Secrets And Tea

Chapter 10

Damien stood in front of his home waiting for the electrician to arrive.

He was replacing some of the old lights with new ones. He heard the engine of a car and saw a tall man in his late thirties get out.

"Mr. Montgomery? I am Fredrich Kepling. The local electrician. You wanted some work done?"

"Yeah. I bought some new lights I wanted installed. Cone on inside."

Damien led the way inside and pointed out what he wanted done. Fredrick did not waste any time. He got right to work.

Damien had to admit he was impressed by the businesses on the island. They were on time, and they didn't argue or redirect your wants to what they thought was best. They did their work in a timely manner and made things really easy.

He sipped on the coffee he had brewed in his room at the hotel before co.ing to meet the electrician.

He helped where he could. So that the man wasn't overburdened. Things were progressing so fast for the house. He estimated that by the end of the week he would be moved in.

Right now he was just waiting for his bed to be delivered from the local carpenter.

"There you go. All the lights are installed. It's good to see this old house being updated. I had been debating asking the town council to let me do work on it." Fredrick stated as he collected his things, "See you around."

Damien waved and sank into the porch swing he had installed for gazing at the stars when the sky was clear.

He soaked up the sun's rays and then the idea to grab a sleeping bag and a tent from the local hardware store came to his mind.

Getting up he headed for his small truck and drove to the hardware store and picked up the items he wanted along with an outdoor fire pit.

Back at the house he set up the tent in the backyard and gathered wood from downed trees that had yet to be picked up by the farm. He placed them in the firepit and set out his items for cooking his supper for the night.

He sank into a lawn chair and brewed some black coffee while the steak sizzled on the grate and his pot boiled with water and vegetables. The meal was little but enough to fill his belly and tasted better than military rations.

"Looks tasty, want some cupcakes?" came Thomas's voice. 

Damien shouted, launching up from his spot. He turned around in a circle looking around for the person behind the voice.

"Easy Rook," Thomas's voice stated, and slowly his image appeared by one of the trees. 

"Jesus Christ...how the fuck?" shouted Damien. 

Thomas chuckled, his image was transparent. 

"Welcome to Witch's Island. Where the bizarre happens on a daily basis!" Thomas said as he took a seat by the tree, "You aren't going crazy. This island is special. The souls of us who pass that were born here can still wander like they did when they were alive."

Damien paced his nerves on edge as he looked at his friend sitting like he hadn't been killed overseas.

"I know. Take your time to digest this," said the specter. 

"I don't get it. You are dead. How can you be here?" 

"I'm not. Just my soul is hanging out. The Rite of Passing just is a formality for the living to let us go. To move on. We remain watching over our loved ones and talking to them. Healing them as much as possible."

Damien frowned and sank down onto the ground. His gaze bounced around the yard.

"Are there others here?" 

"Only Mrs. Joplin. She is impressed with what you are doing with her place. She was hoping her son would look after the place but he bailed the moment her body was buried in the ground after her funeral. She thinks you are sweet to keep the house looking the same." 

Damien rubbed his face, he was living in a house with a ghost? How did he not know this? 

"Not many have the ability to see spirits. It can be learned but not everyone can do it. Abby has had the gift since she was a child. So she has had plenty of practice. Others are gifted but not strong. So it's hit or miss." explained Thomas's ghostly apparition. 

"I must be sleep deprived, or hallucinating because this can't be real," declared Damien. 

Thomas laughed. 

"Seriously dude, this isn't funny. I am not equipped to handle seeing ghosts."

"I want you to do me a favor Rook. Take Rionna out, go dancing or swimming. Hell, just walk on the beach. She is so sad. It hurts to see her so lost."

"You want me to take your ex out on a date?" 

"Yep. I want her to move on. She needs to let me go or I will be stuck here. I know we didn't break up on good terms and she feels guilty but I didn't hate or blame her for anything. I want her to know that. I want her to know that I had hoped to come back after the tour and ask her to marry me."

Damien groaned and leaned back against the back of his lawn chair. 

"Fine. I'll do it, that's because I feel like I owe it to you," Damien agreed, "I'll ask her out, but if she says no. We good?"

Thomas stuck up his thumbs then disappeared from sight. Damien stared into the flames of the firepit and then back to where the ghost had just been. He needed something stronger than tea to sleep. Maybe vodka or some Jack Daniels.