Beautiful Spirit

Chapter 3

Thomas woke to the irritable ringing of his alarm. He groaned then turned over, shut the clock up, then buried his face in the pillow.

"Just because its your day off doesn't mean you get to be lazy," came Jimmy's voice. Thomas jumped and with wide eyes looked at Jimmy, who at in the arm chair. Jimmy was dressed in his livery and had his hair fixed in his usual curl. Thomas smiled slightly at the sight and sat on the edge of his bed. For a moment he forgot that Jimmy was dead.

"You like it," Jimmy asked and stood up.

"I've seen you wear that for nearly three years," Thomas answered.

"Yes, but for six months you've had to go without seeing me. Surely you miss the sight."

Is he teasing me?

Jimmy then laughed.

"Yup," he said, "Oh this is amazing Thomas. Since I've spoken to you I've learned to do things. Like change my clothes and even read minds...well...yours just right now. BUT I can also move things now. Touch solids, look!"

Jimmy made his way over to Thomas's bedside table and knocked the glass of water off and onto the floor. Thankfully the glass didn't break but there was still a mess.

"Hey," Thomas shouted.

"You see," Jimmy said with the widest smile Thomas has ever seen.

"Great," Thomas said with a smile, "now tell me you've learned how to clean up the messes you make."
"Nah, I can't do that yet," Jimmy said as he shook his head. Thomas rolled his eyes then got up and grabbed a towel. As he picked up the glass and placed the towel on the floor, Jimmy sat back in the armchair and watched as Thomas cleaned up the water.

"So tell me," Thomas began, "how did you learn you could move things exactly?"

In a flash, Jimmy smiled.

Oh God, What'd you do?

"I don't understand it," Daisy said. Thomas walked in and looked at Daisy, Mrs. Patmore, and Ivy standing in a circle in the kitchen. Jimmy followed behind with a smile still plastered on his face.

"What," Thomas asked. Everyone looked at him and moved a little. There in the middle of the floor was a broken jam jar.

"I put it on the center of the counter," Daisy explained, "There's no way it could've gotten knocked off unless it was pushed off."

Daisy's gaze went to Ivy.

"Why are you looking at me," she asked, "I was with you!"

Alfred came in and sat another jam jar on the counter. Jimmy moved over to it.

Don't even think about it.

Jimmy turned to him and winked.

"I'm tellin ya," Alfred said as he stood by the stove, "Jimmy's ghost is haunting us."

Just as Mrs. Patmore rolled her eyes, Jimmy, with a wicked grin, back handed the jam jar and it too fell on the floor. Ivy screamed and they all looked at the jar.

"It moved on its own," Ivy screamed, "I saw it!"

"Oh God in heaven," Mrs. Patmore prayed while Daisy moved closer to Alfred. Thomas sighed as he watched Jimmy laugh. He wish they could hear him laugh. It was a beautiful laugh.

"Didn't you see it," Ivy turned to Thomas.

"Yup," he said, "Looks like we do got a ghost."

"Oh," Ivy said and turned back around. Jimmy then sat on the counter, his legs swinging back and forth.

You are really enjoying this aren't you.

"Well now I can have something to enjoy," Jimmy said, "Just think of all the things I could do and I won't get sacked for it!"

Just don't hurt anyone, Jimmy.

"Don't worry, Thomas," Jimmy said and approached him, "I wouldn't dream of it."

"J...Jimmy," Ivy said and took a step forward, "Is...is that really you? Please, let me know its you."

"For heaven sakes girl," Mrs. Patmore said, "Lets clean this up. And if that is you Jimmy, mark my words you keep making a mess here I'll give myself a heart attack and come after you."

Thomas laughed and Jimmy stepped closer to Thomas.

Serves you right.

Alfred left the kitchen and Thomas followed.

"Thomas," Daisy said. Thomas and Jimmy stopped in the hall.

"Do you...," she began, "Do you think it's really...him?"

Jimmy snickered and Thomas did all he could not to glare at Jimmy.

"I...I don't know, Daisy."

"Do you still have that...oh uh...ghost board with you?"

"The what," Jimmy asked and came closer.

"I think I might," Thomas said. He honestly wasn't sure if he threw it away or stuffed it in his wardrobe. Daisy nodded but said nothing else. Thomas could tell she wanted too.

"I can look and see if I do and perhaps later on we can try it."

Daisy looked up and smiled then ran back into the kitchen.

"What board," Jimmy asked.

"It's a board that lets you communicate with the undead," Thomas whispered, "A few years ago we tried it. I thought it was a load of rubbish and ghost didn't exist, yet , here you stand."

Jimmy looked down and nodded.

"Do you still--," Jimmy's gaze went past Thomas and up the stairs, "Who's that?"

Thomas looked behind him and saw no one.

"Who," Thomas asked.

"What...you don't see him," Jimmy asked then walked past Thomas and up the stairs.

"Mr. Barrow," Mr. Carson boomed. Thomas jumped and stood straight.

"May I ask why you are standing at the foot of the stairs lollygagging?"

"I," Thomas began and looked back up at the stairs. Jimmy was gone and so he turned back to Mr.Carson.

"I thought I saw something," Thomas answered, "It was nothing," Thomas cleared his throat, "I'll be heading into town today. Is there anything you may need, Mr. Carson, while I'm off?"

"No, not at the moment, but ask Mrs. Patmore. Apparently, a ghost, has gone and smashed up the jam jars and she may need a new order placed."

"Yes, Mr. Carson, I will do that."

Mr. Carson nodded then turned around. Thomas sighed then walked up the stairs to his room. He hoped Jimmy was in there waiting, but there was no sign of his ghost friend. He walked over to his wardrobe and desperately searched it for the board. No luck, it was gone.

"Great," Thomas hissed, "I just might have to buy a new one. Shame, I'm on my last pack of cats."