Creative Melting Pot

Row after row of cookie-cutter, upper-class houses drift lazily by as I carefully maneuver my truck through the icy streets. The mechanical voice from my phone instructs me to turn right, and I follow suite as a whistle from the passenger seat catches my attention. I glance over to see Felix staring out the window with his feet propped up on the dashboard.

“You didn’t mess around when you said these units were fancy, huh.” Felix says. He pauses to shift in his seat and looks towards me with a smirk as he adds, “Guess you’re gonna be able to afford that new laptop after all.”

I hum in acknowledgement and bring my hand-me-down pickup to a stop as I approach a stop-sign. “I’ve gotten a lot of exorcism jobs this month, so it’s very possible.” I pause as my foot lets off the break before deciding to add, “Also, get your feet of my dash. You know I hate it when you do that.”

Felix’s smirk instantly fades, but he complies with my request. “Not like it matters, since a ghost can’t leave footprints. You of all people should know that, TeeTee.”

My nose scrunches at the childish nickname. Ever since Felix found out about it, he’s been insistent on calling me it instead of Theresa every chance he gets. I’ve already asked him several times to stop, but he never seems to care that it irritates me to no end. Several beats pass in silence and, as I pull into the driveway of the designated house beside a neon-red convertible, Felix clears his throat.

“So, uh, what kind of job is this, anyway?” Felix asks as I kill the engine. “Typical burn n’ turn? Or are we dousing everything in holy water? Either way, you better be charging extra for it.”

I pause and run a hand through my hair, trying to remember the specifics of the assignment, and wince as my fingers briefly get caught in my red curls. “I believe it’s standard. And they’re getting charged the same amount as everyone else.”

“But why, though?” Felix asks as he gestures to the over extravagant, red and white bricked townhouse in front of us. “In case you haven’t noticed, they’re not exactly scrimping for change.”

I want to agree, since gated communities like this one are nothing more than wasteful eyesores, but it’s not my place to judge a client’s living situation. So, instead, I simply shrug and say, “It’s just how I do business.”

With that, I open the drivers-side door and step out into the chilled afternoon air. Being mindful not to slip on the ice that covers the driveway like a sheet of glass, I carefully make my way up the walkway to the front porch. Once there, I turn back to see Felix trudging his way up the walkway, completely unaffected by the ice thanks to floating just above the ground.

It amazes me how unaffected I am by the action. Four years ago, when I first found Felix’s spirit, I hadn’t even believed in the supernatural. I’d met him a week after I’d gotten into a nasty hit-and-run, which left me with both a fracture in my right shoulder and a hefty bill at both the hospital and mechanics, slumped by a dumpster in the alley between the downtown postal service and bowling alley. I vividly remember the shock on Felix’s face as I asked him if he was alright, and the same sort of surprise that came across my own expression after my hand phased through his in my attempt to pull him to his feet. He never seemed to leave my side much after that, even when I told him he couldn’t stick around, and we eventually decided to start an exorcism business together once he convinced me of its profitability. Felix still questions how I get these abilities from time to time, he’s particularly fond of the theory that I was supposed to die in the crash and seeing ghosts is just a side effect of cheating death, but I’ve never put that much stock into it. I’m able to talk to Felix, and Felix is able to talk to me. Everything past that is just arbitrary.

“What are you so starin’ at?” Felix asks with a teasing grin as he comes to a stop beside me on the porch.

“Just thinking is all.” I say. I momentarily try to hold back a small as I ring the doorbell but let spread across my lips anyway. A chime is heard inside and, a few seconds later, a man around his early forties in a dark blue polo shirt with beige khakis opens the door. The sharp smell of cologne wafts into my nose immediately after, and it takes every ounce of willpower to maintain a straight face. “Good afternoon, Mr. Benton.” I greet as I extend my arm for a handshake. “My name’s Theresa. I’m the one you called about an exorcism.”

“Of course, of course, so glad you could come on short notice.” Mr. Benton says quickly, gripping my hand with both of his. I tense at the action but, before I can ask him to let go of my hands, Mr. Benton yanks me inside. He shuts the door as I stumble inside and regain my balance just in time to keep myself from tumbling to the cold linoleum of the entryway. Felix walks through the door shortly after and lets out an annoyed huff.

“Asshole.” Felix mumbles. He then pauses and asks, “You alright?”

I take the opportunity to give Felix a quick nod as he straightens the collar of his polo and stop once he turns around to face me.

“Apologies for the manhandling.” Mr. Benton says as he runs a hand through his short, well-kept brown hair. “I couldn’t risk anyone seeing you. The neighbors are huge gossips, and if they found out I was paying someone to get rid of a ghost, they’d— Well, they’d think I was insane. Probably laugh me straight out of the country club and everything.”

“Ugh, what a tool.” Felix says as he glides through Mr. Benton and further into the house. “Think the ghost here would let me haunt him too?”

