Conversations with the Recently Deceased

by johannespunkt

“Hi, Mum.”

“She says hello.”

I start crying, as practiced. “How can I be sure it’s her?”

The medium opens one eye for half a second. “Ask her questions only she could answer.”

“Mum,” I said, “what was the name of your favourite high school teacher?”

“She says … Mr. Ruthwick. She looks flustered.”

“The whole world thinks you ran away, Mum. Who killed you?”

“She doesn’t know … she just faded.”

Okay, good. “What was the name of your first pet?”

“She says Mr. Stickly … then she regrets it. She asks, are you trying to get into her bank account?”