Chapter 37
Lanston
Boston is dreary,much like Seattle or a cold October day in Montana.
I look to the sky, thinking of Paris and Ireland, the train we took across the States, the memories made. Ophelia is wrapped safely in my arms, sleeping, dreaming. We no longer need to run from the whispering dark. It feels nice to take our time, even if the end is near.
The park is full of people.
We decided to wait here beneath a tree. Another world apart from theirs. There is no other story I’d want for myself.
I love her. More than I ever thought possible of a heart, I love her.
Ophelia’s lashes are long and caress her delicate features as she stirs awake. She looks up at me and smiles, lifting her hand to my cheek; I lean into it.
“Have they come?”
“Not yet,” I say.
She sits up slowly, our bodies close, comforting and warm.
We chat quietly for hours to come, without a care in the world, without time to drag at us. Then Ophelia straightens, startling me.
“What is it?” I ask, giving her a quizzical look.
Her lips are parted just enough to catch my eyes.
“I feel it. In the air, in my own heart.”
“Feel what?” I laugh at her, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
Ophelia stares ahead, unshaken, and says, “Your heart.”
My eyes widen and I look out across the park. Two familiar souls cross the grass, one small soul between them.
My cure.
I stand as if in a trance, desperate to run to them and tell them my stories. How happy I am. That I have found peace. I want to tell them about Ophelia and have them meet her and love her as much as I do. My hand rises, reaching for them and the visions I had for all of us.
But I know none of that can happen. And oddly enough, I’m no longer bothered by it. A strange feeling flutters through me as if carried on the wings of moths and butterflies. Peace.
My hand lowers and I remain standing by the tree, beside my love. Ophelia rises next to me, observing my expression carefully.
“Will you go to them?” she says softly.
A trembling smile spreads across my face, but my voice is smooth.
“No. I will not.”
“Why?”
I watch the three of them happily living their lives. Part of my soul will always be with them, but it’s time to say goodbye.
For good this time.
“Because we’ve all found our acceptance. We’ll meet again someday. And besides”—I shoot her a daring look—“I’ve got a train to catch with the most beautiful ghost I know.”
Ophelia smiles sadly at me, with eyes that are my home. “You’re sure? We came all this way.”
I take one last look at them, older now but as much the two best friends I’ve ever known. I no longer feel the need to linger.
“I’m sure.”