Chapter 21

MYSTERY OF THE SINGING GHOST

By Ana Riley

CHAPTER 21

Have you ever seen a movie in slow motion? That’s how we must look as we are all creeping as quietly as we can to the deck doors that overlook the garden. The singing has stopped. We’re scanning the garden foliage. It’s earlier than it’s ever been for the ghost to be singing. I wonder if we heard it correctly? But then, all four of us heard it, so what was it if it wasn’t our ghost?

“Can you see anyone?” Maybe Ethan really thinks it is a human ghost.

“Check for a porcupine.” Alex has a quill stuck in his brain.

“Let’s finish eating and give the ghost time to return. If he’s mating, he’ll be back. If he’s haunting, he’ll be back.” My dad is definitely the logical science teacher. "False alarm, gang! Maybe tomorrow we'll have better luck!"

“I better be going. I’d like to arrange a shift for work tomorrow, if I still can. Thanks for everything!”

“Thank YOU, Ethan, for taking care of Gia and Alex today. Your help at Milikins was also greatly appreciated.”

“No problem. Gia, do you still want to go to the Beach Party?

“Absolutely.” I can’t believe he’s leaving so suddenly.

“I’ll cue it up with you tomorrow.”

He can’t just leave like that. Okay, girl, think of something fast!

“Uh, Ethan, hold on a second!”

“What’s up?”

“This!” I don’t care if Alex and Dad decide to peek, but I’m kissing Ethan if it’s the last thing I do on this earth! There! I think he enjoyed that. Wow! You should see his eyes. Is he ever surprised. I wonder if a girl has ever made the first move in kissing him before. I can hear him gulping. I think ‘stunned’ is the word that best describes this divine man.

“Well, Tiger, you never cease to keep me guessing. First, you drive my jeep and save two men from wild beasts, and then, the tigress boldly steps forth and kisses one of the men she saved. I am truly impressed! Thanks – for everything. I better be going. Call you in the morning. Bye, Gia.”

“Grrrrrr.. “ Okay, so my growl isn’t exactly like a real tiger’s, but he’s got the idea.

Ethan’s blowing me a kiss. What a sweetie! Why have I never noticed the way he walks? He has an ever so slight swagger, like a real cowboy who’s been rustling cattle all day.

Dad’s clearing his throat. For all I know, he could have been standing there watching me kiss Ethan. Dad wants to speak.

“Unless there’s something planned for tonight, I’m phoning your mother and then calling it a day.”

“Me, too.” Alex hasn’t strung a long thought together since the food arrived.

“Night, Dad. Tell Mom I love her!”

“Me, too.”

It’s hard to go to bed at night when it’s still fairly light out. I don’t have curtains on my windows because my room is on the second floor and I don’t like curtains and I don’t think I need them. Tonight would be one time I’d not mind having some, though. I’m so tired, I can’t think …My body is sleeping but my mind is awake. The clock keeps changing time. I must be dozing off … How did it jump to 1:30 am?

“Gia! She’s out there!”

“What time does your clock say?”

“Who cares! Do you want to catch this ghost or not?”

“I, uh, it’s too early for her. What time is it, Alex? I don’t hear any singing. You’re dreaming … I’m not awake … this is a dream … Alex? Dad?” I need to use the washroom. Where is everyone?
“Gia! I got her! Dad! Come quick! I trapped the ghost!”

I better hurry out there. Dad’s mumbling something about something moving in some trap. I’ve got to go to the washroom. Where did the hours go? Sleep is such a strange use of time. You think you just fell asleep and suddenly, Time has flown right through your mind. I wonder what time it really is.

“Dad! Alex! Come here! Look! It’s back! Dad? Come quick! In the washroom! I’m not dreaming. This is real. Come! Look at the walls.”

“I’m on my way, dear! You really ought to go out to head out to the garden. Alex trapped the singing ghost.”

“Dad, is this a dream? Am I still sleeping? Pinch me.”

“We’re all awake and this is no dream. Alex wants you in the garden.”

“Did he really catch the ghost?”
“He did.”

“And?”

“And, the ghost’s name is Spike.”

"Spike?"

"Our singing garden ghost is indeed a porcupine! Constable Lemaigre was right after all." Dad is smiling. I think he's smiling from both fatigue and from finally reaching a conclusion about the mysterious singing in our garden.

"Spike, huh? Well, do you think Spike can write ancient script letters high up on a bathroom wall?"

"More writing?" I've caught my dad's interest.

"Right here, Dad. Take a look. The same symbols! And this time, no one took a shower so it can’t be because of moisture dripping in soot.”

"My dad's face is full of surprise. He's definitely puzzled about the symbols.

In the meantime, I may as well tell you that I’m a little disappointed to discover that our singing ghost is Spike, the neighbourly porcupine. I guess I was up for something more unusual. It is interesting to learn things about nature as it has a mystery of its own. However, though Spike may be our singing ghost, I think we now might have the plain old house haunting variety of ghost to deal with.

This isn't the end of the story! You're probably wondering whether I went to the beach party after all, and if the bad guys who were doing all these terrible things in our rural community did eventually get caught. Well, I'll let you in on the scoop in the Epilogue, which is coming up at the end of this month! Stay tuned for the real final ending!

Love, Gia

PS: Why not write me a note and tell me what you think happens in the Epilogue? Just click on EMAIL ANALYNN and she will forward your questions and conclusions to me. Please be sure to include a big smile when you write! Thanks!

Email Analynn