An understanding was somehow reached between Gail and Evan by the weekend. Although the relationship remained somewhat stressed, a certain peace prevailed. Evan’s time of punishment was completed and he was invited back to share a bed with his wife.

On Saturday, Gail and Evan began the task of making the kitchen livable. With Gail about, Baritone and Eerie kept their presence unknown. It was as if they wanted Evan to take responsibility for their handiwork. In a way I felt sorry for him, especially since his own wife didn’t listen when he spoke the honest truth.

The couple began priming the walls early morning. They pulled the stove and refrigerator to the center of the room and threw a tarp to protect the new appliances.

The prep work went easily and by mid afternoon they were painting a muted green on the walls. The color added a certain liveliness to the room. Once completed, they continued onward, preparing the sitting room for a fresh coat of paint.

Somewhere towards evening, Gail announced that she was hurrying to the store for a supply of basic groceries. Evan remained behind, painting until he couldn’t lift another roller. Taking a break, he hurried into the kitchen pulling a can of Grape Soda-pop from the refrigerator.

Evan leaned on the side of the countertop, eyeing the completed work.

"Not a bad color." He said nodding.

He rested like that, chugging a sip here, then a sip more. Every once in a while he would hurry across the room and wipe a splotch of green paint from the trim or off the tile.

After a short break, he returned to the sitting room and began painting once again. To my surprise, Eerie and Baritone suddenly popped through the wall.

"Hey, what do you say we play a game of catch in here?" Baritone teased.

"Yeah but what should we use?" Eerie asked.

"I don’t know, maybe the bottle lady?" Baritone suggested.

"Naw, not messy enough. We can do better, come on!" With that they dissolved through the walls. Everything fell silent from the next room. From my perch on the counter, I noticed Evan recline back onto the tarp. It was obvious how exhausted he was by how quickly he nodded off.

Several minutes later, Baritone and Eerie returned. Baritone was lugging a large brown colored ball. It appeared disproportionate and it wasn’t until they began to toss it, that I realized it was made from a soft mud.

The thing bounced off the freshly painted walls leaving chunks of brown melded into the fresh paint. Grain-like pits of earth fell in all directions and the ghosts made a great deal of noise from their rampage on the kitchen.

"Why don’t you leave these people alone?" I finally screamed at them.

"Can you believe the nerve of this bottle lady Horace?" Eerie asked.

"Yeah. It’s not her home that’s being invaded by idiots!"

"You both had your time here, now why don’t you move on?"

"We’re not going anywhere! Why don’t you keep your nose out of our business!" Baritone Horace replied.

Both ghosts rose up and began to spin like a top. Flecks of soil flew from the movement and at one point they appeared to be a miniature tornado. Newspapers that were protecting the cabinets took flight and eventually stuck to the walls.

"This is fun!" Eerie shouted.

"Bottle woman, why don’t you join us?" Baritone Horace asked.

"Never, not in a million years." I said.

"Oh, she’s one of them." Eerie said with a hint of snootiness to her tone.

"Just what exactly is that supposed to mean?" I asked fight off the terror I was feeling about being in the same room with the ghosts. I expected to become the target of mischief at any moment.

"We had a name for you back in the days of being alive." Eerie managed. "We called your type a goody-two-shoes!"

"I’ll take that as a compliment then." I said finding my courage after all.

"Believe me, it wasn’t meant as a compliment!" Eerie said with a squeal.

Just then, Gail entered through the front doorway. "Evan, would you want to help me?" She asked noticing him fast asleep on the tarp.

"Ev?" She persisted as he slowly stretched awake.

Evan in a stiff movement stood from the tarp. He followed her outdoors and they both returned with bags of groceries within their grips. Gail was the first to enter the kitchen. Gail was the first to release a bitter shriek of horror.

"You see!" Evan said as his pointed finger trembled. "You see this! It proves it! There is something really strange going on in this house!"

"How could you do this again Evan?"

"I didn’t do this!" Evan shouted back.

"Oh yeah, and who did it then, the bogeyman?"

"I’m tired of you not believing me! I really didn’t do this. Why on earth would I go to all the trouble of painting all day, just to wreck it once you’re gone?"

"MAYBE, just maybe, you wanted me to believe that you had no part in the destruction of the appliances in the first place." Gail suggested.

"So I worked my butt off all day just to mess it up now. Come on Gail, that’s ridiculous and you know it!"

"Just what do you expect me to believe here Ev? That our dream home is haunted? That tiny little poltergeist’ sneak in every time that you’re here and I’m not?"

"Precisely." Evan said.

"Now you listen to me Ev. You’d better stop doing this or I will move in with my Mom and Dad. I want you to phone your therapist on Monday and go back to meeting three times per week. You obviously need help. I’m willing to be patient, but this only proves you’ve got a long way to go." Gail said in a surprisingly rational tone.

