"What about that old soap opera you used to watch with your mom? The one you raved about when we were teenagers?"
Ava's eyes lit. "You remember that show?"
"Vaguely. Something about vampires and witches, right?"
Ava giggled with delight as she stood and went to the shelf where she kept a collection of DVD's and books. There in one corner sat a coffin-shaped box.
"Did you know Jesse bought the boxed set for me for Christmas the year before he died? That was one of the best gifts he's ever got me." She set the box on the coffee table and opened it. "Where do you want to start? With the vampire or the werewolf?"
Her two favorite characters. "The vampire, of course."
She grinned as she grabbed the disk and turned to work the DVD player attached to the TV. "I can't believe you remember this show."
Jared remembered. He knew exactly what the show was called, but he didn't admit it. He also didn't admit that he was the one who told Jesse to buy it for her for Christmas that year. He remembered her obsession with it when they were younger. There were many nights when he stopped by her house to find her and her mom curled up in front of the television watching a story line of vampires, witches and werewolves.
When she saw that a boxed set was available, she'd mentioned it to another waitress at the diner where she worked. Jared had been there that night getting a cup of coffee. He'd overheard her tell Clara how much she'd love to have that set so she could watch the show whenever she wished, but the price tag was a bit too high. That night, he called his brother and insisted he buy her those DVD's. Jesse had balked, but Jared told him if Jesse didn't buy them for her then he would.
"Are you sure?" Ava asked, a flicker of doubt diminishing the brightness of her eyes. "Jesse bought it for me, but he never liked watching it with me. The offer of hockey is still available."
"Uh-uh," he said with a quick shake of his head. "There's no way I'm passing up a black and white vampire for hockey."
Ava rolled her eyes. "It's not all black and white. The show does get color."
Something he also knew, but he loved teasing those smiles out of her. She sat on the edge of the sofa, pushing buttons on the remote until the show and the eerie music played over the speakers.
While they settled in to watch the show, Jared only paid it half his attention. The other half focused on the woman sitting beside him. He was intensely aware of how close she sat to him. He could nearly feel her body heat warming his skin, making his heart pound fiercely within his chest.
At the same time, he kept a constant vigil for anything out of the ordinary. With Ava's attention glued to the television, she seemed distracted from any possible noises that might present themselves. Jared was there on a mission. He needed to remember why he was relaxing on the comfy sofa with the woman of his dream’s mere inches from him. He couldn't forget that.
The longer he sat, however, the more comfortable he became. The show, he had to admit, had always interested him. It was confusing at first, but with each short episode, the characters came to life and the story line began to weave in intricate mysteries that kept you on the edge of your seat.
Before he knew it, a few hours had passed and Ava had curled up beside him, her back against his chest. As intimate as it might seem, he knew she only saw him as a friend. Friends could cuddle, too. Although Jared probably enjoyed it more than he should. He leaned toward her, inhaling the sweet aroma of the shampoo she used. He closed his eyes, grateful that she faced away from him. His body hardened with want and need.
Two things he would forever feel near Ava.
He needed to accept it.
Somehow, he needed to come to terms with the fact that he was in love with his dead brother's wife. He had to force himself to accept it, but never act upon it. He could never show Ava how he truly felt, which was why he had avoided her for so long. It was growing difficult to keep control of his emotions. It was easier when he wasn't near her. Always reminded of her gentleness, her loving disposition, her sweet character. Not to mention her body, which he desired more than he could ever describe.
His hunger for her grew. He ached to be near her, touch her. And here he was, with her leaning against him for support and friendship, while he lusted after her.
Disgusted with himself, Jared shifted his position on the sofa. Ava moved away from him, glancing over her shoulder with worry.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Sure. I'm fine." He couldn't sit beside her any longer, imagining wrapping his arms around her, pulling her onto his lap and kissing her soundly until she whimpered for more. "I just need to stretch my legs."
He grasped at any excuse to get away from her, but despised himself for the slightly wounded look on her face as he pulled away. He stood, walking across the living room, needing something to occupy himself and his thoughts away from Ava. To cool his heated body. He sauntered to the front door, pushing back the curtains to gaze outside. Snow was falling again. Tiny white flakes drifted from the heavens, already casting a thin coat on the porch and path leading to the driveway.
Maybe he should run outside, throw himself into a pile of snow to cool himself off. That might chase away any ideas he had of stripping the clothes off Ava and taking her on her own sofa.
"It's snowing again." His voice sounded strained even to his own ears.
Ava spun on the sofa, pulling back the curtain by the window behind it. "Are you going to leave now?"
"No," Jared said quickly. His body insisted on staying, but his brain told him it was best to leave. However, he couldn't go knowing Ava remained here. Alone and frightened. He couldn't leave her like that.
Maybe he could take her back to his place?
No. That would spell disaster for them both. He couldn't do that either.
"I'll stay a little longer," he amended.
"You could stay here tonight."
Chapter 4
Ava sat with her legs curled beneath her, one hand still on the curtain as she stretched over the back of the sofa to lean her face near the window. The snow was gently falling, adding another layer to the already covered ground. She turned to look at Jared, standing frozen by the door.