“It’s alright, Mr. Benton.” I say. I can’t help but note I’m not wearing anything to draw any access attention to myself, just a pair of ripped jeans and a light-gray hoodie, but the knowledge of my payment keeps the thought from reaching my tongue. “This shouldn’t take lone. I just need to know where the apparition has been appearing before I can rid of it.”

“Right.” Mr. Benton says as he gestures me to follow him. “Well, come with me then.”

He then leads me through the narrow hallway, lined with portraits I can only assume are his ancestors, that spills out into the living room. To my surprise, the space isn’t as lavish as the outside of the building would suggest. Just a couch and two loveseats surrounding a large fireplace, more pictures of people hung neatly on the wall, and a grand piano tucked into the corner parallel to the winding staircase.

“The ghost has been appearing upstairs, first room on the left.” Mr. Benton explains as Felix floats up to the second floor. He then takes a thick, brown coat from one of the hooks and slips it over his slender frame as he continues, “I’m afraid I can’t stick around for…whatever your process is, but I have your payment ready on the piano over there. Feel free to let yourself out once you’re done.”

“Hey, I dare you to say you’re gonna steal his shit.” Felix yells from the stairway with a snicker.

“You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Benton.” I say, keeping my attention solely on my client. “I’ll have the apparition exorcised by the time you get back.”

“Good, good.” Mr. Benton mumbles as he hooks the last button.

He then rushes out of the room and, shortly after, the faint sound of a car engine can be heard from outside. Once the sound dissipates, I let out a heavy sigh and look up to the second floor with a sharp glare.

“You know, I know you’re a ghost and all,” I say as I begin my ascent on the spiral staircase. “But would it kill you a second time to take this more seriously? Or at least not try to distract me around our clients?”

“Your clients.” Felix clarifies. “I’m just here to keep you from getting possessed.” I open my mouth to comment on this but, before I can, Felix speaks up again. “Found the ghost’s room, by the way, so you’re the one who needs to get their ass in gear.”

I roll my eyes at his snarky tone, but shift my mind into work-mode, nonetheless. I pick up my pace on the stairs and, when I reach the top, see Felix standing in front of a room that’s a few feet off to the side. I take a deep breath as I walk forward, but Felix puts out an arm to stop me before I can reach the doorknob. I freeze, even though there’s technically nothing keeping me from going forward.

“Something feels off.” Felix says. His normal smile is twisted into a concerned frown and a morbid curiosity creeps into my stomach. “Wait out here.”

Felix then walks through the door into the room, and I wait for a response. A whole five minutes pass in silence, and I decide I can no longer contain my curiosity. I creep closer to door and press my ear against the thick oak. There’s only silence at first, but I finally hear Felix’s voice from the other side. It’s so gentle and quiet that I almost don’t recognize.

“Sh, sh. It’s gonna be okay.”

Another rush of curiosity comes over me and, with slight hesitation, I decide to enter the room. The door lets out an unsettling creek as it swings open to reveal a small study – just barely bigger than a closet. On either side are small bookshelves crammed full of various titles and, in the very center underneath a window, sits a scuffed, wooden writer’s desk. It takes me a moment to realize Felix is sitting under the desk and, as I take a step further into the room, I notice something moving in his lap. A small, shivering little girl, no more than about eight or nine, with scraggly brown hair limply lying down to the middle of her back. The front of her tattered yellow nightgown is streaked with red from the deep scar that curves around her neck like a malevolent smile.

“Sh, it’s okay.” Felix repeats as another harsh sob shakes the young girl’s fragile body. “It’s okay. You’re safe. I promise.”

This helps to ease the crying, but the child only buries herself deeper into Felix’s side. He glances to me, and we both exchange the same lost look. It shouldn’t surprise me to see a younger ghost. After all, Felix explained that, from what he understood, anyone could develop a tether if they die with enough unfinished business. But that doesn’t stop the sinking feeling in my stomach, or the slight ache in my heart, as I crouch down in front of the two and try my best to listen in on their hushed conversation.

“Hey, kiddo.” Felix says with a smile that, while it seems genuine on the surface, is clearly forced. He waits for a response but continues when it’s clear he won’t be getting one. “How about telling us your name?”
She hesitates, but the child eventually mumbles against Felix’s t-shirt,
“Luanne.”

“Luanne.” he repeats as his smile fades ever so slightly. “That’s a pretty name. How old are you?”

“I…I’m- I was nine.” Luanne says as she finally pulls away from Felix’s side to look up at him.

The heartbreak is clear on Felix’s face, and the look he shoots me lets me know that he needs me to talk while he composes himself. “Nine, huh? Wow. Do you remember where you grew up? Or who your family is?”

Luanne once again hesitates, but the question gets a smile out of her. “My momma. I…I remember that I used to live with my mama.”

“You’re mama.” I repeat. I then pause to reflect on the answer and, after a moment, ask, “Do you know where your she is?”

