Death Has It's Charms

I don't remember the day very well, only that the rain would not let up. As a child whenever it would rain and someone died, I felt it was heaven crying. Don't know why I thought that, it somehow gave me comforts knowing I wasn’t alone in this. I don’t ever remember having been upset when someone died in our family. Of course, I was sad, but I didn’t feel ─ an emptiness. A void like I do now.

It was the middle of October when Ron passed. It took me by surprise, for he didn't show any signs of being ill, in fact, he went to the doctors the other day and was given a clean bill of health. So, naturally, his passing shocked me. He was 42. Still in his prime.  We made plans to take an extended vacation to Wisconsin. That was his favorite place to go. He especially enjoyed Door County, as did I. Our special place was Egg Harbor. We’d always stay at the Main Street Motel. It wasn’t fancy. The rooms were all themed differently and the only amenities were tables on the patio and lounge chairs that faced a quaint church across the street. Simple…just how Ron liked it.

That day at the hospital, the day he died, I requested no autopsy because the thought of them cutting up his body to find what went down didn't appeal to me, nor do I think Ron would have wanted it. Even when he lay there, sicker than anybody has a right to be, he didn’t want the nurses to fuss over him. I don’t know how many times I told him that they were only doing their job and to let them.

He was a simple man. Didn't go for the fanfare at events. Just simple. Few friends...close friends. That's how he was and I loved him for it. I remember when we first met. It was a blind date, my friend set it up and at first, I didn’t want to go. I hadn’t dated in a long time, too busy and of course, I worried that he wouldn’t like me or I’d end up doing something silly or say something wrong. So many things could happen. I think that’s why I stopped dating. Anyway, we met him at the restaurant. He looked normal, nothing quirky about him. Just your average man…in a suit. Who does that anymore? Right away I’m like, they set me up with a geek! A geek in a suit. I looked over at my friend. She smiled so proudly. I wanted to wipe it off her face. How could she have done this? I gave her my best he’s geeky look, but she pushed…no shoved me over to him.

“Ron, this is Cassandra, Cassandra, this is Ron.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” And extended his hand. I just smiled brightly back and shook

the fingertips back. How I wanted to be home.

From what I remember the dinner went alright. My dear friend, who by the way, is no longer my friend, drove home with her boyfriend, leaving me stranded with my blind-date to rescue me. Awkward. He opened the door for me, which I found sweet. Not many guys would do that for a girl nowadays. The drive home was quiet. Gawkily quiet. I kept fidgeting with my fingers and wiggling in my seat.

“You alright?”

“Fine. Just fine.” With the cheesiest smile on my face.

What I remember the most about that night was his kiss. Yes, believe or not, Mr. Geeky kissed me on our first day, and boy, was it a kiss. He hooked me in good that night. From then on, we were never seen without each other. I was still mad at my friend.

In the months leading up to his death, he had been stressing. First, I thought it was work, but passed that off when he told me he was promoted and how much he loved it there. Then, another idea crept in my mind...his parents. They were getting old and he worried a lot about them, but he assured me that, that was not it. No matter how much I tried to figure it out, I'd find myself stumped.

One night, he looked ill. I wanted to take him to the hospital but he was adamant about it. Said it was nothing but the flu, but I have to say, the flu never looked like that. His skin, pasty, and damp and he trembled as if a high fever had come on. I tried to comfort him, but he got angry at me and pretty much told me to leave him alone, so I did. I could take a hint when not wanted, but that didn't stop me from worrying. The next morning he was dead. I blamed myself for it. I should have taken him regardless of his objections...but it's too late now.

A few days after the funeral. I had to get out of our apartment. Too many memories. So, I took a walk. It was after 10 and I didn't go far, just up my street and back. As I crossed the street to walk back home, I saw a dark figure just down the sidewalk a bit. His one hand, snug in his pant pocket, the other hung by his side.  I couldn't make him out, not at first, but as I neared my hand covered my mouth. It was Ron...but how is that even possible? I thought he was dead, but there he was,...smiling!

"N-No, you're dead. I'm seeing things." My breath caught in my throat, making it hard to talk.

"Why yes, I am. You're looking...ravishing as usual. Care to go for a ...bite?"

"W-What? A bite?"

He came closer. Closer. Till inches from me. He smelled of wild musk and spice and…something else, but I couldn’t place it.

"I'm a bit hungry...Casandra. Won't you let me? It's been so long."

He wrapped his one arm around my waist and pulled me in. Am I dreaming? This can't be happening. As he leaned inward, inches from my neck.

“You are so mouth-watering. So delicious and your perfume ─ what is that scent?”

I remembered I had gone out for KFC for dinner and it must be that he smelled. Awkward moment if you ask me. My deceased husband, back from the dead is questioning my perfume and is about to…GOOD LORD, HE’S A VAMPIRE!

“Don’t bite me! It’s only chicken!”

No sooner did the words escape my mouth did I find myself on the ground and my dead husband running down the road screaming, “KFC! KFC!”

It just hit me, that when he was alive he got sick while eating KFC chicken. Men.