Are you a ghost?(Kevin Hughes) The light in the corner of the room shimmered. It reminded Herman of the sheen of oil one might see on a puddle near a busy road. The problem was simple:

He was in his own room. There was no light on. There was no oily puddle. Nor was there a busy road. What there was…was a …a..

Ghost.

Herman fainted.

Soft gentle wisps of something, air maybe? Fine silk threads? Feathers? Whatever. The soft gentle wisps continued against the side of Herman’s face. It felt…nice. So he didn’t open his eyes for a while. Then he heard something. Something as soft, gentle and caring as whatever substance was stroking his face. It was a voice. It was so nice to hear, he just kept his eyes closed and enjoyed the caresses to both his face and ears. A smile creeped onto his face.

The voice grew stronger.

“Come on, Herman. You are awake. I know you are. Stop pretending. Wake up. I have things to tell you.”

It was the use of his name that caused him to open his eyes. Whatever was touching him, talking to him, wanting to converse with him, should not have known his name. How could it?

Herman opened his eyes.

They grew wider open all on their own. As wide as any human eye had ever gotten. And probably a bit wider than that. Because when was the last time a Human saw…well…HER.

She shimmered. The oily sheen was gone. Just shifts and gradients of light moving lightly over the distinctly female form. The light was as gentle, soft, and pleasing as the touch and hearing parts had been when his eyes were closed. She smiled at him. He was in love. It was just that quick.

She blushed. At least that is what Herman thought the light red hue that spread quickly around her face and neck…and then - just as quickly- disappeared, meant.

“Oh, silly boy. You don’t love me. You don’t even know me. But thanks for the thought.”

He felt that gentle wisp on the back of his hand. It was her touch. He didn’t look down to see what exactly was touching him. Did she have hands…or were they talons? Maybe they were fronds of weaving tentacles — he didn’t want to know. Had he looked, he would have been relieved. For they were hands…technically. At least shaped like hands. But hands without any real substance. She was truly etherial. He could see right through her. Apparently she could see right through him too. Otherwise, how did she know he loved her.

She must have read those thoughts too. She laughed. And those fronds of joy rippled through his brain. Just as soft, just as gentle, just as…welcoming as her voice, touch, and looks were.

“If you could just get yourself under control, we need to talk. Afterwords…if you still feel like flirting with me (and again she blushed) well…that would be okay.”

Herman was the one to blush this time.

“I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Herman was rewarded with two quick pats on the back of his hand, and another of those kind welcoming smiles.

“You haven’t dear boy. I don’t think you ever would.”

Herman nodded. He would never willingly hurt this creature …ever. He didn’t realize how strong his response was until the etherial being floated back a step and up a bit into the air.

“Oh, my. That was …thrilling. You do love me.”

He felt her hand in his again. Except this time…well, her hand was warm. More solid. He looked down at her hand, squeezing it a bit as he realized it was more solid. He looked back up at her. The lights were gone. She was no longer an etherial creature. She was fading from a being of light to a being of just beauty. Pretty, cute, sweet. As her form took on some weight, substance, firmness, those words became more and more accurate.

Finally, she had transformed. She sat on the edge of Herman’s bed. Her face was wet with tears. Human tears. Herman reached up and plucked one off with the side of his finger. It glitter like a jewel, or beads of dew on morning grass. He licked it ..letting the salt roll across his tongue. He looked over at her in wonder.

“Are…are …are you a ghost?”

She slid easily into his arms. Cuddling up against him as only True Loves, and real friends can. Every space between them filled with trust, and every where they touched filled with safety, comfort, and kindness. They belonged together. Two souls, one heart.

He heard that almost musical tinkle of his ears. He knew it was her speaking.

“I was.”

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