Bobby and Jessie did show up on the 26th and it was amazing.
The three of us spent all day and late into the night, in the recording studio, playing music and even attempting to write an original song.
We didn't have much success, but there was a definite musical connection between us and we made definite plans for the new year, to get together and write and record some original music.
It was also evident, that we were connecting as friends, as well and I could easily see Sheila and I spending a lot of time with them.
.
We were about to leave the recording studio for the night, when Jessie stopped suddenly and walked to the far end of the recording studio, near the piano.
She knelt down by the piano bench.
.
"Oh shit," Bobby gasped.
.
I was confused.
"What is going on?"
.
Bobby was shaking his head.
"She has that look on her face. The Powers' look."
.
Now I was really confused.
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Bobby."
.
It was Jessie who answered.
"My family, especially the women of my family, have the ability to feel when there are Spirits in the room."
.
"You mean like ghosts?" I wondered.
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Jessie nodded.
"Like ghosts. And I feel one in this room."
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Bobby shuddered.
"She freaks me out when she gets like this.
Her mother went all weird, when we went there for Christmas. She said that Jess and I had been around a Spirit."
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Jessie nodded.
"There is a Spirit in this room, Will."
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I shook my head.
"I don't think so Jess.
I think that is something I would have picked up on."
.
Jessie sat on the piano bench.
"She was sitting right here."
.
Bobby walked to her and took her hand, pulling her off the bench.
"There is no ghost here, Jess."
He looked at me for confirmation.
"Is there, Will?"
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Again I shook my head.
"None that I am aware of."
.
Jessie stared into my eyes, as she walked by me.
"Are you sure?"
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"Now you are freaking me out, Jess," I laughed, nervously.
"Remember, I still have to live here."
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"Okay, wifey," Bobby cracked, as he pulled her out of the recording studio.
"We are going upstairs, where there is just a fireplace and scotch.
And no ghost."
.
Before I turned out the light in the recording studio, I looked to the bench.
I caught a glimpse of Whisper sitting there.
.
I managed to convince Jessie that I had not encountered anything unusual, since moving in.
.
Well, at least, I thought I had.
~~~~~
I talked to Sheila, every day and I really did miss her.
I couldn't wait for her to come back home and I was really looking forward to New Years Eve.
.
I also had several long talks with Whisper and explained things, as best I could to her.
We decided that early in the New Year, I would talk to Sheila and tell her about Whisper. If I was to have a relationship with Sheila, she would have to know the truth about Whisper.
.
"What do you think she will say, Daddy?"
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I took a deep breath.
"I don't know, sweetie.
I mean, how do you tell someone that they will be sharing a house with a ghost."
.
Whisper appeared in front of me, sitting on the floor of the living room.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know, Daddy, but you managed to accept me."
.
Whisper was able to appear more often now and it always made me feel good when I got to see my little daughter.
I would always wave, when I could see her.
It was our little signal that she was visible, as she did not seem to have that great of control over it, yet.
She would always run and hug me, before she disappeared again.
.
This time, she sat on the couch next to me.
"You really like this woman, don't you, daddy?"
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I nodded, smiling.
"I really do. But, ..."
.
"But what, Daddy?"
.
"But, it is important that she accept and love you as well."
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Whisper hugged me again.
"Well, I am loveable, Daddy."
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I had to laugh. Whisper had a wonderful sense of humour.
"You most certainly are."
She began to fade.
I waved at her, letting her know she was.
.
"Shit," she snapped.
.
"Don't say shit, hun," I reminded her.
.
"Sorry Daddy."
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I managed one more hug before she totally disappeared.
"Daddy has to go into the village hun."
.
"Why?"
.
"I have to talk to the Mayor about the New Years party."
.
"You are going to it with Sheila?"
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I smiled.
"I am. Are you okay with that?"
.
"Of course I am, Daddy."
.
I could feel her kiss my cheek.
"You go and see the Mayor. I am going to go and watch some cartoons.
Come and join me when you get back."
.
I promised I would.
.
John Maynard was behind the counter, when I walked into the store.
He came out to hug me.
"Looks like we just might be family," he half asked.
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I nodded.
"Well, that will depend on your sister."
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He nodded.
"She adores you, Will. But I thinks you knows that already, now, don't ya?"
.
I smiled and nodded.
"So. New Years Eve.
What do you need me to do?"
.
"Well, boy. It is a potluck dinner thing, so everyone will be bringing something to eat. You can pretty much brings anything ya wants."
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I nodded. I already had some ideas.
"What about liquor. Is there a bar?"
.
John nodded.
"Same ting as the meal, Will. Everyone pretty much brings what they want and we puts it behind the bar. Its all self serve and if we runs out, well we can git more from here in the store."
.
"So is there a champagne toast at midnight?"
.
"Well," John laughed.
"More like an everything kinda toast. We aren't that fancy here in the Rock."
.
I had already decided to bring enough champagne for everyone to have a toast at midnight.
"Anything else?"
.
"Well Sheila says you plays a bit of guitar and such, so you can bring that along. We have some music, but da most part of da night is everyone gettin' up and playing, if dats not too much of an issue for ya, Will."
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I took a deep breath.
"Well, I have never played in front of people before, but Bobby and Jess are coming and I might get up with them."
.
John put his arm around my shoulder.
"Bottom line, Will, me son, is jest be there for my baby sister. This is a big deal for you and all da Rock will be here for you to meet."
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I nodded.
"I am looking forward to it," I said, honestly.
.
"Good. And by da way, I gots in yer scotch and cigars."
.
"Great," I said.
"How much do I owe you?"
.
He passed me the bill and I settled it immediately, with cash.
I had learned one thing about the Rock. Everyone carried cash. There wasn't even an ATM machine or even a debit/credit card terminal, anywhere to be seen in the village.
So I kept cash, in my safe, in my house.
.
"Can I pick this up, on my way back?"
.
John nodded.
"You headin' out somewhere."
.
"I have to go to Corner Brook, to pick up some things.
Do you need anything?"
.
He shook his head.
"No, me son. Jes be careful on the highway. She be a tad slippery."
.
"I will," I assured him, as I headed out the door.
.
I wanted to go to Corner Brook to pick up some extra food and liquor for the New Years Eve party.
Beer, whiskey and rum, I could get at the general store, but I wanted to get some fancier liquors and liqueurs for the party, as well as some food and such.
I really didn't know for sure what I wanted to get, but I was sure I would have fun, finding out.