Forever

by Rachel Maldonado

  “Don't go around tonight,

  Well, it's bound to take your life,

  There's a bathroom on the right.”

  Alex suddenly got the giggles. She couldn't stop laughing. “I'm pretty sure they sing 'There's a bad moon on the rise.'”

  Meghan shook her head. “Nu uh, not the way I sing it.”

  Alex was rolling with laughter. She gripped the steering wheel firmly with one hand while she attempted to hold her stomach with her left hand. “You're making me laugh so hard my stomach's hurting.”

  Meghan was pleased once more that Alex thought her sense of humor was funny. She was also glad that her upset stomach had subsided. It could have been the present company or the fact that laughter is said to be the best medicine.

  Before they knew it, they were already pulling up to the church grounds. The sign on the giant wooden doors said it was closed to the public, but Alex wouldn't be deterred. She had been there lots of times, and she was eager to share the experience with Meghan.

  Both women exited the vehicle to begin their first official date alone. Meghan was trembling with both fear and anxiety. Alex, feeling a bit more confident and in her element, was all smiles. She was beaming from ear to ear with excitement. Ghost adventures and ghost hunting wasn't just a passing hobby. It was something she loved. She was passionate about finding out things about the after life. Ever since she could remember she'd had a curiosity about the unknown, and what happens to someone after they pass. If there were an afterlife on this Earth, in this realm, or in Heaven, and if she were ever to find the love of her life, she would find comfort in knowing that she would be with them for all eternity. It was what motivated her to explore and try to find out what was out there, who was out there, and what they had to say, if anything at all.

  Chapter Seven

  Meghan felt a cold chill run up her spine as she took in her surroundings. It was a dark and eerie location. The cloudless night full of stars and a beaming bright moon had become overcast and dark, spooky gray scattered clouds seemed to lurk overhead covering most of the stars and the moon. Meghan didn't want Alex to know she was petrified. In the distance, she could hear a dog howling, and just behind the church grounds loomed an old ghostly looking cemetery. The headstones stood tall and many of them appeared hundreds of years old. She glanced over at a mausoleum and could've sworn she saw a dark figure standing in front. When she turned around to gain full view, it was gone.

  “You said you've been here before?” questioned Meghan trembling.

  Alex grinned. It almost gave her a sense of satisfaction that Meghan was scared. It gave her the opportunity to be the hero; to hold her if she became too frightened.

  “Oh, sure. Lots of times. I brought my digital camera and two digital voice recorders. If there's anything out here, we'll try to get proof of its existence.”

  “Have you ever explored the mausoleum?”

  Alex could sense that Meghan was watching it with caution. She appeared as though she wanted to run away from it, but at the same time, she stood motionless with fear. She watched it as if she was almost expecting something to jump out from behind the mausoleum's thick, wood-carved doors.

  Alex handed Meghan a digital voice recorder. “There's a story about the mausoleum, you know.” She began to take photos of the building in the darkness. The bright flash was illuminating the way towards the building, but at the same time, it was causing a blurring and spotting effect on Meghan's vision. Alex didn't seem to be bothered by the flashes, she kept taking photos.

  “I'm not sure I want to hear the story,” said Meghan, her voice quavering.

  “Sure you do,” said Alex. “Everyone wants to hear the story.”

  “What is it?” Meghan didn't really want to hear it. She was already terrified. A scary story would only serve to bring her more terror, but nevertheless, she figured Alex was dying to tell it.

  “The story is that once upon a time, a long time ago, of course...”

  “Oh, of course,” said Meghan grinning. She tried not to seem frightened.

  Alex continued. “There was a young married woman named Claudia that had fallen in love with her best friend Harriet. She loved her so much that she couldn't bear to be without her. They were together every second of every minute of every single day. Claudia invited Harriet to move in with her and her husband Joseph even though Joseph had been against it. Claudia blatantly defied him and asked Harriet to stay in their guest bedroom.”

  Meghan forgot all about being afraid and became entranced by Alex's story. Her eyes were wide, and she bit down softly on her lower lip as she listened. She gasped. “Then what happened.”

