The Haunted Trip

So here we are, the three of us, buddies since freshman high school days, standing on the porch of a house, early in the morning drinking coffee and tea. This house is registered on the haunted house list, located in a famous haunted town in the Southwest.

"Can't believe we are here. And we have you to thank for this Erin", Sam said, leaning on the porch railing.

"Second the motion", Jamie replied.

"Third", I said.

Sam and Jamie are my besties. Sam now has distinctive green hair. If she were 250 pounds heavier and wearing orange, she would look like a pumpkin. Jamie is a bit of a nervous norvors. Not so sure why she came along on this adventure. She is a bit on the chunky side, which she will tell us over and over. She does look it though. I am the group leader. Dad wanted a boy, Aaron. He got me, Erin.

Funny how we got together. Freshman year English. The teacher was a Brit. He missed his pub quizzes, so he created a pub quiz in English class using trivia. And the three of us being trivia buffs, unbeknownst to any of us, had all this knowledge and were sure to win. The friendship started.

One of the pub questions, name a haunted town in Arizona. I had watched a documentary a while back, about a haunted mining town so I gave it a shot and won! That is how this trip was thought of. And now, here we are, in that town.

I rented a small three-bedroom two story house for a week. And written in the contract, before I could even make a deposit, 'If for some reason the spirits do not want you to stay here, you, the occupant(s) will only be charged for the days/nights you remained. The rest of the deposit will be refunded'. Wow. Sounds real. Sounds scary. Sounds lovely.

Great views from the porch. This town appears to be pushed into the mountains so one looks out onto the valley floor. Can even see some tall snow-covered peaks off in the distance.

"Well, one night done. Any spirits come and visit anyone", Jamie asked?

"Not yet", Sam replied. "The property owner said not to move any of the furniture in the rooms, especially the rocking chair in the corner of Erin's room".

"What happens if it is moved", Jamie asked? "I guess the spirit who lives here will move the rocking chair back to the wall".

"And if the occupant continues to move the rocking chair to the window, the spirit does other stuff".

"Like what", Sam asked? "Don't know. Would you really want to take that chance", I asked? Jamie smiled.

"Let's not tempt fate. This was one of three remaining houses to rent. I was lucky to get this place. This weekend is First Saturday, artist's showcasing their wares to the public, with free wine and food samples". Sam and Jamie smiled. "My kind of weekend."

"Let's finish our caffeine and figure where to go for breakfast. I am rather hungry", I said. There were nods of agreement.

"I saw a breakfast cafe on the map not far from here. Menu looked good", I said.

"We will follow you great leader". The wait at the cafe was not that long. Breakfast was rather good and not that expensive. Croisant, ham and cheese, roasted potatoes. Enough and not too much.

"I'm thinking, we will return to our house and relax for a bit. I have some stuff to do", I said. "Great idea". We walked back to the house and up the stairs to our place. After entering my room. I saw that the rocking chair was moved to the window. What?

"Hey, did one of you guys move the rocking chair to the window", I yelled.

"Yup. I did", Sam said. "Reason"?

"I want to see if this spirit stuff is real or just something to draw in the tourists". I shook my head and walked to the porch.

"Move it back to where it belongs, please", I said. "Yes Mame".

Sam and Jamie walked out on the porch after they moved the rocking chair back to the wall.

"Sorry. Could not help myself. It won't happen again, promise", Sam said. I smiled. "I have emails to answer and voice messages to return", I said. "So do we".

"The artists stuff starts at 1600 hours. It is 1400 hours now. After we are finished with work stuff, how about we do a walk about? I really need to walk and stretch", I said. "I need to walk also.

So much sitting. I have to get up and move". "I agree".

We were taking in the last views from the porch when the wind started to pick up a bit. Just then we heard a creaking sound coming from my bedroom. Faint but audible. We looked at each other.

"It is a bit windy. These old houses creak, it is normal". We nodded in agreement. "Ok, let's get going. Wait, I want to get my scarf", I said. I rushed into my room and grabbed my scarf. I felt the need to say something to the spirit.

"Yup, we are guests here, remember? I apologize for my friends. We will leave your rocking chair where you want it, right", I said, "right"?

"Yes".

"We are leaving now". I gave them each a stern stare then down the stairs we walked.

"This old mining town is totally walkable. Many eateries, wine tastings, local artist shops. And being built on the side of the mountain, uphill walking is a given", I said. "Makes for a rather good workout".

"So, the spirits just float around", Sam asked?

"No, they sit on their porches and watch us, the living, walk around, or watch us from their bedroom windows. Don't you see the curtains move", I asked? Sam and Jamie were now scanning the windows for even a slight curtain movement. Nothing.

" Doesn't mean the spirits are not there", I said with a smirk.

"Right, they know we are watching them". A low giggle could be heard.

"The spirits could be among us, right now, right here", I said with a wink to Sam. The town was rather crowded with tourists.

"That's enough".

After a few hours of window shopping and actual shopping, the higher altitude was taking effect on us.

"How about a glass of wine and maybe a snack before a later lunch or early dinner," I asked?

"Sure, hey, what about this place, where those biker dudes are leaning against the threshold", Sam asked?

"Why not"?

"Really", Jamie answered? "Just joking".

"I'm not". I walked inside, past the bikers. Jamie and Sam followed. There were stares when we walked in. A bit out of character for us.

The place was semi packed. I could see a mix of non-biker dudes and dudets, young and old, drinking, eating and dancing to a country western band.

