by Douglas Young<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ellis Hawkins and Julep McBride sat together on the high school bus taking them home on a late Friday spring afternoon. They had grown up next door to each other on Woodlawn Avenue across the street from the largest local cemetery. Born weeks apart, Julep and Ellis were playmates from the start and had been classmates through 10th<\/sup> grade. Though she enjoyed wearing dresses and had blossomed into a pretty young lady, Julep had always been a tomboy and remained, if not best friends with Ellis, at least his closest female friend (and by far). They frequently finished one another\u2019s sentences and enjoyed an easy rapport neither knew with anyone else.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Looking out the window, they gazed at the big neighborhood of the dead. How many times had they played there? As babies, their mothers pushed them in strollers throughout the cemetery. As soon as they could walk, the place became their own vast green, white, and gray amusement park. How they had loved to run down the walkways and in the grass between the graves and climb all over the tombstones. When a little older, they treasured playing hide-and-seek with thousands of headstones and mausoleums providing ideal hiding places.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unlike most everyone else it seemed, neither Ellis nor Julep had ever been uncomfortable, much less fearful, in the cemetery. None of the local ghost stories about its more notorious denizens had ever fazed them. Instead, the view from each of their upstairs bedroom windows offered an endlessly intriguing, handsome collection of monuments nestled amidst one of the county\u2019s most charming landscapes. With all its magnolia trees, oak tree limbs twisting like the arms of an octopus wrapped in purple wisteria and Spanish moss, pink and white dogwoods, and loads of multicolored azaleas, red bougainvilleas, pink camelias, and green grass, Julep thought the place would make a colorfully serene setting for a wedding — if not for all the graves. The cemetery was especially enchanting and aromatic in the spring.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ellis and Julep found solace from adolescent anxieties by crossing the street to stroll leisurely among their permanent neighbors. No matter how many times each had traversed the cemetery\u2019s many walkways, there were always names, dates, and sayings engraved on tombstones not noticed before, and each youth never failed to marvel at the cornucopia of gravestone architecture. Contrary to long-time local legends that the grounds were haunted, the 16-year-olds found them not only lovely, but the quietest, most peaceful public place they knew. Both came to relish it ever more as a refuge from all the pressures of school, family, part-time jobs, and each one\u2019s first, awkward efforts at dating.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If feeling especially sorry for oneself, it was always sobering to walk through the Confederate soldiers\u2019 section to see row after row of graves of 19-, 18-, and even 17-year-old boys who sacrificed their lives in the War Between the States, and so many without even a name on their simple little headstone. Walking among these war dead stoked a particular stillness that silenced whatever academic or personal woes plagued Julep or Ellis.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Despite many folks mistaking them for a couple since they spent so much time together, they had not dated. Though each found the other attractive, they dared not risk disrupting their oldest, most treasured friendship, especially considering how many young couples they knew had endured rough breakups and were no longer friends or even friendly to each other.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When the bus door finally opened on the edge of town in front of their homes, Mr. Hawkins and Miss McBride said goodbye to the last few friends remaining seated and exited the bus. Since they had a history class worksheet due Monday and did not want homework casting a shadow over their weekend plans, they went to the Hawkins home to knock out the assignment together. With their history textbooks, notebooks, and worksheets spread over the dining room table, the work went quickly.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ellis\u2019s mother sang softly in the kitchen preparing dinner. It had always been a comfort to her that her only child had been blessed with a de facto sister. Having two brothers and a sister growing up herself, she had always wished for more children. Likewise, the McBrides next door were grateful their three daughters had something of a brother a mere stone\u2019s throw away. The families went to the same church and had taken several summer vacations together.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. Parker Hawkins arrived from work as his son and goddaughter high-fived each other for finishing the homework.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHello there,\u201d Mr. Hawkins said with a broad, end-of-the-workweek smile.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, Daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHello, Mr. Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As Ellis\u2019s father went into the kitchen to greet Mrs. Hawkins, the family\u2019s young maid had one last task to do before leaving. Taking the broom, Epiphany Baxter breathed deeply before quickly going out the front door to sweep the porch. Ellis and Julep smiled at each other as they went to the living room window to sneak a peak at how quickly Mrs. Baxter cleaned the part of the house closest to the cemetery.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat are y\u2019all grinning at?\u201d asked an amused Mr. Hawkins while picking up the day\u2019s newspaper in the living room.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re betting how fast Miss Epiphany sweeps the porch,\u201d Julep answered with a smile.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unlike the exceptionally diligent job she did cleaning the rest of the home, Epiphany raced through the ritual of sweeping the front porch — always her final chore. When her husband picked her up, she insisted on exiting the house via the side door.