~ Jenny's Ghost: Love is Forever ~

by

Kenneth Baker

Prologue

Ryan sat behind the wheel of the limousine in the construction lot. He knew it was his imagination, but he felt a deep depression and sadness coming from the rail car across the lot. Shaking his head, he opened the door and stepped out into the cold winter wind.

Glancing at the sky, he saw dark black thunder clouds to the west. The cold, grey, miserable day fit his mood. After today there was no turning back. From this day forward he had to live with what he was about to do. It wouldn’t be easy. He hoped time would lessen the degree of guilt. Guilt he would bear until he drew his last breath.

Ryan turned at the crunch of wheels behind him. A cab pulled up beside the limousine. A woman dressed in black stepped out of the cab. Ryan hugged and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s good to see you again, Maggie.”

“You look good yourself, Ryan. You look like you’ve gained a few pounds.” She turned and stared across the lot at the railcar. “It seems so long ago, yet the pain is still as intense,” Maggie said in a low voice. She saw the haunted look in Ryan’s eyes. Maggie knew both of them would suffer for their actions. Now, after six torturous months, they would commit the final act. An act that would haunt them for the rest of their lives.

“Maggie, I can’t help but feel there was another way of doing it. I can’t tell you how many sleepless nights I’ve spent in the last six months.”

Maggie gave Ryan a wan smile of understanding. “I have the same problem, Ryan. Be that as it may, this is the only way to insure my husband will live. For that reason alone, I will suffer for what we have done and what we are about to do.”

“You won’t be alone, Maggie. After today we can console each other that we did what was necessary in order for Dave to live. Be strong, Maggie. Without your strength, I don’t believe I can commit this final act. Even though it’s the right thing to do, it still hurts. God forgive both of us, me in particular, for what we are about to do. I don’t believe I would have had the courage to accept my fate the way Jenny did,” Ryan said.

“Love is a powerful thing, Ryan. Given the choice, I believe both of us would have done the same thing.”

“Have you told Dave what happened?”

“No, nor will I. When he came out of his coma, he didn’t remember anything that happened. He still remembers Jenny, of course. Sometimes at night when he sits on the porch by himself, I know he is thinking of her. Those are the hard times for me, knowing what Jenny gave up and what she is suffering. What she will suffer from now to the end of time depresses me. During those times, I lean on Dave for support. He will never learn what happened to Jenny’s spirit from me.”

“Did Dave come with you?” Ryan asked.

“He’s back at the hotel. He thinks the real reason we’re here is for the wedding.”

They walked over to the flatbed railcar together. Ryan placed his hand against what lay on the railcar and said, “Forgive me.” Those two simple words carried a world of despair and sadness in them. A small sob escaped from Maggie. She placed her hand beside Ryan’s and said, “You will never be forgotten, Jenny. Forgive us for what we are about to do.” Maggie turned away, tears streaming from her eyes.

Ryan led Maggie back to the cab, kissed her on the cheek. She got in the taxi and left.