Chapter 39: Wedding

Ed and Ellen watched the opera. Ed also monitored the ghost at the back of the stage. Fortunately, the ghost didn’t interrupt or interfere with the program.

There was an intermission halfway through. The curtain closed and the house lights brightened.

“Are you enjoying the show, dear?” asked Ellen.

“That was entertaining. I liked it.”

“And the ghost?”

“It stayed at the back of the stage, without disrupting the performance.”

“That’s something. Did you want to approach it later?”

“I think so. It may need my help.”

“Yes, after the show. I must speak with people out front. Can you visit the ghost without me?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ll be quick about it. I assume you want to introduce me to your friends.”

“Exactly. Would you like a snack?”

“Sure.”

They got some snacks for themselves and waited for the second half to resume.

The house lights dimmed, and the curtain raised for the second half.

Ed and Ellen enjoyed the performance. Ed saw the ghost, but it didn’t disturb. No one else saw the ghost.

The opera ended with applause and encore requests. Once it was fully over, Ed and Ellen stood.

Ellen opened the door to their private box and talked with the security guard.

“Ed, the security guard will escort me out front. Please find your ghost, but come and find me when you’re done. I won’t leave without you, so don’t leave the building alone,” said Ellen.

“Okay.”

Ellen and the security guard left one way, while Ed took the passage towards the stage.

Soon, Ed left the area for the audience and encountered dressing rooms. Actors were busy changing out of their costumes and getting ready to leave. They didn’t pay attention to Ed as he walked past.

Ed climbed some steps and arrived at the side of the stage. He glanced at where the ghost had lingered during the show and found him.

“Hello, I’m Ed,” he said.

“You can see me?”

The ghost had a costume similar to those worn by actors. This one was perhaps rather antiquated.

“Yes. I can hear you as well. When I saw you, I thought perhaps I might be of help.”

“I don’t know. It’s been a very long time. It’s hard to remember.”

“Do you know why you’re here?”

“My name was George. I used to perform here, long ago, when it first opened.”

“Why are you still here? What’s keeping you from moving on, George?” asked Ed.

“I don’t know. I have nowhere else to go. I miss my Flo. She used to sing so sweetly. We’d sing together. She’s long gone, but I remain.”

“Sometimes, when people die, they remain at places they were familiar with. For you, it’s the theater.”

“Yes. I don’t know anywhere else to go. I don’t interfere with the performances, but it’s all I know.”

“George, you realize your Flo is long since dead. I don’t think I could bring her back for you,” said Ed.

At that moment, he had an inspiration. “I just remembered I met a ghost by that name, but I don’t know if she’s your Flo.”

“You did?”

“Yes. I don’t know. Maybe I could go talk with her.”

“That would mean so much to me. No one has talked to me in ages. Perhaps she could visit and we could talk.”

“Even if she visits you, it’s unlikely she is your Flo.”

“Please, Sir. It would mean so much to me.”

“Okay. I’ll do that for you.”

Ed left the stage and went out front in search of Ellen. She was talking with several people.

“Hello, Ed,” said Ellen. “Let me introduce you to the producer and director. This is Ed, my fiancé.”

Ed shook hands with them. They talked for a while longer until it was time to leave.

Back in the SUV, Ellen turned to Ed. “Okay, did you find your ghost?”

“Yes. He used to perform when this place first opened.”

“What help does he need?”

“He misses the love of his life. She was called Flo.”

“You told him she probably passed on by now?”

“Yes, but I have a plan. Do you remember Flora, at the Italian restaurant?” asked Ed.

“Yes! Do you think she’s the one?”

“I doubt it, but it’s worth a try.”

“Well, tomorrow you should visit all your ghost friends and invite them to our wedding. We have a date set.”

“Okay, dear. I’ll do that.”

The SUV drove home.

The next morning, Ed awoke in his bedroom.

After his morning routine, he walked to the family room.

Ellen was there, and they hugged.

