# Back To Allen Street

### By Mavis Applewater

October 2008

Disclaimers: Any similarities between any persons living or dead is purely coincidental. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. The work is the sole property of the author and may not be reproduced posted or sold without the author’s permission. So there! If for any reason real or imagined you are uncomfortable with or do not wish to view material containing two consenting adult women in a loving and sexual relationship do not read this story or anything else I have ever written. If for any reason it is illegal for you to view this story, my apologies but you must go now. And don’t come back until it is no longer a crime. This is a follow up to Allen Street. You don’t need to read it to understand this story but it might help. I’d like to thank Stephanie and the Royal Academy Of Bards for inviting me back.

As always this is for Heather.

October 31, 1983

Sharon Cooke chugged along the street. She hated Pittsburgh. At the tender age of twelve she hated most things about her life. She had been a happy child. Blissfully unaware that her parents were unhappy. Six months prior to her Halloween trek she had been blindsided by the news that her happy family was breaking up. Her parents divorce was more traumatic then most. Her father a British citizen remained in Kingston. The only home Sharon had known. Her mother returned to her home and family in Pittsburgh.

Having her family break up was difficult enough to for the young girl to deal with. Moving to another country was hell on earth. She missed her father, she missed her life back in England, her school and friends were much to far away. In her new city she felt like an outsider. The city was cold and distant. Her classmates were equally cold; taunting her about her accent and her unusual height. She just wanted to go home. She wanted her parents to get back together. None of these things would happen.

The sky darkened as she made her way to the old factory. It would be easy to slip past the gate. She needed to retrieve her slicker and rubber boots. Her mother had insisted that she wear the unsightly yellow rubber rain gear. Sharon refused after her classmates took great delight in taunting her the last time she donned the bright apparel. The rain had yet to make an appearance. Yet, Sharon could feel a storm looming in the distance.

With the threat of rain, she wished she had listened to her mother. A clap of thunder made her shudder. She tried to slip past the large metal gate snagging her pant leg in the process.

“Great.” She groaned as she wrestled to free herself. There were many things Sharon was unaware of at that moment in time. The first was rain would not be coming. The storm that was looming would bring fire to the sky. She saw the first bolt of lightening crack against the darken sky.

She tightened her hold on the ornate hinge that held the aging gate shut. This was the second thing Sharon was unaware of. Beneath the green grunge of the old hinge was copper. It had been quite stunning back in the day when the factory was nothing short of a show piece for the community.

Sharon had no idea that she was trapped clinging to a large hunk of copper while lightening flashed all around her. Later in life she would learn that copper was a good conductor for electricity. She would also learn that if she had been wearing the ugly rubber boots her mother had insisted she wear she might have been spared from the searing pain that coursed through her body when she was struck.

In a brief moment as her body burned her mind seizing she spied him for the first time. ‘Sharon.’ The thin gaunt figure taunted her.

The experience added more grist to the mill. Already an outsider being struck by lightening made her even more of a freak. Then there was the added bonus of after waking up in the hospital in agonizing pain she could see dead people. And at times she knew what was going to happen before it happened. All in all that Halloween forever gave her mother the ultimate “I told you so!”

******************************************

October 23, 1991

Sharon was fast asleep in the apartment she shared with her roommate Anna and her boyfriend Paul. It was dark. She glanced over at the window to see a shadowy figure climbing in the window. She sprung from the bed grabbing a baseball bat. She beat back the shadow. Dropping the bat when she realized that she had defeated him. She walked to the living room realizing that it all had been a dream. Shivering from the nightmare. There he was sitting on the sofa wearing a hat that darkened his voice. Laughing at her. His voice maniacal. She realized that she was still asleep. She was back in bed. A shadowy figure climbing in the window. She sprung from the bed grabbed a baseball bat. She beat back the figure. Realizing that it had only been a dream she headed towards the living room. There he was. His hat hiding his face. His maniacal laugh ringing in her ears she realized that it was a dream. It happened over and over again. Each night thinking she had awaken only to be still trapped in a nightmare. Later she would learn that both Paul and Anna had been experiencing the same dream.

One night she jumped out of bed his laughter driving her insane. Paul and Anna jumped when she burst in the living room. “Will you shut up already!” She screamed startling her roommates.

“We weren’t saying anything,” Paul sheepishly explained. It was the truth the duo had been watching television.

“Not you two,” Sharon bellowed. “Him.” She pointed to the shadowy figure sitting between the couple. He rolled his eyes and shut up.

“I hate it when she does that.” Paul gulped.

“Totally freaks me out.” Anna agreed knowing that they were not alone.

Not long after that the trio moved to another apartment two floors down and the dreams stopped.

******************************************************

November 1996

Sharon shook her head with a wry smile. “Teresa you are unbelievable.” She snickered.

“What?” Teresa feigned innocence.

“What,” Sharon scoffed knowing that her friend was having a great fun giving her a hard time. “I don’t know why I put up with you?”

“I’m adorable,” Teresa smirked. “You were the one who said she was cute.”

“I said there’s that little baby dyke who has a crush on you,” Sharon corrected. “I never said she was cute.” She added as they made their way towards the main entrance of the hospital.

“You think she’s pretty,” Teresa taunted the young intern.

“She’s a kid,” Sharon stressed spying the topic of their conversation sprinting by. Sharon didn’t know the youngster’s name. She had seen her around working for hospital transportation. Right on cue the young blonde almost tripped when she spotted Teresa. “Who has a crush on you.” She snorted. “Not that I blame her. You can be charming when you want to be.”

“Was that a compliment?” Teresa shot back as she tugged on the bill of her EMT cap.

Sharon groaned ready to give a snide retort when she felt her skin prickle. Around her the lights dimmed. ‘Why now?’ Her weary mind questioned. She knew what was about to happen. ‘Sharon’ It beckoned her. Sharon was filled with a sense of foreboding. She heard the distant barking of a dog. In her mind’s eye she spied flashing red lights caught in a heavy snow fall. The blinking lights lingered in the back of her mind.

“Sharon?”

She was jolted back by Teresa’s voice. “What is it?” Teresa questioned. Sharon stood there unable to speak. “Hey Sharon, what did you see?” Teresa looked around to find the source of the trouble.

“I’m fine,” Sharon lied. She added a smile to appease her overly protective friend.

“Thought I lost you there,” Teresa quirked her head.

‘No, I’m about to lose you!’ The young doctor’s mind screamed. “Hey why don’t you bag out tonight?” She blurted out in desperation.