Around ten thirty Gail sauntered off to bed leaving Evan in the kitchen working with diligence at fixing the mess. With his every scrape removing the soil, Eerie and Baritone laughed hysterically from the other realm.

"Look at that poor sap! He’s really whipped, isn’t he?" Eerie said.

"Yeah, heck he should be out catching some trout somewhere. I bet this is perfect fishing weather too!" Baritone said.

Everything remained quiet the remainder of the weekend. About mid week, Evan arrived home early one afternoon. He rushed around straightening up the house as if he were expecting someone. It wasn’t long after, the front doorbell rang. He rushed to the door and a very strange woman entered the room.

There was a great amount of mystique in her appearance. She wore black veils and there was a gap open where her eyes should be, but instead she sported dark sunglasses. A gaudy crystal pendant hung on a thick chain around her neck. It reminded me of a costume I had seen once during a Halloween Gala.

"I’m glad you could fit me in this week." Evan said as the woman ignored him completely. Her posture stiffened as she cascaded into the sitting room. Removing a lace glove, she extended her bare hand and placed it on the interior wall.

"I’m picking up something." She said in a commanding tone.

"There are spirits here! Many spirits in fact. Oh, this is not good, not good at all."

"Madam Zelda, can they be terminated?" Evan asked with desperation.

"Oh certainly, but it’s going to cost you my dear."

"Cost me?" Evan responded.

"Yes. The extermination of unwanted spirits doesn’t come cheap!" Madam Zelda sauntered into the kitchen as her hand slid along an invisible track. "I’m picking up more energy in here than anywhere! Yes, it’s definitely colder in this room. I believe this is where the passing must have occurred. Yes, yes." She said in a deep tone, her body trembling with dramatics.

"I count six ghosts in total. I charge five hundred dollars per ghost." Madame Zelda announced in a non-negotiable tone.

"Three thousand dollars?" Evan questioned.

"That’s right. A real bargain if you consider the cost of making repairs from their viciousness all the time. It’s not an easy task either... I assure you, I earn every dollar of it!"

"How do you manage something like that anyway?" Evan inquired.

"Well, first I would bring in several protection crystals..."

"For three thousand dollars you’re going to give me a few chunks of glass?" Evan asked with an incredulous tone.

"Please, Mr. Blake, you have to believe in it, otherwise you’re just wasting my time."

"That’s a lot of money, do you guarantee your work?"

I could sense a sly grin beneath the veils. "There are never any definite cures for such a thing. There are so many variables when dealing with angry ghosts!" Madam Zelda responded.

"Okay, how many exterminations have you handled then?"

"With this one, this would be my second experience. This isn’t that common really. I’m more of a medium than anything. If you wanted a séance to speak with a dead relative, that’s my specialty. I’m confident that I could help you though."

"I’ll think about it Madam Zelda." Evan said, clearly not impressed.

Zelda returned her fingertips to the kitchen wall. "I’m picking up something now. Oh, yes, they are here!"

"There are three of them in this room alone. Three children to be exact! What’s that honey? Oh you poor dear! Oh....."

"What? What?" Evan inquired, buying everything that Zelda was selling.

"They’re babies... the poor little darlings. They’re just looking for their mother!" Madame Zelda said, removing her glasses and exposing supernatural eyes. There was something hideous about her eyeballs. It reminded me of someone painting a clouded white layer above everything that was supposed to be dark.

"I want to help you darlings!" Zelda managed with surprising compassion.

Just in that instant, Eerie and Baritone bounced to the floor. "Would you look at that charlatan Horace? She’s playing him for a fool and he’s buying it!"

"Get a load of those contact lenses! You want to have some fun with her?"

Both ghosts began to laugh hysterically. For a moment the spirits hovered overhead as if contemplating their next action.

Baritone hunkered down and lifted her veil off completely. Madam Zelda swung her hands in a defensive swing. It was as if she were swatting away flies, but nothing was caught in her path. The next moment, Eerie swung in, removing the dark wig that was covering her very blond hair. The fake hairpiece hovered in mid air above Zelda’s head as both ghosts screeched with delight.

Madam Zelda did not know what to do and she was clearly frightened. Both ghosts then took turns at shoving her back and forth. For a few brief moments it appeared as if Zelda were a simple rag doll and two children were fighting over who’s turn it was to play. Zelda began to run for the door, her expression revealing terror. Evan remained still, watching the entire episode unfold.

"Madam Zelda?" He called as she fled without once looking back.

Her voice was loud as she hurried down the steps of the front porch.

"Forget it...just forget it Mr. Blake. I can’t help you! Your house is truly haunted and I want no part of it!"

A moment later tires squealed as she drove off. Evan gazed back into the house, his expression a mixture of disappointment and fear.

The ghosts cheered with excitement. "Did you see that fake run?"

"Absolutely beautiful Horace!" Eerie responded.