“Good morning, my love,” he said, still holding her.

“Good morning. Sleep well?”

“I’ll answer that after I’ve had my coffee.”

They got their coffees and sat on the sofa together.

“So, today focus on invites for the wedding,” said Ellen.

“Agreed.”

Soon, Ed went to his laptop and emailed an invitation to Blake Hill, his boss. He also mentioned he was going out to invite some other friends.

Ed then closed his laptop and called for his security detail.

He walked out to the front as their SUV pulled up.

“Where to, Sir?”

“Please take me to police headquarters. I have to deliver wedding invites.”

The SUV drove out through the main gate.

Once the SUV parked in the parkade underneath police headquarters, Ed got out, together with one security guard.

They walked outside while Ed scanned the sky above the building.

Soon, he saw what he was searching for. He waved at the ghost and called out.

The ghost descended to Ed.

“Hello,” said Ed.

“Hello, Ed. What’s up? Need help on a case?” asked Sara.

“No. This Saturday, Ellen and I are getting married. You’re invited.”

“Where and what time?”

“It’s at the Duwamish longhouse at ten am. Can you pass the word to Conner and any other ghosts we know? Please tell the poltergeist he is welcome if he behaves.”

“Sure. I’ll do that. Congratulations Ed! I’m so happy for you.”

“After the wedding, we’ll be away on our honeymoon. I hope you can hold the fort until I return.”

“We’ll do our best.”

“I must leave, as I have other appointments. See you at the wedding.”

Ed returned to the parkade. Sara ascended and flew in search of the other ghosts.

Unknown to both Ed and Sara, Noah had watched on CCTV. He saw Ed talking to open space, while his security guard watched for threats.

“Hmm, so he’s getting married, huh?”

Noah picked up his phone and called Jace Altman, the head of Ellen’s security detail.

“Hello, Sir,” said Jace.

“Jace, I just learned you have an upcoming wedding. Would you like some extra personnel for the event?” asked Noah.

“Yes, Sir. That would be prudent, based on recent history.”

“I’ll send two squads to the longhouse on Saturday at eight. They’ll report to you for the day.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“They’re high-value assets. It’s the least we could do.”

Noah ended the call.

The SUV drove through downtown Seattle until it stopped near the Italian restaurant. Ed got out with one security guard and they went inside.

The security guard sat near the entrance, while Ed chose a seat further inside. They were the only living guests currently.

Ed saw two ghosts sitting nearby.

“Excuse me, I came to talk with Flora. Could you invite her to come out here?” he asked.

One ghost stood, or more accurately, floated out of their seat. They left the room.

Ed waited.

The ghost came back, followed by Flora. She floated over to his table.

“Hello, Ed.”

“Flora, I have two items to discuss with you. First, you’re invited to our wedding this Saturday.”

“I wouldn’t miss it. You’re the most exceptional person I’ve met in decades. You’ve treated me with respect.”

“It’s at the Duwamish longhouse at ten am.”

“Okay, I know the place. What’s the second thing you want to discuss?”

“Yesterday, I met a ghost at the opera center. His name was George. He is looking for a woman he called Flo. They performed together at the opera center, about a century ago.”

“I died before then, so it wasn’t me. Perhaps I could become his Flo. It’s been so long, he might not remember her well.”

“He’s backstage in the opera center. I wish you luck.”

“Thank you. I’ll go this afternoon. It’s hard to have relationships with other ghosts. This restaurant is like a retirement home for ghosts. Our level of familiarity hinders communication.”

After a few more words, Ed stood, and he left the restaurant, his security close behind him.

The next stop on his journey was Washta’s home.

Ed saw another SUV parked outside, with the familiar security detail in it. Washta was under their protection since the incident with the henchman.

Ed stood outside and waited. Soon, a crow descended from a nearby tree and landed on his shoulder.

“Hello, Ed.” Said Absaroke.

“Hello, Absaroke. How are you and Washta?”