A Friendly Meeting

300 words

“What was that?”
“Nothing. Probably just a mouse fart. Why are you so jumpy?”
“Look at this place, it doesn’t look like anyone’s been here in a hundred years. It’s creepy.”
“Oh, for god's sake, Frank, it’s just an old house. Old lady Jenkins lived here until a year ago last February.”>
“What happened to her?”
“She died here but her only living relative is a cousin living in California and he doesn’t want it, so it’s for sale.”
“For how long?”
“Since she died, a year and 8 mounts. Why”
“Because it’s haunted, nobody wants it.”
“What? Where did you come up with that idea?”
“Everyone knows wherever you die your spirit hangs around. It’s kind of a law of some kind, Bob. I’d think you knew.”
“Well, I don’t, and I don’t believe there are laws governing spirits.”
“Well, I do.”
“Have you ever seen a ghost, Frank?”
“Well… no I haven’t, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”
“It’s a pretty good indicator and there is no serious evidence they exist.”
“Frank is right, Bob, we do exist.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“But I heard you.”
“No, you didn’t Bob, it was me, not Frank.”
“What? Holy crap, who are you?”
“I’m Old lady Jenkins, as you so delicately put it. I’m stuck here for five years before I can move on.”
“I told you there were rules.”
“I can’t deal with this, I’m leaving.”
“I’m staying to talk.”
“Thank you, Frank. Goodbye Bob. I didn’t like him. Keep coming to talk and in February of the fifth year I’ll tell you where treasure is hidden.”
“You got a deal. What’s your first name?”
“Lydia.”
“That’s a beautiful name.”
“Thank you, it’s a family tradition but I’m the last one.”
“How sad, I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”