Gremlins:

You are my Sunshine

 

Out Now from Love You Divine

 

I shook my head as I put down my purse and the files I had brought home with me. There was no way I could ground a ghost, but I could try. Poking my head through the open door into my landlord’s part of the house, I saw that the bushes outside blocked any light from coming in the windows. A few candles winked at me as they sat on the coffee table. I noticed there was a big screen television right at the edge of the door and a couch behind the candles. The room smelled vaguely of cedar. I listened and didn’t hear anything so I knocked on the door.

“Hello?”

I listened again, but there was still nothing. “Um-you’re door was open. Hello?” My foot crossed over the barrier of our two living spaces. The candle flames sputtered. I inched in, not really being able to see from the dim of the candles.

“You were told not to disturb me,” a deep voice said from the shadows.

I jumped, swallowing my heart back into my chest. I hadn’t seen the landlord sitting on the couch due to the darkness. Now that he inched forward, I could make out his face. He was pale with long brown hair that almost touched the top of the wax. The flickering from the light made his eyes glow a honey color. I swallowed as my jaw nearly dropped. He was drop dead gorgeous. “I’m sorry. Really I didn’t want to bother you, but the door was open and I’ve heard banging in here so I wanted to be sure that you were all right Mr—” I didn’t even know his name, but I had to bite my lip to keep from moaning at the fantasies suddenly popping up in my head.

“Ms. Turner, I do appreciate your concern, but I’m perfectly fine. There’s no need to bother me again.”

I felt my landlord’s rejection like a slap in the face. Mother fu— I took in a deep breath and put on a fake smile. “Well, I’ll make sure I won’t bother you again, but can you answer one question for me.”
“Any problems with the apartment upstairs can be handled by the realtor. Good night, Ms. Turner.” His stare bored into mine, but I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Look, Mr. High and Mighty, you can answer one question before I never darken your doorstep. Who’s the little girl haunting the upstairs especially my bedroom?”

He sat there is silence for a moment. I threw up my hands not really caring what he was going to say. He probably didn’t know anyway. I turned around not waiting for his answer and stomped up the stairs. Half way up, I heard his voice behind me.

“You’ve seen Abigail?”

I turned back around staring at his dark form at the end of the stairs. “Yes, I see her everyday and she loves my dolls. You might think of placating her with some toys.”

“Wait. Please, Ms. Turner. Forgive me for being so crass. I’m not used to having guests in my house and the upstairs apartment has been vacant for quite some time. Most because Abigail scares them off. I’m glad that you’re living upstairs. Please don’t mind the noises that you hear. I have unusual hobbies and my work makes me work odd hours. Please knock on my door if you need anything, but only after dark please. My work keeps me up late and I sleep most of the day.”

I felt a smile creep over my face and a little color into my cheeks. “I’ll do that. Thanks Mr.—”

He laughed. “Gregor.”

“Larissa. But I’m sure that you know that, since you rented me the place.”

“I hope that you like the apartment. Don’t mind Abigail. Let her play with your toys and leave out a bit of ice cream for her once and a while and she’ll be right as rain. Have a good night, Larissa.”
I watched him close the door and heard it lock. I shook my head and deiced that it was definitely time for a long bath. Upstairs in the kitchen, I saw Abigail standing at the refrigerator. I shrugged. Why not give a ghost ice cream?