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When she quickly came inside and shut the front door, Mr. Hawkins greeted her warmly.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, hey there, Miss Epiphany. How are you doing today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLots better now than I\u2019m done wid\u2019 dat front porch. Lawdy, Lawd. If I\u2019d a known y\u2019all was living across de street from a great big ol\u2019 graveyard, I\u2019d a sho\u2019 never take dis job.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with such a peaceful, pretty cemetery, Miss Epiphany?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow, Mr. Parker, you know good and well dey\u2019s haints out dere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re not going anywhere. Why are you so scared of them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c\u2019Cause dey lie so still.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. Hawkins winked at his son and Julep.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t get any of our friends to join us over there, Miss Epiphany,\u201d Julep declared.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSee.\u201d Epiphany raised her head triumphantly. \u201cDe white folks be \u2019fraid of it too. And y\u2019all best not be spending yo\u2019 time in such a place neither.\u201d She pointed at the teens.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Julep soon went home for dinner before she and Ellis joined a few male and female friends for a movie at the town square\u2019s cinema. Afterwards they walked across the square to get malts at the Downtown Dixie Diner. By the time Ellis drove he and Julep home, it was close to 11. Since neither was sleepy and it was a pretty night with the stars out after a week of rain, they sat in lawn chairs shared by their families where the two yards met. Joining them was the McBrides\u2019 big black Labrador retriever, Dola.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When her neck got sore leaning back to admire the heavens while scratching Dola\u2019s head, Julep focused on the cemetery where she noticed a faint light emanating from what appeared to be the far side of the burial grounds. Squinting, she tried to recall ever seeing a light in the cemetery since it closed each day at dusk and there were no light fixtures anywhere on the grounds. At night it was the darkest place within city limits.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDo you see a light in the cemetery?\u201d she asked and pointed in its direction.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ellis turned his head from the stars to look where Julep gestured, leaned forward, and opened his mouth slightly.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt sure looks like one. Not a big one. And is it moving, at least a little? That\u2019s intriguing, especially since I can\u2019t recall when I\u2019ve ever seen any lights over there.\u201d He wondered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure it\u2019s moving?\u201d Julep asked. \u201cIt looks still to me. Could it be a lantern?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe,\u201d Ellis answered. \u201cI just thought it may have been going up and down a little bit, as if it might be a flashlight held by somebody walking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t it against the law or the rules for anyone to be there at night?\u201d Julep asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRight. \u2018Open dawn to dusk\u2019 the sign at the entrance says, and it\u2019s now close to midnight. How about we go see who \u2013 or what \u2013 it is?\u201d He asked with a grin and raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo way. Who knows who it could be, especially this late.\u201d She frowned.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOr what it could be?\u201d He smiled. \u201cDoo-doo-doo-doo.\u201d Ellis laughed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cReal funny,\u201d Julep replied. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t believe there are any \u2018haints\u2019 out there, however scared Epiphany is of them. I just don\u2019t want to risk any kind of confrontation with the sort of folks exploring a cemetery on a Friday night at 11:47 p.m. Plus I\u2019m tired. So I think I\u2019ll turn in now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Though disappointed, Ellis knew when Julep\u2019s mind was made up.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been a fun evening,\u201d he pronounced. They stood up and said goodnight.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As April rains rolled into May, the rhythms of late spring for high school sophomores came into full bloom. Students were under pressure to resist the calls of longer, warmer days and spring fever romances to study more for rapidly approaching final exams. But most still made time to attend the school\u2019s baseball games and weekend parties at friends\u2019 houses. Buzz was also brewing over the school\u2019s annual end-of-the-year spring fling dance for all four grades.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Every few days, when there was a longer than usual lull in their conversation, Ellis and Julep would ask if anyone had asked the other to the dance. The reply was always the same.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo. You?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know. You?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Over the next few Friday and Saturday nights, Julep and Ellis saw the same illumination in the cemetery. Each noticed it upon turning out the light to go to bed. The small, feint glow emanated from what appeared to be the same spot on the far side of the burial grounds. Ellis and Julep each resolved to tell the other about it, but ended up forgetting amid all the blur of family, school, part-time jobs, sports, clubs, church, and everything else in their busy lives.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But one Friday night in mid-May, as friends dropped them home close to midnight, they noticed the same pale light as soon as their buddies\u2019 car lights disappeared. Standing in the driveway, Julep and Ellis stopped talking as they looked at the distant gleam.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve seen that light on weekends late at night from my room.