Dating : Not my idea of a party

I still smell him sometimes. In this house, his scent just lingers. Despite the fact, that it has been so long since his death. Even when I’m in my crafting room, a room he hardly ever entered. I sensed a whiff of him one day. It was so strange. It was like he was there. Right there in the room. I couldn’t help it. I called his name out. John!!! Of course no response. I was being crazy. These moments keep happening randomly though. He must still be with me. Or is it just all in my head.

My best friend, Becca, she sees things differently. He’s still in the house according to her. He hasn’t transitioned over for some reason.

We had a happy and content life it seemed. I believe in heaven and I’m sure that’s where he would have gone. I hear it’s really amazing. I mean I grew up in church, and that’s what they taught us in Sunday school.

Could he be staying around for me?

Of course I miss him. I will always miss him, but I’m actually doing really well right now. I kind of threw myself into my corporate job at first. Managed to climb that ladder, and received the accolades I longed for. I eventually took some time off and traveled all around the world. I made it to France, Bali, Dubai, just to name a few. I’m not dating. I am not ready for that yet. Although getting back out there is a suggestion that comes up often. However, I am truly enjoying my life. But I miss him, which is why I agreed to this meeting here tonight.

Sarah was frantically cleaning and getting things ready for her guests. It was two of her closest friends. So they are used to whatever condition her house is in. They practically stayed with her when John had died. It looked like a bomb had gone off at the time and it stayed that way for months.

But today, Sarah was cleaning out of nervousness and fear. Yes her friends were coming but they were also bringing a special guest. This was all Becca’s idea.

“You want to talk to him, don’t you?” she’s slightly snickering as she says this.

Becca is quite the opposite of me. She loves all these talks about spirits and ghosts. Best believe if we go anywhere with a ghost tour and Becca is in the group, we are going on a ghost tour.

“Well of course I do” I say. “But is this really the way to go about it? Shouldn’t I just accept that he’s gone?”

“If there’s a way to communicate with him, why not try it,” she says excitedly. “Monique and I will be there for you as support. It won’t be a problem at all. I even have someone in mind.”

“Just an FYI, there was never a question of whether you or Monique would be there,” I exclaim. “You especially since this was your idea.”

And here we are D day.

“Ding dong”

“Why the hell did I agree to this shit,” I yell and throw my hands up in frustration.

I walk to the door hoping it’s not the here first. I mean how do I entertain a . Oh thank God, it’s Becca.

Wait, can I say thank God. Isn’t this devil’s work. I’m so conflicted.

“Hey girl, you ready for this ghost party?!” Becca yells as if she’s already drunk.

“Ready for it to be over,” I say through a false smile with clenched teeth.

“It’s going to be fun. I even brought a bottle of red wine. You need a glass right now it seems. Where’s your cork screw?

“Ding dong”

Oh damn it, this better be Monique. I do need this glass of wine. I can’t believe this is actually going to happen. Maybe the will get lost or something will come up. Then we can order a pizza and just chill.

I answer the door. It’s Monique. But not too far behind her coming up the driveway is a woman in beautiful red flowing garb. Like she’s floating. Like she herself is a ghost. She’s carrying a bag full of only God knows what. Oh shit.

“Hey Monique, thanks for coming,” I say. I look down and see that she brought the stronger stuff. Maybe she’s a little nervous too or a lot nervous.

“Hello, my name is Sarah. Welcome to my home. Don’t you look lovely!” I stretch out my hand to greet the at the door.

“Thank you beloved, and what a lovely home. Is there a room that I can get set up in?” she says so sweetly. She has such kind eyes. Reminds me of my grandma. I can’t believe she’s the one that’s going to help us commune with a spirit tonight. I guess I should stop saying that. I’m going to be talking to my husband tonight with her help. I could feel some of my nervousness dissipate with that thought.

“It is important that everyone here is in the right mindset before we start. This can be a very emotional experience. Sarah? It’s my understanding that we will be asking your husband John to join us tonight?”

“Yes ma’am. I believe that he is still in this house.”

Is everyone else accepting and believing in the experience that we are about to share?

Oh yeah! We are partying with John tonight,” Becca announces proudly.

