Sitting peacefully with a copy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice on her lap, Mary Underhill stared out of the window of the greyhound as it cruised along interstate forty from Albuquerque to Oklahoma. The road was bumpy but Mary found this in no way uncomfortable. Since leaving Chelsea, London she had toured much of Europe, Africa and Asia before landing on the west coast of central America. Two years had passed since she said goodbye to her mother on the eve of her twenty fifth birthday in the August of nineteen-ninety. Mary knew her mother missed her deeply and she missed her mother too. However she was on the last leg of her journey and planned on returning to England within another two months. The central American sun was unbearable and Mary made do with a thin, flowery long dress with no sleeves. Her naturally blonde hair was pulled back and tucked away under a cool summer hat and she hid her bright blue eyes behind a large pair of sunglasses. There were not many people on the bus so Mary knew there was no need to worry about strangers sitting near her; she was largely ignored her entire trip, pretty much invisible to everyone she met. Mary preferred it this way and grew accustomed to the solitary life. Ever since the accident that changed everything she was very much alone, but in Mary's mind that meant freedom to now go about as she wished. She did just that with a trip around the world. Mary groaned as the greyhound suddenly jolted to a stop and more people began to climb aboard. An elderly woman came over to sit near Mary but hesitation crossed her face and she moved further back, muttering under her breath about how cold it felt in Mary's section. An older gentleman stepped on to the bus last and paid for his ticket before turning and appearing to study the entire bus before choosing a seat. His eyes lingered on Mary for longer than anyone else and Mary felt a lump in her throat. The man was easily in his late sixties but portrayed a youthful look behind those grey eyes. His white hair was neatly brushed back, clean shaven, square jawline; he had the stature of a military past but his eyes, and the (minimal) creases around them looked calm and friendly. A faint healed scar appeared in the light across his cheek as he turned his head more. Please don't sit next to me, Mary thought as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. The relief she felt as he passed her was short and diminished when he took the seat behind her. Everyone continued to sit in silence as the bus pulled away and Mary almost felt inclined to get back to her book. The white haired man appeared to be minding his own business now. The bus had travelled exactly three miles before Mary began to notice strange occurrences beginning to happen. A slight tap on the steel roof tempted her curiosity to look up. She was surprised to see two beautiful butterflies with bright blue wings circling around her head like a dance before fluttering off down the coach. This brought a refreshing smile to her face, one she had not had since a minor win she accomplished in Vegas several days earlier. "I see you liked that one," the elderly man suddenly said. Mary's heart skipped a beat, anxiety instantly crept over her body. She turned to look at him awkwardly. Not one person had spoken to her for some time, not even the driver of each bus she took. Who was this peculiar man to speak to her now. She said nothing and faced forward again. "I did not mean to alarm you, miss," the man spoke gently and with a British accent. Alarm her he did but she discovered some comfort in meeting a fellow Briton. "May I sit next to you now, young lady?" He continued. He reads minds too? She thought aghastly. "In a way," he replied causing her anxiety to heighten. She could feel her skin turn pale for without waiting for a response, the man proceeded to sit by her. "What do you want?" She asked more bluntly than intended, shifting as close as possible to the window to put a little distance between them. "I have very little money and even smaller interest in male desires." The man chuckled slightly before answering, "Dear, I am not here to rob you, nor act upon any... Desires. My interest in you far peaks the capabilities of ordinary men." "So who are you?" She asked curiously while keeping her defensive barriers up. "I refer to myself as Merlai but before I ask you yours, aren't you going to ask why I can see you?" Another question that kept Mary on edge, "I don't know what you mean, of course you can see me," she lied. "But I see a side of you that others do not. Please tell me your name." "Mary," she greeted with uncertainty. "Mary," Merlai repeated. "Mary, you're not supposed to be here, are you?" "How rude. I'm exactly where I want to be." "Then perhaps you are where you are meant to