The next morning having slept all night I was up first. Almost disappointed Sheena was not sleeping nearby, again. Starting the morning rituals Sheena leaves Arlene to get let out and do the same.

Of course hearing us Arlene wakes too just taking some time to think before talking. Trying to be rational she wonders if it had been a hallucination from past drug use.

Back in the work grubs and finished my morning rituals, start her coffee maker. Watching Sheena sniff around the barn hear the bathroom door close noting Arlene is on the move.

After the coffee pot is full she's ready to be seen. "Morning Rob. Oh you made my coffee for me? Thank you."

Turning to greet her. "G'morning. I did and you're welcome."

Curious if I was looking for what she saw seizes the moment to inquire, "um, I saw something strange out there last night. Is that what you were looking for? And please I don't want to hear mice or bugs this time."

Unready for the question, start thinking of all I've seen out there, mainly local critters. "Ah, Sheena actually. Seems to be on to something out there sniffing around the barn. Why did you see something like a deer or cooler like fox or wild cat?"

The choices throw her off. "Wild cats? Ah no. I wish, that would be cool." Getting a coffee mug looks out the window. "Where's Sheena now?"

"I think she's behind the barn. Why what did you see out there?"

Pouring up a cup hopes she doesn't come off crazy. "I'm still not sure. At first I got up because I thought someone was outside. But didn't hear anything."

"Yeah if someone was walking around this place you would hear them on that hard clay ground out there. Especially with all the fallen twigs and branches."

"You and Sheena were right out. I must have woke Sheena. When she thumped her tail on the floor my heart nearly thumped out of my chest. Almost screamed." Thinking how to explain what she saw takes the first morning sip.

"Oh yeah she's got me a few times. Once I thought she did it on purpose."

"Sheena does bark right? I mean if she wanted to warn us. I haven't heard a bark out of her yet. Even when the delivery driver showed up."

"Well she's not going to bark at the pizza dude." I laugh to myself, but have to think if she has barked in the past couple days. "Oh yeah she barks, and will growl - even get mean if surprised. Howls too that's my favorite."

"Well that's good to know. Still doesn't help how I feel about what I saw. So try not to judge me here. Like I said I thought someone was on the property so looking out the kitchen window saw like a smoke cloud. Thinking maybe there was some one by the barn there smoking. It's just the smoke didn't move like smoke."

A few things come to mind. "I'll go outside in a bit and check around the barn if someone was smoking there, should be ashes, footprints or even a butt. But smoke that doesn't moves like smoke. I have a couple plausible explanations for you. One you may not like. One late afternoon Brian and I thought it looked like the neighbor on the farm behind had a fire, but the smoke wasn't going anywhere but kept changing shape."

Waiting to hear ghost. "What was it? Did you guys find out?"

"Yeah, ends up there was a similar one right over our heads. A swarm of bugs."

"Bugs? Swarms of bugs." That doesn't sound pleasant at all to her, a ghost maybe better.

"Yup, swarms of tiny bugs. That's the one I figured you wouldn't wan to hear. But this was last night and not quite time for those bugs."

"Yeah it was almost three."

Pointing to Sheena on the opposite side of the barn. "There's Sheena's completing her check. The other thing I've seen out here is water evaporation not quite like fog. But just above ground level you can see like a vapor."

Seeing the dog sniffing along helps give her some conviction to actually seeing something more than water vapor. "Can dogs smell water?"

"I imagine." Thankfully open minded I hope the final thought doesn't scare her. "I don't know how much you believe in the spirit world. But I have seen something more like what I think you saw. Once before, while I was washing dishes there, one evening. The wind was blowing towards the shack, yet it was moving towards the back of the farm. I went out side to check it out but nothing was visible."

Chills run down her arms, "really? So you think there's a ghost or spirit of some kind on the property?"

Shrugging at uncertainty let her know, "I've been out here a few years or so, nothing bad has happened to me. Well that I didn't have a hand in. I've even crawled around under the shack."

"Ew why?"

"I agree but when the pipes freeze in the winter. That's why the water heater is in the bathroom. Was in the mudroom but come home after a weekend away to an ice rink for a parking lot. Anyway I have heard some odd noises coming from that barn. However Sheena doesn't seem to be put off by anything around here. Once I thought maybe I had a flashback from the LSD taken in life."

