Ghost Story

Doreen Williams

It was October 5th, a crisp fall morning, when the leaves changed to orange and red and drifted to the ground. At work, the day dragged on as usual when my niece Desiree called. She sounded out of breath as if in a panic. She said, "Auntie, can you call me from outside?" I thought that this could not be good because we really don't talk. I went outside to return the call.

She said, "AUNTIE PASSED AWAY!"

"WHO?" I shouted back -- I have five older sisters, and I didn't know which one it was.

When she told me it was Maryann, I screamed up to heaven. At that moment, I felt paralyzed, I could not feel my arms and my legs. I felt I was falling to the ground. To this day, I can't remember if I did. A woman who seemed so far away grabbed and hugged me. I heard my own voice moaning "No" into the woman's arms. My niece was still on the phone, saying, "Auntie, calm down. I'm on my way to pick you up, She's still in her bedroom."

Over 20 years ago, my sister Juanita passed away in her sleep. When I saw her, I was filled with so much sorrow and grief, my mind's eyes burned the image into my memory. When we arrived at Maryann's house, I could not go into her bedroom because it made me think of Juanita. I sat in the hallway and held on to the banister and cried. All I saw was her smile. Her laughter kept ringing in my ears. I remember one day, one of my sister's boyfriends asked me for a cigarette.

I said, "You are always asking for cigarettes! You are out here wiping off your new car, and you don't have a cigarette?" Maryann laughed until she cried. I had to give her some tissue.

Another time, she told me how she and her daughter got into an argument, and she jumped on her like five hungry mice on a piece of bread. I laughed until I cried. The thought of that day made me cry some more.

I needed some air, so I went outside and lit a Newport. The realization hit me. I would never see her again. I paced the pavement. Now, anger rises with my grief, and I felt faint.

I turned to look at her building; two people were coming from the doorway carrying a body bag.

My sister was inside that bag.

I wanted to throw up.

When I arrived home, shocked and shaken, I turned on the radio. "The Stairway to Heaven" by the O'Jays started playing. As I cried, I made myself a drink with ice. I kept hearing her laughter ringing in my ears, which made me cry more. I must have cried myself to sleep.

When I opened my eyes, I was in an elevator, feeling confused. I could barely breathe because it was so stuffy. When 1 looked around, there was Maryann in the elevator with me. She was dressed in all white, looking confused. I panicked and called her name, but she ignored me.

I was shaking all over. I thought, "Where are we going?"

Suddenly, the elevator stopped, and I was frozen in time. Fear overcame me, thinking, "What is on the other side of this door?"

Quickly, the doors slid open, and I heard a collective gasp. IT'S MARYANN! I felt complete love and comfort along with my shock.

I saw everything clearly. There was my beautiful, loving mother standing in the front, surrounded by my family members who had passed away. I tried to greet them, but everyone ignored me and hugged Maryann. When I reached out to touch them, my hand went straight through their bodies. I felt like I had an invisible cloak on; no one could see me. In my confusion, I thought, "Why am I here? Why am I allowed to see this?"

My mother walked Maryann away from everyone else. As I followed them, I felt worthless and unloved. As much as I missed everyone, I felt like I was not a part of the family. When I looked up, they had stopped walking.

My mother said lovingly, with a smile, "You will be missed."

She motioned with her head for Maryann to look down. Below them was a glass floor separated into squares. Each square was lit up, and I could see different family members and her friends in separate squares reminiscing and crying. I saw myself in my apartment listening to "Stairway to Heaven" by the O'Jays and having my drink. I was really freaked out by that! How could I be here and there at the same time?

I REALIZED THEN THAT I WAS A GHOST!

I jumped up, looking around for Maryann. I found myself in my apartment, in my bed. My face and shirt were wet from crying. I got out of bed and fell down on my knees to pray. I thanked God as I cried with joy for what I saw and felt.

I knew then that Maryann was alright and in the arms of God, my mother, and the rest of our family.

I will live with this dream for the rest of my life.

I love you, Maryann. You are always and forever in my heart.