The Grand Hotel

Debbie’s POV

“Hello, Michael,” my brother Vic says to my son.

“What…why…who…?” Michael trails off as he stares at Vic.

“Come now, Michael. Have you forgotten who your mother is? Surely you know I still talk to her.”

“She never said anything,” he looks at me accusingly.

“You never asked.” I shoot back. “Vic is a spirit of light. He crossed over with peace. This place is full of so much anguish and despair and there are a lot of dark spirits that reside here. It makes it difficult for him to come through. The oppression is too much for a light entity to bear. When they do visit it can only be for a short amount of time. So we are working on time limits, plus it was just easier for you not to know.”

“Hi, Vic, honey!” Emmett squeals. “Death does become you, darling. You look fabulous.”

“Thanks, Emmett. You look great too.”

“Oh, now honey, it’s not nice to lie to a boy.”

“Can we cut the niceties?” Michael yells. “If it takes up so much energy why are you revealing yourself now, Uncle Vic?”

“Does it have to do with the screeching we heard coming from Deb’s room earlier?” asks Ben. “Hi, Vic, by the way. It’s good to see you again.”

“You too, Ben,” Vic smiles. “As a matter of fact it does have to do with that. You’ve got big trouble and you’re going to need our help to fight it.”

“Who’s we?” Michael asks.

“Vic and I, of course.” Everyone gasps as Lindsay’s wife, Melanie appears in the room. Not even I was expecting this.

“Mama!” cries Gus as he runs into her arms.

She looks so different than the last time we saw her, when she was so near death. Her cancer ravaged body has been restored and she seems ageless. “Oh, baby, I missed you,” she cries into Gus’ hair.

“Well, well,” says a familiar voice from the shadows. “If it isn’t the other half of the munchers, come back to haunt us.”

“You should talk, Kinney,” she snaps back as she stands up.

We are all speechless again as we see the handsome man emerge from the dark, escorting an equally handsome blond man. We knew Brian was still here somewhere, just as Lindsay is, but never before has he let any of us see him.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lindsay's POV

I've been searching for Gus all night with no luck. It seems as though I’m always walking in circles. I light my bedroom with candles and sit down on my bed. I look over and notice Melanie's afghan laying on what would have been her side of the bed. I am confused about how it got there.

I pick it up and hold it in my trembling hands. Right away I can smell her scent and I miss her so much. Holding it to my nose I breathe in her essence and then wrap it around my shoulders. I am taken back to a time that was more innocent and I let the tears fall freely from my eyes. I’ve felt so alone even though we still have all our friends and family here. Of course it’s not like it was, it’s still nice to know they are close. Yet it seems as though the ones who matter most to me are gone.

I can never find peace. My nightmares are always overtaking me. I tighten the afghan around my body and hold it to my nose once again. I am reminded of the hell we went through and all the pain and suffering Mel went through. I can feel the tears streaming down my cheeks. Nobody should have to watch the one they love be eaten away by such a horrible disease.

I am startled to hear my own crying echoing through the walls. I try to stifle my agony and pain, but the more I try to hold it back, the more hurt I feel. I can never forget losing her. She was my love, my life; my everything. I am blessed that from time to time her spirit has been able to come to me. She can never stay long due to the darkness that lurks here and I can never go to her. She says it’s not allowed.

Letting the afghan drop from my shoulders I curl myself into a fetal position, covering my hands over my face letting myself wail in misery. My heart tightens. How can we both be dead and not together? How come I can’t see my son but he is here? I can hear him from time to time. I can hear his laughter and sometimes even his tears.

Brian has told me I can't see Gus because of the guilt I feel. I know I shouldn’t feel guilty but if I hadn’t left him alone that night. “Oh God!” My body trembles from the memories. I would not have had to find his lifeless, blue body, limp and frail. His hazel eyes glazed and staring blankly at me from his little bed, a pillow partially covering his face. "Oh God no! Not my baby! Oh god, not my baby!" Even now I can hear my own words echoing around me. How could I have left him alone?

I try to let Brian's words convince me. It wasn‘t my fault. Someone came into our home and took us away from everything we knew. They were crazy. It was their fault. All their fault. They ruined our happy family.

