Make a wish

By Chris Axcan

Eva Stanford celebrated her thirtieth birthday with her two best friends. She loved her life, her family and her work. Her dream was to be able to run a pastry shop someday. She studied and worked hard to get it, she was almost about achieving it.

But for a year now she felt overwhelmed.

Her nights were agitated by strange repetitive nightmares. A phenomenon that did not leave her alone. A woman appeared to her asking for help. It frightened her and made her nervous, but at the same time the desperation of that woman shocked her. They were just nightmares, right? But what if they were not? How could she help her? Why did she dream about her? It did not make sense.

Eva decided to make a wish .... And to her great surprise, it was fulfilled. The course of her life would change drastically by trying to help a repentant ghost, who sought the forgiveness of her family.

Can perseverance and courage bring her to fulfill her mission?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Feb 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781507174395

Book preview

If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return. But you would have seen an explosion of light. And only that would be worth. 

―Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

CHAPTER 1

A Wish

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23rd March 2013

Orlando was a major city in the state of Florida.

It was the seat of Orange County and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan region, it originally became the center of an important citrus growing region in late 1890...

The area was a major tourist destination and it was the home of Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. Lake Buena Vista, Florida was located at the southwest of Orlando, it was the home of Walt Disney World.

But we were not here to tell the story of this city. No.

If it was not for a young woman named Eva Stanford, whose life was about to make a radical change. It had nothing out of the ordinary, or what she thought. She was a woman who loved life, her parents, her friends and her work.

Eva had a dream, she wanted to be able to own a business, a pastry shop someday. She studied and worked hard for it. And she was almost succeeded. Almost.

Almost a year ago she felt overwhelmed.

She got agitated at night by strange repetitive dreams. A phenomenon that did not leave her alone. In her dreams a woman appeared to ask for help endlessly. Her face was young, her look was dark intense. Her voice was appealing. She did not understand why this happened. She was scared. She got nervous. But at the same time she was stirred by the desperation of the woman. They were just nightmares, that were repeated again and again. But what if they were not? She remembered that the woman in her dreams died in an accident. And she needed help. Why? How could she help? And why she dreamed it? It did not make sense. And she did not know how to help.

Her mother, Marta, noticed a change in her. Her father gave her a suspicious look, but no one commented anything, since every time they asked what happened, this was always answered the same. That’s nothing.

Usually Eva had a cheerful, sensitive and passionate personality. But not now. She looked like the shadow of herself. Now she always looked serious, she smiled very little and had dark circles under the eyes.

Denise and Emalyne, her best friends, were worrying about her that seeing her so breakdown. They knew that something was wrong with her, and in an attempt to clear her mind, they took her to her favorite restaurant in a very special day.

The three friends were enthusiastically reunited there. The truth was that on this day Eva turned thirty and that caused her certain auguish and the only explanation was that this past year had passed very quickly.

Since she had become the assistant of Angel Birch, the restaurant chef of Seasons 52, two years ago, she had the vague feeling that the life was slipping through her fingers. Between that and her agitaged nights, everything was unreal, she seemed to be living in another reality.

She was leaving her home when it was still dark and she came back when it grew dark. If she was lucky, Eva could enjoy a few rays of sunshine when her boss sent her to buy some ingredients that were needed urgently, on the other side of the city.

Today was the first day in months that she got out to eat with friends. Eva looked pale beside her two best friends and she had to put on sunglasses, because she was not used to see so clearly. The whole body was shocked by the sun and the tanned super waiter looked at her suspiciously. Emalyne had a boyfriend and Denise had a great husband. Eva her (without ‘her’?) had no partner, she had no time to have it.

How’s your love relationships? Emelyne asked looking at Eva mischievously.

No The birthday girl muttered.

Not even one? Denise surprisingly intervened.

Zero man in months. I’ve no time. She replied her friends.

Well, you’ve to make an exception. Denise smiled and looked at Emelyne with complicity. At least for one night.

The best friends of Eva, Emalyne Ginger and Denise White were incorrigible. They met in nursery school, and since then they were inseparable. Denise had a very long wavy hair in a beautiful redhead color. Her eyes colour were navy blue and she was one meter seventy-two. Emalyne was two centimeters taller, her hair was the color of gold. But also her eyes were in lighter blue colour. And the two got a natural tan that was the envy of Eva.

