Charon's Crossing

"Hey, mister," he yelled, "you want to move this thing?"

Kathryn looked at Matthew. "Did you hear what he said?" she whispered.

"Come on, pal. Do us a favor, okay?"

"Hey," Kathryn yelled, "can you really see this man?"

The men in the truck grinned slyly at each other. "Why?" said the driver. "Is he supposed to be a ghost?"

Kathryn laughed. "Is he supposed to be a ghost..." She laughed harder, and Matthew began laughing, too. "Is he supposed..." Tears rose in her eyes. "Matthew, did you hear what he said?"

"Aye, love. I did."

It was difficult for him to speak. Kathryn was weeping as well as laughing but she wasn't the only one. Matthew's eyes were wet, too, and the lump in his throat felt large enough to choke him. Tenderly, he gathered her into his arms and stroked her hair.

"I was afraid to believe it," he murmured, "but now I know it is true. I cannot walk through walls, Kathryn, though I have tried. And now this man sees me." He laughed and whirled her in a circle. "Sweetheart, I am real!"

"He's real," Kathryn sang, "he can't walk through walls and he's real." She threw back her head as they came to a dizzying stop. "Oh, isn't that wonderful news, world?"

The truck driver looked at the man seated beside him and tapped his forehead with his forefinger.

"Nuts," he mouthed, "the broad and the guy, too."

"Matthew? I almost forgot... What about Waring?"

"Gone, and without a trace."

"You're sure?"

"I would sense his presence, sweetheart, if he had survived."

Kathryn sighed and laid her palms flat against Matthew's chest. The beat of his heart was as solid and real as the rest of him.

"I have to admit, I don't understand any of this," she said softly.

"Nor do I, except to know that it was your love that freed me."

"No. No, it wasn't me. You freed yourself, Matthew. By believing in love, by giving your life for mine, you removed the curse."

"You gave me a love worth believing in, Kathryn."

He kissed her again and they clung to each other until another horn blast brought them back to reality.

"Listen, buddy," the truck driver said, "we just love seeing you havin' all this fun, you know what I mean? But maybe you and the lady could save the rest until you get that Jeep out of the way."

Kathryn laughed, dried her eyes, and clasped Matthew's hand in hers.

"How would you like to take your very first driving lesson, Captain? And then, maybe, how'd you like to take a ride in an airplane?"

Matthew laughed, too, but then his laughter failed and he looked deep into her eyes.

"I will love you forever, Kathryn," he said.

She rose on her toes and kissed him.

"Forever," she said softly.

Somebody in the pickup truck applauded. Kathryn grinned, waved her hand, and led Matthew to the Jeep.