The Key To Ghost World Read online

  He crept to the door to listen. It wasn't long before he heard Sam running up the stairs. He jumped onto his bed and pretended to play the video game.

  "Jaedon! It's gonna get me!" Sam exclaimed as he crashed into Jaedon's room. Randy was right behind him, wiggling his fingers inches from Sam’s back.

  "What's gonna get you?" Jaedon asked innocently.

  "The monster. It's chasing me!" Sam's breath came in fast, shallow gasps. He swung his head back and forth looking around the room.

  "There's no such thing as monsters." Remembering the jelly surprise that Sam had left in his room, he tried not to grin as Randy poked Sam. Payback!

  Sam was whirling around trying to catch sight of whatever was poking him. "Stop it!" he screamed.

  "Jaedon!" yelled his mom. "You leave Sam alone! Don't make me come up there!"

  "I'm not doing anything," Jaedon called back. "I'm in my room playing my PSP."

  Sam ran out of the room and down the stairs. His voice drifted up from the living room. "Jaedon won't make the monster leave me alone. He just plays his PSP and lets the monster get me."

  Handing the game back to Randy, Jaedon settled into his pillow and watched Randy play; smiling when he recalled Sam’s exit.

  Chapter 4 - Sam (better known as 'the jerk')

  At 5:30, Jaedon heard John’s truck pull into the driveway. Looking out the window, he saw John balancing two pizza boxes as he slid out of his truck.

  “Catch ya later,” he said to Randy and crossed the hall to the bathroom to wash his hands before slipping down the stairs and into the kitchen.

  “Sam, you left your bike out in the driveway again,” John was complaining. His blue shirt had come untucked from his pants and his belly was poking out from beneath the hem of the shirt. Grease smears across the front of the shirt looked like black storm clouds on a blue sky. “How many times do I have to tell you to put it away? Jaedon, run out there and put Sam’s bike in the garage.”

  “Why do I have to do it?” Jaedon grumbled. “It’s Sam’s bike. He’s the one who left it there. Why don’t you make him go put it away?”

  “Because, if we had to wait for Sam to put it away, we’d be eating cold pizza.” He jabbed his big thumb towards the back door. “Just go do it, and hurry up or I’ll eat your pizza.”

  Chuckling at his stupid joke, John grinned at the Samantha and Sam and sat down at the table. "Pass me that pizza." he said.

  After dinner, Jaedon cleared the table, loaded the dishwasher, and grabbed his book bag. Before he could start up the stairs, John stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

  “Help Sam find his history book,” John said putting his big hand on top of Jaedon’s head and turning him so he faced the kitchen.

  “Where did he lose it?” Jaedon asked.

  “Well, if he knew that, he wouldn’t need help would he? Just get back here and help him find it.”

  Jaedon walked back to the kitchen to start searching. A half hour later Jaedon announced that he had looked everywhere and didn’t find it.

  “Are you sure that you brought it home?” he asked Sam.

  “Yes I’m sure, you moron!” Sam was sprawled on the floor watching his favorite show. A candy bar wrapper was lying on the carpet next to him. Chocolate smears on his face made him look like an Indian with war paint.

  “I couldn’t find it.” Jaedon picked up his book bag. “I’m going to do my homework.”

  “Look in the garage.” Sam suggested, taking a big swig from his glass of Coke. He used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth, smearing the chocolate even more, and then burped. He grinned at Jaedon’s back as Jaedon left the room.

  Jaedon searched the garage. It wasn’t unusual for Sam to forget to bring a book home. Just last week Jaedon had spent an hour looking for his brother’s math book, only to find out the next day that Sam had forgotten to bring it home.

  Jaedon gave up a half hour later and headed upstairs to start his own homework.

  He had just opened his geography book to the assignment when Sam’s history book flew through the room hitting him in the back of the head, startling him more than hurting him. “You lazy little jerk!” John yelled. “I found it in two minutes.”

  “Where was it?” Jaedon asked rubbing the back of his head.

  “It was in his book bag. How hard would that have been to check?”

  Samantha appeared behind John. “Forget it,” she said, putting her hand on John’s arm. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  Jaedon finished his geography homework and retrieved his treasure box from under the bottom dresser. He was lying on his bed holding the gold watch when he heard them come back in. He quickly slid the watch into his book bag. Slipping into the chair at the desk, he opened his math book.

  He could hear his mom and John arguing. When they argued, Sam usually sought refuge with Jaedon. Tonight was no different.

  "Hey, Jaedon. Are you done with your homework yet?" Sam asked, leaning into the room.

  "Nope."

  "How much do you have left?"

  "About ten fractions."

  "Then do you want to play a game?"

  "Sure. Just let me finish these fractions.”

  Sam sauntered into the room and opened the drawer with Jaedon's games. Pulling out the PSP, Sam smirked. "Did you like the jelly I left for you today?"

  "No," said Jaedon slamming his math book closed. "I didn't like it. I wish you’d leave my stuff alone."

  "No fun in that," Sam said holding up Jaedon's Gameboy. "Why do you still have this Gameboy? You don't play it anymore."