“Excuse me?” Teresa laughed. “A full moon and a snowstorm. I live for this stuff.”

“Please?” Sharon pleaded.

“Hey what are you hooligans doing?” A stern voice teased.

“Cheese it the cops,” Teresa snickered as the young police officer approached. “Hey Jess.”

“T.C,” Jess Charles greeted her in return. “What’s up?”

“Just getting ready for what looks like a busy night,” T.C boasted.

“Looks like it,” Jess nodded. “Not for you I hope.” She nodded towards Sharon.

“Not for any of us,” Sharon sighed. “Maybe the snow will keep the idiots indoors.”

“Let’s hope,” Jess concurred. “Well, I’m off.”

“So many donuts so little time,” Teresa teased. “How about a drink after all of us wrap up.”

“And watch the two of you chase girls?” Jess laughed. “Ah, what the hell best offer I’ve had in ages. See you when it’s over.” Jess agreed with a wave before she went on her way.

“Sucks that she’s straight,” Teresa noted as she watched Jess making her way towards her cruiser.

“No, kidding,” Sharon couldn’t help agreeing. “She is hot in that uniform.”

“Probably hotter out of it,” Teresa smirked.

“You’re such a pig.” Sharon groaned. “Any chance you’ll change your mind and just call out?”

“Huh?” Teresa was stunned. “I never call out.”

“No, you don’t,” Sharon said with defeat. “Just be careful.”

“Okay?” Teresa scrunched her brow. “I need to get my ass in gear. So, should you.”

“What?” Sharon grimaced. “Not like my patients are going anywhere.”

“True.” Teresa conceded before making her departure.

“Damn,” Sharon groaned before making her way to Allen Street. Allen Street wasn’t actually a location. The street had been renamed years ago. Yet, the staff of MGH still referred to it as the location of the morgue.

Sharon’s mother along with most everyone else in her life never understood why she suddenly decided to give up on becoming a surgeon to becoming a medical examiner. She tried to explain that her work with the dead helped the living. In more ways than her skills as a doctor. Her gift allowed her to help many to cross over and was a great comfort for those left behind. She knew working in the morgue was where she needed to be. It was her path. There of course was another reason. During her residency she lost a patient. Dealing with the dead was far easier than watching someone’s life slip away. She couldn’t face it again. So, she moved to Allen Street.

That night just as Sharon knew it would the storm raged on; blanketing the city of Boston in turmoil. Everyone was busy. Later that night the young blonde she had been ogling earlier that day delivered the one patient Sharon feared would be arriving that night.

Teresa Anna Maria Collins, known by everyone as T.C died when the ambulance she was driving skidded in the snow and slammed into a concrete barrier. She was killed on impact. Or was she? There were stories that T.C had radioed in the accident. Not only had she called for help she saved the lives of her partner Darren and Mrs. Rollinsworth the victim of being attacked by her neighbor’s dog. It was impossible of course. The autopsy which Sharon refused to be a part of proved that T.C’s body was crushed when the ambulance slammed into the barrier.

If anyone could carry on after death to save others it would be T.C, Sharon easily accepted. Still sliding her friends body into a metal draw made her sick. The only saving grace was T.C was still wrapped in a body bag and she was spared from having to see her friend’s mangled body.

She held it together closing the metal door. The tears were about to consume her when a loud thump made her jump back. “You would be a thumper,” she choked out the damn burst and she couldn’t stop crying. Another thump made her cry even harder.

“Leave it to T.C to be a troublemaker,” her boss sniffed. “Go, take a walk.” It was not a request.

Sharon didn’t need to be told twice. She bolted out of the morgue. She walked around the large hospital with no real destination in mind. She laughed at the way Teresa was still kicking up her heels. Years ago she told her friend how bodies don’t remain idle in death. Gasses escape, rigor mortise eases and they move. Thumpers were what the staff called bodies in the draws that jerk when they warm causing them to bang into the walls of their draw. Sharon took these things in stride. Of course she had the added pleasure of the occasional conversation with a corpse. This was something she kept to herself. Even Teresa was unaware of her gift.

*********************************

September 30, 2008

The rocking of the subway car was lulling Sharon into sleep. She blinked her eyes in an effort to stay awake. It was hard with the rocking of the car and the early hour. The sun was up still the tall brunette felt like it was the middle of the night. Her thoughts turned to coffee. She was in desperate need of caffeine. Suddenly Sharon was plunged into darkness. She jumped to her feet; her skin prickling. ‘No!’ She silently protested. It was happening again.

‘Sharon’ A creepy voice slowly beckoned.

“I’m not in the mood.” She growled.

‘Sharon.’ The voice eerily repeated.

She it was no use trying to fight it. Slowly she turned her head and saw the pale figure standing at the back of the train. His features were gaunt. The pale flesh hanging from his face. ‘Sharon.’ He beckoned crooking his gnarly finger.

The lights flickered back on. He was back. She never knew who he was only that he was a warning that something very bad was about to happen. The only question was could Sharon change things. Or would he appear to her laughing at her when she failed.

Sharon sat there her dark brown eyes boring into the slimy man in the expensive suit sitting across from her. “Mr. Howell,” she dryly responded to his barge of questions. “Mr. Frederick’s suffered from lung cancer the result of a three pack a day habit, hardening of the arteries since everything he ate was deep fried and let’s not forget cirrhosis of the liver because he drank like a fish. Suicide would have been a bit redundant don’t you think. Now I know you are looking for any excuse to screw his widow out of the money from his life insurance policy but I still have to go with natural causes on this one. Next?”

“Gillespie,” he sneered at her.

“Yes, he was fun,” she grunted. “Seems he was determined to live his life like a seventies rock star. Alas it was a good old fashion heart ache not an overdose.”

Sharon hated this guy. He showed up demanding autopsies at the drop of a hat. Apparently it was his mission in life to renege on all claims his company was responsible to pay. “If there is nothing else?” She snarled snapping shut the files that lay before her. She stood knowing her height intimidated him. “I have work to do.” She gruffly dismissed him. He hesitated for a moment until he spied a gurney being wheeled into the lab.

“Yes,” he gulped. “Thank you Dr. Cooke.” He choked out before making a mad dash out of the room.

“Hey boss there’s a Detective Jessup here to talk to you,” Mack her assistant informed her by shouting into her tiny office located in the back of the morgue.

“Tell him I’ll be there when I feel like it,” she shouted in response.

“It’s her,” came a wry response.

Sharon’s head snapped up her dark brown eyes widen when she found an old friend leaning in the doorway. “You look like shit.” She added noting the police officers disheveled appearance.

