Tenth District Court in Denver.
I’ve been glued to the computer all day. When Dad taps on my door to let me know dinner is ready, it dawns on me that I never ate lunch.
He waits until later to approach me about what I’ve learned. I share it with him, along with everything that I’ve gathered so far today.
“I don’t understand,” he says, reading my notes. “What is the cause of Cece’s death?”
I look up at him, “I don’t know, Dad. You interrupted me a week or two before she passed.”
He studies me. “Isn’t this something you can ascertain without having to... relive it?”
“You’re asking me questions I can’t answer. I’m new at this, remember?”
He sighs and I know he’s concerned. I like that part of it, but I also know that Ma wouldn’t allow me to do anything with my gift that would put me in harm’s way.
“So, what’s next then?”
“I...uh, I need to find out how she died.”
“The cemetery should have a copy of her death certificate,” my father offers.
“Would they allow me to have a copy?”
“It’s public record, I’m sure. I can’t fathom them turning you down,” he replies with a smile.
“Then that’s what I’ll do. Oh...and Dad?”
He quirks a brow.
“Remember, this is just between us.”
“Who the hell would I tell that wouldn’t have me committed,” he comments wryly, giving me a slow smile.”
“I know, right?”
Ma pays a visit in my dreams. It’s so strange. I’m sleeping peacefully, having a perfectly good wet dream about Ryan—that’s right, women have them too though I don’t know why society seems to think it’s just guys.
At any rate, I’m on the verge of my ‘O’ when who pops in to chat totally killing the mood?
Ma.
Except it’s okay being that I love her and all.
She’s still rocking some really cool clothes and looks as beautiful as ever. “Parrish,” she greets me, “Hi sweet girl! How are you doing with Cece’s situation?” she asks. “Word’s out that you might need some help. That’s why Mommy’s here.”
It kills me when she refers to herself as Mommy to me. I feel myself smiling in my dream. Did you ever notice that you can’t see yourself in your dreams? I mean, even if there’s a mirror in your dream, try to catch your reflection some time. Impossible!
But, I digress.
“Hi Ma, looking good,” I answer her, in my dream.
(You can hear yourself in dreams. But you already knew that, right?)
“Well, here’s the thing—Dad kinda interrupted me while Cece was...at the wheel . I didn’t get to the conclusion of her... passing .”
I watch as she raises a perfectly arched brow in confusion. “Well, why did he do that?”
“He said he didn’t like what he saw. He was worried, I guess.”
“Hmmph,” she says, tapping a booted foot. “Well that’s Dominic, always the worrier. Did you tell him it’s perfectly safe for you?”
I nod. “I guess he’s just kind of... overprotective .”
She nods and her long, straight hair moves a bit with it. “You don’t have to tell me, I remember,” she replies, giving me a wistful smile. “Oh... that man,” she continues, letting out a sigh. “But, his stubbornness is actually one of the things I love so much about him. Along with some of his other fine... qualities .”
I swear to the saints above, I actually believe she blushed just then! I mean, is that even possible with ghosts? “He doesn’t want me going back to the cemetery,” I add. “But, I don’t see how I can’t. I’m going to get her death certificate, maybe that’s all I need.”
“No, sweetheart, you’re going to need more than that. Tell you what, will you take a message to your father?”
I nod.
“Okay, tell him you talked to me and that I want him to chillax on this and that he needs to let you go back and let Cece finish showing you what happened. Reassure him that you are in no danger whatsoever.”
Chillax?
Seriously?
“Ma, who’ve you been hanging
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