Post Mortem

Chapter Two

Shock. Horror. Confusion. How do you react when your dying husband is suddenly walking towards you? His face had color again, his black hair styled and slicked back, curling at the base of his neck. He was wearing an elegant black suit, his cravat folded nicely beneath his vest.
". . . Carlton . . ?" The rifle slowly slid from Jane's grip, hitting the hardwood floor with a loud thud. " . . . How are you standing. . ? And walking . . ? ". She looked up the stairs to the guest room and back to him. " why aren't you sleeping?" She went to grab him and pull him upstairs but he stopped her.
"Jane. Darling, please". He pulled his arm away
"But you aren't well" Jane persisted. " you have to get back up to bed before you get worse!"
He smiled brightly, that white grin that had become so rare to see.
"Can't you see that I'm fine? No fever, no cough". As if to prove his point, he placed her palm on his cool forehead. " see? Healthy as always". She was skeptical.
"But what about last night? You were close to death, I thought for sure you would be gone within a week-"
"Shh" he interrupted. " I'm not ill. I'm not dying. I woke up this morning and I've never felt better. Just calm down". He caressed a gentle hand through her soft, gold curls. " just relax" he cooed.
"You need to rest!" Jane pleaded. She feared he was just playing this facade as a way to comfort her, pulling together his every last bit of energy to keep himself upright and walking around the first level of their house.
He sensed her discomfort and gently pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist and settling his chin on top of her head, gently rocking her back and forth.
" please believe me. I'm not sick, I'm alive, I'm healthy . . . Why would I lie to you?"
Carlton backed away just enough to tilt Jane's chin up with delicate fingers and bring her gaze to meet his.
" I- it's just that you were practically dead last night. I wasn't expecting any improvement, much less overnight". He grinned and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"I know. It's a miracle, isn't it?"