Short stories

Lovely ghost

He took two boxes and transported them inside the apartment he was sharing with his mother. The latter had decided to quickly move away from their home town so he could live normally. But she knew he was suffering much more from this separation. He loved the city, but she couldn’t bear to see him act like a zombie. His son slept practically all day, rarely ate and often missed his classes. Why? To get to the city cemetery. He could spend hours there.

She looked into the apartment and had a tug at her heart to see him in that state.

“Where do you want them?”

“Hmm…” she mumbled, thinking aloud. “I think they’re going to your room.”

Without another word, he turned and walked into the room, docile. He laid on the mattress and opened one to see what it contained. His eyes rested on a golden frame in which a picture had been swiped. Fingertips, he stroked the smiling face of the girl who was with him on the photo. They looked happy together. Tears began to slide down her cheeks. His mother suddenly entered the room and asked if he needed help, but she froze in the doorway. He slowly raised his eyes.

“You… you’re still looking at this photo?” she asked, sighing.

He nodded. She got near him on his bed, putting her arm around his shoulders to comfort him. He resisted a little, but eventually relented. He wept for a moment on her shoulder. She rocked him gently to calm him, whispering that everything would be okay. She didn’t know what to say anymore. It made her so sad to see her son like that. And it lasted for almost three months. Thomas was seeing Morgan for about two years. They loved each other so much, not just a teen love. They planned to marry before they entered college, even if they had no money. He offered her a medallion that his family was transmitted from generation to generation. The small golden heart opened and there was a photo inside. He couldn’t afford to give her a real engagement ring, but the girl didn’t mind. Megan was found dead the same day.

“Maybe you should see a psychologist…”

“I don’t need help!” he cried with an annoyed tone.

He jumped on his feet.

“It might do something to help you, Tom. You should at least try once to see if…”

“I don’t want to see anyone!”

“You’re not going to spend the rest of your life crying over her!”

“Why not?”

“Thomas, you had plans before… You can’t drop everything like that.”

“I don’t want to go to college.”

Unable to hold it, his mother angrily exploded in a way her son didn’t recognized her. She had never been in such a state of rage.

“I can’t stand it!”

She walked to the door at a rapid speed before turning abruptly toward him. She shook her head vigorously.

“I’ve done everything for you, but you don’t care! I want you to get over it, but you don’t want any help. You’re not the only one who is mourning. I liked her too. I always considered her like my daughter! Ruin your life if it’s that what you want, but don’t ever ask me to help you. Is that understood?”

She went out of the room, leaving Thomas alone with his thoughts. He was paralyzed for a little while. Once out of his torpor, he rejoined his mother in the living room. She was crying on the sofa, her face hidden in her hands. He knelt beside her. He laid hands on her shoulders.

“I’m sorry, mom.”

“I’m trying to stay strong for you, but I can’t hold it any more…”