She slowly inched her way closer to the ghostly glowing form of Astor. Still he stayed in the shadows almost as if fearful that the child might see him. Still closer she came with her precious ball firmly in her grasp until she stopped almost directly in his path. But what happened next, took him by complete surprise. The little girl actually spoke to him.
“Hello?.. I know you are there.. Its alright you can come out, no one will hurt you.”
Slowly almost wide eyed Astor peered around the trees at the young child.
“That’s It.. Its ok.. I won’t hurt you”
“Child.?” he asked her almost in disbelief. “I am a ghost! Are you not afraid?”
She giggled a soft giggle and put her fingers to her lips.
“No.. You’re a pretty scared looking ghost there yourself sir. And no I am not afraid.. I know Billy Armen and his two friends and they are far more scary to me than you. No disrespect intended to you as a ghost sir.”



He looked out into the street, and then back down at the child.
“Do you mean those boys who were demeaning you?”
“Yeah.. They even punched me once. Billy is the meanest boy in school, they always pick on the smaller kids.”
Astor stood abruptly.. Looking back to the street.
“Well I don’t know if I approve of that.”
He turned to find the little girl actually smiling up at him.
“So.. How long have you been here?”
He thought for a moment.
“Two hundred years or so.. I suppose..”
“Why aren’t you in heaven or someplace else with all of the other Ghosts?”
He sat down on the steps leading up to a mausoleum next to her.
“I don’t know child.. I suppose I’m just not nice enough.”
“You seem nice enough to me.. I’ve been here all of this time and you haven’t tried to scare me once.. So who’s in charge up there anyways?”
It was at that moment that an idea had struck Astor. He stood and looked out beyond the Endless Graveyard, and then turned to the little girl.
“You know child I think I have happened upon the problem.”
“You have a problem Mr. Ghost?”



He Nodded.
“I do child, the reason that I haven’t passed through the veil is because I wasn’t ready to. Because they don’t think that I am nice enough or perhaps worthy.”
“So how can I help you?” she smiled.
“Child.. I think we can help each other.”
The unlikely pair sat back down on the steps and quickly outlined a daring plan to deal with each of their problems. And long about two pm she stood and headed for the front gate of the Endless Graveyard, but stopped suddenly and turned to face him once again.
“By the way. I am Mary Ann Montgomery.”
He slowly bowed towards her and for the first time in two hundred years Astor could almost feel the smile that was forming on his lips.
“I am Astor.. Jacob Astor.. And I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
She turned towards the gate to leave.
“Mary Ann?”
She looked back at him.
“Remember the plan little one.. And don’t be afraid of them or the dark.. I will be right here with you.”

~To Be Continued.~

Scratch A.B.T. copyright © 2007.