“You say the sweetest things,” Jess smirked. “Yet with that accent of yours it still sounds classy.”

“Jess Charles,” Sharon smiled moving across the room to greet her old friend. “Oh, sorry I mean Jessup. How is Brian?”

“I wouldn’t hug me right now,” Jess smiled holding up her hands.

“You stink.”

“I’ve noticed,” Jess groaned. “I climbed through every sewer between here and New York.”

“Still know how to have a good time,” Sharon snickered.

“Wasn’t my idea,” Jess groaned. “I was chasing that piece of garbage.” She nodded towards the body wrapped in a long dark bag.

“Caught him I see.”

“Yeah,” Jess shifted uncomfortable. “Don’t grieve for him. He liked to hurt kids. I won’t lose any sleep over it.”

‘Yes, you will,’ Sharon silently deduced. “You never said how your husband is?” She offered instead.

“My ex is fine,” Jess chuckled. “Come on you get to say I told you so.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Sharon offered sincerely. “Speaking of dreams did I see you on television last year?”

“Yeah,” Jess drew out slowly. “Got roped into an eighty year old case.”

“Solved it didn’t you.” Sharon smirked.

“Yes, sort of,” Jess shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.

“So, tell me-”

“About the ghost,” Jess groaned.

“No, about the hot hostess.” Sharon’s eyes lit up.

“Faith,” Jess laughed. “Yeah, she’s my sister. Half sister.”

“Really?” Sharon perked up. “Make me happy and tell me she’s gay.”

“Oh, she’s gay,” Jess smiled.

“Now make me ecstatic and tell me she’s single?” Sharon pleaded.

“You’ll have to settle for happy.” Jess asserted.

“Pity,” Sharon sighed.

“It’s been a long time,” Jess began thoughtfully. “I’ve got some time before I have to head back. I’m supposed to wait until they transport that one to the state crime lab.”

“You worried?”

“No,” Jess asserted. “It was a clean shoot. But since I’m here for another day how about a drink? I’d like to catch up.”

“Sounds good.” Sharon answered. “I usually finish up around six or so.”

“Cool that will give me a chance to take a long bath,” Jess said. “How about I meet you at-”

“Club Cafe,” Sharon cut her off.

“A gay bar?” Jess laughed. “God, I haven’t been there since-”

“Teresa’s funeral.” Sharon finished for her. “Will you go take a bath. You’re smelling up the joint.” She quickly shifted gears.

“Charming as ever,” Jess snorted before leaving.

*****************************************

“This place hasn’t changed,” Jess noted as the sipped their drinks. They opted to sit a table in the bar. It was mid week and thankfully the crowd was thin.

“No,” Sharon noted. “I haven’t been here since the funeral either.”

“She was such a good person,” Jess absently stated.

“That she was,” Sharon agreed.

“I always that maybe the two of you would-”

“No,” Sharon laughed lightly. “We were too good of friends. It would have been like dating my sister. You know what I mean? Now if it was your sister-”

“Don’t,” Jess shook her head. “Trust me she’s very taken. I’m a bit surprised that some young thing hasn’t snatched you up.” She shifted gears not really wanting to discuss her sister.

“I’m shocked myself,” Sharon joked. “What happened with Brian? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“He’s a great guy,” Jess began. “But I was looking for a father figure. Just like you said. I don’t regret it. We had some good times and managed to stay friends. I guess it was just something I needed to do to get to where I was going.”

“Jess Charles believing in fate!” Sharon was truly surprised.

“I believe in a lot of things I never use to,” Jess laughed. “I’m seeing a great guy now. He’s a science geek.”

“My God,” Sharon was shocked. “You have changed.”

“For the better I hope,” Jess offered.

“Most definitely,” Sharon reassured her.

Then they fell into an awkward silence. There was something Jess wasn’t telling her. Sharon just couldn’t put her finger on it. “I was there that night,” Jess began in an uneasy tone. “That damn dog ripped that woman up. Scared the crap out of Darren and T.C. Hell scared me too. I teased her about it. Later when I heard about the accident I just wanted to kick myself. The last thing I said to her was that she was a chicken-shit.”

“Knowing Teresa she probably laughed,” Sharon tried to reassure her.

“I think she flipped me off,” Jess grumbled. “I can’t remember.”

Sharon felt her skin prickle. ‘Tell her.’ The words were soft and not meant for her. “Jess?” she questioned in a shaky voice. Jess was staring at the table. She seemed lost.

“Geez, it got cold in here,” Jess shivered.

“Yes,” Sharon shivered along with her. There was someone there. Sharon scanned the near empty bar. Whoever or whatever it was failed to show itself. The lights flickered and suddenly Sharon felt a familiar warmth encompassing her. “Am I missing something?” She hadn’t meant to say the words out loud.

“No,” Jess muttered. “I’m stalling. I have no idea how to do this.”

“Do what?” Sharon was completely baffled.

“Well, you see-” Jess stammered blowing out a sigh of relief when her cell phone chirped. “Thank you.” She blew out and answered her phone. “Hello? . . . Well I’m trying to. Some of us don’t do this everyday you know.” She barked into the phone. “What? Fine I will.” She growled before ending the call. “Could you go to the bar and get us another round?” She sheepishly requested.

“Excuse me?” Sharon questioned as she looked at the nearly full drinks sitting on the table.

“Buy us another round,” Jess insisted.

“The waiter should be around in a bit,” Sharon tried to reason.

“Please just do it,” Jess pleaded.

‘Do it’ Was whispered in her ear. Sharon conceded and made her way to the bar.

Still mystified she ordered another round. After receiving her drinks she turned and bumped into a tired looking blonde. “So, sorry.”

“No, my fault,” the familiar looking woman said. “I’m a bit out of sorts and didn’t see you there.”

“Tell me about it,” Sharon shyly offered. “I mean I’m a bit worse for wear myself this evening.” Suddenly the imagine of mangled metal popped into her mind. Her heart was racing. Just as suddenly the imagine faded and she realized that she was staring. “Sorry.”

“No, me again,” the woman quickly apologized. “I didn’t mean to stare. It’s the accent. Where are you from?”

“Pittsburgh,” Sharon flatly answered while she tried to remember where she knew this woman from.

“Good one.” The green eyed beauty laughed. “I should let you get back to your date.”

“Friend,” Sharon quickly corrected. “Straight friend.” She stressed not wanting any misunderstandings. Despite the weary look in the stranger’s eyes, Sharon couldn’t help noticing that the little blonde was absolutely adorable. “Forgive me but do I know you from somewhere?”

