SIx

"Let's build the scarecrows." Zoey smiled. I cleared the breakfast table. Zoey talked me into another unhealthy meal of pancakes. I could never say no to her, but like a fool, I did this morning. "You're ready?'' she said, skipping to the door.

"Didn't you forget something essential?"

"What?" she asked.

"Um. Dunno. Maybe a pair of pants?" She still wore nothing but my t-shirt.

"It's not like anyone can see me." She smiled.

"Right," I chuckled. "Hey, I was wondering why my mom could see you."

"She did see me, that's strange," she said and rubbed her chin.

"I wonder if the near-death experience is why we can see you."

"Have you seen spirits here before?" she asked.

"No, maybe there is none."

"Well, it's a cemetery," she said.

"I don't believe spirits stick around a cemetery. I believe they cling to things that were important to them in their life."

"My dad was significant to me. I feel guilty, because all he ever wanted was for me to work things with the rest of my family members," she said.

"Maybe that's why you're sticking around and not crossing over."

"We don't even know if I am dead, Kevin. Can we just stop talking about this? I want to have fun and build scarecrows. Is that too much to ask?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Alright, scarecrows, it is."

Zoey pushed the front door open. It was a beautiful autumn day. The breeze flew through my hair and tickled my face. The leaves rustled around the cemetery. I grabbed the hay and set it down on the bench. I walked back towards the shed. Zoey was sitting on the ground with Ghost in her lap. She patted his head and looked into the distance. I wondered what she was thinking about – if she was scared and confused. I wanted to know everything about Zoey. If only she would tell me. I opened the shed and took out a box labeled scarecrows. Our little community held a clothing drive to donate old clothing to the cemetery. Everyone in the neighborhood liked walking through the cemetery, looking at the scarecrows.

I set the box near Zoey as she happily started looking through it. "This would be cute," she said, holding up a pair of overalls.

"Yeah, they are my favorite too."

Zoey stuffed the clothing with hay while I beat the post for them to sit on. She looked so happy, putting the scarecrows together. She could finally be so jolly. Such a free spirit considering everything she went through. "Are you done?" I heard Zoey's voice beside me.

"Last one." I smashed the sledgehammer onto the last post.

I walked behind Zoey. She giggled, placing all the stuffed clothes on the post. "We will name this one Sally,'' she said, putting a bonnet on its head. We used pumpkins for the heads.

"Sally?" I laughed.

"You have a problem with the name Sally?'' she said, her eyes narrowing.

''No, Sally is fine. It's a nice name."

"They look nice, but they are all missing something,'' she said, placing a finger on her nose.

"They look fine to me.''

"I know they need to have faces."

"Faces?" I shook my head.

"Well, you have a face. Do you have any paint?"

"Paint no, but I believe I have some markers," I replied, remembering the pack of sharpies I bought last week at the dollar store.

"Great!''

When I walked back outside, I noticed that Zoey wasn't in the spot she was when I left her. I looked around at all the scarecrows, but she was nowhere in sight. Panic soon took over me. Where could she have gone? I glanced over at Bill's grave. I should have known, but who's that girl beside her? Can she see her? I walked towards Zoey and the unknown girl. I won't acknowledge Zoey until she speaks to me. I don't want to freak this other girl out. I walked up to the girls. Zoey put her finger to her lips, apparently shushing me. I got my answer. Zoey was invisible to this girl too.

"Hello," the girl said. She looked just like Zoey, but a little older. It was self-evident they were sisters.

"Hey, my name is Kevin. I run the graveyard here."

"Yeah, my mother mentioned the handsome groundsman," she said. I chuckled.

"I am sorry for your loss."

"Thanks, I missed my dad."

"What's your name?''

"Kim." She gave me the same sweet smile that Zoey did.

"Do you have a sister?" Kim looked at me. She seemed very confused and overwhelmed if I took my best guest.

"Why do you ask?"

"I used to know a girl named Zoey. I haven't seen her in years, and you kinda look like her," I tried to sound as genuine as possible.

"Yeah, she's my sister. She is a missing person. We have no idea if she is alive, but it seems less likely as the days pass."

I glanced over at Zoey to see she was storming off. She appeared to be upset.

"That's too bad. I hope you find her."

"Me too." Kim hugged me. "It's nice meeting you."

"You too. If you need anything, just let me know." I told her while walking away.

I walked up while Zoey was drawing on all the faces. I didn't even notice her take the markers from my hand. "Those are magnificent, Zoey."

She didn't acknowledge me. She just continued drawing. "Those are the best faces I've ever seen."

She continued ignoring me. "Zoey, what is your problem?"

"My problem!?" she yelled.

"We now know you're a missing person Zoey. You're probably dead."

I tried to stay calm.

"Maybe I am not ready for answers, Kevin! Maybe I am happy here with you. I don't want things to change!"

