Shaking Off the Dust Read online

  It was time to confront my psychosis, and what’s another embarrassing encounter to me when the week was already going to hell. I had become a lightning rod to more than the weather. I sucked up my courage and stomach as I stepped out on my front porch. “Tom.”

  He appeared next to me.

  “Damn,” I mumbled.

  “You look pale.” He scanned my face.

  “I saw a ghost, what do you expect?”

  He smiled. “Very funny. Now tell me the truth.”

  “I’m tired. Let’s get this over with. My family is on a long-needed vacation, so I have ten days to be declared psychotic and drugged to proper levels.” I locked the front door behind us and got in my car. “You’ll need to give me directions. I don’t know where you live.”

  Tom bled through the car door to sit next to me in the passenger seat.

  “Do you feel anything when you go through solid objects?”

  “Not when it’s nonliving materials.” His hand slid into my arm.

  “It feels like ice. Is it cold for you?” I pulled my arm back from him.

  “No, but it has texture. Have you ever been on a plane going through a lot of cloud cover? It’s bumpy and turbulent. That’s how it feels. There’s warmth, like a pulsing electric current.”

  “How can you walk through a door, but sit in a chair without falling through?”

  “It’s what I believe I can do. As long as I will it, I can sit or lean or walk through walls.” Tom was gesturing with his hands.

  I’d never noticed he used his hands to talk. He had the long, flexible fingers that surgeons needed. Now that he sat so close, I could see a lot of gray in his black hair. The car didn’t feel crowded with his six-foot-tall, wiry body. A straight nose and wide mouth were handsome, but the sun-wrinkled skin made him look older than his thirty-seven years.

  “How tall are you?”

  “Six-two.”

  “I know very little about you. I might as well learn a few things. Testing my imagination,” I said airily.

  “You already believe I am Tom Mecurio. I’m taking you to Takeshi because I need his help too. He knows me better than any other person.” He pointed ahead. “Turn left at the next light.”

  “I may believe you’re Tom Mecurio, but I don’t know if you are the real or my created Tom Mecurio. I can’t imagine why I’d want you haunting me, but a lot of crazy people see things they don’t necessarily want to see.”

  “You’re being stubborn.”

  I burst out laughing. “Who’s the stubborn one here? You’re already dead, but you won’t lie down. I have to be damn sure of what’s happening to me. I could lose my job if word gets out I’m psychotic. So don’t start pouting because you are not getting your way without an argument.”

  “Miss Campbell, you are infuriating. I have never pouted a day in my life.” He glared at me.

  “Perhaps you don’t know what it looks like. Check out the rearview mirror. We call that pouting.”

  Except for curt directions to his house, he didn’t seem to want to talk to me.

  “You better be over your silence before we get there. I will walk away if you don’t turn into chatty Cathy around Dr. Shimodo. And what is my excuse for popping in at eight thirty in the evening? Mind explaining how I’m supposed to ease into Mecurio, the friendly ghost.”

  That got a snort out of him. “You don’t need an excuse to talk with Takeshi. Inform him you need to share some information about me, and tell him the truth. It’s the third house on the right.”

  Chapter Three

  We were in one of the older neighborhoods, a well-manicured boulevard lined with large houses. I pulled into the driveway of a three-car garage. My heart started racing again as I opened the door. I leaned forward, bearing down hard until my pulse dropped. If it happened again, I’d call the doctor, and if all else failed, I’d go to the emergency department. That was my last choice.

  Tom had literally burst out of my car and stood waiting at the front door for me. “What’s wrong? What’s taking you so long?”

  “I don’t feel well, that’s all. Thanks for your sympathy, Doctor.”

  Okay, I was mad. He could take a little of my anger. It wouldn’t kill him. So, I’m a bitch. Everyone knew that already. I rang the doorbell and heard barking. Surprised, I looked at Tom. “You have dogs?”

  “Yes, two English setters.”

  “What are their names?”

  “They are show dogs. They came with names, Bette Lou and Prizzi.” His voice was back to cold and impersonal.

