Page 29 of Baking With A Ghost

"I can hear you thinking, John. It's actually fairly straight forward. The candles I'm placing around the circle are like a lighthouse. They help guide the spirit to the meeting point, or the place of summons." He gestures around the circle. "That would be the space in the circle."

"That makes sense, but how do they know you're asking them to come here? Do they see lights and come investigate, or what?"

His smile puts me at ease. "Something like that. Because Simon has already reached out to me, I can call him, if that makes sense. I have a communication line with him. So, I'll focus on that line to get him here. Since he's already been in contact with you, you can do the same. It will be a stronger message. Kind of like a super bright bat signal."

He settles into my desk chair, throwing an ankle on one knee. "When they pick up the signal someone wants to talk, they see the lights and know they have the option to appear, if they want to. Sometimes they don't. I know I told you sometimes these things can end badly, but sometimes the spirits just don't want to be physically seen as well. Sometimes they just come to talk."

I huff and pace to the opposite corner.

"So we go through all this and he might not even show himself? Just talk?" I want to see him. I want to see his face and hear his voice. I'm far too invested in this for any other outcome.

"It's always possible. I can only call them here, I can't tell them what to do."

Of course that makes sense, even though it's all absurd to begin with, but it makes sense he can't control their actions.

"Anything else I should know?" My heart is damn near dancing out of my body.

Mike ticks off his fingers as he speaks. "Sometimes they get mad, we already went over that. If that happens don't fight back, let him go. Think of him when I tell you to, it might speed up his coming here. Sometimes other spirits do show up, like any other unwanted guest, we ask them politely to leave, no harm done." He stares me in the eyes, "there is no guarantee this will be a happy ending, I need you to be okay with that."

A nervous laugh bubbles out. "Sometimes you call ghosts that get mad and can't guarantee this will go well. I feel so much better knowing that, Mike. Truly."

What the fuck have I done? Am I really about to let some dude who claims to be a ghost whisperer call spirits into my bakery? Spirits who may or may not be friendly when they get here and if it goes really wrong, they may drive me from my home or place of business.

"You can still change your mind, John. This is your decision."

Staring at the circle of flour and candles on the floor, the pang I feel every time I think of Simon comes through stronger than ever.

"Let's do this."

John

The Summons

Mikerollstheofficechair closer to the circle and I remain standing, hands stuffed in my pockets and rocking on my heels.

"I'm too old to sit on the floor. Always kills my back and knees. You can sit though, if you'd like. Or grab a chair. Whatever you're most comfortable with."

"You don't look that old." I snort and wander to the store front to grab a chair. I should sit. I feel like this may turn my knees to jelly at some point and it's a long way to the floor if I pass out.

Mike laughs. "You'd be surprised." He flicks on a lighter. "Ready?"

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. Mike lights the six candles he's placed around the circle and returns to his chair.

"You have a fire extinguisher, right?"

"Yes, why?"

"Just like to be prepared, you know?"

"Please don't burn down my mill house Mike. I rather like it here."

I can see the face of the fire marshal responding to the call.

"Well, the fire started when I was trying to summon a ghost who lives here and gives megreat head. Really, it was an accident. I had candles on the floor and things caught fire."

"Close your eyes, John, and think of Simon. Think of the ways he's left signs with you or made contact. Think of what you want to ask him or how you feel. Send him a message in your mind as to why you want him to materialize here today. I'll do the same."

Inhaling a shaky breath, I close my eyes and picture Simon from the first dream and his face from the newspaper clipping. I smile as I think about all the small, thoughtful things he's done over the past few months and I send him a private message, as Mike suggested.

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