The tanned super waiter came and removed the dishes, he offered a dazzling smile to Emalyne who ignored him completely.  He walked away with distressed sighing.

What would you bring in hands? Eva questioned, intrigued to see the exchange of knowing glances of her friends.

Happy Birthday! The two women shouted and left a gift on the table. It’s part of the two.

She should not have bothered, she said it’s pleased.

Eva read the cards and opened the gift she’s wondering what it was. A jewel? A perfume? A dress? Her friends were always right. But when she saw what it was, however, she realized that they had gone mad. She opened her eyes wide.

A kit for making dildos? She asked, puzzled. 

Isn’t that brilliant? Denise said with a happy smile.

The birthday girl stared at the box, in which appeared a naked woman, carried the kit in the hands and smiling very, very happy.

Do I have to make a dildo? I’ve never been very good at handcrafts. She said.

You don’t have to carve, just remove the mold. Emalyne said, laughingly.

Really? She ventured to ask with a feigned innocence.

The colour in her face deepened.

A real model, silly. Denise said, smilingly.

She seemed to be an expert in this type of kit, Eva watched in silence.

You mean...?

The two friends nodded laughingly.

As you don’t have time, we thought about buying something that killed two birds with one stone. Emalyne said while taking a sip from her glass of wine.

She hided a hussy smile behind the glass, very cunningly.

The first thing you’ve to do is to spend a lustful night with someone who deserved sex and have him punished with silicone. Denise said.

And then Emalyne continued, get the corresponding mold to keep you company until you find the good and sympathetic one with whom you would marry someday.

Although the certain thing was that the idea was not bad at all, Eva was compelled to make an important clarification before.

I would not fall into their Machiavellian trap! I’ve enough in my previous birthday.

She remembered that, Eva's heart skipped a beat.

Look, you're prudish, Denise said, rolling her eyes back to white. How you gonna to get a husband if not?

Eva could not answer back because they began to sing happy birthday and everyone looked at the table. She quickly to hide the kit for making dildos and she thought that, perhaps, it could sell at the second hand store in the neighborhood.

The audience applauded and enthusiastically congratulated Eva and she smiled to thank them. It was then that she noticed a very attractive man in the bar was looking at her. She lowered her eyes, flushed, hoping that her friends would not notice...

But Emalyne noticed, she had.

Victim detected, girls, she announced. At two o’clock.

She did not have time to tell them not to look. They turned toward him and Eve tried to hide.

It’s perfect! Denise commeted.

He's looking at you, Eva she added another friend rubbing her hands.

And the birthday girl closed her eyes briefly.

Not again, I had enough last year. Eva flushed, ordered to take the knife from the table. What do you think if I cut the cake? Or I cut your veins? She retracted the thought in the past.

The heart of the birthday girl was beating wildly now. She did not want to go through the same.

No! Firstly you should blow out the candles. Emalyne announced.

Yeah, let’s go and don’t forget to make a wish. Denise hummed jovially.

She turned her attention to the cake and stared at the candles that covering the whipped cream.

Make a wish...

...Something that Eva knew for a fact that it would never fulfill, she casted a furtive glance toward the bar. For a brief moment she rememebered a man that had a charming smile. The craziness from one unique night. The woman felt her breathing quickened to remember what happened later and took a breath decisively. She stopped all thoughts on the spot. 

She wanted to find the true love in previous year. She snorted inwardly.

This time she was not going to say the same thing as her last wish was not fulfilled. So she thought of asking for something different, something that had nothing to do with herself. She hoped wholeheartedly for one time, if it’s fulfilled. She would do it for her, the woman in her dreams. If whatever the desire was fulfilled, it would be used to assist her, and so perhaps she could rest in peace.

She closed the eyelids with faith and expressed the wish in her mind.

I want to help the woman who appears in my dreams.

She blew out the candles immediately. All lights in the cafe were flashing suddenly, the hairs on Eva's neck were bristling. The cold was striking through her body making her gasp.

Help me!

The scream seemed to come out of nowhere and all at once. The heart was beating with fear in the woman's chest. Her gaze swept the restaurant in search of the woman whom she dreamed. Would it be possible that she was there? She glanced at Denise and Emelyne cautiously. It seemed that they did not have noticed anything unusual. Neither the other customers had.