  I started laughing as the door opened. I glanced up into the loveliest face I’d ever seen on a man. Dark eyes with an obvious question in them looked down at me. He searched behind where I stood, expecting to find someone else.

  Vicki was right. He was tall, though not quite as tall as Tom. His jet-black hair, soft and thick, was cut short enough to stand on end. He needed a shave and looked as tired as I felt.

  “May I help you?”

  “I’m really hoping you can.” I blew out a long breath. “May I come inside for a few moments?”

  He opened the door wider and stepped aside for me to enter. The dogs came out on to the porch, shinnying at Tom, as if they could see him or feel his presence. Tom followed me in and the dogs danced behind him.

  I turned to face the handsome Dr. Shimodo. My heart rate jumped up again. I must have gotten pale, because he came to my side. I leaned into him to help my balance.

  “What’s the matter? You really don’t look good.” Tom examined my face.

  “I told you I didn’t feel well.”

  “I must have missed that.” Shimodo settled me into a chair. “Perhaps another time would be better for your visit, Miss Campbell? When you have recovered from you injuries. You are quite pale and very cool to the touch. May I ask why you would come to this house and why it is so important that you should leave your sickbed?”

  “Tom insisted I talk with you.” I pointed next to me where Tom stood. The two dogs had planted themselves at his feet.

  “What’s the matter, Hannah, do you have a headache?” Tom prodded. “You’re starting to sweat.”

  Just like a neurosurgeon to assume it was my head. One brain surgery and everyone thinks you have a headache.

  “What’s the matter, Mecurio, afraid you won’t have someone to talk to?” I was getting short of breath. “My heart’s racing. It’s done it a few times today, but I’ve been able to vagal out of it. Didn’t work this time.”

  I felt warm fingers on my wrist, as Shimodo took my pulse. He frowned at me, then went to the phone and dialed 911. He gave the address and, when assured the ambulance was on its way, hung up.

  “I’m going to try carotid massage. Your heart rate is dangerously high. Can you sit?” He helped me to the couch, placing a pillow behind my head.

  “You should have told me, Hannah.” Tom glared at me.

  “What exactly would you have done about it?” I snapped back.

  Shimodo ignored my outburst, almost maintaining a blank face. “I thought you were still hospitalized.” He massaged the left side of my neck with long, firm fingers.

  Tom bent over me like that was helping.

  “Go away,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that until the ambulance arrives. I should remind you that you came to me, not the other way around.” Shimodo spoke as if he were talking to a child.

  “I’m so sorry, Dr. Shimodo. I was talking to Tom. He keeps getting in my face.” I knew how I sounded.

  The hand massaging my neck stopped. My heart rate dropped.

  “Hey, I think it worked. My pulse is back to normal.”

  He felt my wrist again and nodded.

  I went straight to the phone dialing 911 and politely cancelled the ambulance. Both of them began to argue with me over my decision. I held up my hand.

  “I’ll go, I promise, as soon as I leave here, but first we need to have a conversation. It will h
elp me to know if I need a psych evaluation when I get to the ED.” I plopped down on the chair across from the couch.

  Shimodo moved to one end of the couch, watching me. “Then the sooner we have this conversation, the quicker you can take care of yourself by going to the emergency department. You intrigue me though, you mentioned Tom.”

  I looked over at my ghost. The dogs jumped up on the couch and were overlapping him. Shimodo ignored the animals. The crazy woman across from him won the moment. I took a breath and decided to jump in.

  “Since I woke up at the memorial service, I can see, hear and talk to Tom Mecurio. I could be hallucinating and need medication. Believe me, I have a fertile imagination, so it’s possible. My fantasy physician insisted I come to you. Despite the fact you are very attractive and have been kind to me, even I would not be so bold as to bring you into my psychosis. Tom tells me that he can answer questions only you and he might know the answers to. That way he can prove that he continues to exist.” I turned to look Tom. “Does that cover it all?”

  “Yes, I might have explained it better, but it covers the essentials.”