Brian is the one who has helped me to hear Gus again. I hope in time I will be able to see him too. I am thankful Gus can see me. I know it hurts him that mommy can't see him, but he says he understands and stays with me anyway. Even if I can't see him I know when he is near me.

Except today. I couldn’t feel him today and everyone said he wasn’t with me. The tears seep through my whole soul and I wonder where he can be. I feel he is in danger the agony and desolation I am feeling is nothing that can be described.

I feel a change in the atmosphere of the room. I wipe away my tears and try to smile. I don’t wish for her to see me crying. I know it’s her. Our visits are few but she always has come to me in my most desperate times of need. I watch as the white light engulfs the room. Mel smiles at me, but I can see desperation and an urgency in her eyes that I’ve never noticed before.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Brian’s POV

“Daddy!” Gus yells excitedly at the same time Mikey yells, “Brian!” Then they’re both on me.

I reach down and stroke Gus’ hair and give Michael one of our affectionate pecks on the lips. “So, Mel, what brings you down here with all of us troubled spirits?” Deb had insisted that she had gone on to the light and was at peace. I look around and notice Vic is there as well. “Oh, hi Vic.”

“Brian,” says the older man with a nod. “You must be Justin? My name is Vic. I‘m Debbie‘s brother.” Vic moves over to the young man standing next to me, who I know he probably recognizes from pictures he’s seen, and shakes his hand. None of my Pittsburgh friends ever got to meet Justin. They had been planning a holiday visit when ‘it’ all happened.

“Yes, I’m Justin,” replies the boy uncertainly. I’ve got to say he’s holding up much better than I thought. He looks around the room. “Who…who’s Debbie?”

“Oh, fuck, where are my manners?” I say when I realize he doesn’t know or remember anyone in the room.

“What manners?” Melanie snorts.

“I see death hasn’t dimmed your sarcasm at all,” I shoot back at her. Still a bitch.

“Honestly, you two,” Deb jumps in. “You fought up to Mel’s death and you’re still fighting after.” She rolls her eyes and jumps down from her stool. “Justin, honey,” she approaches him. “Let me introduce you to everyone since some people are too busy sniping to do it.” She gives me her evil eye and I just smile at her.

She pulls a surprised Justin into a hug. “Oh, I’ve been so anxious to meet you. I’m Debbie. I’ve known Brian since he was fourteen. He went to school with my son Michael.” She points over to where my best friend is still glued to me with his arm around my waist.

“Hi Justin,” Michael says his name with barely veiled resentment.

I elbow him in the ribs. “Not now, Mikey. He doesn’t remember any of it,” I whisper.

“Fine,” he whispers back to me. He plasters on a smile and pulls Ben forward. “This is my husband, Ben.”

“Hi,” says Justin shyly.

“Well, hello, beautiful,” Emmett pipes up as he takes Justin‘s hand and holds it a little too long. “I’m Emmett and you’re gorgeous.” I give him my patented Kinney stare and he backs off. “Oh, and it’s good to see you again too, Brian.”

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to say the same for you,” I reply as I look pointedly between him and Justin.”

Justin smiles at my apparent jealousy of Emmett and it’s great to see that sunshine smile again after all that’s happened tonight.

Finally Mel steps up. “I’m Melanie.”

He steps back just a bit. “Wait. Are you Lindsay’s Melanie?”

“Yes,” she smiles sadly at him.

“So…you died right?” She nods at him and he looks back to me. “Another one?” he asks.

“Yes, Sunshine,” I reply. “Mel is a ghost too.”

He closes his eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath before opening them up again. “Just so I’m clear; who else is a ghost here?”

He seems almost relieved when only Vic raises his hand. Suddenly I hear a little throat clear down by my knees. “Daddy?”

“Yes, Gus?” I say with a smile.

“Can I meet your friend?”

“Certainly.” Justin has heard us and is smiling down at my son. “Gus, this is Justin. Justin, this is Gus.”

Justin crouches down to Gus’ level. “I knew you were Gus,” he says. “You look just like your daddy.” Gus just smiles at him. Justin looks up to me with an unreadable expression on his face. He turns his attention back to my son. “So, Gus,” he asks. “Are you a ghost too?”

Gus playfully hides his face behind his hands and opens them quickly. “BOO!” he yells.

