Disrobed for Death

by Sylvia Rochester

  Throughout the evening, a constant stream of visitors stopped to pay their respects, but near closing time, the crowd thinned. Her mother and father were the last to leave. Now, she was all alone. Emptiness, the likes of which she had never known before, consumed her. She took one last look at her remains and wondered how she would react tomorrow when they lowered her casket into the grave.

  She shuddered at the thought and willed herself into the foyer where an overflow crowd had gathered outside Parlor B. The revelation that Jack Evans was murdered still played on her mind. What did the man do that someone would shoot him? He seemed like such a likeable fellow. Did he have an idea who killed him? Was that why he planned to remain earthbound? Even if he found his killer, what could he do about it?

  Jack nudged her. “Quite a sight, huh? Makes me sad to see so many old friends I neglected in life. Seems I always had an excuse for not getting together. More often than not, work interfered. If I had it to do over again, I’d make a lot of changes.”

  “I know what you mean. Too bad we don’t get a second chance.”

  She paused and reexamined her ghostly friend. Since he wore no wedding ring and seemed to be in his late-thirties, she would assume he was divorced. He was a nice looking guy, about six-foot two, and not a smattering of gray. Who indeed would want to kill him? A rejected lover? A disgruntled business partner? Perhaps he’d walked in on a robbery.

  While she pondered those questions, Jack pointed out his family members as they filed past toward the front doors. “The woman in the wheel chair is my mother. She suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.” The petite, gray headed lady dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and offered a weak smile to those saying goodbye. “Dad’s pushing Mom.”

  Susan could see the resemblance. Jack’s father was tall and stately with dark hair and carried himself like a much younger man, pushing the wheelchair, rather than relying on it for support.

  Jack continued pointing out members of his family. “The woman in the green dress is my sister, Ramona, and the two men with her are my brothers, Henry and Chris.”

  Susan looked with surprise at his sister. “Oh, I know Ramona. She’s a customer…uh, was a customer. I own a boutique. Dang, I can’t think of my work as being in the past.”

  “Me either. My work was my life.” Jack then directed her attention to a woman with shoulder-length, auburn hair and wearing a lavender dress. “She’s my ex. I’m not surprised Clarissa would make an appearance. We did love each other, once, and parted on fairly good terms.”

  Tall and thin with big blue eyes, his ex could easily have passed for a model. While not a regular customer, Susan also remembered waiting on Clarissa, who had a knack for picking the most exclusive items. While her undergarments were not visible for inspection, the outfit she wore belonged to a designer whose line carried a hefty price tag. And her jewelry definitely didn’t come from a store in nearby Hammond. Clarissa flashed so much bling, she could have found her way around in the dark.

  When the last of the visitors left, Susan turned to Jack.

  “Okay, I can’t stand it any longer,” she said. “How did it happen? Did you see who murdered you?”

  “First, tell me how you came to be here.”

  “I’m afraid mine was just a dumb accident. I slipped and hit my head.”

  “There’s nothing dumb about dying. Were you alone? Did someone get you to the hospital?”

  “I don’t know. The next thing I remembered was standing in the foyer of the funeral home.”

  He rubbed the center of his forehead. “Mine was no accident. A .38 caliber ended it for me. I was sleeping and woke in time to see the barrel of the gun. That’s all I remember. By the time I took on my new form and realized I was dead, it was the next morning, and the intruder was gone. I do remember seeing my body. When they carried it away, I thought it best I follow it.”

  Jack threw up his hands. “Valentine’s Day! Can you believe it? I died on Valentine’s Day. So much for love. I’d made plans to take several of my workers to lunch, and when I failed to show up and didn’t answer my page, they knew something was wrong. That’s when the police found me.”

  “You didn’t lock your doors or have a security alarm?”

  “It was one of the few times I didn’t set my alarm. I lived in Meadow Wood, a gated community. Guess I was lulled into a false sense of security since we never had any problems. The police couldn’t find how the intruder got in, but since the place was ransacked, they surmised the motive was robbery. Undoubtedly, the thief didn’t expect to find anyone home and wasn’t about to leave a witness.” His voice deepened, almost to a growl. “I’m determined to find out who did this to me.”

