One Foot in the Grave by C. C. Hunter

Author:C. C. Hunter [Hunter, C. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: loss, death, Paranormal, family, grief, Ghost, Social Issues
Publisher: C. C. Hunter
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

“What are you doing?” Hayden’s voice whispers in my ear later that night as I’m sitting on the stairs. Without meaning to, I lean his way, needing his presence, not wanting the loneliness I feel when I think about Dad.

I look at him sitting next to me on the steps. Some of the ache inside me eases. Being with Kelsey was great, but Hayden has become my touchstone.

“You okay?” he asks.

I nod. “Just listening to see if my dad gets a drink.”

He slips his arm around my shoulders.

His touch feels so right, but I know it’s not. How can I stop this? Then I let myself wonder what would happen if I didn’t stop it. Caught between what feels right and what I know is wrong, my chest gets heavy and tight.

I stand up and walk into my bedroom. He follows me. I sit in the desk chair, afraid if I get in the bed he’ll join me.

“Was he drunk when he got home this afternoon?”

“No. But he looked tired. He barely ate any dinner. Then he said he had a headache and went to bed early.”

I recall too clearly that he’d started doing that right before he lost both jobs. “I don’t even know if he went to work today.”

“I’m sorry,” he says. “Maybe you should talk to him.”

“If I had proof, I think I’d have the guts to confront him.” I hate sounding so pathetic so I change the subject.

Staring at Hayden, I’m suddenly curious. “Where do you go when you’re not here?”

“Just around.”

I’m not sure if he’s lying, or if that’s just what it’s like. I swallow. “You know, if you crossed over, you wouldn’t be alone.”

“I’m not alone. I have you. You need me. I protected you today, remember?”

“I know, but . . .”

He stares at me, then runs a finger over my lips. “Why do you work so hard to make me leave? Don’t you like me?” His smile is crooked, and a bit sad.

Emotion knots in my throat. “Helping you cross over is what I’m supposed to do, Hayden.”

“Supposed to do. But you really don’t want me to go, do you?”

Hell, no. “I want what’s right. For you,” I say.

“How do you know what’s right for me? I don’t know what’s right for me.” A touch of pain laces his voice. “But when I’m with you, like this, it doesn’t feel wrong.”

“Crossing over has been right for all the others. You’re in this limbo and it’s–”

“I’m not like the others.”

I don’t know what to say. Pumpkin comes slinking into the room, hurries to Hayden, and circles his feet.

“Have you talked to Abby?” Hayden kneels down and pets the persistent feline.

“She dropped in for a few seconds when Kelsey was here. She didn’t say anything.”

He looks up, almost puzzled, and I go ahead and explain. “Kelsey is Bessie’s granddaughter.”

“Yeah. I know. So she came over?”

“Yeah, after she got out of school.” I exhale again. “Kelsey felt Abby. She asked me why it had turned so cold.

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