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For weeks my dreams were filled with laughter and impressions of sensual affections when I slept. I awoke with a light heart and I did not want the effervescent sentiments to ever end.
Without the daytime distraction of the ghosts, I found myself able to focus on my worldly labors. Having completed my work at Grimshire Castle before the deadline, I waited patiently to give my assessment report to the new owners when they arrived. I hoped to be kept on at the castle in order to discern if the ghosts would speak with me again. I imagined they were now too tangled in recoupling to grace my ghostly sight.
In my dream tonight, Desiree’s face formed and, rather than pain and desire, an overwhelming contentment embraced me. The sensation almost brought me to tears as it emulated the exact condition I had searched for and wanted for myself. When she beckoned to me, I gleefully followed as she ran through a garden and we found Lady Temperance reposing under a tree.
“I found her!” Desiree collapsed with laughter at the Lady’s feet.
Lady Temperance turned and smiled. “Welcome.”
I joined them and took the time to admire the fat bumble bees gathering nectar from brightly colored flowers. “It’s wonderful you can enjoy summer here when it’s so cold in my waking world.”
Lady Temperance laid her hand on my shoulder. “We wanted to thank you properly.”
“Tempie and I never would have found each other again if not for you.”
“Such a painful letter must have been difficult for you both to hear, but I’m glad it led you to...” I looked around, “All this beauty, and dare I say, love?”
“You dare!” Desiree’s laughter rang with confidence and contentment.
I could sense no more anger or oppression in their presence. “Are you staying here in this dream garden, or will you return as ghosts at times and visit the castle?” I hoped to have more conversations with the Lady and get to know Desiree better.
“Oh, this isn’t really a dream garden,” said Desiree. “This is what the garden looked like when we were alive.” She took her lover’s hand and kissed it. “We spent many an afternoon in loving diversion here. It’s our happy place.”
Lady Temperance dipped her head in shy embarrassment as Desiree laughed. She cleared her throat and changed the subject quickly. “We’ve discussed it, whether we should stay or go. We’ve been stuck at Grimshire so long, but realize it will be time for our souls to move on soon.”
“We want more time together, here where we’re alone,” added Desiree. “Though, we do know we’ll remain together if we go. We’re bound souls now.”
“Do you think your souls will return, or did they suffer too much anguish to revisit and live life again?”
Desiree considered the question for a moment. “Anything’s possible, but I want nothing more than to always be in Tempie’s love light.”
They kissed and their ghostly forms glowed bright while small sparks flew from their lips. I could not hide my smile. “I wish I could go with you. I miss your company.”
“Oh, no,” said Desiree with affection. “You’ve got a lot more living to do! I see a long life with reverie. I’m also sure there are other spirits in need of a friend like you out there, too.”
“Plus, you have your daughter,” Lady Temperance added. “The little soul who makes you smile like a child.”
Thoughts of Lark brought out the very smile she noted. “Yes, Lark. I do want to see her grow up.”
Desiree took my hand and gave it a firm squeeze. “You will.” She jumped up from the ground and danced around like her heart had been filled with bees that lifted her playfully.
I delighted in seeing the once miserable and angry Desiree so joyful. “Desiree,” I called and she turned to me. “There’s no stone or memorial with your name in the cemetery. If I’m allowed to acquire one, would you want one? Or, if you’d rather, you could show me where you body lay so it can be marked. It may even be possible to move your body next to Lady Temperance in the cemetery. I know you must be somewhere on the castle grounds since your ghost is here.”
“Desiree clasped her hands to her heart. “What a beautiful sentiment.” She turned her loving gaze toward Temperance. “When the time is right, I’ll show her.” She lowered herself beside us and turned to me. “I don’t know what will happen to me if you move my bones. When we’re ready to leave this place, I’ll be sure to make their location known.”
“I understand,” I said. She wanted to stay next to her lover as long as possible. “It’s best not to take chances until you’re both ready.”
Desiree sprang up and began dancing again, happy with the knowledge of being beside her lover on earth as well as in the spirit world.
Lady Temperance laughed at her antics and glowed with joy and love. She turned her smile toward me. “We’ve left you a part of us. We left our imprint on you, so with your ghost eyes, you’ll be able to find all the secrets of Grimshire.”
“Including Desiree’s diary?”
“Especially, the diary!” She looked lovingly at Desiree then back to me. “You’ll find her to be quite prolific, and very naughty.”
We laughed together, walked through the gardens, and enjoyed the phantom sunlight. Soon warmth eased over me and I began to lose focus. Colors from the garden began to spin and I found myself falling away. I could see them waving and hear their voices bidding me farewell. When the last echoing tone of their voices faded, so did my vision of Lady Temperance and her Desiree in the summer sunlight.
***
I AWOKE.
Foggy and disheveled I lifted myself from my chair by the fire. My heart ached with the loss of two friends I cherished.
A chime sounded and I looked around for Lady Temperance. Putting a hand to my head, I realized the sound simply meant someone waited at the front door.
I shuffled to the entry way and opened the large outer door a crack to hold off the cold November air. A voice, bright yet soothing, spoke.
“Hello. Are you Merritt Blackwood?”
I lifted my eyes and beheld a glowing soul. “Yes,” I said softly. I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry, I was napping. Late night.”
“I’ve heard good things about you.” She held out her hand in greeting. “I’m Reverie Littlewood. I think we’ll make an interesting pair!”
My mind spun as I focused on the enchanting form before me. I tried to determine if another ghost had arrived, or if a real woman stood before me.
It didn’t matter.
My soul jumped in my chest at her presence.
I willingly gave her my hand and knew immediately from her lightning touch, I would never want to let her go. I now understood Desiree’s words about my future.
My life has indeed become an enchanted reverie.
For allowing me the ability to recognize the bright glow of love light around Reverie Littlewood, I silently thanked the ghosts of Grimshire Castle.
—fin—