Month: February 2019

Piper was still unconscious when they took her to her hospital room. “She’s going to be really upset when she finds out they shaved part of her head for the stitches,” grinned Pickles.
“She’s going to be more upset than that when she finds out she’s grounded for the rest of summer,” replied Sara.
“You can’t do that!” cried Pickles. “We have a job to do.”
“Yeah, well it’s over,” said Sara.
Joe stood by quietly knowing if he valued his life he needed to keep his mouth shut. Sometimes Sara felt more like a combination of mother and pain-in-the-butt sister, than a sister-in-law. He glanced over at Pickles and shrugged his shoulders. She knew he’d find a way to get Piper back in the game. Meanwhile, Turd kept tucking in Piper’s blankets. Turd loved the girls. They’d always had so much fun together. It pained him now to see little Pickles lying lifeless in her hospital bed.
“When is she getting out?” asked Pickles.
“The doctor said she’ll be here for several days, at least,” replied Sara. “And of course, your father will be footing the bill.”
“Ouch,” muttered Joe.

The ride to the hospital was anything but normal. Things moved on their own, and the paramedics were freaking out. Turd had snuck onto the ambulance. Sara noticed their nervousness and confusion. “It’s ok. It’s only Turd, the family ghost,” she said with a smile.

“Ghost?” asked one of the paramedics. His eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head.

“He was supposed to keep an eye on the girls until we got here. Apparently, he lost control.”

“What were they doing, anyway?” asked the other paramedic.

“I don’t know for sure,” said Sara. “I’ll have to ask Pickles when we get to the hospital. In the meantime, Turd, could you behave so they can do their job?”

Turd grabbed hold of one of the guys heads and nodded it up and down.

“TURD!”

Pickles stayed by Piper’s side as she waited for the ambulance. “This is all my fault,” said Pickles.
“How is it your fault?” asked Turd from the kitchen door.
“I should have waited for Dad. But I really thought we could pull this one off on our own.”
“You guys are new at dealing with ghosts other than me. Remember, some were jerks when they were alive, and they’re jerks dead. You need to be extra careful.”
Just then, they heard the RV’s pull up. “Joe’s going to kill me.”
“Take it like a dead man, Turd. Take it like a dead man,” smiled Pickles.
Turd laughed. “That’s what I like about you, kid! You can always make me laugh. Even in the face of death.”
“Besides, it’s probably Dad who’s about to die. Sara’s going to kill him for talking her into this.”
“PIPER?” called Sara.
“PICKLES?” called Joe. “WHERE ARE YOU GIRLS?”
A siren could be heard coming down the road. “I’M IN THE HOUSE. PIPER’S BEEN HURT!”
“JOE!” cried Sara as she dashed for the house.
Joe winced and ran after her.
There lay Piper on the floor, her helmet missing, her hair damp with blood, and Pickles holding a cloth on the wound to stop the bleeding. Sara went so pale that Pickles thought she was going to pass out. “She’ll be ok,” said Pickles in a desperate act to calm her aunt.