Haunted?

[Guest]

Fred

Hearing her saying that about her neck, I offer to help out.

"Please don't take this the wrong way but my Maggie always used to say I had magic fingers when she had aches and pains. If you let me, I'm sure that I could do something about that neck of yours."

 

[intriguess]

Maggie

My voice catches in my throat as he mentions his wife and massage abilities in same sentence. It was eerie to hear him say my name and mean someone he had loved and lost I merely nodded and said, "Let's get something to eat first,"

 

[Guest]

Fred

Miss McKee leads me back downstairs.

"Miss McKee, you don't have to go to all the trouble of cooking me something to eat. I've got microwave grub back in my motorhome." I say, feeling noble.

 

[intriguess]

Maggie McKee

"I hate cooking for one, besides I've already have something in the oven." I head back to the stairs watching at lights flicker casting odd shadows along the walls.

 

[Guest]

Fred

I thank her concerning the meal and follow her downstairs to the kitchen.

Once there, she tells me to sit at the dinning table. However, I have always carried my weight and insists that I help serve the food. She tries to argue but gives in when she sees that I will not budge.

So, when the dinner is ready, I help her serve it up.

 

[intriguess]

Maggie McKee

We seem to be able to move together in kitchen, not bumping in to each other but sliding close, at one moment my breasts brushing his chest as he we traded spots. I took a deep breath before we headed back into dining room the food in hand.

 

[Guest]

Fred

Thinking back to what has just happened in the kitchen, I begin to feel a bit awkward.

Being in close quarters with her makes me realise how long it has been since I have had bodily contact with a woman (even accidentally). Not since my Maggie died.

Beside a happy marriage, the physical aspect had always been great. We found that if anything, how sex drives got stronger as we got older. Having the young woman brushing against me brought home how much I missed that side of our marriage.

Now I feel guilty. As if I am betraying my wife simply because of these feelings I'm having.

Not wanting to think about it anymore, I sit opposite Miss McKee and start eating the food she has prepared. I tell her that the dinner is lovely (though really it isn't).

"Miss McKee, out of interest, why did you buy this old house in the first place? I wouldn't have thought this was your cup of tea."

 

[intriguess]

Maggie McKee

The question throws me off guard as we silently eat the meal that I hadn't even been tasting. I take a moment and pause before I answer the question with a question, "What type do I seem to be? The kind that should be chasing down a husband and popping out babies?" I bite my lip, "Truth is I love a challenge and things well led to me buying this place." I pause taking a sip of my drink my throat suddenly overly dry. "I'm a proffesional art restorer, so taking time off to restore a house is therapeudic." I neglect to mention why I needed such a break or what I was trying to forget.

 

[Guest]

Fred

Her aggressive response to my question startles me.

She's bitter about something!

Maybe I'm not the only person here who has had heartbreak!

"I'm sorry, Miss McKee. I wasn't implying anything. In fact, I think it's a great idea to restore this old house. Too many places like this just get neglected or get converted into something else or knocked down."

From what she has just said, it is obvious that she is trying to get away from something or someone and though tempted to enquire further, I tell myself it's none of my business. Instead, I take a different tack.

Finishing my plate, I continue.

"I'm told that this place has a reputation. That is, if you believe in ghosts."

 

[intriguess]

Maggie McKee

I chuckle nearly spitting out what I was drinking, "Ghosts? how quaint. That does explain why I had difficulty finding someone to work on the place and the realtor was very jumpy." I take another drink, "I can have one of the extra rooms spiffed up in a jiffy, is there one you preferred?"

 

[Guest]

Fred

Is that the time?

I look at my watch. It is around 10.

It's not exactly late, but I did feel tired and it is going to be a long day tomorrow.

I was thinking about sleeping in my motorhome but since she is offering a bed (and there's plenty of them free), I think to myself
why not?

"That's very nice of you, Miss McKee. Any room will do, though I think my dog would rather stay in the motorhome (seeing how he reacted to the house)."

I then help her wash the dishes before going out to the 'home and picking up some overnight things.

 

[intriguess]

Maggie McKee

I chuckled at his comment about the dog, and we did the dishes in a quiet manner. I headed upstairs and aired out one of the larger bedrooms, I was bouncing on the bed making sure it had a nice firm mattress when I heard his feet upon the steps.

 

[Guest]

Fred

As predicted, I was right about Morty. He does not want to come into the house.

Leaving him in charge of the motorhome, I quickly fish out some washing things, a fresh pair of pyjamas and clothes for tomorrow and return to the house.

Once inside, I go looking for Miss McKee.

I can't find her down here so she must be upstairs preparing a room.

Finding myself eager to get to bed, I decide to go upstairs and meet her.

Once up the stairs, I then follow the sounds of bouncing bedsprings until I come to a room and finding her bouncing up and down on the bed.

Seeing me standing by the door, she stops.

 

[intriguess]

Maggie McKee

I feel like a child whose been caught jumping on the bed, I rise quickly and say, "The bedsprings are in excellent shape, you remember where the upstairs bathroom is?" I don't wait for an answer as I try and slip past, our bodies brushing against each other as I move past him through the door.