\u201d Ellis looked at her.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMe too,\u201d Julep quickly replied.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s go see what it is,\u201d Ellis said excitedly. \u201cTomorrow\u2019s Saturday, so we don\u2019t have to get up for Sunday School. We\u2019re not tired. It\u2019s not even midnight. Let\u2019s just see what it is, Julep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After a pause to look at the light, she turned to him with a smile.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOkay. You\u2019re on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes! This is going to be so cool. We probably haven\u2019t been in the cemetery at night since the last time we played hide-and-seek years ago, and it wasn\u2019t remotely this late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut we\u2019re taking Dola.\u201d Julep pointed at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s fine. If you want, I can bring Daddy\u2019s pistol.\u201d He smiled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDola\u2019s big enough and can get plenty loud too. I think we\u2019ll be fine.\u201d She chuckled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So Julep went in her house to put the large lab on a leash while Ellis got his flashlight and then they headed across the street, with Dola especially thrilled to go outside so late. They walked through the cemetery\u2019s main entrance and headed down the central walkway toward the light which remained still but ever less feint. Dola paced left and right in front of them and increasingly tried to jump ahead.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, I think Miss Dola sees the light too. Getting excited, huh, girl?\u201d Ellis asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShh. We don\u2019t want them to hear us,\u201d Julep said with growing concern.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t want to alarm the haints?\u201d He laughed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cQuiet. I\u2019m serious, Ellis. They could be crooks or creeps\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOr haints?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t bring your gun, big shot.\u201d She looked at him for emphasis.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou said yourself Dola\u2019s here. Trust me, nobody\u2019s going to mess with her, especially once she barks. Besides, what have you got to fear?\u201d He smiled. \u201cI\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She bent over and stifled a big laugh.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey. It\u2019s not that funny.\u201d He giggled with some disappointment.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After shushing him again, they realized the gleam appeared to come from behind a tombstone just beyond the Confederate section and was beaming outside the cemetery. Now slowing their pace and crouching, they were likely 50 yards away.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Suddenly Dola leaped and began barking, so startling them that Julep dropped the leash and the dog raced to the light. Within a couple of seconds, the light went out as Ellis and Julep ran through the Confederate section shouting Dola\u2019s name. Within seconds they heard a car start and quickly accelerate.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dola\u2019s barks could be heard down the road growing more distant. But she soon came prancing back all smiles and jumping on Julep.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat was tres cool,\u201d Ellis observed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHopefully Dola didn\u2019t spook whoever was here too much,\u201d Julep replied. \u201cSo much for bringing a dog along when you\u2019re trying to keep quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, but she added to the experience. That was the most excitement I\u2019ve had since seeing Adelia Watkins kissing Clarissa Simpson behind the gym two weeks back.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI feel bad we scared off whoever was here.\u201d Julep sighed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe didn\u2019t mean to, and now we know not to fear whoever\u2019s been coming out here at night. It must not be a very scary haint to immediately run away \u2013 and I didn\u2019t know haints could drive either,\u201d Ellis chuckled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI hope the person comes back tomorrow night,\u201d Julep said.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 With Dola back on the leash, they returned home. Each silently admired how lovely and mysterious the grounds looked while bathed in the glow of an almost full moon.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After crossing the street, they said good night and each soon went to bed. For the first time in weeks, the cemetery light could not be seen when each turned out the bedroom light. Both missed it and hoped it would return the next night.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For Ellis, the next day was defined by visiting relatives out of town, while Julep\u2019s day was dominated by working an extra long shift at the county library. Mr. Hawkins\u2019 family returned home around 8 that evening. Bored, he went next door to watch television and listen to music with Julep. When rising from her seat to change the music at 10:30, she happened to face her front bedroom windows and noticed the light across the street again.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Standing still, she smiled at her friend and tilted her head toward the light. Ellis quickly stood up and recognized it with a grin.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he pleaded.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOkay, but without Dola.\u201d She smiled back.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They were soon out the front door crossing the street before again following the cemetery\u2019s central walkway. Because of the cloudless night under a full moon, they had not thought to bring a flashlight. There was a slight breeze and the light appeared to be in the same location.