When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Ghost Buster

Cammi's mom closed the door after Josh left a little bit later. She was worried about the impression Cammi was making, with her being crazy and all that.

After she had been called in, Bridget had seen her daughter go through a mental breakdown.

"Mom," she had said. "Look over by my desk. Do you see anything unusual? Something that shouldn't be there?"

Bridget did as she was asked, "Well. It looks a little messy, but that's to be understood. You've been through a tough time-"

"MOM," Cammi interrupted. "Do you see like... a person over there? Or a glow in the shape of a person?"

Hope spoke to Cammi. "They can't see me, Cams. You know that."

"But why can't they see you?" Cammi asked, aloud. "Why can I see you and not them, Hopey?"

That's when Bridget knew something was up.

Hope was dead.

Cammi knew that. Cammi had stayed in bed for like, weeks, because of that.

And now she was talking to Invisible Hope?

Not good. That definitely sounds like some issues for a grief counselor.

So Bridget found some pretense of getting Josh out of Cammi's room, because he had been giving her looks, too, and got him out the door, assuring him that he would be welcome anytime for another visit.

Back in Cammi's room, Hope was laughing hysterically. "They think you're crazy now. Because you're talking to nothing."

"But I'm not talking to nothing," Cammi protested. "I'm talking to you."

Hope's amusement died down, slowly, until she was no longer smiling at all. "Cams, you know what's going on, don't you?"

"Well," Cammi answered slowly, "I can't be sure, but I think I have an idea. See, you died. But now I can see you, and no one else can." Cammi took a deep breath, expelled it, and looked at Hope with a look that said she knew she was right. "You're a ghost."

Hope smiled. "Good girl. I knew you weren't as dumb as you looked."

Cammi didn't laugh, or grumble at how irritating Hope was being. She looked solemnly at Hope. "How long are you staying? Because... you can't stay forever, can you? You'll be leaving me for real?"

Hope nodded. "I've been sent back for one purpose, and one purpose only," she answered. "To help you."

"Sent back from where? And help me do what?" Cammi had so many more questions, but those were the two dominant ones. The first one, because it would be interesting to know where people went after they died. And what if she had met some really famous dead people? Like Elvis? And why would Cammi need a ghost's help? Granted, it was the ghost of her best friend, but a ghost nonetheless...

"I know what you're thinking," Hope replied. "And I have not met Elvis. Yet. And I can't tell you where I went after I died. It would ruin the surprise when your time comes."

"Is that what you're here to help me with?" Cammi asked, slightly panicked. "Has my time come?"

Hope started giggling. "Chill, Cams. The Grim Reeper isn't coming for you just yet." She walked to sit down on Cammi's bed - but didn't move the bed in any way - and leaned close. "I'm here to help you solve a murder."