“I-”

“Sharon?” Jess called out with an amused smirk.

“I hate her.” Sharon groaned before excusing herself and returning to Jess.

“Can’t even send you to the bar without you trolling for a date,” Jess taunted her. “You hussy.”

“I just thought I knew her from somewhere,” Sharon tried to defend herself.

“Right,” Jess chuckled. “Hey if you want to ditch me, I’ll understand.”

“I haven’t seen or heard from you in eons,” Sharon cut her off. “Cute blondes are a dime a dozen. Now here is your cocktail.”

“Thank you.” Jess nodded.

“Do you need to talk?” Sharon cautiously began. “About what happened today?”

“No,” Jess sighed. “I knew that I would end up here in Boston. I also knew that I would have to use my gun.”

“Good intuition.”

“I also knew that I’d be seeing you,” Jess confessed in an uneasy tone.

“Oh my God,” Sharon almost laughed. “Well this is a switch.”

“Do you believe in ESP?” Jess treaded lightly.

“As a matter of fact I do,” Sharon couldn’t believe that for the first time in her life the tables were turned.

“Whew,” Jess blew out with relief. “This is going to make this much easier. You see my sister’s partner warned me about coming here. You see she’s-”

“A psychic. Was she the one who called?”

“Yeah, that was her.” Jess practically cheered. “She said to send you to the bar and then I need to deliver you a message. Only before I left New York she said, you need to tell the cook something. I didn’t put it together until I saw you. Wait, why are you so calm about this? Frankly I’ve been around this for a couple of years now and it really freaks me out.”

“I don’t tell many people this,” Sharon shyly began. “Right before I turned thirteen I was struck by lightening.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, and after that I’ve had to deliver a few messages myself,” Sharon nervously explained.

“My God,” Jess gaped at her. “You told T.C to call in sick that night. She told me about that and said she should have listened to you.”

“I wish she had,” Sharon glumly confessed. “I keep wondering that if I had just done more.”

“No,” Jess stressed. “It was her time. Something else I’m learning about. I’ve also learned that keen insight you folks have doesn’t apply to yourself.”

“No,” Sharon sighed. “Could have spared me from my phenomenally bad taste in women. So, what‘s my message? Am I going to win the lottery?”

“If you do you’re splitting it with me,” Jess smiled. “Okay, I don’t know what it means. You need to listen to T.C.”

Sharon’s jaw dropped. It wasn’t possible. “No,” she shook her head. “A pure soul like Teresa would have crossed over. If she had something to say she’s had over a decade to come calling.”

“I heard the rumors,” Jess carefully began. “She was dead but still saved two people. Knowing her I’m not surprised by that. Maybe there is something she needs to finish. Then again maybe we should just get drunk and hope this will all end up making sense.”

“I like that plan.” Sharon blew out in exasperation.

“You know she did look familiar,” Jess slurred after the third or possibly the fifth round.

“Who?” Sharon shook her head.

“The hot blonde,” Jess groaned. “I’m going to hate you in the morning.”

“I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

***********************************************

The next morning Sharon drove a very hung over Jess to Logan Airport. She was glad that they had become reacquainted. Still she couldn’t get the message out of her head. If Teresa had unfinished business why hadn’t she contact Sharon years ago. It didn’t make any sense. She watched as Jess stumbled her way through security. She gave her old friend a wave before turning away.

“Laurel I’ll be fine,” a woman insisted. “You just enjoy the house and get some rest. You look terrible.”

“Thanks, Mom,” a familiar voice responded.

Sharon’s head snapped to the end of the check in line. There stood the blonde she had seen the night before. Sharon shivered the lights flickered. ‘Because she needed me more.’ Sharon gasped and almost fell to her knees. She clutched her chest and tried to catch her breath.

“Hello again,” a curious voice said. “Are you all right.”

Sharon blinked her eyes open and found the blonde standing in front of her. “Small world,” she gasped struggling to catch her bearings. “I’m fine. Drank a bit much last night.”

“Sending your friend home?”

“Yes,” Sharon nodded stepping out of the way of eager travelers. “You?”

“My mom,” came the answer with a shy smile. “I can’t help it. I know she’s an adult but I still worry.”

“I’m the same way,” Sharon confessed. “I hate that I live so far away.”

“Pittsburgh right?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Sharon answered thinking that this woman was even more adorable in the light of day. “Sharon Cooke.” She introduced herself offering her hand.

“Laurel Dearborn.” Came the bright response.

Sharon’s body warmed when Laurel shook her hand. There was something so comforting about the other woman’s touch. “You work at Mass General.” Laurel said suddenly. “Dr. Cooke. That’s where I know you from. I have to confess at first I thought you were handing me a line.”

“Speaking of hands,” Sharon blushed upon realizing that she was still holding Laurel’s hand.

“Oops,” Laurel gasped releasing Sharon’s hand. “I use to work at the hospital during my undergrad days.”

“That’s it,” Sharon exclaimed. “The baby dy- I mean you worked in transportation.” Her glee was short lived when she remembered the last time she had seen this woman. “You were the one who-”

“I was the one who transported T.C to Allen Street,” Laurel grimly confirmed. “My last day at the hospital. I still can’t believe her parents didn’t attend the funeral.”

“They’re assholes,” Sharon growled. “Sorry for my language.”

“No need to apologize,” Laurel waved it off. “From what I’ve heard it is an accurate assessment. Well it was nice running into you.”

“Yes,” Sharon nodded her mind searching for something to say.

“Bye,” Laurel hesitantly offered before walking away.

‘You’re seriously just letting her walk away?’ Was screeched from beside her.

Sharon turned and almost toppled over when she spied Teresa standing next to her. “Okay, if I talk to you now the police will take me away.” She quickly explained in a low voice.

‘You can see me?’

Sharon simply nodded and walked towards the exit so she could make her way to her car. She was more than a little disappointed that Teresa had failed to follow her. “How am I going to listen to you when you won’t show up!” She bellowed in frustration once she was safely in her car. “Fine I have to get to work.”

*************************************************

For the next week Sharon carried on as before. She worked. Occasionally shouting at the little girl who for some reason sat in the corner of the morgue singing Itsy bitsy spider over and over again. Normally, Sharon could tune her out. With the stress of the past week Sharon simply lacked the patience to endure one more chorus. She shouted and threw things all the while knowing the little girl really wasn’t there. It was residual energy. An event that simply played over and over again.

