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The Ghost of Christmas Love.
Christmas is a happy time, full of music and parties, joy and laughter. For the owner and regular patrons, one in particular, of the ‘Poets Corner Cafe’, Christmas held a different meaning.
Ann sighed as she sat at her usual table. Christmas tunes floated gently through the air from the radio, and the snow fell silently outside. Looking out of the window, watching the coloured lights blink and dance in the windows down the street. The rest of the world seemed oblivious to the tragedy that happened almost 12 short months previous.
Ann glanced back into the cafe and looked across at Bill, the owner. He too was lost in thought. Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other in mutual understanding. Almost a year had passed since Bill's son Ray had been killed in a tragic accident outside the cafe, and, in 10 days time, it would be Christmas Eve, and the anniversary of that fateful day.
That night was to be Ann and Ray’s first date. They had been friends, close friends, ever since Ann first came upon this quiet little hamlet some years ago, and, in all that time, Ray never knew that Ann was deeply in love with him....
The tiny alarm at Ann’s wrist beeped gently, signalling that it was time to return to work. Standing to put on her warm coat, she smiled when Bill took it from her. “Allow me” he said. He held it out so she could slip her arms into its welcoming embrace. Turning, she placed a small kiss on Bills cheek and walked towards the door.
“Ann!” Bill called her back. “You forgot your letter!” Ann turned and looked puzzled at Bill. Walking back to him, she took the envelope from his hand and looked at it. A single word.. ‘Ann’ was written on the front. It shimmered under the cafe lights. The back of her neck prickled as she opened it, and, as she read what was written on the rose adorned card inside, her knees buckled and she slowly sank to the ground.
Bill caught Ann as she fell, and helped her to a chair. Taking the card from her shaking hand, he turned it over to read it.
“Death could not keep our love apart,
I return again, to give you my heart.”
~~~R~~~
Bill sank into the chair beside Ann, visibly shaken at the sight of the note written in his son’s handwriting..
The pale shadowy form watched through the window. No one noticed as it approached the cafe, and no one heard the gentle whisper...”soon my love...soon.”
The next few days passed without incident. No more strange notes were found, and as the preparations for the Christmas Eve party got under way, they both began to relax.
Morning arose and the crisp Winter sun shone through the window. The snow still blanketed the ground and the street began to fill with people going about their business. Today was the first day of the holidays for Ann, and with only 5 days to go to the party, Bill was glad of the help.
Ann was finishing the last of the invitations, a formality really as only close friends were invited. Suddenly there was a loud bang from outside, Ann jumped and knocked over the pile of red envelopes onto the floor. Stooping to pick them up, her heart leapt as amongst the red envelopes, she spotted a silver one....
With shaking hands she opened it....
“Beautiful you look, sitting there,
Winter sun shining on your Auburn hair,
The flush of pink on your cheek and lips,
I long to caress with my fingertips.”
~~~R~~~
Turning the card over, she saw once again a beautiful red rose. Ann sighed, closed her eyes, and held the card close. She imagined she could feel cool fingertips gently brushing against her cheek and she leaned into that loving ethereal caress.
The ghostly figure at her side smiled as his hand brushed her skin. She looked so lovely sitting there with her face tilted upwards bathed in sunlight. He could not resist, he leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek...
Ann’s eyes opened, and for a split second he thought she had felt him. Sadness filled him as he felt himself begin to drift away, reaching out to her he whispered...”soon my love....soon”. Had he been able to stay a little longer, he would have seen her fingers touch her face where he kissed, and he would have also seen the single tear that slowly rolled down her cheek...
Ann spent the following day helping Bill decorate the cafe with festive garlands, baubles and tinsel. They chatted happily, singing along with the Christmas songs on the radio. Ann felt this was going to be a really special Christmas.
That evening, after a day’s hard but fun festive labour, Ann relaxed with a glass of wine. Looking round the cafe, the main lights were out and just the Christmas lights twinkled in the darkness. It felt like a very magical place. Ann felt the air around her stir, and she shivered. Standing to put her coat on to leave, she saw on the table as she turned, a small silver envelope....
