Jennie's Song

By Jay Greenstein

Jennie Nan spends her time wrapped in boredom. A mere flicker of days has removed her from the life of a model, with the world at her feet. Now she’s a prisoner of her body, as it slides toward death.

But this day Jennie has been given a gift—a small circle of stone that will change everything. And on this day, after she places the ring on her finger, she can walk again, even atop the water of the local river. What she can't do is have the smallest effect on the rest of the world.

Now, wearing only her nightgown, exploring downtown Boston, she’s found Miles Carson, a positively beautiful man. Other than his having an evil brother, Miles is all she could wish for, except...she seems to have become a ghost, one who cannot interact with the world in the slightest way, and who cannot be seen, until she sings.

But oddly, her watch is still running. So, unless it’s using the ghost of a battery, just maybe...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jay Greenstein
• Release date: Sep 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301639250

Jay Greenstein

I'm a storyteller. My skills at writing are subject to opinion, my punctuation has been called interesting, at best—but I am a storyteller. I am, of course, many other things. In seven decades of living, there are great numbers of things that have attracted my attention. I am, for example, an electrician. I can also design, build, and install a range of things from stairs and railings to flooring, and tile backsplashes. I can even giftwrap a box from the inside, so to speak, by wallpapering the house. I'm an engineer, one who has designed computers and computer systems; one of which—during the bad old days of the cold war—flew in the plane designated as the American President's Airborne Command Post: The Doomsday Jet. I've spent seven years as the chief-engineer of a company that built bar-code readers. I spent thirteen of the most enjoyable years of my life as a scoutmaster, and three, nearly as good, as a cubmaster. I joined the Air Force to learn jet engine mechanics, but ended up working in broadcast and closed circuit television, serving in such unlikely locations as the War Room of the Strategic Air Command, and a television station on the island of Okinawa. I have been involved in sports car racing, scuba diving, sailing, and anything else that sounded like fun. I can fix most things that break, sew a fairly neat seam, and have raised three pretty nice kids, all of who are smarter and prettier than I am—more talented, too, thanks to the genes my wife kindly provided. Once, while camping with a group of cubs and their families, one of the dads announced, "You guys better make up crosses to keep the Purple Bishop away." When I asked for more information, the man shrugged and said, "I don't really know much about the story. It's some kind of a local thing that was mentioned on my last camping trip." Intrigued, I wondered if I could come up with something to go with his comment about the crosses; something to provide a gentle terror-of-the-night to entertain the boys. The result was a virtual forest of crosses outside the boys' tents. That was the event that switched on something within me that, now, more than twenty-five years later, I can't seem to switch off. Stories came and came… so easily it was sometimes frightening. Stories so frightening that one boy swore he watched my eyes begin to glow with a dim red light as I told them (it was the campfire reflecting from my ...

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Jay Greenstein

Jay Greenstein

All rights reserved

Published by Continuation Services at SmashWords

Copyright 2013

Other Titles by Jay Greenstein:

Science Fiction

As Falls an Angel

Samantha and the Bear

Foreign Embassy

Hero

Monkey Feet

An Accidental War

Starlight Dancing

Wizards

Trilogy of the Talos

(Sci-fi)

To Sing the Calu

Portal to Sygano

Ghost Girl

Sisterhood of the Ring

(Sci-fi)

Water Dance

Jennie’s Song

A Change of Heart

A Surfeit of Dreams

Kyesha

Abode Of The Gods

Living Vampire

(Sci-fi)

An Abiding Evil

Ties of Blood

Blood Lust

Modern Western

Posse

Romantic Suspense

A Chance Encounter

Kiss of Death

Intrigue/Crime

Necessity

Betrayal

Hostage

Young Adult

My Father My Friend

Romance

Zoe

Breaking the Pattern

Short Story

A Touch of Strange

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This novel is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious and created by the author for entertainment purposes. Any similarities between living and non-living persons are purely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

The woman was boring, boring, boring. Jennie leaned back on the pillow and studied her, wishing the agency had sent someone else. Her eyes fronted a soul as deep as a rain puddle on asphalt, and were set in a face reminiscent of a sock-puppet. Old, fat, and with opinions that mirrored the lowest of the television talk shows, she sat by the bed, moving her lips as she read.

I live in a bedroom prison, and my warden is fashioned from mud.

For the dozenth time, Jennie shook her head and sighed, wishing the journey toward death would finally end.

Still, she was attentive, and with her sigh, the woman lowered her book.

You wanna get some fresh air, honey? It’s nice today, and we could sit in the yard for a while.

