She tried to concentrate on the day’s chores, her work schedule would begin next week as well as getting more settled in the house, but it wasn’t easy. If only she could be sure the supposed visit from a ghost was real. She still held reservations about it.
A shadow passed by the kitchen counter as she stood there washing vegetables to go with dinner. She quickly turned around to see the transparent figure of Captain Leopold Archer standing in the doorway. She held an open hand up to him. “Oh, no, not again.” She stepped back, pushing her spine up against the cabinets below the counter. “Are you going to make a habit of trying to scare me, or do you just enjoy making my life complicated?”
“Neither, my dear. I like looking at you. You are the spitting image of my late wife. You see I lost her to the sea out there, and now I must stay here to wait for her return.” He came a little closer. “With you here, it gives me great comfort to look at you like I used to admire my lovely wife. I loved her very much and still love her. I’m lonely for her.”
“How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”
“You simply must trust my word and don’t question it.” His tone had changed to a slight angry sound. “I am the Captain.”
His tall, frightening frame stood close now. She looked up to his wandering eyes. “Okay already. You don’t have to get so smart about it. How do you think I’m supposed to react when a ghost comes calling and upsets my whole life? Now that you’ve been around, I’ve learned not to be afraid of you.”
A silly grin replaced his angry look with a gentle one. “I have no intentions to change your life or interfere with it. I only want to be here, have a pleasant glance at you occasionally. I must stay in the mirror most of the time to rejuvenate my energy to materialize, so I won’t be bothering you too often.” He hesitated a moment to look deep into her eyes. “Although I’d like to bother you all the time. You are a very beautiful woman. Just like my lost love.” He smiled then backed up as he turned more transparent.
He disappeared right before her eyes.
Britney’s concentration on dinner had vanished. It would take some doing to get back in the swing of it. She turned around to face the counter where she had been preparing the makings of a salad. Unnerved by the resident ghost in her house, she tried to steady the knife she’d picked up to prepare the salad for her dinner.
Is this what she would have to put up with? A handsome ghost who wants to stay in the house to wait for his loved one's return? She placed the back of her hand over her forehead trying to erase the thought.
Chapter Four
Britney opened the door to a smiling face. “You’re early, but I’m glad. It’s so good to have you, Cindy. Been a while since we’ve gotten together.” The women embraced. She stepped back. “Come in. I’ll get us a drink.”
Cindy followed Britney to the living room. Being the good host, Britney quickly offered her guest a seat on the sofa. “I have wine chilling in the bar fridge. I’ll get us a glass, and we can talk a little before dinner. I have a question for you.”
Settled in the chair across from the sofa, a glass of her favorite red wine in hand, Britney leaned forward to stare curiously at her friend. “Since you’ve lived here all your life, you must know about the Sea Captain who lived in this house. I’d like to know about him.”
Cindy chuckled. “Oh, yes, grouchy old Leopold Archer. I don’t know what he was like when he was young, but I remember him as an old man who stayed away from everyone. You know, like a hermit.” She let out a giggle. “As a kid, I would join in with others my age to come around here to tease him. He hated it and would try to scare us with threats and nasty looks. Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.”
“He lost his wife to the sea and never got over it. Some say, he may have had something to do with her demise, but I tend to doubt it. He died.” She paused to think. “I must have been in high school. About ten years ago.”
“Interesting.” Britney sat back and sipped at her wine.
Cindy set her glass down on the coffee table as she came forward on the sofa. “What’s the sudden interest in the old Captain?”
“I thought it would be nice to know about the person who lived here before me. I understand we’re the first to move in since he passed. Wonder why?” She finished off her wine and stood. “Forget about it, let’s go eat.”
At dinner and the hours after, the women took up discussions of what was going on in their lives with nothing more mentioned about Leopold Archer.
“The house is really nice. So big. What will just the two of you do with so much room?” Cindy asked.
“We’re planning on having a family. I’d like to get pregnant soon so we can start with our first.” Britney let out a sigh. “Been waiting for a long time.” She put her hand on her lower side and with a look of pain, held it there for several minutes.
“What’s wrong? Cindy questioned.
“Not sure. Been having this twitch in my side for the past few days. I think it’s because of moving things and lifting heavy boxes. I suppose old Doc Taylor is out of business by now.”
“He passed away last year, but had been retired for the last five.”
“I made a list of doctors from the phone book, but do you have any recommendations?”
“Not really. I haven’t been to a doctor for at least three years.”
“That’s all right, I’ll check on some of them in the list.”
“Gotta go, but thanks for the dinner, and I like your house,” Cindy told her as she rose from the sofa. Britney saw Cindy out and promised to call soon.
The silence in the house disturbed Britney making her feel alone. The pain in her abdomen gnawed at her all evening though not as bad as the attack earlier. She tried to ignore it by turning on a radio music station while she put the dishes away.
It was late. Soon Angelo would be coming home, but she would not wait up for him. She needed to lie down. Her visit with an old friend was pleasant but stressful because of the discomfort she endured.
