TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 294

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 294
warning...adult content



~
Ghost and Steve had walked quite a ways down the beach. They were in no hurry, just talking, and letting the waves lap at their feet.

"Remember the time we drove the car into the ocean?" Ghost asked.

Steve frowned. "Um, no...why would we do that? It would ruin my car."

Ghost stopped walking to gaze out at the ocean, now turning dark. "We did it in a dream, and it turned out to be the sky instead. The glowing fish were the stars, and everything was upside down." He nodded, as if this were a fact.

"Oh, one of your cool stories?" Steve asked, not really remembering.

Looking at Steve, now, Ghost's heart ached. "You never believe me, Steve," he said. I tell you my dreams every time." He paused a few seconds, then shrugged. "It's ok. You don't have to care."

Steve didn't know what Ghost was getting at, what he was trying to say. "I like hearing your dreams, but that's all they are...fun stories," he said, knowing that sounded lame.

"Whatever..." Ghost said, and continued walking in the sand.

Steve hadn't moved, and just watched, as Ghost kept walking farther away from him. Something was really bothering him, and he knew for sure, when he saw Ghost's shoulders shaking, and saw him reach up to swipe at his face.

He ran to catch up with Ghost. Clutching Ghost's wrist, he jerked him around to face him. Ghost didn't resist, nor did he look up at him. He just stood there, swaying slightly, letting the tears fall to the sand below. Steve's heart lurched, to see Ghost in such distress, so pulled him into an embrace.

"Come here, Babe, what is it? Why are you so sad?" He kissed the top of Ghost's head, smelling the fresh sea breezes infused strands of hair. He could feel Ghost's heart beating so fast, feel him breaking down, losing strength. Easing them both down, sitting side by side in the cooling sand, Steve tried again.

"Tell me what's the matter...please. Did I say something to upset you, make you mad? I'm sorry if I did."

Ghost shook his head, and sighed. "No, I'm just tired...so  tired, Steve."

"I know, and we're going home, as soon as we get back to..."

"No, that's not it," Ghost said. "My insides are tired."

"Your insides? Are you sick, do you hurt somewhere?" Steve asked, as he felt Ghost's forehead, to see if he had a fever.

Shaking his head, Ghost said, "No...myself, my whole being. I don't know what it's about, but I feel it."

Steve's mind was racing, trying to come up with a word, or anything to unlock what Ghost was talking about. Then, latching onto a word that flitted through his mind, he asked, "Your...soul?"

Ghost looked into Steve's eyes. "That's it," he whispered.

"What...what do you mean?" Steve asked.

Ghost lay his head on Steve's shoulder, and took his hand in his. "My...soul...is tired. It's ready to go...back. I've felt it being called back for awhile now, but I don't...didn't want to listen to it. Now I can't stop it, anymore. Steve, I'm scared...so scared." He began sobbing again.

Steve's heart was skipping beats; he thought he might pass out. No...no...I can't...not now... But, his eyes and ears started acting weird, and a buzzing was coming from somewhere far away. He blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision of sparkly dots.

Ghost squeezed Steve's hand, hard, bringing him back from a near faint. "Steve? Can you hear me?" he asked, right up in Steve's ear. "Steve?"

Steve nodded, but slowly, as it was making him dizzy. His nightmare was almost coming true. His fear of Ghost willing himself into another state of being, of actually becoming a ghost, had plagued him all these years he'd known Ghost.

"Don't say that," Steve managed to say. "Don't ever say that."

"But, it won't stop. I can't make it stop. It's the way it's supposed to be, the way it's been every time, before, the way it will always be. It will happen again and again." Ghost said. He pushed back Steve's hair from his forehead, feeling how cold, and clammy he felt, yet he was drenched in sweat.

"We'll find each other again...you know we will, but this time is over. I have no control over it, anymore...and I'm so tired of trying to make it not happen." Ghost hitched a sobbing breath.

Steve took hold of Ghost's shoulders ... God, he's so thin... gripping hard. "Don't let yourself give in, Ghost. You are strong. Fight for your life, fight with all you have. Don't just give in to it, the feelings you're having. You're just sinking into depression, that's all. You've been there before, where everything seems hopeless, and you know it doesn't last long. You know this. There is help...your therapist, medicines...do all you can for yourself, and let me help you. Please, please don't give up on life, on yourself...on us...Don't leave me alone...Don't leave me alone...DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE... I'm begging you, please, please, God, do something. You can't have him, yet No way...NO WAY... Steve was shouting in his head.