Being carried down the stairs like a baby was too much a reminder of her condition, and Gail smelled of ripe armpit up close, so she shook her head.

A movie then? I could—

No. I’m okay. I just want to rest for a while. She closed her eyes, shutting out the room and shutting out the present—removing the sight of her emaciated turkey-claw hands on the quilt—moving backward in time, to when she owned the world. It took only a flicker of days to move from the runways of fashion to the bedroom of her confinement. Paris to purgatory in little more than a year.

If only David would come home.

But David was somewhere in Florida, questing after treasure he would never find. For her, he claimed. Always for her. But he lied. Gold would neither restore her to health nor delay death by more than moments. He was searching because that was his dream.

Oh brother mine, where are you now? I need you so much.

A tear squeezed from between her lids and trailed down her cheek.

I can’t even raise my hand to wipe away a tear. Thank God I can’t see myself in the mirror.

A door closed somewhere below, followed by the sound of voices.

Mom and dad? Too early by months. Too late in the day for the housekeeper. David? Could it be David?

Oh yes...please, God, let it be him.

Is somebody there? Gail called, getting to her feet.

It’s David, was the response, and Jennie’s spirit took wing.

David? Oh my God. Is that really you? She scrabbled for the bed control but her fingers refused to cooperate. Damn! Cassie, get me up...and hurry! So like David to come without calling—without giving her the chance to bring back something of her past with makeup.

Damn him. But bless him, too.

Bless him for cutting no slack at all, and for behaving as he always had. With David, the ravages of MS were as nothing, and if he had to carry her to a chair, that was no different from passing a napkin when they ate. No pity, and no tears.

God, how I missed that.

But this wasn’t the time for self-pity, or tears, so she called, You fink. You couldn’t call and warn me? I hate you. She struggled to run fingers through her hair to neaten it a bit.

And there he stood, filling the doorway, grinning—his long brown hair bleached nearly blond by the sun, framed by the bedroom door and looking like a pirate king. And then he was on the bed, fiercely hugging her to him. And then it was time for tears.

After a moment, he pulled back to grin down at her. She’d almost forgotten how handsome he was. Now, tanned by the Florida sun, he brought a breath of summer to the winter of her spirit.

He rubbed her nose with his, then kissed her forehead. Miss me, kiddo?

A little.

Me too. But just a little. His grin belied that, as did his grip on her hands. For a long moment he simply drank her in, then he turned to the doorway, and the woman standing there, saying, Come in, Ann. You have to meet Jen.

He brought a woman?

David never brought women to the house—at least not since her death-sentence diagnosis. And this one, based on her tan, had apparently come home with him from Florida. Something serious?

The woman he’d called Ann had the stance of an athlete, though something about her said she was more than that. Intelligence lay behind those gray eyes. It showed in the way they flickered around the room, taking everything in.

Interesting.

Added to that was hair the color of a daffodil—natural, too, it seemed, because Ann had tanned to a shade only true blondes can achieve, a color she would sell her soul for.

But of most importance, David’s expression, and the warmth in his voice when he called out to her, said something was up. Most curious. But let him have his surprises.

Ann smiled in greeting as she stepped into the room, and her smile seemed real, not a formal, Charmed, I’m sure, kind of thing. Then, in response to David’s, Sit over there, she crossed to the window side of the bed, excusing herself as she and Gail did a little dance of avoidance to allow her passage.

Ann tried to make it look as though the view through the window had her attention as she crossed over, but only the backyard maple showed there. Shadowed from the late afternoon sun by the house, the tree was hardly worth anyone’s attention. David would have warned her, but nothing can truly prepare you for the sight of someone lying like a skeleton on the bed. Again, she cursed David for not at least some notice that he was on the way. So like a man to miss that.

She studied Ann in the moment it took to compose herself and sit opposite David: tastefully dressed, yes, though her clothing was obviously from the rack, and her makeup sparse and unprofessionally applied. A sniff said she wore no scent. Still, impressive, and easy to see why David would be attracted.

Something about her seemed familiar, though the memory refused to come. But Ann was sitting on the edge of the bed and waiting to be acknowledged, so...time to begin acting like a hostess, not a patient.

She pasted on a smile and said, I have so wanted to meet a woman dumb enough to put up with my brother. A test, to see how she reacted. David contrived to look hurt.

And I’ve wanted to meet you. David has been telling me stories of his wicked little sister all the way here.

Lies. All lies. Ann’s smile was still real, a point for her.

She took the time to throw a punch in the direction of David’s leg before saying, So tell me how you met and became friends. I—

More than friends, Jennie, David said, patting her cheek, a smile literally dancing on his lips.