  “You can truly be obnoxious.”

  “I’m never obnoxious.” He sounded like he believed it.

  I shook my head and curled my lip at him. I faced Shimodo again and smiled. “Sorry, I’m not at my best today. And well, Tom’s kinda gotten on my nerves. So please ask some questions that I can’t possibly know the answers to so we can be done.”

  “Is Tom on the couch? You were speaking in that direction.”

  “Yes, Prizzi and Bette Lou are trying hard to sit in his lap.”

  Shimodo expression became wary. “Were you dating Tom?”

  “Heavens no!”

  “God no,” Tom said simultaneously.

  I glared at Tom. “No. We know each other as nurse and doctor, and as patient and doctor.”

  “And yet you know the names of his dogs. He always called them P and B,” Shimodo informed me.

  “Yeah, that’s why I was laughing when you opened the front door.” I couldn’t stop the grin that those names brought to my face. The dogs whined as if they knew we were talking about them. When my attention returned to Shimodo, he was still watching me like I would give him a clue I’d not shared yet. I didn’t flinch away from those eyes. “Have you thought of some questions yet?”

  “I’m sorry, I haven’t. Give me a moment.”

  “How about you?” I asked Tom.

  “Sure, I’ve been trying to think of some obscure bits of information that only Takeshi or I would know. I thought of a couple.” He looked at his friend.

  “Well, spit it out.” Bitchy me. I needed to go home, and now I had to go to the emergency room first.

  “We had a code phrase that we put on the dorm door when either of us had company and didn’t want to be disturbed. ‘Studying with a lab partner.’ I nicknamed his Uncle Myamoto. I called him Mo.” Tom shrugged.

  Shimodo stared back at me, curious.

  “Tom’s telling me about your dorm code, which was studying with a lab partner. His nickname for your uncle was Mo.”

  Shimodo’s gaze never left my face. He was disappointed with me.

  “What? Believe me when I tell you, those are things I didn’t know.”

  “Often in an intimate relationship lovers will share amusing stories out of our past. I am not convinced that you didn’t have a deeper relationship with Tom. I admit, you are not his usual type, but people in love will do strange things. I would have thought he would not hide such a relationship, but he might have.”

  I must have appeared stunned. Tom bordered on outrage.

  Shimodo held up his hand. “You yourself admit this may be a hallucination. I must be sure. I know from personal experience that there are things said in private that would otherwise not be shared.”

  “That soul-sucking bitch, Kim, has ruined him for life,” Tom muttered. “I can understand him not trusting you, but I’m his best friend.”

  “Then prove it,” I snapped back at Tom.

  “What?” Shimodo asked.

  “He’s ranting about a person named Kim and he called her—”

  “Quiet, woman, she was Takeshi’s fiancée,” Tom shouted.

  I shut my mouth.

  Shimodo’s eyes went cold. “Please continue, Miss Campbell.”

  “Hannah, call me Hannah. Sorry, he mentioned her and now he’s mad at me for repeating it. I can’t catch a break here.”

  “Your involvement must have been very intimate for him to have ever discussed my past with you. Was your relationship with Tom new?” His words implied something unspoken. “Tell me the truth, Miss Campbell. I am surprised I found no evidence of your association in his home. If you have left something of yours here, all you need do is ask and I shall return it to you.”

  “Shimodo, you’re starting to annoy me. Tom was not my boyfriend. He’s not my type any more than you are. So come up with a damn question only the two of you could answer. Keep in mind I don’t have all night either.” I scowled at Tom. I was getting angry about pretty boy’s attitude. He looked at me like I was scheming to take over the estate. A thought occurred to me and it was out of my mouth in the instant. “Oh my God, you two were lovers, you’re gay! You’re jealous because you think he was seeing me when you weren’t around.”

  “What an amazingly stupid thing to assume. Of course we’re not gay. Damn, Hannah, you are the rudest and most foolish female I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with. Apologize to us both, right this minute.” Tom moved until he was near enough that there was no way to avoid his diatribe on my poor manners and stupidity.

