A Timely Ghost Story that Matters

/ roughwighting

hanging on to coattails, Bing Co-Pilot Design“Hold on to your hat, Stephen,” Harriet warns. “You’re about to discover how little you know.” https://roughwighting.net/2024/07/19/a-humdinger-of-a-ghost-story/

In an irritated, and yes, arrogant tone, Stephen responds, “I know you’ve created drama where there is none. My mom, your supposed best friend, was extremely successful. She was a famous literary novelist. I think you rode on her coattails and now that mom is dead, you want to ride some more. You want to write her books, make money, and gain success on the back of her death!”

Harriet, insulted and even surprised by Stephen’s vindictive tone, steps away from the cabin entrance.

“Wow. Stephen. I helped your mom raise you. I’ve been your Auntie for 36 years. Yet sadly, you still don’t know me nor trust me.” Harriet turns and walks toward the car, parked yards away.

“Where are you going?” Stephen shouts.

“I’m going to void our contract to finish your mom’s book together. I’m going to sign this cabin back to you. Your mom thought that if you and I worked together on this novel after her death, it would give you some peace. And some closure. And maybe even some understanding of what she discovered.” Bing Co-Pilot Design, Corvette in front of cabin

Harriet lowers herself into the driver’s seat of the Corvette and yells outside the open window, “Obviously, we overestimated you. So, the cabin is yours, Stephen.”

“You can’t take my car!” he responds.

“Don’t worry. I’ll have a service pick you up.” As Harriet revs the car, she mutters, “whatever year that will be.”

Harriet notices the white lacy curtains sway in the upstairs window. The curtains that existed in 1824, not in 2024. She notices the nod of a shadowy figure, and she whispers, “Sorry, Seraphina. I tried. Now it’s up to you.”

ghost story, ghost writer, Bing Co-Pilot DesignStephen opens the door with the old-fashioned key that Harriet had handed him. He walks into the cabin’s threshold, smelling lavender and cinnamon. Strange, because that was the scent he grew up with at home.

The furniture is rustic but not dirty. Rudimentary but comfortable. When did his mom refurbish this old place?

One more step in and Stephen feels a soft breath behind him.

“Stephen.” The voice is gentle. Familiar.

He gasps. The attractive woman is in her 30s, sleek hair in a bun under a rounded hat, wearing a pleated white shirt with puffy sleeves and long gray skirt.    

“MOM?” Stephen’s voice catches. ghost story, time portal, Bing Co-Pilot Design

“Seraphina,” the woman answers, staring at Stephen so intently he feels ashamed. She seems to be waiting for something. Or someone.

“Where’s…?” she begins.

“Harriet?” Stephen finishes with a gulp. “She left. I didn’t believe her, Mom, I didn’t believe her! And now I understand. Seraphina. That was my great grandmother’s name.”

The woman nods. “And…?” she adds.

Stephen whispers, “And your middle name. I forgot.” He whirls around the cabin. “I think I’m an idiot. I know nothing. Nothing.”

“Time to learn,” the woman says, smiling. “No pun intended, as time doesn’t matter.”

“Matter?” Stephen grins. “I do remember my Einstein: ‘Matter is light. Energy is Light. We’re all Light Beings.'”

“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere,” replies Seraphina. “Where’s your notebook? Let’s continue my novel. Those first three chapters? Harriet wrote them. About me. Perhaps now you’re ready to listen to my ghost story.”

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/albert_einstein_148878

81 thoughts on “A Timely Ghost Story that Matters”

  3. Awwww! I think he understands now. 💙💙

    This touches on some of my thoughts and words. We listened to part of an episode of Radio Lab the other day when we were in the car. It was a physicist answering questions about time, dark matter, etc.

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  4. I love how you navigate shifts in time and place in this creative piece. Wow!

    As I read, I couldn’t help but remember Milan Kundera’s The Eternal Lightness of Being, a book I remember reading in graduate school: The author supports the idea that everything in the universe recurs over time and space.

    You spin such fantastical tales, Pam! Lots of depth and ghostly surprises here. 😀

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  9. I used to imagine my grandfather sitting in a big chair in the corner of my room at home. I almost had myself convinced that his “spirit” was there. But I realize now that it was just my imagination going wild. Wasn’t it?

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  10. oh I loved how this story caught Stephan’s attention and the lessons of his readiness to learn and grow. My life lately feels like everything, everywhere all at once so I loved the quotes too, Pam. Awesome story❣️

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    • Ah, thanks for identifying yourself, Bernadette. Which makes me add that when I read my mom’s recipes and then bake her cakes/cook her casseroles, she’s right there with me. ❤

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  16. Well played, Pamela. Stephen is lucky to have a second chance.

    Funny where, our minds go when we’re reading something. I haven’t seen it in over thirty years, but do you remember the old sitcom Hogan’s Heroes? Sergeant Schultz, portrayed by actor John Banner, played a bumbling but lovable German guard. One of his pet lines was, “I know nothing. NOTHING!”

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  22. I just love quantum physics. Time expands or contracts according to our perception. That’s all it really is. I am disappointed that Harriet let go so easily. But glad Stephen figured out he was a moron. 🙂 It’s such a great story. I love this kind.

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    • I agree – the complexity of time is beyond me. 🙂 I’m stopping here while the stopping is good. I’m having a good time designing A-I images to go with my stories though. 🙂 Thanks so much for reading. ❤

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  28. Awww … Pam, this is beautiful! A captivating series and wonderful to see Stephen develop – his life will never be the same again! Harriet had tried so hard and I empathised with her as she drove off – she’d been so patient! 😀 I’ve never come across these quotes by Einstein – ‘We ‘re all are Light Beings’! Wow! Wishing you a lovely week, my dear friend! hugs xx 💕

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    • Hey Annika. Yes, the “Light” Einstein quote was new to me also. It found me just as I was wondering how to end this 3-parter. Not that Stephen and Harriet’s (and Seraphina’s) story is ended. They have lots more to learn, and I’m keeping them in my back writing pocket for another time. ❤

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