Two years after the loss of her beloved partner, Micaela still finds it impossible to get over her. Despite being opposites in almost every way, their love and devotion was deep and undying. As Halloween draws near, which would have been their twelfth anniversary, Micaela is haunted by dreams so real that they leave her shaken.
Her best friend Carole, worried this has gone on for two long, arranges a meeting with a medium, hoping that if they manage to contact her former partner Joelle, she will convince Micaela it’s time to move on. Despite some oddly coincidental comments from the medium, Micaela remains a skeptic. And the dreams continue.
On Halloween evening, Micaela is torn between wanting to escape the sadness yet still unwilling to get on with a life without Joelle, so she returns to the place they’d spent their wedding night: a historic hotel in downtown San Antonio known to be haunted. If Joelle comes to her there, maybe Micaela can make peace and say goodbye, something she was never given the opportunity to do, and the dreams will stop. But if Joelle does miraculously appear to her in the hotel, will she finally be able to let go? Or will the love of a lifetime last beyond one lifetime?
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. I think it’s time you talked to a professional.” Obviously Carole was not going to give up easily. She may be her best friend, but she could be damned stubborn sometimes.
“A therapist? Counselor? I’m telling you, I’m fine. So I dream about my partner now and then. I miss her. That doesn’t mean I’m crazy.” Micaela couldn’t wait till Carole dropped her off at home. She was so tired of having to defend how she was feeling. Especially to Carole. She of all people knew how close she and Joelle had been.
“I mean you should talk to a medium.”
Micaela almost spit out the sip of tea she’d just taken from her travel mug. “Seriously? You want me to make an appointment with Tyler Henry?”
“If only! I’d sell my own soul to meet him in person.”
“Somehow I doubt he’ll drop by for my sake, sorry. He seems sweet but I imagine he’s a little busy. Hey, maybe he’ll sense that I need him, though.” She cocked her head. “Wait. Was that a knock at the door?”
Carole turned with a hopeful look on her face before scowling at Micaela.
“Mick, listen to me. I know you’re a skeptic, but I’m not joking. Won’t you at least try coming with me? It might give you some closure and you can move on. You’ve got to do something. You haven’t been yourself for almost two years.”
I could save us both some money and use a Ouija board. It makes about as much sense. But the worry in Carole’s voice was clear, and Micaela felt guilty for giving her such a hard time. She wasn’t entirely wrong. Micaela was not herself since Joelle died. Carole was not the first to remark on it. Her mother had commented on more than one occasion that she almost didn’t recognize her. Micaela’s coworkers had become distant and had stopped inviting her to gatherings. She wasn’t any fun to be around, but how could she be? Joelle took the spark with her.
Could an outsider really help? Maybe she should humor Carole. What harm could there be?
* * * *
They pulled into the driveway of a non-descript ranch-style house with a few potted plants that had seen better days flanking the porch. Maybe the woman Carole was so excited to get an appointment with should be communing with a dead gardener to learn how to care for her flowers. But Micaela chastised herself for not keeping the open mind Carole had begged of her. It might be crazy, but she was only trying to help.
Carole took her arm and practically pulled her from the car.
“You promised to give this a chance.” Maybe Carole had some sort of sixth sense, so often could she seem to read Micaela’s thoughts.
Straightening her back, Micaela pulled free. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
Carole’s eyes filled. “I mean it, Mick. I’m scared. I want my friend back. Please?”
Feigning acquiesce, Micaela embraced Carole. “Come on. What’s the worst that can happen?”
