“So, Frank is still here,” Eric said.
“Yeah, Adele thinks the one meeting wasn’t enough or there is something else holding Frank back, but she was too tired to speculate.”
“What do you think?”
“I think this whole thing is still crazy,” I laughed and scooped a second helping of pasta onto my plate. “I’m glad Frank Jr. stuck it out though. At first, I didn’t think it was going to be that promising.”
“No, I thought that truck was going to be the end of him.”
I was amazed that Frank Jr. didn’t get hit either. One moment the horn was screaming out a warning and the next I was breathing in hot exhaust fumes. The truck blew by me and I lost sight of Frank, certain in those few seconds he had been hit. I was stuck standing in the one lane waiting for the truck to pass by before catching a glimpse of Frank Jr., still on his feet, unharmed.
After dinner we didn’t talk about Adele or the ghosts. We put all of those thoughts aside and snuggled on the sofa, watching a movie. Despite the nap, I was still tired and we called it an early night. Eric held me against him, one leg draped over mine. He nuzzled my neck, kissing right behind my ear. “I love you,” he whispered. I almost told him then, but drifted asleep, secure in his arms, before I could form the words.
***
The next morning we returned to the motel to pick up Frank Jr. When we drove around the side to his room, the door was wide open. Being law enforcement officers, we were immediately on alert. Eric parked in an empty space near Frank’s room and I went to open the car door, but Eric placed his hand on my arm. “Wait, I’ll go.”
I watched as he slowly approached, imagining every scenario possible, very aware Eric was unarmed. There was movement in the room, just beyond the doorframe and I sucked in a breath, ready to call out a warning. I exhaled in a whoosh and almost laughed when the front of a housekeeper’s cart emerged, followed by a shrunken Hispanic woman wearing a gray and white striped housekeeper’s uniform.
Eric said something to the woman. She shook her head and pointed in the direction of the office. Eric hopped back into the Jeep. “What’s up?” I asked.
“Apparently Frank checked out. Let’s see if he’s at the office.”
We drove around the building and parked. The office was barely large enough for the two of us and unless Frank was invisible, he wasn’t there. We asked the manager at the desk if he knew anything.
“Oh yeah, he checked out early this morning…had me call him a cab to take him to the bus station. Who are you?”
“I’m Elena; we were supposed to pick him up here at noon.”
“Elena, huh? Hold on a sec…” The manager rummaged through piles of papers and candy wrappers on the desk. Apparently this guy had a sweet tooth and liked Kit Kats. “Ah, here it is. He asked me to give this to you.” I was handed a simple white envelope. Written on the front, next to my name, was a note: Please give this to my dad. Thanks for everything.
I didn’t understand why Frank Jr. left and hoped the note offered an explanation, for his dad’s sake. We arrived at the clearing before Gavin and Adele. As per usual, Frank, Lawrence, Georgia, and Bob were waiting.
When Frank realized his son wasn’t with us, he looked at me with an anxiety-ridden expression on his face. I held the envelope towards him. “Do you want me to read this to you – in front of everyone?”
He nodded so I ripped the paper open and pulled out a handwritten note:
Dear Dad,
I write this as dawn approaches. I didn’t sleep at all last night, but I also didn’t drink. For the first time in a long time, I’m sober. You’re right. I’ve been living by people’s assumptions. Mom assumed I’d turn out like you so I didn’t think I’d live to see 30 and I didn’t think I deserved a decent life.
Who gets a chance to talk to their dead father? That shit doesn’t happen, but it did. I’m going back to Nevada and will do better. If I go to jail, I’ll accept the consequences. I’m 59 years old - it’s time I grow up and take accountability for my actions. Last night I really forced myself to examine my life. A run-down motel room with a whiny air conditioner fan makes for a lonely back drop. You said I had a bum deal and you’re right, but I let it define me. Right now I don’t have anyone in my life who I can call on as a true friend.
