Page 13 of Shadowing My Dreams
“I’ll stand right here,” Archie said so smugly I didn’t know if I wanted to kiss him or throw him out. I was about to choose the latter. “So, shadows off to the side that you can see, but when you look – they are gone. A voice that only you could hear, and objects actually moving in your house. What does all of that add up to?”
“That I might need to go to the hospital because I’m having a psychotic break?” I knew I sounded stupid. Daveed had seen and heard the aftermath. It had happened, but… I didn’t want to believe any of this.
“Maybe? Are you going to call and ask about that nurse or not? We can get things done here a whole lot faster if I don't have to listen to your snide comments. Belief is essential if we are going to work together.”
“I never said that I was… Hell, I can’t even afford you, I’m sure.”
Daveed put his hand on my shoulder. “This is my gift, dude. If this shit’s real, we have to do something.”
“Man, I…”
“Will you call and see if Archie’s right? If he is, then…” Daveed pleaded.
“He’s not lying,” I replied knowingly. “Fuck.”
“I don’t lie. I’m also not always right.” He shrugged smugly.
“See, he’s already giving himself an out.” I pointed at him. It wasn’t my finest moment. I was being a petulant child because if he was right…
“I’m right about this.” He smirked. “It makes sense that she was a nurse. Her energy is very green and motherly.”
“Fine.” I turned and walked out into the hallway and dialed the number for the hospital. I added it to my contacts just in case, but I had hoped I would never have to call it. This was different, though. It was to prove that Archie was a fucking fraud. I went through the menu and finally got transferred to the operator.
“Hi, can I please be transferred to the nurse's station on floor seven?” I glanced over at them as Daveed stared at me. Archie wasn’t paying any attention to me at all. Instead, he was walking in circles around my room.
“Hold on,” the tinny voice answered. I took a few steps down the hallway and turned back to the door.
“They’re transferring me,” I announced saw both of them standing on the other side of the doorway, watching me.
“Floor seven, how can I help you?”
“Is Nurse Bernice Carpenter in today?” I talked loudly for their benefit.
“What?” She sounded surprised. “No, she’s not.”
“When will she beback? This is Jack, and I…”
“Oh, Jack! This is Nancy. Are you feeling ok?”
“Yes, I’m… I was just thinking of Bernice and I…”
“Honey, you never met Bernice. You must have heard us talking about her when you were in your coma. It happens. But she died a few years ago. Are you sure you’re…”
I hung up the phone and turned to look at them. I could feel the color drain out of my face, and I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.
“When did she die?”
“A few years ago, she said. I… She was there when I first woke up. She held my hand.” It had happened. It had been real. I wasn’t crazy. But if I wasn’t crazy, then…
“I‘m sure she did,” Archie replied sadly. There was no joy in his winning, and it caught me off guard. “I wish I would have been wrong. She feels like a very good person – a true nurturer.”
“How did I… I think I need to sit down.” I pushed gently past them and sat down on my bed. “I…” I thought back to the moments I had spent with her. All of the other nurses who came in and checked my vitals had never said one word to her. I hadn’t thought about it, but… “She was dead. I... You really think I have a ghost?”
“Yes. I think I can help you andhimif you let me.”
“When can you start?”
“I think we already have.” He grinned.
