Chapter 18 #2
After Remy had stopped crying and while he was still holding her, Jesse said in his best imitation of Avery, “For the love of jaysus, Remy, let Jesse help you. He’s a good man!”
Remy burst out laughing and released Jesse. She smiled warmly at him, and then spoke to Avery as if he’d actually been the one to say it. “You’re right, Avery. He is a good man.”
“So you’ll let me and Lucy set an extra place at supper tonight? Before your ghost tours start?” Jesse asked.
“Yes,” Remy said. “Thank you so much.”
“Are you all right, a chuisle?” Avery said, gazing deeply into her eyes.
“Yes, I’m okay. I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ll be all right.”
Jesse looked at the two of them sorrowfully. Remy knew he understood how badly they wanted—needed—to touch each other.
“When I was dead, I was able to kiss Lucy once,” Jesse said.
“Really?” Remy asked.
Jesse nodded. “Yeah, I was all worked up inside at the time, emotional, you know? Lucy was…well, she was…in a lot of pain…suffering.” He winced, the memory still painful for him.
“It was that time at Devil’s Den,” Remy said quietly.
“Yes. Yes, exactly. And God, I just wanted to make the pain stop. Do something, anything to take her mind off what was happening to her. So I just concentrated real hard and gathered all the strength I had, and then I leaned down and kissed her on her forehead.” Jesse smiled at the memory.
“I would have kissed her lips, but this was before I knew how she felt about me. She said my touch was actually warm.”
“That’s amazin,’” Avery said, looking at him in wonder. He glanced over at Remy, a hopeful look in his eye.
“You sit here and rest a while, Remy,” Jesse said. “Take your time. We ain’t gonna leave without ya.”
Jesse winked at her, then wandered off to give them some privacy.
Avery stared at Remy’s lips, concentrating with all his might. Remy sat perfectly still, hoping against hope that it would work. She would have given anything and everything she had to be able to touch Avery just once. To feel his tender kiss.
When he was ready, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.
It felt like someone had rubbed ice cubes on her mouth. Disappointment flowed through her. He leaned back and looked at her hopefully. She sadly shook her head.
Avery nodded grimly. “I didn’t feel anything either. I’m sorry.”
“It was worth a shot,” Remy said wearily. “Besides, the cold felt good on my skin.”
Avery nodded. “Now why didn’t I think of that sooner?”
With that, he placed his hand on her cheek like he always did.
“Ah,” Remy said with relief. “That does feel good.” She was so overheated by being in the hot sun that his icy touch was a relief.
He smiled, happy to be able to help for once. He touched her forehead and her other cheek.
She let out another sigh of relief. “Ah, that really helps.”
“Lift up your hair,” Avery instructed.
Remy did as he asked, and he placed his hand on the back of her sweaty neck. His touch cooled her immensely.
“Thank you, Avery. I feel so much better.”
She saw Jesse approaching, and she realized she needed to get back to work. How she hated leaving Avery!
“Here, darlin’,’” Jesse said, handing her a granola bar. “Got this from somebody on the bus. Told them you weren’t feelin’ well and needed somethin’ to eat. There’s no rush, okay? Take it easy, and we’ll get goin’ when you’re ready.”
Remy nodded. “Thank you so much, Jesse.”
“Any time, Remy,” Jesse said, and then jogged back up toward the bus to keep the tourists occupied while they waited for her.
Remy bit gratefully into the granola bar.
Within minutes, she felt some of her strength returning.
She realized she had been stupid and stubborn not to ask for help.
She would feel a lot better after having a good meal with Jesse and Lucy tonight, and the food would give her the energy to get through the nighttime tours.
She would gladly help any friend in need, and she realized she needed to stop being so damned hard on herself.
Remy took a few deep breaths. She still felt tired and emotionally drained, but a little more hopeful. She drank the rest of the water in the bottle, and then got to her feet. Avery stood up, too, then looked down at her.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked.
“Yes, much better. I’m okay now.”
“And you’re going to let Jesse and Lucy help you?” Avery asked, still looking worried.
“Yes, I promise.”
“Good, good,” he said, looking relieved.
Remy blew him a kiss and then headed up the hill to the bus.
Yes, she needed to take better care of herself. For her own sake, and for poor Avery’s worried heart.
* * *
Remy stopped by to see Ellis quickly on the way to Jesse’s house for dinner.
She hoped Ellis would understand why she had to cut her visit short tonight.
Remy reminded herself that she really didn’t owe the man any explanations.
She was tired and hungry and needed a break.
If he didn’t understand that, that was his problem.
“Hey,” Remy said as she walked toward him. “I’m sorry, but I really can’t stay long tonight.”
“Why?” he asked her somewhat suspiciously.
Remy let out a sigh. She was in no mood to argue, so she decided she wasn’t going to. She would tell him why she couldn’t stay and offer no excuses or further explanations.
“Because I don’t have any money for food, and I won’t until I get paid in two days. I’m going to Jesse’s house for dinner. I nearly passed out today from hunger, and he and Lucy are going to feed me.”
“I’m sorry things are so rough for ya,” he said, looking like he meant it.
“Thanks,” she said with a smile. Ellis could be sweet when he wanted to be. “I’ll come back tomorrow and we'll sit a while, okay?”
