Tonya Hurley_Ghostgirl_03 (21 page)

Scarlet got out, gathered her gown, and made her way through the marshy ground, toward the monument.
“I’ll call you later,” he said as he watched her hair glisten in the morning light.
The cemetery was a peaceful place, but especially so in the early morning. Not even the animals were awake yet, so it was more than just quiet. It was silent, except for the familiar voice blending in the breeze as she approached the headstone.
Just as Scarlet hoped, Charlotte was waiting for her.
“I forgot to tell you,” Charlotte said. “Your song was beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Scarlet replied. “I couldn’t have done it without Eric.”
“Eric’s something else, isn’t he?” Charlotte said.
“He’s a great guy,” Scarlet advised. “Don’t lose him.”
“Right back at you,” Charlotte said, smiling.
“I ended up with the prep, and you ended up with the rocker,” Scarlet said. “Ironic, isn’t it?”
“Can’t help who you fall in love with,” Charlotte said.
The graveyard was a strange place for a bull session, but under the circumstances, there was something totally right about it.
“The radio station is going to release our song as a single,” Scarlet said. “I’m going to put Eric’s name on it with mine,” she said. “Kind of an audio memorial to him.”
“I’ll tell him,” Charlotte said. “He’ll die.”
“And all the proceeds will go to the homeless,” Scarlet added.
“I’ll bet Petula is excited about that,” Charlotte said with a smile.
“That,” Scarlet added, “and her new boyfriend.”
“Of course,” Charlotte said. “Same old Petula.”
“Well, not quite,” Scarlet joked, acknowledging her sister’s evolution. “Thankfully.”
Charlotte knew what she meant, and they both shared a laugh.
“Tell her she’s got a little beauty queen on her shoulder now,” Charlotte offered. “Her very own guardian angel.”
“Virginia?” Scarlet sighed happily, knowing how much Virginia’s presence would mean to Petula.
There had been a lot of awkward silences between them this time, like they were talking on satellite delay, but it was not for want of things to say. It was their unspoken way of stretching the moments, slowing things down, making each second with each other last as long as possible.
“This is the start of it,” Charlotte said. “You’re going to be a star.”
“I thought you were a ghost, not a prophet,” Scarlet said, smiling appreciatively. “It’s just a local station.”
“There’s nothing local about you,” Charlotte said.
Scarlet nodded and then more silence followed.
Scarlet felt so grateful that they’d found each other and that Charlotte had found love, not just with her parents, but with Eric too.
“Will I ever talk to you again?” Scarlet asked, sensing the end was near.
“Scarlet, I lived my life, now it’s time you lived yours,” Charlotte said. “This is your time, your memories now.”
“Please don’t…,” Scarlet pleaded.
“I love you Scarlet,” Charlotte said, unwilling to say goodbye.
“I love you too,” Scarlet said, embracing Charlotte.
Charlotte smiled and started humming the melody to Scarlet’s song, only in a more mournful way, as she turned to her monument. It was eerily beautiful, how she sounded, how she moved; it was otherworldly. Before Scarlet could say another word, Charlotte solemnly walked into the bust Scarlet had commissioned, bringing it to life for a brief moment, and then sank into her grave, the melancholy dirge echoing in the wind.
“Rest in peace, my friend,” Scarlet said, dropping to her knees and this time letting her tears fall to the grass on Charlotte’s grave.
Charlotte woke up to her mother calling her. She shifted back and forth in her bed, trying to sleep off her Hawthorne High hangover.
“Honey, your friend is here,” her mother said, knowing that was just the alarm clock she needed.
Charlotte shot out of bed and tried to make herself presentable.
“Hey,” Eric said.
Charlotte was so happy to see him. He’d come to pick her up, just like a real boyfriend would.
“Mom, Dad,” Charlotte said, taking a deep breath. “This is Eric.”
“You know,” Eileen said, “Charlotte told me that Scarlet once said that if anyone could find love over here, it’s Charlotte. What do you think about that?”