  Alex continued. “Well, the story goes that one day Claudia was outside hanging laundry. It was a bright day full of sunshine, so she and Harriet had opened all of the windows to the house to air out the dankness. While she was out in the back yard hanging linens, she heard a loud crash and a scream coming from within the house. She ran inside the home to find that her husband Joseph had come home early from work. He had lost his job and was in a drunken rage!”

  “Oh, my!” shouted Meghan.

  Alex didn't hesitate, she had already built up a momentum in her story and didn't want to stop to acknowledge her. “Claudia found that Joseph had strangled Harriet out of pure hatred and jealousy for all the time she had spent with his wife! Claudia couldn't handle losing Harriet. She was the love of her life. When she saw her lying there, her lifeless body cradled over the side of the bed, she took her husband's shotgun and blew his head clear off! From what I hear, there was blood and brains splattered everywhere. She claimed that her husband had attacked them both and that she had no choice in the matter but to shoot him or be killed herself, and a judge and jury found her innocent. The legend says that she couldn't bear to live her life alone. She yearned for Harriet to be there with her in their country home. She knew she would never love another man or woman for as long as she lived, so one dark, cloudy night like tonight, she took a rope and hung herself from the tree in her backyard where she and Harriet had shared their first kiss.”

  Alex was wide-eyed as she regaled the ghost story that she had heard so many times before and that she herself had told about as many times as she had heard it. She was lost in the story-telling as she tried to recall details. When she finally took the time to look back down at Meghan, Meghan was in tears. She sobbed quietly with her shoulders and head hunched over.

  Alex placed her hand on Meghan's shoulder. “Are you okay? I didn't mean to frighten you. I haven't even told you the rest of the legend yet.”

  Meghan was sniffling and attempting to wipe away her tears with her sleeves. “I'm okay. It's just that that was one of the saddest stories I've ever heard. Is it true? Is the legend true?”

  “As far as I know, it's all true. There were some historical researchers some years back that looked into the story and its origin and found that these people were real, but the lesbian story is just speculation. How could they really know what went on behind closed doors, you know?”

  “That's true,” said Meghan, still sniffling.

  “The legend says that because Harriet was murdered, she went to Heaven. Claudia's spirit is said to remain on the land and in the house where she lived. She awaits the return of her love, Harriet. The headless spirit that is often seen here at this mausoleum is said to be the spirit of Joseph. He was a dark, sinister soul and rather than be sent to Hell where he truly belongs, he was made to suffer here on Earth among the living but residing in this cemetery full of death and grief.”

  “I believe it's true,” said Meghan. “And I know he's here.”

  “How do you know that?” beckoned Alex. “Are you an empath or something? Can you feel his presence?”

  Meghan shook her head. “No. Not at all. I'm not a psychic medium. At least, I don't think I am. But I want to get out of here.”

  “We can leave. Sure. I'm sorry this was all so upsetting for you. I really thought it would be fun.”
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  “It was fun being with you.” Meghan grinned and giggled through her tears. “I'm sure I will always remember tonight, that's for sure.”

  As they began to walk back to the Jeep, Alex started to view all the photos she had taken. “These are pretty creepy pics.”

  “Did you capture Joseph in any of those?” asked Meghan as they arrived back at the vehicle.

  Alex shook her head. “No, doesn't seem that way. He doesn't show himself to everyone. I try to take as many pics as I can of this mausoleum every time I'm out here and I can never catch him on film.”

  “Well, he showed himself to me,” said Meghan as she opened the passenger door and sat down. She shut the door, leaving Alex speechless. It was the first time Meghan discovered that she could see spirits.

  Chapter Eight

  On the drive home, Alex hated to end their date on such a bad note. She hadn't expected it to end with Meghan in tears. As Meghan was perusing the camera's photographs, Alex blurted, “I'm starving. What do you say we go to an all night Pancake and Steak?”

  Meghan was also thrilled to not have to part ways yet. “I'd love that.”

