Hope

After Todd's mother dies from cancer, he moves back to his hometown in the foothills of the Appalachians from Chicago. It's 1997 and he's just been given a death sentence -- an HIV-positive diagnosis. Todd expects his remaining time on earth to be spent alone. But Cal, his handsome next-door neighbor, has other ideas. Cal is not the only surprise in Todd's new life. Todd begins having visions of an older woman, Essie, when he dims the lights. Is she just a figment of his imagination? Or is she a truth teller? When she talks to Todd, she's smart and hopeful. When Todd tells Cal about the ghost, Cal knows her already because Todd's mother spoke with her before her death. Essie was a godsend when Todd's mom was in so much pain. And now, Essie urges Todd to live ... for himself ... for new love. But is she too late?

Rick R. Reed · LGBT+

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11 Chs

Chapter 7

“Oh, I know what they mean. We know a lot of stuff over here.” The bed bounced a little as she shrugged. “We just know ’em. I don’t know why, but we do.” Essie paused for a moment. “I like to move back and forth between here and there,” she said, sounding satisfied with herself. “I like to comfort. Always have. No one on the other side needs much comfort. So I come here….”

Todd was letting what she said sink in when she spoke again, interrupting his train of thought. “You think them little sore’s gonna kill you, huh?”

“Yup. That seems to be what ‘them little sores’ have been doing to lots of people, people like me in this country and elsewhere.” He sighed, letting his head loll back against the damp pillow.

“People? You mean fancy men?”

“Right. I’m a fancy man, you know.”

Essie snickered, then. “I’m not blind. You and that Cal both. You boys should get together. Make each other happy.”

“It’s like you can read my mind.”

“I can,” she said, and it chilled him.

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