In the quiet suburban town, Clara used to find peace in the everyday moments—reading bedtime stories to her children, sharing coffee with her husband Mark. But now, she drifted unseen through her home, a ghost bound by love. Only her youngest son, Evan, could see the gentle shimmer in the air that was his mother.
"Mom, are you here?" Evan whispered, his voice a soft plea in the dimly lit room.
"Always, my love," Clara replied, her voice as gentle as the rustling of the leaves outside.
Mark sat at the head of the table, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy for Evan and his older sister, Lily. The absence of Clara was palpable, a ghost in its own right.
"How was school today, Evan?" Mark asked, his voice steady despite the ache in his heart.
"It was okay. Mom helped me with my homework," Evan replied, glancing at the empty chair beside him.
At night, Evan would talk to Clara, their conversations a balm for his young heart. He told her about his day, his fears, and his dreams, while she listened with an ethereal patience.
[@ch_1_d]"I'm worried about Dad,"[/@ch_3]Evan[/@ch_3] confided, his voice a whisper in the stillness.
"He's strong, just like you," Clara reassured, though the weight of her own unfinished business lingered.
Mark sat alone with his thoughts, sipping coffee from a mug that once matched Clara's. He noticed the small things, like how Evan's grades improved and the sense of peace that sometimes filled the house.
"Maybe she's still with us, somehow," he murmured to himself, feeling a warmth that was both comforting and bittersweet.
Clara watched her family from a distance, knowing her time was limited. There was one more thing she needed to do, one last nudge to guide them towards healing.
"Lily, remember to follow your heart," she whispered in the wind, her words carried to her daughter as she swung high into the sky.
It was time. Clara felt the pull of the other world, her mission fulfilled. She lingered a moment longer, watching Evan play, his laughter a melody of hope.
"I love you all," she said, her voice a gentle breeze that caressed their cheeks as she finally let go, leaving behind a family strengthened by her love.
