Love With the Ghost

Next day after school Victor is waiting in the hallway for Tina. Michael passes by and asks, "Are you not coming home?"

"No, I am waiting for Tina. She is supposed to introduce me to the music club."

"Watch out with Tina. She has too many boy friends."

"I am not trying to be her boy friend. She is a member of the music club."

"I was planning to take you to see a movie. I can introduce you to some nice chicks."

"We will make it another day. See you tomorrow."

As Michael leaves Tina arrives. "What does he want?" asks Tina.

"Michael wants to go for a movie."

"Don’t hang out with him too much. He is no good.’

Tina takes him to the music room and introduces to the members of the club.

The music director asks him, "What instrument do you play?"

"I play piano."

"Good, do you want to play some notes." He leads him to the piano.

Victor plays the piano. The music director is very impressed. He admits him to the club. He tells Victor, "We meet once a week. Make sure you attend the practice sessions. We may ask you to play for some programs. Do you have car?"

"No, I can ask my mother to pick me up."

"I will be able to drop him home, " says Tina.

Victor’s mother is home. The doorbell rings. She opens the door and sees Dorothy, next door neighbor. "Com on in. It is a nice surprise, " says Jane.

Dorothy enters and says, "I came home early today."

"Please sit down. Do you like to have a cup off coffee? I just made it."

"Sure, I can have a cup. Is your son home?"

"No, he is coming late from school. He wants to join the music club."

"I hear him playing the piano. It is a good idea. My daughter was a member of the music club."

"What was the cause of death of your daughter?"

"They say she had a heart problem that we were not aware of. She had a mark on her neck.’

"Didn’t they do a postmortem?"

"Yes, they suspected that somebody strangled her. But the door was closed from inside. The report said sudden failure of heart due to lack of oxygen. They concluded that she was having breathing problem and tried to hold the neck herself."

"Hope there was no foul play."

"She was going out with Michael."

"You mean the Mayor’s son. He is friends with Victor"

"Yes, the same kid. Anyway we lost our daughter.’

"What was her name?"

"Debbie, she was a beautiful girl. Ever since her death our life is not the same."

"I am very sorry. How is your husband? What is his name?

"John, he is pulling along. He wants to sell the restaurant and move to Florida."

"How is this neighborhood. I am planning to invite all the neighbors for a cook out."

"I can ask my husband to bring some pasta and bread."

"I shall let you know. My husband is going to Japan next week. I will have it when he

comes back."

"What is his name" What does he do?

"His name is George. He is working for a multinational company."

"Well, let me go now. Please visit us sometime. My husband is free on Monday evening."

After the music club meeting Tina is driving Victor home. She asks him. "How did you meet Michael? Please do not hang out with him. You will get into trouble."

"I met him in the school bus. We ride together. Why do you say that he is no good?"

"He takes drug. He never gets into trouble with police since he is the Mayor’s son."

"He is very friendly. He came to my house one day."

" Debbie committed suicide because of him. Some suspect that Michael might have killed her."

"Who is Debbie? Why did she commit suicide."

"She was your next door neighbor. They say Michael made her pregnant."

"Was she his girl friend?"

"No, they say he raped her. He tries to fool around with all the girls. Nowadays we stay away from him. He has some friends who hang out in the park and takes pot."

"When I came to the park with Michael you were there."

"We sometimes hang out in the park. Michael and his friends try to flirt with us."

"Good you told me about him. I am really surprised to hear about Debbie."

Tina drops Victor in front of his house and leaves.

Mom opens the door and asks, "Is that Tina, who dropped you?"

"Yes, I joined the music club. We meet once a week. Sometimes we have practice on Saturdays. Tina said that she would give me a ride. Otherwise, you can pick me up."

"You must be hungry. I have made some steak. Come and have it."

While eating Jane tells Victor, " Our neighbor Dorothy came here today."

"Oh, yeah. Is she a slim lady? I see her standing outside."

"Yes, she told me that her only daughter died last year. She was found dead on her bed one morning. She had a heart failure due to lack of oxygen."

"Tina told me about her. She told me that Debbie committed suicide."

"Is that what she told you. Dorothy said that there was a mark on her neck."

"It is so sad. How is her mother?"

"She is very unhappy. Her husband runs a restaurant on the highway. They are planning to

sell it and move to Florida."