Myths

Translucence Is a Virtue
(Friday the thirteenth)

As I looked up towards the night sky, the stars twinkled back at me inviting me to come dream in their endless miles of possibility. The moon shone down upon the grass, illuminating the dewdrops of the early morn; it was Friday the thirteenth. I personally didn’t believe in any bad luck, hence why I was star gazing in a cemetery alone. I think that is one of the most peaceful places on this earth. The silence is almost unnatural the way not even the breeze sings its song through the trees and the smell is unreal, a combination of rain and wet leaves. It was almost 5AM, 4:44 to be exact, when I heard the voice of an angel. My eyes had been shut and I kid you not, I thought the dead were trying to communicate with me. I opened my eyes and found myself staring at a man about my age with blond hair and translucent blue eyes.
“So, what are you doing in a cemetery on Friday the thirteenth?” he said smooth as whiskey.
“I don’t believe in superstition, but I could ask you the same thing…”
“I have nothing to fear, nothing can harm me. What’s your name?”
“Kat, what’s yours?”
“I’m Charlie, mind if I sit with you?”
I shook my head no and he proceeded to sit next to me on the small blanket I had laid out on the ground. We hardly said two words to each other and it was the greatest conversation I had ever had. Just before the sun was about to shine its spectacular rays, he rose up and announced he had to be home.
“Miss Kat, it was a pleasure to have met you,” he said as he took my hand and kissed it. My entire body became paralyzed as a wave of energy surged through it. “I hope you have a lucky day, even though I know you don’t believe in superstitions.” He looked at me one last time, into my soul, before heading off into the dark outline of the woods. The wind began to pick back up as I grabbed my blanket and headed home.
I really don’t understand the whole hype of Friday the thirteenth; I mean it’s just a stupid day. I do find it funny though, to sit around and people watch because people are so paranoid! I mean if someone saw a black cat on any other day, they would probably sit down and pet the dear thing. But on this day, people are seen running down the streets for dear life carrying lucky pennies and salt to ward off the evil sprits; I just laugh. I was headed down the street to go grab some coffee, when I myself came across a black cat. I casually walked up to it and sat on the ground, petting the poor thing. It looked up at me while rubbing its back against my leg and it seemed to have the exact same eyes that Charlie had, ones that could see into your soul. For some reason I was completely mesmerized by this fact that I didn’t even notice when the wind totally died down. I got this chill over my body and felt as if someone was behind me but as I turned around, there was nothing there but the cat; I guess the date was starting to get to me. I continued on my way down towards the coffee shop where I ordered a tall black coffee. I sat next to the window, popped off the top and inhaled deep; it smelled of rain and wet leaves. This shocked me so much that I instantly backed away into an older gentleman, knocking his coffee out of his hands.
“Sir I am so sorry, I don’t know what’s come over me,” I said as I helped him mop up the mess.
“It’s quite alright, no harm done.” He looked up at me and before he could say another word, I ran straight out of that coffee shop; it was the blue eyes again. I ran all the way home and crawled into bed, trying to calm myself down; it was just a stupid day and this was all just stupid coincidence. I took in a deep breath and began to drift into sleep.
When I woke, it was seven and I had missed dinner. My mother had stored some leftovers for me in Ziploc bags, which I took with me to the cemetery. I needed to clear my head and tonight was supposed to be a great night for some stargazing; Venus was going to be visible next to the moon! I laid out my blanket, ate my food and began the relaxing ritual of my night. Around 11:15, it was as if someone had turned off the wind, that eerie silence remained and that voice could be heard once again. He had come from those woods to join me on my blanket and star gaze.
“So Kat, how was your day, anything strange happen?”
“Actually, to tell you the truth, no. But I couldn’t get my mind off of you all day. I know that sounds strange and probably a little creepy but-“
“No, it doesn’t sound weird at all, I was hoping you’d think of me,” he said with a quick flash of a smile. “I actually came here tonight to tell you goodbye, I’m going to be going away for a while but I wanted to see you one last time.”
My stomach flipped over as those words poured from his lips. I didn’t want him to leave; I wasn’t ready to let him go, not just yet.
“Hey, don’t look so sad, we’ll see each other again, I promise I won’t forget you, so don’t forget me,” he whispered as he leaned in to kiss me. Again, that electrical charge through my entire body as our lips parted. “I want to show you something before I leave, follow me.”
We both got up and he took off running. I tried to follow him as close as I could but he was too fast for me. “Charlie, wait up!” I could barely see him up in the distance and just as I was gaining on him, I tripped on one of the headstones and went crashing to the floor. I grabbed my knee, which I had severely bruised, and looked down, but all the pain rushed out of my body as I read two words: Charlie Christman. The breath escaped me and I thought my heart was going to stop; I was in total shock. I realized I had just watched the most beautiful apparition walk right out of the grave and into my life. Some say that those who are gone are soon forgotten but he had been right, I would never forget him, and to this day I still see those translucent blue eyes in and amongst strangers on the street when the wind is non existent.