She glared at him then and said, “Get the hell out of my way!”
“Drew, please, just have a look in the mirror, Love.” He said pleading this time and she thought she saw the gleam of tears in his eyes.
“Fine!” She yelled and turned towards the mirror. So, her eyes looked a little puffy from all of the sleep but other than that they looked fine. They were still in her head anyway and that was a good start.
She slowly walked towards the bed then and began to cry. “I don’t understand. It seemed so real! I remember the pain. She put her hand over her stomach then.” She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
“How is it that you can make me feel like flying one moment and then the next be gouging my eyes out?” She said crying.
He walked towards her then and knelt before her. He grabbed her hands and held him in his own, kissing them gently. “I promise you that I would never hurt you. I would like to promise you on my life, but ‘tis not possible.” He said, and knowing that she would forever believe that making love was dirty and painful he added, “, and if ever I was lucky enough to have the privilege of knowing you as mine own, I would be ever so gentle with you, darling. You would never know pain, only love.” He said gently.
Somehow she believed him. His hands felt so warm in hers. She didn’t understand how. “Why can I feel you as I did before?” She sobbed, trying desperately to stop the tears. “How is it that I can see you now and not before?”
“I don’t know the answers. I have been in this house alone for far too long. Never before have I felt anything on my skin the way that I can feel your hand right now. Not until you came did I even feel as if I had skin. I was just empty. Sort of like a feather just floating along in the breeze.”
“You know, I have felt the same way most of my life. There was always someone around just not really there.” Drew paused, “Well, I had Liza. She has always been there for me whether she realized it or not, but I always felt like more of a burden than a friend. Besides, she has her own life now. You must have been so lonely and for so long.”
She reached up to push the hair away that had fallen in front of his eyes, there was a glow, sort of a rainbow that followed his hair, then left her hand on his cheek, “You have been wandering around in this house for a century and a half when most people don’t even live as old as eighty or ninety. Lifetimes have passed you by and all you can do is read and play the piano. Why didn’t you let anyone live here before? Didn’t you want the company?”
Her hand on his face made him feel more alive than he believed he may have felt when he actually had been living. “No one that entered this house could have made me feel the way you do.” He said then leaned in to kiss her lips, the lips that had been calling him since the first night that he watched her sleep.
Drew jerked her hand away then and jumped up off of the bed. “Brendan, I…”
She didn’t know how to finish whatever it was that she needed to say. So many emotions were stirring inside of her at that moment. Did she really want her first kiss to be with someone thatcould be gone tomorrow? He really wasn’t even a “someone”. He was a spirit. A dead man stuck in purgatory or in his own personal hell which coincidentally happened to be in her house.
“Drew,” Brendan said and reached for her hand. She let him take it though she was afraid of what might happen. “Please, don’t run away from me…I promise not to hurt you. I won’t try that again until you ask me to.”
“That may take some time, or it may never happen. It isn’t that I don’t want to.” She tried to explain.
Brendan rubbed her chin with his thumb and smiled. “I can wait. It isn’t like I am going anywhere.”
They both laughed nervously then Brendan’s face took on a troubled look.
“What is it?” Drew asked him.
“Drew, there is something very important that I need to ask you. I need to know, in your dream, who was it that raped and killed you? It is very important that you remember.”
Drew’s face turned very pale and she had to look away to swallow hard the dry lump that had gathered in her throat. “It was you.” She whispered then looked back at him with tear filled eyes. “You raped me and Lezetta tore my eyes out with her black fingernails.”
Just then she heard the doorbell ring. It was a loud yet empty sound that echoed throughout the house. It was either the sound of unwanted company or her heart was beating louder than she thought.
“Liza! It’s Friday. She was coming over for a girl night.” Drew said apologetically yet with some relief at the same time.
“Great. A girl night.” Brendan said annoyed.
“Please behave yourself.” Drew pleaded. “I have to convince her that I am not crazy… or in any danger.” She added when she recognized a sly look upon his face. She didn’t need any of his trickery to prove that she wasn’t crazy.
“I hate to ask, but can’t you make yourself invisible again, just for tonight?”
Brendan sighed then closed his eyes to concentrate. Nothing happened. He opened his eyes again and said, “I can’t. I’m not sure why you can see me this well.”
Drew’s color was coming back fast. H e would have to stay upstairs for the rest of the night, that was all there was to it.
“I’m going there now.” He said as if he read her mind.
Drew jumped up and kissed him quickly square in the mouth. “Thank you so much!” She said then blushed. She had really meant it to be a simple thank you kiss but after she felt his warm, soft lips she felt a tingling in her gut, like the first time she heard his voice. She wanted to scream I love you, but before she did she dashed out of the room before she contracted diarrhea of the mouth.
Brendan stood in awe. Even though he knew her kiss meant nothing to her more than a friendly gesture he felt it from his head to his toes. He tingled all over. He was a grown man why did a little kiss from a girl make him feel like he was a kid again. He smiled, he felt.
He figured that he had better hurry and get up stairs before he ruined the moment for both of them by making her angry. When he reached for the door knob, since he had become somewhat visible walking through walls had become impossible, he realized that he could see his hand very clearly. It was a live human hand it seemed.
