Chapter 9 #3
Lucy took her hand away from Remy’s so she could dig in her purse for some tissues to wipe her eyes. “I know you’re in shock now,” Lucy continued. “But I loved Jesse even when he was dead. So before you get any more involved with Avery, I wanted you to understand what you’re getting into.”
“Okay,” Remy said cautiously, still trying to comprehend the day’s events.
“But even so,” Lucy said, her eyes filled with compassion, “Avery’s so lonely. And he cares so much for you. I know he would love to be able to spend time with you.” Lucy glanced toward the Blue and Gray Tour building. “Do you want to go see him?”
Remy shook her head rapidly. “No. N-not now. I’m not ready. I…I just…”
“It’s okay, Remy. You don’t have to explain. I’m just glad it’s all out in the open now. It was so weird being in the middle and not being able to tell you the truth! Here I’ve had you telling me how crazy you were for Avery, and Jesse’s had Avery talking about how much he wanted to be with you.”
“Really?” Remy asked hopefully. In all today’s confusion, it was easy for her to forget the good news that Avery cared for her after all. She dimly recalled him saying a few Irish phrases to her earlier. She hadn’t understood everything he said, but she knew they were all words of affection.
“Oh, yeah. You’re all Avery talks about.”
“That’s so hard to imagine,” Remy said softly. To think that he’s cared about me all this time.
“Believe it, Remy. I know it’s hard to think of him as anything but a ghost right now, but he’s so much more than that. He’s a real man with real feelings. Feelings for you.” Lucy smiled, her eyes lighting up. “Remember that day Jesse introduced him to you?”
“Of course!” Remy responded.
“That was no casual introduction. Not for them anyway. They had it all planned out ahead of time. They even practiced what they were going to say to you.”
“No way!” Remy said incredulously.
“Oh, yeah. Avery was already quite smitten with you.” Lucy winced a little before adding, “He kinda watched you a little like Jesse watched me.”
“Really?” Remy asked.
“Yes, but only in public. I promise. He just watched you give your tours and stuff. I think he was even visible most of the time. You just didn’t notice him.”
“Awww,” Remy said. How could she not have noticed the handsome, broad-shouldered Confederate soldier?
“Avery was a nervous wreck that day he spoke to you at Little Round Top,” Lucy said, chuckling.
“Yes,” Remy said with sudden realization. “He was really nervous. I didn’t understand why. It was because of me?”
“Yes. He wanted so much to make a good impression.”
“He did. Believe me,” Remy said.
“I know. Jesse said he did great. They practiced what to do if you tried to shake his hand.”
“Yes!” Remy said. “He said he was sick and didn’t want to touch me.”
Lucy nodded knowingly. “Yup. But all that Irish stuff he said? That was all Avery. He was so afraid he would sound stupid to you because of his accent. But it turned out you love it.”
“Of course I love it! Every word that comes out of that man’s mouth sounds sexy.”
“I know,” Lucy said, blushing slightly. “I love hearing him talk.”
Remy giggled, and for a brief instant, Avery was no longer a dead guy. He was the sweet, charming Irishman who made her want to swoon when he looked into her eyes.
But he was dead. He was a soldier who died in battle. In 1863.
He was a ghost.
Remy suddenly felt utterly exhausted. She was beyond grateful that she didn’t have to give a tour tonight.
A ghost tour. Good God.
“I’m so tired,” Remy said. “I think I need to go home and get some rest.”
“Okay, sweetie,” Lucy said, looking worried. “I was really upset when I first found out about Jesse. I mean, I don’t think you’re anywhere near as scared as I was, but still. I remember being alone in my apartment being terrified and crying myself to sleep that first night.”
“It’s okay, Lucy. I’m all right. Really.”
“I hope so. But seriously, call me if you need anything or if you have more questions. I don’t care if it’s three a.m.”
“Thanks, Lucy,” Remy said, getting up from the table. She hugged Lucy warmly before heading to her car.
As she walked away, Lucy called after her, and Remy turned around.
“Remy? Your tour with Jesse stops in the Visitor’s Center museum, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Next time you go, take a good look at that big wall with all the black-and-white photos of the soldiers. Lower right side.”
Remy nodded slowly, then got into her car.
When she got home, she microwaved a frozen dinner, then ate it without tasting it. She went to bed early, but lay awake for a long time, her mind reeling. She wasn’t terrified like Lucy said she had been at first, but she wondered if maybe she should be.
Ghosts were real.
Remy had spent her whole life dismissing anything even remotely paranormal. She had humored her ghost tour guests whenever they claimed to see, smell, or touch something strange. Had they really been having ghost encounters?
She also had never believed in God. Now she knew there was an afterlife. A heaven. A God who was merciful enough to let Jesse live again so he could love and cherish Lucy.
Remy’s thoughts were spinning wildly out of control, and she thought she would never be able to rest. Exhaustion finally won out, and she fell into a deep sleep.