“Troy!” I cried out, my heart was breaking.

  Jen looked at me, knowing I was realizing the truth; breaking into a million pieces.

  “Troy…I told him I’d be back to meet him…in the park. I’ve got to go. I need to see him.” I stood up, my legs were still weak but I was determined. So afraid he wouldn’t be there, that he knew what Jen was going to tell me.

  “Amber, I don’t know if that is a good idea.”

  “Why, you said he is here to protect me, he won’t hurt me. I need to talk to him. Jen, I can’t let him go I love him so much. Please….”

  “Amber…” She stopped, tears streamed down her face. She was sobbing. She moved out of my way, to let me go to him. Feeling the love I felt, knowing I couldn’t be without him…ever.

  She held onto my arm, “I’ll come with you.”

  “No, I need to do this alone.”

  “I don’t think this is a good idea Amber.”

  “I don’t care.” I swung around. “Thank you for…thank you for everything.” I ran out the door. I ran as fast as I could. I needed to get away from there, get back to our bench. I needed to wrap my arms around Troy. I cried the whole way there.

  ***

  The sun was still shining faintly, but by the looks of it, it wouldn’t be up for long. Thick clouds were beginning to fill the sky. I ran through the park to our favorite spot panicking when I didn’t see him. I called his name, but there was no answer.

  I sat on the bench; overwhelmed by everything. I was beginning to question my sanity. I was in love with a boy who saved me but was not of this earth? It was all too much to take in right now. I put my elbows on my knees and began to cry into my hands.

  “You came back.” He said with bewilderment in his voice.

  When I heard his voice, his angelic voice, I jumped up so quickly, it felt like I almost jumped out of my skin. I turned around to see him. Tears quickly pooled in my eyes, there was nothing I wanted to see more than him right now. And there he stood, just a few feet away.

  My beautiful Troy with the emerald eyes; I ran into his waiting arms. He encircled me, holding me tight to him. He put his nose in my hair and breathed me in, and released his breath slowly, just like he always did. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled my body closer to his, feeling his heart beat next to mine; two beating as one. His one hand circled my waist. The other tilted my head up so that he could look into my eyes.

  “Troy?” My tears fell freely down my face.

  “I’m here.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too Amber, with all my heart and soul.”

  “I won’t be without you….you know that right?”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  I questioned if I was hearing what I wanted to hear or was he really here, now, holding me.

  “Troy, is it true? Were you the one who saved me?”

  He simply lowered his head and his lips touched mine. The sensation that ran through my body sent my senses reeling. He kissed me deeply, passionately. The need in his kiss spoke volumes.

  Yeah, he saved me.

  He released me and stared into my eyes, like he’d never see them before. Then he lifted my chin and brushed the pads of his thumbs softly across my cheek, gently wiping away my tears. He bent his head to mine and kissed me softly where each tear had been. His hands rested lightly on both sides of my face, holding me, caressing me. He then kissed each wet eyelid. His mouth covered mine and I felt the same tingling in my stomach I always felt when he kissed me. He took what was his, which was all I had to give him.

  His mouth opened slightly, parting my lips. His tongue danced with mine. His kiss, full of love and passion, breathed the life back into my tired saddened soul and I felt complete again. Reborn.

  Chapter 15

  Troy looked up and over my head. I spun around to see Jen standing by the entrance to the park. She lowered her head.

  “I didn’t want you to find out that way. I wanted it…Ahhh, I really don’t know what I wanted. But I think you both should come home with me. I think we might be able to help you.”

  I looked at Troy who looked down at me and nodded.

  “Maybe she can help us Amber, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

  “Thank you Jen.” I grabbed Troy’s hand and we began to follow Jen back to her house.

  When we got there, Missy was waiting by the side door, just like I knew she would be.

  “Come in, come in.” She held her arm out and waited for us to enter, and then she closed the door behind us. “Go into the living room and have a seat.”

  When she came back in, she took her seat on the couch next to Jen and Troy and I both sat on the loveseat.

  “Amber,” Missy said softly as she looked at me. She slowly turned her head to gaze at Troy. “Your color, it’s so strong.” She just stared at Troy, with a look of amazement on her face.

  “Are you okay?” I turned and faced Troy.

  He just nodded.

  “You don’t see him sitting here?” I asked, perplexed. “How is it that you guys have the ‘gift’ and I’m the one who can see him?”

  It was all too confusing for me now. I had to get my head around the fact that he wasn’t like me. Hell, he wasn’t like anyone. He was an angel, a spirit or something. I doubted my own sanity for a few minutes.

  “Amber…Troy, I really don’t know how to say this other than just coming out and saying it.” Jen looked to Missy who nodded her agreement. “I’m not sure of this but I believe that there may be a way for Troy to…well, to come back.”

  “What?!” I shouted. I’m not sure why I shouted. I guess the shock of it all. I mean, here I am sitting in my best friends living room, talking with her and her mom, with my ‘dead’ boyfriend sitting next to me.

  “I think we should go and talk to that Madame Leila. I think she can confirm what we both think.” Jen said waving her arm indicating the two of them. “Do you think you’re up for the ride?” She asked looking directly at me.

