the man died seven years ago, but I saw, and his spirit saw too, and I cringed a little.

Hey now, you dont have to be doin that to my remains. Your momma teach you any manners? The dead man asked. He lifted his eyes from the pile of leaves resting on top of his charred body, smiled at me, and winked.

My neighbor, Emma Sue Platt, removed her garden gloves from her hands. Are you ready for Halloween?

I glanced toward my house next door and sighed at the three pumpkins on the front porch, none of which had been carved, and the small fall wreath hanging on the front door. As ready as Ill ever be.

You know, your ma and pa used to do Halloween up right. Your pa was out the first of the month, rain or shine, putting up those orange and green lights, and your ma, she always had a big ol display of pumpkins and scarecrows in the front yard by the mailbox. Remember that? My favorite was the makeshift cemetery she made out in the front yard. That grave with the skeleton crawling up the back of the tombstone? That was good Halloweenin right there. Kids loved that stuff.

I know. She really loved Halloween.

You still got her decorations?

Yes, maam.

I might could help you get em up if youd like.

A part of me wanted to. I wanted to keep the tradition going, to do what I knew my mom would love, what she did love, but the other part of me, the part that missed her and still hurt when I thought about those old family traditions, it just couldnt bring the rest of me to do it. Not yet. Maybe next year, Emma Sue. Im just not quite ready yet.

She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and walked me toward her garage, the ghost following behind, commenting on the yard and how Emma Sue needed to spend more time taking care of it. I ignored him.

Sweetie, I know its hard, and I aint one to say all that stuff people say when ones grieving, because believe me, I know it dont mean much of nothing. Its been seven years since Buck passed, and there are days when I just want to sit and cry in my Corn Flakes, but I can tell you this, doing the things that you know they loved, that bring you back to the good times, thats good for the soul. Why do you think I pay so much attention to this darn yard? I never much cared for yard work, but Buck, he found it relaxing. Man was crazy, I know, but he was my crazy, and when Im out here doing my best to make the yard look good, it makes me feel closer to him. Course, if he were here, hed probably tell you I aint doing it right, that I shouldnt

Buck spoke along with her, Leave the leaves in a big pile like that because itll kill the darn grass, woman.

I pressed my lips together but couldnt help smiling anyway.

What Im trying to say is, its the good times from the past, the things your parents did that keep you connected to them. Aint that what you want?

Ideally, I wanted them, but I knew that wasnt a possibility. Or was it? Yes, maam.

Then lets get that graveyard up. And get that boy of yours out here carving them pumpkins. Hes old enough to be responsible with a knife, aint he?

As long as hes been fed, I think hell be fine. Hes not home though. His friends mom picked him up for school two hours ago.

Emma Sue laughed. Aint that the truth about all men?

She talkin about me? the ghost asked.

I raised my eyebrows.

I appreciate your offer to help, but Ive got to get to work.

Work? Its Halloween. Aint that a national holiday?

I wish, but its not. And Im already late as it is. I just wanted to come by and say hello and tell you not to be out here too long. I know youve got fall allergies, and I dont want you suffering. I only knew that because Buck, her husband, had stopped me on the way out this morning and asked me to give her a what for for not taking her medicine before going out to do yard work.

She sniffled and swiped her forefinger underneath her nose. Huh, I dont think I took them allergy pills the doctor gave me a few weeks ago. She leaned the broom shed grabbed from just inside her garage up against the side of her house. I best be gettin inside to get me one of those before I end up having a sneeze attack.

Dont know how that woman makes it without me, Buck said.

I said goodbye to Emma Sue and headed toward my car. She seems to be doing okay.

I guess, but I dont like it. Wish shed find a good man to take care of her.

I stopped and stared at the old man. Mr. Platt, shes seventy-six years old. Im pretty sure she has no interest in getting out into the dating scene again. Im in my forties, and I dont even want to. Though the thought of a nice looking, local police detective sounded rather inviting. I just didnt mention that to the ghost.

Well, shes going to need someone to take care of her. She shouldnt be out doin that work now. She could drop dead.

Like you did?

That was different. I got struck by lightning. She could have a heart attack.

I tossed my bag gently into the passenger seat. Does she have a heart condition?

No, but that dont matter. Id never been struck by lightning before and look at what happened to me.

I laughed. Mr. Platt, is there something youd like to me to tell Emma Sue? A message you want me to give her?

He nodded. Tell her to find a man to take care of her so I can stop worrying.

I am not telling her that because I dont think you really mean it.

He shrugged. Not really. I just dont want her getting hurt. We got those grandkids, and I want her to have a lot of years with them. She always wanted them. Always wanted us to be able to take them to the park, buy them ice cream, spoil them rotten. And I had to go and ruin that by gettin lit up like a firecracker. His energy deflated, and a sadness swept over me.

Mr. Platt, you didnt ruin it. It was just your time. And whatevers going to happen to Emma Sue is going to happen. I dont think theres much we can do about it.

Maybe not you, but us spirits, we got connections, and Ill tell you this, if my wife gets in harms way, Im gettin her out. He puffed out his chest and then disappeared in a swift light straight up into the light of the sun.