Sally opened her eyes and saw a face at the window. She tried to scream, but nothing would come out. The face belonged to a farmer, or a woodsman, who took off his hat as he walked through the glass. He set his axe down as his features became less misty and more distinct. He stared at Sally with steely-gray eyes that seemed to twinkle as he looked at her. “Are you Sally Wright?” he asked.
“Yes,” Sally managed to squeak. “Who are you?”
“Stephen Murphy. Cid told Ethan you were here. I thought I would make sure you were alright.”
“Stephen Murphy as in Mr. Wonderful?” Sally asked, still pressed back into the chair as if she could escape through the fabric.
“I don’t know why Faye calls me that. I don’t think it’s meant to be a compliment.”
“I really don’t know Faye that well.”
“Cid and I watch movies together. We discuss life and are friends.”
“You’re that Stephen!” Sally realized. “Cid lives on your land.”
“I’m dead. I don’t own anything anymore. Cid and the Martins like to tell me they are but caretakers of my property.”
“That’s very interesting. It must be nice to have a place to call home.”
Murphy’s eyes softened. “Sometimes, home is a person.”
“My father used to say that when I complained that we were moving again. Would you like to sit down?”
Murphy smiled and sat on the edge of the chair beside her. “I don’t want to bother you. Ethan…”
“Who is Ethan?”
“He’s the boy who Mia is having stay at the farm, and he is taking care of the houses while Cid, the Martins, and Lazar are away.”
“You said he’s a boy?”
“Not a teen, but not yet a man.”
“Ah. A lot of boys that age enter the service thinking it will make them men.”
“I never served my country when I was alive. Dead, I’ve gone on many adventures and helped to save a lot of people and cross a lot of ghosts.”
“Why did you stay on Earth, instead of going to Heaven?”
“My heaven is my trees and…” His face clouded over, and his eyes were sad.
Sally sensed he didn’t want to continue, and she didn’t press. Instead, she said, “You should see the walnut trees that surround the house Cid is working on.”
“Tell me.”
Sally told Murphy not only about the trees but the ghosts and the situation with Kiki being possessed. “I thought she was going to choke Cid with the wire.”
“Were you scared?”
“Yes. Fortunately, I hear that she’s not possessed anymore, but she can’t come back to the project because this elemental will possess her again.”
Murphy nodded. He wanted to tell Sally about him possessing Mia, but he was ashamed. “Can I have Ethan bring you anything?” he asked standing up.
“No, I’m fine. I’d like to see your farm before I leave here.”
“I will be happy to show you,” Murphy said. He put his hat back on his head and picked up his axe. “Goodbye, Sally. It has been a pleasure talking to you.”
“Goodbye, Stephen Murphy,” Sally said as the ghost walked through the glass and disappeared into the night.
Sally got up and walked over to where she had her phone charging. She texted Cid.
I just met Stephen Murphy.
Her phone vibrated with an incoming call from Cid.
“Is he still there?” Cid asked.
“No. He said he was making sure I was alright.”
“Are you?”
“I feel safe, but I’m missing you.”
“I miss you too.”
“Carl is on his way back.”
“I’ll wait up and fix him something to eat.”
“How are things down there?”
“We found out the hard way that the foundation leaks. The salt dissolved and set free the ghosts. We had to rescue Gary and Wayne.” Cid went on to tell her the whole story.
“Jesse arrived in nothing but a towel?” Sally asked, unable to wrap her mind around it.
“Yes. I think he would have arrived naked if there was no towel.”
“He really feels comfortable in his own skin, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. I believe he’s always been happy with who he is. How long can you talk?” Cid asked.
Sally looked at the time. “They ask that we stop having visitors and phone calls after eight, unless it’s an emergency.”
“I won’t keep you long, but I’m hesitant to hang up.”
“Me too. Tell me about Stephen Murphy.”
“You’re not falling in love with Mr. Wonderful, are you?” Cid asked.
“No. I’m just curious.”
“I don’t want to betray any confidences, but I can tell you that he was killed by his wife’s evil lover. A tree fell on him. He died with his axe in his hand. As a ghost, he’d been caring for his farm for years before a teenage girl befriended him. She could see ghosts since she was born. They grew close and are still close. It’s a very unusual friendship.”
“She’s the reason he stays.”
“Not the only reason. He really loves his trees. He decided he’d replant the trees he took down when he farmed his land. He nurtures the trees and fights a war with the deer every winter. They find the tender saplings very delicious.”
“Oh my. But he stays for her, doesn’t he?”
“I think so.”
“It’s Mia, isn’t it,” Sally grasped.
“Mia wants a normal life, a husband, and a family, but she also needs her friend Murphy. He’s been a good friend to me.”
“It all makes sense now. I was being checked out. I hope I passed.”
“I’m sure you did.”
“He’s rather handsome, in a dusty way,” Sally said.
“He’s dead. And I’m very much alive,” Cid reminded her.
“Yes you are.”
A tone sounded in the hall. “I think it’s time to put away my phone,” Sally said. “I love you, Cid.”
“I love you, Sally. Sweet dreams.”
“Bye,” she said