“Three days hence,
My love you’ll know...
One precious moment,
Before I must go”
Ann’s heartbeat quickened, on Christmas Eve she would know who her mystery writer was, and deep down inside she knew who she wished it to be.....but that was not possible....or was it?
Ann spent the next few days with her family. Exchanging gifts and cards, catching up on family gossip, and bathing in their love and warmth. All the time her mind never far from the little silver envelopes tucked away in her bag, and every quiet moment she got, she took them out and read them over. Christmas Eve could not come soon enough....
Ann entered the cafe, the party seemed to be in full swing. Music was playing gently, people were dancing, laughing....
She glanced over to the corner where her table usually waited for her. Her skin prickled when she saw a man sitting there. Was this the author of the mysterious and romantic notes she had been receiving over the last 10 days?
She made her way through the crowd, smiling, laughing, exchanging Christmas wishes with friends as she passed by, all the time keeping one eye on her goal...
Suddenly, her view was blocked by a human wall, a cheery smile greeted her eyes as they refocused, a rather loud “Merry Christmas” was blurted at her followed by a quick kiss, then the reveller moved onto his next victim.
Ann reached the table in the corner by the window, her heart sank when she found it was empty, no sign of the stranger. She jumped as she felt a cool hand on her shoulder, and a gentle soft voice whisper in her ear, “Care to dance, Ann?” Her heart was beating wildly as she turned, it was the stranger.
“Do I know you?” she asked. “You seem familiar”. The stranger simply smiled and took her hand, leading her to the centre of the dance floor as the music slowed to a gentle flowing tune. The air around him seemed to shimmer and glow, and the noise of the party faded into the background. He pulled her close to him. As they swayed to the rhythm of the music, she felt as if she were floating...He felt so familiar, and yet she couldn’t quite remember where she knew him from..
He began whispering in her ear. At first she had to strain to hear his words, but soon enough, they became clear...
“I could not tell you then how much I loved you, but I was going to, that night. I wanted it to be so special, even ran out to pick up some red roses because I knew they were your favourite....I didn’t get the chance.
I saw you kneeling by my side and felt your tears fall on my face as they carried me away. I so wanted to whisper that everything would be okay, to hold you close, to ease your pain...
For twelve long months I have watched you, my love growing ever deeper, until finally I could begin to make you see me. At first, I was the shadow that passed the corner of your eye, or the gentle breeze that caressed your face. As time wore on, I came to you in those letters, stood behind you, holding you, whilst you read them. Till finally tonight. I love you my darling Ann...I have bridged the gap between life and death for this night, in this form, to share this moment with you as we should have done a year ago...”
As the clock began to strike midnight, his lips met hers. Her body tingled and every fibre of her being felt alive from the cool sensual fire of his kiss. The clock began to chime....
1.....he pulled her closer, holding her to him, his fingers gently caressing up and down her spine..
2.....His kiss deepened, her senses reeled as she lost herself in his kiss..
3.....Memories began flashing into her mind..
4.....A year ago..Christmas Eve, gentle music, candlelight..
5.....The sound of sirens splitting the night..
6.....The look of horror on Bill’s face..
7.....Running out into the snow..
8.....Falling to her knees..
9.....Tears..
10...He broke the kiss, Ann swayed in his arms, her eyes were closed, a single tear broke forth and slowly rolled down her cheek..
11...He whispered, “I love you” and, kissing her gently, turned and walked away..
12...Ann’s eyes opened...”Ray, I love you” she whispered...
She ran out of the door and into the street looking frantically around for any sign to show where he had gone.
Ann did not see the van lose control on the snow covered road...
She did not feel any pain as the cold white metal connected with her smooth pale skin and fragile bones sending her flying through the air...
All Ann felt was the warmth of Rays hand as it slipped into her own, and the gentleness of his lips as he kissed her again. The strength of his arms as they wrapped around her, and his love envelop her as they drifted away into the night.....
......A soft silver light shimmered over the corner table in the cafe, as it dimmed a small silver envelope appeared on the table. One word was written there....”Bill”
On the rose adorned card inside appeared these words....