I’ll be downstairs, if anybody needs me, Gail said, picking up the rest of her things and walking to the door.

Jennie nodded acknowledgment, then turned back to David, as she said, What means more than friends, brother mine?

David’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper, as he said, Ann and I were married on Thursday, Jennie. His eyes were locked on hers, awaiting a response.

You were married on.... She glanced toward Ann, and there it was, a wedding band on her left hand.

Married? Apparently, they were. But there’d been not a hint that he was serious about a woman—no word that he was even dating—just one cryptic note about a mermaid, and that, less than two weeks ago.

You bastard! She threw herself against him, pounding on his chest and shouting, "You stinking bastard! You got married, and you didn’t bother to tell me? No letters? Not even a call? You didn’t even let me know you were thinking about it? You...you...."

She just stared at him, lips working but nothing coming out for a moment. But David was David, and always would be. In any case, how could she be angry at the one person in all the world that she adored?

That being the case she clasped him to her, saying, "I am so happy for you. But I hate your guts for not telling me. I still hate your guts." His letters spoke of being busy, and that he was spending most of his time at sea, alone. Not a hint of his seeing anyone, other than his comment, recently, that he had some interesting tales to tell about a mermaid he'd fished from the sea.

I love you, too. Over Jennie’s shoulder, he said, She’s a little emotional at times.

I am not, she said, drawing back to lean against the raised bed, once more. I’m pissed...and with good reason. Now get me a tissue and tell me about this. She included Ann in the conversation with a glance, saying, "I want to know how you met, and what happened, and how your search went, and...and everything."

God, what a wonderful day! David is back, and I have a sister-in-law.

That last would take some getting used to, though.

David insisted on wiping her eyes, then used a tissue himself.

Well, he started, tossing the tissues in the direction of the trashcan and taking both her hands. "For starters, you’re now filthy rich. We’re talking millions."

You found it? The ship? That was almost as unexpected as his being married.

Ann found it. And found the treasure, too, so it’s hers. That’s why I married her. For the money.

Don’t believe him, Jennie.

I never do, but.... She turned to face Ann, saying, "Maybe you should tell the story. Maybe somebody will start at the beginning? Then, because of a strong feeling she already knew her in some way, said, I’ve seen you before, Ann, and recently. Who do you model for? I—"

She doesn’t model, Jennie, David said, pride strong in his voice as he said, Though she could. Her stage name is Arianna.

Her jaw dropped and she stared. She couldn’t help it.

The mermaid? You’re...her? I.... Billed as the mistress of aquatic illusion, Arianna was the star of Sea Kingdom’s aquatic show. According to the news, only a few weeks ago she appeared from nowhere, to achieve national stature and become the darling of the tabloids. Thus far, no one had been able to penetrate the illusion behind her portrayal of a mermaid, so realistically done that most people came away believing she actually could transform into an aquatic creature in an instant.

And her big brother was the man the mermaid chose to marry? So that was what he meant when he said he rescued a mermaid. Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Oh my God. I can’t believe this. Can you—

Ann held up her hands, saying, I was a mermaid, Jeannie, but I don’t.... She shrugged. I’m not her anymore.

You don’t.... She shook her head, wishing for enough control to wave her hands in frustration. Instead, she said, Okay. Enough bullshit, and enough teasing. She looked at them, in turn, saying, "Please...won’t somebody tell me what happened?"

After a moment in which David and Ann exchanged glances, Ann nodded, went and closed the room’s door, and then sat on the bed, again, to say, For me, it started the night my landlady evicted me. I was living in....

The story Ann told was unbelievable, and, absolutely fascinating. A stranger, who might or might not have been an angel, had given Ann a ring—had stopped her on the street and put it on her finger. The result of that gift was that Ann was able to transform into a mermaid, tail and all, simply by going into the water. Somehow, Ann had been magically transported from the waters of Puget Sound, on the verge of death by drowning, to the waters near David’s boat, as a mermaid. And that was only the start of the adventure, which seemed to have involved performing at Sea Kingdom, falling in love with her brother, rescuing him from a shipwreck, and finding the treasure-ship he’d been seeking.

And it doesn’t work anymore? The ring? Its power is gone?

Seems so. At least where I’m concerned.

Then that means...if you take it off you won’t find yourself back under the water?

I doubt it. The woman who gave it to me told me to pass it on to a woman who needs its help, and she didn’t disappear after she handed it to me. At least I don’t think she did. David thinks it does what it does till the person wearing it has solved their most pressing problem. I thought mine was to find a job, but it turned out that learning to trust people, and finding someone to love, was the real problem.

