by Adam Zorzi
“I don't want to live without him. My entire life centers on taking enough meds to keep me from hurting other people. That's not a reason to live.”
“It's a reason to give Gregg time to return. If his mission isn't finished and you don't believe it is, then he'll return if he can find his way. It's hard. You said yourself Gregg isn't very good at being a ghost. Maybe he'll find a mentor who'll help him.”
That quieted LouLou for a while. After what seemed like hours to Bella, LouLou asked the question she really wanted answered.
“How could Gregg have been a ghost? He died by drowning. Isn't that a natural cause?”
Bella was very close to losing her temper.
“Gregg was killed. That hospital is corrupt. He was most likely drugged and sent out a secret exit that was nowhere near a road. If they needed the bed or were angry with him or just didn't like him, they would have gotten rid of him.”
“Gregg said they thought he was gay,” LouLou sniffled.
“Perhaps that was the reason. Some homophobic staff wanted him out of there. I don't know why, but I'm certain his drowning wasn't an accident.”
LouLou seemed to grasp the concept. She sat silently, staring at nothing for a while.
Bella was finished. She'd told LouLou what she could. She wasn't going to sit and watch LouLou stare into space or think or whatever it was she was doing.
“I'm going to leave. Do you want someone to be with you? Skylar, maybe? He might help you with the list. Or maybe you should rest. Don't tire yourself. An episode is absolutely the last thing that will bring Gregg back.”
“Is it?”
“I don't know why I said that. It seems logical.”
“No, don't call anyone. I'll be fine by myself.”
“I hope I've helped. If I think of anything else, how should I reach you?”
“Leave a message for me at Vinyl. Skylar will get it to me.”
Bella took one last look at the child who was hers with Daniel. She couldn't comprehend the three of them together. She and Dan were a pair. Bella and Daniel. She didn't think there ever would have been a place for LouLou. The Flemings had loved her when she couldn't.
“Good-bye, LouLou.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
Conversations in multiple languages and several dialects of English she didn’t understand buzzed as Bella stood at the top of the steps to the basement of Commonwealth Psychiatric Hospital. She had wanted to meet the twenty-six resident ghosts in the day room, but had been persuaded the basement would be more comfortable for everyone. The day room with its electricity, plumbing, and twenty-first century furniture would frighten some of the oldest residents.
She cautiously descended. She had to persuade the residents she was honest and had their best interests in mind. They'd been lied to far too long.
Her sheer beauty stopped every conversation. Bella was used to that, but not in front of other ghosts. She walked confidently to the front of the room and winked at her colleague. He introduced her. By doing so, he vouched for her seriousness and purpose for some. For others, she'd have to earn their trust.
“Good evening,” she said just before midnight. “My name is Bella, and I have a plan to give us all rest and peace. Some of you may find peace tonight just in the news I bring. For the rest, we'll plan your path.
“The time is the twenty-first century. We're in Petersburg, Virginia in one of the fifty states of the United States of America. Wars are over. The war between the states ended in 1864 when Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee surrendered to United State Army General Ulysses S. Grant. Every one of every race, religion, and gender is free. Slavery is illegal.”
“Impossible,” coughed one young soldier.
“Yet, it's true.” She paused as two ghosts slipped away.
“The President of the United States is a black man who was educated at Harvard University. Members of Congress are men and women of black, white, Hispanic, and Asian descent. The Supreme Court is composed of black, white, and Hispanic men and women.
“The First World War ended in 1918 with a victory for the Allies, including the United States. The Second World War ended in 1945 with a victory for the Allies, including the United States. The Korean War is over although the United States, along with other countries, maintains a presence in South Korea. The United States withdrew troops from Vietnam in 1974.”
Three more ghosts departed. Twenty-one souls remained.
“Most of you know, this institution houses a brutal, inhumane regime. People are neglected, tortured, and killed in the guise of mental health treatment. That is going to stop. This hospital will be closed and I hope, taken down, brick by brick.” Bella held up her hand. “I know this is the only home you've had for many years. Don't be frightened. My colleague and I are here to help you find peace and rest before the building is closed. You won't be harmed. You'll have a new home.
“We'll meet individually with you and create a plan. As you see, five of you have found peace just in the knowledge of the truths I've told. I'd like it to be as simple as that for all of you, but you each have a reason for remaining here and may need individual guidance.
“I speak English, French, and Italian. My colleague knows many dialects. We'll find a way to communicate. We'll start planning whenever you're ready. Thank you.”
***
The hour before sunrise was precious. Bella saw blue in the night sky become more vivid before the reds and golds rose in the east. She sat outside alone, having worked through the night. Five more ghosts departed after learning that a certain plantation owner, a Confederate soldier, and Herr Hitler were dead.
Most of the ghosts wanted to know what had happened to specific people or wanted to be properly buried with their families. One army medic suffered from PTSD from the Vietnam War. He needed to know the bombs in his head were no longer coming for him. Three ghosts wanted to go home. Two women wanted to see their descendants.