Hearing thoughts alike Arlene tries to get a look into my soul to see if I'm just playing with her. "Yeah, that's what I was hoping it was, this morning. But there's no way we could've hallucinated the same thing on different days. I do like the idea that animals can sense negative and positive energies. Sheena didn't seem disturbed."

"How are you with that? Possible spirits in all?"

"Well I've lived in a few places that I've wondered about. Or hear things about. Every place I've lived at I always catch some sort of shadow. Passing by, like a door."

Having seen the same share my theory, "Yeah like out of the corner of your eye especially. Funny everyone else that sees that, says by a doorway or hallway. Makes me think its' energy left behind by someone repeating the same action over and over. The moving shadows in rooms usually ends up being traffic going by differently than normal. Perhaps a neighbor further down the way entering or leaving the property."

She agrees with the thoughts, "yeah, I've seen that stuff - sometimes definitely traffic. Do you know if anybody died here?"

Nodding I'm able to finally get to what I think it might be, "the Landlord, Mario, told me the tenants before me, were a young Mennonite couple. On the way home got into a horrible car accident where the poor young woman died. I figure if she was young and it happened quick maybe her energy lingered. Like the energy within us it takes just to move muscles or think. If the body dies too quickly from trauma where would the energy go? Is that what makes a ghost?"

Again having thought and heard similar can't believe not only what's coming out of the mind but also in a calm manner. Starting to see more of the person now living with wonders why oh why didn't she accept his teenage offer. "Yeah, kind of makes sense eh. But Really eh? The previous tenant died. That's too bad. Did you know their names?"

"No." Seeing Sheena return to the house go to let the dog in. "I think Mario told me the last name once. But can't even recall it. Oddly I've never received mail with any other name, than mine on it."

Recalling the name seen on the roadside mailbox. "Doesn't it say Francis on your mailbox? There's a name on the mailbox."

Laughing lightly I have to explain the name, "yeah you are right it does say Francis. I had to put a name on there or they wouldn't deliver mail here. Well Lancaster is too long. I was going to paint smith but thought about two other mailboxes on the road. There use to be a woman and her two kids down the road their name was Ford. The place near the start of this road that has all the birds is Coppola. So if you think about it Francis Ford Coppola, the film maker."

She finds that amusing, "that's cute Rob. Wonder if anyone else gets it?"

"I do and that's all that matters.'

"So, a single mother, just down the street eh? Did you get to know her?"

"No. I did try she told me her husband is gone months at a time working oil drilling jobs."

"Oil drilling?" Thinking it mainly a Texas or Alberta thing these days, wonders why she'd live here. However recalls the oil pumps seen out in the occasional field. "Do they still drill around here?"

"Actually yeah. Don't know how worthwhile it is. I've actually seen a platform working Lake Erie. At least that's what it looked like way out there. It's also the reason I think Mario holds onto this property. Possible mineral rights, he'd be too cheap to try it. I think he hides this property from his ex-wife too?"

Not surprised by the things people do, thinks she may not admit to owning it either. "You think so? Can't wait to meet this guy."

"First Saturday of the month he drives out here, same car, same clothes."

A fairly accurate picture of the landlord is forming in Arlene's mind. "Chauvinist and extremely cheap?"

"Yup. Get this. He says the problem with today's society is women learned they can have an orgasm too."

"What?" Almost wishing he was there now to give a piece of her mind on that. However does wonder how I feel about it. "What do you think about that?"

"Which part? Cheap? Ah sorry, I say I'm financially conscious."

"No. Women having an orgasm?"

"Oh, I thought chauvinist was next." Hoping I'm not blushing too much attempt to respond, "I never got the stereotype if a woman wants to tramp around like a lot of guys do, why not. It's her life to lead. Of course you ladies also take more risks in doing so. As far as orgasms go. If I can't get a woman there, I'm not only missing out on part of the fun, but she may not want to do it with me again. And worse to a male ego will tell friends how it was."

Now a bit intrigued tries to hid it. "Really?"

"Yeah." More nervous I keep rambling. "From what I hear I should be jealous and maybe that's why guys don't want you ladies to have one."

"Why's that?"

"Because the female orgasm is better than ours."

"What do you mean?" She already knows but really wants to hear what I think.

