Haunted Ever After

by Juliet Madison

  ‘So there you have it,’ I lifted my palms in the air, ‘I’m no longer Mrs Sally Simons-to-be!’

  ‘Oh, Sal. I can’t believe this. I’m so angry at him!’

  ‘It’s okay, Lorena, I don’t want you to get too worked up. It’s my problem.’

  ‘Any problem of yours is a problem of ours,’ she replied. ‘Have you spoken to him yet?’

  I shook my head. ‘I wanted to wait till I’d spoken to you all. What do I do? What do I say?’

  ‘I know what I’d like to do to him,’ Georgie said. ‘But sadly my training made me promise to be assertive and defensive, not aggressive. Oh, but if he were here right now…’ She paced up and down the patio.

  ‘Men,’ Mel said, shaking her head. ‘And bitchy bimbos who can’t keep their hands off other women’s husbands.’ Since Greg wasn’t yet my husband I knew she was reminded of her husband’s situation with his colleague.

  ‘Yeah, how dare this Katy woman do this? I’d like to have a “word” with her too,’ Georgie said.

  ‘Guys, I know you’re all angry, I am too, but what’s done is done,’ I said in defeat. ‘I have to start making arrangements to…to…’ The reality of what lay ahead planted its heavy weight on my body and I lowered my chin towards my chest, closing my eyes and trying to shut out the pain that still stung like a burn. The current of grief swept me away again, I was unable to hold on to anything for stability, and tears overflowed from inside to out.

  ‘It’s not fair!’ I exclaimed. ‘Why? Why did he do this?’

  ‘Oh, honey.’ Lorena encouraged my head to rest on her shoulder and patted my hair, Mel rested hers on my other shoulder, and Georgie stood behind me, rubbing my back and telling me everything would be okay.

  ‘Don’t you worry about a thing,’ said Lorena. ‘We’ll sort out the wedding stuff. Between the three of us, we’ll contact the guests and get them to cancel their arrangements, and deal with all the other details, won’t we girls?’

  ‘For sure,’ they said, all three supporting my body, which had become weak from emotional overload.

  ‘All you need to think about right now is telling Greg your decision, and then doing whatever you need to do to get through this. And we’ll be right by your side.’

  This made me cry even more. How could I ever survive without my friends? These three wonderful, amazing women who were there for me no matter what. They were worth ten times what Greg could ever be. ‘Thank you, thank you all so much. For everything.’

  ‘That’s what friends are for,’ Mel said. ‘Though don’t expect me to start singing that song because otherwise you may not want to be my friend anymore!’

  I laughed at this, and hugged her close, tears of sadness and joy combining as they escaped down my cheeks. Sadness at what I’d lost, joy at what I’d gained: a deeper, closer relationship with my friends, and a certainty that I wasn’t really alone. I never would be, as long as they were around.

  I sat up straight and wiped my eyes with the tissue Georgie had given me. ‘I guess I’d better get this over with.’ Georgie went inside and returned with my phone, handing it to me. ‘I don’t think I can speak to him. Not yet. I’ll text him.’

  A thought flashed in my mind that it was bad form to break up with someone via text message, but then I realised it was even worse form to sleep with someone else while engaged. So stuff it. Text message it was, and Greg wouldn’t even see it coming.

  Greg — I know about you and Katy. Don’t deny it. And don’t tell me ‘it’s not what you think’, because I saw you with her at the motel. There is no excuse for what you’ve done, and I am officially cancelling our engagement. It’s over. Sally.

  I waited for my friends’ nod of approval before pressing send, though Mel asked if there was an emoticon I could add that could give him the finger.

  I held my breath for a moment, aware of the finality of this message. I shook my head at the last text messages between Greg and I that were displayed above.

  Home soon, stuck in traffic.

  No problem, see you soon. Can you pick up some milk? S xx

  Bizarre how quickly and dramatically things could change. He would never be picking up milk for me again. He would never kiss me goodbye in the morning and hello in the evening. We’d never discuss our workdays again, nor our ideas for what to do on our days off. No more. Greg and me — finished.

  The phone rang and Greg’s caller ID appeared on the screen.

  I froze, my eyes widening. I looked at my friends. ‘I can’t do it, I can’t talk to him. Not yet.’