But Eva's ears were still ringing the woman scream louder and louder.

Please help me!

A thin layer of sweat covered the forehead of the birthday girl. Where was it? Where did that so scary scream come from?

The lights returned to normal and the scream stopped suddenly under her hallucinated gaze.

A small cloud of smoke spread among the girls who laughed and they applauded breaking the charm, the cake was their delights. As the cake was quite big, Eva shared it out to whom looked like hungry coyotes.

In the next hour, the girls talked about work, music and movies. After that they all agreed that the air conditioning of offices was tearing their skin, at least Eva was working in a very hot environment. And the singer Jared Leto was the best of all time.

A muffled cry startled the birthday girl. She returned and searched all over the place without seeing anyone suspicious. But the cry and upset persisted she got up on the pretext that she should go to toilet. She walked between the tables with a clenched heart, and had a curious feeling that someone was watching her. She rushed down the hallway and went into the bathroom, closed the door behind her.

She bent down to see if she saw any feet in the cubicles. When she realized that she was completely alone, took a long shuddering sigh. She approached the sink, opened the tap and washed her hands. Later the cold water was passed over the neck in an attempt to calm down.

What was happening? Perhaps she was going crazy? Did she work too much? Surely. Vacation was what she needed. Maybe she could already ask for it, and go with Ema to Italy on the next trip. This could disconnect from all...

While Eva speculated about the escape for a few days, she did not notice someone was watching in the mirror.

Help me, please!

Eva got agitated, she took a step back spattered with water. She put a hand around the neck and looked for the origin of the female voice. She was still alone, but at the same time she felt that it was not until her gaze stopped in front of her. In the mirror she saw something she was not prepared to see, made her a violent shudder she run.

The ghost of a woman gazed intensely at Eva through the mirror with a troubled look and it was something impossible to believe. It was the same woman who appeared in a dream, she watched in astonishment.

She got it. Her desire was fulfilled.

CHAPTER 2 

A ghost in trouble

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A strange silence reigned in the bathroom of restaurant. Eva, a silent stupor, continued to look at whom appeared in the mirror opposite her. She was the same woman who appeared in her dreams, the same who was desperately asking for help. The woman looked very young. She observed how the reflection was transparent, the background became hazy, as if she was wrapped in fog. She followed the movements of the ghost's hands when they were elevated and she leaned against the mirror. It almost seemed that she wanted to cross over it to get her. But she could not cross, and she just gave a long sigh of frustration.

How do you get it? She asked the ghost with a hopeful look.

Eva inhaled nervously. It seemed incredible to talk to her.

What?

Well, the power to see me and hear me. Until a while ago I called you through the mirrors, you never saw me or listened to me.

She felt a lump in the throat, but she endeavored to respond as calmly as possible.

I made the wish to help you when I was blowing the candles, she explained. 

Thanks, the ghost replied with a small voice. I don’t know how to thank you, you're very kind.

Steeling herself for the next question, she looked directly into her eyes.

What’s your name?

Elena Simons.

Call me Eva Stanford, she introduced.

That's your name? Elena asked a question, she nodded without noticing the grin that the ghost made.

The curiosity of birthday girl was increased, she wanted to find out how she got there and the manner. And why she could communicate with her if she did not know anything.

Why do you appear in a mirror? Where can you find the reality? In a parallel world? Why me?

Elena did not flinch and answered without haste.

I'm lying in a cemetery where they buried my body. My grave was not far from the vault of family Sterling, one day a lady came, carrying flowers to her daughter and I followed her while attempted to make her listen to me, Elena explained resignedly, but unquestionably she didn’t hear me. Her daughter told me that she brought her flowers every Sunday in twenty years, she died of pneumonia... poor thing. Catherine Sterling was only fourteen years old when she died.

You talked to the daughter of Mrs. Sterling? she asked, puzzled. 

Yeah, and others who wandered around there too. There was one who wore clothes from another era, but I dared not get close because he gave me weird looks. It's scary.

You did well, she replied, she thought that it was best for her not to know what could happen if a ghost was angry.

It turned out that in the vault, Elena continued, and indicated with a finger in front of her, there was a mirror that belonged to Catherine. I was curious and went to see. That was the same night when I saw you for the first time. I didn’t know how it’s possible, or why I saw you, but I knew you were the only one who was able to help me. Since then I had been calling through the mirror. I asked you for help. I told you about the accident when you fell asleep as it seemed that you were more responsive so... Elena finished by saying with a small voice.