  “I can understand how you’d want to know, but what good will it do? How could you possibly bring anyone to justice?”

  “I don’t know, but there has to be a way.”

  “Maybe…maybe I could help you.”

  Jack’s voice softened. “You’d do that for me, a total stranger?”

  Susan really didn’t know why she had volunteered, except that she wasn’t looking forward to that hole in the ground and wasn’t sure whether the light would be there for her.

  “Sure, why not?”

  Chapter 3

  The following morning, both parlors quickly filled with mourners. Susan found herself mulling over her decision to stay behind and help Jack find his murderer. While she wanted to help him, her real reason was to remain among her family and friends.

  “Second thoughts?” Jack asked, as if reading her mind.

  “Too many.”

  “If you change your mind, I’ll understand. It doesn’t seem there are any rules in this new existence. You do what you feel is right.”

  Mourners exited his parlor and made their way to the front door.

  “They’re loading my casket in the hearse for the short ride to my plot. You want to come?”

  She took Jack’s hand and in the next instant, they were standing under an oak near his prepared grave. While family and friends gathered around, Jack pointed to a nearby tombstone.

  “That’s the family plot of Samuel Wright. He died a couple of weeks ago. Randy Mumford, another deceased, told me about Samuel. He said by the time the doctors discovered Samuel had cancer, it was too late. He was seventy-six and left behind a wife, seven kids, and lots of grandchildren.”

  Jack stared at the marker and shook his head. “When they lowered his casket, his spirit moved among his children, telling them goodbye and how much he loved them. Randy said he could have sworn by their reaction that some of them heard him. That’s when the bright light appeared. An expression of pure bliss radiated from Samuel’s face as he walked with outstretched arms into that pulsating glow. Then he and the light vanished.

  “If that was two weeks ago, why was the Mumford fellow still here?”

  Jack shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe he wasn’t ready to find out what was behind Door Number One. Or maybe, like me, he had issues to resolve. I’m guessing he went home or back to where he died, because I haven’t seen him since then.”

  Susan chewed on her bottom lip and pondered his reasoning. “That would explain stories about century-old ghosts.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you could be right.”

  While family and friends gathered around, Susan kept searching for the light. Sure enough, it appeared in the distance and floated slowly toward Jack. Even though it wasn’t meant for her, beautiful pastoral images and the sounds of ethereal choirs filled her mind. When her time came, she didn’t know if she’d have the strength to resist its allure.

  “No, not yet,” Jack said and walked away from the beckoning light and service. He stopped several rows back and motioned to Susan.

  She willed herself beside him. “How did you manage to resist the light?”

  “It wasn’t easy.”

  “No regrets.”

  “None.”

  After Jack’s burial, they returned to the funer
al home. At one o’clock, they followed her procession to the graveside. Her brother and father had to support her mother who all but stumbled toward her casket. The blanket of flowers might ease the minds of the mourners, but not Susan. She knew that beneath it lay a deep, dark hole.

  Maybe the light did offer a better place, but right now, she was still trapped by her earthbound feelings. When Wesley laid his boutonniere on her casket, when her mother cried out in grief, when her friends wept openly, Susan knew she couldn’t leave them. Right or wrong, she was determined to stay. Given time, maybe she would come to accept her fate, but right now, she had no desire to gamble with the unknown.

  Jack stood a good distance back, watching her. Maybe by helping him, she would come to peace with herself then she might be willing to leave behind all that was dear to her.

  “Okay, I’m going to do it—I’m going to stay and help Jack,” she said, anticipating the arrival of the light. But to her surprise, the light didn’t come the way it had for Jack.

  What happened next was totally unexpected. It was as though someone had flipped on a light switch. Not one, but a million bulbs exploded in a flash of brilliance. She saw no beautiful scenes, heard no heavenly choirs. Blinded, she lost all sense of direction. Only the words of the preacher resonated in her mind.

