Behind Closed Doors

5: Looney Bin Material

"It's nice to see you again, Kaimi, it's been a while," Ashton, Skyler's father, says as the three of them clamber into his car.

"I mean we see each other every day, but it's nice to be able to come over outside of school," Kaimi says, laughing a little. She still can't believe how fast her parents said yes to a sleepover with Skyler. She has a feeling that they want a break from her and her many questions, which is fine by her. Kaimi is getting tired of them avoiding her.

"How is school going, then?" Ashton asks.

"Oh fine, I suppose," Kaimi says, making a face.

"Any other projects coming up besides mine?" he chirps.

"We have a genetics project coming up soon," Skyler says. Ashton stiffens.

"Well that'll be interesting, won't it?" he asks. Skyler shrugs.

"I guess so."

"Lighten up, Skye. It won't be that hard," Kaimi says. Skye forces a smile, but inside, her stomach churns. It's hard for her to see any resemblance between her and either of her parents. But how do you bring something like that up? Hey mom and dad, are you sure you didn't adopt me? Relatives never remarked about how alike she looked to either parent, and almost all of their facial features seem to be different. The only thing they seem to have in common is hair color.

Skye had asked the question a couple of times when they were younger, and both times, they got the same response. Bea or Ashton would smile and laugh and say something like, "of course, you're not adopted, silly!"

"Skye?"

Kaimi's voice snaps Skyler out of her thoughts.

"Sorry, I spaced out. What did you say?" they ask.

"I said we're here," Ashton says, letting out a quiet chuckle. Kaimi and Skyler get out of the vehicle and follow Ashton inside. Bea's face lights up when she sees the two of them.

"Kaimi, nice to see you again," she says.

"You too!" Kai exclaims, taking off her shoes to set them next to Skyler's.

"Ah, so this is Bea's house. I never did get to come over," the ghost says, appearing out of nowhere. It scares her so bad she jumps and stubs her toe.

"Did you see a spider or something?" Skyler teases.

"Nope, no spiders here," Kai says, silently cursing at her ghost. The apparition laughs, which Kaimi thought should have been impossible. But then again, seeing a ghost should be impossible, too.

"Are you sure you're alright? You're looking a little pale," Bea says.

"I'm fine! I am hungry, though," Kai lies.

"Well, you're in luck! I made tacos, I hope that's okay."

"Man, what I wouldn't give to be able to eat again!" The ghost whines.

"Sounds perfect, thank you," Kai says, glaring at her ghost. Why won't it shut up? Is this how life will be from now on? Will she always have to live with a talkative shadow?

***********

Throughout dinner, a little homework, and some mindless board games, Kaimi's stupid ghost lingered. It was almost time for bed, and she's had enough. She makes up a lie about needing to call her mother and then steps outside. She pulls out her phone in case someone was watching her speak. But she wasn't speaking to Eva, she was speaking to her ghost.

"Can you please leave me alone for the rest of the night? If they find out I can see a ghost, they're going to tell my parents, who will put me in the looney bin," Kai pleads.