“I think she’s right,” Eric said.
Even Charlotte’s dad couldn’t keep a smile from breaking out, as he gave Eric an approving slap on the back.
After saying their goodbyes, Eric and Charlotte walked hand-in-hand to the call center, for what they hoped would be the last time.
Prue, Pam, and all the others waited anxiously for Charlotte to get there. They wanted to be there to support her, knowing just how hard it was for her to say goodbye to Scarlet.
“I never thought the departed had to deal with missing their loved ones,” Pam said sympathetically.
Charlotte forced a smile, with a little help from the hand squeeze Eric gave her.
Green Gary, Polly, Lipo Lisa, Paramour Polly, ADD Andy, and the rest of their intern class were seated and waiting patiently for the little “moving on” ceremony for Charlotte’s crew to conclude, so that they could get back to the phones. They’d overheard the stories from the returning spirits and they knew someday, for lack of a better way to say it, they’d get their assignments and their chance to make a difference too.
Markov came into the room just as everyone’s patience was at the breaking point.
Charlotte smiled, this time more easily.
“So, did you have a nice trip?” Markov asked her.
She wanted to get into all the details of the journey, but kept it simple instead. Something she knew he would appreciate.
“It’s something how people think angels are sent to earth to help them,” Charlotte began. “It’s just as much the living helping the angels though.”
“Eternity with a twist,” Markov joked knowingly.
“It’s been a real pleasure working for you,” Charlotte said respectfully. “I’ll never forget what I learned here.”
“I expect you won’t,” Markov replied, pleased that he’d gotten through to her and to all of them in the end.
“We’ll miss you,” the interns called out in unison, as they prepared to scatter.
“Good luck to all of you,” Markov said. “You may go and so, finally, may I.”
Charlotte’s class hugged and laughed, a mixture of happiness and relief that their job was finally done and that they were leaving the call center in good hands.
“Everyone except for Usher,” a familiar voice called out unexpectedly.
Charlotte felt her heart sink, and then fill to nearly bursting as she turned to see Mr. Brain. Just as she’d hoped, his old class’s departure was a special enough occasion for him to attend.
“Everyone,” Brain said, getting the new interns’ attention. “May I present to you your new instructor, Charlotte Usher,” he said. “I know she’s taught me a lot.”
Charlotte was so honored by the appointment, but most of all she was honored to have finally found the love and the life she’d always wanted.
The end?
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following from the bottom of my heart:
Isabelle Rose Pagnotta, my biggest dream come true.
Oscar Martin, for making my life an adventure.
My mother, Beverly Hurley, for all of her love, dedication, and sacrifices.
My twin sister and partner, Tracy Hurley Martin, for believing in everything I do, whether she should or not.
My father, Tom Hurley, for teaching me how to fight.
My grandparents Martha and Anthony Kolencik for teaching me how to love and to be loved.
My undying gratitude to my editor, Nancy Conescu, whose enthusiasm and support have made all of this possible.
Special thanks to all who have helped bring ghostgirl to life: Craig Phillips, Megan Tingley, Lawrence Mattis, Andy McNicol, Alison Impey, Andrea Spooner, Lisa Sabater, Lisa Ickowicz, Lauren Hodge, Tracy Fisher, Melanie Chang, Amy Verardo, Andrew Smith, Tina McIntyre, Jonathan Lopes, Shawn Foster, Chris Murphy, Salvatore and Mary Pagnotta, Denise Carlo, Tom Hurley, Haley Gaydos, Mary Nemchik, Lauren Nemchik, Deborah Bilitski, Clemmie Morton, Vincent Martin, Jean Piazza, and Theresa Flaherty.
Tonya Hurley made her debut with ghostgirl, which was an instant New York Times bestseller. Her credits span all platforms of teen entertainment: creating, writing, and producing two hit TV series; writing and directing several acclaimed independent films; and developing a groundbreaking collection of video games. Ms. Hurley lives in New York with her husband and daughter. Visit her award-winning website atwww.ghostgirl.com.

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