Drew waited at the front door for Brendan to come through the hallway and up the stairs but he never did. She thought after a moment that he had found a way to make himself invisible again after all. She figured she had made Liza wait at the front door long enough and gave up on him. When she opened the door there was no one there.
She heard a car on the gravel and saw Liza coming up through the trees. She had heard the doorbell ring. If Liza was just now coming then who had rang the doorbell she wondered. She looked around for a note or a package but saw nothing.
Liza pulled in through the gate with a huge grin on her face. Through the driver’s side window she hollered up to Drew, “You look like you are up to something! You have a guilty school girl flush about you. Are you hiding a man in there?” Liza laughed.
Drew turned beet red. Her friend knew her too damned well. “Of course not, silly. I just got back from jogging.”
“Really, in that sexy nighty that I got you?” Liza said with a cocked eyebrow.
Drew looked down and realized that she hadn’t changed out of her pajamas. She laughed. “Ok, you got me. I just woke up froma nap and hadn’t really gathered myself yet. Are you going to come in or are you just going to sit there in the car and give me shit all night?”
Liza started gathering her things, “Oh, I’m coming inside, but I am still going to give you shit all night.”
Drew laughed and was beginning to come to her senses again. “Hope you are ready for a glass, or several bottles, of wine because I sure am.”
Liza had three bags shoved in her hands, and one that Drew imagined had clothing, one was stuffed full of groceries, and the other was just a mysterious plain brown bag. One much like the one that she had gotten fro
m the Wiccan shop just a couple of days before. She was sure that it was just a coincidence though as many stores used plain paper bags.
“So, first stop t he kitchen please, I need to drop this bag off.” She said tapping one of the bags that she carried with her finger.
“Here, let me take that.” Drew grabbed the bag that Liza had been pointing to and led her to the kitchen.
“So, are we still having crawfish pasta?” Drew asked licking her lips.
“Why yes we are, as well as some cheesy garlic biscuits. I’m starving too. I will get all of this stuff ready, but first we have to drop off some other packages.”
“Oh, ok.” Drew said. “What else do you have there?”
“Well, first you must lead me to your bedroom. Then I will show you.” Liza said with a sly grin on her face.
Drew jumped up and clapped her hands together. “I love surprises!” She said.
They went out of the kitchen, through the living room and down the hallway giggling, Liza, with her two bags in tote.
“This is the bathroom here on the right by the way.” Drew pointed to the door. “You can use that shower later or in the morning if you want. I have a bath in my room that I use.”
“Fancy!” Liza said when she saw all of the shower heads. “I’m definitely going to have to try that out later.”
“This is my room.” Drew said pushing the door open and stepping aside to let her friend in.
As soon as Liza stepped into the bedroom she screamed and dropped the bags then started laughing when Drew pushed her aside. “I’m so sorry! I had no idea that you had company!”
Panicking now, Drew looked around to see what kind of shape or light Brendan was in now. Her jaw dropped though when she saw him looking just as alive and human as could be, smiling a very gorgeous smile in her bathtub, surrounded by bubbles that were overflowing from the bath.
“Brendan?” Drew whispered still in awe. Liza turned very slowly with eyes wide. “This is Brendan?” She asked.
“Um, y es, this is my friend Brendan. He is staying here for a little while until he finds a place to stay,” Drew gave Brendan a pleading look then. “He is gay.” She said quickly when Liza shone her sly little grin again.
Brendan laughed the heartiest laugh either of the girls had ever heard then, “I am more gay now than I have ever been! You ladies should join me, this bath feels absolutely amazing, Drew!”
Drew couldn’t help but laugh. She hadn’t realized that Brendan being from another time wouldn’t realize that gay meant homosexual. He of course meant that he was happier than he had ever been. Boy did he have a lot to catch up on.
Liza looked disappointed. “What’s wrong?” Drew asked.
“Well, I thought that you had finally found a man. What a damn shame. He is freaking HOT!” She said as she watched him lather himself in the bath and grinning like a child at Christmas time. “Has he never taken a bath before?” Liza whispered.
“Liza, could you excuse us for just a moment? Um, I didn’t realize that Brendan would be gracing us with his presence this evening.” She said through her teeth.
“Way to go, Liza.” Liza said after she shut the door behind her. “Let’s see what else I can do for these two love birds.” She smiled as she patted the single bag that she held in her arm.
“Brendan? What is going on? Look at you!” Drew said walking toward him.
“I don’t know! When you left the room I was on my way out to follow you when I noticed I wasn’t see-through anymore! I feel absolutely amazing. I feel alive!” He said splashing the bath in excitement.
“Um, could I just try something?” Drew asked reaching for his wrist.
“Of course!” Brendan said laughing. Drew couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. It was like a ray of sunshine had shown down on him and left him shitting rainbows.
She held his wrist in her hand. He definitely felt real. She could feel the warmth of him and she could even feel the hair on his arm. What she couldn’t feel though, and what the whole purpose of her requesting his wrist for, was a pulse. He watched her then and she noticed a hint of sadness in his eyes so she smiled.