Eva could almost swear that the nightmares began almost a year ago. She watched Elena's heart was beating fast. It almost seemed unreal that she was being able to communicate with her. Was it really real? To be sure, the birthday girl pinched her arm. She noticed the pain, she said yes. It was more than real. She made a decision with the trembling hands and unshakable determination.

She moved forward that her waist touched the marble sink. She extended her right hand until it rested on the cold surface of the glass. Elena placed hers at the same height, her dark eyes were full of longing, shined.

I promise to help in any way I can, she gave her word.

Yeah! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Elena exclaimed with a tremulous smile full of happiness on the lips.

Eva, excited by this enthusiasm, smiled back. She wondered where she had been buried, in what city. What kind of help Elena was needed. And when she prepared to ask her, the door was opened.

Everything goes well? Denise asked, expressed worries.

She nodded. Elena glanced at her friend curiously. Then she looked back at her.

Let's talk later when you're less busy. Now that the connection is established, it’ll be easier, the ghost decreed.

You coming? Denise asked.

Yeah, let’s go.

Before the birthday girl left the bathroom, Elena added one last thing.

Happy birthday.

Thank you, Eva replied, looking over her shoulder at the ghost in the mirror.

Who would you thank? Denise was so curious.

They left the bathroom under the watchful eye of Elena.

You wouldn't believe it if I tell you, she answered.

The ghost floated back to her grave and prepared to wait patiently. Elena stared into the distance. For the first time since she died, a feeling of consolation was fulfilled. Yes. She was sure that Eva could help her...

Reuniting with her friends, Eva paid the bill and went out to the street where the hot air shivered from head to toe. She took the glasses out of her purse and put them on.

You're going to tell us what happened in the bathroom, or I'll have to get it forcibly, Denise asked impatiently.

It’s hard to explain.

They walked toward the parking lot.

I tell you that the waiter is kidnapped and take him secretly, Denise said mischievously.

No! Nothing of the kind, the birthday girl responded quickly looking at her two friends reproachfully.

All right, let's go home to spend an afternoon, girls, Denise finished by saying with a smile.

They came to the Denise's car. Ted and Denise bought this dark green C3 Picasso family car shortly before the baby was born, Eva had a very swanky taste. But it was convenient for a family with a baby. She climbed into the back letting Emalyne take the passenger seat. She glanced at the seat of her friend's daughter. The harnesses were unfastened, and they smelled sweet fragrance of baby cologne in the ambience. An odour that was deeply appreciated and craving. She wondered when the miracle would happen so that she could find Mr. Perfect that she would get married someday. She wanted kids, a husband, her own house and enjoyed the happiness that she had changed the life to her friend Denise.

She looked distractedly at the car window. Her thoughts went out to Elena. What had happened was extraordinary. She had only asked for a wish. She asked herself why it was granted, and how it was. Something never happened before. And since he could only see it in the mirror...that was strange, she thought.

It was not until about two hours later Eva decided to confess to her friends. They were settled down in the backyard of Denise's house. Iced tea was savored, they were sitting under the shade of orange trees, except Emalyne was taking the sun lying on a lounger. She had pulled down the bikini straps to avoid having marks, her skin looked shiny by wearing suncreen.

The sticky heat continued, and the clothes were stuck to the skin of Denise and her.

I want to tell you something that happened to me, the birthday girl said catching the attention of her friends, then she half-smiled and added, although I believe you're going to think I'm going mad.

Does it have to do with sleeping badly recently? Denise pried delicately.

Yeah.

And the fact that these are very serious and you hardly smile? Emalyne continued.

She looks away, and nodded. She breathed deeply and began to tell her friends her strange dreams, the woman who appeared there asking for help, how it had disturbed her to the extent that sleeping badly. The compassion she felt for the ghost, the look of pain she saw on her face. And finally she managed to talk to her today after making the wish to help.

When she finished, she realized that she was standing and hands were trembling. She was a little nervous, waited for the verdict of her friends. Her pulse was accelerated when she looked at the serious faces of her friends.

It’s incredible, Emalyne pointed incredulously, she got closer to her. "You say you've been able to make contact with a ghost