Chapter 4: Getting New Stuff is Fun, Getting New Stuff for Free is Extra Fun

*KELSEY'S POV*

It has not been my morning...

I damn near froze in the shower...yeah...try being the last one in the bathroom when you live in a house with three other women....and by "house" I mean...maybe five walls...not all connected...

Then the sink breaks when I try to wash the breakfast dishes...ugh...great.

...and in case I had forgotten, I am reminded just how broke we are when I go to the junkyard and pilfer through piles of trash looking for anything I might be able to sell.  Yeah, I'm not really in a great mood today.

**********

*AMY'S POV*

Since Zoey started her work as a self-employed writer, she sold a book and today we got enough money to finish a second room!  Woo-hoo!

It's really sad that I get excited about things like that now...

As excited as I am about our second room, I have also been thinking a lot about that recipe I read about that can make ghosts human again.  I don't even know where to start finding out more information on it...but I feel the need to go out, so I head to the local coffee shop.

This place is called Cafe Express and it's right down the street from our "house"...so I get a cup of coffee, sit at a table, and try to just relax...but I can't stop thinking about Rebecca...I have to make this right...now that I know there is a way...I have to.

Voice: Hey, deep in thought there?

I turn around to see if I can tell where the voice is coming from, but all I see are the guys behind the counter...the baristas?  Baristos?  Who the hell knows...

Amy: Did you say something to me?
Dark Haired Guy: Yeah, you looked like you were thinking really hard about something...

Amy: So you decided it would be a good idea to interrupt me?
D.H.G: You know what they say about an over-contemplated life...
Amy: No, what do they say?
D.H.G: An over contemplated life is a life un-lived.

Amy: Did you see that on a Hallmark card or something?

D.H.G.: Or something...probably from someone just talking out of their ass...but it sounds like good advice.

Amy: *annoyed* Ok, well...when I find someone wanting some advice, I'll make sure and give it to them.

D.H.G: My name's Jessie.

I sigh...am I seriously not going to get out of this without talking to him?  Okay, okay, I get it...I'm kind of being a bitch right now...but still...this guy is getting on my nerves.

But regardless, I walk up to him and give him my nicest smile.

Me: Hey Jessie, my name's Amy.

Jessie: Nice to meet you.  See, that wasn't so hard...
Amy: *smile* Look, I have decided to talk to you, but antagonizing me right now would be a really bad idea.
Jessie: So, what?  Am I lucky?
Amy: Okay, never mind...I'm getting out of here.

Jessie: Wait a minute, I'm sorry...don't leave.  I'll make a deal with you, I'll stop being a dick if you just talk to me...that's all I want...you don't even have to be nice...well, maybe a little nice.
Amy: I'm confused...why do you want to talk to me?
Jessie: You're interesting.

I'm a little uncomfortable at this point...I don't really know how to deal with men that well...and I never know how to act when I think a guy is trying to flirt with me...even if it's in a completely f-ed up way.

Amy: Hmm, well...thanks...I think you're going to be disappointed after you talk to me, but okay.

Jessie: I doubt it.  So tell me, what's on your mind that's got you contemplating it so hard?
Me: You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Jessie: For the sake of continuing this discussion, pretend I would.

Amy: *sigh* Well, I'm just thinking about my sister...she died.

Jessie: Oh shit, I'm sorry...
Amy: Thanks, but that's not the gist of it...she's a ghost now...I took her remains in and she's "here" but she's still a ghost...it's really screwed up, I know.

Jessie: Not really, I've heard a lot about the ghosts and the whole movement to make them leave town.
Amy: Leave town?
Jessie: Yeah...there are some people that don't want them here...they think they'll interfere with tourists, bring in a bad crowd, blah, blah, blah...
Amy: What?  That's crazy...my sister isn't a nuisance to anyone...she just didn't want to die...and if I can turn her human again, I'm going to.

Jessie: Oh wait, I think I've heard about something like that...a recipe or something?

Amy: Yeah...I just read about it, but I don't know anything else about it...I was hoping to find something...somewhere...but I have no idea where to start.

Jessie: Hmm, I know someone that might know.  I could get you in touch with her...if you give me your number...

Amy: *getting excited* Yeah!  Sure!  Wait...this isn't just some plot to get my number is it?

