Walking with Ghosts

out of his own way.
    You close your eyes again, back into the spiral. There is a smell of burning. They talk amongst themselves, Sam and Diana and Celia. You cannot make out their words, but it is good to have them around you. The spiral falters, changes into a lower gear, and continues. Sam has found Billy. He is back in town. All the way from... You can’t remember where.
    You smile at the thought of him. Smile like he was sun on your face.
    Sam leans over the bed and kisses you on the cheek. That smell of burning again. He has not shaved and his whiskers are rough on your face. You tell him: ‘Figs and whiskers.’ His face registers surprise, but he kisses you again. You remember with a start that you have never told him about Dylan Thomas. Figs and whiskers? The words are reflected on his face. He does not know what you are talking about.
    The spiral falters again, shudders, and stops. There is a loud rustling sound, like wind filling the billowing sails of a boat. Or it could be autumn leaves, a dense swirl of them caught up in a stiff breeze. Then stillness.
    Lady Day lifts her face to the lights. Her eyes are closed as she sings, ‘What A Little Moonlight Can Do’. You never heard her sing it so slow. Or with so much understanding.
    You leave the bed and look back at it. The cadaver of the old woman is completely still. Sam is kissing it, but he draws away suddenly and looks around the room for you. He knows you have gone. He slumps in the chair and buries his head in his hands.
    There are so many things he does not understand.