Meeting you changed me in more ways than I thought possible. Sure I wish you were there for me growing up, but you were there for me yesterday when I was probably at the lowest point in my life and needed you the most. The pity party is over. I want to change.
Thank you dad, I’ll do our name proud.
Love,
Your son, Frank
***
FRANK SR.
Elena folded the paper and handed it to me. After summoning up enough energy, I took it from her and re-read the note. Was I disappointed that my son didn’t return with Eric and Elena? Yes, but that was quickly replaced with pride, relief and satisfaction. Our meeting made a difference and he wanted to change the course of his life. He wasn’t wasting time getting started either.
Warmth enveloped me, starting with the crown on my head and washing over me like a shower, but without the wetness. This was the first time I’d felt any type of temperature change since…well since I was alive.
“Do you all feel that? It’s so warm!” I looked over at Lawrence, Georgia and Bob and that’s when I realized they were no longer next to me. At some point I had moved and was standing by my car, which wasn’t a twisted hunk of metal anymore, but brand new and shining brilliantly in the midday sun. The engine purred as it idled and the driver’s side door was open. Tucking my son’s note into the pocket of my shirt, behind the half empty pack of Lucky Strikes, I slid into the car. The convertible top was down so the seat was warm and vibrating slightly from the powerful engine waiting for gas. My hands closed around the steering wheel. Man, I loved this car. Taking a deep breath I shifted gears to drive.
I had barely tapped the gas pedal when my car lurched forward and shot across the desert. Rocks and cacti flew by in a blur and hot wind tickled my scalp. My arm hung out over the side and a cigarette dangled from my mouth. I blinked and when I opened my eyes, the landscape had changed. I was driving down a familiar street. As if on auto-pilot the car pulled into a driveway and parked under the car port. The engine shut off and the driver’s side door opened on its own, but instead of staying and savoring my cigarette like I used to do, I stubbed it out in the ashtray. I made my way up the walkway, past the recently trimmed Bougainvillea, and opened the front door. Faye was there waiting for me. Her stomach was round and stretching the limits of her dress. She was beautiful and glowed with an inner radiance.
I wondered how I could have missed that before, but I did.
Chapter Eighty-Two
ELENA
By the time Adele and Gavin had arrived, we were all in shock. Frank was gone, we assumed he had crossed over, but it was so different from the others. One moment he was standing with us reading his son’s note and the next minute he disappeared. When Peggy left, even Eric caught a glimpse of her, but not this time with Frank.
Georgia was sobbing and Lawrence was doing laps around the perimeter in hopes of locating his friend. Within minutes of her arrival, Adele confirmed Frank was no longer earthbound.
“Please everyone, calm down, as unexpected as it was, Frank is at peace and this is cause for celebration. Now, let’s get started and maybe you can meet up with your friend on the other side.”
Adele didn’t waste any time. Gavin, weighed down with equipment, and Eric carrying the cooler full of bottled water, followed us to where we gathered by Juanita’s memorial. Carefully watching where we stepped so we didn’t disturb the mosaic. There Gavin set up three tri-pods with cameras. I directed Eric and Gavin where to stand since they couldn’t see the ghosts. When we were done arranging ourselves, there was ghost next to a human. We couldn’t hold hands, but Adele said the circle helped to contain energy.
She instructed us to c
lose our eyes and take deep breaths. We followed her breathing pattern and soon the background roar of interstate traffic faded away. After a few minutes of this, Adele told us we could open our eyes.
Eric inhaled sharply and I glanced across the circle. His eyes were first fixed on Lawrence then Georgia.
“Eric and Gavin, can you see everyone?” Adele asked.
They both nodded, unable to look away from the formerly invisible members of our group and seemingly rendered speechless.
“Excellent, we’ll begin.”
While Adele was speaking, Georgia had moved to the center to stand next to Amelia.
With their long blond hair and slight builds, they could have passed as sisters too and I remembered they were both nineteen when they died.
