TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 186

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 186
warning...adult content





~
"Hey, Zach...what's up?" Steve asked, after taking the phone from Ghost.

"Hey, Steve. I just wanted to know when we're gonna do that rehearsal," Zach said.

"Oh, yeah...I think tomorrow. We'll go over to the Yew about one o'clock, and meet with everyone then. I'll call Terry and R. J. and let them know, too."

"Sure thing, Steve...see ya then," Zach said.

Steve turned off the phone, and put it in his pocket. "You were done talking to him, weren't you?" he asked Ghost.

"Uh-huh...we got everything worked out."

"That's cool," Steve said, as he looked out over the graveyard. "I went through the songs."

"I know," Ghost said. "I heard you playing, and I sang along to them out here."

"Ha, good...I guess the old guys liked hearing that," Steve said, and smiled.

Ghost nodded. "Yep, they said they did."

"Ok, here's the plan...tomorrow after lunch, we'll go meet the guys and do a rehearsal. Then, the next night is the show," Steve said.

"Good...finally," Ghost said. He jumped up and hollered out to the graveyard, "Hey guys, we're gonna have a show, and it's gonna be fun. We're gonna sing, and people are gonna come and dance, and now I'm in a good mood."

Steve laughed, watching Ghost. A tiny thought came to him, about his surprise for Ghost, but he quickly thought about something else. He wondered what Ghost's surprise to him would be...probably something unique that Ghost had made for him, and whatever it was, he'd treasure forever.

Ghost swung around, staring hard at Steve. "You won't find out 'til it's time...and you'll never guess either," he said, laughing.

Steve loved it when Ghost laughed; there was total involvement from his blue, blue eyes shining, and his silly grin. Steve could watch him forever. "C'mon, Ghost...let's go in, now," Steve said, holding out his hand for Ghost to help him up. He could feel how warm Ghost's hands were...and, he desperately wanted those warm hands all over his body. Just like that, the feelings came over him.

"Ghost..." Steve said, in a soft, husky voice.

Ghost immediately understood, and smiled. "C'mon Steve, let's go in," he said, leading the way.

Inside, Steve could wait no longer. He spun Ghost around, right in the kitchen, and pulled him into himself. He felt Ghost's arms go around his neck, and he moaned, as they kissed deeply. He had to have Ghost now. They made their way down the hallway to the bedroom, shedding clothes along the way. Covering up with the many blankets on Ghost's bed, they warmed each other's nakedness with soft touches, nips, and kisses. They spent the rest of that long afternoon, giving themselves fully to each other, finally falling asleep in each other's arms.

Waking, just at sunset, they were starving, so made a simple supper, then sat close together on the couch. They took turns reading to each other from a book they both liked. As their eyes grew sleepy again, Ghost laid his head on Steve's shoulder.

"Can we always be like this, Steve?" he asked.

"Like this?" Steve asked.

Ghost nodded, "Yeah...in love," he whispered.

"Yes, I think we can," Steve murmured into Ghost's soft hair.

Ghost sighed. "That's all I want, Steve."

"Me too, Ghost," Steve said.

They kissed again, then went to share the bed that Ghost tried to always have smelling of roses.

~
The next morning they went about their usual activities, killing time until the rehearsal. Finally, Steve gathered his guitar and music lists, and for once didn't have to urge Ghost to hurry.

But, on the way to the club, Ghost's mood shifted a bit. He began singing the Phil Collins song *"In the Air Tonight", out of nowhere.

Steve glanced over at him. "Why that song?"

Ghost shrugged. "I can feel it coming...in the air...tonight...oh, Lord..." he sang, and continued the song.

Steve figured he'd find out soon enough. After a few minutes, Ghost said, "It's true...I can feel something coming. Something strange is in the air."

"Yeah...what? It isn't night yet," Steve said.

"Well, it will be...night, I mean...and I don't know if it will be this night or the next, but it's giving me chills...look..." he held out his arm, to show Steve. Then he rubbed his hands over his arms to warm them.

"Dude, just put your jacket on," Steve said, trying to laugh it off.

"It's not that kind of cold, Steve. Just watch...something is about to happen. Remember I told you, ok?"

"Ok, guess we'll see..." Steve said, but he was a bit creeped out, now.

They were at the Yew, now, so got their gear and went inside. Terry was already there, setting up his drums. R. J. had just walked in the back door, with his bass. Kinsey greeted them all.

"Man, it's good to see everyone getting together again. It's gonna be a packed house tomorrow night. I even got calls asking if they need reservations. Never had that happen before." He was excited.

"That's great, Kinsey," Steve said. We're stoked to be playing again, too. He got up on the stage, unpacking his guitar. "Hey, Terry, R.J., y'all got the set list, right...the order and all?"

Terry nodded. "Yep, we're all set, Steve."

"Good...we're going on after Zach and y'all are done, but we can start the rehearsal, since Zach isn't here yet," Steve said. He looked around, to find Ghost, and could barely see the top of Ghost's head, over the edge of the stage. He was sitting on the floor, writing on the wall.

"Hey, Ghost, ya ready? Come on..."

"Yeah, I'm coming," Ghost said, finishing his last entry.

They began the songs, as everyone fine-tuned their parts. About half way through, Zach and Trevor arrived.

"There y'all are," Kinsey said. "Haven't seen ya around the last few days. How's it going?"

"Aw, Kinsey, we just stayed home and relaxed awhile...or something...and..." Zach said.

"Never mind, Zach...I get the picture," Kinsey said, and laughed. "The guys are about done with their rehearsing. You're up next."

"I'm ready," Zach said. "Terry gave me the line-up of what we're playing, and he's even letting me sing a couple of my original songs. So yeah, we're ready for the show."

Trevor had gone over to the stage to watch Lost Souls. He still was in awe of them. Steve was so intense, and Ghost was flighty, at best, but when they performed, it came together like nothing else. Zach joined him, watching as they finished up.

"Great job, guys," Steve said, "I think we're ready for tomorrow."

Terry and R. J. took a break before their turn with Zach. Zach was geared up, and full of energy. He loved being a singer in a band. One of his lifelong dreams was fulfilled, here in this little backwoods town. A few years ago, he'd never have thought it possible.

Ghost and Zach exchanged secret looks, confident their plans had worked out. Then Zach was on...singing for all he was worth.

"He needs to save some of that for tomorrow," Steve said, shaking his head, but laughing at the same time.

Ghost felt like dancing around, and pulled Steve to the dance floor, in front of the stage. Steve was no dancer, but he tried, to please Ghost. Kinsey stood to the side, laughing at the sight. He remembered how much he loved his friends, his job, and his town.

~

*In the Air Tonight", written & sung by Phil Collins, on the album, "Face Value", released January 5, 1981, on the Virgin label.

Next part coming soon!




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