Posted:
*For Kriyaanshians*
''You'd never guess in the world.
It's the duckliest, darlingest Ouija board (planchette), and
so cheap! I got it at a bargain sale. Why, what's the matter Rey?''
I felt things slipping.
''Nothing,'' I said, and looked around for the ghost. Suppose she had lingered, and upon hearing what my wife had said should suddenly appear--- Like all sensitive women, Kriya was subject to hysterics.
''But you look so funny---''
''I-- I always do when i'm interested, ''I gulped.
''But don't you think that was a foolish thing to buy?''
''Foolish! Oh, Rey! Foolish! And after me getting it for you!''
''For me! What do you mean?''
''To help you write your stories. Why, for instance, suppose you wanted to write an historical novel. You wouldn't have to wear your eyes out over those musty books in the public library. All you've to do would be to get out your Ouija board and talk to Napoleon, or William the Conqueror, or the Helen of Troy-- well maybe not Helen-- anyhow you'd have alll the local colour you'd need, and without a speck of trouble. And think how easy writing short stories will be now.''
''But Kriya, you surely don't believe in Ouija boards.''
''I don't know, Rey--they are awfully thrilling.''
She had seated herself on the arm of my chair and was looking dreamily across the room. I started and turned around. There was nothing there, and i sank back with relief. So far so good.
''Oh, certainly, they're thrilling all right. That's just it; they're a darn sight too thrilling. They're positively devilish. Now, Kriya, you have plenty of sense, and i want you to get rid of that thing jsut as soon as you can. Take it back and get something else.''
My wife crossed her knees and stared at me through narrowed lids.
''Reyaansh Singhania,'' she said disctinctly.
''I don't propose to do anything of the kind. In the first place they won't exchange things bought at a bargain sale, and in the second place, if you aren't interested in the other world I am. So there!'' and she slid down and walked from the room before i could think of a single thing to say. She walked very huffily.
Well, it was like that all rest of evening. Just as soon as i mentioned Ouija boards i felt things begin to cloud up; so i decided to let it go for the present, in hope that she might be more reasonable later.
After supper i had another try at the writing, but as my mind continued a perfect blank i gave it up and went off to bed.
The next day was Saturday, and it being near the end of month and a particularly busy day, I left home early without seeing Kriya. Understand, I haven't quiet reached the point where i can give my whole time to writing, and being bookkeeper for a lumber company does help with the grocery bills and paynfor Kriya's fancy shopping.
Friday had been a half holiday, and of course when i got back the work was piled up pretty high; so high, in fact that ghosts and stories and everything else vanished in a perfect tangle of figures.
When i got off the street car that evening my mind was still churning. I remebernow that i noticed, even from corner, how brightly the house was iluminated, but at the time that didn't mean anything to me. I recall as i went up the steps and opened the door i murmured: ''Nine times nine is eighty-one!''
And then Gladolia met me in the hall.
''Misto Reyaansh, de Missus sho t'inks you's lost! She say she done 'phone you dis mawnin' to be home early, but fo' de lawd's sake not to stop to argify now, but get ready fo'de company an' come on down.''
Some memory of a message given me by one of the clerks filtered back through my brain, but i had been hunting three lost receipts at the time, and had completely forgotten it.
''Company?'' I said stupidly. ''What company?''
''De missus's Ouija board pahrty'', said Gladolia, and rolling her eyes she disappeared in the direction of the kitchen.
I must have gone upstairs and dressed and come down again, for i presently found myself standing in the dimly lighted tower hall wearing my second best suit and a fresh shirt and collar. But i have no recollections of the process.
There was a great chattering coming from our little parlour and i went over to the half-opened door and peered through.
The room was full of women--most of them elderly--whome i recognized as belonging to my wife's Book Club.
They were sitting in couples, and between each couple was a Ouija board!
The mournful squeak of the legs of the moving triangular things on which they rested their fingers filled the air and mixed in with the conversation. I looked around for the ghost with my heart sunk down to zero.
What if Kriya should see her and go mad before my eyes!?
And then my wife came and tapped me on the shoulder.
''Rey,'' she said in her sweetest voice, and i noticed that her cheeks were very pink and her eyes very bright. My wife is never so pretty as when she's doing something she knows i disapprove of, ''Rey, honey i know you'll help us out.
Mrs. Shermin Wainright phoned at last moment to say that she couldn't possibly come, and that leaves poor Laura Hinkle without a partner.
Now, Rey, I know some people can work a Ouija by themselves, but Laura can't, and she'll just have a horrible time unless you---''
''Me!'' I gasped. ''Me! I won't---'' but even as i spoke she had taken my arm, and the next thing i knew i was sitting with the thing on my knees and Miss Laura Hinkle opposite, grinning in my face like a flirtatious crocodile ...
***
Gladolia : Cook. She's African but the language she speaks is different from that of others. This is known as Dialect.
***
Thanq for reading! 😃
Hope could do justice to the part! 😳
Thrice i've written. 😆
Hope to get nice reviews! 😛
Next Chappy after Boards .., i.e @ 26th March 😉
With Love <3
Ur's Shailja aka sweets
***
Some terms which could have bothered you -
Bookkeeper: Accountant
Argify: Argue
***
Next chappy will be huge ;)
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