  “We are gathered here today…”

  Susan stumbled backwards waving her arms, hoping Jack would come and help her. “Where are you,” she shouted. “This isn’t what happened to you. Why don’t you answer me?”

  The preacher’s voice began to fade, as if someone was turning down the volume. Soon, there was only silence…then darkness. It was then she realized she was no longer standing. Something soft and cushiony held her body. Gathering a handful of cloth in her hand, she panicked. Was she lying in her casket?

  “Please, don’t leave me here,” she prayed.

  The silence gave way to sounds—the rustle of paper, the whoosh of air coming through a vent, muffled conversations. For the past two days she had been surrounded by flowers, but the sweet, floral scent no longer lingered. Instead, the smell of disinfectant hung in the air. When she gathered enough courage to open her eyes, she was relieved to find she wasn’t buried in darkness. “Thank you,” she mumbled as her eyes welled with tears.

  Wait a minute. Can the dead cry?

  At that moment, the drummer in her head returned. With each pounding beat, the memory of her fall and going into surgery returned. The smell, the sounds. She had to be in a hospital. Was she given a second chance? Maybe she really didn’t die, but…it was all so real.

  “Oh, no,” Susan moaned.

  A chair scraped against the floor and someone grabbed her hand.

  “Welcome back, honey. It’s A. K.”

  “You’re real,” Susan said, focusing on her friend, who shouted toward an open door.

  “Nurse, she’s awake!”

  A woman in scrubs entered the room. “I told you it wouldn’t take long for her to come around once we stopped the medication.”

  She checked Susan’s eyes and pulse. How do you feel, Ms. Griffin?”

  “My head hurts. Where am I?”

  “That’s normal. I’ll get you something for that. You’re in the hospital. Your surgery went well.”

  “No, I can’t be here. I don’t want to be here.”

  “I can understand that, but it’s up to the doctor when you can be released.”

  “No, you don’t understand. I’m not supposed to be here.” She reached out to A. K., who stepped closer.

  The nurse made a few notes on a chart. “Once the medicine gets out of your system, you won’t be confused. I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake. He’s making rounds.” Tucking the chart under her arm, she left the room.

  Susan squeezed A. K.’s hand. “It’s really you.”

  A. K. peeled Susan’s vice-like grip from her hand. “In the flesh. Hey, not so hard. I’m not going anywhere. Your mother and dad are here, too. I knew you would have wanted me to call them. They’ve been waiting for you to wake up. Wouldn’t you know the minute they left to get a bite to eat, you’d wake up.”

  Susan ran her tongue over parched lips. “Could I have some water?” A few minutes ago, she had no desire for food or drink. Now she had a craving for both. The cool liquid slid down her throat. A few minutes ago, she couldn’t believe she was dead. Now, she had a hard time believing she was alive. “This is real, isn’t it?”

  “Girlfriend, whatever he gave you sure has you messed up.”

  Susan handed A. K. the glass. “I died, A. K.”

  Deep furrows crossed A. K.’s brow as she stared down at Susan. “I don’t think so. The doctor said there were no complications. Whatever you thought happened was all in your mind. You’ll see things more clearly once you’re up and around, once you’re free of all medication. Right now, I’d say you’re still tripping.”

  At the sound of footsteps, they both turned to see Susan’s mother and father entering the room.

  “You’re awake, my dear,” her mother said. “I so wanted to be with you when you opened your eyes.”

  “I’m afraid that’s my fault,” A. K. said. “I insisted you get something to eat.”

  Susan’s father stepped closer. “Don’t look so surprised, Susan. You knew your mother and I would be here, and we’re going to stay a few days until we’re sure you’re able to do for yourself.”

  What startled Susan wasn’t her parents’ presence, it was the way they were dressed. Her mother’s black, crepe dress and pearl accessories and her dad’s navy suit and pin-striped shirt were the exact outfits they wore at the wake.

  “Where’d Edward go?” Susan asked.

  “How’d you know he was here?” her mother asked. “He left after he was assured you were going to be okay. You know how it is. His job is so demanding.”