She couldn't quite identify his expression. Was horror flickering in his eyes? Did the thought of spending the night in her haunted home fill him with dread? Or was it perhaps the thought of staying near her?
She'd gotten the impression things had changed between them. Changed in ways she didn’t understand. It broke her heart to see Jared drift away from her.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Ava."
She couldn't stop the pain of rejection that filled her heart. Well, of course, he wasn't rejecting her. Ava was sensible enough to admit that. She hadn't offered her body to him, or her heart, although she knew that was in jeopardy.
Ava nodded, but cast her gaze back to the window, hoping to conceal the hurt she feared might be reflected in her eyes. She didn’t want him seeing that.
"I've got... work tomorrow," Jared said feebly. She glanced his way in time to see the scowl darken his face.
"It's okay. You don't have to explain. I understand." Ava scooted away from the window, settling back on the sofa.
"No, I don't think you do," Jared muttered.
But Ava heard his softly spoken words.
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind," Jared said, walking toward the kitchen. "You mind if I get something to drink? Water?"
"Help yourself, Jared. You know where everything is."
"You want anything?"
She shook her head and watched him dart into the kitchen, eager to get away from her. As soon as he was out of sight, she smoothed her hand over her forehead, rubbing the lines she was sure were etched there.
What was she doing? Why was she asking Jared to stay here? There had to be someone else who might help her with this. Someone she wasn't already half in love with. And it was clear that Jared didn't want to be there. She should tell him to go home.
Ava stared at the small undecorated fiber-optic Christmas tree that stood on the small table near the television. She should pack it away. Christmas was a week away, and she still had no desire to decorate.
It was just another Christmas she'd spend alone in this house.
The thought flickered through her brain, the image of her and Jared coming downstairs to open presents after a night of passionate lovemaking. Her chest ached at the thought.
That would never happen. Why did she torment herself with those kinds of images?
She was just about to stand to join Jared in the kitchen, to tell him it was time for him to go home, when she heard the footsteps.
It was just like before, the sound of booted feet scraping on the concrete floor in the basement.
A cold sensation shivered across her skin at the same moment she heard glass shattering on the kitchen floor. A second later, Jared appeared in the doorway, his eyes wide.
He didn't need to say anything, his expression said it all.
Did you hear that?
Ava nodded, her throat choked with emotion. Fear and grief of what might cause those sounds and relief that Jared could finally experience it. She wasn't alone. Someone else had finally heard the footsteps.
She wasn't going crazy. They were real.
Jared pointed his finger at her, indicating she should wait there, but Ava scrambled to her feet.
All these months, she hadn't been brave enough to venture into the basement when she heard the footsteps. It was only after the footsteps were gone that she'd ventured downstairs to investigate. With Jared at her side, she knew he'd keep her safe. But she had to know. She had to see for herself just what made the sounds of those footsteps.
Jared had turned away from her, and she spotted the gun in his hand. She hadn't seen where he'd gotten it. He must have brought it with him. His hand was at the doorknob of the basement door when she appeared in the kitchen. When he saw her, he nodded his head in the direction of the living room, but Ava shook her head fiercely.
"I'm going with you," Ava whispered. "I need to see."
Jared scowled, but didn't argue. The footsteps continued their pace back and forth along the basement floor. If Ava didn't know better, it sounded just like Jesse downstairs working on his projects. An ache of loss blossomed deep in her chest. Memories of a time that seemed a lifetime ago resurfaced.
She didn't have time to reminisce. Jared turned the doorknob, swinging the door open slowly. With weapon raised, he stepped slowly onto the top step. The footsteps continued, uninterrupted.
Jared took a deep breath, then plunged down the stairs, his legs moving so rapidly Ava thought he might fall. She followed, ducking to see into the basement before she finished stepping down the stairs.
She and Jared froze together at the bottom as they faced the intruder. The apparition of Jesse stood in front of the now finished rocking chair. Jared's hand wavered, and he lowered the weapon.
"Jesse?" Jared whispered his brother's name, but it sounded loud in the sudden silence.
Ava grasped the back of Jared's shirt, clutching the fabric in tight fists as she peeked around his shoulder at her husband's ghost.
"Jesse?" This time it was Ava's voice squeaking her husband's name as she released Jared's shirt and stepped around him.
Jesse looked as he did before the cancer ravaged his body. Before he lost his hair from the radiation treatments. There were no sunken eyes or sickly pale skin. He looked healthy and alive as she remembered him from the days shortly after their wedding. Dark hair, twinkling eyes, tanned skin.
He appeared as she wanted to remember, except this version of Jesse was slightly transparent. She could see through her husband's body.
He smiled broadly and gestured to the complete rocking chair in front of him.
"You... you..." Ava had difficulty forming words as she faced her husband's ghost. "You finished the chair?"
Ava took a step closer. The fear she'd felt when she first stepped into the basement evaporated. The chill in the room made the basement feel like the inside of a refrigerator. She wished she'd grabbed her jacket before coming down here. But the fear was gone, to be replaced by the warmth of love.
This was Jesse. Her husband. There was nothing to fear from him.