The most heartbreaking ghost was a man who had been institutionalized since 1871 because he was homeless and illiterate. He didn't know what he wanted other than to be safe. He cried and asked if he could stay. Bella promised to help him find what he needed.
She couldn't rest until she'd helped them all.
Big moved to sit beside her. He put his arms around her and hugged her. “You set the perfect tone. They trust you too, now.”
She rested her head on his chest.
“You're amazing. I know you're working around the clock on the lawsuit, but these souls needed to meet you. I'm glad you took the time to come.”
Bella couldn't look at Big. She was crying. “They're all so frightened. They've never been able to trust anyone.”
“Most of them trust me. They'll trust me more now that they've met my partner on the outside who is doing all the legal maneuvering. Nice touch to wear a suit and bring your briefcase with legal papers. You added credibility to what I've told them.
“Now that they know someone can provide answers and peace, they'll open up to me. They'll tell me what they need to get peace. Once I get their stories, you said your assistant Opal can research how to do that. The ones who are left mostly want to be with their families.”
Bella's tears still fell.
“Families. I'm sure some of their families put them here to be rid of them,” she spat.
“Maybe they never knew their families. Those military men probably have families all over the United States who never knew what happened to them. We just need to find the cemeteries with family plots, if nothing else.”
“Opal can do that.”
Big offered his enormous hand to help her stand. “Nice touch, counselor, throwing in a bit of Caribbean patois.” He smiled.
Bella returned the smile. “I grew up on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands. Caribbean islanders speak a mix of many things.”
She put her hand on his arm. “Thank you. You're doing all this by yourself.”
“It's not
hing. I've been here a long time. Watching. Listening.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-THREE
Bella and Mark were reviewing exhibits when Opal walked in with papers. “These were just served,” she said.
Mark glanced at them and laughed. “Typical. Three thirty on a Friday afternoon with a response, including oral argument, due Monday morning.” He looked pointedly at Bella.
“Why is that typical?” Opal asked. Bella was pleased with Opal's interest in the chess game lawyers played. Of course, nothing would ever be as heady for her as computer hacking.
Mark explained. “Big firms or large government offices like the AG's serve motions that require an immediate response on small firms Friday afternoons because they think it makes us work through the weekend.”
“Wouldn't they have to work through the weekend too?” Opal asked.
“Probably not. They've been ready for a while, but waited until Friday afternoon to notify us. Worst case, someone in their office has to work through the weekend, but not the most senior staff. They think I'm working alone with you and think they're gaining an advantage—overworking me so I'll make a mistake.”
“That's not fair,” Opal said.
Mark made his crinkly-eyed laugh. “Justice isn't fair. Nothing is, really.” He stretched behind his desk. “This doesn't matter. It requires a two-sentence response and a quick oral argument.”
“The motion is to postpone the trial,” Bella guessed.
Mark nodded.
“How did you know that?” Opal asked. She seemed to be fascinated by the entire process.
“It's a tactic. We want to get to trial on time. They want to stall. It's not uncommon.” Bella shrugged.
“Wow. Lawyers are way cooler than I thought,” Opal said on her way out.
“You think she's going to take the LSAT?” Mark was half serious.
“No,” Bella said. “She's smart, but she doesn't have the patience for law school. Of course, Virginia remains the only state where she can take the bar without attending law school if she studies under an experienced practitioner…”
“Did she go to college?”
“I've no idea, but we're not here to discuss Opal's career path. Let's finish. We're going away for the weekend.”
Mark looked at her with his sweet blue eyes. “Do I have to pack?”
“No, just a passport. You can get what you need there. Our flight is at six. File an answer and let's go.”
***
Bella arranged for a small private jet. She didn't want to encounter airport security, flight attendants, and other passengers. Mark didn't seem surprised to be on a private flight and made no comment other than to ask where they were going. She told him it was a surprise.
When they landed in warm, breezy Bermuda that evening, Mark was thrilled. He hugged her to him. “I've never been. What a clever woman you are.”
She laughed and led him to the motor scooter rental area.
“What are we doing here?” he asked. He eyed a long line of shiny red motor scooters, most of which had reserved signs on them.
“No one drives cars in Bermuda. They ride scooters. You can drive one, can't you?” She smiled that enticing Bella smile.
“I rode dirt bikes as a kid. I'll give it a try.” He conferred with the attendant about scooters and how to operate one. Mark signed a release, donned a helmet, and took one for a test spin around the lot. He ended with a huge grin on his face. Bella found his boyish enthusiasm charming.
The attendant rented Mark a bike, cautioned him to drive on the left side of the road, and advised him to give way to traffic in the rotaries. He didn't say anything to Bella and only offered Mark one helmet. When Mark asked for a second, the attendant gave it to him with a knowing smile. Mark started the scooter, Bella sat behind him, and they flew around the island to their hotel—the venerable old Princess in Hamilton that had not yet succumbed to renovation.