“I’m still dead.” He said then reached for a towel. When he stood up she saw all of the graces that God had given the man and fell backwards onto her butt.
“Ouch.” She said a little embarrassed. “You could have waited until I left the room.”
“Terribly sorry.” He said, wrapping the towel around his waist and stepping out of the bath.
“No problem.” Drew said. “There are some sweats in my top drawer over there.” She said pointing at the dresser, trying to look the other way and not stare. “There are a couple of t-shirts in the second drawer that should fit you. I guess I need to go into town and find you some clothes in the morning.” The Big and Tall store, she thought, blushing again.
“I have very fine clothing in my bedroom upstairs.” He said reaching for her hand to help her off of the floor.
“Yes, I am sure that you do. I think that you would like the new styles better though. They are much more comfortable.” She said, standing up to face his very wet, very bare chest. She looked up into his eyes then and felt her knees go weak. She touched his face as she had done before. “What is happening to you?” She whispered.
Just then there was a kn ock on the door. “Hey, you two!” Liza hollered from the other side of the door. “I’ve got dinner started. Why don’t you two finish getting cleaned up and come and join me for some wine. I have a surprise!”
Drew had dropped her hand as soon as she heard the knock. “I need to get cleaned up myself.” She said looking down at her night gown that she had evidently had on for two days now in a row. “I’m just going to grab a few things and then use the other shower while you get dressed.” She said looking at Brendan again with flushed cheeks.
Just then Brendan grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her to him. He put his mouth over hers and kissed her gently. She felt her legs go weak and almost fell to the floor again. He braced her though with his other arm and pulled her up against his naked chest. He heard her sigh and felt himself harden against her.
She must have felt it too and pushed away from him trying to catch her breath. “I don’t know how it is that you don’t have a pulse and yet that thing still works.”
She was shaking then as she pointed towards the towel that had grown. “This is all happening too fast, Brendan. I’ve never kissed a man much less had any kind of desire to… well, to do any more than that…or to use one of those. I need to think about all of this, and you were supposed to let me ask!”
She started gathering her things then. “Don’t bother. I will go upstairs and change.” He said when he saw her grabbing her bath things and putting them in a bag. “, and I completely understand. Let’s start all over when I am more respectable, and in all fairness my mind told me that you were asking for it.”
She couldn’t help but giggle. He started to walk out of the bedroom door then, “Thank you.” She said.
When he opened the door Liza jumped back and let out a little, “Oh!”
He sighed and walk past her. Then she immediately bombarded Drew.
“Not now, Liza!” Drew said through shaky tears. “Let me get cleaned up and dressed. Let me just have a few moments to clear my head then we can all go sit and properly introduce ourselves, ok?”
“Fine.” Liza said. “Hurry up though. The suspense is killing me!” She kissed Drew on the cheek then hurried off to check on her pasta.
Drew took forty-five minutes taking a bath and getting dolled up. She had decided that since this was going to be their first dinner together, she was going to look hot. She didn’t want Liza to feel out of place though so she didn’t want to dress up too much.
She opted for a blue jean mini skirt that showed just a little too much thigh probably and a light pink lacey shirt. She noticed that her toes were in desperate need for a pedicure, but she didn’t really care. She sl
ipped on some silver flip flops and decided that was about as hot as she was going to get. She let her long hair flow down to her butt and applied a little bit of blush, some crystalline eye shadow, and even went for the black mascara this time.
“That is just going to have to do.” She said after dabbing on some lip gloss.
She headed down the hallway then and heard laughter coming from the kitchen area when she reached the living room.
“What is going on in here?” She said to Liza and Brendan then was rendered speechless when Brendan turned and smiled at her. His hair was tied back into a pony tail at the back of his neck and he wore the most handsome suit she had ever seen in her life.
He was in fact the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life. She could never have him though. She knew that and it saddened her. It also frightened her knowing that she was having those kinds of feelings for someone.
Liza must have noticed the look of sorrow on Drew’s face as she was quick to be Liza and brighten the mood.
“Ok, so I have the salads and wine ready and waiting on the table. Why don’t you two go and sit down in that gorgeous dining room and I will bring in the pasta in just a moment.” She swatted Brendan on the arm. “Shew now! Go on!”
Drew couldn’t help but laugh at her longtime friend and walked towards the dining room. As she began to pass Brendan he held out his elbow.
“Madame?” He said and she looked up at him and smiled then took his arm.
“Why thank you, sir.”
The dining room had been lit up brilliantly. The candles on the chandelier were twinkling with all of their might. They seemed to be dancing cheerfully, welcoming the much needed company after so many years. Again, it reminded Drew of the candelabra from “Beauty and the Beast.” She supposed that she sort of had her own “Beauty and the Beast” story only Beauty got her Beast in the end.
Chin up. She told herself. She wasn’t going to let herself ruin this perfect evening. She had her oldest, best friend there in the next room and what had become her newest best friend at her side. Who could ask for more?
Ghost of a Chance Book 1 in Above the Grave Trilogy Page 12