The Wait: A Paranormal Short Story

Three

I walked through the door and put the key down. Resting a moment against the closed door, I finally caught what was left of my shallow breath. I didn't understand why he would sit there and lie to me, a stranger. I was sure he didn't really care what I thought. To say that was his only time coming was a flat out lie.

Even barely back in the door, I already knew I would have to go back tomorrow. Molly would be happy I was getting out again. It didn't really matter what happened with him. My getting out of the house was a good start.

The next morning I put on the same sweatpants and a different sweatshirt. I needed to go shopping online soon for clothes that fit and maybe use the treadmill in the spare bedroom. For now, the sweats would have to do. I stole a look out of the window. In the distance, I saw him already sitting on the bench in the same spot. Like all the days before, he sat with his hat resting on his right knee, watching people go by.

This time, I didn't panic as I reached the front door. I grabbed the key and took a deep breath before opening the door and yelling back, "I'm going out again. I'll be back soon."

I walked the couple of blocks around the corner and towards the pier much more quickly this time, pressing my anxiety down each time it tried to slow me from my goal. The lead cannonballs that had been around my ankles yesterday only felt like kid-sized bowling balls. I approached the bench and sat as I did the day before. He turned his head slightly and looked at me with a slight nod.

"Hey. How are you?" I asked cautiously.

"Fine. Thank you."

"Beautiful day, isn't it?" I asked trying to casually strike up a conversation again.

"Yes it is. A good day to get out." He glanced a little longer at one woman passing by.

"Is it okay if I sit here? You waiting on anyone?"

"I am waiting on someone, but you can sit. Hopefully, she'll be here soon." He sounded optimistic, as if she hadn't stood him up already.

"Oh. That's good. Never give up. Right?" He gave me a confused look as he stole another glance at a woman with dark hair.

"Have you been waiting long?" I was even more confused and now I could add irritation to confusion. He had the nerve to pretend he didn't remember me. I wasn't remarkable but I didn't think I was that forgettable, unless he suffered from memory loss. That might explain his answers the day before.

"No, just got here not that long before you showed up." He leaned slightly in my direction with a smile on his face. "I told her I'd meet her right here, so here I am."

"Is it a special day or something? You're dressed up," I said with a gesture at his suit.

As if I said something odd, he looked down at himself. A look of confusion crossed his face. "This isn't right. I could swear I put on my khaki pants with a blue button down shirt. She loves me in blue. We're going on a drive along the river and why would I wear a suit for that?" he asked as if I held the answer.

"I don't know. I figured you dressed up for her." I mirrored his state of confusion.

"No, I got up and put on my khakis and button down shirt. I am certain of that. I came down here and she...," his voice trailed off as if suddenly remembering some distant memory that he'd locked away. A look of shock entered his eyes.

"What is it? Are you okay?" I asked.

"She met me right here. She met me and we walked back to the car. We drove out of the city, just as I planned. We drove down along the river where the road curves to follow it. I stopped the car near the bend where there are benches and an open area to sit and we got out. She looked like an angel in her white summer dress. We sat down by the lake and I told her." The man shook his head as if trying to clear his head or shake something away.