‘You were keeping secrets from me.’

“Teresa,” she blew out with relief. “It is about time.”

‘Had I known that I could sit and talk with you without exerting much energy I might have visited sooner.’ Teresa calmly explained.

“It started when I was twelve,” Sharon calmly explained.

‘You couldn’t have stopped me that night,’ Teresa sadly explained. ‘It was my time. Although it took me awhile to realize what had happened.’

“You didn’t know that you were dead,” Sharon concluded as she gazed upon her old friend still dressed in her EMT uniform. Smiling over at her with the same brilliant smile that always warmed her heart.

‘No.’ Teresa confirmed. ‘Then I realized there were things I needed to do.’

“You need to crossover,” Sharon pleaded.

‘I will,’ Teresa mischievously answered.

“What are you up to?” Sharon pleaded.

‘You’ll see,’ Teresa taunted her. ‘Zakim Bridge-’

Her words were cut off and she suddenly vanished when someone knocked on the office door. “Zakim Bridge? You weren’t even alive when it was built.” She growled in frustration as she went over and answered the door. “Laurel?” She gaped at her unexpected guest.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Laurel apologized. Her brow furrowed when she looked around the office and discovered that Sharon was alone. “Sorry, I thought you had company.”

“Just thinking out loud.” Sharon lied. “It gets a bit quiet around here. Come in.”

Laurel nodded before taking a tentative step inside. She took a seat and shifted nervously as Sharon made herself comfortable at her desk. Sharon waited patiently while Laurel nervously twisted her hands. “So,” she finally blurted out. “What brings you by?”

“Someone told me to come back to Allen Street,” Laurel nervously explained.

“I see,” Sharon answered not even blinking when Teresa appeared behind Laurel. “You look more rested.”

“I’ve been sleeping at my mother’s while she’s out of town,” Laurel was clearly perplexed by the question. “I don’t sleep very well at my place.”

“Have you considered moving?”

‘She’s afraid to leave me,’ Teresa tried to explain. ‘She hates that I’m there. I scare the crap out of her.’

“Oh, I want to move,” Laurel prattled on completely unaware of the conversation going on around her. “I just can’t. Not yet.”

“Well the market sucks.” Sharon reasoned.

“There’s that too,” Laurel groaned.

‘She wants to help me.’

Sharon glared at Teresa. She wanted to scream then why don’t you move on so this poor woman can sleep at night? Thinking that it might freak her guest out she controlled herself. Still that begged the question of how she was going to get Laurel to open up.

“I don’t know why I’m here,” Laurel finally blurted out in frustration.

“Oddly enough,” Sharon accepted that there was no easy way to get around it. “I know why you’re here. Laurel do you see dead people?”

“Just the one.” Laurel squeaked out. “Man this was so much easier with Tanya.”

“Tanya?”

“My last girlfriend,” Laurel grimly explained. “She was a medium. Actually she was a shampoo girl who read tarot cards. My mom fixed us up.”

“Nice mom,” Sharon was jealous. “Mine sends me bible passages.”

‘Zakim Bridge!’ Teresa suddenly blurted out before vanishing.

“Well that was annoying.” Sharon couldn’t refrain from shouting out.

“Which part?” Laurel squeaked out.

“Oh, not you,” Sharon tried to explain. “Laurel can I buy you a drink or forty?”

“Must be five o’clock somewhere,” Laurel blew with relief.

*************************************************

They decided to go to the restaurant across the street. They ordered a couple of sandwiches and a bottle of wine. They chatted about the weather while they ate. After the meal was over they ordered another bottle of wine.

“Why not,” Laurel agreed. “My place is just up the hill. I could always stumble home. I‘m certainly in no condition to drive.”

“Up the street,” Sharon shivered.

“Yeah,” Laurel confirmed before taking a health sip of her wine. “I had such a crush on T.C back in the day.”

“I know,” Sharon snickered.

“Did she?” Laurel squeaked out.

“Yes,” Sharon reluctantly confirmed. “If it is any comfort, Teresa was a saint who would give you the shirt off her back. Hell, she’d give you a kidney if you needed it. But she wouldn’t give you a commitment.”

“Really?” Laurel was clearly stunned.

“Oh, she had issues,” Sharon laughed. “It started with her first girlfriend. She was madly in love with her. I think they had been together for a couple of years. Teresa was so in love with her that she had to tell her parents the truth. They threw her out of the house and told her that they would pray for her.”

“Nice.” Laurel hissed.

“That’s not the worst of it,” Sharon cringed. “She went right over to the girl’s house. Alice was her name and told her what happened. Her response was to say “What do you mean I’m your girlfriend? I’m not gay. Teresa ended up living with her Aunt and Uncle. She dated, a lot. But she never fell in love again.”

“That’s so sad.” Laurel whimpered. “I’m so lucky my parents are so understanding. Freakishly so at times but they are great.”

“Must be nice,” Sharon said. “Mine is fine with it most of the time as long as we don’t talk about it. Still sends me bible passages. I had no idea she was religious until I came out. You are very lucky that your parents are understanding.”

“Speaking of understanding,” Laurel began. “Why aren’t you - I mean I show up at the morgue telling you that I’ve seen a ghost and you don’t even bat an eye. No offense but what’s up with that?”

“Well, I have a little story to tell you,” Sharon smiled before retelling her story about the storm and what happened afterward. Laurel listened as she explained how she tried to stop Teresa from going to work that night. Then she finished by explaining that Teresa had been standing behind her at the morgue. She left out the part about the bridge. Since she had no idea what it meant she didn’t feel a need to scare Laurel anymore than she already was.

“She was standing behind me?” Laurel shivered. “It’s bad enough seeing her looking at me in the bathroom mirror. Twelve-eleven AM almost every night I wake up. I’m cold. I hear a dog barking. I hear her trying to kick open the ambulance door. Thump, thump, thump. Sometimes I see her sitting on my bed. Then she goes away for awhile. After Tanya and I split up she started up again full force. She kept whispering that Tanya wasn’t the one and I need to go back to Allen Street.”

“And now you have,” Sharon tried to comfort her. “It’s a start. Why Twelve-Eleven?”

“I think that is the time she died,” Laurel explained.

“Makes sense,” Sharon nodded. “So, what happened with Tanya?”

“T.C was right,” Laurel laughed. “She wasn’t the one. Things fizzled. We called it a day and she moved to LA.”

“Teresa just loved being right,” Sharon teased.

“You know for a long while when Tanya helped me understand that it was because I was living in T.C’s apartment things settled down. I’d see a shadow and have an occasional bad dream. Then it all started up again. It’s getting worse.”

