by Lilah
“Watch it dude!” a young man said when Travis bumped into him.
He ignored the complaints coming from everyone he touched as he shoved his way by each person, looking over their heads. It was as if she’d just vanished. How could he lose her? This crowd wasn’t even huge. How long had he stood there in disbelief? Long enough for her to get away from him that was for sure.
“Lorna!” he yelled. Where the hell was she? Maybe she went back to the House of Terror.
He headed in the direction of his old home. Further down the sidewalk he found her standing in front of the house. The crowd had dissipated and she was the only one in that part of the neighborhood. She just stood there, staring into space. Travis could feel her sadness radiating around him. He sprinted to her.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” He said, stopping in front of her. His breathing was ragged from the frantic search. He held her in a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry, Lorna. I thought we were married too.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. No one has seen me so this must be our last day together. Let’s spend it in each other’s arms. I want to feel you so intensely that the memory will stay with me for all time.”
“I’ll find a way to fix this.” Travis kissed her forehead and tightened his arms around her back.
“It’s out of your control.”
“No it isn’t. Let’s think about this for a minute.” Travis wiped the tears from her face. “Our unfinished business must be that we didn’t get married and we’re stuck here until we do. If we’re married, then we should both go into the light together, as one.”
“It’s hopeless.”
“Never give up hope. We will beat this curse or whatever you want to call it. We will be together.”
“Look at the house, Travis.” She nodded her head toward the building behind him.
He turned around.
No, this can’t be right.
The house was a burnt out, decaying shell of the home he’d once known. For the first time in twenty years, they could see the house as it really was, not as it had been.
“Now do you understand? You’ve manifested into the physical, the house is destroyed. It’s over, Travis. I’m going to lose you.” Lorna laid her head on his shoulder and cried.
Chapter Three
Valerie ate a bite of ice cream while gazing at Philip. How could she get him to agree to help her without telling him what she had to do? If he thought she was ghost hunting he’d never help. And if she told him what Ms. Delores had said about true love then he’d think she was testing his feelings for her. She didn’t want him to think that even though she’d know his feelings if he saw Lorna. And what was up with Travis talking to the shop owner. Could everyone see him now?
“I saw you talking to Ms. Delores. Did you get a reading?” Midge, Philip’s sister, asked.
“No, but she told me some things.” Valerie wasn’t sure how much she wanted to tell Midge either.
“That woman is so freaking dead-on accurate she’s scary sometimes. Once she told me—”
“Come on, Midge!” Philip rolled his eyes. “You really don’t believe in all that woo-woo crap do you?”
“You know I do.” Midge’s tone dropped into defensive mode. “Have you ever had a reading from her?”
“Hell, no. I never plan to have one either.” Philip scraped the bottom of the dish to get the last bit of dessert.
“I dare you to go out there right now and get a reading. I’ll even pay.” Midge dug some money out of her pocket and held it out to him. “I bet she scares you with her accuracy.”
“Keep your money, sis. I’m not getting a reading of any kind, any where, any day.” Philip picked up the empty plastic bowl then bent down and gave Valerie a quick kiss. “I’m going to catch some rays. Meet me on the beach when you’re finished.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in a few.” Valerie watched him swagger to the door and toss the trash in the bin. She knew he was trying to act cool in front of her so when he dropped the spoon and napkin on the floor she giggled.
“He really likes you.” Midge said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this serious about anyone.”
“Well, he might change his mind after tonight.”
“Why, are you finally going to sleep with him?” Midge took her sunglasses from the top of her head and laid them on the table. She gathered her hair back into a ponytail with the scrunchie she had around her wrist.
Valerie choked on the spoonful of ice cream she’d just put in her mouth. “How do you know if we have or haven’t?”
“He told me. He wants to, you know, but your waiting is making him like you even more. Most of his conquests are just that. A wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am and he loses interest after he gets in their pants. You’re making him get to know you first and that’s something I don’t think he’s ever really experienced before. At least, that’s what he said. Personally, I think you’ve kind of grown on him. He’s probably had a secret crush on my best friend for years.”
“I doubt it. Did he really say those things?”
“Sure did.”
“Well, good, because I really like him too. But sex isn’t what I was talking about when I said he might change his mind after tonight.” Valerie took another bite. “Tell me about your readings with Ms. Delores.”
“They’re amazing,” Midge said. “She’s told me so many things that came true. One time she even told me about this guy I’d meet who would be the most awesome lover in the world but wouldn’t have the brains to keep me interested. And she was right. Steve was marvelous in bed. Man, he could make my toes curl, but he just wasn’t interesting enough to hold my attention for long. She also predicted that I’d get my metaphysical degree and I did.” Midge glanced through the window at Ms. Delores. “You know, I’m about due for another reading.”
“So you believe what she tells you?”
“Absolutely. Without a doubt. I know there’s the whole free will thing and that my decisions can change the outcome of what she sees… Haven’t you ever had a reading with her?”
“She stopped me before I came inside and told me some things if you consider that a reading.” Valerie pushed the plastic bowl away. She should trust Midge and tell her the situation. She couldn’t do it alone. “Listen, I need your help but only if you promise not to say anything to Philip about this.”
