Waiting Spirits by Bruce Coville Read Free Book Online

oddly disconsolate, as if the woman’s sorrow had transferred itself to her, she turned and trudged back up the stairs.

Chapter Five
Strange Waters
    Brian’s mouth was set in a firm line. “You’ve got to get out of there.”
    Nearby three children shrieked with laughter as they chased a beach ball being propelled by a sudden breeze.
    â€œHow?” asked Lisa, for the third time. She was starting to feel exasperated by Brian’s insistence.
    â€œI don’t know! I have a hard enough time getting my own parents to do anything. But you can’t stay. It’s too dangerous!”
    Lisa patted his hand. He drew it back, and she gave herself a mental kick for acting as if she were trying to calm an upset child. The conversation was not going well. “Do you want to go in the water?” she asked, nodding toward the sparkling surf.
    â€œDon’t try to change the subject!”
    She sighed. “Look, Brian. My father is a scientist. He doesn’t believe in spooks and spirits. He wouldn’t believe in one if it climbed into his lap and ruffled his hair while he was working. My grandmother’s a scientist, too. I mean, she’s retired from teaching, but her mind still works like a scientist’s. Even if she thought this stuff really was dangerous, she’d probably rather stay and study it than run away. Besides, that house was her home every summer as a child. She just isn’t going to believe anything really dangerous is going on.”
    â€œDo you?” asked Brian.
    A group of men jogged by, huffing and panting. Lisa turned to watch them, squinting her eyes against the bright sunshine. The ocean was calm, the circling gulls quiet. Her radio, set low, was playing “The Corridors of my Mind.” It seemed an odd time and place to be talking about ghosts.
    â€œNo,” she said at last. “There’s something going on. But I don’t think it’s dangerous.”
    â€œWhat about that message?”
    A worried look crossed her face. “I don’t know. I’ll admit it was strange. But even stranger things are happening.” She turned and peered into his blue eyes. They looked as troubled as she felt. “Promise you won’t think I’m weird?”
    â€œI think you’re weird already. I doubt you can tell me anything that will make it worse.”
    Lisa frowned.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I shouldn’t have said that. Tell me what you started to say.”
    â€œI’ve seen the ghost.”
    Brian stared at her.
    â€œTwice,” she continued. “And I just don’t think there’s anything harmful about her.”
    Speaking quickly, she told Brian about her two encounters with the spirit. “She’s very sad,” she concluded. “Sad, but not dangerous. In fact, I think she needs help.”
    Brian snorted. “What are you planning to be when you grow up? A shrink for the lingering dead?”
    â€œNo, a veterinarian. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try to help someone who’s in trouble.”
    â€œRight!” exclaimed Brian. “Which is exactly what I’m trying to do now. You’re in trouble, and I’m trying to help. Get out of that house!”
    Lisa stood and brushed the sand from her legs. “This conversation is going nowhere. I’ll see you later.” She grabbed her beach bag and started to stalk away.
    â€œLisa!”
    She paused, then turned back.
    â€œI’m sorry. We won’t talk about it any more.” He patted the blanket. “Stay. Please?”
    She smiled. “I’m not going to make you work to convince me.” She dropped the bag in the sand and sat back down beside him.
    Shortly after supper that evening Lisa went to the room she shared with Carrie and sat at the desk. She hesitated for a moment, then took out several sheets of paper and a pencil.
    She bit her lip. This was stupid. Her