Ghost heard it all. All of Steve's thoughts, and he knew Steve was frantic, could snap at any second. He wanted to calm him down, but how? Now that he'd started the whole thing...how? A quick thought formed in his head...Wow, I'm feeling energized, again. This rant of Steve's is making me feel alive, again. Why? Why, when Steve's angry with me, does it get me going, get me turned on?... He grinned, in spite of himself. He didn't even realize that he was doing that, but Steve saw it...and he snapped.

"What the hell, Ghost? You think it's funny, now? Is this some sort of test of my loyalty to you...of my love for you?" He stood up, looking down at Ghost, now. "That's the shittiest thing you've ever done, and you've done plenty. I can start naming them...is that what you want? Huh?"

~
Next part coming soon!


Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 293

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 293
warning...adult content




~
Ghost and Melody turned, walking back to the others. Stevie and Mandy were back to digging in the sand, after splashing around in the waves. Linda and Steve were sitting on the blanket, drinking sodas, while they talked, and kept an eye on the kids.

Back now, Melody fished out a couple of sodas for her and Ghost. She began emptying her pockets of the shells.

"What did you find?" Linda asked.

"Shells, see," Melody said, laying them out on the blanket.

"Oh, those are nice ones," Linda said, and she picked some up to look closer. They began talking about the crafts they could make with them.

Ghost stretched out on the blanket, putting his head in Steve's lap, and closing his eyes. Steve smoothed the blond strands around Ghost's face, knowing he and Melody had had some sort of weird connection out there. He told himself he wasn't jealous. There was no need to be. Ghost and Melody were meant to find each other, if not now, then at another time, and they needed time to get to know each other, to find their connection as brother and sister. He knew this was how it should be.

He remembered all the worries Ghost had had when Linda came back into his own life. He'd been so afraid that things would change between them, that it would be different...and it had been, and still was changing. It was mostly for good...no, definitely for good, and it hadn't changed how he and Ghost felt about each other. They were still strong, still in love.

So, why was he feeling like he'd lost his best friend? Not his lover, as that would never change, but the closeness, the fun, and having their own secrets that only they could talk about. Now, he had to share Ghost. That's what it was. He didn't want to share. He felt left out, when Ghost and Melody were laughing together. It was unsettling to have Ghost's attention drawn away from himself. Steve shook his head, trying to clear away these kinds of thoughts.

Ghost wasn't his possession. He didn't dictate what Ghost could or couldn't do. He didn't own him. But I want to. I have to. Ghost is mine, always, only mine. No one else can have him, love him, be friends with him... "Where the hell are these thoughts coming from," Steve asked himself.

"This is out of control," he muttered, running his hands over his face. He was jolted out of his wayward thoughts, when Ghost opened his eyes, staring straight up at him, and said,

"You don't have to worry. Everything will be all right."

Steve knew Ghost had heard every word, every jealous thought. Sucking in his breath, he said, "I'm sorry...I can't help it."

Ghost pulled Steve's face down to his, and kissed him. Then he whispered, "I love you...nothing will ever change that."

Steve nodded, too overcome with love and relief to say anything.

~
They all continued relaxing and playing with the kids, as the sunny afternoon turned to early evening. Behind them, the setting sun turned the sky into shades of pink streaks, as they looked east, toward the ocean. Ghost stood, holding out his hand to Steve. "Let's go walk by the waves," he said.

As they left, hand in hand, Linda was beginning to gather up their belongings. "I'm about ready to head home. How 'bout you?" she asked.

"Me, too. It's been so nice out here," Melody said. "Maybe next time we can have a campfire, and bring the tents."

Linda laughed. "You really like to camp out, don't you?"

Melody laughed. "Yeah, and I never even knew it. Not until I met y'all."

Shaking her head, Linda said, "I've never done much myself. I'm not so sure I'm a fan of camping out. It was ok when we were on our trip home, and this today is nice, but I'm all sunburned, and sticky with sand...like everywhere, if you know what I mean. I need a shower."