  ‘Then let him wait. Let him suffer for a while,’ said Lorena.

  I allowed the call to ring out until it stopped. It rang again. I didn’t answer.

  ‘I’ve told him my decision, there’s nothing to discuss, right?’

  Lorena shrugged. ‘Well, there will be, eventually, but you don’t have to do it now.’

  ‘Oh, what about our house, our mortgage?’ I covered my mouth.

  ‘You’ll sort something out with the help of a lawyer. One step at a time,’ said Georgie.

  ‘Maybe you should send another message and tell him to get his things out of the house by the time you get home tomorrow,’ said Mel.

  I considered this, then shook my head. ‘It was his house first. And anyway, I don’t think I can be there anymore. With all the memories. I might go stay with Mum and Dad for a while.’

  ‘Or me. You can stay with us for a while,’ Lorena offered.

  ‘I’d offer too, but with seven people in the house it might not be the most enjoyable stay,’ said Mel.

  ‘Thanks guys, don’t worry, I’ll work something out. How about I stay with you Monday night, Lorena, and go from there. My overnight bag is packed anyway.

  ‘Deal,’ she said. ‘We’ll get popcorn and a chick flick and bitch about men.’

  ‘Sounds perfect,’ I smiled, tipping my head to hers. ‘I’m sorry about the weekend being ruined, you’ve organised the best bridal weekend.’

  ‘Ruined? Nonsense!’ She flicked her hand. ‘We’ve had delicious meals, girly chats, fun and games, and a stripper. I’d say it’s been a rather productive weekend, don’t you think?’

  The others agreed. Especially Mel. If only she knew I’d kissed the stripper last night, she’d probably have a heart attack.

  ‘But maybe I’ll cancel this morning’s activity,’ Lorena said, getting up.

  ‘Oh, what did you have planned?’ I asked.

  ‘Oh, nothing much. Just a guided rainforest walk. It’s nothing.’ She went to get her phone.

  ‘Wait,’ I said. ‘I’m not going to let Greg spoil the rest of this weekend. I may not be requiring your bridesmaid duties anymore, but this can still be a bonding weekend. Just without the bridal bit.’ I stood too.

  ‘You sure? Because we can always laze around here and eat and drink and talk, it’s completely up to you,’ she said.

  ‘No,’ I said firmly. ‘We’re going to continue as planned. I want to go to the rainforest. I want to walk, and breathe in the fresh country air, and look at…leaves, and stuff.’ I gave a sharp nod.

  Lorena chuckled. ‘Well, leaves are such fascinating things.’

  ‘Yes, let’s go,’ said Georgie. ‘Getting into nature will do us all the world of good.’

  ‘Shall I bring wine?’ asked Mel.

  * * *

  An hour later we stood at the start of the rainforest walking track with our tour guide, Randalf Watson, a quirky-looking guy in his early twenties who spoke with a lisp. He wore rugged outdoor boots, khaki jeans, a shirt and jacket, and — a tie! On his tie was a jungle print. I admired his enthusiasm for the natural world. There were four other people joining us for the walk; young, Chinese newlyweds on their honeymoon, and a couple in their late sixties with leathery, tanned skin who were, in their own words, ‘seeing as many interesting things as they could before they die’.

  ‘Well then, my dear nature travellerth, are you all exthited?’

  Lorena
and I shared a smile and we nodded.

  ‘Fantathtic! Follow me, pleathe.’

  He led us downhill, along a cute little path that fed into the rainforest.

  ‘Now, ath you can thee here, there are theveral engraved plaqueth along the pathway. Each plaque hath a quote to provide you with inthpiration on your journey into the heart of the wilderneth. I implore you to take the time to thtop and read each one, in order to have a fulfilling and enriching exthperienth.’

  We each stopped to read the first one: Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ~ Lao Tzu

  ‘I wish nature would take over my role sometimes. Hurrying is the only way I can get half my To Do list done,’ said Mel.

  ‘Ah, but duth the hurrying really make everything go fathter?’ asked Randalf.

  ‘Who knows? I haven’t tried going slowly,’ she replied.

  A couple of lizards scuttled past, and after Randalf gave us a botany lesson on various plants and fauna as we walked along the winding path, we came across another plaque.