  Alex loved going to the local Pancake and Steak restaurants. It was practically the only sit down restaurant that was open twenty-four hours. It was full menu anytime of the day, so breakfast, lunch, or dinner could be served at odd hours. She was a big fan of breakfast for dinner or, after a late night of ghost hunting, a dinner at three in the morning such as tonight.

  The two young women found a quiet booth in the far corner of the restaurant and ordered coffee and ice water. Even though the night wasn't all too cold, Meghan was still trembling.

  “Are you okay?” probed Alex. “I'm still kicking myself about tonight.”

  “Oh, I'm fine. You shouldn't worry so much. I still had a great time.” Meghan grabbed a menu off the table and looked over her choices. She couldn't decide if she wanted breakfast or one of the steak specials. The waitress brought out their beverages and set them on the table.

  “Whattayahave?” she asked. It all sounded as if it was one word as she smacked on her chewing gum. She stood waiting to write down the order on her pad with a pencil.

  “Are you ready to order?” asked Alex.

  Meghan placed her menu down on the table. “Yes, I think I'm ready now.”

  Alex grinned. “You go first.” She watched Meghan carefully as she ordered.

  “I think I want the ribeye, medium-well, with A1 steak sauce not with house sauce, and can you put that on the side?”

  The waitress nodded as she was writing everything down. She smacked on her gum before responding. “Mmm hmm. Now do you want mashed potatoes, french fries, sweet potato fries, shoe string fries, tater tots, or a baked potato?”

  Meghan smirked. “So many potato choices. Do you have scalloped potatoes?” she asked. She knew they weren't on the menu, but she couldn't stop herself from asking.

  The waitress didn't understand her humor and simply repeated the choices. “We have mashed potatoes, french fries, sweet potato fries, shoe string fries, tater tots and baked potatoes.”

  Alex grinned. It was apparent that she wanted to laugh, but she was holding it in.

  “Could I special order some fried potato wedges with scrambled eggs? Maybe put that in some flour tortillas, so I can have a couple of potato and egg tacos with my steak?” Meghan had no intention of ordering tacos, she was simply trying to make Alex laugh. She was ready to stop being silly and order a baked potato, but the waitress wasn't having anymore of her playfulness.

  Alex began to giggle. She attempted to make excuses for Meghan and her behavior. “I'm sorry. We're not trying to give you a hard time. We're just really hungry.”

  The waitress seemed annoyed. She rolled her eyes and sighed. She wrote down two tacos and a ribeye steak, then turned to Alex. “What will you have, ma'am?”

  “I'll have what she's having,” was all Alex could say. She hadn't realized that the waitress had written down breakfast tacos as a side item.

  The frustrated waitress read back the order. “Two ribeye steak dinners, medium-well, with A1 steak sauce on the side and two potato and egg tacos. Do you want salsa with those tacos?”

  “Tacos?” asked Meghan flustered. “I don't want tacos. I want a baked potato with everything.”

  Alex knew it was their fault that the order was messed up and tried politeness as a way to smooth things over. “Me too, ma'am. I would very much like a baked potato, also. Please.”

  The waitress rolled her eyes and scratched out the order, then wrote out what they wanted. “Two loaded baked potatoes coming up. Anything else?”

  Both girls shook their heads. As the waitress walked away, Meghan began to laugh. “I'm sorry. I hope you don't think I'm nuts. I was trying to lighten the mood. It's been an eventful night and neither one of us has had any sleep. I thought we could both use a laugh.”

  Alex shook her head. “No, you're okay. Really. It did brighten my mood some. I was starting to feel bad for having taken you to a dark church and cemetery on our first date.”

  “I thought our first date was when we went fishing?” asked Meghan, playfully teasing Alex about the first time they met.

  Alex thought for a moment, then realized what Meghan was talking about. She grinned. “Nah, that doesn't count. You had a girlfriend. Besides, you hardly talked to me. You were stuck on her like glue.”

  “Oh okay, if you say so. How about the time earlier this evening when we went to the movies? That doesn't count?”

  Alex laughed. “You mean the time we were supposed to go on a double date, and you showed up with--what was her name?”

