Rules for Ghosting Read Online Free Page B

Dad’s, he started walking them toward the front door, with just the slightest pause each time his still-faintly-sticky shoe connected with the ground.
    Oliver had been ready to head off and explore, but something in Rutabartle’s tone stopped him short. Why was the man so hung up on things being
normal
? Something about that seemed, well, not quite normal. It also seemed like something that could have an effect on all their lives.
    Scurrying quietly after the adults, Oliver kept close and paid attention to Rutabartle’s words.
    â€œAs I began to say, you will undoubtedly have heard that Silverton Manor has been the victim of some, ah, unfortunate rumors—and completely false ones, I might add.”
    â€œThe house is haunted!” chirped Joe.
    â€œAnd cursed!” said Junie. They were standing in the open front door, hands on their hips and eyes gleaming with excitement.
    Rutabartle steamed. “
That
is precisely the kind of dreck I have hired you to dispel. It’s long past time these scurrilous rumors are put to rest. The house is not
haunted
! And the Silverton Curse? What could be more laughable! But you will find many townspeople who have completely swallowed this blather. Thus, you see the importance of my plan: by witnessing a family—such a
normal
family, with …” He paused and frowned slightly, then continued a little too quickly, “… very normal children—well, I should think those rumors will be forgotten in no time. Wouldn’t you say?”
    â€œHmm, yes, and you’ll send all the necessary repair and restoration people? At your agency’s full expense?” Mom had a notebook in hand, scribbling furiously what Oliver was sure was the start of a multipage, fully annotated to-do list, which no doubt meant lots of work ahead for him and Poppy.
    â€œYes, yes. I have already contracted with a landscaping company, and they will begin reconstructing the grounds next week. You may inform me of anyone else you wish to hire, and with my approval they can have full rein as needed. As agreed upon, I’ve already had the place set up for wireless Internet.”
    The three of them moved inside the house and Oliver trailed behind them up the stairs.
    â€œThere’s a calendar in every room!” Mom exclaimed, pokingher head inside a door. “And every one of them fifteen years old. It certainly has been a while since this house has been lived in, Mr. Rutabartle.”
    â€œNaturally,” the town official replied. “This is why you’ve been hired.”
    â€œThere is a lot of work to be done,” Mom continued. “But I’m up for the challenge. We all are.”
    â€œNext April,” Dad said thoughtfully. “That’s the date you’ve set for the auction?”
    Rutabartle waved a hand. “Give or take, you know. I can be flexible at this point, though I do wish to turn the property around as promptly as possible. Six months should be long enough to restore the image of the house. As you can imagine, current interest in the property is limited at best. With your help, I’m sure we can bring this sale to a much more satisfying conclusion.”
    Mom seemed to come to a decision. “I think perhaps we’ll start with a party,” she said. “A combination housewarming, getting to know the townspeople, introducing ourselves, and so on. A Halloween party, I’m thinking. Isn’t this house just right for it? And with Halloween only two weeks away. How perfect!”
    Rutabartle frowned. “I don’t think that is quite the impression—”
    â€œNonsense!” Mom flipped a page on her notepad and started scribbling. “It’s
exactly
the right impression. People will see those rumors are just part of the house’s charm andmystique. Everyone loves a haunted house on Halloween, don’t you think?”
    â€œWell, I’m not sure—” began Rutabartle,