*He gives me a sly, crooked smile*
Jessie: I'll admit that's a plus...but seriously, my friend can help.  I'll get you touch with her.

So I give Jessie my number and hope he's not full of shit.  What else can I do?  This is my only lead.

**********

*ZOEY'S POV*

Well, we've been in this town for awhile now and we've done nothing but work.  I've written a couple books and I think tonight is the night to cut loose, have a drink and do some dancing.  Unfortunately, the girls are all busy...but I'm not going to let that stop me.  I head to The Pool Club by myself.

I'm naturally pretty shy, and I'm kind of freaked out about trying to get into this club...what if it's restricted?  What if they won't let me in because something is wrong with me?

Yeah, I worry too much...especially since this blonde lady bouncer basically just walks by and doesn't seem to care that I just walked in...okay, fine.  This doesn't say much about the security of this place...

I decide not to think about it and head over to the bar...we have some money right now, so I can buy a drink...which is all I'll need...trust me...

Of course, I could use a drink just watching this bartender make mine...he spills more on the floor than he put in my glass...then he drops the glass and breaks it...

His name is Cletus and it's his first night...
Ha!  Their fault for hiring a bartender named Cletus...how good did they think he would be?

Either way, I finally get my drink, swallow it down and then get to what I really came here for...

Even though I tend to be kind of shy around people, I love dancing.  I can just close my eyes, move to the music, and forget about all the people that surround me.

With all that we've been going through lately, I really need this.

**********

*REBECCA'S POV*

Remember that stinky, craptastic couch?  Well, we were finally able to save up enough money to restore it, and look at it now!  Isn't it gorgeous?  It's the first piece of furniture we have gotten that wasn't absolutely necessary, so I'm pretty excited.

I have a confession to make...I have a seriously dangerous shopping problem.  Back home when I was in high school, any money I ever got would be spent on clothes, shoes, perfumes, makeup, anything.  When some people have a bad day, they take their mind off of it by doing something relaxing like reading or dancing (Zoey), going home and eating a tub of ice cream (Amy), punching something or making out with something (Kelsey), or drinking (all of us...when we have money).  When I have a bad day, I want to shop...buy myself a little something to make me feel better.

Unfortunately, we have been too broke to buy anything...which is really bumming me out...

But...I have found a light at the end of the tunnel...well, I don't know if I would necessarily call it that, but lately, I have really been getting into going to the junkyard and looking for stuff...it's like buying, but it's free! I can just see something I might want, and take it home...I don't have to buy anything!  How awesome is that?

Okay, so the crap I get is usually dirty and broken, but what can you do?  I have to try to make the best of it.

Also, there's a small junkyard close to our house, but I just found this one that's a lot bigger and has a big building on it.  I can't imagine what all is in there.

  

Just look what I found tonight...a dishwasher!  Eeeeek!  I'm really excited about this find...because Kelsey and I both hate doing dishes, so usually Amy and Zoey get stuck with them...so they will love this.

I even enjoy digging through the piles of scrap to get stuff together to sell...I guess I just like finding diamonds in the rough...or whatever.

After I get done at the junkyard, I head to this little hole-in-the-wall sports bar called Whistler's.  I've been studying up on my bartendering and I think I've developed some mad skills, so I'm going to see if the bartender would hire me every now and then.  I'm sure this won't be a problem, since I am very good at persuading people.

Bartender: Can I help you, miss?
Rebecca: Actually, I'm hoping I can help you.  I was wondering if you need any extra help...I've got a little experience...
Bartender: Hmm, yeah, sure.  Have at it.  I'll see how you do...if you screw up to much, you have to go though.

Wow, that was easy.  So I start tonight.  Awesome!  Maybe I can make some great tips this way.

It's a pretty slow night, but Bill and his roommate did come in for a few drinks, so we talked and laughed until the bar closed...and I made decent tips.

**********

*KELSEY'S POV*

The next morning is thankfully better...

Zoey and I are talking and we have made a good amount of money this week, so we decide to make a few extravagant purchases.

We buy a TV...it's extremely cheap and it keeps going out, but it's better than the big bunch of nothing we've had to do on this lot before.

And we spring and buy Rebecca a guitar of her own.

Which is for our benefit as well because now she can play for tips and doesn't have to worry about whether or not there is a guitar there.  

