My Personal Angel

I was laying in my bed, wrapped in a cocoon of blankets with The Shining playing in the background, my attention not on the movie. Jack and I had grown closer and he was starting to open up about a lot more about his life and it was actually rather interesting. Apparently his band had seen more than just the four walls of the same garage. They’d played a few shows to the point that I was surprised I hadn’t heard of them considering they were from around the area.

“I can’t believe you toured as far as Texas and I hadn’t heard of you,” I laughed.

“You act like we were huge, we weren’t. After my death the others quit,” he said quietly.

“Do you want to talk about it, I mean, if you’re comfortable with it.”

“Why the fuck not, it’s not like I’m going to get less dead.”

I felt him shift next to me; there were times that I forgot that he was a ghost, or rather an angel, because he seemed so alive quite often. I mean, he had mass, not like what you think the dead would be something you could wave your hand through. He was so easy to talk to, easier than anyone else to talk to at least. To think that if he were alive I would probably never meet him and even if I saw him I’d never be able to talk to him. To think that the accident would bring the most important person into my life right now.

“Where do you want me to start,” he asked.

“Where ever you feel comfortable,” I responded.

“A show had finished, a local show too, God, Baltimore shows were so much fun like you can’t imagine how much we enjoyed them. Anyway, I was walking back to the van with my guitar, I was sick at the time so I wasn’t talking with fans like the rest of the guys were. After I had put my equipment away and locked the trailer I heard a gun cock. I turned and I was face to face with a woman. I still don’t know what to do in that situation. I mean, that’s not what you ever plan for or anything. It just happened so quick. She asked for my wallet, all my money, all the equipment. I didn’t have a wallet on me and my money was all in the van. I didn’t tell her before I did anything, just started walking toward where the lock was on the trailer. I think she thought I was going to run away so she pulled the trigger. I think I was shot four times in the head and torso but it was the first that killed me. Someone called the police; I think it was the owner of the bar next door that heard the gunshots. She freaked out and ran, even if I had lived I hadn’t seen more than the fact she was dressed in all black with a bandana covering her mouth. She had long red hair, that’s all I could see. I think they caught her, I’m not entirely sure.”

He looked down; I remembered hearing about the story on the news a few years ago. My parents mentioned how sad it was, when they talked to his parents and his band mates I could see the anger in their face. He had siblings, two of them, his sister seemed to take it the hardest, she had cried when they showed the trial. She couldn’t look anywhere near the woman. I remember her talking about how life in prison is what Jack would’ve wanted to happen. Everyone else was speaking out of anger but her words were of compassion and Jack’s wishes.

“Barakat,” I said.

“What,” he questioned.

“Your last name is Barakat.”

“Yeah, I never mentioned it because I didn’t want you to find out about my death before I was ready to talk about it.”

I curled more into his side, my arm over his chest. I was still pretty sick but I think there are times that Jack wishes he could still be sick. I’m sure he would do just about anything to be alive again. He was so young when he died, there was so much life that he had left to live. I can’t imagine what that feels like. When you’re in your late teens there’s so much left for you to do. I couldn’t help but be curious on what he hadn’t done that he wanted to do.

“Get married,” he said quietly.

“What,” I asked out of confusion.

“You were curious what I hadn’t done that I always wanted to. I never had time to be in a stable relationship and get married to someone I love. I often wonder what would’ve happen if I kept up with her instead of throwing her aside for tour. I broke up with her cause I didn’t have time for her and the band. What I would do to undo that and change it.”

“I’m so sorry Jack.”

“I have you now Alex and I’m not leaving, no matter what I promise I will always be here.”

Notes

Sorry, I lowkey forgot about this story existing until I thought this would be a good idea for a story. I'm back at school and now I'm learning viola for class so that's pretty exciting. I hope there's some info in this that makes sense and I really hope you like it. How about Jack's backstory though?

Leave a comment and rate if you enjoy, don't be a ghost reader :)

- Jess