Knock, knock... by Dale Mayer Page B

best served cold, but for her…after having waited a year…a little fire added to the flames would be even better.
     
    Time to move up the agenda.
     

Chapter 7
     
    Friday morning…
     
    S hay stood at Bernice's gravesite, Pappy at her side. He held her arm tightly against him. Dressed in black to satisfy her grandfather's sense of proprietary, she kept her focus on him and his needs. He looked so frail, so broken.
     
    Gerard didn't look much better. Roman stood at his side.
     
    It was early yet, but already hundreds had arrived for the ceremony.
     
    Long limousines and fancy cars lined the roadway, bringing even more people. The weather had cooperated, ushering sunshine and blue sky to the ceremony. Shay shifted the roses to the other hand.
     
    Bernice had loved gold roses. The area was festooned with them, and a single gold rose lay on the ornate casket. Bernice, being who she was, had picked out her favorite funeral details long before her death. She'd also chosen to be buried in a gown that matched the roses.
     
    The minister, another old friend of Bernice's, brought tears to everyone's eyes as he spoke of the blessing of having known her. She'd been such a major presence, a force, that no one could ignore her. No one wanted to. She'd been a light for them all.
     
    For all her best intentions, Shay felt tears well up in her eyes. She was going to miss the old lady.
     
    Pappy squeezed her arm. She smiled mistily at him and said, "It's a beautiful day for her."
     
    He smiled gently and whispered, "Yes. She'd have loved it."
     
    I am loving it, said Bernice irritably.
     
    Shay started, her gaze widening in shock. She looked over at the familiar shimmering energy of her old friend. Bernice stood between the two old men, clear and crisp as if she were there in person – except she was present only in astral form.
     
    You can see me, can't you? Bernice stared at Shay in delight. How come you can, but no one else can?
     
    Shay rolled her eyes. Like she was going to be able to answer that question. She shrugged, motioning to the side. Then, slipping her arm free from Pappy, she excused herself for a moment as if to go and speak with someone else. And she was going to do just that, but her grandfather wouldn't understand how she’d converse with Bernice.
     
    She walked behind the crowd and off to the side. Turning around, she came face to face with Bernice. "Oh!" Shay jumped back a step.
     
    How come no one else can see me? Bernice complained. I wanted to talk with Charles and Gerard again .
     
    "They can't see you," Shay murmured.
     
    Obviously, Bernice snapped. Why not though? I want them to see me, too.
     
    "How would I know? I doubt many people can." She hesitated, and then whispered, "Why are you here?"
     
    I don't know. Bernice looked around. I don't think I want to be here. But there's something...
     
    Shay waited for her to finish the sentence. When no more was forthcoming, she prompted, "But there's something...?"
     
    Bernice looked worried – the edges of her form wavered, thinned , I don't know. There's something that has to be done. But I don't know what. But something has to be stopped...
     
    "Something you need to say to someone, or something that you meant to do? Something you started and wanted to see finished?" Shay tried to prompt the other woman's memory.
     
    Doubt and a tinge of fear crossed the older woman's features. I don't remember. But there is a reason I came here. But what?
     
    "If we can figure out what that is and see it done, then you can leave."
     
    Leaving would be good. I don't like this , she cried out. And disappeared.
     
    "Wait––"
     
    Shit. Bernice was gone.
     
    Shay looked up to find Roman staring at her from only ten feet way.
     
    Double shit.
     
    ***
     
    Roman watched Shay as she stood off to the side. Though she was wearing all black, she was too dynamic to fade into the crowd. He had no idea why she'd separated herself from the group and he couldn't