Ghost Time

said.
    Mom smiled, not saying anything, and I had to smile, thinking how Cam always says, You’re color, kid, and I’m play by play. Like baseball announcers, you know? How one announcer handles the technical, and one does the song and dance, entertaining. And I liked being color, too. So how’s it end? Mom said, propping her chin with one hand. I could tell she was genuinely interested in the story; she wasn’t just being nice because she’s my mom. We were having such a good time, hanging out together, then who walks through the door? Hey, girls, Rain Man said, waltzing in, and I rolled my eyes—seriously, what timing. Hey, Mom said,smiling, and then he leaned over to kiss her, and I had to turn away, thinking, Never mind me and my gag reflex….
    Ray goes, Hey, Theadorie, and I go, Hey, and he goes, Don’t let me interrupt, heading straight for the fridge. And I said, Easier said than done, Ray—I said it under my breath, but my mom cocked her head at me, even though I don’t think Raymond heard, because he’d already grabbed a beer and was fishing for a bottle opener in the silverware drawer. Mom kept looking at me, though, telling me to watch myself, because Ray’s been behaving lately.
    I know she was trying to be nice, to show me she was proud or something, make peace, I don’t know. But then she goes, Thea, tell him about the script you’re writing, and I just looked at her, like, Why did you have to say that? That’s private: this is why I don’t tell you anything anymore, because for some reason, you think you have to tell Raymond, who never even gets it. I didn’t say anything, and she goes, It’s such a great idea for a movie, Thea, tell him.
    It’s hard when you’re being flattered that way, but there’s a price, you know? So I sighed out loud, and I said, I have an idea about a photographer in the 1860s who falls in love with a beautiful girl in an insane asylum, who he’s commissioned to photograph, and then he steals her soul because she doesn’t love him back. Or maybe he breaks all the plates, killing her, but freeing her soul, I’m not sure yet, I said. And Ray goes, Wait, a little girl? furrowing his brow, before tilting his head way back, taking a drink. I said, A young woman, trying not to clench my jaw so tight I’d never be able to open it again.
    Ray goes, This is a movie idea? opening the cupboard and taking out the can of nuts, and I go, Yes. It’s a movie script for a movie, Ray. By the way, did you wash your hands? I asked, watching him shove his hand in the tin of mixed nuts Mom keeps for him. And then my mom goes, Thea, don’t be rude, and I looked at her, like, I’m being rude?
    Ray could care less. He takes a sip of beer and goes, Well, if you ask me, and I go, Actually, I wasn’t asking you, and Mom cocked her head, and Ray goes, I’m just saying, it’s a little twisted, is all. Really, who wants to watch a love story that takes place in a nuthouse? he said, grabbing another handful of salted nuts. I looked at him, and then I go, Whatever, slapping my sketchbook shut, and I got up to leave the room. Of course Mom called after me, telling me to come back, and I ignored her, slamming my door as quietly as I could get away with without being scolded about slamming my door. I’m sorry, but I was having a good talk with my mom for once, and then Raymond has to walk in, and it’s just like, Ugh. I can’t stand you.
    Anyhow, I fell on top of my bed and opened up to the page again, the one with the picture of trees, the pictures of everything the girl sees in her silent world, all the beauty in her mind, no matter that everyone takes it for darkness. I mean, it’s called crazy love , after all, so what better place to set a love story than an insane asylum?

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011
    (SEVENTEEN DAYS LATER)
    12:58 PM
    Then I just started crying. I mean, not in the conference room with my mom and Foley—I didn’t have anything to say to either of them. No, I made it to the fountain in the hall, before I retched, and then I went back inside. I sat there, staring at the table, while Foley told my mom everything he’d just told me. When he finished, Mom said the same thing I did, that she didn’t believe Cam would ever do such a thing, but she turned white as a sheet—only time I’ve ever seen my mom that pale was when she got food poisoning, that time we were on vacation in Mexico. When sixth period bell rang, Mom stood up and said, Agent Foley, I’ll