Monique nods her head nervously. She had just stuffed her mouth with food before the question was asked. I’m noticing that Monique hasn’t really said much since she’s gotten here. I know we were told to eat and be comfortable before the start of the seance. But she’s eating like food is going to go extinct tomorrow. I’m also now noticing the whisky bottle is open and at least 4 shots are missing. Shouldn’t I be the one that’s nervous? She’s spending a lot of time talking to Becca, but I’m going to try and not take it too personally. This is a weird situation to say the least and I’m just glad she’s here. Plus, Becca is distracting enough.

I leave the room to check on the . I was told ahead of time to have a round table, food that would be welcoming to the spirit, and candles. This setup should bring him to the party. We have his favorite junk food on the table. This almost looks like a typical Friday night for us, minus the candles. I made sure to get unscented babe, you know because of your allergies. I guess it doesn’t take much to get set up for seance.

“We are ready,” the exclaims. I leave to gather the others.

I head to the kitchen. “Monique, put the bottle down please. It’s time to start silly. Calm down,” I say.

“Oh leave her alone, Sarah,” Becca mockingly says.

“By the way, put your glass down it’s time to start.”

Before I knew it, we were all in a circle holding hands.

Lights are dim. We do a quick guided meditation so that everyone is relaxed, and it’s show time. It initially felt like something out of the Craft, but I’m settled on the fact that tomorrow is Sunday. I can go to church and confess to my sins if this doesn’t go well.

“Dear John, we respectfully ask that you honor us with your presence this evening. This is your home, and we welcome you into this circle.” the announces in a booming yet soft welcoming voice.

In unison, we repeat, “We welcome you to this circle.” And repeat, and repeat, repeat again…

A few moments pass, which felt like an eternity to me.

Then I felt a soft breeze similar to what I felt that day in my craft room, but stronger. I look around. Based on Becca’s look of excitement and Monique’s look of fear, they felt it too.

“He is here,” the says with her strong soft voice.

“We thank you for gracing us with your presence tonight, we ask that you stay awhile. Your wife is here and has something to say,” she says.

I feel on the spot and ill prepared now. I knew what was happening tonight and should have had a bunch of questions.

“Honey, baby, I miss you so much but it’s time for your spirit to move on,” I say this with tears starting to swell in my eyes. “I’m going to be okay. I have my family and my best friends, Becca and Monique. I’m fine.”

“He’s trying to leave the circle,” the exclaims.

“Baby, don’t go. Please don’t go,” I say in exasperation. The tears are flowing now. “What is keeping you from moving on?! I want you to be at peace.”

“He says he doesn’t want to hurt you.”

“What do you mean you don’t want to hurt me? I would also be at peace if you made it to your final resting place.”

“I have something I need to get off my chest.”

Ok now I’m shaking my head. Like something knocked loose. I must not be hearing correctly.

Now I’m looking right at the . The that is a vessel so my husband can speak.

“Whatever it is just say it. I’m sure I can forgive you. It will release the weight off of you so you can finally move on. We were together for so many years. First as friends then as lovers. It will be fine.”

Am I really ready for this?

I knew what he was going to say before he even said it. We women always know.

“I cheated on you, Sarah,” the says through tears. I can only assume that means he’s the one actually crying,

“This isn’t the type of party I was hoping for,” Becca quietly whispers. I forgot they were even there. Monique is ghostly white right now not a tinge of color in her face.

“What else do you need to say John so you can be free?”

“It was Carol.”

“How classic, your secretary?!” I say annoyed. “But that had to have been years ago, she died in that tragic car accident.”

Before I could get the full sentence out I felt a gush of wind.

“She’s here,” the says.

“Who? Carol?!” I yell. “I do not want her here.”

The takes control and in her own voice.

“You are not wanted here, Now it’s time for you to move on,” she says.

“John, is that it? Is that the only thing that was holding you back?”

Silence.

“John?”

“No there was someone else,” he says through the .

“Oh shit,” says Becca.

“Just tell me, it’s time, John.”

“She’s in this room.”

At this point, I’m ready to break this circle apart. But if he is still here, i don’t want to miss my opportunity to get more answers though.

“You were right I feel at peace now. I can finally move on,” says the .

“Well good for you,” I mumble under my breath.

The thanks John for coming and tells him to go in peace. Candles are blown out. Lights turned on.

I turn right to Monique. That no talking, white faced, whisky drinking, back stabbing bitch.