
One Perfect Night
Halloween was always our favourite celebration, Jess, until you left to go on what you called your ‘Grand Adventure’. A place where even a long-distance relationship won’t work. Now, it’s just another celebration that I get to celebrate alone. I still do though.
I went looking for pumpkins yesterday. Found one at a local farmhouse. The perfect one. It’s sitting in the middle of the kitchen table, waiting for work to commence. With great care and precision, I carve the perfect face. I drew the design on a piece of paper weeks ago – always the planner. I wish you could see it, Jess.
I’m done now and place the tea-light inside. I don’t light it yet. It isn’t time. I pack it all in the car, together with a mini picnic of coffee in a travel mug and our favourite candies, grab my warmest hoodie and drive to what I call our ‘Special Place’.
It doesn’t take long. I sit on the cold ground, light the tea-light and lean back against the stone to admire my creation. I close my eyes. “Hope you like it, Jess.”
“I love it.” A whisper on the wind. “It’s your best one yet.”
My eyes snap open and you’re there, right before me, wearing the familiar goofy smile. “You’re here,” I splutter.
“Well, of course I am, I’m always here.”
“I miss you so much.” I wipe angrily at a tear – can’t cry now.
“I know you do Alec, but it’s been ten years. I don’t know many seventeen year old boys who would have stuck with their girlfriend through to leukaemia’s bitter end. But you did, and I’m so grateful. You need to let me go now. It’s time to move on.”
“I don’t know if I can. It hurts so much not having you in my life.”
“I know,” you say, “but it’s hurting me to stay. As long as you hang on to me, I can’t let go. I’ve seen things here. I’m afraid of what I could become. One last night?”
I smile and bravely nod.
One last perfect night.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleVery poignant, spooky story, Carrie. Well written. I liked the hint of menace in the warning she gives him. Not sure how after a perfect night he’ll actually feel able to let her go. If you wanted to write something a bit darker, then this would be a great story to expand, especially if he just can’t leave things and keeps conjuring her! ?
Thanks for reading and commenting, Paul. I have actually considered using the concept of the menace in the churchyard for a second ‘Callie Simms’ short story. I think Poor Alec and Jess have been through quite enough! ?
Truly enjoyed your story Miss Carrie; I enjoyed the new take on Halloween. The spooky link to loved ones who have passed on.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks, Margarida. This is one of those stories that came to me in the middle of the night, and I had to get up to write it. I think that the teenager dying of leukaemia is the scariest part of the story, that and the hints of darker things that Jess has seen. But I just felt so compelled to write it.
A very nice story, Carrie. I felt so sad for the young man, not being able to let go of his beloved girlfriend. Ten years is such a long time for anyone, especially someone his age. Like Paul, I imagine he might have a harder time letting go after the perfect night! Let’s hope it wasn’t quite perfect … for both their sakes.
Thanks for commenting, Fuji. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I actually nursed a young lady with leukaemia in my second student nurse placement. She was just a year older than I; aged 19 when she passed away. She had a boyfriend who was devoted to her, he persuaded her to marry him and they had the ceremony on the ward. She died a couple of weeks afterwards. I remember him trying to… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleOh, Carrie. I could feel the wound and pain in Alec’s heart. It is very difficult on his part to let go of his beloved but, it is necessary. It is an infinite love story on a Halloween theme. It is perfect. I almost cry while reading it, Carrie. Well done.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Lotchie. It was a little painful to write, but I do like love stories that extend into the spirit world. Life can be very cruel sometimes, especially when young people are taken before having the opportunity to experience it fully.
You’re welcome, Carrie. Oh yes. Life is not just cruel sometimes but also unfair.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleIt is not only a poignant portrayal of the ordeal of a long terminal disease but also eerie. Good work!
Thanks for reading and commenting Dipayan.
You’re welcome.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAfter having read not only your story, but also your answer to Fuji’s comment, I feel deeply moved by the sad story. You manage very well to combine the description of the young couple’s warm relationship and the girl’s death, with the spooky possibility of a ghost being stuck in this world. Good work!
Thanks for your comment. It’s surprising how many events of my nursing career are coming back to me, but I think their story was the most heartbreaking. Much of my career was spent working with the elderly; at least they’d experienced life before the inevitable happened. I’m glad you appreciated the story anyway.
Don’t they say that if you love someone you need to let them free? Alec is allowed one last night with his lost love. She offers hope but gives him also a warning. What you left unsaid is the real masterstroke, Carrie. I love it!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much, Greene. This story is quite special to me, one I felt compelled to write, possibly because of the memories it invoked. I really do hope that Alec finds a happily ever after and that Jess finds her peace in the afterlife. I have a feeling that they may visit me again in the future though ?
Poignant and touching…well done!
Thank you ?
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is a very touching story. The line “As long as you hang on to me, I can’t let go. I’ve seen things here. I’m afraid of what I could become.” is really thought-provoking and scary. I found it very sad, but beautiful that after all the years, Alec still tries to do things that Jess liked. This was beautifully written.
Thanks, Marianna. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. I think Alec may be meeting Callie Simms sometime in the future. I think they may get on well together ?
I look forward to reading more!
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