Luanne visibly tenses, and she slowly shakes her head no as more tears run down her cheeks. “No. I…I don’t know where mama is. She said if I ever got scared, I could hide under her writin’ desk. I could hide there, and then she’d come and cheer me up so I wouldn’t be scared anymore.” She takes a slight pause and slowly begins to curl against Felix’s side once again as her body start to shake. “I…I don’t understand why she hasn’t come to find me. Why…why she left me here all alone…”

“She didn’t do that.” Felix reassures, though I can tell from his uncertain expression that he doesn’t believe it. “Maybe she’s just lost and can’t get to you. Do you remember where you used to live?” He waits for several minutes, but Luanne never replies. Felix keeps his eyes fixed Luanne as he slowly asks, “What should we do?”

I know the answer I want to give him, the one he wants to hear. That we can take her tether along with us and go on a road trip to god-knows-where in search of her mother. But this is our job, and one of us needs to act like a professional.

“I think the only thing we can do for her is to perform the exorcism.” I say. Felix’s grip on Luanne tightens, and I can tell from his pleading expression that he doesn’t want to believe I’m right. “I’m sorry, but there’s just no feasible for us to help her. Even if we did bring her tether along, there’s no guarantee we’d be able to find her mother. Then she’d just be stuck here without a way of passing on naturally.” Felix’s eyes soften with begrudging acceptance, but keeps Luanne held close to him. “Can you tell what and where her tether is?”

“No.” Felix lies.

“Felix.”

Several seconds pass in seconds, but he eventually sighs in defeat. “It’s a photograph. In the draw of this dresser.”

I nod and stand fully. I pull out the long drawer in the middle of the desk, and there it is. A small, black and white photo is nestled in the right-hand corner. I pick it up and, once I have a better view of it, I saw that there were two figures in the picture. One was a slightly younger Luanne, and the other was a woman in mid-thirties who I assume is her mother. I push the drawer back in, and I look down to see Luanne peaking up at me with dilated eyes.

“My picture.” Luanne says in the strongest voice I’ve heard from her so far. “Why do you have my picture?”

“You got her, Felix?” I ask. Felix stares blankly at the ahead for a moment and slowly nods his head. I nod back and turn to head down to the fireplace. Luanne begins to yell when I reach the doorway, and I can still her desperate pleas when I’m halfway down the staircase.

“Stop! You can’t take my picture of me and mama! If I don’t have it, I’ll forget what she looks like! Please! I don’t wanna forget her!”

The pain and desperation in her voice nearly makes me turn back, but I force myself to continue. I eventually reach the fireplace and place the photograph in the very center before fishing out the lighter I had blessed by a pastor out of my pocket. The flame sparks to life shortly after, and I take one last moment to reflect on Luanne’s situation. It wasn’t like her tether was something bulky. I can easily just slip it into my pocket, explain to her that we’ll take her to her mother, and that’d be that. Even if we couldn’t find her, Luanne could still live with Felix and me.

The thought of the three of us being a weird, makeshift family makes me smile. But I remind myself that it’s also cruel and would just be making her stay somewhere she shouldn’t be anymore. So, before I lose my nerve,

I bring the flame to the picture.

A piercing, shrill shriek comes from upstairs as the photo catches fire. The sound slowly fades as the picture burns, and it’s gone completely once it’s refused to nothing but ash. I let out a sigh of relief, knowing Luanne is finally at rest, and walk over to the piano to collect my payment. I shove a white envelope labeled “For Exorcism” into my hoodie pocket before taking a seat on the bench to wait for Felix.

As I do, my mind once again begins to drift to places I’d rather not visit. I begin to realize that, in the few years I’ve known Felix, I’ve never taken the time to truly get to know him. His life, death, and even tether were mysteries to me. Guilt begins to bubble within my gut, but I manage to surprise it by occupying myself by fiddling with a string on the cuff of my hoodie-sleeve.

A half-hour passes, and I decide to go upstairs to check on Felix. I find him still sitting under the desk in the small study, positioned as if there’s still someone in his lap. My first instinct is to apologize, to assure him I was only doing of what was best for Luanne. However, I once again begin to think about Felix and his situation, and I find myself saying something completely different.

“I can burn your tether too, if you want.” I say. Something about the words feel wrong as they leave my mouth, but I’m too set on this train of thought to derail it. “It’s…cruel, to expect you to help me like this. If you want to pass on, I’m more than willing to help.”

Felix slowly lifts his head, and his eyes are aflame with a bitterness and rage that I hadn’t seen in them before. Though it makes my lingering guilt bubble up even more, I can’t say it’s not deserved. He then rises to his feet and, after a moment of agonizing silence, walks right through me before heading towards the stairs. I follow shortly after, but Felix is nowhere to be seen. I begin to wonder if he’s waiting in the car when a photo hung in the entryway stops me in my tracks. It’s of Luanne and her parents, her father smiling while the other two stared blankly ahead, and it took all of my willpower not to punch the wall.