"Good moaning, Sunshine!"
Erin Parrish brought her guest and best friend Kyra Whimsey breakfast in bed, this time without the assist of her spectral man servants. The ghosts were asked to go outside and pick up tree limbs that had accumulated in the front yard over the years. Early last week Erin took time to mow and had to dodge the debris like bullets during her tour in Afghanistan. Said sticks ended up with the boys playing fetch with Scooby Boo and Cotton, the spirits of Brimley Stone and Erin's father Benjamin Parrish giving the dogs a chance to be themselves, they all needed the exercise. It was weird though, seeing four of the boys wrapped in plastic moving about playfully. It at least got them out of Erin's hair for a spell. With their only freedom being out front, forbidden by mystic barriers to journey into the backyard beyond the porch steps, the boys were happy. So was Erin. Crawling into bed with Kyra in the guest room Erin sat there nibbling bacon, "Better wake up before I eat all of these greasy but crispy artery cloggers."
"How can you be so chipper?" Kyra covered her head with a pillow, "You were still screaming your fool head off at 4:30 this morning. How do you do it?"
"With a little help from my mostly ethereal friends. For someone who told me there was no way you were having sex with a ghost you sure kept up with me last night."
"You know it was that weird weed thing. How did the boys inhale and exhale with no lungs? They're ghosts for... crispy's sake." She stole a piece of bacon and munched on it. "Fine! I know you're dying to ask... yes it was incredible. That high just increased my sex drive to the point they could have scratched my nose and I'd have suffered an orgasm. We have to figure out how this is possible Erin. Same for why they can touch us, and we can't touch them unless they're covered in wrap and rubber."
"I touched them just fine last night once we Tutencommanded them. We're being clever finding ways to bond better and as long as that keeps happening things will always be interesting. I know one thing... I'm hitting up my supplier for more weed."
"With what money?"
"Party pooper. You're right! Jobs come first. I was thinking on the way home, the day you arrived with Scooby Boo, that with my military experience maybe a security job. If you stay you could do the same. Same credentials you and I."
"Small towns probably won't need that much security Erin. Maybe you should ask Barker when he comes out today. Before he runs off in terror. You may be able to control the boys but what about the wicked stepmother? That piano going off when she's cranky will be noticed." Above the bed they hear what sounds like chains being drug along the floor. "What was that?"
"Just Earl saying good morning. He quiets down about noon. I'm guessing that was his naptime back in the day. Routine schedule kind of thing. Matter of fact, I'm going up to the attic later to introduce myself. I've ignored baby boy long enough. Earl was Genevieve's biological son; I'm gathering from a rape. Before she poisoned all of the boys, she chained Earl up in the attic and left him to die. She refused to show him love from what I understand. I really don't know much, but before Brimley died in Belltower, she gave me a pretty accurate psychic reading that introduced me to dad again. She mentioned Genevieve's diary but couldn't see where it was hidden. Without tearing the entire mansion apart looking for it I need clues. I really doubt the obvious that she would put it in the upstairs library."
"Wouldn't the boys know where it was?"
"No! I've asked them. They were only privy to the knowledge it existed when the young slave girl Mildred was strangled for catching Genevieve writing in it."
"The girl we think we saw through the window to the back yard?"
"I'm presuming so. I'm tempted to take a walk out in the woods but to be honest... without the boys to protect me God knows what any other ghosts might be like. There were a whole colony of slaves working this land before it all grew up around them."
"I'll go with you, we can take Scooby Boo for protection. Your dad can inhabit him right?"
"You know I'm not certain even dad or Brimley can bypass the backyard. We need to locate those so-called mystical barriers and cease their function. That way the boys can join us out there as backup."
"Or... let bad ghosts in. Have you considered that?"
"No. Fuck! You're right. I need to communicate with Brimley better. Her unable to talk as a ghost or a dog is useless. Dog's can't write! The whole yes or no thing is our only source at this point."
"So, I'm confused! If the boys can inhabit the house and still go out front, why can't your dad and Brimley come inside the house?"
"Outsiders I'm guessing. Same spell that keeps the bad... we presume bad ghosts out. I know when I mowed the backyard nothing bothered me so maybe they're not as bad as it's made to appear. Genevieve likely told the boys they were the enemy more than enough times until they were brainwashed and convinced. The only slaves they knew were Mildred and the crew boss Thomas. Thomas... I hate to say it might have been the one to rape Genevieve, which could mean he is Earl's father." The sounds of bawling through the walls were heard. "Sounds like I hit a sore spot with Genie. I really should try and talk with her but to be honest I'm afraid I'll make matters worse. She hates all outsiders especially one who is now stealing her boys from her."
"She killed them, Erin. She was Jim Jones Kool-Aid Man psycho."
"Yes, but she killed herself after to be with them. Yeah, bonkers nuts! The boys at least are able to hold her back in the music room. How she can't escape that room is another question. Did someone put a barrier in that room to keep her ghost in there? If so, how can the boys go in and out? For that matter why do the boys need to guard over her if she can't cross the threshold? The boys have no answers. They just say it's safer guarding her in small numbers. There's some serious mumbo jumbo going on and I want to learn everything I can."
"I'm right behind you Baby. I'll send word to my parents to pack up my things. I don't have much. As much as this place gives me the willies I'm in roomie."
"I personally enjoy the willies." Erin giggled.
"God I hate you. So do I after last night. They double penetrated me. That camera boy put your cell down and fucked my mouth. I've never... is this Nirvana?" She looked around her. "Nope! Cobwebs in the corners."
"Maybe! Yeah I need a maid!" Her cell ringing in the Mistress room Erin started to tell one of her boys to bring it to her then realized the only two still in the house were sitting on Genevieve. "No butler to get that. Be right back. Eat your eggs." She left Kyra to sit up in bed and polish off her food. Hearing those chains above she whimpered. Earl was indeed ninety percent of EARLy.
"Hey there Earl. I'm a friend." She swore she heard, "Hi Kyra." How? The boys couldn't even speak. Only Genevieve for some reason, but even then a rare word or two at best in her temper tantrums. That Darky comment still bothered her. "I'd go give her a piece of my mind but she might take me over. Nope! Nada! Wait a minute... " Kyra had a brainstorm thought that made her rub her arms. She would run it by Erin later. For now she took her dirty plate downstairs to rinse it.
"It's my brother Jonah." Catching it just before he nearly hung up she bubbled up, "Hey Big brother. What's going on?"
"Checking in! I have some news."
"Good or bad? I'm fine by the way. Just relaxing until I need to take job hunting seriously. What's the news?"
"Mom wants Cassandra to drive her down to see you. She misses you already."
"I'm sure Cassandra told her no, right?"
"No, actually she didn't! Cassandra's in good spirits since I've been back. Ready for further news?"
"You co-signed a loan so I never have to work again?"
"You don't want my money and you know it. You're too proud."
"You know me so well."