Xavier Bibb spoke with punch and drama. He placed a hand on my shoulder. Concern as fake as the eyebrows Anita Tucker drew on her face sprinkled Xavier’s brow. “I know you’re scared.”
Yeah, right.
“I know that coming face-to-face with a ghost can be terrifying.” He placed a hand on his heart. “I’ve been there myself. I know what it’s like. If you can find the courage to discuss what happened, the viewers would like to know.”
I twisted a tissue in my hands.
“Tell us what it was like to have lunch with a ghost,” Xavier prodded.
I was on the couch. Roan had disappeared into the kitchen or somewhere.
I’d been mic’d. I sat as straight as I could without feeling a punch of pain. I widened my eyes. I figured if I looked young and stupid, I’d have a much better chance of the whole town talking about what happened. If the whole town buzzed about the encounter, it was a good guess the ghosts would start talking too. Eventually word would have to reach Lucky that folks were making a big stir about ghosts. He would love that. I would be back on the team in no time. Next week, tops.
“Well,” I said slowly, wavering my voice, “I was sitting and eating when this chill swept over me.”
“Bull crap.” Looked like Susan had returned.
I ignored her. “I didn’t see anything, but then other people started snapping pictures. At that moment I knew something weird and creepy had occurred. I looked up, and there it was. The scariest thing I’d ever seen.”
Susan plopped down on the couch. “Gag me with a spoon.”
I went on. “I was frozen in fear, and then the next thing I know, I’m all over the Internet.”
Xavier squeezed my shoulder. “I know you’re scared. I know this was hard for you, but I wonder…”
“Yes?”
He fisted his hand and brought it to his lips. “I wonder. Do you think you could go back? Return to the spot of the haunting?”
My voice caught. “I…don’t know.”
His jaw clenched. “Could you do it? Face down the ghost that frightened you?”
“Maybe,” I said quietly.
“We’ll be there. Me and my team of Ghost Wranglers. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
I gave a slight nod. “I think I could. Maybe.”
“Oh come on,” Susan said. “I won’t scare you too bad.”
Xavier glanced back at the camera. “Tonight the Ghost Wrangler Team will investigate this haunting. We will shut ourselves up in the Soul Food and Spirits restaurant and spend the night. Along with the help of Blissful Breneaux, we will find out the truth of this terrifying encounter.”
Give me a break.Xavier Bibb was full of so much hot air I was surprised he didn’t pop.
He nodded to the camera. The guy behind it shut it off. Xavier turned to me. “That was great, Blissful. Just great. I appreciate your help.”
“Thanks,” I said. I blinked, not wanting to ruin the whole scared thing I had going.
“I’m out for a smoke,” one of the guys said.
“All right, Slick,” Xavier said.
Slick thumbed to the third man. “Truck’s going with me.”
Xavier nodded. “Be out in a minute.” He turned back to me and squeezed my hand. “Thanks for doing this. We’ll be holed up in the restaurant from midnight until two a.m.”
“The best activity is always at three,” I said.