Also, Amy and I check out the new junkyard Rebecca found and it has all this crap in it we can use...

It has a computer and a chess table...which we both need.  Amy likes hacking here better because she says she feels dirty hacking at the library...at least here the whole place is dirty, so she's not alone.

Speaking of dirty, the whore found something extra special there one night...this guy...

She didn't get a whole lot of hacking done that night.

Amy: Shut your face, skank!
Kelsey: Whore!
Amy: Bitch!
Kelsey: Cunt!
Amy: Slut!

Kelsey: Hooker!
Amy: Floozy!

Kelsey: Floozy?  Were you born in the 1950's?

Amy: Fuck you.
Kelsey: Nah, I'm good bro.

Amy: You are so weird.
Zoey: Am I going to have to seperate you two?
Amy: She started it.
Kelsey: Please, you were born first slut-bag.
Amy: Kiss my ass scrotum breath.

Kelsey: Wow, scrotum breath?  That's a new one...
Amy: I know, right?  I just came up with...
Rebecca: SHUT THE FUCK UP!

O-kay, geez...anyway...

The last thing we get to build is another room!  It's going to be the kitchen!

Chapter 3:What the Hell is Wrong With Everyone?

*REBECCA'S POV*

There are pros and cons to being a ghost....being able to learn the guitar quicker, definitely an unexpected pro...

But somehow I thought another pro would be being able to eat whatever I want and not gain weight...that makes sense, right?  Apparently that's not the case.

So I'm thinking I need to hit the gym and between Kelsey and Amy, Kelsey is definitely the sister I need to recruit to be my fitness buddy.

Rebecca: So I think I've gained like, thirty pounds since we got here.
Kelsey: How in the hell have you gained weight?  We are so poor we generally only eat once a day, and it's usually a tomato...or a bowl of cereal...

Rebecca: Yeah, but don't you want to get healthy?

Kelsey: Bec, we're sleeping in sleeping bags on the ground every night...you're a freakin' ghost...I have bigger things to worry about.

Rebecca: Well, come on, at least go for me...it'll be fun...there might be some cute guys...all muscular and sweaty...

Kelsey: *moan, snarl* Fine.

So after breakfast, we get dressed and when we get there, this woman starts booing me...what did I ever do to her?  I look at Kelsey for a clue and she just looks pissed off.

**********

*KELSEY'S POV*

Who the hell does this bitch think she is?  We show up at the gym, not bothering anyone, and this bitch decides she wants to start talking shit about my sister?  Oh hell no.

Kelsey: Bec, go on inside, I'll deal with her.

Rebecca: Kels, don't do anything stupid.
Kelsey: I'm not going to, just go inside.

As soon as Rebecca goes in, I walk up to the woman.

Kelsey: Excuse me, I didn't catch your name...
Woman: It's Brandi.
Kelsey: Ok Brandi.  My name is Kelsey...so...what's up with the way you were treating my sister?
Brandi: Your sister?  You mean that ghost?
Kelsey: Yeah, that ghost...her name is Rebecca.

Brandi: Look, I'm sure your sister is nice and all, and I'm very sorry that she obviously died young, but I don't think the good people of this town should be subjected to her perversion.

I honestly can't believe my ears.  Is this woman serious?

Kelsey: Are you completely off your rocker?  What the hell are you talking about?
Brandi: Oh, I mean no offense, and I really do commend you for still associating with her at all, but you have to agree that her lifestyle is...unnatural.  When people die, they should accept their passing and move on, not cling to life like they do.  This world is for the living, her kind should not be allowed to be here.
Kelsey: Are you fucking nuts?  How is her being here hurting you at all?
Brandi: It's an abomination.  Life has a natural order.  You are born, you live, you die.  She is trying to change the rules.  It's not right.  I have known many people in her situation that did the right thing and decided to move on.

Good heavens, this bitch is nuts!

Kelsey: I don't even know where to start correcting your completely inaccurate assumptions about ghosts.  First of all, it wasn't even her decision to come back.  My older sister and I couldn't imagine living without her, so it was our decision when the opportunity was presented to us, we took it.  What was she supposed to do?  Kill herself and die again?

Brandi: Yes, she probably should have, but I'm sure people like her wouldn't even consider it.  They probably figured out how to keep from dying because they are planning on spending their afterlife in eternal damnation.

