Chapter Three
Mara woke with a start, disoriented. It was freezing cold in her room but that hadn't been what woke her. She sat up, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. She wiped her eyes, her face was still wet. It took a moment before she realized she'd been awaken by the sound of a chime, the single chiming of a clock. She looked at the bedside clock.
1 o'clock.
She swung her feet out of bed, gasping a little when they hit the cold floor. She looked around the room, determined not to be blindsided this time if another 'ghost' should show up. As she approached the bedroom door, she hear a faint music. There a light shining under the crack of the door. She pushed the door open.
It was still her hotel room, that much she could tell but other than that it was almost unrecognizable. It was decorated like some kind of child's amusement park, with balloons and streamers and flowers galore. There were stuffed animals and sparkling mobiles hanging from the ceiling. Trays of cakes and cookies and fruit of all kinds were on the tables. There was pizza and hot dogs and ice cream. And among all of this childish abundance sat a girl.
"Com in! Come in! Don't be shy!" She cried merrily when she saw Mara.
Mara entered hesitantly. The girl was the spitting image of Caitlin as she lay in her hospital bed, only this one looked happy and healthy. Her eyes were kind and her smile welcoming but Mara felt ashamed and had trouble meeting her eyes.
"I'm the Ghost of your Present," the ghost girl said, "Come closer!"
Mara did, observing that this girl was wearing a loose silken robe. Her feet were bare and on her long chestnut hair she wore a wreath made of holly. She had a belt of bright metal links around her waist.
"Have you seen my sister?" The Ghost of Present asked.
"I think I have," Mara said.
"Oh you probably did," The Ghost said, "I have so many siblings, and it's so hard to keep track."
"Look, "Mara said, "if you have somewhere to take me, why don't you just get this over with and take me."
The Ghost smiled, "Touch my robe." she said.
Mara did and suddenly, everything, balloons, stuffed animals, food, vanished in a trice as they flew through the sky, over roads, over rooftops.
They came flying down to a quaint suburban neighborhood, to a neatly kept house with a neatly kept yard.
"Where are we?" Mara asked, not recognizing the house. Before the ghost could answer a large, black pick up truck pulled up into the driveway. The license plated read VIPER.
The door opened and Randy Orton hopped out carrying several grocery bags. Next door, an attractive blond was checking her mail. She saw Randy and greeted him.
"Hi Randy! When did you get back in?"
Randy turned and smiled "Hey Rebecca! Got in yesterday. How have you been?"
Rebecca walked up to the picket fence dividing their yards. She had a toothpaste white smile and a California tan. "I've been good. Hey, I was wondering, remember you promised to catch dinner and a movie with me the next time you're in town? How does tonight sound?"
Randy gestured toward the bags of groceries in his hands, "Oh, I'd like to but I'm actually having dinner with a friend tonight. Maybe some other time?"
Rebecca pouted, "Well, OK, but I'm going to hold you to that."
Randy winked at her, "I won't forget!" he hurried into the house.
The inside of the house was neat and clean but he rushed around, tidying up any way. He quickly vacuumed the carpets and wiped down the kitchen counters, then started dinner. As the oven preheated he took a quick shower, shaved and dressed in a gray slacks and a blue shirt that brought out the color of his eyes.
Mara suddenly realized that he was getting ready for their date, the date she had missed last night. Her heart sank. God, couldn't she have at least called him to let him know she wasn't coming?
He put some champagne on ice and made a salad, checked the time and turned the oven down. There was a knock at the door. He glanced in the mirror before hurrying to open the door.
"Hi-" he paused. The person on the other side wasn't Mara but a ten year old girl scout hauling a wagon full of cookies, "Uh, hi" he said.
"Hi, mister!" she said cheerily, "Would you like to buy some girl scout cookies?"
"Uhm, sure, let me get my wallet," he said. He ducked back into the house and grabbed some money," Uhm, I'll take five boxes of thin mints."
"Gee, thanks mister!" the girl scout happily sold him the cookies and dragged her wagon back down the driveway and onto the next house. Randy looked around outside before going back inside. He looked at the clock. 7:15.
He opened the fridge and grabbed a beer, opening it and taking a long swig. He checked the oven. Lit some candles. Made sure the champagne was getting cold. Took another swig from his beer.
7:25.
Mara watched, helpless as he started looking outside every five minutes, pacing the floor.
7:35
Finally, he grabbed his phone, then remembered he didn't have Mara's number. He cursed under his breath. Looked out the window again.
At 8 o'clock he turned off the oven and shoved the wilting salad into the fridge. He had another beer.
"Mara, where are you?" he said under his breath.
"I'm right here, Randy,"Mara said sadly, "I wish I had come to see you."
At 8:30 he popped open the bottle of champagne, turned the TV on and began drinking.