  Meghan grinned. “Joanna.”

  “There you go. Good old Joanna. I thought I was going to have to probe you away from her hands,” laughed Alex.

  “I don't know what you're talking about. She was a perfect gentle-woman. She never even touched me or tried to kiss me.”

  “She may not have, but I could see the desire in her eyes. She wanted you.”

  “Despite what she may or may not have wanted, I'm here with you, aren't I?” asked Meghan. She blushed a bright red, and her smile seemed to spread a long mile from one side of her face to the other.

  The waitress brought out their meals, and the two women dined as if no one else in the world existed. Because at that moment, no one else did.

  Chapter Nine

  After their late supper at Pancake and Steak, the two women sleepily walked back to Alex's vehicle. Morning's early dawn had started to peek out from the East lifting the darkness.

  “We survived until morning,” said Meghan. “Now I'm ready to go home and plop into bed and pass out.”

  “How about a proper date?” inquired Alex as she unlocked the passenger door for Meghan..

  “Please tell me you're not asking me out right now.”

  “What?” asked Alex confused. She was taken aback by Meghan's response. Was Meghan rejecting her invite for another date?

  Meghan ran her fingers through her hair. “I swear to God I need some sleep, or I'm going to fall over and pass out on the sidewalk. I couldn't possibly do anything else today.” She opened the door and sat down, shutting the door behind her.

  Alex ran around to the driver's side door and hopped into the car. “I thought you were rejecting my invitation to go out. You're not are you?”

  Meghan smiled. “Of course not. We can go out later this evening. But right now, I think I need to choose a date with my warm bed, pillow, and blanket over you. I hope that's okay.”

  “Yeah, I need sleep, too. I hear ya. But I'm jealous.”

  “Jealous of what?” asked Meghan yawning.

  Alex turned on the ignition and glanced over at Meghan. “You have a cuddle date, and I'm not invited.”

  “Aww,” said Meghan blushing. “You're sweet.” She spoke sleepily with her words slightly slurred.

  “I am?”

  Meghan could barely keep her eyes open. “Uh huh. And cute.�
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  Alex laughed. “I think I better take you home. You're starting to sound like you're half drunk. I think the lack of sleep has you delirious.” She glanced over at Meghan to see her reaction but found that she had fallen fast asleep. She looked beautiful and peaceful. She hoped there would be a day soon enough where she might be able to wake up beside her and watch her sleeping, or better yet, hold her in her arms as she slept.

  Chapter Ten

  As Alex approached Meghan's house to drop her off, she feigned a couple of sneezes in hopes of waking Meghan, but she was still snoring softly.

  “Meghan...wake up. We're at your house.”

  Meghan groaned. “Five more minutes,” she grumbled.

  Alex laughed. “You slept all the way over here. Wake up. I'm not sure I can carry you.”

  Meghan turned over in her seat and curled her legs underneath her in a fetal position. As she got comfortable, her keys fell out of her blue jean pocket and onto the seat.

  “I know I might regret this, but what choice do I really have?” asked Alex aloud to herself as she grabbed the keys. She exited the vehicle and walked over to the passenger door. “Here goes nothing,” she said as she opened the door and picked up Meghan in her arms. Meghan snuggled up against her chest as she was carried the way a groom would carry his bride over a threshold. Alex grinned as the thought of her own wedding crossed her mind. She imagined herself as a groom in a white tuxedo, her blonde hair falling in curls around her neck. She knew Meghan would look stunning in a white wedding dress and veil, but they'd only officially had one date. She knew she was getting too far ahead of herself. She sighed and kicked the door shut with her foot, then carried Meghan to her front door. She had a heck of a time trying to get the key in the door, but after numerous attempts, was glad to see the door unlock. She pushed the wooden door open carefully with her leg and entered the home. “You had to live in a two-story house, huh?” grumbled Alex under her breath as she peered up the long set of stairs leading up to the second story. She pushed the door softly closed with her foot and began the ascension upward toward the bedroom. All the while Meghan was sound asleep, not a stir or a mumble. She was out like a light.