be, Mary," Merlai smiled pleasantly. "What can I do for you, Mr Merlai?" Mary eased her guard and felt more relaxed as she began to see the old man was not posing a threat. "Entertain an old fool for a while if you will. Where are you headed?" "Back to London before long. I know my mother is grieving. I wish to see her soon, but first I must finish my tour of America," Mary sighed. "I see," Merlai replied with sympathy. "You're a traveller then? Where have you visited so far?" "I've been very fortunate in my travels. I can tell you about them," Mary smiled and waited for Merlai's eager nod before continuing. Somehow, she suddenly felt relaxed and willing to tell her story. "Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to see Africa; run with the herds, sleep and hunt with the lions. Three years ago in eighty-nine a tragedy struck our family and my mother closed herself off from the world. I lingered around the house for almost a year before learning just how free I had become. I left my mother's side and left the family home. I travelled east across London and found I did not want to stop." Mary stared out of the window at the flat plains and rocky hills in the distance, "Before I knew it I was already crossing Belgium through France and heading for Berlin. It was peace time in Germany and the fall of the iron curtain was still fresh, I just wanted to see it, take it all in." Mary paused and began watching Merlai who had let out a very faint whistle. He opened a tiny wooden box and the two butterflies fluttered back from the front of the bus to land inside the box before Merlai closed it again. "How did you do that?" Mary asked dumbfounded. "Don't mind me, young miss," Merlai replied casually. He opened the box again but instead of butterflies there was a little mouse with blueish, grey fur, causing a gasp from Mary. Merlai reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of cheese and biscuit and fed the small creature before closing the box again. "Where did you go after Berlin?" He asked as if nothing had happened. I went as far as the beautiful Warsaw before turning south. My mother would never have approved of me going near Soviet regions. I was in Athens when I learned of Freddie Mercury's death, my mother would have been distraught." "More distraught than losing a daughter?" Merlai asked. "I-" Mary started but stopped suddenly. "It's ok, Mary, I knew from the beginning. After you died you never left your mother's side. Your spirit could not let go, perhaps you struggled yourself to come to terms with what happened." Merlai pulled out a pack of biscuits and offered the girl one. "I don't eat," she replied thankfully. "Is that why you sat next to me? Are you dead too?" "No, my dear, far from it. I don't have that luxury," Merlai replied somberly. "I also have been travelling the world and I have seen some amazing things but a spirit, alone on a bus in central America, is something I did not expect." "Ok, so you know my secret. What now?" "Tell me how such a young soul is able to move freely, not just in their place of haunting but the entire world." Merlai waited eagerly for a response. Mary stared out of the window some more, "I don't know how to explain it. I thought I was bound to my home. I would sit with mother in the front room and at times, in her bedroom. I'm sure she could feel me there. This went on for about a year until one day the light outside was particularly bright. It shone brighter and brighter, illuminating the house. I passed through the front door and out onto the street, I feared it would divert me back to the house as previous attempts determined. However, I just kept walking, unseen by others, until the street ended, and the next street, and the next. I found I was free from my binds and did not want to stop." "Fascinating," Merlai muttered. Mary continued, "Before I knew it I was following my dreams of seeing the world. Something that would not have been possible had I still been alive." "So it worked out well for you then, dying," Merlai said casually. "I wish I was still alive, you have no idea how long it has felt since I had real human contact." "I am a solitary man by all extremes, I have an idea on how it feels." Merlai put his hand into one of his deep pockets and pulled out a large electric drill. One obviously too big for the pocket. Mary wondered how it had fitted in there, and more importantly why he had it. "Sorry," he replied. "Wrong item, I will return that to- erm, oh dear, I forgot who I borrowed that from." He dug into his pocket again and protruded a tea set. "Mary Poppins," the girl joked. Merlai missing the joke responded, "Miss Poppins, you will like this." Merlai poured tea into a mug and Mary was surprised to see the kettle was actually boiled. "I don't dri-" she started. "You'll like this," Merlai interrupted