“You’ve got to give me more than that to go on, girlfriend. What do you need my help with?” Midge sat back in her chair and stretched.
“It’s something I have to do.”
“Then spit it out. Or do I have to go get a reading right now to find out?”
“Come on. I don’t want anyone to overhear.” Valerie stood, picked up her trash and tossed it in the receptacle before walking outside. She held the door for Midge. “Let’s go to the park.”
They waited for a car to pass and then crossed the east bound lane. The west lane curved around the other side of the park and was flanked with more shops lining the sidewalk. With its central location, Sea Breeze Park was a shopper’s rest stop.
“It has to do with the Hutchinson Place,” Valerie said, as they sat on a bench in the sun, away from several people lounging in the shade of the trees.
“Get the hell out!” Midge leaned in close. “Are you kidding me?”
Valerie shook her head. “Have you heard that story?”
“My gosh, Val. Everyone in town knows about Travis and Lorna.”
“Obviously not everyone. I know where the Hutchinson place is but I’d never heard the story before today.”
“Well, that’s because you’re a transplant from up North. But still, you’ve been living here long enough to have heard it before. It’s odd that you haven’t. For us natives, we’ve heard the story about the Hutchinson Place since we were little. As long as we’ve been friends, I can’t believe we haven’t talked about it before now.” Midge’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh my god, you saw one of them didn’t you?”
>
“Yeah, I saw Travis. Ms. Delores told me I have to release him into the light. I don’t have any idea how to do that.”
“I think that you just have to say ‘go into the light’ or something to that effect.” Midge said. “One of my friends is a medium. Do you want me to call her and ask?”
“Would you? It would help to have some input from someone who knows more about the spirit realm than I do. Ms. Delores wasn’t much help at all.”
“I’ve got her on speed dial. This’ll only take a few minutes.” Midge pulled out her phone and slid the top to open it.
“Wait!” Valerie grabbed her friend’s arm. “There’s Travis.”’
“Where?” Midge looked around the park. “I don’t see him.”
“He’s walking this way. Oh geez….he’s looking right at me. I think he’s coming to talk to me.” She looked at Midge. “What should I do?”
“Talk to him. Find out how you can help. Damn. I wish I could see him too.”
“He’s standing right in front of us.” Valerie scooted a little closer to Midge.
“Valerie? That is your name right?” Travis held Lorna’s hand tightly so she couldn’t run away again. He’d managed to calm her down some now he was on edge after seeing the house as a burned down shell instead of the beautiful home he’d grown up in.
Valerie nodded.
“What’d he say?” Midge asked, her voice barely audible.
“Shh…I’ll tell you in a minute.” She grabbed Midge’s forearm. “Just don’t go anywhere.”
“Did your boyfriend see Lorna earlier?”
“No. Is she with you now?” Valerie concentrated on trying to see Lorna.
“She’s right beside me.”
“I’m sorry, I wish I could see her too.”
“It’s okay. We need your help.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Delores just informed me that we were never married. We think that is why we’re still stuck between your world and the next realm. We were supposed to be married at midnight on the day we died. Could you bring someone to the house tonight to marry us?”
“I’m sure I can find someone to perform a marriage ceremony.”
“Oh! Oh! I can! I’m a licensed Minister of Metaphysics. I can perform marriages. I haven’t done one yet but that’s beside the point. Do you want me to do it?”
“Who is she?” Travis asked.
“I’m sorry, I should have introduced you. This is my best friend, Midge. She’s my boyfriend’s sister.” Valerie stared at Midge and darted her gaze from Midge to where Travis stood and back again. “Say hello, Midge.”
“Hi Travis and Lorna.”
“Did she see me?” Lorna asked.
“Valerie, can your friend see Lorna?” Travis repeated.
“No, I’m sorry Midge can’t see you. Ms. Delores said you both have to be seen or one will get left behind. I can’t see Lorna and that bothers me because I don’t want the two of you to be separated. What if I fail? Then it will be my fault if you don’t both go into the light.”
“I can’t see either of them,” Midge whispered. “This is so unfair!”
Valerie squeezed Midge’s arm, indicating for her to be quiet.
“Whatever happens, nothing will be your fault. You are helping us and we appreciate it very much,” Travis said, then gazed at Midge. “It’s strange that your friend can’t see me. Earlier I was fully manifested in the physical realm. Everyone could see me. I could touch people and feel them.”
“When you were talking to the lady in the ice cream shop?” Valerie asked.
Travis nodded.
“I wondered about that.”
“Now I’m not and only you can see me. I’m not sure, but this fading in and out could be a temporary situation before you send us into the light. We’re hoping that once we’re joined in the bonds of matrimony you will be able to see both of us.”
“I hope so too.” Valerie said.
“Then you’ll meet us at my family’s house before midnight?”
“I’ll be there. Midge and Philip are coming too.”
“Thank you, Valerie.” Travis turned around and walked away.
“Do you think this will work?” Lorna asked.
“It has to. I can’t spend eternity without you.”