“Wait you live in her old apartment?” Sharon stammered. “That tiny little studio?”

“Now it is a one bedroom condo,” Laurel corrected her in a dejected tone.

“Come on that place a condo?”

“Would you like to see it?” Laurel invited her with a slight blush.

“Are you inviting me back to your place?” Sharon felt her pulse quicken.

“Yes,” Laurel held her in a smoky gaze. “Although I can’t guarantee privacy.”

******************************************************

Sharon didn’t understand the comment. She was just eager to go home with Laurel. Years ago she had thought the girl was cute. Now she was completely captivated by the stunning blonde. The night had turned chilly. The walk up Beacon Hill took time since the effects of the wine had hit the both of them. Walking the narrow streets was all too familiar for Sharon.

She shivered when they descended the street level staircase and entered her old friend’s home. The only difference was they used the door on the opposite side. “So they opened up the basement studios and call it a one bedroom,” she surmised. “Cheeky bastards.”

“I know,” Laurel conceded as she shrugged off her coat. “I’d sell. I just want to make sure she’s going to be okay.”

“She feels that there is something she needs to do,” Sharon tried to explain following Laurel’s lead and shedding her coat. “Thanks.” She said when Laurel took the garment. “It does look nicer. Then again Teresa was a slob.”

“You were really close?” Laurel questioned with an uncomfortable tone.

“Not that close,” Sharon quickly reassured her taking a step closer. Sharon felt drawn to Laurel. By the way Laurel was looking at her she felt certain she felt the same way. She dipped her head unable to resist the urge to be closer to this woman. Just as she was about to claim Laurel’s lips a shadow passed in the other room.

She quirked her head and saw the shadowy figure again. She knew who it was and she wanted to throttle her dear old friend. “What?” Laurel questioned.

“We’re not alone,” she grimly confessed. “Maybe I can help.”

“You can help by finishing what you were about to do,” Laurel whimpered. “But I do so hate an audience. I’ll wait out here if you don’t mind.”

*******************************************

Sharon released a growl as she stomped into the bedroom She wasn’t surprised to find Teresa sitting on the bed with a smug smirk plastered on her face. “I hate you,” she hissed flopping down on the bed. “You hung around all this time to play matchmaker. Fine you did your job. No, go away so we can get to know each other better.”

‘I knew you liked her,’ Teresa gloated.

“Yes, I do.” Sharon confessed.

‘I’m not here to fix you up,’ Teresa wearily explained. ‘Well, that’s part of it. ‘

“I know you’re here to watch over her.” Sharon was growing tired.

“And you,” Teresa smiled. ‘It was always about you. Not just Laurel. Zakim Bridge.’

“Stop that,” Sharon pleaded. “What does it mean?”

‘Tomorrow night. If you can’t stop her follow her.’

Then she was gone. “Is it safe to come in?” Laurel sheepishly questioned from the doorway.

“She’s not here,” Sharon rubbed her throbbing temple. Her body warmed when Laurel sat down beside her. Laurel reached out and clasped her hand. She smiled at the gesture. Then she felt cold. She shivered and once again the image of mangled metal flashed in her mind. “Zakim bridge,” she sputtered.

“Not the words I was hoping to hear at this moment,” Laurel nervously laughed.

“Do you travel that way at all?” Sharon couldn’t stop the feeling of dread that was encompassing her.

“Not usually,” Laurel confessed. “I don’t own a car. As you know there isn’t any parking up here on the hill. I have been using my mother’s car. I’m house-sitting for her while she’s away. I take the bridge to get to her place.”

“Don’t,” Sharon insisted.

“I can go around,” Laurel reassured her giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I don’t really like the new bridge. It’s a bit phallic don’t you think.”

Sharon laughed in agreement thinking of the two white towers that supported the suspension cables. “Just a bit.” Sharon tried to relax. Jess passed a message to her. She did what she was suppose to do. She listened to Teresa and warned Laurel. Everything would be fine. Then why couldn’t she shake the feeling that with all the messages from the great beyond things were destined to turn out badly?

“I really do like what you’ve done to the place,” she blurted out needing to say something. “Teresa was never one for the homey touches.” She glanced around worried that her dearly departed friend would retaliate.

“Can we not talk about her?” Laurel sighed wistfully. “She causes me enough stress.” Laurel confessed as she inched closer to Sharon. “This is the first time in a very long time I’ve had a beautiful woman in my bedroom. Talking about a ghost isn’t topping my list of things to do at the moment.”

“And what is topping your list of things to do?” Sharon questioned cupping Laurel’s cheek.

“This,” Laurel asserted in a breathy tone leaning closer before she claimed Sharon’s lips in a soft sensual kiss.

All thoughts of drama and ghosts flew from her thoughts. Sharon melted into the kiss. She wrapped her arms around Laurel’s slender waist. ‘This is where I’m meant to be.’ She thought as she lowered Laurel down onto the mattress. Not being one to waste time she tugged the hem of Laurel’s blouse from the safe confines of her slacks. She slipped her hands under the silky material.

Her fingers tingled from feel of Laurel’s skin quivering beneath her touch. The kiss deepened. Laurel tugged on Sharon’s sweater. She seemed eager to rid the doctor of her clothing as quickly as possible. Sharon was breathless when she broke from the fiery kiss. Laurel whimped when Sharon straddled her body.

“This is a great way to sober up,” Laurel whimpered reaching out and lowering the zipper on Sharon’s jeans.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Sharon purred before shedding her sweater.

Her body was humming as Laurel urgently tugged on her jeans. Sharon chuckled wryly feeling her pants being lowered to her hips. She clasped Laurel’s wandering hands. Her mind was spinning. Hadn’t she only met this woman a short time ago. With one glance in Laurel’s smoldering eyes cast aside any concerns. She pressed her advantage pinning Laurel’s hands against the mattress. She molded her body against Laurel’s quivering form.

She bit back the groan that threatened to escape. She slipped her thigh between Laurel’s thighs. The sharp gasp her lover released spurred her on. She began to lavish Laurel’s neck with demanding kisses.

“Oh, God,” Laurel gasped.

Sharon pressed her thigh against Laurel’s center. Pleased when Laurel’s body arched against her touch. She playfully nipped Laurel’s soft flesh. Her kisses drifted lower.

“I need to touch you,” Laurel begged.