"That does sound good," Melody said. "I need my jammies on, and a cold drink, and I want to watch TV awhile...you know, just chill out." They high-fived, and burst out laughing.

Linda looked over at the kids. "Ok, you two, did you find all your toys? We'll be leaving soon." She could see that they were tired, and knew they'd probably fall asleep on the drive home.

Melody was scanning the beach. It was now twilight, and hard to make out anything in the ever darkening day. "Where did Steve and Ghost go? I don't see them."

Linda looked up and down the area. The sand was still light enough to see if there was anybody out there. The beach was quiet and empty...no sign of them. "Hmm, I don't know," She said.

"I'll go out a ways, then," Melody said. "I'll see if I can find them." She began walking toward the shoreline, looking in both directions.

Linda finished packing up, then tried to keep Stevie and Mandy occupied, while they waited.  "Is Melody gonna get lost, too?" Stevie asked.

"No, of course not," Linda said, but thought to herself, 'I hope not'.

~
Next part coming soon!


Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 292

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 292
warning...adult content




~
Linda was really confused, now. "There was a deer?" she asked Ghost.

"Uh-huh...we almost hit it, driving back home from Raleigh. And, Steve was acting weird all day. I could sense something was going to happen, and it did," Ghost said. "I told him, but he don't listen to me, much." He watched the passing scenery, as it changed from woods, to more open spaces. "We're almost there. It's a nice beach we're going to." He was finished talking about the omen for now, but he could hear Linda going over it, in her head.

He looked over at her. "You don't have to worry...it's not like a disaster omen, this time. It's just a revolution one."

"A revolution?" Linda asked.

"Yeah, where something gets resolved, or revolved, or something like that," Ghost said.

Linda repeated those words out loud. "Oh, you mean a resolution," she said.

"Yeah, that's it," Ghost said.

"Ok, when is it going to be resolved, and what is it about?"

Ghost shrugged. "Whenever it happens, and we won't know until after, but we already had signs for it."

Linda wasn't sure she understood, even now. "Well, that cleared that up...sort of." She smiled, and Ghost nodded, and smiled back. She saw Steve up ahead in the T-bird, make a turn off the highway. In a few more minutes, she caught her breath at the sight.

There it was, the Atlantic Ocean. This brought back a memory from her childhood, she'd forgotten. She had been here before, with her whole family, back when everything was good.

They found a parking area, not far from the beach, and they all got out. Stevie and Mandy were used to being at a sandy beach, having lived very near the Pacific Ocean all their lives, so they were tugging at Linda and Ghost to go play in the sand. They had their sand buckets and shovels all ready to go, and knew just what they wanted to do.

Melody was transfixed, staring out at the vast expanse of water. The sea breeze ruffled her hair, as she took in breaths of the salty air. "This sure is different from the Gulf," she said. "I thought that was huge, but this...wow...I can't believe I'm here."

Ghost was enjoying watching his sister's reactions, while Steve stood beside Linda, elbowing her side. "Remember this?" he asked.

"Yeah, it's all coming back to me," Linda said.

"Let's go, let's go..." Stevie hollered, and Ghost followed them down to the sandy shore. Steve, Linda, and Melody unloaded the cooler, and grabbed a couple of blankets from the trunk of Steve's car. Melody took her purse, and Ghost's backpack, too, as they made their way closer to the water.

The beach wasn't crowded, as only a few groups were scattered around, so they had lots of room to set up their spot. Linda and Steve spread out the blanket, and set the cooler on it. They watched the kids, who were already digging holes. Melody had taken her shoes off, and was walking along the wave line, picking up shells she found.

"You going in?" Steve asked Linda.

"Oh, I'll stick my feet in. I didn't wear a bathing suit this time."

"Ok, how about I take the kids in the water? I'll hang onto them, if they want to wade," he said.

"Sure, let's both go," Linda said. "Who wants to get their feet wet?" she asked the kids.

"Me, me," Mandy and Stevie yelled.

Steve laughed. "Well, come on, I'll race ya." He began running toward the water, with the kids running as fast as they could behind him.

Ghost followed, walking more toward Melody, who'd gone farther down the way. When he caught up with her, she showed him the shells. "These are so pretty. I'm going to try and make something with them, when we get home," she said.