Evan gazed about the room and his expression became dark. "You listen to me and listen good! This is our house now and I won’t stand for your pranks any longer. I’m warning you not to mess with me!"

Eerie swung down and placed her mouth onto Evan’s. With ease, she swung inside of him. His body jolted, his will resisting but eventually giving way to the power of the ghoul.

Now under the control of Eerie, Evan strutted across the room swinging his hips in a feminine way.

"Like my new outfit Horace?" Eerie asked sounding a cross between masculine and feminine.

Baritone’s whistle transferred into a roar of laughter.

"Human’s are so much fun, you know it Horace?"

"I’m almost going to miss them once they run for their lives." Horace exclaimed.

"That’s okay darlin’ we still have a bottle of Champaign for amusement!"

My entire self felt the horror just at Eerie’ suggestion.

Eerie remained within Evan’s encasement. She had a plan and it was obvious the way she paced the room gazing out the front window.

At approximately three o’clock, Gail’ muffler was loud as she pulled into the driveway.

"Here we go Horace, Act II, Gail Blake Runs for Her Life!"

"You have any popcorn Mildred? I just love a nice bowl during a show."

"Behave yourself now Horace, she’s a comin’."

Gail entered the room, her expression that of surprise. "You’re home early today Ev!"

Eerie managed a nod as she forced Evan’s body towards his wife. It was apparent that Evan was doing his best to fight off Eerie’ intentions. His movements were stiff and often times his arm fell back before moving forward. It was as if someone had remote controls and they were pushing buttons in opposite commands.

Evan’s voice projected as his own. "I’ve been thinking about things Gail."

Gail fingered through the day’s mail that piled on top of the coffee table.

"What’s that honey?"

"I was thinking that confession is great for the soul." Evan said.

Gail eyed him with interest.

"You want to know why I trashed the appliances your parent’s gave us?" Evan announced.

Gail appeared shocked by the question and nodded unable to speak.

"Your parents are miserable people Gail. They raised a selfish little twit that has no clue on how to be a good wife."

Tears began to form along the creases of Gail’s eyelids from the slap of his words. Evan pulled his hand and the moment Eerie began to speak again, slid his fingers into his own mouth. Baritone noticed what was happening and descended from the ceiling grabbing his wrist. Evan’s attempts were somehow restrained.

"Furthermore..." Evan’s voice managed, clear and concise. "You always threaten to leave me Gail. The truth is, I think you should! I think you should go upstairs right now and pack your bags. I’m tired of everything about you! Run away! Run away back to Mommy!" Evan’s voice was vicious.

Gail burst with tears. "I don’t understand Ev, I don’t! I thought you loved me! What changed, what happened?"

Evan smiled a wicked grin. "I’ve met someone else Gail, her name is Mildred. She's the bee’s knee’s." Eerie said.

"Bee’s knee’s?" Gail questioned studying Evan more closely.

"That’s right. She’s everything a woman should be. She has curves in all the right places and she isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes. Heck, she even shot a man once!"

Gail stopped crying and edged closer to her husband. I could tell that everything was beginning to click within her mind. "Suppose you tell me where you met her Evan?"

Evan’ mouth fell open and Eerie was having trouble formulating the lie.

Gail nodded her head. "Do you remember what you told me when we promised our love to one another Ev?"

Eerie nodded her response.

"No, I want you to repeat those words Evan! I want to hear them spill from your mouth."

"I um, I um, I remember, but I’m having trouble using the exact words." Eerie said failing in her attempts to break up the marriage.

"Do you know why you’re having problems with the words Ev?"

Eerie shook his head no, but Evan managed to change the answer to yes. It was a fight on many different fronts. It took both ghosts to try and restrain Evan, but his physical body was too strong for them.

Gail thrust herself forward, shoving Evan to the sofa. Normally someone so petite would be like a moth against an owl, but not this time.

"It’s because you’re not Evan now are you?" Gail screamed with will and determination. "I demand that you leave my husband alone!"

In that instant, Eerie flew to the ceiling followed by Baritone. They wrapped themselves around the ornate light fixture, their powers experiencing a sudden weakness.

Evan swung up from the sofa, grabbing Gail’s hand. "Let’s get out of here!" He said, pulling her from the room.

"One minute!" Gail said rushing to the kitchen and pulling me along.

In a moment we were sitting on the front stoop. Evan had his arm about his wife’s shoulder and they were both gasping for air.

"Open this!" Gail finally demanded.

Evan wrestled with the wires and the cork popped leaving a spray of wine in its wake. They each took a gulp of the sweet champagne.

"How did you know Gail?" Evan inquired.

"Something just hit me is all...as crazy as it all seemed, your love for me is something I would never doubt."

"Where do we go from here, do we sell the house and move on?" He asked.

Gail handed him the bottle and his eyes locked with mine. In that instant I was released from my encasement.

Standing in full form I managed, "Do I have a gift for you..." Gail and Evan both smiled as I delivered hope.