“Yeah. Thank you, Remy. I really do appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
“You’re welcome, Ellis,” Remy said, genuinely touched. His simple statement was an outpouring of emotion coming from him. “See ya soon.”
Remy headed back to her car, and then Ellis called after her. “Remy!”
“Yeah?”
“I’m ready to try now.”
She ran back over to him. “You mean you want to meet with Theresa and Lucy and me? For counseling?”
“Yeah,” Ellis said, a tentative smile playing on his lips.
“Great. That’s great!” Remy said happily. “Where? When?”
He waved her off. “We’ll work it out tomorrow. Go. Eat.”
“Okay. We’ll talk then!” Remy smiled warmly, feeling excited about Ellis’s progress. How wonderful it would be if Ellis could find the peace in crossing over that had evaded him his whole time on earth.
* * *
Remy felt much stronger and more energetic after enjoying a home-cooked meal of pot roast and mashed potatoes, courtesy of Lucy and Jesse.
The only time she ever had a meal like that growing up was if she cooked it herself.
Lucy was a pretty good cook, and it was cute how Jesse, ever the Texas cowboy, poured hot sauce over everything.
The company was wonderful, too. She ate most of her meals alone in her kitchen, looking at the empty chair across from her and daydreaming about what it would be like to have Avery share a meal with her.
Not only was he physically unable to eat, but her apartment was too far away for him to travel.
How she wished she lived inside the town of Gettysburg proper!
Then he could spend so much more time with her.
“Where is she meeting you?” Remy asked Lucy as she drove her into town to meet Theresa for a drink. Remy had to work ghost tours that evening anyway and had volunteered to give Lucy a ride.
“O’Malley’s,” Lucy responded.
“Perfect. Right near where I need to be anyway!” Remy said. “Do you need a lift back?”
“Nah, Theresa said she would drop me off. Wish you could come with us,” Lucy said.
“Thanks,” Remy said sincerely. It always felt good to be included in Lucy’s and Theresa’s plans. “Gotta work. You know how it is.”
Lucy nodded sadly. “You work too much.”
Remy laughed. “You sound like Avery. Thanks again for dinner. I really appreciate it.”
“I know you do, Remy. It’s really no trouble. I have my income and Jesse’s, plus my parents are pretty well off. I mean, nothing compared to Theresa’s family, but my mom and dad are pretty comfortable, and they send me money all the time. You’re more than welcome for dinner any time, okay?”
Remy nodded and smiled. “Thanks, Lucy. So hey, do your parents know about Jesse?”
“Well, they know of him. They know I live with my boyfriend. They don’t know anything about his past or anything like that. They couldn’t possibly understand. They would think we were both nuts.”
“Yeah,” Remy said. “I can’t imagine how hard that would be to explain. At least with Avery, you could show me he was a ghost. Jesse’s alive now, so why would they believe a crazy story like that?”
“Exactly,” Lucy said. Then she grimaced and said, “I told them his parents were killed in a car accident. I hate lying to them, but eventually they’re gonna expect to meet his family.”
“Oh, yeah, good point.”
Remy was happy to find a great spot on the street to park, and they both got out of the car.
“Heyyy, there’s my bitches!” came a familiar, cheerful voice.
Remy laughed, honored to be called one of Theresa’s bitches. It was a term of endearment coming from her.
“Okay, good. Since I have you both together,” Remy began cautiously.
“Uh-oh. I’m scared,” Theresa said, taking a step back.
Remy laughed and said, “You probably should be. Ellis agreed to try counseling.”
“You serious?” Theresa asked, and Remy nodded. “Damn, you’re a miracle worker.”
“Yeah, we’ll see about that. Anyway, he agreed to meet with all three of us, but I’ll understand if you don’t want to come along, Lucy. I know he’s been a real creep to you. To be honest, he’s still a creep to me sometimes. He’s just scared. And he’s lonely. ” Remy said sadly.
“I know he is,” Lucy said with sympathy, though there was still fear in her eyes. She wasn’t comfortable with the guy, and Remy didn’t blame her one bit.
Theresa and Lucy had been aware of Remy’s friendship with Ellis for some time now. Though Remy knew they didn’t completely understand it, they were still incredibly supportive of her. They trusted her judgment.
“I really do want to help if I can,” Lucy said. Yes, she was scared of him, but she was tenderhearted and had a soft spot for lost souls just like Remy did.
“That’s so sweet of you, Lucy. Really. That’s so cool of you to give him another chance.”
“I’m happy to help. But you’re gonna get me in hot water with Jesse.”
Remy wrinkled her nose and said, “I know. He is not gonna be happy to hear you’re going anywhere near Ellis. And speaking of boyfriends, is Sean coming this weekend?”
“Yes, and hopefully I will be, too. I haven’t seen him in two weeks, and I need to get laid,” Theresa said bluntly.
Remy and Lucy burst out laughing.
“And least you can get laid,” Remy grumbled.
“I know, girl,” Theresa said. “It’s so unfair. Damn, Remy, you just know Avery would be amazing in bed. He’s so tall, so big…”
“Stop it, you’re killing me!” Remy moaned.
“I know. Sorry. Sorry!” Theresa said.
“All right, I gotta run. I’ll talk to Ellis and make us all a date,” Remy told them. “See ya, girls!”
With that, Remy started walking toward work, her head already filling with sexual fantasies about Avery thanks to Theresa.