was Halloween. Monday would have been November first. A huge sigh of relief escaped him. He couldn’t go to Greg; apparently Greg had somehow managed to come to him.
Then Jerome recalled having had the most interesting dream.
Twelve Years Later
“Uncle Jerry? I think the last of the trick-or-treaters are gone.”
Jerome sat on the front porch of his sister’s house, watching his niece and her twin toddlers leave. A plastic pumpkin, now almost empty of candy, sat beside him. There had been a good many trick-or-treaters this year.
“I think I’ll just sit here a bit longer,” he said, pulling a patch-work quilt tighter around his body. The night was cold even for this time of year.
The screen door screeched open and Shelby stepped out onto the porch. “Here, drink this,” she said, handing him a cup of warm cocoa. He grunted in gratitude and sipped the sweet beverage while Shelby kissed her daughter and sheet-shrouded grandkids goodbye. They wailed “Oooohhh!!!!” and rattled pails of candy. Jerome thought better of telling them how little like ghosts they looked.
Once they were gone, leaving brother and sister alone, Shelby settled into a chair next to Jerome. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m sure.”
“Well, if you need anything.”
He patted the hand that grasped his shoulder. “I know, Shelby. I know.”
Soft lips brushed his cheek. “Well, goodnight, then.” She retreated into the house, door closing softly behind her.
It took about half an hour before the house grew quiet and Jerome was sure Shelby was tucked in for the night. He placed the cup on the porch and eased down the steps, carefully avoiding the squeaking board that he’d been meaning to fix.
He walked fast, worried that he’d be late when every precious moment counted. At the crossroads he stopped again. Lights had been added long ago down that lonely stretch of road, but they were strangely dark tonight. As they should be. Tonight was the night when spirits walked the earth, or rather, drove shiny black Mustangs.
He’d only gone a little way when the sound of a car engine emerged from the otherwise quiet night. He turned to see what would now be considered a valuable classic car, perfectly preserved after over twenty-five years. He practically dove into the vehicle, smashing the spectral driver against the far door in his haste. “I missed you so bad.”
Warm arms welcomed him, pulling his head to rest against a firm chest. No soothing heartbeat thrummed against his ear, a savage reminder of the gulf that separated them. Greg never let go as the car crept down the road to their usual trysting spot.
Once they’d parked, Jerome pulled away from the arms he really wanted to hold him forever. “Greg, as much as I’d love to be in you, we need to talk.”
“Talk about what?”
“I want to see you.”
The lights came on and Jerome saw the same crooked nose, the same dark hair, only it was shot through with gray now, like his own. “I love you; I’ll always love you, but…”
“But you have a partner now,” Greg finished for him
Jerome glanced away, avoiding the pain he expected to see in Greg’s eyes.
A firm hand gripped his chin, forcing his head up. Against better judgment he opened his eyes—to see Greg smiling. “It’s okay.”
“It’s okay?” Jerome parroted.
That smile turned wistful. “I know that you love me. I also know I can’t take the place of a flesh and blood man. Besides, Stan’s a good guy.”
“It’s just that…I got lonely.”
“Shh…” Greg cradled Jerome to his chest once more. “I love you and want you to be happy.”
Clinging tightly, Jerome opened the floodgates, deep, heaving sobs wracking his body and rocking the Mustang. “Why did you have to die?” he wailed.
After awhile Greg asked, “This is the first time you’ve cried over my death, isn’t it?”
Too choked up to answer, Jerome nodded. When he’d calmed enough, he said, “I’ve cried because I’ve missed you, I’ve cried because it wasn’t fair that you were taken from me, and I’ve cried because I wanted to be with you. I guess in my mind, as long we were together once a year, you were still alive. So you’re right; this is the first time I cried because of…well, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Can I stay here, just like this for a bit?”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
Jerome fell asleep in Greg’s embrace. He didn’t remember going home, only waking up in his sister’s guest room.
Eighteen Years Pass
“Shh…Don’t wake him up.” Shelby put a restraining hand on her granddaughter’s