Strange Happenings

a story

Strange Happenings

 

 

 

    I remember the first thing that I did when I died was walk through a wall. Don't ask me why, but I just needed confirmation I was dead, a ghost, didn't go to Heaven/Hell or anything else. Looking back on it I feel a bit foolish. I should have rattled some chains or went and checked on my body to find out how the plane I had been on had blown up midair. Of course I needed to find the chain to rattle, but I'm sure I could have managed.

 

    My first few weeks as a ghost went rather boringly. I just drifted around the city in and out of homes, businesses and libraries. I didn't really know what to do and I was a bit miffed that I had been wrong and ghosts did exist. I was at least glad that Mike and the others weren't around me with their 'I told you so!' looks. Oh well, one benefit about being a ghost was I didn't have to work, eat or sleep, so really I'd consider us even on the subject.

 

    My boredom ended on a lonely summer even when I was down by the piers watching the birds swoop and perform over the oceans waves. While I was feeling sorry for myself over the belated realization that I was a ghost that the living couldn't see, I chanced to look to my left and see another ghost staring right at me. I did a double take and had to look again. Sure enough she floated slightly off the ground. This ghost seemed more solid than me, which for some reason put me off, but I squared my shoulders and approached her with caution.

 

    "Hello," I said with a slight smile. I mentally kicked myself for not coming up with a wittier opening. When I was alive I had a golden tongue, but being dead seemed to have lifted that from me. "I was beginning to think I was the only one around."

 

    "I've been watching you for sometime," she said in a lilting sing-song voice.

 

    "Oh," was my reply. I thought it rather rude that she had seen me for a while and was only now making herself known. Of course, I didn't express that allowed. Even in death I hadn't forgotten my manners. She wasn't a bad ghost of a woman to look it either, which I admit might be playing into how I was acting. She had a fifties style dress on and her hair done up like a girl straight out of the 'I Love Lucy Show', which told me that she had been a ghost for sometime.

 

    "I was sent to keep an eye on you and to observe you before being your guide," she continued with a friendly smile. "It isn't often we get a member like yourself."

 

    I didn't know whether to preen or frown at that comment, so instead I just offered a cautious smile in return. I didn't think she was referring to my good looks or the cologne I had worn on the plane that somehow still lingered on me. The notion that she was sent my some organization or something made me want to hoot. Was there a Ghost Society I could join and she was scouting me out? I wondered with a mental laugh if I needed to get my resume together.

 

    "You'll have to explain to me what I need to do then," I said gallantly. "By the way since you're my guide we might as well get on a friendly basis. My name is Andy...well it was---Do I need to change it now to ghostly name?--Nah, I will keep Andy. I'm pleased to meet you. Before I saw you I was about to start talking to the birds on a first name basis."

 

    "Andy, is it?" she said softly. She cocked her head to the side and gave me a thoughtful look. "My name is Doris and I'd be glad to show you the ropes."

 

    Well that was that, I thought. I never thought I'd meet a Doris, but then again these were strange days for me. With a wide smile I stepped to her with my arm held out as if going to a ball. I figured they did a lot of that in the fifties and she'd appreciate it. At least they did in the movies. It seemed to be a good thing because she gave a delighted laugh and linked her arm in mine. With that we set off, but that adventure is for another story. I bid you a good day and perhaps we shall chance to meet again and I will tell that tale.

 

 

Author's Note

All reviews are helpful and welcome.

Reviews

[Jessica Benfield]

wow this is very nice! after seeing it was a ghost story, i was expecting haunted houses and someone jumping out and saying "boo!" lol, but you have really cut loose form the cliches and stereotypes with this piece! nicely done!
smiles,
jess

[Nely Amorim]

Another imaginative piece from a wonderful writer!! I'm intrigued by the story line and hope you add more chapters to it. Other than a few grammatical errors I was entranced by the humour of this piece, however I forbid you to die on a plane Mister....lol