The Storyteller's Muse
Her wedding day. The time every girl dreams of, arriving late in Sara's life but here it was, all the same. She pulled the veil down over her face. Her large eyes loomed behind the gauze, filled with astonishment that it was finally happening. She and David were getting married.
He moved in as soon as they arrived back after delivering Margot to her brother. More as an escape from an angry wife than any other reason. They co-habited like brother and sister for a time, until one night he leaned over on the couch and kissed her. The rest was history. She was happy. But a shadow dulled her joy...the presence of Justin lurking in the corners. She'd hadn't seen him. That was true. But an other-worldly aura still draped the house in feelings of yesterday, yesterday longing to be set free. Did she imagine the tread of his heavy buckled shoes brushing along the floor. Or was it a sound locked in time never intending to leave the premises? Could Justin be embedded in the memory clouds of this old house as well, brushing by in a cold draft or a flash of light when least expected?
Wedding plans took her mind off the problem. But now that would soon be over, and she and David would return to the Victorian to live the sublime quiet life. Or would it be quiet? She wouldn't be surprised if Justin made the floor boards rumble or some such nonsense to protest her marriage.
"Sara, are you ready?" It was Brigid hovering in the open doorway, in from England to celebrate her friends' marriage. Time to begin.
She walked down the aisle on rubbery legs as all eyes watched. But it was a dream. The scent of white roses cavorting in free-spirited leaps and bounds with organ music sent her heart racing. Spying David settled her, evoking a tear of intense emotions. She'd waited so long for him. Their gazes met, melding.
The pastor's words were a rumble as they exchanged rings. She murmured her vows in a torrent of excitement until finally the pronouncement rung clear, "I now pronounce you man and wife."
Immediately upon entering the Victorian, when David carried her over the threshold, Sara sensed Justin. A chilly, familiar draft brushed her, like a strange movement.
"He's here."
"Huh? Who?" Her new husband scanned the room in alarm.
"Justin. I can feel him. He's here."
"I thought you said you hadn't seen him around. We thought he'd finally moved on." David's intelligent eyes focused with concern. "You don't think he'll bother us, do you?"
"Well, he hasn't all this time we've been living here, why should he now?"
"Because, my dear, now you've married him. How could you?" Justin appeared in his resplendent glory. At first a filmy gauze, then brighter and more real.
"My God! Sara, I can see him!" David murmured. "This is extraordinary."
"Yes, my old foe. I am extraordinary. That's why I don't understand why Sara would marry you instead of staying close to me."
Sara broke in. "Justin, besides the fact you're a ghost. You chose to live eternity with that other woman."
"Yes, my dear. But I haven't joined her yet. I wished we could spend some time here, in this house, enjoying each other's company. I find the finality of this marriage of yours upsets me." His figure flashed in and out with blinding bolts of color. "I'm thinking I do not intend to leave, to leave you two with any peace. I'm here to stay."
David stepped forward. "Justin, I will not have you threatening us. We're not afraid of you. You're nothing more than a blast of hot air, and if you think you can intimidate us, think again."
"Oh, the new husband is quite a lofty fellow. Are you threatening me, my friend?"
"I'm just telling you to stay out of our way. If you truly love this lady as you say you do, you would want her to be happy, and you need to let her go."
"Let her go! Never!"
Sara's outrage exploded. "Will two please quit talking about me like I'm some helpless waif? I can make up my own mind and take care of myself. Justin, I've made up my mind." She held up her hand, pointing to her wedding band. "I've married David. End of story."
Justin's image wavered before coming back in true colors. He stood poised, stroking his chin, his mischievous eyes surveying her until he sighed, not a little sigh, but a long heartfelt disappointed moan. "My dear," he said. "Your new husband has made a valid point. I shall back away from you and give you peace." He paused, stroking the chin in short nervous movements. "But I cannot go; I cannot leave you. I'll be here for a time...in the shadows...watching your movements, savoring your perfume, breathing in your graceful beauty."
David bolted forward. "Hey, stop talking like that about my wife!"
Justin raised his hand in defiance, then continued. "I'll be here, but I won't bother you...unless you want me to." He shot Sara an endearing smile. "Simply call my name, and I'll come," he added in a murmur. With that being said, the ghost disappeared in a puff of vapors. Sara and David stood, stunned. Finally, David spoke.
"Should we be alarmed?"
"I don't know."
He grabbed her in his arms. "Well, here we are--you, me, this grand Victorian...and the resident ghost."
"Yeah. It should be quite a party."
THE END | 