Page 39 of The Accidental Ghost

Ralph smiled as well, tightening her hold on Kat’s hand. “I wouldn’t be surprised if ice cream is on the list.”

She went silent then, but her body began to vibrate and hum, sending a signal to Ralph that the time had come.

The beeping of Kat’s heart monitor began to slow, coming to an almost complete stop.

Ralph stroked Kat’s hair. “Are you ready to go home to Drucinda, Kat? She’s waiting for you. She can’t wait to hold you in her arms again.”

A slinky tendril of smoke slithered upward from Kat’s body, turning, twisting, taking various shapes until it took the form of a long, slender body, floating above the bed in all its splendor.

Ghost Kat blinked, looking around until her eyes settled on Drucinda, her gaze going soft, filling with the purest love Ralph had ever witnessed. Their connection was so keenly displayed, so brilliantly evident, Ralph almost couldn’t breathe.

The couple embraced, swirling in a circle, floating to the top of the room in a glorious display of soft light before they settled back on the bed.

“You waited,” Kat whispered almost in disbelief, tucking Drucinda’s hair behind her ear. “You said you would and you did!”

Drucinda nodded as Kat cupped her cheek. “I made a promise. I would have waited forever, my darling.”

Guide her to her eternal place, Raphaela. Guide her home. You’ll know the way. Don’t ask questions, let your heart lead you.

Ralph held out her hands to the women, looking upward. As they rose to the ceiling once more, their heads almost touching the beautiful hand-painted mural, a bright light appeared, so bright, so warm, it brought tears to Ralph’s eyes.

They all gasped in awe. This was the light everyone talked about. It was real…and it was magnificent, filled with love, comfort, acceptance, joy, and above all, peace.

“Oh, Ralph, it’s beautiful,” Kat whispered, her arms around Drucinda. “Is this where I’m going?”

Wish them well, Raphael. Take them into the light. Show them the way. It’s time for them to go.

Together? she asked the gentle voice in her head, oddly devoid of snark tonight.

Yes. Together. Always.

Ralph offered a hand to each of the women. “The light waits.”

But Kat hesitated, her voice fraught with worry, her gorgeous face filled with fear. “I won’t go without Drucinda, Raphaela. Please don’t make me leave her. Please!”

“Take my hands, both of you, and trust. Please trust me,” was all Ralph managed, the calling of the light a force she couldn’t resist. Like a moth to a flame, her body began to move forward of its own accord.

Drucinda’s eyes were wide as she floated beside Ralph. “Me, too?”

Ralph smiled, her heart warm. “Both of you, together.”

With that, they finally placed their hands in Ralph’s, and together, they walked into the light.

The euphoria she’d felt seeing the light was nothing compared to the feeling of the glow surrounding the couple, enveloping them in its embrace, holding them close until she felt their hands slip from hers as they turned away.

As they walked forward, Ralph heard Kat gasp again, “Oh, Ralph…I…there are no words… Thank you! Thank you, thank you,” she whispered, her voice filled with wonder.

But Drucinda looked back over her shoulder at Ralph as her tears fell down her lean cheeks. “I can go…with her?”

Ralph nodded, her throat tight, her heart clenched. “You can. Be well, Drucinda. Most of all, be happy.”

As the light almost swallowed them entirely, Drucinda whispered, “Look for a man named Michael. And thank you, Ralph, thank you. I’ll never forget what you’ve done…”

And then they were gone, the light consuming them, leaving her heart full to almost bursting.

Ralph sat for a little while before the nurses came to detach Kat from the heart monitor and her IV, marveling at the amazing moment she’d just been blessed with witnessing.

And then she sent up a moment of gratitude to whomever was in charge for letting her be a part of it.

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