Free Eternal (Eternal series) by Chantelle Nay Page B

reaction, fully ready to be laughed at.  To Emma’s surprise though, Gram seemed to be concentrating real hard, like she was actually considering Emma’s question seriously.
    “ I don’t think I could rightly say that I’d seen a spirit before, but I know they’re out there,” she finally said.
    “ How do you know that?” Emma questioned, interested in Gram’s point of view on the matter.
    “ Well, I wouldn’t want you spreadin’ this around or nothin’, but I often find myself talkin’ to your grandpa. Lots of times I feel like he can hear me, and there are times that I would swear I can hear him talkin’ back to me.  Some people might say that I’m just a crazy old woman, and maybe that’s true.  Maybe I’m just hearing what I know grandpa would say if he were here.” She eyed Emma carefully, trying to judge her reaction too, Emma guessed.
    “ So, what do you believe Gram?” Emma urged.  “Do you think grandpa’s actually talking to you, or is it all just craziness and delusions?”
    “ I like to think he's really there, talkin' and listenin' both.  Your grandpa and me, we’ve got a lot of history, you know.  I don’t think all that ends just cuz ya die.  He’s still out there, watchin’ over me, and probably still cussin’ me for all the stuff I do that rubs him wrong.”
    “ So it’s possible then—in your opinion—to have a relationship with a so-called spirit?” Emma inquired, trying to look innocent in her line of questioning.
    Gram looked at her sideways, judging her expression.
    “I wouldn’t necessarily call it a relationship,” she snorted.  “It’s kind of one-sided, if ya know what I mean.”
    “ It’s not one sided if he’s…I mean if grandpa’s talking back.  That’s two-way communication, right?” Emma was grasping at straws.
    “ Take it from me honey; I’ve been without your grandpa for 16 years now.  And while I might be able to placate myself sometimes by talking to the air and believing I hear a response; it’s not the kind of relationship I’d wish on anyone.  I miss your grandpa more than you know.  I’d much rather have his arms around me again, or be able to sit across the table from him and see him smiling at me the way he used to, than what I got now.  Flesh and blood definitely trumps spirit any day of the week,” Gram stated firmly.
    “ Yeah, I guess,” was all Emma could say.  She knew that Gram had a point, but certainly Emma’s own experience was an exception to the rule. 
    When she talked to Micah, it was as if she could feel his arms around her.  He was no memory of someone she had loved and lost.  He was an angel and he really did speak to her, there was no question about that.
    There was still one disturbing thought Emma couldn’t push from her mind.  She may never be able to physically touch Micah or have him touch her.  Could she live through the rest of her mortal life, with someone who couldn’t provide her with the comfort of physical contact?  Would she ever see him smile or look into his eyes? 
    Emma didn’t even want to think about it never being a possibility.  She still held on to the hope that she would see him someday and maybe even steal a touch or two. “So are you going to tell me what all this is about?” Gram questioned.
    “I was just wondering.”  Emma sighed.
    Gram’s words about flesh and blood being better than empty air, continued to ring in Emma’s head.  If she never got to see or feel Micah, would there still be enough to tie her to him?
    
    Emma didn't see it coming.  They'd been discussing her day, and why Calculus was so complicated, when Micah dropped the bomb.
    “It’s almost time for prom, isn't it?”
    “ What?”  Emma said, blank confusion filling her tone. “I don't know, I haven’t really thought about it.”
    "Why not?" Micah mused.
    “ It’s just a stupid dance.  I don’t really like dancing, and anyway, I don’t have a date.”    Didn’t he