Boo-fest: True Ghost Story

I laid awake, waiting for my husband to return after dropping our daughter off for her first year of college. I had expected his return hours before this. My imagination was on high alert. Had he been in a car accident?

Then I heard the car pull into the driveway. I waited, just in case I was mistaken. I was still angry from our earlier argument. I had nothing to say to him. But I still wanted him to return safe and unharmed.

The front door opened and shut again. I recognized his familiar gait. I heard his heavy steps come along the hall toward our bedroom. My husband favored one leg and this caused him to limp. The bedroom door opened and he entered quietly. I feigned sleep. I felt his weight sink the mattress on one side. He didn’t speak.

A moment later, he left the bed and walked into our master bathroom. The door shut. The light came on and I heard him start the water for a bath. Then, nothing.

I waited.

Nothing.

The water and light were still on.

Nothing.

If he had fallen I would have heard it.

Nothing.

Not even the sound of him in the shower.

Nothing.

I left the bed and tiptoed to the bathroom door.

I opened it.

No one was in there. No one was in the shower. There are no windows. The water was running and the light was on.

Then I heard his car pull into the driveway.

I heard him open the front door.

I heard his familiar limp along the hall.

My husband opened the bedroom door. “You still awake?” he said when he saw me.

This is a true story that happened to someone I love. I was living in this house with them when it happened and had many of my own experiences. But this one topped them all.

Boo-fest is hosted by Quinn at seeing, dreaming…writing. Click here to check out the other great stories or on the side button.

My question to you; are you scared?