  Susan wanted to talk privately with A. K., but for the next hour, she could do nothing but listen while her parents doted on her. Finally, she figured a way to have time alone with A. K.

  “Seems the doctor is running late. A. K., would you please give Dad your key to my apartment?” Then she said to her dad in her best pleading voice, “I want you two to go and get some rest. As soon as I hear from the doctor, I’ll let you know what he says. Hopefully, he’ll let me out of here—if not today, at least by tomorrow. A. K. can see to getting me home.”

  “I am tired, and could do with a little nap,” her mother said. “I also want to stop by the grocery store and pick up a few things. When you come home, I want to make sure you have something to eat and don’t have to stay in the kitchen. I won’t fix anything heavy, but you do need nourishment.”

  Her mother took her husband’s arm. “Come on, honey. Let’s go.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Susan kissed them goodbye.

  “You’re lucky to have such loving parents,” A. K. said, after they left.

  “I know.” She looked back over the head of the bed and to the other side. “I’m still hooked up to an I.V.,” she said, looking up at the pole that held a clear bag of something. “Is it okay if I get up?”

  “Uh, wait a minute. Let me check with the nurse.”

  A. K. hustled out the door and quickly returned. “She said you should take it easy. You were in I.C.U. for two days and in this room another two days. You’re going to be weak. You can also use the bathroom. In fact, you have to before they’ll release you, but don’t mess with the back of your head. It’s bandaged where the doctor removed the shunt.”

  Susan scrunched her face. “Yuck, I don’t even want to touch that.” After sitting up, she swayed to one side and grabbed hold of the bed. “I am a little light headed. Maybe I should sit here for a while before I try walking.”

  When she finally eased from the bed, A. K. came alongside for support, while Susan held onto the I.V. pole. “Okay, let’s hear it. Why do you think you died? Bet I can shoot your story full of holes.”

  “I sure hope so. I almost freaked out when Mom
and Dad walked in. They were wearing the same thing at my wake.”

  “Your wake? That’s weird. But there’s nothing unusual about recognizing their clothes. I’m sure you’ve seen them in those outfits before. Oooh, just thinking about the wake gives me the creeps. So, what was it like? Did you get your wings, or were your toes a little toasty?” A. K. laughed.

  “It’s not funny. If I can’t confide in you, I don’t know what I’ll do.” Susan couldn’t hide the quiver in her voice.

  “Sorry, friend. You know I’m here for you. Okay, no more jokes. I promise.”

  “I’m not crazy. It was all too real. I could see and hear everyone, but no one could see me, except another deceased person.”

  “You met a dead person? Oh, now I do have the heebie-jeebies.”

  “No, it wasn’t like meeting anyone here. He was nice looking and easy to talk to. Susan pictured Jack sitting next to her in the parlor. “He had dark hair and blue eyes.”

  “Where are you going with this? Don’t tell me you got it on with a ghost.”

  “No way. It was nothing like that. His funeral was delayed for out-of-town family, so that gave him a chance to meet a couple of the deceased people before me. Good thing, too. That’s when he found out what we could and could not do. I would have been lost without him.”

  “Girlfriend, keep your voice down. If someone hears you, you might never get out of here.”

  After Susan walked a few feet down the hall, she stopped and turned around. “I think we should go back. I need to sit down.”

  A. K. helped her back into her room and onto the bed.

  “Did your deceased friend say how he died?” A. K. asked.

  “He was shot.”

  “You mean he was murdered? Did he see who did it?”

  “No, but he was determined to find out. That’s why he didn’t walk into the light at his burial. It really exists, you know. While it seems wonderful, it’s also scary. Since I wasn’t sure what was waiting for me on the other side, I agreed to remain earthbound and help him find out who shot him. But when it came time for my burial, things went haywire. The light didn’t approach slowly like it did for him. All of a sudden, it was like the sun exploded.” She waved her hand in front of her eyes. “I couldn’t see anything. The next thing I knew, I woke up here.”