“Ah, smart,” I smile, “which is also good for sleeping.”
“That’s right, and tell her to spray Camilla at night with it too.”
“Good idea,” I look down, studying the clear bottle filled with a light purple liquid. “I hope what I’m sensing around her isn’t who I think it is,” I whisper.
She pulls in a deep breath. “Me too.”
I lean past her, reaching for my purse and keys from the nightstand. “You coming along for the dinner tonight?”
She gives me a small smile, clasping her hands. “You know I’ll be around.”
Chapter Twenty
Gage Park is a little over a mile away, so I practice what I’m going to say to Tammy about the banishing water. Obviously, she won’t know what it’s really for, but I need to be nonchalant and stick to the plan. It’s calming and will help her and Camilla with sleep, that’s it, nothing else.
Turning into the parking lot, I pull down the visor to block the sun and notice Tammy’s car in front of several shade trees. I take the space next to her and turn off the engine. Laughter from up ahead catches my attention and I see Camilla with two other girls at the swing set, giggling as they climb higher and higher. I glance to my right, Tammy is watching from on the adjacent bench, smiling as she holds up her phone for a picture.
I close the car door and head over. Tammy spots me immediately, greeting me with a wave and I smile back, quickly scanning the area for spirit, but the coast is clear.
“Hey girl,” she glances back to Camilla, whose laughing, deep in the throes of a swinging competition. Tammy’s eyes come back to mine. “It’s really good to see her like this.”
I nod and notice the girl on Camilla’s right gaining on her. “Yeah she’s definitely having a blast,” I smile, taking a seat beside her mother.
“Here,” Tammy hands me an ice-cold cup with a straw. “It’s decaf, just the way you like it.”
“Oh, thanks,” I take it, “you didn’t have to do that.”
She shakes her head. “It’s the very least I could do,” she locks eyes with me. “I’m not sure I ever thanked you,” her brows push together, “or Ascot.”
I give her shoulder a pat. “Not necessary,” I smile.
“I’m glad you came, I wanted to tell you in person,” Tammy says, setting down her drink.
“Okay, I’m listening.”
She gives me a nervous smile. “Camilla and I are moving back home.”
“Oh wow,” I smile back. “When?”
“Soon, probably in a few weeks. I’ve already told Adam.”
“That’s wonderful,” I say, trying to sound excited. What if Kevin follows her?
“I think so, too,” she sighs, looking back to Camilla. “I mean, Kevin’s not around to interfere anymore and my parents miss their granddaughter...and me.”
“I’ll bet,” I whisper, suddenly remembering. “Oh, hang on. I’ve got a little something for you and Camilla, too,” I reach inside my purse and pull out the small spray bottle.
“What’s this?” Tammy asks, taking the bottle with two fingers as she inspects it closer.
“Lavender and vanilla,” I lie but not entirely and take a sip from the straw. “Spray it on yourselves at bedtime. It’ll help you relax and is good for sleep as well.”
Tammy pushes the nozzle, spaying a little on her wrist. “Mmm, it smells nice,” she smiles up at me, “thank you.”
“Be sure to spray it on every night,” I touch her hand, “on yourself and Camilla, okay?”
“Sure, if we’re having trouble sleeping…”
“Every night, Tammy, you have to do it every night,” I interrupt.
Oops.
Her expression clears and she stiffens, grabbing my hand. “Wait, what’s going on? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Shit, shit, shit!!
“N-No,” I lie again, and she cocks her head.
“Elise,” her face gets serious, “if there’s something I need to know please just spit it out.”
I have to tell her.
Pulling in a deep breath, I slowly let it out. “I didn’t want to say anything because,” I swallow, “I wasn’t sure about…”
“Wait,” she cuts me off. “Sure, about what?” She touches my arm.
“Kevin,” I whisper.
Her face goes white. “W-What about him?”
“Have you or Camilla,” I glance over to her, still giggling on the swings with her friends, “have either of you had any dreams of him?”
Tammy fidgets with the bottle, biting her bottom lip. “No, well…I’m not sure.”
“What does that mean?”
She looks down, hands starting to tremble. “I-I actually might have had one last night.”
I turn, facing her. “Holy shit,” I whisper, “what happened?”
She shakes her head. “It was weird, he didn’t really say anything,” she swallows. “But I saw his face.”
“His face?”
Tammy slowly nods. “He was enraged, and I could somehow tell that he thought we had something to do with his death.”
Oh no.
“Whoa.” I stare at her. “Was that it? Did he do anything else?”
“No, thank God, because I woke up,” her lips quiver as she glances back up at me. “But I could still feel his anger, Elise, like he was close, watching me,” she rubs her temple. “Even now, it gives me the creeps.”
Dear God…
I lean in and swallow hard. “Last night, was that the first time Kevin was in your dreams?”
Tammy blinks several times. “Yeah, I think so,” her brows push together as she takes a drink from her straw. “Why?”
I should probably come clean and tell her, she deserves to know everything, especially if it could also affect Camilla. Besides, she already knows I’ve got abilities.
“Because I’ve seen him too,” I lie, sort of, attempting to keep Ascot and Caduceus out of it.
Tammy swallows. “You have?”
“Yeah,” I nod, “and sensed his anger as well.”
“Oh my god,” she whispers, looking away before glancing back up. “Did he talk to you?”
I shake my head. “No, not really, but like you mentioned, he made me feel like his death was somehow our fault,” I say, trying to act confused.
“Kevin was the perpetual victim, Elise,” her eyes narrow, “he blamed everyone but himself for any and all bad shit that happened in his life, it makes sense,” Tammy whispers.
I suck in a breath, relieved. “Well, it looks like he hasn’t changed his ways, even in death.”
Her face twists, and she holds up the spray bottle, tilting her head. “What’s this really for?”
“It’s for sleeping,” I say, blinking.
“Anything else?” she stares at me. She knows there’s more.
“And for banishing spirits,” I whisper.
Tammy’s mouth snaps shut and she turns, looking off in the distance as Camilla continues playing and laughing with her new friends. A couple of seconds go by and she glances back. “Will it work?”