“It's beautiful here,” Mark said that evening as they sat in the courtyard with their feet on the stone bulkhead overlooking the harbor. “The pastel houses on the hill across from us are amazing. The motor bike. The harbor traffic. I want to sail, don't you?”
“If you insist, but you have a tee time tomorrow,” she reminded him. She'd never told him how deadly dull she found sailing.
“Do you play golf?” he asked.
“No, but you do. There are excellent courses here you should try. I'm sure the pro will pair you with someone fun.”
“What are you going to do?” He looked worried. She wondered if he thought she was meeting another lover while he was distracted.
“Shop. There are lovely shops here.” She would look around and return after the stores closed if she needed anything. She'd purchased a white one-piece swimsuit with strategic cut-outs in the hotel shop and charged it to the room.
“Speaking of which,” he turned to her and held her hand, “what about golf clothes? We didn't bring any luggage.”
“I'm sure you can find something at the clubhouse to wear.” She kissed him. “And clubs.” She kissed him again. “And golf balls.” She kissed him a third time.
“We need to go to our room,” he said.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR
Bella was delighted to encounter a ghost she'd known in human form in Paris while Mark played golf the next morning. Lena had died with her husband in a skiing accident due to deliberate equipment failure and was in this realm to oversee the upbringing of her twin daughters. Their paternal aunt, who was too stodgy for Lena's taste, had custody. Bella and Lena spent the afternoon at the pool wearing large sunhats and gossiping.
“Do the girls live in Bermuda?” Bella asked.
“London, but the family vacations in Bermuda. It's really a lovely place to be a ghost. There are several of us scattered around the island. One is a delectable young man who died in a shipwreck in the seventeenth century. He's waiting for his True Love to find him. I suppose it's possible and I do look for her when I'm in London.”
“Can't you take him to London?” Bella puzzled.
“He's afraid of airplanes. He doesn't know what will happen to him. I've told him I fly, but of course, planes existed when I was alive. I don't know what would happen to him. We need a handbook.”
Bella agreed. “What about a cruise ship? Would he travel by boat?”
“Brilliant!” Lena said. “I don't know why I never thought of that. Of course, you'd have the perfect answer.” She smiled at Bella. “Tell me why you're here.”
Bella gave Lena an abbreviated version of her mission.
“What's so special about this guy? Why do you want Daniel?” Lena asked.
Bella adjusted her sunglasses, stretched one long brown leg further on the chaise, and sank deeper into the cushion.
“Number one, I love him.”
“Okay.”
“Number two, the dating pool for ghosts is no different from reality.”
Lena laughed.
“Who did you marry?” Bella asked sharply.
“My college boyfriend the summer after we graduated.”
“My point. You don't know what it means to date. After I eliminate all the men who are trying to reconnect with their wives and men under twenty-five, there's no one left. There are really old men in their sixties, seventies, and eighties and there's no reason to be with them given that money isn't an issue. So, I want Daniel. He's handsome and smart. I know the sex is good. I don't want some other ghost claiming him. He's mine.”
“But he left you. Twice.”
“Once, really. I knew he wouldn't come to Europe if I didn't tell him about the baby. The second time was out of fear. He fell apart when his father died. Guilt is his driving emotion. He felt guilty that his father knew about the two of us. He's also superstitious. He may have thought he was being punished for the affair and if he didn't stay with his wife, something worse would happen.”
“He got that wrong.”
“Most certa
inly. He'd forgotten he owed me honesty, above all else.” Bella drew her wide-brimmed sunhat lower over her eyes. “I also want to get him now before he diminishes physically. It's bad enough his hair is white. At least he has a good cut. He was inactive for a while, but he's back to daily runs. Once I finish the court case, I'll swoop in.” She snapped her fingers. “Voilà! Mine again. Forever.”
“How do you know it's forever? How does it work?” Unlike Bella, Lena was married when she died. She didn't understand the need to reconnect with romantic partners.
“Once I get what I want—a Daniel who dies by anything other than natural causes so he'll become a ghost—we'll be together forever. That's the rule.”
“What if he doesn't want to be with you? I mean, you did frame him for murder.”
“He has no memory of that. He never stopped loving me. We've always wanted to spend eternity together. Now, we will.” She shrugged.
Lena rearranged herself on her chaise. “What about the man you're with here? Mark? He's hot.”
“Yes, but he's human. He'll make someone a great husband. He's thirty-five and just recognizing his potential. He has a happy life ahead of him.”
“But…” Lena prodded.
“He's too dependent on me. I got him away from Richmond for the weekend so he can relax, see there's more to life than the Country Club of Virginia, and be fresh for court Monday morning. He's a work in progress. I don't want to take that on.”
“He's handsome, though.”
Bella eyed her friend. “Lena, if you're interested, feel free. Otherwise, find a nice living woman in London and arrange for them to meet.”
Lena laughed.
Bella turned the subject back to Lena and her husband. “Where's William?”
“We alternate visiting the girls. He loves seeing them, but he doesn't know what to look for in growing girls. He thinks his sister is a perfectly good substitute parent. He's blind to any faults she might have.”