Before entering her bedroom she had to look in on the mirror, while the thoughts of her ghost visits returned to her mind.
She opened the door to the guest room and peered in at the shiny silver face of the framed wonder. It was dark, but it reflected the light from the hallway as she stood with the door open.
Closing the door, she went on to her bedroom.
After taking a couple of aspirins and getting dressed in her favorite cotton nightgown, she climbed into bed at the very moment Angelo entered the room.
“How’d it go for you tonight?”
Angelo walked to the closet to hang his jacket. “Lost ten bucks.” He turned to look at her. “Did you know Alex’s wife is expecting?”
“How nice. They’ve wanted a baby for some time considering what she told me when we met them. Good for them. I’m looking forward to having our first child.”
Angelo slowly undressed, keeping his eyes on her the whole time. He slid into bed with her. Pulling her close he nuzzled her ear with his nose. “Did you have a nice dinner with Cindy?”
“Yes, we did, and it was great having her over. She's lost some weight and looks good. Wish I could put some on.”
“I’ve noticed how you’re slimming down again. What’s the problem?”
He put his hand around her waist and then snuggled his face into her cheek and kissed her neck. I worry about you because I love you.”
“I love you too. With all the work around her lately, I haven’t had a lot of time to eat, but I will as soon as things settle down.”
She turned over and hugged the pillow. Then she yawned and closed her eyes. Angelo turned on his side and did the same.
***
Soft rhythmic breathing broke the silence of the bedroom as the Captain’s tall dark figure hovered over the bed to take in the beauty of the new owner of the house. Britney looked so much like his sweet wife, Helena. If only she would come back, then he could go on. He needed to wait until
that time would come.
Britney stirred, turned her head toward him and opened her eyes. His green eyes shone in the darkness like a beacon light out on the sea. It scared her, but she held her hand to her mouth to muffle the scream.
Lowering her hand, she spoke softly. “Haven’t I told you to stay out of my bedroom?”
Leo brought himself to a tall stance at the side of the bed. “I was worried about you. The pain you have has spoken to me. I think you need help.”
She looked over at her husband to make sure she hadn’t wakened him. “Are you crazy? How does a pain speak?”
“It’s something I can’t tell you, but believe me, I know about it in a way I cannot explain to you.”
“I’d appreciate it, if you’d leave my bedroom and let me go back to sleep.”
The fading shadowy figure of the man floated slowly to the door to retreat from the room. Britney slowly sat up and watched him stand at the door looking back at her. She had given the Captain food for thought and deep concern. By now he’d become fond of her and wanted to help her.
She lay back down, pulled the blanket up to her neck and closed her eyes. Bad enough, a ghost comes along in the night to keep her awake. At least the pain hadn’t returned to add to her sleepless night.
Only the sound of Angelo’s breathing cut into the silence surrounding her as she listened intently for any unusual noises to alert her of another visit from the dear Captain or any other spirits who might want to join in the fun.
The long night continued for what seemed like hours, until out of sheer exhaustion Britney finally fell asleep.
Chapter Five
Thunder and lightning pierced the skies with bright electrical streaks among the many black clouds hovering overhead. The driving downpour hit the window of the bedroom with great force so loud it woke the sleeping couple better than any alarm clock.
Angelo sat up, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and yawned. He looked down at his wife who had just opened her eyes, then looked over at the clock. “Well it’s almost time to get up anyway. I had hoped to get another half hour, but no chance with that racket out there.”
Britney threw the blanket away from her, sat up, then stood. As she slipped her feet into her waiting slippers next to the bed, she took a quick inventory of the room in search of anything out of place. She wasn’t sure if there had been visits with other occupant in the house.
Heading for the door, she looked back at Angelo who was putting on his pants. “I’ll get the coffee going.”
“Good idea. And, while you’re at it, take a few eggs out to scramble. I’m hungry.”
The lights in the kitchen flickered, about to go out, but hung on while the coffee brewed in the coffee maker. Britney had the eggs on the counter ready for action. Time enough to retreat to a chair at the table and collect her thoughts.
One thing for sure, she didn’t want another night of waking to the tune of her un-restful ghost resident. She began to think of how she could get rid of him, but the answer eluded her.
Her sleepy husband strolled into the kitchen in search of his morning pick-me-up. He went quickly to the coffee pot. “You wanna make the eggs? If you’re too tired, I can do it.”
She rose. “No, I’ll get it.”
With only a few scoops of his fork, Angelo devoured his breakfast. The lights flickered again, only this time they went completely out. Outside the storm continued with a vengeance. With the little light in the kitchen, Britney found the candles she’d stored in one of the kitchen drawers. She struck the match and the room glowed with a soft golden hue. “I wonder how long the power will be out. I wanted to get started on the computer this morning to get all of my files in and arranged. I need to be ready to work come Monday.”
Before she could say another word she doubled over, her hand pressed into the side of her abdomen, she held fast to the chair within her reach. Angelo rushed to her, hands reaching for her. “What is it? Are you all right?”
