The Form of Things Unknown by Robin Bridges Page A

runs his hand through his hair. “Sorry, I just wanted to tell you not to worry about it. I’ve got the pizza covered.”
    I shake my head, trying to ignore the goose bumps his touch left on my bare arm. “You shouldn’t have to. We should all help out.”
    He shrugs. “As long as you guys don’t get tired of eating the same stuff day in and day out, I don’t mind.”
    â€œI don’t think I could ever get tired of pizza. Although the manicotti was divine, by the way.”
    â€œGlad to hear it.” Lucas smiles and something warm and fluttery twitches inside my chest as I watch him leave. My chest shouldn’t be doing that.
    * * *
    My brother, David, decides to stay with us for the séance. Mostly because Colton is staying, too.
    Lucas has returned, too, after taking Caitlyn home to get an overnight bag and then taking her over to the twins’ house. He’s brought a bag of chocolate chip cookies along with two boxes of pizza. He is the hero of the hour.
    He looks surprised to see no one painting, but when Starla pulls out the Ouija board, he doesn’t look upset. He shakes his head and calls us all crazy. “Ghosts can’t be real,” he says.
    â€œThere are more things in heaven and earth, dear Lucas,” Starla says, patting him on the cheek, “than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
    Lucas looks from one person to the other, with an adorably confused look on his face.
    â€œHamlet,” I say helpfully.
    â€œOf course,” he says, going back to his pizza.
    When we’re done eating, Starla makes us all gather around on the stage while Colton turns off all overhead lights except the one, the ghost light. The curtains are closed, so it’s quiet on the stage. Except for Raine’s hushed snickering and Starla’s giggling.
    Colton says all séances need liquor, so he pulls out a bottle of Bacardi for us to pour into our drinks. David frowns at me, so I sigh and reach for another cookie instead. Starla puts some rum in my cup when my brother isn’t looking.
    Raine lights a white candle and sets it on the floor. “Sandalwood, for protection,” she says, and then proceeds to rub a smelly oil on everyone’s forehead. I try not to sneeze.
    â€œWas your great-grandmother really a voodoo priestess?” I ask.
    Raine shrugs. “Maybe it was her sister. Or my great-great-grandmother. Just an old family tale about how we got the spirit board.”
    In the dim light, I can just see Colton cuddling up a little closer to David. My brother is finally making some progress.
    Starla places the board on the floor in front of the candle.
    The spirit board is hand-carved from yew wood, with runes carved along the edges. “Do you really think it will work with this many people?” Lucas asks.
    â€œShhh,” Starla tells him.
    Everyone places a hand on the heart-shaped planchette and Raine begins to chant. She sprinkles some water on each of us. At least, I hope it’s just water. “Oh spirits, hear us tonight! We come to you in peace.”
    Oh dear Lord.
    David giggles. Colton elbows him.
    The tiny piece of wood begins to travel, first in random circles all over the board, then in square angles.
    The hair on the back of my neck stands up. Of course it could be because my fingers are just touching Lucas’s on the planchette.
    â€œWhom are we speaking with?” Raine asks.
    I hold my breath and my fingers grow bone-cold. The planchette begins to stop at letters. An L, then an I, then back to L, then Y .
    â€œLily,” Starla says, her voice a little wobbly. Is she scared out of her mind, too? “How old are you?”
    The planchette jerks, then slides down to the number 5.
    â€œAw, come on,” Lucas mutters.
    â€œHush!” Starla says. “Lily, are you one of the theater ghosts who live here? How did you die?”
    D-O-N-O-T-A-S-K . Lucas and I look at each other. Lucas is not