By 9:15 he was passed out, bottle empty.
Mara stood over him as he snored, wishing she could do something. "I'm sorry Randy," she said.
The Ghost of Present stood next to her, "He seems really disappointed."
"Don't you think I know that?" Mara snapped, "I just didn't think it meant so much to him."
"What do you mean to people, to those in your life?" The ghost asked.
Mara stared at her, "What are you talking about?"
"How do people see you?"
Mara shrugged,"I don't know. People at work generally kiss my ass. I'm pretty well respected. I'm good at my job."
"Does anyone love you?" The Ghost asked gently.
"Well...of course someone loves me..."Mara said slowly, "My parents and..." she stopped, at a loss.
The Ghost took her hand, the scene swirled. They were standing in a bustling office. Phones were ringing, people were walking busily back and forth. Mara looked around.
"This is my office." she said."This is where I work. Look, there's my assistant, Lisa." The moved closer, Lisa was chatting with another woman.
"Oh my god, Sarah, you have no idea how glad I am she's gone for the week." Lisa said rolling her eyes.
Sarah laughed, "Is she really that bad?"
"You have no idea," Lisa said, "As soon as I'm done with my night classes and get my degree, I'm am so out of here. And I pity the next person who gets stuck with that bitch."
Sarah looked curious,"I thought she was pretty good at what she does? I mean, haven't you gotten to learn a lot from her?"
Lisa snorted, "Yeah right, like how to sleep my way up the corporate ladder?"
Sarah's eyebrows shot up, "Really?" she asked. fascinated.
Lisa glanced around and lowered her voice, "You've never heard? I thought everyone knew."
Sarah grinned at the prospect of good gossip, "Like who?"
Lisa shrugged,"Like James, and Kimball and Dorcy and Aldret, to name a few.'
Sarah looked gleefully revolted, "I never would have guessed," she whispered, giggling.
"That she's been ridden more times than a rented mule?" both women broke up in laughter, "Oh god," Lisa said, wiping her eyes, "And she is so cheap! Guess what I got for Christmas last year..."
The scene grew blurry, faded, leaving Mara with a face burning with humiliation. "That little bitch!" she exploded, "I gave her that job, I hired her! I've been nothing but nice to her!"
The ghost looked at her silently, Mara faltered, "Well...I have, I mean yeah, I give her a lot of work and she has to work the occasional weekend, but she's an assistant. She's supposed to pay her dues like that!"
Mara turned around in frustration, "How much longer is this going to take?"
The ghost waved her hand ,"We have one more place to visit...and very little time."
Mara sighed,"OK, let's get this over with."
The Ghost held out her hand. Mara reached out but hesitated. There was something different about the ghost. She no longer looked exactly like the Caitlin she knew. She was changed, she looked older somehow. Caitlin was in her early twenties, this woman looked a good 10 years older.
The Ghost of Present touched her hand and they were off again.
This time they flew above the city streets, soaring high above the traffic below. They headed toward a large building. After a moment, Mara recognized it as the hospital. They flew down and soared right through the walls and into Caitlin's room. There were a number of people in the room in addition to her parents and brother. She was sitting up, the respirator tube was gone and she was awake and smiling.
"Oh, Caitlin, I almost forgot to tell you, a friend of yours was here to see you yesterday. A woman from some agency, named Mara?" her mother said.
Caitlin's eyes widened in surprise,"My PR agent?" she whispered in a strained voice,"Wow, I haven't heard from her in like six months. She was really here?"
Caitlin's mother nodded, "She seemed like a lovely woman. She even took a blood test to see if she was compatible to donate part of her liver to you."
Caitlin seemed subdued,"Yeah, that..."
Her brother spoke up, "Don't worry Cat, we'll find someone. In the meantime, rest. It's a miracle you woke up, another miracle will come."
Caitlin smiled. All day, Caitlin's room fill with well wishers, coming and going, just happy to see her awake. Mara felt a pang as she watched the steady stream of people who came to see Cat not because they were looking for anything in return, but because they genuinely cared and loved her. If it were her in the hospital bed, how many people would she have visiting her?
After a couple of hours the nurses restricted visitors to family only. Caitlin was getting tired. There was a soft knock at the door and Cat's brother opened it. It was Randy.
Mara's heart jumped. He looked so good, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.
"Hi," he said softly, stepping into the room. Cat's mother rose and gave him a hug.
"Oh hello dear. It's lovely to see you. I thought they were restricting visitors?"
"I told them I was Cat's brother. I hope you don't mind?" He said.
Cat smiled, "Not at all. I'm glad to see you."
Randy sat beside her bed and took her hand,"How are you feeling?"
Cat shrugged,"OK for now. Just really tired."
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Randy asked.