“Together at last, as we should be,
Loving to eternity,”
~~~A & R~~~
© KarenWood
Ann sighed as she sat at her usual table. Christmas tunes floated gently through the air from the radio, and the snow fell silently outside. Looking out of the window, watching the coloured lights blink and dance in the windows down the street. The rest of the world seemed oblivious to the tragedy that happened almost 12 short months previous.
Ann glanced back into the cafe and looked across at Bill, the owner. He too was lost in thought. Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other in mutual understanding. Almost a year had passed since Bill's son Ray had been killed in a tragic accident outside the cafe, and, in 10 days time, it would be Christmas Eve, and the anniversary of that fateful day.
That night was to be Ann and Ray’s first date. They had been friends, close friends, ever since Ann first came upon this quiet little hamlet some years ago, and, in all that time, Ray never knew that Ann was deeply in love with him....
The tiny alarm at Ann’s wrist beeped gently, signalling that it was time to return to work. Standing to put on her warm coat, she smiled when Bill took it from her. “Allow me” he said. He held it out so she could slip her arms into its welcoming embrace. Turning, she placed a small kiss on Bills cheek and walked towards the door.
“Ann!” Bill called her back. “You forgot your letter!” Ann turned and looked puzzled at Bill. Walking back to him, she took the envelope from his hand and looked at it. A single word.. ‘Ann’ was written on the front. It shimmered under the cafe lights. The back of her neck prickled as she opened it, and, as she read what was written on the rose adorned card inside, her knees buckled and she slowly sank to the ground.
Bill caught Ann as she fell, and helped her to a chair. Taking the card from her shaking hand, he turned it over to read it.
“Death could not keep our love apart,
I return again, to give you my heart.”
~~~R~~~
Bill sank into the chair beside Ann, visibly shaken at the sight of the note written in his son’s handwriting..
The pale shadowy form watched through the window. No one noticed as it approached the cafe, and no one heard the gentle whisper...”soon my love...soon.”
The next few days passed without incident. No more strange notes were found, and as the preparations for the Christmas Eve party got under way, they both began to relax.
Morning arose and the crisp Winter sun shone through the window. The snow still blanketed the ground and the street began to fill with people going about their business. Today was the first day of the holidays for Ann, and with only 5 days to go to the party, Bill was glad of the help.
Ann was finishing the last of the invitations, a formality really as only close friends were invited. Suddenly there was a loud bang from outside, Ann jumped and knocked over the pile of red envelopes onto the floor. Stooping to pick them up, her heart leapt as amongst the red envelopes, she spotted a silver one....
With shaking hands she opened it....
“Beautiful you look, sitting there,
Winter sun shining on your Auburn hair,
The flush of pink on your cheek and lips,
I long to caress with my fingertips.”
~~~R~~~
Turning the card over, she saw once again a beautiful red rose. Ann sighed, closed her eyes, and held the card close. She imagined she could feel cool fingertips gently brushing against her cheek and she leaned into that loving ethereal caress.
The ghostly figure at her side smiled as his hand brushed her skin. She looked so lovely sitting there with her face tilted upwards bathed in sunlight. He could not resist, he leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek...
Ann’s eyes opened, and for a split second he thought she had felt him. Sadness filled him as he felt himself begin to drift away, reaching out to her he whispered...”soon my love....soon”. Had he been able to stay a little longer, he would have seen her fingers touch her face where he kissed, and he would have also seen the single tear that slowly rolled down her cheek...
Ann spent the following day helping Bill decorate the cafe with festive garlands, baubles and tinsel. They chatted happily, singing along with the Christmas songs on the radio. Ann felt this was going to be a really special Christmas.
That evening, after a day’s hard but fun festive labour, Ann relaxed with a glass of wine. Looking round the cafe, the main lights were out and just the Christmas lights twinkled in the darkness. It felt like a very magical place. Ann felt the air around her stir, and she shivered. Standing to put her coat on to leave, she saw on the table as she turned, a small silver envelope....
“Three days hence,
My love you’ll know...