Ghost kneeled, picking up another one, feeling the smooth surface. He closed his eyes, as he rubbed his fingers over and around the spiral shape. Melody could see his lips moving, saying some silent words to himself. She tried to sense what he was thinking, and feeling.

The swishing sound of the waves were soothing, hypnotizing. With her own eyes closed, she reached out for Ghost's hand, the shell trapped between their palms. She tried to make her mind a blank slate, for any impressions to appear. Soon, she heard Ghost's voice, from inside her own head; it was such a strange feeling. Realizing he was chanting...a soft prayer-like poem, of repeating words.

"You are beautiful, you have traveled from faraway places. We thank you for revealing your secrets of the sea to us." As the words repeated, she began to imagine another beach, different from the one she was standing on. A tiny shell began to form over a tiny creature, now growing larger, making a spiral. As it did so, the little creature was carried by the currents in the ocean, finally coming to the end of it's cycle. It washed ashore here, many, many miles from it's beginning...to be found by Ghost.

Melody knew in her heart that it was meant to be exactly this way. Her brother would be the only one to revere and praise the tiny creature's life journey. She felt her own salty tears fall down her cheeks. She wiped them away, as she looked into Ghost's eyes, and knew she'd experienced something profound. They smiled.

"That was beautiful," Melody said. Ghost nodded, still too emotional to speak. He felt the same kind of connection with his sister, as with the shell...it was meant to be...they both had to be found. The beautiful shell would join his blue bird feather, and his Jesus Rock, to be kept forever.

~
Next part coming soon!


Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 291

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 291
warning...adult content




~
Steve slammed down the hood of his T-bird. "You want to cancel this whole going to the ocean thing? We can, ya know...right now." He gave Ghost a look.

Ghost slowly walked to the car and got in. "No, I don't want to cancel it, but I need you to be careful driving, Steve. The omen..."

Steve sighed. "Ok, I'll be careful," he said, putting the car into gear. He spun gravel though, as he sped off down the driveway and onto the dirt road toward the highway.

"Steve!" Ghost yelled.

"Put your seat belt on...we're gonna go fast." Steve said, then laughed, as he saw Ghost clenching the arm rest tight, preparing for a crash.

"Whoo-whee," Steve hollered, getting the feel of the T-bird, again. "This here is driving. Sure beats that old U-Haul, any day."

The wind from the open windows, was blowing their hair back. By the time they got to the Yew, Ghost felt like he'd been holding his breath the whole way. When Steve pulled to a stop, in back of the club, he took a deep breath.

"What a ride," Steve said.

"I'm riding with Linda, next," Ghost said. He got out of the car, his legs shaking.

"What...you scared? You don't like my driving?"

Ghost shot him the finger, as he went inside the back door of the club. Steve kept laughing.

Down the hallway, they found Kinsey at his desk, going over invoices. "Hey, guys," he said, looking up as they came into his office. "What's up?"

Ghost had plopped down on the old couch. "We're going to see the ocean. Linda and Melody and the kids are going, too. You can come, Kinsey, only I'm not riding with Steve. He scares me."

"How's that?" Kinsey asked.

Steve shook his head. "Aw, he thinks I drive too fast, that's all."

Kinsey raised an eyebrow at Steve. "I'm not going to say it, but I'm thinking it."

Steve shrugged. "I know, and I'll be careful."

"Where's Linda and Melody?" Ghost asked.

"I guess upstairs," Kinsey said. "Go on up."

Ghost brushed past Steve, as he went out of the office to go see Linda. He didn't say anything.

"Guess he's upset with me," Steve said. He sat down on the couch, and stared at Kinsey, who'd gone back to his paperwork. "Did your phone quit working?"

"Huh?" Kinsey asked, looking up. "My phone?"

"Yeah, when we had the eclipse earlier. Ours quit, and we couldn't even get it to turn back on." He pulled out his phone to check again. "Hmm...it's working fine, now."

"What on Earth are you going on about? What eclipse?"

"You didn't see it? It was about...oh, a couple of hours ago, it got totally dark out, and lasted a few minutes," Steve said.

Kinsey looked confused. "Steve, there wasn't an eclipse, at least not over here."

"Well, that's weird, 'cause we sure had one. Ask Ghost, he'll tell ya." He looked toward the door, as they heard the kids clomping down the stairs, on the way to the office. The girls and Ghost were right behind them.

