“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!” said AJ. “Morgan left New Orleans a few weeks after she graduated from college. She went to Creek Mountain Home for Unwed Mothers in Montana. I found the admission record. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy.”
“Oh, God,” muttered Lily. She turned to see Morgan standing in the cafeteria. All eyes were on her, ready for her cries and screams. She did not disappoint.
This time, glasses did break and shards of glass went flying across the room as the others ducked.
“Now what do we do?” asked Joseph.
“Stop!” yelled his wife, Julia standing with Noah. Noah gripped her hand, hoping their force would make the ghost relax. But she appeared even angrier, coming toward them. Until Gabriel stepped into her view.
“You will not harm these people,” said Gabriel. Morgan stopped, the anger on her face slowly disappearing. “They did nothing to harm you.”
“Morgan,” whispered Cassidy. “Morgan, it’s alright now. He’s at peace. Fletcher. He was your son, right?”
“Y-yes,” she said calmly. “I didn’t know he was sick. I was young and lost. I didn’t know what to do and I knew that my parents would hate me if I told them I was pregnant. So, I went to the home and gave him up. Knox and Blair were the perfect couple on paper. They were wealthy and wanted children desperately.”
“They loved him very much,” said Eric.
“When I saw him,” she said shaking her head. “When I saw him lying there he looked just like his photos.”
“His photos?” asked Joseph.
“They sent photos to the home every year and they forwarded them to me. No explanations, no information, just a headshot. I never knew he was sick.”
“That must have been awful to see,” said Cassidy.
“I couldn’t tell Javier. He would have hated me as well. He wanted children so desperately. I couldn’t do that to him. I just couldn’t. I couldn’t even look at my parents. They would have known I’d done something horrible. It was my genetics that caused this. Me! I did this to that sweet darling little boy,” she cried. “How could I live knowing that?”
“Oh, Morgan,” said Eric walking toward her. “This wasn’t your fault honey. You didn’t do this. He was sick and there was nothing anyone could do for him. He had a good life and parents who loved him.”
“But I gave him up! I deserted him,” she cried out.
“My heart is bleeding for this woman,” said Lily. “How do we help her?”
Behind them, they heard someone moving closer and closer to Morgan. It was Shay. She stopped in front of the woman, whispering softly, slowly. They knew she was telling the story of her own son, losing his battle to a horrible disease. When she was done, Shay raised her hand hoping the woman would reach out to touch her.
She tried. She tried to touch the other woman but she just couldn’t. Her sadness was too overwhelming. Too all consuming.
Now, it was a professional’s turn. Shep walked forward, most forgetting that he was even there he was so quiet. He stood, tall and strong in front of the young woman.
“Morgan, my name is Shep. I’m going to try and help you. Accepting death is one of the most profound challenges we face as human beings. It forces us to confront the reality that life, while beautiful, is also fragile and finite. Coming to terms with this truth can be unsettling, but it also offers an opportunity for deeper appreciation of the moments and relationships we cherish. Understanding that death is a natural part of existence helps us to live more fully and mindfully in the present.
“Dealing with grief after losing a loved one is a deeply personal and often unpredictable process. Grief can manifest as sadness, anger, confusion, or even numbness, and there is no "correct" way to grieve. Everyone experiences loss differently, shaped by their unique relationship with the person who has passed and their own life experiences. It is important to honor your feelings and give yourself permission to mourn in your own way and at your own pace. Even in death.
“For those left behind support from family, friends, and community can make a significant difference in coping with grief. For you, that might be different but we’re here now to listen to you.
“Knox and Blair will find ways to commemorate and celebrate the life of Fletcher. They might create rituals, such as lighting a candle, planting a tree, or holding a memorial, allowing them to express love and remembrance. In your case, Cassidy is finishing the portrait that you started. Fletcher’s face will live on. His memory will live on.
“Ultimately, Morgan, accepting death and navigating grief is a journey that unfolds over time. While the pain of loss may never fully disappear, it often becomes more bearable as we adapt and find meaning in our experiences. By allowing ourselves to grieve, we can gradually move toward healing and rediscover hope and purpose in life.”
Shep turned to see Irene smiling at him and he smiled back.
“You and I are in different worlds, Morgan but we are not so different. I’m learning to talk to those around me and you will have the same opportunity where you’re going.”
Morgan was silent for a moment, her body seemingly floating above the cafeteria floor. She looked at Cassidy, pain in her eyes.
“You’ll make sure to show him as happy and healthy?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” nodded Cassidy. “He’ll look perfect because he was perfect.”