I've had enough of this bitch.  My temper catches up with me and before I can stop myself, I haul back...

...and slap the shit out of her.

But just slapping her isn't enough for me.  This stupid c-u-next-tuesday needs a good ass kicking.

German walks up behind me and I briefly remember what my mama's always told me about being a proper lady, especially in front of men...

Yeah, screw that.  This skank has it comin'.

And of course, I kick her ass.  She takes off running like the pussy she is.

Okay, now I can go work out.

I walk inside and join Bec on the treadmills.

Rebecca: Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid.

Kelsey: Of course not.

**********

*ZOEY'S POV*

As much as I am really excited to have a toilet and a shower on our lot, now we have to make sure it stays clean...which is not easy with four women using it.  I vote the next room be a second bathroom.

I decide to spend the day working on my writing skill just a little bit more because I am one point away from having enough skills to become a self-employed writer.

**********

MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE GYM...

*KELSEY'S POV*

I'm still at the gym and I got my workout on, and just after I get out of the shower, I run into this hottie!  I turn my flirt on right away.

Kelsey: Hey, I wasn't so sure about this gym thing before, but it's obviously working for you.
*bat lashes, flirty smile*
He gives me a flirty smile back...oh yeah, I got him.

Kelsey: What's your name?
Hot Guy: Alden.
Kelsey: So, Alden, what could you possibly need to be working on in this gym?
Alden: Oh, I'm actually here training my wife.

WIFE?!   Surely not...

He's married to this chick...ugh...SERIOUSLY?!

She's not even cute.

**********

*AMY'S POV*

I'm at the library and even though I know I should really be working on getting better at writing, I'm really not feeling it right now.

Kelsey called me earlier and told me what happened with Rebecca at the gym.  I can't help but feel responsible.  Did I make the decision to get her back for my own selfish reasons?  Probably, but I was thinking about her too...she was too young to die...except now she has to live her life out as a ghost.  That's bad enough, but apparently there are people in this town that think she has no right to be here.  I swear, I don't know why they can't just stay out of other people's business...it's not like she's hurting them.

Anyway, I start browsing in the books and pull out a cook book to maybe learn how to cook something besides mac and cheese.  I'm sick to death of eating cereal all the time.

Meanwhile, Kelsey and Rebecca show up and start looking around.  Kelsey still needs to get her logic skills up before she can join the law enforcement career.

Amy: What are you reading, Bec?

Rebecca: I think I'm going to learn to become a bartender...
Amy: What for?
Rebecca: Ok, don't think I'm crazy, but I think we should all learn.

Amy: Hmm...

It might not be a bad idea...but I need to work on my dream career before I get anything else going....

Of course, our night is interrupted when this crazy chick comes up and starts heckling Rebecca...but she looks like a crazy person with this get-up she's wearing....

As I read this cookbook and drool over all the awesome stuff I eventually want to learn to make, I run into something interesting....there's something in the back about a recipe that when fed to ghosts can make them human again...but that's all there is...just a little blurb...I have to find out more information on it.

**********

*KELSEY'S POV*

So...as much as I love hanging out with Zoey and my sisters, I feel the need to go out.  I give Bill's roommate, Hugh a call and we plan to meet at this little Irish pub.

In front of the pub this chick walks by me and gives me the stink eye...

Ugh...bitch.

Hugh: Hey beautiful.

Kelsey: Hey...

When we go inside, I head to the bar and pick out a couple drinks...and this chick gives me the stink eye too...ugh, what's up with these skanks?

Let me just say...that I am so happy to finally be able to get my drink on...

Oh...and Hugh is very good company too.  *wink, wink*

**********

*REBECCA'S POV*

So...great news!  I have started my job and Zoey got her final writing skill needed to start her job, so we're both working now...and we can afford to put up a couple more walls!  I honestly never thought I would be this excited about putting up more walls, but this means we're that much closer to having a room...and let me just say, walls are really expensive.

Unfortunately, since we are slowly increasing our net worth, our bills are going up even more...they're up to 22 simoleons now...

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And let's not even talk about the quality of the stuff we have...our sink breaks all the time...

And the shower almost always has nothing but cold water.  Ugh...

I guess it's a slow ride up to the top.