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The Call - Twelve In the utter strangeness of the situation, Ted lost control of his thoughts, and without stopping to consider anything, he mentally agreed to the woman’s request. His bargain with the ghost was struck. But Miss Flowers didn’t stop at that. “You are going to become very sick, but you will recover. Do not worry about this illness, for you will be all right,” she stressed reassuring- ly. “When this happens, you will go to the hospital and there you will recuperate. But when you are well enough to leave, you must not return to this house. That will force Ralph to go on with his life elsewhere.” All Ted could do was nod and answer mentally, “Yes, ma’am.” And when the apparition disappeared and he could think independently again, the whole experience seemed somehow mystical, beautiful, and serene. He didn’t fathom the mechanism behind the vision, yet it felt powerful, even godly. It never occurred to him to question whether angels could actually make bargains with humans. The next morning, when he shared this new information with Ralph, neither of them knew what to think. A part of Ralph still tried to reject Ted’s truthfulness, but he could no longer believe that his friend was lying. And that made him feel more shaky than before. Ted told him he would honor his bargain with Miss Flow- ers and stay on in he house, and Ralph eagerly agreed. For the next few weeks, they waited with apprehension, wonder- ing if the strange events would recur. But everything was normal, with no more incidents of water hoses or house lights turning on, or jewelry in improbable places, or even bedroom visitations. It was a sign to both men that the ghost was pleased with their arrangement, and so finally they began to relax. Masquerade of Angels 118 Thirteen Between the acting of a dreadful thing And the first motion, all the interim is Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream. Shakespeare The next month was more serene than at any previous time of Ted’s residence with Ralph. Their friendship mended and they resumed their usual social lives happily. More importantly, Ralph was able to concentrate more deeply on his studies, and his grades showed rapid improvement. With no sign of the ghostly activities returning, they simply didn’t talk about Miss Flowers, until one morning in the middle of March when Ted noticed that Ralph was in a depressed mood. “What’s wrong, buddy?” he asked. “You don’t look too good.” “Oh, I’m okay, I guess,” Ralph said. “It’s just that today is the fifteenth.” “Sol” Ted shrugged. “Tt was a year ago today that Miss Flowers died,” Ralph explained, “and that’s got me down, you know. She was a very dear woman, really good to me. I’ve never lost anyone I loved so much before, and it’s hard, thinking about her last lays. “T’m sorry,” Ted said, without knowing what he could do to help. Ralph said nothing more, and they went on their separate ways for the day. When they returned at dinnertime, Ralph seemed much better. They talked casually during the meal and then both got ready for dates. There was a party later that night, and both Ted and Ralph were looking forward to a good time.