Keeping Secrets (Book 1)

Chapter 7: Lies

I collapsed onto the bed, clutching a pillow to my chest. It still faintly smelt like her. I wasn't sure if I wanted that or not - it definitely wasn't helping my thoughts, that's for sure. There was absolutely nothing I could do to save her, to save any of the ghosts. I didn't even know where to begin.

It's been a week since Travis and I went to talk to Nina the psychic and nothing has changed. I haven't seen a single ghost - not even Jenny begging for my help again. Travis also seemed to have forgotten the whole thing, or at least hasn't mentioned anything about it again. Each day that passed without me figuring anything out made me realize I couldn't do this alone.

The front door opened and shut - gently, so I knew it was Mom getting home from work. I listened to her footsteps as she passed Jenny's room where I was hiding and headed towards the kitchen. I knew she wouldn't look in here. She hasn't since Jenny died.

"Dylan?" she called out, probably wondering where I was. "Can you come here a minute?"

I sighed, sitting up. Looks like my time to brood in here alone was over. I just wished Jenny would come back. Her or Grandma. I missed having someone to talk to. As much as I love Travis, I had gone back to keeping this from him. I hated it, but what else could I do?

I found Mom in the kitchen, like I expected. Her back was to me when I entered as she put groceries into the fridge. "Hey Mom," I said.

She turned around. "Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?"

I shrugged. "Fine."

"Are you sure? You and Travis are doing fine? Everything's okay?"

"Mom," I stressed. "Everything's okay. I promise." 

I felt like she knew I was lying. Maybe she thought I was having trouble with Travis or something. She definitely wouldn't figure out what was actually going on.

"Dyl..." She crossed the kitchen and put her hands on my shoulders. "You know you can talk to me. About anything."

I took a deep breath. She wasn't going to let this go as easily as I had hoped. So I went with a little stretch of the truth, hoping it would work. "I was thinking about Jenny. I wish she was still here."

Mom's face softened. It almost looked like she was going to cry, which was the opposite of what I wanted. "Oh, sweetie. I miss her too." Then she hugged me. "How about," she said, still keeping me in the hug, "we do something tonight?" She stepped back, leaving her hands on my arms. "Just you and me. What do you say?"

"Uh..." How did I get out of this? As much as I wanted to make her happy, I didn't want to spend the night doing some meaningless thing with her when I could be spending that time thinking of a way to save the ghosts.

Mom chuckled lightly. "You have plans with Travis already, don't you?" she asked.

I took the excuse and ran with it. "Yeah... Sorry, Mom, we're going out to dinner tonight. Next time, though, definitely."

She took a step back from me, laughing. "Alright, I see how it is, Dyl. But go have fun. I'm sure that's what your sister would have wanted for you. Don't get hung up missing her, okay? You're allowed to live your life, even if she's not here anymore."

I nodded, suddenly feeling the urge to cry. Mom was right - Jenny was gone. Not only gone from our lives, but gone from mine too. For four months, I held onto the hope that I'd see her again. Then, when I finally did see her, she was ripped away from me by something and I don't have the power to save her, just like the accident. I couldn't save her then and I can't save her now.

But I knew the one person who might be able to.

"Can I borrow the car tonight?" I asked. "Um... well, Travis has been driving me everywhere recently and I want to make it up to him, you know?"

Mom smiled. "Absolutely, sweetie. When are you heading out?"

"Uh..." I glanced at the clock to make sure it was an appropriate time to go out for a fake dinner date. It was still early, but it would do. "In a few minutes?"

She smiled, reaching into her purse that was sitting in the middle of the kitchen table. After a moment of digging, she pulled out her keyring. "They're all yours for the night. As long as you're careful. I don't want anymore calls in the middle of the night saying you're on the way to the hospital."

I snatched the keys from her. "Don't worry. I'll be safe." I started heading for the door before I stopped and turned around. "Thanks, Mom."

She smiled that little smile of hers that meant she was thinking how proud of me she was. "Say hi to Travis for me, okay?"

I nodded, another lie. "I will."

It wasn't too much longer before I found myself back at Nina's little shop. I know she said not to come back - I tried to listen, really - but I couldn't just pretend nothing's going on and I definitely couldn't do anything about it on my own. Nina was my only option.

Just like last time, her shop was closed. I banged on her door anyway, having a feeling she was inside again. I was right.

"I told you not to come back," she said as she pulled open the door.

"Yeah, well I don't listen too well."

She rolled her eyes and muttered, "Obviously." Then she started closing the door but I stopped her.

"Please, Nina. You and I are the only ones who even know something's going on with the ghosts. Let me help you solve whatever it is. I can't stand thinking something terrible has happened when I can't do anything about it."

"Why do you care so much, kid?"

I took a deep breath and, for the first time in a while, I told the truth: "I'm the reason my sister is dead. She asked for my help, but I couldn't even get her home. She asked for my help again and I need to be able to save her. You are the only one who won't think I'm crazy for saying the ghosts are in trouble. My boyfriend even thinks I should forget about them. But I can't. I can't lose my sister again."

Nina nodded slowly. "Alright. Come on in."