  "Leave my Gameboy alone," barked Jaedon lunging at Sam and banging his knee on the desk. "My dad got me that. Put it back."

  "I'll put it where it belongs. Let's see if it’ll fit down the toilet." Sam sneered, darting from the room.

  "Bring that back!" yelled Jaedon, close on Sam's heels.

  Jaedon caught Sam at the bathroom. His hand clutched the fabric of Sam’s t-shirt. Jaedon tightened his fist, planted his feet and pulled back as hard as he could. He heard the shirt rip as Sam struggled to reach the toilet.

  Jaedon jerked hard and slid in front of Sam, but he wasn't fast enough to keep the Gameboy from splashing in the toilet.

  He caught Sam's wrist as Sam reached for the handle to flush. Sam shoved as hard as he could, but Jaedon held fast. Pushing Sam away from the toilet, he bumped the sink. The soap dish crashed to the floor.

  Their mom and John stopped yelling at each other and started yelling at Jaedon.

  "What are you doing up there?" John yelled.

  "I'm not doing anything," Sam called back. "It's Jaedon. He's in the bathroom."

  "Jaedon!" bellowed John, "Get to your room before I come up there."

  Jaedon tightened his grip on Sam’s wrist. Narrowing his eyes and gritting his teeth he glared at Sam, who took a step backwards. Jaedon reached into the cold water to rescue his Gameboy. Pushing past Sam, he returned to his room and shut the door.

  Snatching a dirty T-shirt from his laundry basket, he wiped the water from the game. Then, stomping to the dresser, he put the Gameboy back in the drawer wondering if it was ruined. Probably.

  "Why do you put up with that crap?" Randy popped in to look over Jaedon’s shoulder at the game.

  Jaedon jumped back so fast that he caught his hand on the drawer.

  “Ouch!” he exclaimed. He stared at Randy who raised his eyebrows.

  “Well?” Randy asked.

  "I don't have a choice," Jaedon mumbled, looking away from the ghost.

  "Life is full of choices," Randy said.

  "Leave me alone.” Jaedon muttered. “I'm going to bed."

  Pulling his pillow off the bed and taking a clean blanket from the closet, Jaedon curled up on the floor. Tomorrow he would pull the sticky, jelly coated sheets off his bed and put them in the washer.

  He heard his door open. Pretending to be asleep, he waited to see if whoever it was would leave. In a moment, he felt Sam crawl under t
he blanket.

  "Jaedon, are you awake?"

  "No."

  "Jaedon, I was sitting on the steps listening to Mom and Dad fight. Dad started yelling that something was giving him a wedgie. Mom started laughing and Dad got even madder. I heard mom tell him that she is getting divorced."

  Good! thought Jaedon. That will be one jerk out of my life.

  "Jaedon," whispered Sam. "Dad said that he wants me to live with him."

  Great! thought Jaedon. That will be the other jerk out of my life.

  "Jaedon, I don't want to live with my dad."

  Jaedon rolled over and looked at Sam. "I don't know why you wouldn't want to live with him. You are just like him. You both are mean. You can go be mean to other people and leave me alone."

  Sam started to cry.

  Sighing, Jaedon put his arm around Sam and soon they were both fast asleep.

  Chapter 5 - Randy goes to school with Jaedon and makes trouble

  The morning sun shining through the window woke Jaedon. Sam was softly snoring next to him, his pillow wet from spit. Careful not to wake him, Jaedon eased from under the blanket, quietly got dressed, and slid his homework into his book bag.

  Jaedon crept down the stairway into the darkened kitchen. He took a fruit bar from the cupboard above the sink and a glass of milk from the fridge and carried them to the den.

  Sam's yellow cat, Pickles, gazed at him from the couch. Jaedon sat next to him and stroked his soft fur. Pickles rolled onto his back and purred.

  Suddenly Pickles tensed. He sprang from the couch, his claws digging into Jaedon’s leg as he flew across Jaedon’s lap. Jaedon grabbed his leg as he watched him disappear around the corner.

  Turning back to the room, he squeaked when he saw Randy sitting in the chair across the room.

  "Holy crap! Stop sneaking up on me like that!"

  "It's what ghosts do best." Randy said with a lopsided grin. "Hey, I got even with John for you last night. He’s such a jerk. I gave him a wedgie while he was fighting with your mom. It scared the crap out of him. I was laughing so hard I almost knocked a plate off the counter.”

  “That must have been what Sam was telling me about. He said that Mom started laughing and then John got madder. Sam said that Mom said she was getting a divorce.”

  “You should have seen John’s face when I gave him that wedgie!” Randy paused, remembering John’s confusion. “Anyway, he’s a jerk. If he doesn’t leave, I’ll keep giving him wedgies until he does.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t. I’ll get blamed for it.” Jaedon picked up the empty glass and carried it to the kitchen sink.

  Randy followed. “Why do you take the bus to school every day?" he asked.

  "I like riding the bus. I could ride with Mom and Sam if I wanted, but they are late half the time."