 

[Guest]

Fred

I find myself standing alone in the bedroom.

Putting my things on a chair, I take my washing things and make my way to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, I am standing by the wash basin, cleaning my teeth and reflecting on what has happened today.

I find the young woman rather curious. For instance, though she has not actually said anything, the fact that she has fed me and given me board would seem to tell me that she had accepted my cheaper offer.

Returning to the bedroom, I am about to get into bed when I realise that I did not have my wife's photo with me.

Since her death, I have always had her photo next to me when I went to bed. Deciding that I am not going to change now, I put on my robe and head for the stairs.

 

[intriguess]

Maggie McKee

I was brushing my hair when I heard shower running, I blinked away an entirely too personal thought as I slide my nightgown on. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, feeling the fabric sliding against my skin rippling even though there was no breeze. I shoke my head, I was being crazy and I slipped into the bathroom brushing my teeth and such, when I heard the steps creaking. I was worried until I heard his dog barking and figure he's forgotten something and I slide into bed. Dropping off to sleep almost immediately.

 

[Guest]

Fred

I lay in bed, looking at the picture of my wife.

Good night, Maggie.

I then turn off the lamp and slowly drift off to sleep.

 

[intriguess]

Maggie

I was dreaming again, the same as before, strange fingers sliding up through my nightgown caressing my skin, soft little whispers that I can't quiet hear and then lips, or a mouth descends kissing licking my skin, I hear myself slightly protest as my legs are parted, the unseen becoming more insisting on this night. The whispers revealing two voices, one male and other lighter female. I try and get away but am unable to move from the place I lie in their fingers and tongues heating my skin. I woke up flushed my body fresh from orgasm a moan parting my lips. I noticed the sun was just spilling light into the room. I noticed my sheets were off, and my nightgown had slid upward to my hips.

 

[Guest]

Fred

I am suddenly awake to the sounds of cries coming from the bedroom next door.

Fearing that she is having some sort of fit, I quickly get up and rush round to her bedroom.

At her bedroom door, I go to knock when the door springs open, as if by itself.

It can't be the woman since she is still laying on her bed, with her nightdress halfway up...Oh my God!

 

[intriguess]

Maggie

The dream had been so vivid and my eyes slowly took it all in as I sat up, I had never had such vivid erotic dreams before. At least it wasn't a nightmare. I suddenly noticed the door was open.

 

[Guest]

Fred

I just stand in the doorway, rooted to the spot as she lays there, her lower part of her body exposed to me.

Then I notice that she is staring at my pants. Looking down, I see that I have a large tent in my pyjama bottoms.

The realisation brings me out of my stupor.

"I-I am sorry. I thought you were in trouble and..." Unable to finish, I turn away and make a hasty retreat to my bedroom.

 

[intriguess]

Maggie

I glance down, my nipples are taut against the fabric of my nightgown which is bunched around my hips my body exposed. I had no idea what had made me stare at his crotch. Then he stammered and ran off. I wasn't if I was more embarassed for myself of for him walking in on me like that. I found myself blushing as I stood and straightened out my nightgown. Should I apologize or pretend like it never happened? I dressed slowly not wanting to face him until the color has vanished from my skin. I slowly walk down the stairs.

 

[Guest]

Fred

I feel such a fool!

I am back in my bedroom.

I can't believe what happened back there.

What does the poor girl think?

I wouldn't be sure surprised if she wants me to leave.

A man old enough to be her father! Disgusting!

I decide I should go.

I take a hot, vigorating shower and get dressed.

I then strip the bed and neatly fold the sheets so she can wash them later.

Taking my bag with me, I then go downstairs.

Miss McKee is in the kitchen.

Clearing my throat, I apologise.

"Miss McKee", and to think I was going to ask her if I could call her 'Maggie', "I don't know how I can apologise for my conduct this morning. I..I..." I try to explain but find the explanation sounds so lame that I can't voice it.

"Anyway, under the circumstances, I feel it best that I leave. I am most terribly sorry."

I nod politely and make for the front door.

 

[intriguess]

Maggie

"No, I'm the one who should be sorry." A pause turns into a lifetime and then I go on, "Please, don't go," I watch as the door knob falls off effectively locking us in for a time. I find myself laughing for no reason. "I swear this house will collapse in on me at any moment." I finally catch my breath as I wonder how old he really is. "I was having this really unusual dream, I usually don't wake up like that." The words sound artificial to my ears as if I'm not speaking them.

 

[Guest]

Fred

I dumbly watch the door knob bounce on the floor. I listen to her talking about an unusual dream she had as I pick it up.

"Miss McKee - ahem - may I call you Maggie? You don't have to explain. I ... ahem.... have those types of dreams myself."

What made me say that?

We think we both are as embarrassed as each other. I try to make light of it.

"Ahem...anyway, it looks like I'm not going anywhere.", holding up the door knob, "If you got any eggs, how would you like one of my famous El Frederick breakfasts?" I say with a smile.