A Spirit's Touch

Forty-One. Old Familiar Faces

Julie still stood on the step to her home when she saw the familiar little car coming up the road. Her eyes widened with happiness when she spotted a faint reflection on the lenses of Judith's glasses. Her Judith was coming home.

However, Julie soon became hesitant as the car came into clearer view and she was able to see Sam in the passenger seat and two in the back who were still obscured. She retreated back indoors but remained unseen so as not to be found by Mel.

"Is that you, Julie?" Came Melissa's voice from the bedroom.

What? Julie could not recall making a noise when she came back through the door. How did she know? Julie stood at the foot of the stairs and looked upwards to see Mel stood at the top scanning the hallway, trying to catch sight of the spirit.

Mel sat on the top step and parted her legs; Julie could see that she still was not wearing underwear.

"It's all yours if you want it. Come to me," Mel spoke lustfully.

Julie remained silent and unseen. What had got into this woman? Mel was becoming something out of a horror movie that even had the undead afraid. Her relentlessness to seek pleasure out of Julie was terrifying and the spirit was now way beyond uncomfortable in the woman's presence.

Fortunately, they both heard the car pull up onto the driveway and after a hissed, "Shit..." From Mel they both parted from their spots and disappeared into each's nearest room.

Mel came back out with a few more clothes around her just as Sam unlocked the door and entered. "Good afternoon, honey," Mel spoke while trying to hide any flustered emotions she might have had.

Sam smiled and ascended the stairs to greet his wife. "Please let us go into the bedroom to talk," he asked politely.

Mel led her husband into the bedroom just as Judith came through the front door. She went straight into the living room and was a little disappointed not to see Jersey there.

Julie remained unseen but was willing to make herself known as she saw Judith walk into the room she occupied. She approached her favourite human cautiously and was about to pull her into an embrace until she saw who was stood behind her.

Linking arms with Sheridan was an elderly man of late seventies. Julie recognised him straightaway as her long forgotten friend, Lyle Watkins. She took a few steps backwards as she tried to make sense of the situation.

"This feels very strange being back here after all this time," said Lyle softly. A tear formed in his eye, "I haven't been here since..."

"It's ok, Lyle dear. If you need to step out we can," Sheridan replied as she rested her free arm on Lyle's linked arm.

Judith almost felt the cold embrace of her lover and stepped further into the room. "Are you here, Julie?"

Lyle moved to stand beside Judith, "Could it be true. Is my dear Julie still here?"

Julie remained invisible, hesitant of making herself known.

"Somehow I knew. I could feel her presence then and I would like to think I can now," Lyle replied softly.

"Julie, it's your friend, Lyle. You must make yourself known to him," Judith replied, although she knew Julie was there and that Julie was already aware of who was with them.

After sometime, Julie reached out and touched Lyle's arm; he shuddered and recoiled but his face remained warm and expectant of her touch. Aside from a brief shock her cold touch did not phase him. She reached out to him again and the tears grew in his eyes.

"Can you show yourself to us?" Judith asked.

Julie did not respond to Judith, instead she pulled Lyle into a large embrace and squeezed his ribs firmly.