One precious moment,
Before I must go”
Ann’s heartbeat quickened, on Christmas Eve she would know who her mystery writer was, and deep down inside she knew who she wished it to be.....but that was not possible....or was it?
Ann spent the next few days with her family. Exchanging gifts and cards, catching up on family gossip, and bathing in their love and warmth. All the time her mind never far from the little silver envelopes tucked away in her bag, and every quiet moment she got, she took them out and read them over. Christmas Eve could not come soon enough....
Ann entered the cafe, the party seemed to be in full swing. Music was playing gently, people were dancing, laughing....
She glanced over to the corner where her table usually waited for her. Her skin prickled when she saw a man sitting there. Was this the author of the mysterious and romantic notes she had been receiving over the last 10 days?
She made her way through the crowd, smiling, laughing, exchanging Christmas wishes with friends as she passed by, all the time keeping one eye on her goal...
Suddenly, her view was blocked by a human wall, a cheery smile greeted her eyes as they refocused, a rather loud “Merry Christmas” was blurted at her followed by a quick kiss, then the reveller moved onto his next victim.
Ann reached the table in the corner by the window, her heart sank when she found it was empty, no sign of the stranger. She jumped as she felt a cool hand on her shoulder, and a gentle soft voice whisper in her ear, “Care to dance, Ann?” Her heart was beating wildly as she turned, it was the stranger.
“Do I know you?” she asked. “You seem familiar”. The stranger simply smiled and took her hand, leading her to the centre of the dance floor as the music slowed to a gentle flowing tune. The air around him seemed to shimmer and glow, and the noise of the party faded into the background. He pulled her close to him. As they swayed to the rhythm of the music, she felt as if she were floating...He felt so familiar, and yet she couldn’t quite remember where she knew him from..
He began whispering in her ear. At first she had to strain to hear his words, but soon enough, they became clear...
“I could not tell you then how much I loved you, but I was going to, that night. I wanted it to be so special, even ran out to pick up some red roses because I knew they were your favourite....I didn’t get the chance.
I saw you kneeling by my side and felt your tears fall on my face as they carried me away. I so wanted to whisper that everything would be okay, to hold you close, to ease your pain...
For twelve long months I have watched you, my love growing ever deeper, until finally I could begin to make you see me. At first, I was the shadow that passed the corner of your eye, or the gentle breeze that caressed your face. As time wore on, I came to you in those letters, stood behind you, holding you, whilst you read them. Till finally tonight. I love you my darling Ann...I have bridged the gap between life and death for this night, in this form, to share this moment with you as we should have done a year ago...”
As the clock began to strike midnight, his lips met hers. Her body tingled and every fibre of her being felt alive from the cool sensual fire of his kiss. The clock began to chime....
1.....he pulled her closer, holding her to him, his fingers gently caressing up and down her spine..
2.....His kiss deepened, her senses reeled as she lost herself in his kiss..
3.....Memories began flashing into her mind..
4.....A year ago..Christmas Eve, gentle music, candlelight..
5.....The sound of sirens splitting the night..
6.....The look of horror on Bill’s face..
7.....Running out into the snow..
8.....Falling to her knees..
9.....Tears..
10...He broke the kiss, Ann swayed in his arms, her eyes were closed, a single tear broke forth and slowly rolled down her cheek..
11...He whispered, “I love you” and, kissing her gently, turned and walked away..
12...Ann’s eyes opened...”Ray, I love you” she whispered...
She ran out of the door and into the street looking frantically around for any sign to show where he had gone.
Ann did not see the van lose control on the snow covered road...
She did not feel any pain as the cold white metal connected with her smooth pale skin and fragile bones sending her flying through the air...
All Ann felt was the warmth of Rays hand as it slipped into her own, and the gentleness of his lips as he kissed her again. The strength of his arms as they wrapped around her, and his love envelop her as they drifted away into the night.....
......A soft silver light shimmered over the corner table in the cafe, as it dimmed a small silver envelope appeared on the table. One word was written there....”Bill”
On the rose adorned card inside appeared these words....
“Together at last, as we should be,
Loving to eternity,”
~~~A & R~~~
© KarenWood
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