Everyone laughs, but it’s tinged with sorrow. “Yes, Justin,” I answer for my son. “Gus died along with Lindsay and I that night.” Mel makes a small noise and turns away from all of us for a moment.

Before Justin can say anything Gus tugs on his arm. “Hey, I knew a Justin once. It was a long time ago. He looked just like you and he drew the bestest pictures ever.”

Justin’s eyes shoot up to mine and before I can reply Daphne bursts into the room.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lindsay's POV

Melanie holds her hand out to me. "It's time."

I look at her oddly. "Time?"

She nods her head at me and smiles. "We need to get you somewhere safe."

"Safe, why? What’s going on?"

There is fear evident in her eyes. "Lindsay, baby, please. You’re in danger here." She swallows hard. "Since Justin has come back so has the one who killed our family. They never really left but they are stronger now. The longer Justin is here the more danger you’ll be in."

"But Justin hasn’t done anything wrong. In fact, I think he can help us."

Mel looks at me with eagerness while still holding out her hand. "Do you trust me?"

I nod my head and take hold of her hand. When I do I feel the warmth we once shared and yet it seems different. Melanie seems different, or maybe it‘s just me. I know she can sense the insecurity in my eyes. She smiles and lays her hand upon my cheek. I gasp and lean into her touch. She gently wraps her hand around my neck and guides me down into a familiar kiss.

There is so much urgency when her lips touch mine. I shiver, drawing back to really look at her. "Melanie, what are you not telling me?"

She gulps and wipes away a tear. "It’s Gus, honey. He’s in danger. I’m so scared he may get hurt." Gently I pull her into my embrace and I understand her fear. I kiss her on the forehead then whisper, "Do you know where he is?"

She breathes into my chest. "Yes, but you know I can’t stay long."

"I know. Will you take me to him?" I sigh heavily. "I know I can’t see him but if I can hear him I can keep him safe."

Melanie takes my hand tenderly and I grab a candle with my free hand. Then she leads me out of the room and into the hallway.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Daphne’s POV

I am so frightened for Debbie and Gus after finding those claw marks that I race to the kitchen where Brian had told me to meet he and Justin. I speed through the swinging doors and stop suddenly, sighing in relief when I see Gus and Deb safe and sound.

With them as well are four men and one woman I have never seen before. I also note that two of them are of the spirit world.

“Daphne!” Justin exclaims. “You made it! You’re okay!” He rushes to me and wraps his arms around me.

“Of course I made it. I told you I just had to get something.” I push him away a little and look into his eyes. They are shining brightly and he looks to be just this side of hysterical. I glance at Brian quickly. He shrugs and silently points to the man and woman that I know are spirits and then he points down to Gus. Ahh, that explains a lot. I reach up and brush his bangs from his forehead. “How about if I meet everyone and then we can answer some questions for you, hmm?”

He takes a deep breath. “I’d like that,” he replies quietly. Brian moves to his side and leads him over to the large butcher block table and sits him in one of the chairs. He pulls out his own chair and eases down next to him, resting a comforting hand on his back.

Deb comes over and takes my hand. “I’m so glad to see you safe, honey.”

“I think it’s thanks to you, right?” I inhale the scent from the five pots that are simmering on the stove.

She shrugs, “perhaps.” She leads me to where the others are still standing. “Everyone, this is Justin’s friend Daphne. Daphne, this is my son Michael, his husband Ben, and their friend Emmett.” The all nod politely and say hello and then she leads me over to the older man and the dark haired woman. “And this is my brother Vic, who died of AIDS a few years back and this is Melanie, Gus’ other mommy. I believe you already know her story.”

“Pleased to meet you,” I say to them both.

“You too,” answers Vic with a friendly smile.

Melanie eyes me sharply and then smiles. “Thanks for helping Gus earlier.”

I smile back. “It was my pleasure. He is adorable.”

“Can we please skip all the pleasantries,” grouses Brian from the table. “Get your asses over here so we can get this show on the road before Justin’s head explodes from anticipation.”

Melanie rolls her eyes. “Still an asshole,” she mutters as she makes her way over to the table.

The others come over and find seats, setting their candles around the table so we can see. I sit on the other side of Justin and Gus crawls up into Brian’s lap and Mel shoots the older man a look before turning her attention to me as I speak. “So, Justin, I suppose you have some questions.”

