The Black Heart Crypt

“They land first thing tomorrow morning,” said Zack’s father. “Bradley Airport.”

“It’ll be good to see them again,” said Judy. “Um, could you remind me of their names? I met so many people at the wedding.”

“Sure. Aunt Hannah—she’s the oldest—Aunt Sophie, and Aunt Ginny. Ginny’s the youngest.”

“How young?” asked Zack, who vaguely remembered meeting three little old ladies at his real mom’s funeral and then at his dad and Judy’s wedding.

“Aunt Ginny is seventy-seven.”

Oh, yeah, thought Zack. She’s practically an infant.

Zack, Judy, and his dad were sitting in the dining room, passing around a pizza box. This was their usual Saturday dinner. It was easy for Judy to fix; all she had to do was pick up the phone. Zipper was hunkered down beneath the table, ready to pounce on any stray pepperonis that fell his way.

“I guess you should probably call them Aunt Hannah, Aunt Sophie, and Aunt Ginny, too, Zack,” his dad said, “even though, technically, they’re your great-aunts. And, Zack?”

“Yeah?”

“They’re nothing like Aunt Francine.”

Aunt Francine was his real mother’s sister. She had always hated Zack.

“These three are your good aunts.”

Zack smiled. “I thought you said they were my great aunts.”

His dad laughed. “They are. Especially Ginny. You’ll see. They’ll stay with us for a few days and then head back to Florida.”

“Um, Dad?”

“Yeah, Zack?”

“Why exactly are they coming?”

“Remember how I told you I used to see ghosts when I was your age?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, Aunt Ginny was the only one I could talk to about it.”

“How come?”

“My mother had already passed away and my dad was too busy, being sheriff and all. Besides, I figured he’d just think I was a big baby if I told him the truth.”

Zack could relate. He’d felt the same way. It was why he only told his dad about his “gift” after his father had already seen it in action.

“Anyway, after I talked to Aunt Ginny—poof! The ghosts left me alone.”

“I thought that happened when you turned thirteen,” said Judy.

“Right. Aunt Ginny and I talked on my birthday; dead people never bothered me again.”

“Zack?” said Judy.

“Yeah?”

“We know you don’t need Aunt Ginny or anybody to babysit you. But with Halloween coming, your dad and I figured we should take some extra precautions. Besides, Aunt Ginny’s family. She’ll have your best interests at heart.”

Zack raised an eyebrow.

Judy knew about Zack’s real mother. How she had belittled and berated him. Susan Potter Jennings had never, ever had Zack’s best interests at heart.

“I think Aunt Ginny will be different, hon,” said Judy.

Zack nodded. “Okay.”

“Great,” said his dad.

“We’re going to need the two guest bedrooms plus your room while they’re here,” said Judy. “You and Zipper okay with camping out down in the rumpus room?”

“Sure,” said Zack.

The rumpus room was where he had his video games hooked up to their old TV. There was also a mini-fridge stocked with soft drinks and chocolate milk, plus a microwave oven for popcorn.

“I guess Zip and I can rough it on the couch down there for a couple nights.”

“Great,” said Judy.

“Their plane lands at nine,” said his dad. “You want to ride out to the airport with me, Zack?”

“Sure.”

His father chuckled. “They’ll probably have a ton of luggage. They always do. They might even bring their cats.”

“Cats?” said Judy.

“Yeah. They each have one.”

Under the table, Zipper grumbled.

He sounded like he was looking forward to this visit about as much as Zack was.