Chapter 2
Julia straightened her apron before stepping away from the mirror. She exited the room. Samuel was standing outside, obviously waiting for her. As he was her employer, Julia knew she should think of Samuel as Mr. Goth. Somehow the name didn't fit the cheerful exterior of the blue and purple ghost.
Samuel gave an approving nod when he saw Julia in her uniform.
“That's much better. You'll have to wear a uniform every day except Saturday. My wife requires it. Your responsibilities are to keep the house clean and cook for my grad nephew Mortimer. He's been living off of cereal.”
Samuel seemed to enjoy talking. That was good. The more Samuel talked the less Julia would be expected to. It wasn't that Julia didn't like talking to people, it was that she didn't want to talk about herself.
“Samu- Mr. Goth, would you mind showing me around the house?”
Julia asked, eying a bookshelf critically. Everything was covered in a fine layer of dust. Julia wondered if the rest of the house was like that.
“Of course Miss Shen.”
“That's much better. You'll have to wear a uniform every day except Saturday. My wife requires it. Your responsibilities are to keep the house clean and cook for my grad nephew Mortimer. He's been living off of cereal.”
Samuel seemed to enjoy talking. That was good. The more Samuel talked the less Julia would be expected to. It wasn't that Julia didn't like talking to people, it was that she didn't want to talk about herself.
“Samu- Mr. Goth, would you mind showing me around the house?”
Julia asked, eying a bookshelf critically. Everything was covered in a fine layer of dust. Julia wondered if the rest of the house was like that.
“Of course Miss Shen.”
The second floor had a room in the center with bookshelves and other odds and ends.
One bedroom on the floor belonged to Frida.
Julia would have to share a bathroom with Frida. Julia wondered if ghosts even needed a bathroom. All the rooms were dusty. Julia could tell she had her work cut out for her.
The Goth Mansion was aptly named. There were lots of rooms. The other bedroom on the second floor was Samuel and his wife Olivia's. It was right next to Julia's room.
Samuel and Olivia's room also had its own bathroom!
The third floor had a common space like the one on the floor below it, as well as another bedroom, bathroom, office, and sitting room. This floor was less dusty, but only slightly. There were also a few modern things, like a computer and a stereo.
“This is where Mortimer spends most of his time. He is very picky about his things, so you'll need to talk to him about cleaning up here.” Samuel said, glancing around nervously.
Samuel led Julia back down to the first floor.
“This is where Mortimer spends most of his time. He is very picky about his things, so you'll need to talk to him about cleaning up here.” Samuel said, glancing around nervously.
Samuel led Julia back down to the first floor.
He showed her another office, a bathroom, and the dining room.
The two ghosts in the kitchen had not heard Samuel and Julia approach. That didn't mean Samuel and Julia did not hear the two women.
“Why do we need her? Can't we just get a Bonehilda like the VanGoulds?”
“Olivia, be reasonable. The house is filthy! Besides, Mortimer needs to see someone other than the undead.”
Samuel floated through the door, clearing his throat on the way in. Julia followed.
“Olivia, be reasonable. The house is filthy! Besides, Mortimer needs to see someone other than the undead.”
Samuel floated through the door, clearing his throat on the way in. Julia followed.
“Miss Shen, this is my wife Olivia and my niece Frida.”
The trashily dressed ghost eyed Julia critically.
The trashily dressed ghost eyed Julia critically.
“That's Mrs. Goth to you.” The woman snapped, leaving the kitchen.Samuel followed her.
“Olivia, be reasonable!” He called, their voices fading as the got further away from the kitchen.
The orange ghost, Frida, seemed friendlier.
“Olivia, be reasonable!” He called, their voices fading as the got further away from the kitchen.
The orange ghost, Frida, seemed friendlier.
“You can just call me Frida. No Miss Goth-ing for me! Why don't you let me help you get settled in?” Frida asked.
“That sounds good.” Julia replied wearily. This was all overwhelming. Getting her toothbrush and other little things would help her organize her thoughts.
An hour later, Julia stood at the counter cooking. Her toothbrush and hairbrush were in the bathroom. What little clothing she possessed was in the wardrobe. Her cookbooks were already at home on the shelf in her bedroom.
Frida listened as Samuel told a joke. Olivia was up in her bedroom sulking. Julia suppressed a grin as Samuel reached the punchline of the joke. Frida burst out laughing. Someone cleared their throat. Looking up, Frida abruptly stopped laughing.
Julia put her pan down and looked over to the archway.
"Who is this?" the man asked, open hostility in his voice.
Maybe Mr. Mortimer Goth didn't know who she was, but Julia certainly knew who he was. Maybe throat clearing ran in the family.
Maybe Mr. Mortimer Goth didn't know who she was, but Julia certainly knew who he was. Maybe throat clearing ran in the family.