Lorna clung to his large, warm hand. Thoughts of their life before raced through her memory. They’d been so happy.
“I’m sorry, Travis.”
He stopped walking and faced her. “Why? This isn’t your fault. If anyone is to blame, it’s John.”
“Why can’t we remember all of the details of our lives?”
Lifting her chin, Travis pinned her with his gaze. He tucked a stray tendril of hair behind her ear. “You’ve got to stop worrying so much, Lorna. Everything happened the way it was supposed to happen. I wish we had lived, but that wasn’t meant to be. I’m not upset with you, I don’t blame you. Don’t ever think that. I love you.”
“I hate John for what he took away from us,” Lorna said.
Travis led her down the sidewalk toward the House of Terror. “It’s like I told you on the beach. We’ll have our chance again. Let’s agree right now that in our next lifetime, nothing will keep us apart. We’ll grow old and feeble together.”
“I want that more than anything.”
Lorna followed Travis inside the old house to where their room, decorated with Egyptian artifacts, once stood. She really didn’t even want to go through the motions anymore. If it were up to her, they’d go to the light right now so they could start their next lifetime together.
“What are we going to do until midnight? The illusion of our room has been shattered. I want to make love to you and not on this rubble.” She couldn’t even imagine her life without him, yet she had known this day could come. Hoping beyond hope that they could change their destinies, she watched Travis examine what was left of the house. Her heart was full to bursting with love. She saw the sadness in his eyes.
“I don’t want to leave you, Lorna.” He stopped in front of her. “I want you as my wife and with me in the next dimension and every lifetime forever. I won’t go alone.”
“I’ve always been yours. That will never change, regardless what happens tonight.”
“It’s going to work. I know it will.”
“I hope you’re right and we receive a miracle. Until then, I only want to think about how you make me feel. How your body tantalizes me. Travis, please make love to me again so I’ll remember this day forever. Just in case I don’t get to go with you.”
“Come here you.” Travis lifted her in his arms and carried her into the gardens in the backyard. At least this area was still well maintained.
“Do you remember our tree?” he asked.
How could she forget it? She’d given him her virginity under that tree. It was the place where he’d asked her to marry him.
“Yes, but it’s probably not there anymore either.”
“Let’s just see.” He walked toward the center of the five acre property until he reached an enormous ficus. The area underneath was covered in moss that his dad had planted when they’d bought the house. Travis kissed Lorna’s shoulder as he laid her down on the soft ground.
Travis’s mouth on her flesh was hot and moist. Chills shot through her, tweaking her nipples into hard little nubs. He kissed the hollow of her neck and she tipped her head back to give him better access as his hand slid underneath her shirt and trailed across her abdomen. Unbuttoning the shorts, he dipped his hand inside. Parting the flesh of her pussy he caressed her clit with his finger and bent down to nibble her nipple through the shirt.
Lorna ran her fingers through his hair. Quivering sensations fluttered through her stomach. She closed her eyes, lost in the touch of his lips and tongue. Heat coiled between her legs.
Travis lifted her shirt and laid his cheek against her bare stomach. “If only we could stay like this.”
Tonight they would be split a
part for all eternity if their plan didn’t work and no one acknowledged her. The pain and loss of never touching him again broke her heart in two. Leaving him tonight would be the most difficult thing she’d ever done in life or in death. If only there was some way to stop time, to prevent the inevitable from happening.
Reaching down she cradled his head as a tear slipped down her cheek. A sob ripped from her throat.
“Don’t worry, Lorna.” Travis looked at her. “Getting married will work. It has to.”
The love shining in his eyes reflected her own feelings. Not trusting her voice, she kissed his lips and then hugged him in a fierce embrace. Her heart was breaking and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it. Unless a miracle happened, tonight she’d lose him.
“I want you to feel what I’m feeling, Lorna. I want you to understand just how much you mean to me.” His finger traced a line along her shoulder blade and he leaned over to nibble her ear.
“Make love to me,” she whispered.
He pulled away from the embrace and gazed down at her for a moment before capturing her lips. She moaned as he slid his tongue around hers, the warmth of his mouth ignited flames low in her abdomen. She was desperate to hold onto him and never let him go. If she lost him, she’d lose the biggest part of herself. That pain would be too much to bear. For now, in this moment, he belonged to her.
Lorna unbuttoned his jeans with one hand and slipped her fingers inside to touch the crown of his cock. He was hard and ready for her. She lowered the zipper so her hand would slip inside the tight material. Grasping the silky length of him, she stroked, feeling him throb beneath her touch. He wrapped his arm around her and pressed his lips hard against hers.
She opened her mouth, inviting him inside. Heat flushed over her body, rushing to her pussy as a burning desire crowded out her worries. There was only Travis. This moment would be imprinted in her mind and heart forever.
She angrily warred within herself. She couldn’t give him up. Her heart surged with sadness. Who was she kidding? There was a very good possibility that she’d lose the love of her life tonight. She pushed the negative emotions aside and allowed herself to sink deeper into the sensations cascading over her with the urgency of his kiss.