Britney managed to swing around and lower herself on to the chair. “A little pain from all the lifting I’ve done during the move. My muscles are not just up to this kind of stuff.”
He rubbed his hands on the upper part of her back. “Better take it easy and get those kinks out. It won’t help to put any more stress on your muscles.” He let out a slight giggle, bent down and kissed her on the cheek. “I gotta get going. Fridays are always busy at the dealer. Good for sales.”
Left alone once again, she wondered if she’d have another interruption from the famous Captain. Or his ghost. The one thing that crossed her mind most was how young and handsome he looked as a spirit when Cindy said he was a grouchy old man when he died. He didn’t even seem grouchy, let alone old. Someone once told her that once one was in the after life, we appear to be young, healthy beings. Could be true, she thought as she placed the dishes in the dishwasher.
By ten the rain had stopped. Clear skies let the sun out to take in the potent aroma of the sea. She went out on the veranda to take in the aroma of the sea which was so potent from where she stood. The subtle breeze swept her long hair to the side of her face. A squawking sea gull flew over as though saying hello.
Suddenly a cold whisk of air hit her backside. She turned to face none other than Leopold Archer. Once again, he’d come out of the mirror to haunt her. She jumped back. “You scared me. Stop creeping up on me like that. You want me to have a heart attack?”
Leo moved closer to stand tall at her side. “I’m concerned about you. You must seek medical attention about the pain you are enduring. I see this is serious.”
“How do you know? And, are you peeking in at me without me knowing?”
He stepped forward to peer out over the railing. “Never mind. Look out there. See how the water comes up to the edge of the cliff? You can follow the sea all the way out to the horizon.” The happy grin on his face let her know how much he loved the water.
He went on, “I’ve traveled the oceans of the world for much of my life. My love is somewhere out there, and I will wait for her return no matter how long it takes.”
Watching him caused Britney to feel a tug of sympathy. With no doubt of the feelings he had for his wife, there was no other way to feel but to recognize how the man loved her. “What happened to her?”
The tall Captain stepped away from the railing and peered down at her. “An accident. I don’t want to talk about it.”
When his form began to fade, he moved away from her. “I must go now, but I will look in on you again.”
“Why are you leaving like this? You’re becoming transparent. I don’t understand.”
“Ectoplasm . . . ”
And then, he was gone.
Staring at nothing but empty space, Britney turned resume her view of the distant sea slapping the rocks at the edge of the cliff where her property ended. Could the loved one he speaks of really be out there somewhere?
The breeze became stronger sending the befuddled housewife inside. She had plenty to do as she hurried to her new office she needed to get in order. Monday would be along before she knew it, and she had to be ready.
Britney doubled over the second she entered the office. She grabbed on to the chair in front of her desk and sat. “All right. Enough is enough!” she shouted.
She opened the side drawer of the desk and pulled out an address book. Somewhere in there was a phone number for her old doctor. Leaning forward, she set her head down on the desktop and closed her eyes to wait for the pain to subside.
When she dialed the number she got a recording giving the name of another doctor and his phone number. She wrote it down with a shaking hand.
Suddenly the voice of her ghost tenant spoke out as though he were standing right next to her. “Make the call.” She looked around, but he was nowhere in sight.
“Oh great! Now I hear you without seeing you. Is this your way of being invisible to spy on me? Or are you still out of gas?” She threw up a hand, as a gesture to send him away. “
I don’t know how this works and I don’t want to, but I will make the call, so leave me alone.”
An appointment was made for the following Monday. Early enough to get in some work. As much she hated going to the doctor, but she couldn’t go on with the pain she had been enduring.
Plans to talk to Angelo at dinner ran through her mind while getting her office up and running. This could be something easily taken care of. Like a strained muscle, an infection requiring antibiotics, something simple to be treated with one visit to the doctor. She didn’t want to worry him. What else could it be? She had been a healthy woman for most of her life, all except for a bout with the flu or a cold now and then. Okay, there was a time of the appendicitis attack, but surgery took care of it.
She transferred the meat loaf from pan to serving dish, then set it on the table where Angelo waited patiently for his evening meal. “Smells good,” he told her as he leaned forward to sniff and take a look. “I’m hungry enough to eat at least half of that.”
Britney sat across from him, unfolded her napkin and set it on her lap. “I made an appointment for Monday morning with the doctor who took over Doc Taylor's practice.”
“Check up huh? It’s good to get started with a doctor now that we’ll be living here for a long time. I’ll have to get my annual check-up soon, too.” He shoveled a fork full of mashed potatoes in his mouth and stabbed at his meat loaf. Then her words seemed to penetrate and he looked up, waiting.
“It’s not exactly a check up. . . well yes and no. I have that discomfort in my upper stomach. I’m sure it’s nothing, most likely from all the heavy lifting when we moved in here.”
He raised his eyes to her. “When did it start?”
“Just in the last few days actually.”
“So how bad is this pain?”
“It comes and goes. It lets me know it's there. Sometimes bad and other times not.”
Mirror Mirror Page 3