  We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to shed before the new one can come. ~ Joseph Campbell.

  I stood and re-read it a few times. I wondered what life was waiting for me, without Greg. ‘Could I take a photo of this, Randalf?’ I asked.

  ‘Thertainly,’ he replied. ‘It holdth meaning for you, yeth?’

  I nodded.

  ‘Nature ith alwayth rebuilding itthelf, and we mutht too. Whatever happenth, you can alwayth thtart over anew.’

  ‘You’re wise for your years, Randalf,’ I said.

  ‘My grandfather taught me about the world’th greatetht philothopherth. I’ve retained much of what I’ve read over the yearth.’

  I must have started a movement, because the others copied my initiative and took a photo of the plaque too.

  Randalf continued walking us deep into the rainforest, and a clean, fresh, cool scent hung in the air, the moisture from the surrounding plants and springs enriching me. I felt removed from the outside world, as though in here, problems from the outside world didn’t exist. Randalf pointed out some of the wildlife, both on the ground and in the trees. We all sat for a moment in a clearing, spread out, but in our respective groups, to take a break. Randalf encouraged us to keep an eye out for some of the wildlife he’d educated us about, and promised one piece of candy for each correct identification. Mel had never been so keen to learn something new.

  As Randalf chatted to the retired couple on apparent death row, Lorena asked me how I was feeling. I relayed my thoughts about being here, and suggested maybe I move in and set up camp to avoid the pain of going back home to the upheaval of my life.

  ‘So how did you know where to find Greg, anyway?’ she asked.

  A ghost imprinted her vision into my mind. God, it sounded crazy. I couldn’t believe it had even happened, could hardly believe any of last night had happened; the vision, the affair, the kiss with Ty…

  ‘Oh, just something he mentioned when I spoke to him on the phone at the pub. And a strong feeling that I had to go there.’

  ‘It’s lucky you trusted your instincts,’ said Georgie. ‘They are hardly ever wrong.’

  My instincts had gotten me into the embarrassing mess with Ty though. I’d listened to them and acted on the spur of the moment, and on looking back, I shouldn’t have allowed myself to get carried away. But oh…wow. Despite my embarrassment at my hormones taking over, a smile softly grew on my face at the memory of his kiss.

  ‘Sal?’

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘You were off with the fairies for a moment.’

  ‘Sorry, um, just thinking about the Friends episode I watched last night. It was funny.’

  ‘When did you watch Friends? You said you drove off pretty soon after getting back to the guest house.’

  ‘I did? Maybe I was thinking of another night then.’

  ‘You sure you’re okay?’ Mel asked. ‘Your face is a bit red.’

  I touched my cheeks; they were warm, and grew warmer the more I thought of Ty and tried to hide the fact I’d been with him last night.

  ‘Is there something you’re not telling us?’ asked Lorena. ‘Remember, what happens in Barron Springs stays in Barron Springs.’

  I looked at each of my friends in turn, trying to decide whether they would think I was a hypocrite if I told them I’d kissed Ty. Here I was, upset about Greg kissing someone else when I’d done the same thing. Granted, I’d officially broken up with him and never would have done it had I not seen Greg with another woman, but still. I felt like I’d broken some sort of rule.

  ‘Okay. I might as well tell you.’ I cleared my throat, and leaned in close so the other people wouldn’t hear. ‘I watched Friends at Ty’s house last night. On my way back I passed his house and he was outside, um, doing something, so I stopped the car. I was in a bit of a state after seeing Greg, so he brought me inside and made me hot chocolate and tried to cheer me up.’

  ‘Why didn’t you just say so? Nothing wrong with that. What’s the big deal?’ Mel asked.

  ‘The big deal is that we kissed. A lot. And it could have become something much more had he not stopped it from going further.’

  There. All out in the open. Like my failed engagement would be, soon enough.

  ‘Wait, what?’ Lorena held up her hand. ‘You kissed?’

  ‘Did he try to take advantage of you in your vulnerable state? Because I’ll have words with him,’ said Georgie.

  ‘No, no, it was nothing like that. He was a perfect gentleman. I was about to leave and we hugged. I thanked him. And then it just sort of happened. I’m quite embarrassed really.’

  Mel’s eyes were wide. ‘Wow. Holy…wow.’