  Shimodo did not respond. He watched me as if he could discover all my secrets by staring hard enough.

  I backed away from Tom, cutting behind the couch. When I turned Shimodo moved directly in front of me, blocking my way.

  “What is the matter, Miss Campbell?”

  His voice was so low that I inclined my head to hear him. He didn’t move out of my way. “Cut it out, Shimodo. I’m all over thinking you were gorgeous and kind. Do I seem like I would be someone Tom might date, or even have a relationship with?”

  “I shared something about my life with Tom that I know he’d never repeat.” He was intent, waiting for my response.

  I in turn awaited Tom’s reply.

  “Hannah.” Tom was clearly uncomfortable with what ever Shimodo had asked him to divulge. “Ask if he is sure he wants me to discuss this.” He cleared his throat. “You’ll need to swear that you’ll never repeat to any other person what you hear tonight.”

  “I swear.” I looked over at Shimodo. “Tom wants you to think again about this. He’s sworn me to silence.”

  His eyebrows rose slightly as he folded his arms across his chest. “I must hear to be sure. You are an attractive woman, Miss Campbell. He might have shared his secrets, but not mine.”

  “Thanks.” I grinned. “That was nice of you to say. Tom informed me of what raving bitch I am and that neither of you are gay. Are you now going to tell me that you are and he’s not? Because it’s okay. Go gay and all that.”

  Shimodo smiled as he pulled me against him. His mouth hovered above mine for only a second, but it seemed like forever as I waited. Soft, full lips slid against mine and a tiny shock of pleasure pulsed as we touched. His tongue painted moist warmth at the seam of my mouth until they parted. He invaded with a swiftness and hunger that matched my own. Thrilled by his nearness, I sank into him. I made a small sound as he pulled me even closer. No question he was aroused by my response, impressively so. I swayed with an ache in my breast, eagerly returning his kiss. It lasted a moment, and an eternity.

  “He’s proving a point, Hannah. Takeshi’s always adored women and he has never lacked for a female companion when he desired one.” Tom sat back down on the couch.

  I let his words drift into my consciousness, still lost in his kiss. I thought Shimodo was with me in that moment, but Tom’s words made sens
e. I pushed away from him with a sigh.

  “Point taken, you like women.” I ignored my hardened nipples and heated body. “Now what? One of you needs to come up with something that will either prove or disprove Tom is still around.”

  “Tell him I don’t want to tell his story.” My ghost didn’t bother to look my way. An expression of unease crossed his face as he tried to pet the dogs.

  “Tom doesn’t want to talk about you, Dr Shimodo. I have to agree with him.” I stepped farther away from tall, dark and tasty, and I could still feel a coil of heat between us.

  Shimodo ran his hand through his hair. “My story. I make this choice. He will tell you, then you will tell me exactly what he says. In fact, if you could repeat each sentence immediately after he states it, I’d be better able to know his phrasing.”

  Tom jumped from the couch again, like a jack in the box. I’d never seen him restless. “Let’s do this and move on.”

  I nodded at Shimodo.

  “Takeshi was fifteen years old when his parents and two younger sisters were killed in a house fire,” Tom began.

  I turned to Shimodo. I didn’t want to talk to him about this.

  “Repeat each sentence, please.” Shimodo stood perfectly still, waiting like a statue for my words.

  “He said you were fifteen when your parents and two younger sisters were killed in a house fire.” I mumbled the words.

  Shimodo stared at me, as haunted as I was.

  The ghost in front of me didn’t wait before he continued to chronicle the most traumatic event of his friend’s life. It felt wrong to repeat his words, as if I were telling a secret that I had sworn to never share.

  “His father was second-generation Japanese American. He worked as an engineer for an American company in Japan. He met Takeshi’s mother in Tokyo. She was from Taiwan. Takeshi speaks fluent Japanese, several Chinese dialects, English and can also get by in French. His parents were strict and they expected him to earn what money they gave him. I guess you could call it an allowance.”