Ghost Squad

“‘Que linda.’ Tía Milagros’s voice was steeped in sarcasm as she surveyed Lucely’s room. She wore the same curlers, face mask, nightgown, and slippers that she had died in. Everyone thinks dying in your sleep is the most peaceful way to go, but no one ever thinks about being stuck in their pajamas for the rest of their afterlife.”

Lucely’s ghostly aunt insists she get out of bed and tidy up the place. Lucely talks to the spirits of her deceased relatives; the humorous mention of curlers and pajamas begins the author’s world-building descriptions that establish the spirit realm with which Lucely has contact. Not only can she see ghosts, but they’re also the people she loves. After death, they retain their personalities, assume their human shape, and continue to be part of Lucely’s family, each in their own way.

“‘Tía, can’t we have at least one weekend off?’ asked Manny, another one of Lucely’s cousins. ‘She can’t help herself; cleaning is her life,’ said another cousin, Benny. ‘But she’s dead!’ Lucely said. The table screamed with laughter now, drowning out Tía Milagros’s threats. Nobody but Lucely noticed when she made good on her promise to throw her chancla by flinging it across the room and knocking over a pitcher of guava juice. ‘No ve!’ Milagros smiled smugly, as if she hadn’t been the one to make the mess.”

Sometimes, in Hispanic cultures like that of the Dominican Republic, adults will throw a chancla, or sandal, at unruly junior members of their families. It’s a brisk way of warning them to behave. Tía Milagros regards the other Luna ghosts as her assistants in the never-ending job of cleaning their ancestral home, and when the other spirits act up, she expresses her frustration with a well-aimed shoe.

“‘Lucely, if you’re eavesdropping up there, you better come down now.’ Lucely cringed and pulled back. How did he always know? She waited a minute, took a deep breath to settle her thumping pulse, and walked down the stairs casually. Her dad hitched an eyebrow, but she tried not to show any signs that she’d overheard his conversation. He liked to pretend everything was under control all the time, and Lucely liked to let him.”

Like father, like daughter: Lucely’s dad is expert at detecting the hidden, and Lucely believes she can hide her feelings from him. They’re both good at both skills since they come from a long line of Lunas, who have protected St. Augustine from hidden evil for generations. An unreadable face often goes with the ability to read others’ hidden feelings.