Jennie never took her eyes from the ring as she said, God, I wish...I.... She closed her eyes and shook her head, rejecting such foolishness.

Never mind, she said, forcing a smile. It had been a stupid thought. Even if Ann’s story was true, she’d become a mermaid unable to swim—as she was now unable to walk. Hardly an improvement, and death wouldn’t be delayed by even an instant.

You’re the one, Ann whispered, wonder strong in her voice.

What?

Ann touched her cheek then, warm as sunlight, gentle as a brush by a butterfly’s wing, her voice intense as she said, Listen to me, Jennie. Listen carefully, because I have something important to tell you...something wonderful.

You have—

Shh...wait and listen. She slipped the ring from her finger and looked down at it for a few seconds, lost in thought. Then, as though waking, Ann took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger before she could object, saying, Never take it off...tell no one about it...and pass it on to another woman as I did to you—another woman who needs its help.

But.... She stared at Ann, but then, startled by movement, focused on the ring. It had slipped on easily—far too big—but as she watched, the ring settled into place, shrinking, till it fit as though made expressly for her. She shivered, filled with both wonder and fear.

Touch it, Ann urged, Just touch it.

She looked up, meeting Ann’s eyes, clamping down on the fear that the ring’s behavior summoned up. Ann claimed the ring held no danger, true, but this was too sudden, and too frightening. Almost, she wished this had been a dream, and that boring and frumpy Gail still sat by the bed. But this wasn’t a dream, and Ann was waiting for her response.

Touch it? But what happens if I—

No answers, and no questions, Jennie. Just do it, and you’ll— She held up a hand, in an order to wait, frowning as though seeking a memory. Finally, her expression cleared and she straightened as if satisfied, though the reason was impossible to know. She pointed to the ring, saying, Touch the ring, Jennie.

For a moment she searched Ann’s face, unsure of what she was seeking. There was reassurance there–and strength. And that was enough. She crossed mental fingers and reached for the ring.

But Ann hadn’t finished, and before her finger made contact, she grinned and said, Just be ready for wonder.

She touched the ring.

Where do you suppose she went, David said, looking back into the room.

"Not the faintest idea. I hope it’s warm water, though."

He laughed, then turned toward the stairs, pulling the door closed as he said, We had better tell the nurse she has the rest of the day off and get rid of her, because there’s no way we can explain where Jennie went. No way in hell.

The door clicked closed, and the sound of Ann’s laughter mingled with their footsteps on the creaky old stair. Then, silence.

She stared at the closed door, reviewing the situation. Shouts went unnoticed. And it seemed she couldn’t have even the smallest effect on David—or on anything. Things were there, and could be touched, but not moved. All her strength could not so much as straighten a crease on his shirt. And though she tried to stop him from leaving, she was shoved aside when he moved as though she didn’t exist. Most odd. And, even tiny objects might as well have been glued in place and magically resistant to breakage.

Very strange.

Ann and David obviously couldn’t see her, either. But forget that, because she could walk again, and move in a way that had been impossible for far too long. That came with the touch of her finger to the ring, along with an instant change to the world, which became a pale echo of itself, colorless and gray.

But the world hadn’t changed. She had. She sure as hell wasn’t a mermaid, though. She, Jennie Nan, was now a ghost.

So there is an afterlife after all. It didn’t seem a very promising afterlife at the moment, but at least dying hadn’t hurt. The situation didn’t match what Ann experienced, though. Maybe when she got near water the change to mermaid would complete? Only time would tell.

She looked down at the ring and laughed, feeling better than she had since she’d been handed a death sentence. So now, she was dead. Or was she? Certainly, this didn’t feel like death—though not having been dead before there was no way to know what it should feel like. But alive or dead, the future was something to be anticipated and experienced, not dreaded. And that was a miracle.

Excuse me, a voice said, from behind her. Do you know the way out of here?

° ° ° °

Chapter 2

What? The boy appeared to be about ten, and wore only pajamas. His feet were bare.

I asked if you know the way out of here. I’m stuck, and you know how to get in, so.... He made a shrug of the hands. Presumably, he meant the gray world they presently inhabited, not the room, itself. Though that, too, posed a problem, because David had closed the door on his way out.

Who are you, and how did you get in my room?

The boy took a step backward, before defiantly saying, I followed the lady who was just in here. She was sort of glowing when she got off the airplane. Nobody else does, so I thought she maybe could see me. He spread his hands, his voice bleak as he added, She didn’t, though. He stared at the floor for a moment, but then brightened and met her eyes, as he said. But you see me, and you’re glowing, now, so—

I’m glowing? In what way?

"You’re just...you know...it’s