"There are some empty seats at the bar", I motioned to the bar. There were two stools together, then a woman, then another empty stool. The woman turned, looked at the empty seat to her right.

"I will move over one so you can all sit together", she said.

"Thank you. I will buy you a round", I said.

"Maybe", was her reply. We quickly took our seats before the newly arrived patrons grabbed them.

"Hi ladies, what will it be", the bartender asked. I saw the Malbec I like.

"A bottle of that Malbec", I said as I pointed to it on the shelf behind her. "Perfect, three glasses"? "Yes".

The bartender brought over the wine bottle, opened it, set out the glasses and poured a bit into my glass.

"Perfect. You can leave the bottle". The bartender smiled. I poured some into Sam's and Jamie's glasses. We were looking at the menu.

"Ready to order some tapas", the bartender asked?

"Yes, the potato skins and the chicken livers", I answered. The bartender smiled and walked to the computer to enter our order.

"Chicken livers", Jamie asked?

"Liver is healthy", I replied.

"Especially wrapped in bacon", Sam said.

"An added bonus", I said. Giggles.

The tapas arrived. "Would you like to try a tapa", I asked the woman who moved over for us. "No thank you".

"These chicken livers are rather yum", Sam said. I smiled. We ate, drank and chatted with our neighbors at the bar. I ordered another bottle of Malbec and another round for the neighbor lady.

Sam swiveled around in her chair. "Those biker dudes are still at the doorway", Sam said. "Is it going to rain today", Sam asked?

"I don't think so", I replied. I turned to look out the doorway.

"Look at that wind". Jamie now turned to look as well. This gust was really kicking up the leaves and loose paper trash that was escaping from a trash can. Several really strong gusts blowing. No one was rushing to close the doors. The biker dudes were not moving either.

Then a strong gust of wind whipped up dust and sand and paper and blew it into the bar area. The bikers moved this time to close the doors. Too late. Dust and sand on the tables and floor along with scraps of paper floating around the room. Patrons were a buzz, brushing off the sand and picking the paper off their tables.

"That was one large quick blast of wind", I said.

"Yup, those wind gusts don't happen often, but when they do, we call them the spirit wind", a woman at the bar said.

"Really"?

The spirit wind stopped as quickly as it started. The biker dudes opened the bar room doors. All calm now. Almost an earie calm. Paper trash and leaves were waiting at the corners of the door. The busser was right on it, with her broom and dustpan to clean up the remnants. This does happen now and again.

I wonder if that was spirit trash. That would be one way for the spirits to clean up their messes. Clever, I thought.

"Another bottle? Glass", the bartender asked?

"No thank you. Two bottles were plenty. Would you like another round"?

"No. Thank you". I thought of asking her name. I just didn't.

"One check", I said to the bartender. She nodded. Jamie grabbed the check from the bartender when she returned.

"I got this one", Jamie said. We said our goodbyes to the other patrons, slid off our bar stools, and headed for the door. The biker dudes were still standing as century guards.

Walking towards the door, Jamie stopped and turned around.

"What's up", I asked?

"I just heard my name", Jamie said.

"I didn't hear anything", I replied. "Did you Sam"?

"Nope".

"Well, I did", Jamie said, a bit miffed. She strut past us through the door. Sam and I followed, looking at each other and shrugged.

We strolled along the other street. This town has one way in and one way out. Different shops on the streets. The pottery shop, hand thrown cat and dog mugs and plates along with creamers and sugar bowls. A must.

The Christmas shop, of course, great. Unique decorations, cactus, cowboy boots, cowboy hats, cows, horses, swine. Hmm. well, this is a southwestern town!

Blown glass shop, what a creative artist. I have to buy something. A few more shops. A few more purchases.

"Ok, I'm getting a bit tired, anyone else", I asked? Jamie and Sam nodded.

"We can go home, take a rest, then decide what to have for dinner", I said. "I was thinking of that Mexican place we passed earlier. Did you see how packed it was? Always means a great place. Closes at 2000 hours".

"Places close down early here", Sam said.

"So people can wake early to go hiking", I said. "Makes sense".

"I am glad our place is not that far away", Sam said.

"Nothing around here is far away", Jamie said.

"Ah, home". We walked a bit slower up the stairs and into our place.

"I am tired now", Jamie said. "I am going to put my stuff away in the closet and flop on my bed". There were nods of approval. We walked into our rooms to rest.

I carefully put my purchases next to my suitcases in the closet. I am not sure if I want to pack them in my suitcase or send them. I closed the closet door and about to flop on my bed. What?

"Hey guys, come her", I called out. "Now what? We didn't touch the rocking chair", Sam yelled out.

"What". "Look", I said as I pointed to the window. The rocking chair was back by the window. I looked at Sam and Jamie. They were shaking their heads, no no.

"You guys didn't sneak back in and move the chair again", I asked?

"No"! "Hey, could the owner have moved the chair, just to mess with us", Jamie asked? "I doubt it".

"Well, the spirit wind did not blow in here and move the chair".

"Right. But the spirits who blew in with the spirit wind could have moved it. Or friends of friends of the spirit who lives here. Remember, the spirits are allowed to move the furniture, says so in the contract".

"Well, we traveled here, why couldn't spirits travel here", I said.

"Interesting thought", Sam said.

"I don't know about you, but I am not as tired as I was before", I said.

"Neither am I", Jamie said. Sam nodded.

We walked slowly to the porch, sat down and looked out over the verde valley.