Three

The descending night cast faint shadows of dancing ghouls, gremlins, and phantoms onto the stele of the graves. Fierce gusts of wind ripped through the air, crying in grief, causing the leaves to flap furiously as if they were bat wings. A hoarse raven, perched atop the low stone wall in the distance, croaked fatally, announcing the arrival of darkness before being devoured by the night. Silence coated the frigid air. Dense fog made its way through the cracks in the gravel path, stubbornly settling onto the contours of the graves. It was time for bed.

"Kevin, wake up!" I heard a voice coming from the window.

I rubbed my eyes. "Damn it, mother!" I opened the front door.

"Don't you know how to answer that dang phone of yours?"

"No," I smirked.

"Whatever!" she said, rolling her eyes.

"Kevin, is everything okay?" Zoey walked out of the room.

"You didn't tell me you have a girlfriend," Mom pointed out.

"She's just a friend, mother."

"Hi, my name is Zoey, and Kevin helps me out in a time of need," she said.

"How sweet of him. My name is Sandy," Mom said and shook Zoey's hand.

"I am glad that we are all acquainted, but mother, why are you here?"

"I already told you. You haven't been answering my calls."

"Well, I've been busy with the cemetery."

"I can't believe you dreamed for so long to be a doctor, to let that all go just to work in a graveyard."

"We have already been down this road and back again, mother. I like working in the cemetery, and it's my life."

"Okay. It's just hard to see you let everything go. ''

"I am delighted you stopped by, but I have some serious work to complete.''

"I can sense when I am not welcome," Sandy looked at the wooden floor.

"I never said you weren't welcome. Just come over with a legit reason next time."

"I thought seeing you was a legit reason." I let out a deep breath.

"It is, mother."

"I'll be going anyway. It was nice meeting you, Zoey."

I kissed my mother goodbye, and she left. "I am sorry that was so awkward.'' I rubbed my hands together.

"No. It's fine. I have family problems to remember.'' she said.

"She is so demanding. She always wants to control how I live my life."

"Yeah, I think it's because she loves you. My mother is completely ashamed of my life and the choices I've made. She pretty much disowns me."

"I am so sorry, Zoey."

"It's partially my fault. I was an alcoholic, and I'd been sober for about three months. I tried to reach out to my mom, but she wouldn't respond."

"That's not all your fault, Zoey. When you love someone, you don't hold grudges against them. Life is too short. You never know what can happen."

"I am hoping one day she will understand."

"I think she will," I smiled. "So, what's for breakfast?" I tried to change the subject.

"I was going to go outside to be with dad," she said.

"You're not hungry?"

"No, not really."

"Aw, come on. I was hoping we could stop for breakfast at this yummy restaurant. They have the best breakfast."

"I don't know. We won't long?"

"I have a lot of work to do, so we will be back as soon as possible."

"Oh, okay, I guess."

"Do you want to borrow a pair of my sweatpants?''

"That will be great."

In no time, we were dressed and walking out the front door. Zoey and I both get into the truck. "I can't do this…" Zoey looked panicked and pale. She put her hands on top of her head. "I can't do this," she said again.

"What's wrong?"

"I need to get out."

"Zoey, calm down, you're fine. Everything is fine."

"I had a horrible thought of being in a car accident. It doesn't make sense. I have never been in a car accident before."

"Look, if you want to stay here, I understand, but just know I would never let anything bad happen to you."

"You promise?''

"I do, Zoey. You are always safe with me."

"I will go with you," she said, looking a little more comfortable.

"Do you like music?" I asked, I drove out of the driveway.

"I love music."

"What kind?"

"Country," she smiled.

"Shut the front door! Me too." I turned on the radio, and Zoey started singing along to the music. I couldn't help but smile. "You have a good voice."

"I have always liked to sing."

"Me too," I said, singing along as well.

We lost track of time, and the ride felt like it only lasted around five minutes. We made it to the restaurant. It was finally our time to order. We settled on two breakfast bowls, orange juice, and a biscuit for Ghost.

"Hello, Kevin," The cashier said. "Where's Ghost?"

"He is in the back seat." I pointed to the back left seat.

"That's a strange place for him." The cashier looked puzzled. She handed me the food and waved goodbye. Why would she say that? Can't she see Zoey sitting right here? I drove away.

"You are right. This breakfast bowl is wonderful," Zoey said, inhaling the food.

"Yeah, they are excellent."

"Ghost was overjoyed for his biscuit."

"Food is his best friend." We laughed. We finally arrived back at the cemetery. It was time to start working. "I have to dig a grave today."

"I will visit my dad for a while, if that's okay." I opened the double doors to the shed to get the backhoe out. I hopped into the seat and started it up. The engine hummed as I drove it out of the shed and headed to a spot marked out with flags by the stream that went through the cemetery.

Finally done. I looked up towards Zoey. She sat there at her dad's grave this whole time. I walked towards Bill's grave. "You want some lunch?" I approached her.

She smiled, but soon her smile started to fade. "I hate to say it, but I don't think my memories are going to return," she spoke.

"They will, Zoey. It just takes some time." Zoey nodded her head. "We can drive around and see if you recognize anything. I just have to put the equipment back into the shed first."

"That's okay. I will just wait here with Ghost."

Ghost was sitting on the doorstep watching the squirrels, but he was too lazy to chase them. It didn't take long for me to put the backhoe into the shed. I want to know Zoey. She seems like a pretty awesome girl behind all the mystery. That was all I could think of. I locked the shed and started walking towards Zoey, who was still holding Ghost.

"You okay, Zoey?"

"Yeah, I am fine. Ghost here is good company." I smiled, watching Ghost lick Zoey all over her face. Her laughter made my heart so happy.

Before we could get in the truck, I noticed my friend Zack pulling into the cemetery. He was my nurse partner at the hospital I worked at. "Hey man," he said, pulling into the cemetery. He parked his car beside us.

"Hey bro, what's up?"

"I just wanted to let you know that the ER department is missing a doctor in the evenings."

"As much as that sounds fun, I am busy at the cemetery."

"Dude, you are too good of a doctor to work at the cemetery."

"I am a better groundsman."

"Somehow, I doubt that. I better get moving. My shift starts in an hour, but if you change your mind, you know the department will give you your job back.''

"Alright, man, catch you later."

"Seems like everyone wants you to be a doctor again," Zoey smirked.

"Yeah, they do." It was so weird that Zack didn't acknowledge Zoey. He was a flirt. Why didn't he talk to her?

I looked over at Zoey. "Why did you decide that you didn't want to be a doctor anymore?" she asked.

"Well, I decided I wasn't a good doctor anymore.''

"Why do you say that?"

"I couldn't save someone I should have been able to save."

"That doesn't make you a bad doctor."

"It does, Zoey." I couldn't tell her that Angie's death was my fault. I could have saved her. I should have saved her. "Enough about me. Let's go for that drive to jog your memory."

"Okay."

Zoey jumped up and down in excitement. We walked over to the truck and got in. I started the ignition and drove out of the cemetery.

"Have you recognized anything?" I drove down popular streets.

"Yes, I recognize everything. I just don't remember a block of time," she said.

"Those memories will come hopefully."

"You think I am crazy, don't you?"

"No, not at all," Zoey raised an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe a little," I laughed.

"Skip you!" she said, sticking out her tongue.