Cat smiled,"Maybe get me a new liver?"
Randy smiled back, "Darling, you know if I could, I'd share mine with you in a heartbeat."
He gave her a hug and stood up,"Well, I'd better be going, but I'll come back tomorrow, if that's OK?"
Cat's mother nodded,"You are always welcome here, dear."
Mara turned and watched him go with a heavy heart. She'd lost him once, she was never going to get him back.
She turned to the Ghost of Present and was shocked. She no longer looked just ten years older, she had aged until she looked like an old woman. Lines had appeared on her face, her chestnut hair had gone white.
"Ghost, what's happened to you?" she exclaimed.
The ghost smiled gently, "My time is almost up,"
"Your time?" Mara repeated,"Are you dying?"
The ghost, nodded,"My life in this world is very brief. It'll end tonight."
"Tonight?" Mara gasped.
"Yes, I will leave you in the company of my sister..."
"Your sister? Who?" Mara asked.
The ghost was fading away, her voice growing fainter as well.
"Fare thee well, Mara. Look to your soul..."
Mara looked around in the void of darkness. She heard chiming, one, two...the chimes faded away.
She felt a chill run up her spine. She slowly turned around and saw a hooded and cloaked figure slowly floating toward her.
The phantom drifted silently toward her and as it drew closer, she felt an urge to drop to her knees. She resisted the urge, barely and waited for it to say something. When it remained silent she cleared her throat.
"Are you...are you the Ghost of my Future?" she asked timidly.
The ghost remained silent but raised one pale hand and pointed forward.
Mara still lingered, "Wait, the things you're going to show me, are they things that will happen or just things that might happen?"
The ghost remained motionless but she got the distinct impression it inclined its head once in a nod.
Mara felt her legs tremble. It wasn't just the creepy costume the ghost wore, there was something inexplicably terrifying about the figure. She could see nothing of its face but she knew it wore Caitlin's face and that its eyes were fixed upon her.
"OK, ghost," she said, "You're giving me the heebiest of jeebies. Satisfied? But please, I want this night to end. Lead on and show me just how crappy my life is going to turn out."
The Ghost turned and floated down through the floor. She followed and soon realized they were still in the hospital, some hospital. They entered a stark sterile room, filled with metal lockers. Two men dressed in scrubs, aprons and masks were working around a table.
"Damn, this one is pretty hot for an older broad. How did she die?" one of them said.
"Not sure, they're autopsying her tomorrow. All I know is that it was sudden and unexpected. If it hadn't been for the cleaning lady finding her this morning, she might not have been found until Monday."
"Cleaning lady, huh? What, she rich or something?"
"She's pretty well off as far as I heard. Heads a PR firm, works with the rich and famous. Has three houses, one here, one in Vail and one in Malibu."
"Damn, I wonder who she left all that to?"
"Don't know. It sure as hell wasn't me!"
There was laughter.
"Funny thing. We haven't had any family come down to claim the body, yet."
"Huh, maybe she was a major bitch. You never know."
"Hey, lookey what we've got here. Think that's a real diamond?"
"You think a fancy broad like her would be wearing costume shit?"
"You think I should take it?"
"Sure, no one's gonna notice it's gone anyway."
The voices faded away...
"So, who was that woman?" Mara asked.
The ghost said nothing.
"Ok, Ok,," Mara said, "I get it. If I keep being a bitch I could end up like her. No one to love, no one caring if I'm dead, right?"
The ghost was silent.
Mara sighed, "Fine, where to next?"
The ghost pointed. Mara turned. A house, Randy's house, she recognized.
"What's there?" she asked, trying to stall, dreading what she might see. The ghost pointed relentlessly. Mara nodded and they approached the house.
The house was decorated differently from the last time she'd seen it. It was still neat and tidy but there were signs of a woman's touch in the soft rugs and the homey throw pillows. A man was relaxing on the recliner, reading a magazine. He turned his head and she recognized Randy.
He was noticeably older, there were laugh lines around his eyes and the slightest touch of grey around his temples but he was still oh so handsome. Mara gazed at him in wonder, drinking in this vision of what he might become. His eyes fixed on the spot where she stood, almost as if he could see her.
"Honey?" he said, startling her. Could he see her?
"Randy?" she whispered, but before she could do more than take a single step, another voice came from behind her.
"Hey babe!" A beautiful blond walked into the room. She bent down, slipping her arms around his neck. He held her by the waist as she gave him a long lingering kiss.
When they finally broke the kiss Mara was able to see the woman's face. She recognized her. It was Rebecca, the blond from next door. Was he dating her? sleeping with her? What was going on?
"How did it go?" he asked.
"It went fantastically!" She answered, "You would have been so proud of him!"
He nodded, "I wish I could have been there."