"Kinsey, Kinsey, we're going to the beach," Stevie hollered, as he burst into the office.

"Hey, kiddo, I heard. That'll be fun." Kinsey said. He smiled at the kid's excitement.

"We'll be gone all afternoon, I think, so you'll have some peace and quiet around here," Linda said.

"I don't mind the noise. Y'all just have a good time," Kinsey said.

"We will. Come on kids, let's get in the car." She ushered the kids out.

"Later, Kinsey..." Steve said, as he left, too.

Ghost and Melody were already on their way out to the parking lot. They had already discussed the riding arrangements. Ghost got in the van with Linda and the kids, while Melody stood by the T-bird.

"Guess I'm with you, Steve. I never rode in a T-bird before," Melody said.

"Well, get in. I hope Ghost didn't scare you off of my driving."

She shrugged. "He just said you were crazy, and I should buckle up." She laughed.

"Yeah? Well, I'll be careful, don't worry." Steve turned to Linda. "You can follow me out there."

"Will do, brother. Let's do this."

It was only a thirty minute drive to the coast. Linda had packed a cooler with snacks for everyone. The kids had dug out some toys to play in the sand with, and were now talking about what they should do first. Linda concentrated on her driving, trying to keep up with Steve. She did notice that Ghost was quiet.

"You ok over there? You haven't said two words since we left."

"I'm ok," he said, but his sigh said otherwise.

"Don't you like going to the beach?" Linda asked.

"Oh, I love the beach. We go a lot," he said, "but, not today. At first it sounded like fun, but after I heard what Kinsey said, I'm, well...I don't know...not scared, but worried? Kinda like that."

"Worried about what?"

"About today, when it was night."

Linda was confused. "You mean last night?"

Ghost shook his head. "No...it was after breakfast. It got dark like night, for a little while...the eclipse. Did you see it?"

"I didn't notice that it got dark," Linda said. "We were busy inside, getting things ready, so maybe I forgot to look outside."

"See...Kinsey said it didn't happen at all, but me and Steve saw it. Terry didn't 'cause he was asleep, but it did happen. I told Steve it might be part of his omen."

"His what...omen?" Linda asked, frowning. What are you talking about?"

"Steve's omen He got it on the way back from Raleigh. Melody didn't say anything to you?"

"No, what's it about...this omen?"

Ghost shrugged. "I don't know, but the deer and the eclipse were part of it."

~
Next part coming soon!


Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 290

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 290
warning...adult content




~
As Steve and Ghost came into the house again, Steve asked, "Hey, did Terry leave?" He looked around the living room.

Ghost gave him a look. "Man, you must be weirded out. Terry's truck is right out there in the driveway. He didn't go home yet."

"Oh, oh yeah, well, where is he then? I swear, Ghost, you creep me out sometimes. No wonder I get rattled."

Shrugging, Ghost went down the hall to check the bedrooms. "Here he is, in your room," he yelled back to Steve. "He's asleep. You want me to wake him up?"

"No, just leave him there. I'm fixing us a sandwich, then we'll go pick up the girls," Steve said. "You want mayo or mustard?" he hollered.

"Mustard," Ghost yelled back.

"What the hell are y'all yelling about?" Terry asked, as he came into the kitchen.

"Sandwiches...you want one?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, sure...mayo."

"Your hangover better?" Steve asked.

Terry frowned, "Hmmph, not much, but guess I'll live."

"Well, here, have some of this hot coffee and your lunch. Eating might help," Steve said, as he handed Terry his sandwich on a paper plate. He continued making the other sandwiches.  "You want to go to the coast with us, today?"

"Why? I've seen it before," Terry said.

"Well, we have too, but Linda, and Melody, and the kids haven't. They want to go."

"Oh, well...naw, I'm going back home. Y'all have fun."

"Ghost," Steve yelled. "Come and get it."

Terry gritted his teeth. "Damn you're loud."

Ghost came into the kitchen, holding the phone. "It still don't work," he said. "I was talking to Linda, when it quit."

"You sure it's charged up?" Steve asked. "Let me see it."

Ghost traded the phone for his lunch, while Steve fiddled with the phone.

"Yeah, nothing but a blank screen. Who knows, maybe that sun thing messed it up."