****
GEORGIA
“Are you ready?” Amelia asked me.
“Is this it, am I really leaving…for good?”
“Yes.”
I almost took Amelia’s outreached hand, but hesitated. Despite the overwhelming desire to leave, there was something I was forgetting. I felt disoriented and it seemed as though the air around me was moving, jostling me like I was in a crowd. A fog surrounded us and just as I was reaching for Amelia’s hand, the fog parted and I saw Lawrence. That’s when I remembered – I forgot to say goodbye.
“Wait!” The moment I thought it, I was standing in front of Lawrence. Whatever power the circle had manifested enabled us to hug. It was awkward at first as it had been so long since either of us had hugged anyone; it was almost like we forgot how. We managed to get our arms wrapped around each other and he held me tight. “Godspeed Georgia, I hope you find peace waiting for you,” he whispered in my ear.
“You too, Lawrence. Maybe I’ll see you on the other side.” I pulled away and gave him one last smile before turning to Bob who seemed a little too eager for a hug. Fortunately he behaved himself, keeping his hands above my waist.
“Take care, Bob.”
“You too, kiddo.”
We parted and with a final wave to everyone, I stepped back into the center and took Amelia’s hand.
With a loud pop and sudden pressure change, we were gone.
I didn’t know what to expect: The Pearly Gates? My parents? I certainly wasn’t expecting to see Johnny, but there he was leaning against a tree. I stood there, confused and in shock. The tree was in front of the bus station in Taylorsville, which hadn’t changed since the day we left for Las Vegas together.
Johnny pushed off the tree and walked over to me. “Here, let me take that.” I watched in a daze as he reached for my shoulder and pulled my backpack off. Where did that come from?
“Come on, the bus is leaving.” He started to walk away. I turned to see where he was going and was stunned to see a bus idling in the street, blocking the view of the tree and the front of the station. It certainly wasn’t there before and I didn’t hear it approach.
I looked over at Amelia, who was still standing next to me. “I don’t understand.”
“I think you need to go with him.”
It felt like I was walking through pudding as I followed Johnny onto the bus. Holding onto to the railing, I climbed the first step. The bus driver smiled at me and waved me through even though I didn’t have a ticket. Johnny and I were the only passengers and he sat at the very back, patting the seat next to him.
“You still want to get out of here?”
Was he asking me about leaving Taylorsville or crossing over? Like a light in the fog, through my confusion it became clear the invisible tether was loosening. I felt the familiar thrill of an adventure stretching out ahead of me. Smiling, I plopped down next to Johnny and grabbed his hand. It didn’t really matter where we were going. I was free to roam.
Chapter Eighty-Three
LAWRENCE
Amelia returned alone and she was smiling. She went over to her sister and whispered something in her ear.
“Lawrence, there is someone just on the other side who wants to communicate with you. I’m sending Amelia over to get this person. Okay?”
“Yes, please,” I said without hesitation.
“Be right back!” Amelia disappeared again. A few minutes later there was a loud pop and Amelia returned to the center of the circle. This time she wasn’t alone.
A woman with brown hair stood next to her and I gasped. “Helen?”
“Lawrence, dear,” she said with a smile, “we’ve been waiting for you.”
I was too overcome with emotion to respond, but moved into the center of the circle where Helen reached for me. With my free hand, I traced the outline of her cheek and she leaned into my touch. I actually felt warmth and her soft skin against my palm.
“I’ve missed you so much!”
“Oh Lawrence, all this time you’ve blamed yourself. You did everything you could to save the children. Remember, I pulled the trigger myself, not you.”
“I know, but I should have listened to you and taken the longer, more traveled route.”
“It’s done Lawrence; you had no way of knowing. You’ve suffered enough, come with me,” Helen said and tugged on my hand. I didn’t resist and let her lead.
I didn’t look back.