"I'm told it's like an all over body rush or tremble where us guys its kinda sad to say. A guys' is similar to releasing a long held in piss. Kinda like a big happy release than the tip is so sensitive you don't want anything too touch it. Figured out just power through and I can actually keep it up to get my partner there."

Now different thoughts enter her mind wondering to the validity of it, "oh really? Boasting a bit there, Rob?"

"Certainly surprised Tammy." Immediately regretted saying that as our thoughts went to the woman.

Swiftly removing smiles and killing previous thoughts, she suggests, "you should try and call her again today."

"Yeah," I check the time, "she'd be dealing with the kids right about now. Hey, were you thinking you'd like to do anything today? I have a few hours to kill. I can take you in to town and back in that time for sure. Or Hell, I've only a few simple calls you can come with after. Or is that too much, too soon?"

"No, no," thinking she'd at least like to see what the area has to offer for jobs. "Employment Canada, they might be able to help me. Maybe get a new resume made up too."

"Ok, I know where to go. How much time do you need? Or are you ready?"

"No, give me a few minutes to at least put some nicer clothes on." Heading for the back room asks, "can you write down the address and phone number out here for me?"

"Sure - do you one better," having a recent phone bill in sight I ensure it has all that. "Yup got my old phone bill here. It's got all that on there." Seeing her duck into the bathroom I put a task to memory. "I'll try finding a door for you this week."

"Okay." Thinking she may be able to trust me suggests, "even a cheap thick curtain would be fine."

"Yeah? Okay." Looking at the long distance calls to Tammy on the bill know I have to call her, still uncertain what to say. "I'll be over by the barn."

Outside, dog and master investigate the barn. It's obvious that only Sheena and smaller critters have been there, by the footprints seen. Garbage looks like the same stuff I ignore when cutting the grass. Not one noticeable sign of recent smoking.

As Arlene exits we give up the investigation and head to town.

On the ride Arlene brings up calling Tammy trying to see it through her eyes for me. I was already there in mind but appreciated a confirming second opinion.

The ride not taking long she feels confident enough to try making it back solo; Such a nice day for a walk of contemplation.

Leaving her to explore headed back to try calling Tammy again. Which went good as far as Tammy answered the phone, "hello Rob, look before you say anything I need to say something first."

"Ok, g..."

"You obviously have more feelings for Arlene than you do me or you wouldn't have went to talk to her, telling me something else. You not only offer her I ride home without checking with me. You saw I was upset about it and still drove her home. You know the history between us and we all know how we feel about each other. That doesn't make me feel good. Than even though I tell you not to come back you don't even call until the next day. And don't even pick up when I call back."

"Ah I was in town."

"And that's another thing. It must be nice to come and go wherever you want. I was sitting here thinking you two probably did, did it. And so you didn't get caught, you raced home that night to call me in the morning. So do I have it right?"

"Ah um, Tammy I am sorry for hurting you, but I promise Arlene and I have not had sex together. Yes I still have enough old feelings for her to at least see how she was feeling. We use to all be friends. I wish you'd come with us to see it was nothing more than that. You and I are just a few months into re-starting a relationship, long distance. If we can't trust each other there are going to be restless nights when the other is not there. As you know I will always have love for you but at this point I don't see us living together yet."

"What are you trying to say Rob?"

"You've been upset with me for three days now. I work with ninety-five percent women, and developed working relationships with them. If Arlene worries you, what about me around more attractive profession working women."

Tammy didn't quite think about that yet and takes a moment to answer but sees something can happen here. She has the chance to end something clean for a change without being left wondering why. Fighting the urge to hold on, knows she doesn't want to have to guess where I am. "You know what Robert I hate you, hate that you are right and hate I have to let you go to protect my own heart. I know we were friends before and all but perhaps its best if you didn't call me anymore."

Not fully expecting that, I am both saddened and relieved. Sad to have a decant women end it with me. Relieved that I didn't have to do it, but also don't have to cause her further hurt. "I hear you Tammy and understand. I want you to know no matter what I will always have love in my heart for you."

"What ever Robert." She hangs up the phone to cry.

As do I.

The day went down hill from there for me. The few calls turned into a few more before I could even get to the first. And each problem certainly became one to me as well as the cliental. Adding to the day forgot the company gas card at home. Fortunately had just enough pocket cash to cover the tank. Even the mid afternoon lunch slice, though it wasn't worth the changed scrounged together.