"I need answers," I screamed. "I am falling in love with you, and I didn't even know what you are!"

"What I am?" The color drained from her face. She was obsessively hurt, and my suspicion was confirmed when she started crying.

"Zoey, I care about you, and I am scared because I just need to know if you're able to stay here with me."

"Is that why you're trying to replace me?" she said.

"Replace you? What are you talking about?"

"That hug…" I couldn't help but laugh, and this seemed to irritate Zoey even more.

"Oh, Zoey, come here."

I wrapped my arms around her waist. I pulled her into me. I kissed her gently on the top of the head. I lifted her face in my hands so that I can stare into those beautiful green eyes. I kissed her passionately. Our lips finally pulled apart.

"You know I will never want anyone else as bad as I want you."

"Father, watch out!" Zoey screamed. I sat up in bed and quickly got up to turn on the lights. "The tree! We are going to crash!" Her cries filled the room.

"Zoey! Zoey! You're having a nightmare.'' I tried to wake her up by rubbing her face. It took me a moment to wake her from her sleep. She shot up from the bed, her eyes huge and skin a little pale. "I think I was in the car when it crashed," she said.

"What car?" My eyes were wide open.

"My father's car," Zoey said, a tear sliding down her cheek.

"It was probably just a nightmare. You do think about your dad a lot."

"No, Kevin. This was a memory. I am sure of it. I remember how scared I was… My last thoughts. The smell of blood. The crackling sound of glass."

"We will get to the bottom of this. I promise you, Zoey." She nodded her head.

I ran my fingers through Zoey's hair and rubbed her face until she fell asleep. She looked like a sweet little angel sleeping in my arms; how could she be dead? I wonder if just ignoring this is the right answer. Do I honestly want the truth? My mind kept me awake until daylight. The morning sun shined brightly through the window. Ghost came and jumped onto the bed, licking my face.

"You want some breakfast, huh pal."

I smiled as I pet his head gently, and get out of bed. I will make breakfast while Zoey gets some rest. I walked into the kitchen, grabbed the food from the cupboard, and filled his bowl. There was a knock on the door.

"Are we expecting someone this early?" Zoey asked.

"Not that I know of." I approached the door and swung it wide open. "Kim, what a lovely surprise."

"I baked you these apple cinnamon muffins to thank you for decorating father's grave." Kim smiled lightly.

"Well, I had some help."

"Oh yeah? Who?"

"You wouldn't believe me." I tried to change the subject.

"Try me…'' Kim raised an eyebrow.

"Don't tell her. She won't be able to handle it." Zoey tried to interrupt me."

"She has a right to know, and maybe she can help us."

"Excuse me!" Kim stood there baffled. "Who are you talking to?"

"It will help," I whispered.

"Whatever." Zoey started throwing her hands in the air.

"I am going to leave.'' Kim turned around, heading to her car.

"Kim, wait! Zoey is here," I exclaimed that out louder than I intended. Kim's face lit up as if she was overjoyed.

"Where is she? I need to see her immediately!"

"She is standing right next to me."

"What?" Her face looked shocked, scared, and mad all in one. I couldn't decide how this girl felt. I had no idea what my next move should be.

"Zoey is a ghost. We think. Only me, my mom, and a cashier so far can see her."

"You're crazy!"

"You don't understand."

"Oh, I understand! This is your sick twisted mind making shit up about my one and only sister! I don't appreciate it!"

"Tell her the passcode is girls rock. Tell her that her favorite cake is tiramisu, that she cried for days when Grant broke up with her," Zoey murmured.

"Zoey said the passcode is girls rock, your favorite cake is tiramisu, and you cried for days when Grant broke up with you." Kim's mouth dropped open.

"How did you know all that?"

"I told you, Zoey," I spoke in a quiet voice, almost a whisper.

"That was a passcode to a secret clubhouse Zoey, and I had as kids. Only she would know that. Zoey? Is that you?"

Kim cried uncontrollably. I watched Zoey walk up to her, placing two hands on her face. Kim touched her face, "It feels cold," she said.

"Yeah, Zoey just touched your face."

"I love you, Zoey."

"Tell her I love her too, Kimmy Kat," Zoey smiled.

"She said she loves you too, Kimmy Kat."

Kim had the biggest smile on her face.

"How come you and your mom can see her?" Kim asked.

"I don't have a one hundred percent answer for that. I think it's because my mom and I were in a horrible car accident and had a near-death experience."

"I can see that making sense. I am going to talk to mom about all this. I know she'll want to talk to Zoey."

"We both think that's a great idea."

"I better be going. My shift starts in 30 minutes.

"Tell her I will see her soon," Zoey said.

"She said she'll see you soon," Kim turned to leave as I shut the door.

"Thank you."

Zoey kissed me.