"What sun thing?" Terry asked.

"The sun did an eclipse just a few minutes ago," Ghost said, then choked on his food.

"Dammit, Ghost, settle down...you ok?" Steve asked.

Ghost nodded, his eyes watering.

"Where's my phone...let me check it," Terry said. He found it in the living room. "Hey, it's not working, either."

"It was the sun thing," Ghost said.

Steve shook his head and sighed. "You ready to go?"

"No, I'm eating, duh..."

"Well, hurry up. Let's get going before I get in a bad mood," Steve said. "I'm gonna check out the car. It hasn't even been turned on in weeks."

Ghost looked at Terry, and snickered. Terry got the inference, and laughed.

"Guess I better get my stuff and get out there," Ghost said. He took one more huge swallow of his coffee, dribbling some down his shirt, then headed to his bedroom for his backpack and camera.

Terry joined Steve out by the T-bird. "How's she lookin'?" he asked.

Steve had the hood up, and was bent over, looking at the engine. "Ok, I think. Let me start it, and I'll check the oil." Slipping inside the familiar seat, he turned the key, then revved the engine a couple of times, before getting out to wait for it to warm up.

Ghost came running out. "Hey...oh, I thought you'd ran off and left me here."

"Not yet," Steve said. "You got your shit?"

"Yeah, right here."

"Well, guys, I'm outta here," Terry said, opening his truck's door. "See y'all when ya get back, I guess."

"We'll stop back in, later," Steve said.

Terry pulled out of the driveway, leaving a trail of exhaust smoke in his wake. Steve watched him, as he went down the dirt road toward the highway. "Needs an oil change on that clunker," he said.

Ghost was sitting on the porch steps, waiting. He was eager to go, but for some reason there was a nagging sound he kept hearing in his head...no words, just a light buzzing. He tried yawning, to clear his ears, then turning his head different ways.

"What the hell are you doing over there?" Steve asked.

"Nothing...just trying to make it stop."

"I'm not even gonna ask," Steve said, but sure enough, Ghost told him anyway.

"It's a warning buzzer," Ghost said. "You know...in here." He pointed to his head. "You want to know what it's about?"

Steve pretended not to hear.

"Hey, you wanna know?" Ghost said, louder.

"No..."

"It's about your omen, Steve. Maybe you should know about it."

"I don't want to know," Steve said. "If something's gonna happen, then bring it on. I'll deal with it then. Now, get in the car, and let's go."

~
Next part coming soon!



Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 289

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 289
warning...adult content




~
As Steve put away the rest of the groceries, he noticed Ghost had not followed him. Standing in the doorway, looking at him, he shook his head. He'd never even tried to get up. Then, there was Terry, snoring, still on the couch. With the last item put away, he turned out the light in the kitchen. He had to search through the mess on the coffee table to find the TV remote, then clicked it off.

"Well, they can just stay out here, if they want to. I'm going to bed," Steve said to himself. He went into Ghost's room, and seeing Spirit asleep in the middle of the bed, he said, "Scoot over, cat, I'm sleeping in the big bed, tonight."

It seemed he'd just fallen asleep, when Ghost was waking him up. "Wake up...I brung ya some coffee."

He could smell the rich aroma, but why was there coffee in the middle of the night? Opening his eyes, he was surprised to see bright sunshine filtering through the curtains. "It's morning already?"

"No, it's still night time, and you're dreaming all this," Ghost said, then laughed. "Drink your coffee and wake up. I'll be outside."

Steve took the mug, and drank, letting the warmth bring him to full consciousness. It was a weird feeling not knowing how the night had passed so fast. How could it be morning, when he'd only been asleep for five minutes? It was giving him a headache, trying to figure it out. Swallowing the last of his coffee, he went in search for more. He made a face, seeing what was left from the previous night's libations scattered around the room.

"Oh, morning..." Steve said, as he came into the kitchen. Terry was pouring himself another cup. "You just wake up, too?"

"Um-hmm. You got any Tylenol?" Terry asked.

"In the bathroom cabinet; help yourself."