and placed the mug on her lap forcing her to grab it. "I can hold it," Mary said with an ecstatic surprise. She held the mug up and inspected the contents, "What is it?" "Just green tea," Merlai replied. "You will find it drinkable." "Amazing," Mary replied as she took in the smells of the tea. "So, you were in Athens? Ventured across Europe without anyone ever knowing you were there." "It was easy to see the sights without being harassed," Mary smiled. "I feel like I'm surrounded by a veil, it's like people know or instinctively choose not to come near any chair where I am situated." Mary sipped the tea and savoured the taste, "From Athens I travelled to Cairo to see the pyramids. It saddens me going unnoticed, I feel I missed out on the true Egyptian culture. From there I managed to get up close to the lions of Ethiopia, although I'm sure they all still looked directly at me." "Interesting," Merlai repeated. "I went by boat from Yemen to India, then Thailand and I spent several months wandering around China. I stowed myself away on a plane bound for Japan, and again heading for the US." "Bringing you to me," Merlai stepped in. "After spending several weeks exploring the west I guess," Mary replied uncertainly. "It seems you've lived an extraordinary death, Mary Poppins-" "Mary Underhill," she interrupted. "This tea is amazing." "I'm glad you like it. It's brewed to the acquired substance you can swallow. You may find it gives you closure." "Thank you indeed," Mary finished her tea without thinking of the words and Merlai took back the mug. "Truly fascinating," the old man responded. "I have seen many spirits but to move around so freely? Truly, truly fascinating. You are a new kind of entity I have not witnessed before." "So what does that mean for me?" Mary asked, slightly nervous. Merlai dug in deep in his pocket again and pulled out a walking stick, We will meet again, Mary Poppins. I will be in London soon. I'll see you in Chelsea. Go home to your mother, young one. You will be glad to see her again. This is my stop." "But the bus does not stop until it reaches the next town," Mary replied as Merlai stood up. "Good day," Merlai nodded and placed a blue cap on his head. The bus suddenly stopped and despite the confused looks on the other passengers faces the driver was happy to let Merlai off the bus. Mary sat back and contemplated their meeting. She suddenly thought that he had not actually asked her the circumstances concerning her death and it surprised her a little. Looking around she wondered if any of the other passengers had heard them speaking, or at least thought the old man was talking to himself. Out of all the countries and continents Mary had visited she had met no one quite like the man called Merlai. *** Two months later Mary stood back in England outside of her home. Her mother could be seen through the downstairs window. She was reading with the TV on in the background. Mary passed through the front door and entered the living room. Her mother stirred in her seat and looked around the room. A tear formed in Mary's eye. She stood directly behind her mother who in turn searched frantically around the room. "Is someone there?" She called out. Mary wanted to speak out but knew it was pointless. Wanted to tell her that she missed her, to hug her. Circling around her mother's chair, Mary watched the older woman pull a blanket over herself through the drop in temperature. "I miss you," Mary finally spoke aloud, although the woman in the chair could not hear her words. "I miss you," her mother muttered then seemed surprised with herself for saying it. Mary sat on the sofa across the room. She thought of Merlai one more time and the words he said to go home. Mary turned to face her mother. Her mother was staring right at her, jaw dropped, and her half-drunk cup of tea was now rolling across the carpet. Mary looked down herself and noticed that she was glowing. To herself she looked normal but she guessed to her mother the glow made her look visible. "Mother," Mary spoke softly but no sound filled the air. Tears filled her mother's eyes. "Ma-Mary, my baby," she sobbed. Mary cried silently, no sound she made was audible. Both women cried and then sat in silence for a long while. What did Merlai do to make this possible? Mary thought as she watched her mother closely. I offered you closure, came a response. Stunned, Mary looked out of the window and with great surprise, saw Merlai standing by the road in his blue cap. He smiled and waved at her and then walked down the street without looking back. With a smile, Mary turned back to her mother, she could finally find peace and happiness right where she belonged. The End ***

A Man Named Merlai 

large_1000004748.png

medium_1000004748.png

small_1000004748.png

thumbnail_1000004748.png

1000004748.png