Sharon murmured with delight. She released her grasp allowing her lover to wrap her arms around her. Laurel’s leg wrapped around Sharon’s body pressing her closer. In response Sharon used the tip of her tongue to trace the swell of Laurel’s breasts. Their bodies swayed in a sensual rhythm. Sharon thrust urgently against Laurel’s body.

In a desperate need for more she wriggled from her lover’s tight embrace. Reaching up she clasped Laurel’s bra tearing the garment from the younger woman’s body. She purred with delight when Laurel’s sensual flesh was revealed to her. Laurel reached up threading her fingers through Sharon’s short dark hair.

Sharon gave in and allowed Laurel to guide her to her breasts. Eagerly Sharon captured one of Laurel’s nipples between her lips. She urgently suckled the bud. She felt her clit pulsating as Laurel’s nipple hardened against her touch.

“You’re driving me crazy,” Laurel groaned her hands slipped into the back of Sharon’s jeans.

“Good,” Sharon murmured against her skin. Her lover growled in frustration. Sharon’s mind was screaming for her to take things slowly. Her body refused to yield. Her mouth was busy taunting and teasing Laurel’s nipples. She knew she was driving her lover to the brink of insanity. Laurel’s urged her on by caressing her backside.

The taste of Laurel’s skin delighted her senses. Sharon began to kiss her way down Laurel’s warm inviting body. Her lover shivered as Sharon trailed her tongue down her body. Laurel released a nervous giggle when Sharon dipped her tongue in her navel. Then she wrestled free from Laurel’s grasp.

“Please don’t stop,” Laurel pleaded.

“I have no intention of stopping,” Sharon boasted her hands busy with undoing the blonde’s slacks. Her body was on fire. Using the same urgency as before she rid Laurel of the remainder of her clothing.

She took a moment to admire the beautiful naked body lying before her. She was unable to resist the glorious sight. Even in the darkness she could see Laurel’s passion. She trembled feeling Laurel’s hands guiding her down to her. Gleefully Sharon buried her face between Laurel’s trembling thighs.

She parted her lover with her fingers. Her body ached when she ran her tongue along the slick folds of Laurel’s sex. Laurel’s legs wrapped tightly around her body. Sharon happily licked and teased her lover. Laurel’s clit throbbed against the tip of her tongue. Sharon clasped her lover’s firm round backside and drew her closer.

She felt her own desire grow when she captured Laurel’s harden clit between her lips. She sucked the throbbing bundle with wild abandonment. Laurel’s passion spilled over her. She fought to hold her lover’s body steady. She slipped one of her hands between Laurel’s thighs. Fueled on by Laurel’s urgent thrusts she plunged two fingers deep inside her lover’s warm wet center.

Sharon felt alive every fiber of her being tingled. She plunged another digit deep inside Laurel’s thrusting body. She could feel her own body nearing the edge. She took her lover harder. Laurel’s pleas for more drove her insane. She clenched her thighs in an effort to ebb her own needs. Laurel’s body tensed against her. Sharon took her harder. Laurel’s body shuddered filling Sharon with a sense of euphoria.

Laurel’s finger burrowed into Sharon’s flesh. The climax tore through her body. Sharon kept pleasuring the trembling woman until Laurel begged her to stop. “Come here,” Laurel choked out after Sharon had licked the last drop of passion from her thighs.

Sharon hovered above her lover. She felt content allowing Laurel to jerk her jeans down to her knees. Laurel pulled her down. Sharon’s body surged with pleasure from the feel of their naked flesh pressing together. Laurel parted her thighs and guided Sharon closer. Sharon cried out from the feel of her engorged clit rubbing against Laurel’s sex.

Their bodies moved in perfect rhythm. Sharon screamed “Yes!” Over and over again as she wildly rode against Laurel’s passion. Her head fell back. She released one last strangled cry before she collapsed against Laurel’s shivering body.

*****************************************

Sharon awoke with a start the following morning. It took a moment for the events of the previous evening to come back to her. When the tawdry events replayed in her mind she couldn’t stop smiling. Then she glanced at the clock located on the nightstand. “Shit,” she exclaimed causing her companion to jump up. “I’m late.”

“Crap,” Laurel growled as she leapt from the bed. “Me too. I still have to bail my mom’s car out of the hospital garage.”

The couple rushed into the bathroom for a hasty shower. Sharon threw on her clothing thankful that she had a fresh pair of scrubs waiting for her in her office. She grimaced when her body ached from the previous evening’s romp. She was impressed with the lightening speed Laurel possessed in preparing to go out. “I’m so late,” Laurel fussed as she locked up her home.

“It’s raining,” Sharon groaned. It wasn’t simply raining it was pouring. She braced herself ready to bolt down the hill as quickly as possible.

“Wait,” Laurel grasped her by the arm halting her escape.

Sharon spun around and smiled with she spied the gleam in Laurel’s eyes. She stepped into Laurel’s warm embrace. They stood there in the rain kissing like a couple of love sick teenagers. Each struggled to breathe after the kiss came to a reluctant end.

“Last night was amazing,” Sharon nervously confessed.

“Wish we could just climb back into bed,” Laurel blushed. “We need to go before we drown.” She added with reluctance.

Sharon clasped Laurel’s hand and they made a mad dash down the hill towards the hospital. Once they reached the garage, Sharon walked Laurel to her car. Instead of rushing into the hospital she found herself kissing Laurel. Just before the heated make-out session got completely out of hand they said their goodbyes.

Sharon rushed into the hospital stole a bunch of towels from housekeeping and dragged her soaking wet body down to her office. All day long despite the seriousness of her job, Sharon couldn’t stop smiling. When her work day came to an end she was staring at her telephone. Mentally she kicked herself.

“Can’t believe I didn’t get her number,” she snarled.

‘Is that a hickey?’

“Could you at least knock,” she snarled at Teresa’s shadowy form.

‘No time for pleasantries,’ Teresa stressed in an urgent tone. ‘The rain is getting worse. She’s going to end up on the bridge.’

Sharon didn’t wait to hear anymore. She bolted out of her chair. She only paused long enough to throw on her jacket. “Why didn’t she listen?” She questioned in a shaky voice. She paced up and down the sidewalk. The van to the employee lot was taking forever. She was ready to explode by the time she made it to her car. The rain was coming down harder. Her hands trembled as she tried to jam the key in the ignition.

She wanted to scream the scene of mangled metal flashed through her mind as her car sputtered to life. She flipped on the wipers and sped out of the parking lot. “Okay, it’s not that far,” she tried to calm herself. It wasn’t helping she could see it happening. The large truck crossing the line veering into the small blue Honda. “No!” Sharon screamed pressing down harder on the gas pedal. Car horns blared expressing their displeasure with Sharon’s reckless driving.