  “I think so. As long as Troy is with me, I’ll be fine.”

  “Mom?” she asked.

  “Yes, let’s do that. I’m going to call her and give her a heads up that we are on our way.” She stood and walked into the office. I could hear her clicking her fingers on the keyboard and I heard distant talking.

  Jen just sat and stared between me and Troy.

  “You’re really beautiful.” Jen whispered.

  “Thank you.” He said as he squeezed my hand.

  Missy came back into the living room and looked at us, a strange look on her face. “I think she thinks I’ve lost my mind, but she said if I’m willin’ to pay, she’s willin’ to listen. We have a six o’clock appointment, which means we leave now.” She turned to go into the kitchen where she grabbed a pen and wrote a note, leaving it on the kitchen table.

  “I told daddy, that we’d be late and to take Jeff to Friendly’s or something.” She turned to me, “Amber, tell your mom your staying overnight with Jen.” She reached for her pocketbook and called over her shoulder. “Let’s move it, or we’ll never get there by six.” She opened the door and walked out to her car in the driveway. Jen jumped up and grabbed her purse. I took my cell out of my pocketbook and called my mom, letting her know that I was having dinner over Jen’s and staying the night.

  “Okay, have fun…and if you need me just call. Me and Tim are here.”

  “Thanks mom.” I ended the call and took in a deep breath then turned to Troy, “I guess it’s time to go.”

  “Yup.” Was all he said as he grabbed me closer to him and wrapped his arm around my waist. “Time to face the piper.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” He smiled weakly, “let’s go.”

  It was an uneventful, quiet car ride. Everyone lost in their own thoughts. I felt no tension like the last time we drove down to Seaside. I think it was a combination of trusting Missy’s driving and having Troy close beside me.

  Jen kept on glancing back at me, then towards Troy then smiling.

  Troy grabbed my hand and held it tightly the whole ride. I was hoping I’d be able to move my fingers when we got there.

  We arrived at 5:45 p.m. giving us enough time to find parking and make our way onto the boardwalk to Madame Leila’s. The pretty young woman that had been there on our last visit was standing behind the counter.

  “Madame Leila is expecting you, please just go in.”

  As I walked past her, I turned to look at her and noticed she stared at Troy as well. She smiled hesitantly as he walked behind me through the glass beads that hung in the doorway.

  “So we see each other again.” Madame Leila said looking directly at me and Jen. “Please all of you have a seat.”

  I noticed that she too was staring at Troy. We walked over to the large round table and all took our seats. Troy took the seat to my right and Jen to my left. Missy sat down between Madame Leila and Jen.

  Madame Leila turned to Jen. “So you do have da gift,” she smiled and nodded, “I thought as much.” Her honeyed, smooth, southern drawl was strangely calming. I remembered my last time here and shuddered involuntarily. Troy tightened his grip on my hand.

  Madame Leila turned to look at Troy, “Unlike the others I see things. I know things.” She looked at me quickly, then back to Troy, “You came to be in dis predicament due to some unfortunate circumstances. Do you wish me to tell them?”

  Troy looked down and then nodded.

  “Since only the young lady can see and hear you like I do, I’ll tell the others…” She sat back and took a deep breath. She sighed deeply and turned away from troy, looking directly at the three of us.

  “Troy was involved in a very violent argument between a group of young men. Dere was a fight and in da process two lives were taken. One by an evil young man, and one by dis young man.” She said staring directly at Troy.

  I looked up and saw him wince. I gasped loudly. I’m sure I looked shocked.

  “Da evil young man killed his friend, and without thinking clearly, dis young man took the knife and returned da favor.” She slowly shook her head. “He den ran away, leaving da scene of da fight. He was not thinking clearly, he was very upset.” She looked at Troy again and continued. “He was riding a motorbike and was determined to harm himself, but before he could do dat, dere was a devastating automobile accident.”

  She turned to me. “Da car driven by your father was da first into the intersection, hitting da motorbike and another car.” She stood up and walked slowly to the back of the darkened room, returning with a large, very old looking, weathered book and set it down on the table. “Dere were no survivors in da other car, you…” she turned to look at Troy again, “were killed.”

  “That left da two occupants of the vehicle you were in.” she looked at me, a saddened expression on her beautiful face. “Your father died instantly my dear.”

  The loud raking sob that overtook me caused the room to go silent. I was devastated, as I felt the guilt and the fear take over my body.

  “Dere was nothing you did, dere was nothing you could have done. Dat accident was going to happen no matter what you did or didn’t do. It was fate dat your car got dere first. It was fate dat left this young man in a position to save his soul from da evil dat had been threatening to take him. By saving you young lady, he saved himself,” she said looking at me again, “and dat is why he was given another chance.”

  Missy and Jen sat there transfixed on Madame Leila. Neither one uttered a word. It looked to me like they were both frozen, the only indication they were not was the intermittent blinking of their eyes.

  “You, because of what you did,” she said looking at Troy, “have a great opportunity to get back what was taken from you. To do dis, you must save another.”

  She looked down at the large book and opened it to page with the bookmark.

