Waiting Spirits Read Online Free PDF Page A

“My name is Brian. Brian Holme. I’m one of the local yokels.”
    â€œAnd I’m one of the invaders,” said Lisa. “This is my sister, Carrie.”
    â€œHi,” said Carrie. “I think I’ll go get an ice cream cone.”
    Lisa didn’t know whether to thank her sister or strangle her. It was nice of her to get out of the way, but did she have to be so obvious?
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you,” said Brian to Carrie. “Maybe we can talk again some time.”
    Carrie laughed and ran down the beach.
    â€œCute kid,” said Brian.
    â€œShe’s okay most of the time.” Lisa sat back down on her towel. “So what are you doing at the house?”
    â€œWe’re working on some of the windows. The wood’s rotting around them. As a matter of fact, I have to get going. Dad’s going to wonder where I am. See you later!”
    With that he was gone. Lisa frowned. Had she said something wrong?
    She stretched out in the sunshine and scowled at the rolling water of the Atlantic. Maybe Carrie had scared him off. Well, it’s no big deal, she told herself. He’s only a boy. She sighed. If only he wasn’t so darn cute!
    It was shortly after two when Lisa and Carrie arrived back at the house with the groceries their mother had requested. Lisa was delighted to see Brian standing on a ladder that was leaning against the west wall.
    â€œHi!” he called when he spotted her. “How was the beach?”
    â€œSuper! How are the windows?”
    He made a face. “They’re a real pane!”
    Lisa groaned.
    â€œSill and all,” he continued, “this is a high-glass job.”
    â€œStop!” she cried. “I think I’m going to be sick. do you always make such rotten puns?”
    â€œOnly when I’m standing where no one can get at me.” He paused. “Are you going to be around for a while?” he asked, his voice suddenly serious.
    â€œI think so. Why?”
    â€œI just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes before I go. Okay?”
    â€œSure!”
    Lisa hummed happily to herself as she unpacked her curling iron. An honest-to-goodness date! Suddenly the summer seemed much more interesting. Even the old house didn’t bother her the way it had.
    Carrie sat on the bed, watching her get ready to go. “Do you think you’ll be out late?” she asked in a worried voice.
    â€œNot too late. Why?”
    Before Carrie could answer, Lisa realized what was on her mind. “Oh, Carrie! I’m sorry!”
    Carrie shrugged. “I’ll be all right,” she said in a martyred tone.
    Lisa cursed herself and her sister and the stupid house. Everything seemed very complicated. For a moment she thought she would rather go back to being bored.
    â€œLook, Mom and Dad won’t be here, either. But you can probably get Gramma to let you stay up late. Tell her there’s an old movie you want to watch. The two of you and Smoky can keep yourselves company. I doubt the ghost will appear again, anyway. I mean, we’ve been here for two weeks already. It’s not like this has been going on every night.”
    â€œI know,” said Carrie. “Look, don’t worry about it.”
    Lisa frowned. She knew that was exactly what she would be doing. All night.
    â€œWell, don’t you look nice,” said her grandmother as Lisa came down the stairs. “That white dress is so… summery. It sets off your dark curls perfectly,”
    Lisa smiled. Her grandmother would probably find something nice to say if she came downstairs in a burlap sack.
    â€œWhere are you going tonight?”
    â€œTo the movie over in Bridgeport.”
    Dr. Miles raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “I thought it wasn’t any good.”
    Lisa blushed. “Well, maybe I misjudged it. You never know!”
    Her grandmother laughed. “Have a good time, dear.”