Page 112 of The Ghost of Ellwood
I smiled and breathed deeply through my nose, steadying my nerves.
The convention was in New York, several hours away from Ivy Grove. I had driven out last night and stayed in a hotel, so I’d be able to make the convention on time. I planned to drive home after, though. Theo hadn’t wanted me to go alone and had asked if Carter would accompany me—which my friend was more than eager to do, because it meant he got special treatment for the day and was allowed to eat whatever he wanted.
Once the panel started, I started to feel more comfortable. I stood up and talked about my books and my process before opening the floor up for questions.
“What inspiredThe Ghost of Ellwood?” a girl on the third row asked.
“As much as I’d like to say I came up with it on my own, I actually got the idea from a real legend,” I answered, leaning against the edge of the table and pushing my shirt sleeves to my elbows. I always got hot during these things. “I’ve discussed it before, but for those who don’t know, I moved last year. Once I was in my new house, I heard stories about the manor, all revolving around a ghost who was said to haunt the property. Those stories sparked inspiration for the book.”
“Is it true that Thomas from your book is loosely based on Theo Blackwell, the young man who used to live in your manor?” a man in the front asked.
“Correct. The stories, as I mentioned, helped inspire my book, but it was learning about Theo Blackwell that really moved me. He was said to have gone missing in October of 1917. No one ever knew what happened to him. The mystery of Theo wouldn’t let me rest. Then, I came across a journal tucked away inside a false drawer in an antique table. Theo’s journal. In it, he wrote about falling in love with a neighborhood boy.”
I held the microphone in one hand and put the other in my pocket as I walked across the front of the room.
“Writing Alex and Thomas’ love story was my way of appeasing the maddening curiosity of what could’ve happened to Theo. Another question?”
A woman’s hand shot up. “Why didn’t Alex and Thomas get a happily ever after? I was rooting hard for them, and no offense, but I honest to God threw the book across the room when Thomas moved on to the afterlife.”
There were mumbled agreements, and when I looked at Carter standing against the back wall, he had his phone up recording me. He raised his brows and slowly shook his head, as if to shame me. The asshole.
I scratched at the back of my head. “Way to call me out there.”
The audience laughed.
“Honestly, I went back and forth over the ending,” I answered, looking at the faces in the crowd. “Might be hard to see based on the gore and death in my books, but I’m a total romantic at heart. I wanted Alex and Thomas to have a happily ever after, but it wouldn’t have done justice to their characters. Thomas’ goal through the whole book was to make his killer’s identity known and finally be at peace. Alex helped him with that, and although it was a bittersweet end for them, I like to think it wasn’t an ending at all, that they’ll see each other again. Someday.”
When I asked for more questions, a man at the back raised his hand.
“So…have you seen Theo’s ghost at your manor?” he asked. “Is there any truth to the stories?”
“Fun fact,” I said, leaning against the table. “Before moving, I was a skeptic. I wrote about ghosts but didn’t believe in them. Let’s just say I’m a believer now.”
“So, you’ve seen him?” the same woman who shamed me for my ending asked. “You’ve seen Theo? Is he as sweet and handsome as Thomas?”
A few people laughed, while others looked like they were hanging on to my every word. Skeptics and believers.
I didn’t know the right answer. Should I tell the truth or evade the question? No, I couldn’t tell the truth. I’d be a laughing stock, if I did.
“Some things can’t be explained,” I answered. “I’ve certainly thought I’ve seen shapes move from the corner of my eye. Whether it’s Theo? Perhaps. I like to think he was like Thomas. His journal taught me a lot about him. Theo was gentle, brave, and innocent. And he loved with all his heart. I can only hope to find a love like him someday.”
The women swooned. Carter snickered, holding a hand over his mouth. Shane looked grumpy as ever, probably mad that I’d humored the woman who asked about Theo.
When the panel ended, I stayed to talk to readers one-on-one. Many had books for me to sign, and others just wanted to take a photo together and tell me how much they loved my work.
Carter met me at the side entrance afterward. “Should I be your bodyguard and ward off all the crazed fans?”
“They’d crush you,” I said, chuckling. “But thanks.”
Shane stopped me before I left. “Awesome job out there. The ghost stuff was a bit out there, but they seemed to like it.”
James stood beside Shane, looking less awkward than the other times I’d seen him. They’d gotten married in late February—a wedding I had been invited to and chose not to attend. I might not hate them for what they did, but going to celebrate their union after both fucked me over royally was a bit more than I could stand.
“I liked it,” James said, earning a scowl from Shane. “What? I believe in ghosts.”
“Whatever,” Shane said. He clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m glad you found yourself again, Ben. It’s good to have you back.”
“Feels good to be back,” I said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
