Ghosts That Wear Familiar Faces
986 Words
Tessa hadn’t slept.
Not really.
Her eyes were shut, but thoughts kept floating into her head. Whenever she made the effort, Grayson’s face showed up in the dark—a show of guilt in his voice, his eyes gray as a storm, and a strange sensation as memories kept rising to the surface.
As soon as the sun brightened the room through the curtains, she felt much older than yesterday.
She saw Lila quickly having a drink and cuddling with her lion on the sofa. Her brows looked a little concerned, as if she realized something had happened.
Tessa knelt in front of her.
“Morning, baby. Did you sleep okay?”
Lila agreed, but she wasn’t smiling.
She wondered where “Daddy” was.
Tessa felt her heart squeeze. Sweetheart, he won’t be returning.
She started trembling at the corners of her lips. Is it just because he’s in space with them?
“Yes.” Tessa worked to get past the nerves in her throat. With the lighting of the night sky.
She glanced up at the ceiling above her. I hope he allows us to tell him our feelings.
Tessa dabbed the tear that appeared on her daughter’s face.“I think he can.”
She didn’t have the heart to explain the kind of man Aaron Wolfe had been. Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
By midday, the whole area around her residence was a calm battlefield with dozens of casseroles and sympathy cards. She walked quietly through the house, occasionally answering her family or friends on the phone, while pretending everything was fine.
But her fingers kept drifting to the card Grayson had left behind.
Grayson Wolfe.
She hadn’t spoken his name in years. Hadn’t dared.
He was a ghost too, in a way.
Only now, he was back in her town. Sharing the same space as us. I observed the situation from a distance.
Why?
Why had he come?
There was another knock at midday.
She didn’t delay this time.
When Grayson opened the door, she stood there carrying a paper bag and a cup of coffee. The thick black leather jacket reflected the black rain clouds and his hair was rumpled from going outdoors.
“You look terrible,” he spoke right out.
Tessa’s eyebrows went up. You haven’t changed your manners one bit.
He held out the coffee. “Truce?”
She eyed it warily, then took the cup. “You remembered my order.”
“Of course.” He gave her a look. “Some things stick.”
She opened the door wider, reluctantly. “Come in. But if Lila wakes up and sees you, I’m tell her you’re the mail carrier.”
Grayson smirked. No problem here.
The way he moved inside stuffed the room with his presence and Aaron’s didn’t compare. His eyes went over the photos on the wall—the picture of their wedding, pictures of their children, and the happy faces that masked lots of trouble.
“You’ve lived your own life,” he said gently.
She said, “I tried my best.” “Things weren’t always easy.” But, I could count on staying safe while I was there.
He glanced at her, and it seemed he was looking at her with grief or guilt.
My goal wasn’t to add more problems, Tessa. I swear.
“Then why did you come?”
Grayson hesitated.
Because I knew Aaron had passed, I realized I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer. I want you to understand what happened between us without distortion.
Tessa crossed her arms. “What truth?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Aaron… he made me leave.”
She blinked. “What?”
I had planned to tell you the truth years ago. About him. About the lies he fed everyone. But he got to me first. Said if I didn’t disappear, he’d destroy your life. Said no one would believe me in his golden-boy image.”
Tessa’s stomach dropped.
“You’re saying Aaron threatened you?”
“Yes. And not just me.” Grayson looked down. “He knew how much I cared about him. About your safety. I thought leaving was the only way to protect you.”
Tessa sat down, shaken. Her heart was a storm of anger, confusion, and something far worse—realization.
“I always thought you'd just… abandoned me.”
“I never wanted to go.” Grayson’s voice cracked. I never stopped remembering you.
She looked diagonally, and a tight feeling came over her. If you had just told me, it wouldn’t have happened the way it did.
“I know.” He stepped closer. “But I’m telling you now.”
Silence filled the space between them.
Tessa stood slowly. I don’t have anyone or anything I trust anymore. I don’t know who to believe in.
Grayson said, “You can doubt my story for a little while longer.” Please, just give me another opportunity to show I’m different from the way Aaron made me look.
She studied him—taller now, broader, but still the same man beneath all the pain.
“I don’t want you around Lila,” she said. Not yet. She doesn’t need more confusion.”
“I understand.”
“And I don’t need you stirring up the past. My life is already messy enough.”
He told me, “I want no part in your life in any situation.” I trust you’ll never require me, but just in case, I’m ready to be there for you.
She had things to say, but couldn’t get the words out.
She whispered in response, “What’s the point of still caring?”
It was a straightforward answer.
I never stopped feeling love for you.
The world under her started to shift.
Because deep down, even after everything…
She wasn’t sure she’d stopped either.
- Writer