He pointed to one of the boxes stacked in storage. A box of decorations that sat untouched from last Christmas and the year before that. Ava hadn’t the heart to decorate for the holidays since Jesse passed away.
Was he trying to tell her something? Did he want her to decorate for Christmas? Why?
“Jesse…” She wanted to explain to him the reason she hadn’t pulled these boxes out since he’d left her. How she couldn’t bear to look at all the festive decorations when she knew she’d be spending the holidays alone? She’d started to decorate this year, determined to keep moving on with her life. But she’d stalled halfway through.
Who was she decorating for, anyway? She feared the holiday spirit she’d embraced since childhood had died along with her husband.
Jesse smiled again as he gazed at first her, then at Jared behind her. The smile was filled with happiness, peace and love. Ava found herself smiling back, despite the shock of witnessing her husband's ghost in her basement.
A second later, he vanished. The rocking chair swayed slightly as if he'd given it a gentle nudge before he left. Ava said nothing. Emotions swelled within her, love overwhelming the grief that had been a part of her for these last three years.
She'd said goodbye to him in the hospital when they knew he wouldn't make it much longer, but this felt... different. It was a better goodbye, filled with love and happiness.
She and Jared stood silent for a long time until the rocking chair came to a stop.
"Did..." Jared spoke in a whisper, still staring at the chair. "Did that just happen?"
Ava nodded.
Then she turned to the boxes of holiday decorations, curious why Jesse pointed at them. Slowly, she stepped closer to the boxes, glancing over her shoulder at the spot near the rocking chair, waiting to see him return. When he didn't, she opened the box he had indicated.
On top of the pile of packed Christmas ornament boxes sat an envelope. She felt Jared move beside her, peering over her shoulder. Ava picked up the envelope with trembling fingers. Opening it, she pulled out a folded piece of paper with writing on it.
"It's Jesse's handwriting," Ava said, her voice tight with emotion. She clasped it to her chest, realizing Jesse must have tucked it in the box before he went to the hospital that last time.
Jared’s hand rested on her shoulder, his fingers pressing with reassurance, offering her the strength she needed to read her husband’s last words to her.
She glanced again at the chair, expecting to see Jesse standing there again, smiling at her. She wasn’t psychic, nor did she believe she had any special sixth sense ability, but she had the distinct feeling that she would not be hearing Jesse’s footsteps any longer. He’d come back to get her attention, to fulfill one last wish. Complete the rocking chair and reveal the location of the letter he wanted her to read.
Ava turned away from Jared, walking to the chair where she reached a tentative hand to run her fingers along the smooth wood. Tears welled again. Without another word, she rushed by Jared, taking the steps two at a time to get out of the basement and into the kitchen.
She stood at the sink, clasping the letter again to her chest as she cried, letting the tears fall freely. Several long minutes later, she felt Jared behind her. He hadn’t said a word, but she knew he was there.
She turned to face him, seeing tears staining his cheeks, too. She gave him a wobbly smile, then walked into his open arms, resting her cheek against his chest. She sighed deeply, relishing the feeling of safety and love in his arms.
“I guess I know now I’m not crazy.” His shirt muffled Ava’s voice, but she knew Jared heard her. He rested his chin on her head, tightening his hold around her to offer comfort.
Ava straightened, nodding as she wiped her cheeks. She blinked and cleared her throat as she unfolded the letter. Her eyes skimmed the handwritten words to find Jesse’s signature at the bottom.
She cleared her throat a second time before reading aloud for Jared’s benefit.
"Dear Ava, I know things are going to be hard for a while, but I’m hoping by Christmas you’ll be ready to read this. You've been the best part of my life and I thank you for being a part of mine. We've had a good time together. I wouldn't change a thing—”
“Ava.” Jared stopped her from continuing. She lifted her startled gaze. “You don’t need to read it to me. This is for you, not me. It’s… private. I… uh… I should go. You don’t need me here anymore.”
He took a step back, but she reached out with her free hand to grab his arm.
“No,” she said, waving the letter. “I saw your name on here. He might have left a message for you, too.”
Jared scowled, but nodded. The look on his face told her clearly that he was uncomfortable listening to this message between husband and wife, but Ava couldn’t do this without him. She couldn’t read this letter without Jared with her.
Her gaze went back to the creased paper. “I know at first, you’ll grieve. For a while, at least. But I don’t want you to be alone. You have so much love in your heart. So much life to live. Please don’t spend it alone, mourning me forever. Find someone—”
Her voice broke as tears welled again. Even in death, Jesse worried for her.
“In fact, if I could pick the perfect man for you, it would be my brother, Jared..."
She heard Jared suck in a sharp breath. Ava's hand trembled as tears swelled, blurring her vision. She blinked them away.
"My last Christmas wish is for you to find each other. I know you loved him, maybe more than you loved me at one time, but he never saw it and things didn't work out back then. Since I benefited from that, hey, I'm not complaining. But you and Jared are the two most important people in my life. The two I love most in this world. It would make me happier than you can imagine if you both found the same happiness we shared."
Curse of Christmas: A Collection of Paranormal Holiday Stories Page 52
