A Ghost No More
By Nicol Tyler
Note: A Companion Piece to "Wash It Away." I suggest you read that (Washed away) one first then this one. It is here on the FFN.
One More Note: Because Nelleke does not like death stories. And I said I would make it right.
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The early morning rains had washed away the grime and smog that normally lay like a blanket over the city leaving the morning crisp, and fresh.
But I ignored it as I watch him walk across the grass. I knew where he was going and the reason for the guilt and heartache that weighed down his shoulders and aged him beyond his years.
I knew because I put the weight there, I was the reason for the pain that came from words said in anger and hate over a choice I made. Words said in the heat of the moment, words that given time would have been forgiven and forgotten with a smile.
But time cheated, never giving us a chance. Betrayal and little white lies robbed us of the chance to wash away all the hurt, and made me, Kenneth R Hutchinson, a ghost.
Little white lies that said only one of us could go. Lies that convinced me to choose for us, then later told me I was dead to all who knew me when I tried to leave.
But I left anyway.
So now I stand watching and the need to live again draws me closer and I don't stop until I am so close all I have to do is reach out and touch him and I would live again.
"Have you ever noticed Hutch, how everything seems new after the rain. Like it washes all the dirt and bad stuff away a clean slate to start over again….."
The sorrow in his voice stops me and I am scared.
What if it is too late? What if the pain is too deep and unforgivable … what if….
"I wish it could wash it all away"
It is a wish I grant and I am a ghost no more
***Fin****