Page 36 of Cole
“This place is magical. Completely and utterly magical. It’s like a fantasy world of plants and animals. The people here are what I would describe as angelic.”
“Mmhmm,” nodded Cole. “That reminds me. We need to introduce you to some very important people.” He’d no sooner got the words out of his mouth when Mama Irene and the other ghosts appeared before them.
“Oh!” gasped Layla.
“Layla, these people are extremely important to this property. They are the history of this property and this place. And yes, they are ghosts.”
“Ghosts. But I can see them,” she said reaching out to touch Irene’s arm. “I can touch them.”
“They’re allowing you to do that,” smiled Cole.
“Don’t be afraid child,” said Irene. “My husband and I raised fifteen children on this land, then adopted hundreds more. You’re one of our children now.”
“Oh, my. I think I’m hallucinating,” said Layla.
“You’re not hallucinating,” said Matthew. He lay a hand on her shoulder, then reached down, kissing her forehead. When he stood straight again, her face had an ethereal glow of gold and yellow.
“Wh-what was that?” she whispered.
“A blessin’,” said Ruby. “I’m Ruby, honey. You’re going to have a very long and healthy life here.”
“This is remarkable,” she said staring at their faces. “You’re all different nationalities, heritages.”
“That’s true,” laughed Irene. “Matthew and I are from here. We got Yori, he’s Hiro’s grandfather. Nathan, he’s Trak’s grandfather. Martha and Franklin, well, they’ve been on this land for more than two-hundred years. Same is true for all the others.”
“Unbelievable,” she said staring at them all. “You know everything about the history of this land, about the plants.”
“Oh, that’s Irene’s forte,” smiled Matthew. “You ask her, Martha, or Franklin and they can tell you everything about our plants.”
“Do you, um, haunt people?” she asked nervously.
“Only those that deserve it,” smirked Sven. “It can be liberating and a whole lot of fun.”
Layla laughed, gripping Cole’s arm.
“If I’m ever gone, they’ll watch over you,” said Cole. “You shouldn’t fear them at all.”
“It’s odd,” smiled Layla. “I don’t fear them. I mean, it seems reasonable to be afraid of a group of ghosts but I’m not feeling fear at all. I’m at peace, comfortable, calm. Is that strange?”
“No, child,” said Irene. “You’re feeling our love. You’re feeling it because we all know that you’re good on the inside. You’re going to be an amazing wife and mother.”
“Mama Irene, we’ve only been married two days,” smiled Cole.
“Babies have been made in less time Cole McDonald. You best keep that in the forefront of your mind. Layla? Come with me baby. We’re gonna walk through the gardens, show you some things that might help you in medicine. Cole? You go see your family. We’ll bring her back safe.”
“I know you will, Mama Irene,” he smirked. “Love you, Layla.”
“I love you, too,” she said hugging him. Irene took her hand and she opened her mouth, laughing. “You’re warm! You’re wonderfully, comfortingly warm!”
As the ghosts chuckled, following Irene and Layla into the gardens, Ham walked up to his son.
“How did she take that?” he asked.
“Like a champ,” laughed Cole. “She’s amazing, Dad. I think I understand now how your life changed so quickly when you met Mom.”
“Well, in fairness when I met your mother she was slightly, uh, off,” he laughed.
“I know but you understand what I mean.”
