Her hair was styled in soft curls, and she wore the diamond necklace Desmond had given her for their fifth anniversary. She was using everything he had given her to celebrate replacing him. Next to her stood Elijah, looking confident and handsome in a designer suit.
He had his arm around Monica’s waist, and they were both smiling as guests congratulated them. Thank you so much for coming, Monica said to each guest. I know it seems fast but life is short you know.
Desmond’s death taught me that. When you find love you have to hold on to it. The guests nodded, though some exchanged uncertain glances.
Forty days wasn’t much time to mourn a husband and find a new love. But Monica didn’t seem to notice or care about their doubts. She was radiant.
Victorious. At eight o’clock the party was in full swing. Waiters circulated with trays of food and champagne.
The string quartet played soft romantic music. People laughed and talked. Then the music stopped.
Monica stepped up to a small stage at the front of the ballroom, with Elijah beside her. Everyone can I have your attention please? Monica said into a microphone. Her voice was sweet and clear.
The room went quiet. All eyes turned to her. First of all, thank you all for being here tonight, Monica began.
I know that some of you might be wondering if this is too soon. It’s only been forty days since I lost my husband Desmond. She paused and Desmond saw her dab at her eyes with a handkerchief.
Even now she was performing. Desmond was a good man, Monica continued. He gave me a comfortable life.
But I have to be honest with you all. Our marriage wasn’t perfect. We had grown apart over the years.
We were more like roommates than husband and wife. When he died I felt, I felt relief. And that relief came with guilt.
Some people in the audience shifted uncomfortably. This was more honesty than they expected. But then I met Elijah, Monica said turning to smile at him.
Actually I’ve known Elijah for a while. He was one of Desmond’s business associates. And after Desmond passed, Elijah was there for me.
He helped me through the grief. He listened to me. He understood me in ways that Desmond never did.
Desmond watched from his apartment, his blood boiling. Monica was rewriting their history. Making it sound like their marriage had been bad, like she had been unhappy, like Desmond had been the problem.
Elijah and I fell in love, Monica said taking Elijah’s hand. And I know it’s fast. I know people will talk.
But I’ve learned that life is too short to waste. So tonight, I’m happy to officially announce our engagement. The room erupted in polite applause, though it wasn’t very enthusiastic.
People were clearly uncomfortable. Elijah took the microphone. Thank you all for supporting us.
I know this situation is unusual. But Monica and I have something special. And we wanted to share this moment with the people who matter most.
He pulled Monica close and kissed her. Right there in front of everyone in Desmond’s house at a party paid for with Desmond’s money. The applause was even weaker this time.
Grace standing near the back of the room, pulled out her phone and sent Desmond a text. Are you watching this? Desmond texted back, every second. Tell me when you’re ready.
Grace replied, give me five more minutes. Let her enjoy her moment. The fall will be sweeter.
Those five minutes felt like hours to Desmond. He watched as Monica and Elijah moved through the crowd, accepting congratulations. He watched as they laughed and toasted with champagne.
He watched as they posed for photos, Monica’s left hand prominently displayed with a huge engagement ring. An engagement ring that Elijah had probably bought with money he planned to steal from Monica later. Finally, Grace texted, now.
Come now. Desmond stood up, straightened his suit jacket and picked up his car keys. It was time to come back from the dead.
The return. Desmond drove through the city streets, his heart pounding with every mile. The closer he got to the mansion, the more real this became.
He had been dead for 40 days. And now he was about to walk back into his own life. He pulled up to the mansion gates.
The guard on duty, a young man named Marcus who had worked for Desmond for two years, looked at the car approaching and stood up to check the driver. When Marcus saw Desmond’s face through the windshield he froze. His eyes went wide.
His mouth dropped open. Good evening Marcus, Desmond said calmly through the window. And Mr. Adams? Marcus stammered his face going pale.
But, but you’re, you’re dead. We went to your funeral. Reports of my death were greatly exaggerated, Desmond said with a slight smile.
Open the gate please. Marcus fumbled with the controls, his hands shaking. The gate slowly swung open.
Desmond drove through, up the long driveway to his mansion. He could hear the music from the party, see the lights blazing from every window. He parked right in front of the main entrance and got out of the car.
Desmond walked up the steps and pushed open the front doors. The entrance hall was empty. Everyone was in the ballroom.
He could hear Monica’s laughter echoing through the house, along with music and the chatter of guests. Desmond walked slowly down the familiar hallway. His footsteps echoed on the marble floor.
Past the living room where he and Monica used to watch movies. Past the dining room where they had shared countless meals. Past the photos on the walls, though most of them were gone now he noticed.
Monica had removed them. Finally he reached the doors to the ballroom. They were wide open.
He could see everything from where he stood. Monica and Elijah were in the center of the room dancing. Her white dress swirled around her as he spun her.
She was laughing her head thrown back completely happy. Grace saw him first. She was standing near the back and her eyes met his across the room.
She gave him a small nod. It was time. Grace moved quickly to the sound system and turned off the music.
The sudden silence made everyone stop and look around in confusion. Ladies and gentlemen, Grace said loudly, her voice carrying through the ballroom. I apologize for interrupting, but we have a very special guest tonight.
Someone who couldn’t make it to his own funeral. People looked at each other confused. What was she talking about? Grace pointed toward the doorway.
Everyone I’d like to reintroduce you to my brother. Desmond Adams. And Desmond stepped into the light.
For a moment, everything froze. Nobody moved. Nobody breathed.
Nobody spoke. Fifty people stood in complete silence staring at a ghost. Because that’s what Desmond looked like to them.
A ghost. A dead man walking. Monica saw him and the color drained from her face.
Her champagne glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the marble floor. The sound broke the spell. Then chaos erupted.
People started screaming. Some guests backed away in fear. Others pulled out their phones not sure if they should call the police or start recording.
Desmond, someone shouted. But that’s impossible. He’s dead.
We went to his funeral. Is this some kind of trick? But Desmond ignored them all. His eyes were locked on Monica.
She stood frozen in the middle of the dance floor, still in Elijah’s arms, her face white as her dress. Hello Monica, Desmond said calmly, his voice cutting through the noise. Did you miss me? Monica couldn’t speak…