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Again they walked through the Confederate section as the gleam grew larger and brighter. As they got closer, they walked slower and began to crouch. When about 30 yards from the light, it became clear that it was in the same spot as before and was a flashlight lying on the ground just to the left of a large headstone and pointing to the back of the cemetery. Proceeding very slowly, they noticed a pair of shoes placed next to the flashlight. A few steps further they saw a pair of legs and bare feet on the ground stretched out from the tombstone.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ellis and Julep stopped and looked at each other for a few seconds.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDo you want to introduce ourselves?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to scare the person again,\u201d Julep answered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s meet them. Otherwise, we\u2019re always going to wonder who it was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not answering, she looked at him and then faced the light again. He resumed walking toward it and she followed. When they were perhaps 15 yards from the tombstone, Ellis spoke.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHello there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Almost immediately Julep and Ellis were blinded by a light.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d came the frightened reply.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry. We\u2019re not ghosts. I\u2019m Ellis Hawkins and this is Julep McBride. We live right across from the cemetery and were just curious about the light we\u2019ve been seeing here the last few weekends.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To her and Ellis\u2019s surprise, a tall girl about their age looked back at them.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHi. I\u2019m Zerlina Perkins \u2026 and this is my momma,\u201d she sighed pointing to the new tombstone she had been leaning against.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Julep and Ellis walked closer to read the engraving and learn Zerlina\u2019s mother had died a couple months before. She was 47.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAw, we\u2019re very sorry,\u201d Julep said.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes. Deepest condolences,\u201d Ellis added.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThanks,\u201d Zerlina murmured. Now that they were within a few feet of her, they saw her cheeks were wet.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd we\u2019re mighty sorry about my dog chasing you away last night,\u201d Julep added. \u201cI feel so badly about that. We were just curious as to what your flashlight was but we thought we better take Dola just to be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s no problem,\u201d Zerlina waved her hand. \u201cIt was likely good for me since I was having a real pity party. The whole thing\u2019s kind of funny looking back on it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, you\u2019re very understanding. I promise it\u2019ll never happen again,\u201d Julep assured her.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI hope I\u2019m not intruding, but why do you come here at night?\u201d Ellis asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For the first time, Miss Perkins offered a weak smile and sighed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBefore her tombstone arrived, it didn\u2019t feel like she was really here,\u201d Zerlina said looking at the grave. \u201cAnd when I\u2019d visit in the daytime, it just didn\u2019t feel right. Everything in this place was just too pretty, colorful, and alive with spring. But at night all that goes away and I feel like I really am among the dead. Plus, I like to lean against the headstone and talk with Momma. I\u2019d feel extra weird doing that during the day when other people are sometimes around. I guess it\u2019s all pretty weird.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d Ellis and Julep quickly spoke up.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s lovely,\u201d Julep continued. \u201cYou love your mother very much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd she loves or loved me,\u201d Zerlina replied. \u201cThere\u2019s just so much I needed to say to her since she died so suddenly and I didn\u2019t get to tell her goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Julep and Ellis looked at her but were too shy to ask what happened.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe was killed in a car wreck,\u201d Zerlina volunteered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWas your mom the one who hit that Mack truck pulling out in front of her by the highway overpass?\u201d Ellis asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s the one,\u201d Zerlina answered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re so sorry,\u201d Julep offered and Ellis nodded.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThanks. I only come here on Friday and Saturday nights since I don\u2019t have to get up for school the next morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you come here alone?\u201d Ellis inquired. \u201cDon\u2019t you feel a little anxious coming here so late at night all by yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNobody else in the family wants to come. I guess it\u2019s still too painful or each one just has to grieve in his own way. A couple of friends have offered to come, but I wouldn\u2019t be comfortable talking with Momma in front of them. So it\u2019s just better alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll be on our way then. We\u2019re sorry to intrude,\u201d said Julep.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo. This has been really cool meeting y\u2019all. It\u2019s a relief to talk and actually get a response out here, or at least one I can hear. And now I\u2019m no longer scared of the dog returning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo sorry about that,\u201d Julep offered. \u201cShe jumped and I dropped the leash. She would have never hurt you, though. I promise. She just barks when excited.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, I understand,\u201d Zerlina smiled. \u201cI have dogs too. Looking back, it was good she got me out of the funk I was in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t recognize you from school,\u201d said Ellis. \u201cWe\u2019re 10th<\/sup> graders at Zora Hurston.