Terry headed down the hallway, as Steve took his fresh cup of coffee out to the front porch. He sat down on the swing, and watched, as Ghost did his morning ritual, out in the grassy area of the yard. He always liked the way Ghost greeted the mornings. He was fluid in his movements, and in his natural element. He never seemed awkward or clumsy, like he was most of the time. It was just the opposite from himself. Whenever Ghost made him do the greeting, he was the one who stumbled, and felt silly. He was smiling, as Ghost came back up the porch steps.

"Everything good?" Steve asked him.

"Yeah...but, I need to go to the ocean today."

"Huh...why?"

"Because, I want to, and Melody said she wants to. She never seen an ocean before, so I told her you'd take us." Ghost smiled.

Steve squinted up at him. "Well, thanks for letting me in on the plan. Kind of last minute, isn't it?"

"What's that?" Ghost asked.

"Oh, just you waited until now to tell me, instead of telling me earlier, when you and Melody were deciding you wanted to go," Steve said, almost confusing himself.

"So, can we go?" Ghost asked, still not knowing what Steve meant.

Steve took a minute to think. Frowning and closing his eyes, he went over the excuses he could use to get out of going. Then, blowing out a big sigh, he said, "I guess so...when...after lunch?" Ghost nodded.

"Ok, you call her, and say we'll come pick her up in a little while."

"Thanks," Ghost said, then went inside to find the phone.

Steve gently swayed back and forth on the swing, sipping his coffee. The clearing in the front yard was a bit shimmery in the mid-morning heat, and he could hear Ghost talking on the phone, to Melody.  Closing his eyes, he just sat there listening to the hushed noises. He loved living out here where it was quiet. ...maybe that could be worked into a song, somehow... he thought, as his mind drifted.

A cloud passed over the sun, blocking the light for a minute, and he felt a sudden chill in the air. He looked across the yard, seeing it was shadowed now, but somehow not really a shadow from a cloud...a darkening of the air, and his eyes were feeling funny. ...am I going blind?... Blinking, to clear his eyes, didn't help, and he began to feel panicky, as it continued to get darker.

"What the hell?" he asked. "Ghost...come here...look at this. What's going on?"

Slamming open the screen door, Ghost came out in a hurry. "Steve...the phone quit working. What's going on? It's dark, and it's not night." He ran out into the yard, looking up at the sky.

"Get back up here," Steve yelled.

"Is it the mist? What the hell is it?" Ghost asked, again. He came back up on the porch. The lamp inside the house was on, casting it's light out onto the porch, now. They were transfixed by the eeriness of day turning into night.

"Oh, man, it must be an eclipse...a total one," Steve said, as the darkness began to brighten a bit.

"Cool, I never seen one, before," Ghost said. "I thought it was your omen or something." He wasn't feeling scared, now.

"Aw, shit...why'd ya have to bring that up?" Steve asked. "Now, I'm nervous all over again."

Ghost shrugged. "Well, it wasn't, I don't think, but you never know. It could be a sign...of something." By now it was full daylight, again. "Do you feel strange? I do, like somebody walked over my grave."

Steve looked hard, at Ghost. "Don't...just don't."

"Don't what?"

"Talk about your grave; that's morbid."

Ghost laughed. "No, it's not. Don't you ever wonder what yours will look like?"

"No...never, and I don't want to even be talking about it," Steve said, and shuddered.

"We go to graves all the time," Ghost said. "There's a bunch of 'em in our back yard. They're not scary."

"Yeah, because they're not ours," Steve said.

"Ok, ok, but you know we'll have one, right?" Ghost asked. "Maybe, I hope, beside each other someday." He kept on about graves.

"Stop it, I mean it," Steve said. "I'm going in. It feels too weird out here in the open." He opened the screen door, and Ghost followed him inside.

~
Next part coming soon!


Peace, Love, & Writing

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE ... # 288

TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
# 288
warning...adult content




~
Steve and Melody continued to talk, as Steve kept driving down the highway toward Missing Mile. Ghost was still asleep in the back seat of the van. Then, as they came to the city limits, Steve asked, "Do you want to come back to our house for the night, or go back to the Yew?"

Melody yawned. "Oh, I think I'll go back to the Yew. Linda may want some help with the kids, so you can drop me off there."

Nodding, Steve drove a few more blocks, then pulled up behind the Yew. He helped her carry in the things she'd bought at the grocery store, said a quick hello to Kinsey and Linda, then he and Ghost were finally on the way home.

