I woke up the following day to a bright sun shining through the curtains. I looked around and even called her name, but she was gone.
I could still hear her echoing voice in my waking thoughts as I reflected on what just happened. I got up and walked into the kitchen while her voice still spoke to me.
She whispered, "You were just showing the power of your love that wasn't meant to be. You still have the means to carry that power with you in a new direction to share with someone else. I gave up that privilege. Don't you do the same thing, my friend?"
"You can still see the morning sun, something I haven't seen for some time now. Live long and enjoy the sun."
As I'm gazing out the window, appreciating the warmth on my face, I can only think of being so fortunate to have a second chance.
She was not a ghost but a spirit filled with love to give me strength. She doesn't have the ability to find new love because the pain is too much for her to bear, and so she took her life destined to roam the Earth until she can somehow find her one and only love and then be at peace.
Until then, she has found some level of solace in her misfortune, knowing that her heart will forever belong to the love she lost, for he may also be suffering the same fate in his duty to serve his country, and at the cost of his life, and love for Nelly.
In any event, he can be reassured that she has forever been faithful to him. Maybe he is at peace knowing this, and Nelly's restless soul can't put it to rest until she knows for sure.
I wish I could help her find her lost love somehow, wherever Henry may be missing in action, buried in the lost history of war. I can only pray that their hearts will finally meet again and their spirits can find peace, united once again, and forever be at rest.
As for me, well, I dumped all that booze down the drain that morning and signed up for a gym membership at the local 24-Hour Fitness Club, happy for being given a new direction in life.
I will forever be thankful that she came into my life and taught me this valuable lesson of love. I'm awakened with a new direction because of her.
I've driven up and down Lake Herman Road many times since then, always wondering if she'll appear to me again. I doubt it because she's only attracted to tormented hearts in desire for the return of her Henry.
I've also been up to the lake a few times and dropped a rose in the water for her. It was my way of saying thanks.
Sometimes, I felt like just parking on the side of the road at night, waiting for her to show up, but I knew she wouldn't appear. She'll probably be out there smiling at me while roaming the hills.
I wish I could help free her soul.
But then again, as I reflect, gazing out into the water, I ponder if this was just a dream...... hmmmmmm.
THE END
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