  "I'm coming to school with you. School will be a lot more fun when I can do anything I want and not get in trouble."

  "No!" Jaedon grabbed his backpack. "You are NOT coming to school with me!”

  Randy appeared next to Jaedon on the porch. "Just don’t talk to me. Nobody will know that I’m with you. This will be fun!"

  Jaedon curled his fingers into a fist. Ignoring Randy, he stomped across the front yard his lips tightened into a thin line.

  Crossing the street so that he could walk on the sidewalk, Jaedon leaned forward as he walked, counting his steps in an effort to ignore his invisible companion.

  The warm spring morning was bright with sun but, in the distance, dark clouds loomed. A huge oak tree stood next to the curb on the far side of the street. Its branches spread in a green umbrella. As the boys approached, an enormous man stepped from behind the tree.

  “You have the key,” he bellowed reaching towards Jaedon.

  Jaedon stopped and stared wide eyed at the man. The fat man’s hands were stuffed in the pockets of his grey suit. Wireframe glasses perched on his puffy nose. His beady eyes stared unblinking at Jaedon. A strange red radiance seemed to encircle his fat head.

  Jaedon heard a soft pop and turned to find that Randy had abandoned him. The lingering smell soon dissipated in the soft breeze.

  “I’m sorry,” Jaedon stuttered, hugging the straps of his backpack as he backed away. “I don’t have your key. I don’t even have a key to my house.”

  “You have it.” the fat man screamed leaning down so that his face was just inches from Jaedon’s. His breath was hot and smelled like a garbage dump. He reached for Jaedon with one huge hand. “You will…”

  Jaedon didn’t wait for him to finish. He turned and sprinted up the street slowing only after a look over his shoulder told him that the fat man was not following.

  Alex Dodd and his little sister Emma were waiting when Jaedon arrived at the bus stop. Alex wore denim jeans that threatened to bust at the seams over his fat bottom. His red polo shirt was tucked into the jeans and a visible roll of fat perched above his waistband. Jaedon thought it looked like he’d stuffed an inner tube under his shirt. He breathed a sign of relief when the yellow bus pulled up and the door whooshed open.

  Jaedon and Alex found a seat half way to the back of the bus. Emma took the empty seat in front of them, her long blonde hair pulled back from her face with pink barrettes. Randy appeared next to Emma.

  The bus had barely begun to move when Randy started touching Emma's hair. He picked up a strand and pulled it gently away from her head.

  "Leave my hair alone!" she hissed, turning to glare at the boys.

  Alex rolled his eyes and groaned. "No one is touching your hair, little geek. Turn around and mind your own biz."

  No sooner had Emma turned back around than Randy touched her hair again.

  "I said leave my hair alone!" This time Emma yelled loud enough for the bus driver to hear. Jaedon saw the driver look in the mirror and tried to look innocent. (At least as innocent as a boy could look when he knew he was going to get into trouble.)

  Randy turned to grin at Jaedon. Jaedon glared back at Randy and then stuck his tongue out. Glancing up at the bus driver, Jaedon saw the bus driver staring back at him in the mirror.

  He wanted to call out to the driver that he wasn't sticking his tongue out at her, but instead decided to slide down in his seat hoping that Randy would stop his teasing. This was NOT going to be a fun day!

  The bus jerked to a stop in front of the school. Jaedon and Alex gathered their books and bags and followed the line waiting for their turn to get off the bus.

  When Jaedon got to the front of the bus, the driver leaned over in her seat and touched his arm. "Wait here, Jaedon. I want to talk to you." She smelled like moth balls.

  Moving over to let the remainder of the students past, Jaedon glanced back and saw Randy looking contrite. "I'm sorry." Randy offered. "I'm really sorry."

  "Me too." muttered Jaedon.

  When the last of the students had left the bus, the driver turned to Jaedon. "I'm a little concerned about that look you gave me in the mirror,” she said.

  "I wasn't even looking at you.” Jaedon protested. “I was just looking at nothing. I wasn't giving you a dirty look. I wasn’t. Really."

  The driver searched Jaedon’s face. "Alright," she said finally. "But I'm going to keep my eye on you. The look on your face was a fighting look. We don't need any kids starting fights on this bus. If I think that you are causing trouble, I will ask that you do not ride the bus again. Do you understand what I am saying? No fighting on my bus."

  "I understand. It won't happen again." Jaedon promised bounding down the steps.

  Randy trailed behind Jaedon. "I'm sorry. I won't do that again.”

  Jaedon looked straight ahead. He opened the big red door to the school and squeezed through letting it slam shut before Randy got there. He felt a little better - until Randy walked right through the door.

  Turning his back on Randy, Jaedon weaved his way through the crowd of kids to his own locker. He hung his jacket on the hook and made his way to the classroom. His desk was in the third row, n
ext to the glass door.

  Ten minutes later, Miss Ketcher was putting the vocabulary words on the blackboard when the door slammed. Randy cart-wheeled into the classroom. Miss Ketcher jumped back and looked around.