"We home yet?" Ghost asked, not bothering to open his eyes.

"Will be in a few minutes. Get yourself awake, dude, we have to carry in all this shit we bought. I ain't doing it all by myself."

Turning into the rutted, dirt road that led to their house, Steve sighed. He was ready to get out and relax awhile. Ghost sat up straighter, as they pulled into the gravel driveway.

"Hey, Terry's here," Steve said, seeing Terry's old pickup parked in front of the house.

"Cool, he can help carry stuff in," Ghost said.

Going inside the house, they found Terry sprawled out on the old couch, watching a movie, and smoking a joint...one of many, from the looks of it. He looked up, his eyes bleary.

"Hey, dudes, y'all back?" he asked, drawling out the words.

Ghost plopped down on the couch, squishing in next to Terry, and took a hit. He offered it to Steve.

"Later...we have to unload the van," Steve said.

"Hey, ya got any munchies out there, 'cause there sure aren't any in here," Terry said.

"Yep, but if you want any, you have to help carry 'em in," Steve said. He went back outside to get the first load of grocery bags.

Terry looked at Ghost, and they both burst out laughing. "I think he means it," Terry said.

Ghost nodded, then got up to go help. Terry tried to, but didn't actually make it up off the couch. He went back to watching the movie. Steve and Ghost made several trips in and out of the house, until all the groceries were brought in, and piled up on the kitchen table. The counter tops were full of bags, too. They took a minute to just look at it all.

Both of them started to say something at the same time...

"I'm not gonna..." Ghost said, while Steve was saying, "I don't want to..."

Shoulders sagging, Ghost did find the milk, cheese, and eggs, to put in the refrigerator. Steve grabbed the meat he'd bought, and put it in the freezer. Then, blowing a strand of hair from his eyes, Ghost went back to the living room. Steve took a package of mini-doughnuts out, for them all to snack on.

"Here, Terry, pass them around," Steve said, then lit up his own smoke. Ghost had sat on the floor, and took hits when Steve passed it to him. The afternoon stretched on like this, the earlier fright with the deer and the omen forgotten for the time being.

They were enjoying themselves, laughing and making comments about the movie, quoting lines. They'd all seen this one many times. Steve had brought in beers for Terry and himself, and gave Ghost his bottle of Scuppernong. As the movie was almost over, they heard a car pulling up in the driveway, crunching over the gravel. Steve got up to look out the screen door.

"It's Linda and Kinsey," he said. Opening the door for them, he stood aside, as they walked in. "Welcome, welcome to this humble abode," he said, then started laughing. He draped his arm over Linda's shoulder, breathing into her face, as he said, "Hi, sister." She shrugged out of his hold.

"You stink," Linda said, making a face. "We came to get the van; where are the keys?"

Steve had sat back down on the couch. "They're in the van. Where else would they be?"

"Oh, ok," Linda said. She still wasn't used to people not locking things up around here.

Kinsey had gotten a beer, and was leaning on the kitchen doorframe, watching the others. Terry was too stoned to move, staring into space, and Ghost had already passed out on the floor. He somehow was still holding the wine bottle upright.

Shaking his head, Kinsey was thinking that these were his best friends, and what a motley crew they were. Finished with his beer, he moved toward the door. "I'll be going home, now," he said. "Are you staying awhile, Linda?"

"Nope, I'll be right behind you," she said. "Steve, y'all gonna be ok? Do you need me to stay?"

"No, we're fine, go on home," Steve said.

She bent down, giving Steve a hug. "Love ya, brother," she said, then stepping over Ghost, she left with Kinsey.

"You staying over?" Steve asked Terry.

"Um, yeah...don't think I could make it home." He leaned back on the couch and stretched. "We gonna watch another movie?"

"Maybe later," Steve said. "I have to put all that stuff up in there." Reaching out with his foot, he nudged Ghost. "Hey, Ghost, wake up. We have to put all that shit up."

Ghost mumbled something, and almost turned over the wine bottle. Steve managed to grab it, before it spilled.

"C'mon, get up and help me," Steve said, nudging him again.

"Stop kicking me," Ghost slurred.

"Well, get up then." He stood up, stepped over Ghost, and went into the kitchen.

~
Next part coming soon!



Peace, Love, & Writing