Chapter Eighty-Four
ELENA
Lawrence and Helen blinked out of existence. One moment they were there, holding hands and the next moment they were gone. I was beyond exhausted, but only Bob was left. I needed to power through for him. The energy required for the others had taken its toll on me physically and mentally. My body, especially my lower back ached and I was nauseated. Strands of hair stuck to my sweaty skin and clung to my face. I brushed these aside in case I puked.
There was a metallic taste in my mouth, like I was sucking on a penny. I turned to ask Eric to hand me a bottle of water when a massive cramp sent me doubling over. Gasping, I hugged my midsection with one arm and clawed at Eric with the other.
“Elena, are you okay?” Eric rushed to my side and I dug my fingers into his arm, hoping to stay upright because my legs were no longer able to support me.
Spots danced in front of my eyes as another cramp gripped me and this time I folded to my knees.
“Lena!” Eric cried, sounding really far way even though he was bent over me. I felt his hands touch my pants, which were wet and warm. Before I lost consciousness, I glanced down and saw blood. My lap was soaked red.
When I came to, I was strapped to a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance. Eric’s face hovered above me. “Oh thank God! Lena, I’m going to be right behind the ambulance. I love you and will see you at the hospital.”
I didn’t know what was going on, just that I was so tired and my body hurt. Then I remembered I had experienced this before.
“Hey,” I said to the EMT who was adjusting the IV hooked to the stretcher.
“Yes?” She looked down at me and I recognized her from work.
“I’m miscarrying aren’t I?”
“Are you pregnant?”
“Yes, and I’ve miscarried before.” I started to cry, hot tears flooded my cheeks as the old pain and fears, so carefully buried, rushed forth.
“You might not have lost your baby, yet. You hold tight.” She squeezed my hand and instructed the driver to step on it.
With my hands wrapped protectively around my abdomen, I whispered silent prayers. Eric didn’t even know. I should have told him the night before.
I was rushed to the neonatal care unit. Unfamiliar faces hovered above as I was transferred from the stretcher to a hospital bed. An ultrasound machine, fetal heart monitor and other equipment was wheeled in to my room. My IV bag of saline was switched over to a stand and a team of people dressed in scrubs and lab coats rushed in.
Time stretched out as I waited to hear, preparing for the worst, but hoping for a miracle. Eric flew into the room and I held my hand out for him. He jostled his way through the medical staff and knelt by my side, taking my hand in his. I kept my eyes on his face since it was the only famili
ar one in the room.
“Lena, did you know?”
I nodded and more tears came. “I was going to tell you last night.”
“We’ll be all right this time,” he said and kissed the tip of my nose, my forehead, my tearstained cheeks and lastly my lips. I fell asleep with his hand secure in mine.
When I woke, my parents were in the room. Eric was asleep in the chair next to my bed. His long legs stretched out front and his head tipped back, mouth slightly open. The attending nurse must have draped a blanket over him.
My mom saw me stir and quickly moved to my side. She smoothed my hair back and I caught the familiar light floral scent of her perfume. “You stay still Elena and take it easy. You and the baby had quite the exciting night.”
“The baby? Does that mean…” My mom nodded and smiled. I sank back into the pillow as relief swept over me.
Eric yawned and stretched, the blanket sliding off of him, landing on the floor with a soft whisper.
“We’ll leave you alone. I’ll come back with some ginger ale,” my mom said. She touched the top of my head and we regarded each other. Not as mother and daughter, but as women who have shared the same experiences.
After my parents left, Eric pulled the chair closer and asked if I needed anything. I shook my head. With one hand on Eric and the other resting on my abdomen, I said “I have everything.”
“I was so worried,” he admitted. “Adele wasn’t though. She tried to assure me that you and the baby were going to be fine.”
“Adele was here?”
Eric nodded. “She still is – has been waiting in the hall.”
“She can come in – can’t she?”
“I didn’t know if you wanted any visitors…” Eric trailed off and went to get Adele.
End of the Road (Ghost Stories Trilogy #1) Page 35
