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same,” Sophie added. “Toots, are you willing?”
    â€œOf course. Let’s get started. I can’t wait to see who appears tonight,” Toots remarked. “Boring we are not.”
    Mavis and Ida followed Toots and Sophie inside to prepare for the night’s performance.
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    Twenty minutes later, all but Ida wore the same clothes they’d had on the previous evening, when they were visited by ghosts of husbands past.
    As was becoming the norm, Mavis lit the candles while Sophie spread the purple silk sheet on top of the wooden table. She used the same drinking glass they always used. Almost a replica of last night, right down to the time of day.
    They all sat down in their respective seats. Once they were seated, Sophie began with her usual prayer. When several minutes passed and nothing happened, Sophie tried another method, something she had been reading about but up until now hadn’t had the courage, or rather the nerve, to try.
    â€œLet’s all hold hands,” Sophie announced. “I’m going to try something different.”
    They reached for each other’s hands and waited for Sophie’s instructions. Taking a deep breath, Sophie stared at the doorway leading to the kitchen, just as she had last night. “We want to talk to whoever is out there. If you hear this, make a rapping noise.”
    The room went silent. When nothing happened, Sophie repeated herself. Still, nothing happened. Sophie was ready to resort to what worked when the drinking glass flew off the table, shattering as it hit the wall opposite from where Sophie was sitting. Momentarily stunned, Sophie, along with Ida, Toots, and Mavis, stared at the wall; then all eyes went to the pile of broken glass on the floor.
    An event that might change their perspective on what they’d undertaken was about to occur. Moisture gathered in the palms of her hands as Sophie gave Toots and Mavis a reassuring squeeze. Fear hung in the air like dust in a musty old attic.
    Ida whimpered, pulling her hand away from Mavis’s. In a loud whisper, she said, “I can’t do this.” She ran out of the room so fast Sophie didn’t have a chance to react.
    â€œShh, it’s okay. We can do this ourselves,” Sophie said, hoping to reassure Toots and Mavis. Wanting to let her friends know she was still in control, she pulled her chair closer to the table, releasing their hands as she did so.
    After another cleansing breath, Sophie tried to make contact with the ghost or ghosts again. “Whoever is here with us now, are you responsible for shattering this glass? If your answer is yes, make a rapping noise, once for yes and twice for no.”
    A knocking sound came from beneath the table. Once.
    Sophie eyed Toots, who had a death grip on Mavis’s hand. “Okay, so you broke our glass. Are you friendly? If you’re friendly, rap again.”
    One sharp rap came from under the table.
    â€œOkayyy,” Sophie said. “Were you married to someone in this room? If so, prove it.” Succinct, and to the point, she hoped this spirit had a sense of humor.
    The room was still, not even the flames on the candles made the slightest flicker. It was as though the air had somehow become thicker, visible like fog.
    Ever so slowly, the purple sheet began to wrinkle, as if someone were grabbing it and slowly tugging on it, similar to the magician’s trick of yanking a tablecloth while the dishes remained intact. Mavis, Toots, and Sophie were transfixed as they saw the sheet lift up like a tent. When the edges of the purple silk sheet elevated to the top of the table, the three women gasped, their breaths coming in shallow pants.
    Sophie held herself together. This was remarkable. She glanced over at the video recorder. The bright red light shone like a beacon, indicating it was on and running. The voice recorder hummed along, too.
    The purple silk sheet rose above the table, swirled back and forth