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI go to Flannery O\u2019Connor,\u201d Zerlina replied.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the clear moonlight Julep realized just how attractive Miss Perkins was: tall, with long brown hair, a quite fetching face, and long legs. She also noticed Ellis\u2019s eyes never left Zerlina\u2019s and thought she detected a smile on his face she did not recognize.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHas it been comforting for you to come here,\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt has,\u201d Zerlina replied with her first real smile of the evening. \u201cI\u2019ve gotten a whole lot off my chest talking with her out here these last few weeks. A lifetime of stuff I should have said but didn\u2019t. I know it\u2019s stupid\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, not at all,\u201d Ellis interjected as Julep turned to look at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut it\u2019s only here that I feel like I can truly talk to her or that she hears me, that there\u2019s a real connection or communication. I\u2019m sorry, this must all sound so strange.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot at all.\u201d Ellis tried to reassure her. \u201cI think it\u2019s really moving. Deal with the loss in whatever way works best for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Julep agreed but found it hard to say anything. She nodded her agreement.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo how come y\u2019all ain\u2019t afraid of being alone in this big cemetery late at night, especially with all the haunted tales about it \u2013 and without even a dog?\u201d Zerlina smiled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Julep started to speak up but Ellis answered first. \u201cWe grew up largely in this cemetery. It was our favorite playground when we were little.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Julep shifted her feet again and surveyed the area as Ellis continued talking with Zerlina.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d never spent time in a graveyard,\u201d Miss Perkins volunteered. \u201cBut this place really is pretty, day or night. And I\u2019m right glad to meet you guys. Having grown up here, y\u2019all may think I\u2019m less of a weirdo than anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Julep spoke up. \u201cI think what you\u2019re doing is lovely\u2014”<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not weird at all,\u201d Ellis interrupted. \u201cAnd if ever you\u2019d like some company out here, we\u2019re just right across the street over yonder.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Julep looked at him again. Then she noticed Miss Perkins smiling.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, I \u2019spect I\u2019d feel a little weird knocking on your door to ask you to join me at Momma\u2019s grave,\u201d Zerlina said with a slight chuckle.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThen give us a call. Here, I\u2019ll give you my number,\u201d Ellis answered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As he and Zerlina exchanged numbers, Julep looked at her watch and wanted to go home, suddenly feeling it had been a long day.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s getting pretty late, y\u2019all. I should head back,\u201d Julep announced to Ellis\u2019s surprise. \u201cBut it\u2019s sure been sweet meeting you, and very best wishes to you and all your family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThanks so much. I\u2019m glad to have met y\u2019all too,\u201d Zerlina smiled and she and Julep shook hands. To the latter\u2019s surprise, Ellis gave their new acquaintance a hug and reiterated how he hoped she would call. Julep tried to recall the last time he hugged her.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Zerlina ended up leaving the cemetery as well, and they all waved goodbye. The flowers appeared to emit a special glow, and Julep could never recall the cemetery feeling so ethereal as she and Ellis walked slowly back along the central walkway. She looked up at the Spanish moss hanging from the gnarled oak tree limbs and deeply breathed in the sweet smell of wisteria.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ellis was just savoring the setting when he felt Julep take his hand. Other than crossing the street together when quite young, and on their parents\u2019 orders, he could not recall them ever holding hands. A warm sensation slowly spread throughout his body as he detected an absence of the earlier breeze. For several seconds he looked straight ahead, saying nothing, but felt Julep turning to look up at him. When he met her gaze, he noticed a slight smile which he returned. She squeezed his hand and he squeezed hers.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each wondered if a forbidden door had just been opened through which exciting but dangerous risks beckoned ahead. But both knew this felt so right and chose to go with it. Julep had never seen a lovelier lunar light envelop the entire cemetery as they walked ever slower toward the street. Ellis sensed he would now go to the spring fling after all and even figured he could finally guess his date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Douglas Young \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ellis Hawkins and Julep McBride sat together on the high school bus taking them home on a late Friday spring afternoon. They had grown up next door to each other on Woodlawn Avenue across the street from the largest local cemetery. Born weeks apart, Julep and Ellis were playmates from the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1653,77],"tags":[1565,1654,1123],"class_list":["post-14912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-egophobia-77","category-english","tag-douglas-young","tag-egophobia-77","tag-english"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6DakB-3Sw","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14913,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14912\/revisions\/14913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u201cAnd my dog\u2019s not with us,\u201d Julep added hopefully.<\/p>\n