“Maybe he wants to apologize,” Cara offers quietly.
Ian seems to finally notice the odd scene on the couch. “Is everything OK here?”
“It is now,” I say cryptically, unsure of how to proceed. I elect to start introducing him, since Kayla is looking at him quizzically. I can almost hear her saying to herself, who the hell is this guy?
Before I can speak, Juniper steps forward and smiles in his direction broadly. “Maureen is with you.”
His eyes snap to her and his mouth opens in surprise as he puts his hand to his chest gently. “You can see her,” he suddenly shakes his head and speaks with embarrassment. “Or sense her.”
“See her is accurate. It’s a type of vision,” she says benevolently, with a kind smile. “I can sense you too and you’re no stranger to this, are you?”
“I’m a paranormal investigator,” he confirms with an awed grin.
“Ian,” she says, nodding as though someone has just whispered in her ear. “She watches over you, loves you and is proud of you. You’re a good man and you are welcome here.”
“Your aunt,” I murmur, watching him try to navigate this unexpected catharsis.
He nods at me and steps forward and takes Juniper’s hands in his, which she accepts gladly and squeezes. “You are the most authentic clairvoyant I’ve ever encountered. I can feel it.”
“It’s been a curse, but I am now free to use it as a gift.” She sounds beautifully confident as they part and she sinks down into her chair, belonging there like the last piece of a puzzle—not complete until she has been installed.
“But something has happened,” he says, casting another glance at Cara and then the clumps of golden hair heaped upon the ground like fallen sunshine. “You used the Ouija Board.”
“Yes,” Juniper confirms. “It was a last resort, but it was necessary.”
He looks dubious and she sighs and nods. “I don’t begrudge you your doubt. It was not without great risk, but she had to be banished.”
“I think it’s time I tell you the story,” I interject, and he looks over at me and drops his shoulders, and I see immediately that he already knows.
“I’m sorry, I was very concerned with whatever you were dealing with and dug around.” His tone is sheepish, and I am glad for it as I feel my privacy has been invaded.
“It seems as though even digging around you weren’t able to find out how Mario is connected,” I comment acerbically before telling him of Mario and an in-depth account of his behavior at the reunion. I look at him expectantly after. “Could he have been drunk the two times you saw him?”
“I wasn’t close enough the first time, but the second time I smelled no alcohol. I’m not sure what the nature of his obsession is, but it certainly seemed nefarious,” Ian says lifting his hands helplessly. “I suppose it could be drugs, now knowing his past.”
“He seemed angry?” Kayla asks, her concern is steeped deeply in her tone as her eyes narrow.
“Yes, he did. Especially as he talked to himself in front of the hotel. He was barking out your name and yelling and it was unsettling,” he answers, distracted by looking from Kayla to Cara. “Do you need a doctor?”
“No, I need hair plugs,” she says, sitting up, her eyes beginning to regain their mischievous sparkle. “And to get the fuck out of this town.”
I almost echo the sentiment, but realize I don’t actually want to leave. I want to spend time with Erik, and the realization is a jolt to my senses, as it is no longer accompanied by paralyzing fear. At long last I’m free to pursue this.
Ian excuses himself to the bathroom and Cara whips her head over to me. “I have never even been near a penis in my life, but even I can see he is as hot as the day is long. And this has been the longest fucking day. Ever.”
Erik bristols in the corner and I chuckle awkwardly. “He’s a great guy,” I say diplomatically, trying not to laugh as Kayla throws an exasperated glance at Cara who just shrugs and then waggles her eyebrows at me.
“Is there anyone here that isn’t all in on Ian?” Erik jokes, his eyes flaring with badly concealed envy. I smile at him sweetly, knowing that it only bothers him because he is afraid that I want him too.
“I’m still skeptical,” Kayla offers, raising her eyebrows as she finally walks round the sofa and starts gathering up Cara’s stolen hair ruefully.
“You have been around penises before,” Cara says, popping up over the couch to watch Kayla. “You can certainly see he is like sex wrapped in a smolder with a side of great eyebrows.”
Kayla stops for a moment and just stares at Cara, her eyes conveying an exasperated plea to stop making Erik feel like a can of dog food next to Ian.
Cara suddenly closes her mouth, looks at Erik and smiles gingerly. “Sorry, I have the self awareness of a goldfish.”
“It’s quite alright. I don’t need to be the most desirable man in the world, or even Bishop,” he tells her with a quick shrug as he holds out a bag to receive the locks in.
“But you are,” I offer shyly, walking up to him, taking in the beam that breaks across his face as he lovingly places his arm around me.
Ian has walked back in and clears his throat, making the room thick with tension, which Cara is completely and thankfully unaware of, as her inane prattle breaks through the heavy silence.
“Why are you trying to hand me that hair, Erik? What could I possibly do with it now? Tape it back on my head? Make a serial murderer approved hair fringe jacket?” We all laugh when she stops and looks up into the air with a cocked head as though she’s re-thinking the