  “You must find another soul dat will pass into the evil place and trade him yours. In doing dis, you will give him da opportunity to pay dat forward and go to the good place, a unearthly place.”

  I felt my mouth fall open as I sat there slack jawed. Missy and Jen continued to stare at Madame Leila. Troy hung his head.

  “How do I do this?” It was then that Missy and Jen both shot him a look that told me they could hear him.

  “You must save da soul of a good man about to make a terrible mistake just like you did. It is da only way you will become of this earth again.”

  “You haven’t told me how?”

  “Dere will be an occasion where a young man, foolish as you yourself have been, will do something rash; something dat will cause much pain to others as well as himself. It is at dat moment, you will touch him, pushing his soul forward, leaving his dying body for you to occupy.”

  I gasped. I gasped so loudly. I felt like I couldn’t find air fast enough. Madame Leila’s assistant walked in carrying a glass of water and I took it from her without hesitating. I drank the entire glass.

  “Troy, take what you have in your pocket and give it to Amber.”

  Troy let go of my hand and reached into his jacket pocket. He held out what looked to be a wallet to me. I grabbed it and opened it. It was my wallet from when I lived in Florida. It had my school ID, some ticket stubs from a time I left behind me so long ago.

  “You’ve been carrying this since the night of the accident?” I said, when I was able to catch my breath.

  “Actually, I found it on the ground underneath me when the sun rose the next day. That was when I knew, I had to find you.”

  “You see Amber, his saving you dat night caused both of your lives to be connected in a way dat most people will never understand.”

  “You mean to tell me that these two are meant to spend the rest of their lives together…” Missy’s voice broke the hold on me. I blinked and shook my head. “But they are so young.” She continued.

  “Youth has no bearing here. It is what da forces of nature have decided. It is not for you nor me to decide.” Madame Leila declared.

  “But what if he can’t find this soul…this body.” She shook her head. “What if he will always be dea…this way?” She said, quickly stopping short of the word no one could say.

  “Dat is not up to me or you. Dey don’t have da choice. Dey are bound to one another.”

  “Madame Leila, is there anything we,” Jen said waving her arm, indicating all of us, “us…is there anything we can do to help him…them?”

  “You have a gift, use it. Use it to guide dem. Use it to help him find the soul he needs to save.” She shut the big book quickly, the whoosh of air causing a paper to fall at Jens feet. She leaned down to pick it up. “Dat is for you. You are more dan your gift.” She stood up and taking the book, walked to the darkened corner. She came back moments later. “You must leave now. I am tired.” She looked towards the door.

  We all stood slowly and started to walk out.

  “Thank you.” I said.

  “Thank you.” Troy said.

  Missy looked back and nodded.

  We were all standing outside before I noticed that Jen was still inside. She came out seconds later smiling.

  “I’d say that was worth the trip.” She glanced at her mom quickly, and I saw a knowing look between them, and then it was gone.

  “I’m hungry. Anyone else hungry?” Jen asked.

  “I am.” Missy chimed in.

  “I’m so confused.”

  “Well, we all need to eat something… all of us except you Troy…” The look she gave us caused me to bust out laughing. Even Troy laughed heartedly.

  Chapter 16

  I woke up the next morning in the twin bed next to Jen’s, thinking my life has abruptly come to a complete stand still. I’m floating around in a limbo of sorts. It’s like everyone else is living in la-la land and I am here, in a whole other place, totally contented and beloved.

  I often wonder what happened to me. Did I fall off the rail? Did I mix reality with delusion? Whatever the case, I am totally infatuated, no beyond that, totally in love with a boy, who not only saved me once, but twice. Now I know what they mean by love hurts.

  I thought back on how I first met him. I didn’t have a clue what I was in for, it seemed to be like any other normal high school romance, boy and girl meet…and so on a so forth. Unbeknownst to me, there were so many variables working against us.

  The thoughts I’ve dreaded, the very thoughts I pushed down and buried deep inside me kept springing up. I looked over and noticed that Jen was still asleep. I quietly got up and got my dressed, then made my way down the stairs.

  “Hi Missy.” I said. She didn’t turn around, but I already knew she saw me there. “Tell Jen I’ll call her later. She’s still sleeping and I didn’t want to wake her, but I really should get home and see my mom, let her know I’m okay.”

  “You go right ahead Amber. I’ll tell Jen to call you when she gets up.” She wrapped her large arms around me and kissed me on my forehead. “You know we love you right?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good.” She held me at arms distance studying my face. “You’ll be okay Amber. I promise. Everything will be just fine.” She released me and I smiled at her.

  “I know it will be. How can I lose when I have you two on my side?” I smiled.

  She rolled her eyes back and smiled her usual warm smile.

  I closed the door behind me and walked home.

  During the walk home, I went back in time in my head, trying to think about, without reliving, that horrible night, the night of the horrific accident. I should have, by all accounts, died, but was pulled from the burning twisted metal that used to be our family car, by a stranger.

  He dragged me to the grass, where he stayed by my side, holding my hand quietly assuring me everything would be ok. It wasn’t. It would never be.

 

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