  ‘And he stopped it going further?’ asked Lorena.

  ‘Yes, at first I stopped and went to leave again, but then I thought of Greg with that woman, and wanted to, I don’t know, get back at him or something. So I kind of threw myself at Ty.’ I covered my eyes and lowered my head. ‘But he didn’t seem to mind. We’d made it to the couch and then he stopped. Said he didn’t want to mess me around since I was on the rebound. He thought I deserved better.’

  ‘Better than Greg, that’s for sure, but better than Ty? I’m starting to think there’s no such thing!’ Mel said. ‘Oh! I’ll have to make you a new t-shirt that says: I Kissed the Stripper!’

  My friends laughed and I shook my head.

  ‘So, was he a good kisser?’

  ‘Mel!’

  ‘Well, was he?’

  I tipped my head back and closed my eyes. ‘Fantastic,’ I whispered with a cheeky smile.

  ‘Don’t you mean, fantathtic?’ asked Lorena, and Mel burst out laughing.

  ‘Lorena! Don’t be mean!’ I whispered. ‘Randalf can’t help the way he speaks.’

  ‘I’m not being mean, I think he’th abtholutely adorable.’

  ‘Stop! You’re making my belly hurt!’ Mel laughed.

  ‘He is adorable, isn’t he?’ I said. ‘You can tell how passionate he is about what he does. It’s great.’

  ‘And what are you girlth dithcuthing over here?’ Randalf asked as he walked over to us.

  ‘We were just saying what a fabulous tour guide you are, Randalf,’ I said. ‘We’ll be putting in a good word with your boss.’ And for some reason I stood and kissed him on the cheek. I was a right old flirt these days.

  The guy turned bright red and touched his face. ‘I’ll never wath my fathe again!’ he said in an exaggerated tone, and we all laughed.

  We continued our walk and Mel continued shaking her head in amazement at the whole kissing Ty situation. Randalf brought us to a small bridge that crossed a narrow spring, and water ran down the nearby waterfall and under the bridge. ‘Now, thith bridge ith conthidered by many a very spethial plathe.’ He placed his hands together as though about to pray. ‘People have been known to have thpiritual awakeninths here. It ith conthidered a
portal to the other world, if you believe that thort of thing.’ He raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Well, I do, but I don’t think Sally believes in all that life after death stuff, do you Sal?’ Mel said.

  ‘Me?’ I fiddled with my bag strap. ‘Oh, well there’s a lot we don’t know. I guess I’m…open to the possibility.’

  The retired man joked that he’d find out soon enough and let us know.

  ‘Ath you croth the bridge, take a moment to thtop and reflect on any feelingth or awareneth you feel. You may have a thpiritual experienth if that ith part of your dethtined journey.’

  Oh great. After Red leaving, now she’d probably come back as soon as I crossed that bridge. I considered asking if we could turn around and go back the way we came but Mel was already on the bridge, excited.

  Randalf crossed to the other side, and Mel closed her eyes for a moment as she walked across. ‘Well, I think I felt something. Some sort of cold sensation. It could have been something spiritual.’ She seemed reasonably pleased. The Chinese couple crossed together and kissed as they stopped in the middle, then smiled. Spiritual experience or no spiritual experience, we all knew what sort of experience they’d be having later tonight.

  The retired couple crossed one at a time, the woman saying she felt at peace as she crossed, and the man asking how long it was to the nearest toilet since all the flowing water was stimulating his bladder.

  Georgie crossed and performed some kind of martial arts gesture, which she said was to show respect for the natural world, and Lorena crossed with one hand on her belly and a smile on her face.

  ‘Your turn, Sally!’ They beckoned from the other side, but I was wary. Now that I knew I could see ghosts, or one of them at least, what if this supposed portal opened the floodgates and a stampede of pyjama-clad, song-singing ghosts bombarded me? It was silly, and probably not going to happen, but after this weekend, anything was possible.

  I took a breath and stepped onto the bridge, walked a few steps, then stopped. My senses seemed to heighten, the air was rich with the scent of nature and the embrace of cool winter air, and the green hues all around seemed stronger and more vibrant. But that was it. I couldn’t see or hear anything otherworldly. I half-expected Red to jump in front of me and say ‘boo!’ but she didn’t.