The Haunting
by Yvette Managan © 2007
Up on Chestnut Ridge. The front door's open. I close it. It's winter and although the weather's been warm, the cold is now beginning to come in. I turn on the LPG heater, hear the whoosh and feel the immediate heat on my aching fingers. The door opens again. Thought I'd closed it. I stand, walk to the doorway and peer out. No one on the porch. Must have been the wind.
Michael says the house is haunted. He says he thinks it's the guy who built the house. I know he's being dramatic. It would be exciting to discover that a haint moved in, especially since the builder was a War-Between-the-States veteran who fought with Nathan Bedford Forrest. Michael likes drama, and this would be something to talk about. So when he talks about the friendly ghost, I smile and nod and continue with whatever I am doing.
I sew Confederate uniform shirts for some fellows in our outfit (we represent Forrest's Escort during civil war reenactments) while Michael visits friends. I hear steps on the front porch again, and once again, the front door opens. I look up. Must have been the wind, I think, and shut the door. Again. I need to pee. Cold water runs over my soapy fingers when I hear the door open, and someone walks through the living room, kitchen and up the stairs. I throw the bathroom door open, run upstairs, certain to catch the intruder. Nothing. No one. Just a quiet homey feeling, and the smell of autumn in the air - cinnamon and apples.
Michael calls on his cell phone and I tell him, "I've just been visited by Doc Epps."
"Pretty nice smell, huh?" he replies.