There it was just as she had seen it. The red truck resting on top of the tiny car. Another car parked behind the Honda. Sharon almost crashed into another car as she rushed to get as close as she could. She felt a small sense of relief when she spied a figure yanking open the door of the Honda.

“I’m a doctor,” she heard herself shouting as she jumped from her car and rushed over to the horrific scene.

“I’ve called for help,” the burly man gasped.

‘Stop him!’ Teresa shouted suddenly appearing beside the car.

“Don’t move her,” Sharon gulped her eyes filled with tears at the sight of Laurel’s body crumpled inside the car. “What am I suppose to do?” She panicked as she neared Laurel.

‘Come on you know what to do,’ Teresa persisted.

“You don’t know?” The burly man gulped.

‘You do know,’ Teresa insisted. ‘Keep her warm. She’s going into shock.’

“We need to keep her warm,” Sharon sputtered ready to yank off her jacket.

“I’ve got a blanket in my car,” the man eagerly offered.

“Get it,” Sharon commanded pleased when he rushed off. She removed Laurel’s seatbelt and began to check her body. She felt the bile rise in her throat when her hand became covered in blood. “I can’t do this. My last living patient died.”

‘Not a good bedside manner,’ Teresa fussed. ‘Take your coat and press it against her abdomen. Lift her shirt you’ll see the wound. ‘

Sharon’s hands shook as she followed Teresa’s instructions. She took the blanket from the man and covered Laurel. She was mindful to keep her jacket pressed up against Laurel’s injury.

‘Good, you’re doing good,’ Teresa encouraged. ‘Now check her pulse. Come on you can do this. Whatever happens don’t move her.’

Sharon’s training kicked in and she tended to the unconscious Laurel. “Here,” she called for the man who had been helping her. “Keep this pressed against her. Don’t let her move. I need to check on the other driver.” The man nodded nervously but did as he was instructed.

“What can you tell me about the other guy?” She questioned Teresa who was following closely behind her.

‘Drunk,’ Teresa snarled. ‘He’s passed out just a contusion to his forehead. Looks worse than it is. You’re doing great. Help will be here soon.’

“Angels look after drunks and idiots,” Sharon snarled after confirming that other victim was all right. “What would have happened if I wasn’t here?”

‘The good Samaritan over there would have removed Laurel from the car,’ Teresa explained. ‘She would have been paralyzed from the neck down. Something emotionally she never would have recovered from. You needed to do this. You needed to be here for her. You’re a good doctor. Yes, you are working where you should be. That boy’s death wasn’t your fault. You’ve read the file a thousand times. You know you did everything possible. Time to forgive yourself. He doesn’t blame you. Darren’s here.’

Sharon felt the relief wash over her when she saw Darren rush from his rig. She greeted him and filled him in on everything. “Be careful with her. I’m worried about spinal injury.”

“Thanks for everything Dr. Cooke,” Darren stated.

“With the other guy,” Sharon snidely began. “Have the hospital draw blood. I could smell alcohol on him.”

“Lucky for them you were here,” Darren complimented her before taking over. “You going to follow us?”

“Absolutely.”

**********************************************************

“Happy Halloween,” Sharon bounced into Laurel’s hospital room. She smiled at how much better Laurel was looking. “Hello, Mrs. Dearborn.” She greeted Laurel’s mother who had been perched by her daughter’s side since receiving the news of the accident.

“Dr. Cooke,” she smiled in response.

“Here,” Sharon beamed handing Laurel a bag of goodies.

“Candy!” Laurel squealed tearing into the bag.

“No,” her mother scolded.

“Mom,” Laurel whined clutching the bag closer. “It’s Halloween.”

“A little bit won’t hurt,” Sharon intervened.

“Okay,” the older woman conceded. “So, Doctor.” She began looking Sharon up and down.

“Mom?” Laurel wailed.

“Laurel,” her mother huffed.

“Am I missing something?” Sharon questioned.

“She’s going to ask if you’re single,” Laurel hissed.

“I was just going to make conversation with Dr. Cooke,” she proclaimed. “After all she saved your life.”

“I didn’t,” Sharon tried to argue.

“Yes, you did Sharon,” Laurel disagreed

“Sharon?” The older Dearborn pried.

“Oh, brother,” Laurel groaned.

“Sharon,” Mrs. Dearborn gleefully began. “You never said you know my daughter.”

“We’re dating,” Sharon boasted.

“Yes,” Mrs. Dearborn pumped her fist.

“Enough,” Laurel flared. “Mom, can you give us a moment?”

“Anything!” She readily agreed before she rushed out the door.

“So, are we?” Sharon asked as she sat down on the bed.

“Are we what?” Laurel taunted her snuggling closer.

“Dating,” Sharon pressed.

“I hope so,” Laurel blushed. “Because once I get sprung from this place I’m planning on wining and dining you.”

‘That’s not all she’s planning on doing,’ Teresa snickered from the corner of the room. Sharon’s shoulders slumped. She hadn’t seen her old friend since the accident. ‘Chill. This is it. I’m done. By the time she goes home I’ll be gone. The two of you are going to be very happy.’ Sharon’s heart sank. Suddenly she felt that she was losing her friend all over again. ‘I love the both of you. But I’m finally finished. It’s time.’

“Peace,” Sharon whispered as she watched Teresa’s image slip away.

“Sharon?”

“Sorry,” she responded to Laurel’s words. “She’s gone.”

“Really?” Laurel sounded sad.

“She said it was time,” Sharon explained. “At least now you can think about selling your place.”

“It’s strange but I’m going to miss her,” Laurel said. “I won’t miss waking up in the middle of the night. Or shadows lurking around or the millions of other creepy things. Yeah, I’m selling that place. What are your plans for tonight?” She added sheepishly.

“I’m camping right here,” Sharon boasted snuggling closer. “We’ll watch scary movies while I steal your candy.”

“Visiting hours are almost over,” Laurel sighed.

“Ah, you forget,” Sharon smirked. “I work here. We’ve got all night. You just lay back and rest. Because you and I have a date when you’re all better.”

“I can’t wait,” Laurel smiled before stealing a kiss.

“Happy Halloween,” Sharon whispered before reclaiming Laurel’s lips. “Now give me one of those Snickers bars.”

“Only if you kiss me again,” Laurel smirked.

“Deal,” Sharon agreed feeling completely happy for the first time in her life.

The End.

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