Free LLOYD, PAUL R. by Hags

if you want to know what
I think, then what you are seeing is not a dead person. It’s an evil spirit
masquerading as a ghost.”
    “Here we go with demons again.”
Micah grimaced as the ghost shook her head no.
    “People have believed in evil
creatures for thousands of years for a reason. There’s a reality behind those
beliefs.” Bob’s voice had an edge of anger.
    “Tell me something. If Mary O’Dare
and her family died in a fire back in the eighteen forties, how come my house
is still standing?”
    Bob chuckled. “The house didn’t
burn down. There was significant damage, but the fire was contained to the
parlor, your living room today. I don’t know the details, but I guess either
the family somehow was trapped in the room with the fire or they may have died
of smoke inhalation in another part of the house. But when the old people pass
down the story, they like to say the family burned to death. More dramatic that
way. Who knows what actually happened?”
    “You’ve given me plenty to think
about,” Micah said. “I’ll ask Denise about her home ownership when I see her.
In the meantime, be careful around Ahlman Brown.”
    “Ahlman Brown? He’s an angel. Why
would I worry about him?”
    “He’s not an angel.”
    “Sure he is.” Bob said.
    “Everyone I’ve met since coming to
Naperville has told me Ahlman is an angel. Why do you suppose they use that
word? No one ever says he’s a nice guy or a good guy or calls him a saint. They
say he is an angel. You even say it. Why is it?” Micah asked.
    “Because it’s true.”
    “So you believe he is a spirit who
has come down from heaven and taken human form?” Micah stood up, stretched,
winced in pain and sat back down on the bed.
    “Yeah, could be. Hadn’t thought
about it until you brought it up. Yeah, I guess he may be an angel for real.
He’s so much more than a nice guy.”
    Micah lowered his back to the
mattress. “Do you believe it’s possible you and other people in Naperville
could be drugged or hypnotized or whatever to believe Ahlman is an angel?”
    “And somehow you’re the only one
who hasn’t fallen under his spell?” Bob asked.
    “I know he’s no angel.”
    “I don’t think it’s possible for
someone to put the whole town under a spell. Too many good, religious people live
in Naperville for everyone to succumb to some evil force. It would make Ahlman
out to be a liar and he’s not. He’s an angel.”
    “Okay, why did you just now call
him an angel?” Micah asked.
    “I did?”
    “Yes, you did.”
    “I don’t know. Force of habit? He
is an angel, Micah.”
    “Literally an angel, a spirit from
heaven?” Micah scratched his head.
    “We’re going around in circles. You
still see the ghost?”
    “Yeah, but your angel beat the
living crap out of me the other night.”
    “Not possible. Ahlman is an angel.”
    “Your angel friend almost killed
me.” Micah waved at the ghost.
    “Micah, I can’t have you insulting
Ahlman. He’s an angel.”
    “I’m hanging up now, Bob.”
    “Thanks for calling.”
    “You called me, remember?” Micah looked
at the ghost and pointed to his cell with a “what’s he talking about” grin on
his face. The ghost stared like a statue in white alabaster.
    “I called you? Why would I call
you? You’re the town pervert,” Bob said.
    “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome. Good night.”
    “See you in the coffee shop.”
    “You won’t be welcome.”
    “You’re saying that with a smile,
right?” Micah shrugged his shoulders at the ghost.
    “Peevy hates your guts.”
    “But you like me, right, Bob?”
    “Sure I do. I love Ahlman. He’s a
perfect angel.”
    Micah clicked
off his cell phone, waved to Mary O’Dare and closed his eyes against a growing
sense of madness.
    ***
    Micah bent forward, took a bite and
leaned back against the wall in his living room. “Outstanding sandwich.”
    “Thanks.” Denise sat next to him on
the floor. She unwrapped her sandwich and bit into