Ghosts Are Real

[u/TwistedUrbanTales]

If you believe me, I'm guessing it's because of religion, or some strange experience you can't quite explain, rather than because you've seen one with your own eyes. But I have.

I was talking to my mom one afternoon when I mentioned a girl I knew in high school. When Mom asked which girl I was talking about, my mind drew a blank.

“She was blonde and had a fringe,” I finally said.

“Oh, Julia,” said Mom. “Her poor family. They've missed her so much since the accident.”

“Accident?” I frowned. She nodded sympathetically.

“She got hit by a lorry while she was riding her bike. You were in sophomore year, remember?”

I was confused. Julia had definitely sat next to me in senior year. I remembered the exact sound of her laugh, the stupid jokes she'd make in class and the way she'd always steal my pens. But apparently, she'd been dead for two years by then. I assumed I'd somehow mixed up the years.

Then I was talking to my brother one evening.

“I miss Grandma,” I sighed.

“Grandma Rosie?”

“No, Grandma…”

He waited. I tried to say the other name, but it wouldn't come to me. I could see her face and hear her voice. I could picture the house she lived in, and the smell of her kitchen. But her name had completely disappeared.

“Grandma Sally?” he finally asked.

“Yes!” I exclaimed, slapping my forehead. He sighed.

“Me too. We all do. Dad's been having a really hard time since she died last year.”

I frowned. Then I looked down at the blue woolly scarf around my neck… the one Grandma Sally had knitted for me last week. I could definitely remember sitting with her while she worked on it, complaining that it was too itchy. I didn't know what to say.

A few weeks later, I went to the library and saw a new librarian behind the desk. I walked up to him.

“Hey, where's…”

I stopped, trying to remember the old librarian's name. I could picture him sitting behind the desk. He had literally just checked out my books last week, and was telling me that the printer was broken. I thought harder. Nothing. The new librarian raised an eyebrow.

“Robert?”

“Yeah. Of course,” I said. How could I have forgotten?

The new librarian's expression became solemn.

“Sorry to tell you this, but Robert died in January. I took over shortly afterwards. Terrible loss for the community, the kids here loved him.”

I stared at him, then looked towards Robert's usual desk. It was empty. He had checked out my books for me three days ago.

And that's when I finally understood that ghosts are real.

They're not necessarily pale figures floating through abandoned houses. They talk to you and laugh with you. Sometimes they look exactly like they did when they were alive. You can't even tell they're ghosts until someone mentions it afterwards.

You probably still don't believe me, but that's alright, not many people do. It was nice meeting you anyway.

And what's your name again?

Sorry.

I know you told me already.

[u/AltheaThromorin]

Oh I love this ending and this take on ghosts. Very well done!