Spirit of the Weeping Willow Swing

Chapter 8

When finally made it back to the mansion. I asked James to fetch Madame Sterling when he saw Lunette behind me, he knew to just do as I asked. We meet in the library. Madame Sterling walked in and before she could say anything she noticed Lunette sitting next to me as I held her hand. She sat across from us and motioned for me to explain.

I took no time in beating around the bush. I explained everything that transpired in the last 24 hours. She stared intently as I spoke looking at Lunette when her part of my story came about. Surprisingly she didn't look shocked or frightened when I told her Lunette was a ghost. She simply nodded letting me know she was listening to every word with consideration.

When my seemingly impossible yet true story ended, she sat back in her seat in thought. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm and collected. "Well, young man it seems you had an interesting time." she smiled. Then her gaze went to Lunette who was sitting as still and quietly as possible. Looking at her trembling hands.

"Lunette, is it?" Lunette nodded. "Well, young lady it seems you had a difficult time. You are quite beautiful. It's no surprise that your beauty would attract unwanted attention. I will allow you to stay with us for however long you need, my dear. I welcome you to my home with open arms. Hopefully, you can help Phoenix learn some manners" she said smiling at me.

"It seems he's taken a liking to you, seeing as he's pledged his life to you unselfishly. Showing promise of a proper gentleman hiding behind his rough exterior." Looking back at me she got serious. "I expect you to treat her with respect. I also have rules."

"Your room will be across from his, but under no circumstances are you to be alone in each other's room alone, with the door closed. I will not have any inappropriate love-making under my room. Do I make myself clear?" Both I and lunette turned away red tinting our cheeks. Then we nodded in acknowledgment. "Good, Phoenix be a gentleman and show our new guest to her room, please."

I took no time and grabbed Lunette by the hand as I pulled her from her seat and excitedly led her to her room. She giggled and waved politely at Madame Sterling as we left the room. Madame turned to James, shaking her head with a smile on her face. "I'm glad he's made a friend." James nodded in agreement with a smile crossing his face as well.

I opened the door across from mine to let Lunette explore her room. It had a bed and dresser already in it. There was a rocking chair in the corner near the huge window. She looked around in excitement. Then she looked at me and gave me a hug. "Thank you. I've never been so happy. It's all thanks to you." I gave her a loving kiss on her forehead letting her know I would do anything for her happiness.

I looked at her lovingly, then a thought crossed my mind making me smack my hand to my forehead. She looked at me confused. "How would you like to go shopping? We can't have you walk around with one outfit for the rest of 'my life' " I said with a wink. She looked down embarrassed. It never really crossed her mind before, but she gleefully accepted my offer to treat her to new clothes.

Letting James know where we were headed, he said he would call for Nickey to drive us to town, then bowed and went off to the rest of his duties. We waited on the porch for Nickey to show up, just a few minutes later. He pulled up and put the car in park, stepped out, and smiled looking at the girl I was holding hands with. "Seems life is treating you better," he said, winking at me and opening the back door for us. I had a feeling James spilled the beans on my new girlfriend. I allowed Lunette to slide in first, I pat him on the back and smiled as I slid in next to her. Nickey shut the door and got in his seat and started to drive us to town.

Lunette had her child-like glow illuminating her features once more. Which I found adorable. I couldn't help but stare at her. My once gloomy and dark-filled world would forevermore be lit with pure joy and blinding sunshine. No longer will I dread waking up every day. We parallel parked on the side of the street with the clothing stores. I let her decide which store she wanted to try first. She chose a small boutique full of women's clothing. We searched through hundreds of racks full of hoodies, jackets, coats, dresses, jeans, leggings, skirts, blouses, t-shirts, socks, pantyhose, tennis shoes, boots, and heels. Whenever she saw something and her eyes light up, I made sure to add it to the cart. I admit she has taste for a ghost that's been dead for over 100 years.

Black, purple, and red must be her favorite colors because the majority of the outfits she picked had at least one of those colors on them. When she was done, we had about 20 bags full. I'm glad I'm able to get her a new wardrobe. Now she has clothes for all occasions and weather. Before we left the store Lunette asked if she could wear something now.

While I paid for everything she went to put on her outfit of choice. She stepped out of the changing room and my jaw dropped in 'awe'. She put on a black mini dress with a plunging V-neck line and fishnet sleeves that hooked around her middle fingers, fishnet stockings, and knee-high black heeled boots. Her long raven black hair flowed down her back. She looked like a dark angel. We walked out of the store to the car.

I had 5 bags in each hand and Nickey was stuck carrying the rest. He refused to allow Lunette to carry anything or to make me carry more than I had. We put everything in the trunk. I didn't feel like heading home yet and by the looks of it neither did Lunette. I saw an ice cream parlor across the street and decided to see if she was interested. "Hey, do you want to get some ice cream with me?" "Sure, I'd love to." I let Nickey know our destination. He nodded and insisted he'll wait in the car. I made sure to ask if he wanted anything. He politely declined, something about lactose intolerance.

We waited in line at the counter to place our order. As usual, we received gawking stares from the town's only population, preps. I was in the middle of ordering and I heard Lunette let out a gasp as her hand left my grasp. I looked over to see Trent holding her close to him as she struggled to break away. "Hey babe, I see freak boy pushed his influence on you. No matter you still look sexy as fuck." He eyed her and licked his lips. "Please, let me go." her voice was trembling.

I balled my fist and took a swing at his face, before I had a chance to make contact, I felt a fist connect with my right cheek. Knocking me to the ground. It was one of Trent's goons. Before I could get back on my feet, he kicked me in my side. "Stay down, freak." he grinned at me maniacally.

I looked for someone to help her, my eyes pleading at the onlookers as her screams filled the parlor. They all looked away and went about their business. It was clear Trent and his family had control of this town and the prep inhabitants. Trent was putting his hands all over her body trying to convince her to come with him to his house.

Lunette looked at me with fear in her eyes. Trent noticed her desperation. Then he grabbed her chin to look at him. "Come with me, or I put your boyfriend in a hole 6 ft. in the ground." his tone was serious with malice twisted in it. Lunette heard his words and stopped struggling.

"You win. I will do whatever you wish as long as you promise to leave Phoenix alone." Trent smirked cruelly knowing he had won. I could tell she had given up. Her head hung low. She feared I was disappointed in her for giving into Trent's threats. I looked at her in horror. "NO! Lunette you can't do this. I promised I would protect you. I promised I wouldn't let anyone hurt you. I gave my oath that I would die before I let anything happen to you. I don't care what they do to me. Just go! Save yourself!"

I couldn't help the tears breaking loose from my eyes. Lunette looked at me and tears already stained her beautiful face. "I'm sorry. I can't let you die for my sake. Just know I love you." She tried to break free from Trent to give me a kiss, but he pulled her back, making her hit his chest. "You heard the lady, let's go." She put up no fight as he pulled her away.