Long Lost Friend

The winter took a toll on my family. My wife and son are stuck in Europe because a storm delayed their flight which leaves me all alone in my house. Well, it's of a manor but I don't want to brag. 

I went to kitchen sink. I was cleaning my plate when I felt goosebumps. Its obviously cold but I do remember turning up the heater and closing all the windows. 'Strange' I thought.  I head upstairs and check if anything is out of place. Nothing. I head downstairs, go to kitchen to make some hot chocolate for myself and go to the fireplace. 

A couple of minutes later, me eyelids felt heavy... "Anthony" , it was as if someone whispered in my ear. I got up and turned around to see if anyone was there. No one was there. My heart was beating frantically but has calmed down now.

"Look up no down....oh wait, better yet turn around"  I heard a giggle come from the corner.

I hope this won't go on and drive me crazy.

"Don't worry, I won't" I was surprised, it was like she was reading my mind.

"Who are you?!" I wanted to who she is, I wanted to get this over with.

"You know who I am, its been a while since we last saw each other"

I had a mental list run through my head of all the people I've haven't seen in a while. It wasn't helping  because I wasn't thinking straight.

"Just turn around"

I turned around and saw a young woman in a white dress. Her skin was pale and she had red hair. She seemed familiar to me but her face didn't ring a bell. " Could you come closer?"

"Of course" She stepped closer to the light and I suddenly recognized her. " Claire? Oh my.....so you're....." I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I know that this couldn't be a dream or a nightmare.

"Hello Tony and yes, it's hard to believe but I'm dead"

I dropped to my knees and my hand through my hair. 'My best friend, my dead best friend is right in front of me!' I thought. She suddenly appeared beside me and put her hand in my shoulder. "Take a walk with me outside" I nod and go grab my coat. I open the door and she was waiting for me outside.

"Trying to give me a fright Claire?" "Oh no my dear Tony, I just want to catch up with an old friend, come on" She gestures me to go with her. "Why are you here now?" "I tried to get to you but for some reason I couldn't until now". Snow continued to fall as walked. I buttoned my coat, trying to keep myself warm. " Why didn't you come? To my burial?" "Well, I didn't know about it, no one told me. I'm really sorry". "No need to worry, you're a married man, a father and you have a tiring job" "How did you..." "Even though you don't see me, I still watch over you" It startled me, she's been watching me this whole time. 

"So....how did you die?"  She took a deep breathe, " A few days after I gave birth to my son, there were some complications and then...here I am" She suddenly stopped at the gazebo, she opened the doors and we both stepped inside.

"It has defenitely been a long time since we last saw each other. There are so many things I don't know about you." I took a sit at one of the marble benches, I did forget to mention that it is a big gazebo. "There's not much that you need to know. I can't always appear to you every now and then"

"I wonder if you still remember that night?" Claire asked me and looked out as if she was trying to find some stars in the night sky. "Yes, I do and I sometimes regret not telling you how I really felt."  She laughed out of nowhere, "What's so funny?" " I knew I was right. You did love me, I just didn't say it to anyone, especially you" She walked towards me and sat beside me. " Why keep it to yourself?" I turn to face her, the moonlight made her eyes shine more. "I was afraid" "Of my parents?"

" No" she gave a shy smile, "I was just afraid that...that  I might lose you so easily, break your heart and anyways you're too good for me, I don't deserve a guy like you." She turned around and looked back at the night sky, fascinated with the twinkling stars above. " Don't say that, you are a wonderful person to be with and I know that because of experience." I assured with a smile. " If you say so but I think at that time it would been a controversy among our friends" We both laughed. The last time something like this happened was 8 years ago. The laughter died down and silence filled the gazebo.

"Claire?" "Yes Tony?"  "You were wrong when you said I did love you, I still do" " It is not wise to fall in love with a ghost my dear". "I know that, I'm just saying that no matter what, you'll always have a special place in my heart". I know I can't feel anything when I touch her but I look down and hold her hand. " I just hope that what I just said comforts you." She gave a smile, stood up and gestured me to do the same. She hugged me tight and put my arms my around her.

We both let go and decided to head back. " Are you finished settling your unfinished business?" I asked her on the way back to my house, "Not quite, I have some other things to take care of". We stopped at the front door, "Will I see you again Claire?" "In time Tony but for now go back to your normal life but I would like to ask a favor." "And what is that?" "Don't forget me" she said with a smile, " Don't worry , I won't" I smiled back at her. I turn to the door and step inside, "Claire, just another question, why...Claire?" She disappeared into thin air and there was something shiny buried in the snow.

It was a locket with silver chain. I opened it to see a picture of Claire when she was about 16. I head inside and put the locket in a safe place. I go back downstairs, sit on the couch and take a sip of my hot cocoa, which was slightly warm. 'I have to say, that was probably a blessing in disguise, meeting my long lost friend.' I thought to myself.