She put a fond hand on his cheek."I know. He knows."
"I won't miss the next one." He promised.
The door opened and a little boy, about ten years old ran in, "Dad!" he cried out joyfully when he saw Randy.
"Tyler!" Randy scooped his son up and gave him a big hug.
"You should have seen me dad! I kicked ass!"
"Tyler!" Rebecca said, but she was still smiling.
"Sorry, Mom, But I really did!"
"That's awesome son! I think this deserves a trip to get some ice cream!"
"Yeah!"
Mara watched as Randy and his wife and son walked out the door. She felt a knot in her chest made of jealousy and sadness as she watched them go.
"Thanks a lot, ghost," she said,"What was that for? Just to rub it in?"
The ghost did not reply.
"OK, where to next?" she asked sarcastically.
The surroundings darkened, clouds crossed the sky. She looked around, the house was gone. In its place was a cemetery. She squinted. A funeral was taking place, a rather large one with many mourners. She tilted her head. Who had died?
"Who died?" Mara asked.
The ghost remained silent, just pointed toward the funeral.
Mara swallowed and walked slowly toward the knot of mourners. As she approached she could slowly make out the individual people standing around the grave. To her horror she recognized Caitlin's mother and her father and brother.
"Oh my god," she whispered, "Did Caitlin ever get her liver transplant?"
The ghost slowly shook its head.
"She...died?"
Mara put her hand over her eyes. What kind of person was she? How was she living her life? A thought, nagging at first, but growing ever more persistant occured to her.
"Ghost," she said, "That woman, back in the morgue, who was she?"
The ghost turned and pointed across the cemetery at a grave on the far side of the cemetery. The grave looked forlorn, unkempt. Unlike most of the others, there were no flowers upon the grave.
"Is that her grave?" Mara asked.
The finger pointed, never wavering.
"Before I go look and see whose name is on that headstone. Will you at least tell me something? Are these visions of things that will happen, or things that might happen? I mean, can I change things, now that I know?"
The ghost never uttered a word.
Mara kept on, almost babbling, "Of course, they must be changeable, otherwise why would you be showing them to me, right? It wouldn't make sense."
The ghost urged her on, closer and closer to the gravestone.
Mara turned and crept toward the gravestone.
She raised her eyes and read upon the neglected stone her own name.
"It was me!" she cried. "Oh my god, no! Please. Give me another chance! I can change. I swear it! I'll be a better person. I'll stop living my life the way I've been living it! You have to believe me!"
She grabbed the spirit by the arm. Her hand closed on empty cloth as the robe suddenly collapsed and the spirit vanished and she found herself clutching a blanket in her own bed.
Her own bed.
Oh my god.
And it was still light outside.
She looked around wildly, and grabbed the bedside clock. It read 6:32. What day was it? She called room service.
"Room service, how may I help you?"
"What day is it?" she demanded.
"Uhm, excuse me?"
"The date! What is the date?"
"It's the 16th, of August." said the bewildered voice.
"Thank you! Thank god, I'm not too late!" she yelled as she slammed down the phone.
"Oh my god, I'm not too late. I don't know how they did it but they gave me the time back!"
It was true, she was back to the same day she had visited Caitlin in the hospital.
"Thank you ghosts, wherever you are. I am going to be a changed woman! I promise you! But first, there's a guy I have to see."
She quickly got dressed and plugged Randy's address into her navigation system. She raced to his house and was there by 7:15.
He opened the door before she could knock, as if he'd been waiting and watching for her.
"Mara!" he said, looking relieved, "I was going to call you to see if you were having trouble finding the house but-"
Mara didn't say a word. She grabbed him and kissed him. He stiffened in surprise but after a second he was kissing her back.
They kissed until they were breathless. Randy finally broke it off, raising his head, his blue eyes searching hers. "Mara, what-?"
Mara placed a finger over his lips, "I've got a lot to tell you. But the first thing I want to say is, I'm sorry."
The next morning Mara called the hospital and volunteered to donate part of her liver to Caitlin. Caitlin's parents were absurdly grateful.
Mara kept her promises as she reevaluated her life and made changes for the better. She and Randy began seeing each other again, slowly building their relationship back up through love and trust. Eight months after they started dating, she moved in with him. A year after that, they were married.
Mara resigned from her job and started putting her skills to use in volunteer work. She did a lot of good and made many friends who loved and admired her for her generosity and selflessness. Caitlin's family unofficially adopted her as their own, giving her a family that she'd never dreamed of and after a few years, she and Randy started their own family.
Mara never forgot the lessons she learned that fateful night, nor did she forget the ghosts. She became a well respected member of the community, so much so that in time people forgot that they'd once thought she was a shallow, stingy bitch. Her heart was full, her life was full and never again did she take her life or her love for granted.
The End