“That’s a fucking understatement!” he rants as he pulls away from Brian and stands up. “But really there‘s just one question.”

“Oh,” I reply, keeping my voice calm so I don’t make him even more agitated. “What’s that?”

“What in the fuck is going on here?” He throws himself back in his chair and stares at me defiantly. Suddenly the lights pop back on and the enormous kitchen is bathed in light. “I really do hate that,” Justin adds with a pout.

“Well, that’s a big question,” I reply as I smile and blow out my candle. In order to give you the answer, I’ll have to go back to the very beginning.” I look around the table. “Are you all okay with that?” They all nod in unison and I begin my story.

“Justin and I have been best friends since pre-school,” I begin.

“Daph, I already know all this. Do we have to that far back?” Justin complains, looking impatient.

“You’re not the only one here,” I snap at him. “Other people need to be filled in too. Kindly don’t interrupt me again.”

He sits back chastised and Brian tries to hide a small grin.

“Anyway, as I was saying,” I continue. “We’ve been friends forever. There was a time when I even thought we could be more,” I pause and smile at Justin a little and he grins back. “But, of course, that was impossible.”

“So we stuck together through thick and thin. We went to St. James Academy, which was an Episcopalian prep school. I was one of only a few black people and he was gay so as you can imagine there was a lot more thick than thin.” Justin and I share another weary gaze as we both relive those horrible high school memories.

“So, we made it through, both of us graduating with honors. I planned on taking a year off to travel and decide what I wanted to do with my life, much to my parents’ consternation. Justin was headed off to Dartmouth in the fall at his father’s insistence.”

“Dartmouth?” Justin exclaims. “But, Daph, I never went to Dartmouth. I went to PIFA.”

Brian lays a hand on his shoulder and I eye my best friend intently. “Justin, how much do you remember about the summer after graduation?”

“We took a road trip together to celebrate our freedom. We came back and I started school at PIFA and we got an apartment together.” His brow wrinkles, “I guess I don’t remember a lot about that trip come to think of it.”

“Justin,” I tell him gently. “We stayed in this hotel on that trip. We stopped here and you met and fell in love with Brian.”

He turns to stare at the spirit who had been his lover. “No!” he exclaims. “That can’t be. I would remember that. How could I forget?” He reaches a hand up and touches Brian’s face. “I could never forget you.”

Brian smiles sadly as he leans into Justin’s touch. “But you did, Sunshine, though it wasn’t your fault.”

Michael snorts and Debbie hits him on the back of the head and Brian shoots him a dirty look.

“God, Justin,” I smile as I take up my story again. “The minute you saw Brian you were hooked. The two of you spent a lot of time together. You asked him to model for you and he agreed. He tried so hard to keep his walls up and keep you at a distance. He refused to even have sex with you for weeks.” Michael, Ben and Emmett stare at me with open mouths and then turn to stare at Brian.”

Brian looks sheepish. “I knew he was different and I knew if I slept with him it would change everything.”

“But you finally wore him down Justin,” I tell him.

“He’s a persistent little shit,” Brian says with a fond smile.

“You kept insisting that we extend our stay here,” I continue. “Until one day Brian finally relented and everything did change. Boy, you should have felt the sexual aura of this place that night. Lindsay and I were out on the veranda talking and I swear both of us looked at each other at the same time and knew exactly what was going on. After that the two of you were inseparable. You decided to move here with Brian and were looking into art schools in the area. I decided to stay for awhile too, until I decided what to do with myself.”

Justin looks puzzled. “If we were so happy together then what happened? How did Lindsay, Brian and Gus die? How come you and I are still alive and I don’t remember any of it?” he asks desperately.

I reach out and take his hand. “You were here when they died, Justin. So was I. In fact, you di…” my words are cut off by a loud scream followed by wailing.

“That sounds like Lindsay!” says Mel as she jumps up.

“Let’s go,” says Brian. He hands a frightened looking Gus over to Debbie. “Deb, you and Vic stay here with Gus?” It was more a question than a command.

“Of course, honey,” answers Deb. “Now hurry, and be careful!”

The man named Emmett lingers back as well. “Maybe I should stay too. You know just for a little extra protection for Gus,” he smiles nervously as the wailing sound turns up a notch.

The rest of us run from the room toward the heartbreaking noise.

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