Love For a Night

I don’t know what it was about him, but I couldn’t keep away. Maybe it was his jet black hair that fell over his blue eyes. Or maybe it was that smile he’d flash when he was happy. Perhaps the grace in which he almost floated when he walked across the floor. I was transfixed by his very presence.1

Tomorrow it would be a year since I met him. I remember that night so well, even if it was only briefly.2

While driving through the woods in the middle of nowhere, my car suddenly broke down. I had no reception on my phone, and there appeared to be no houses around for miles. The fog started to roll in making it hard to see anything. I couldn’t even see five feet in front of me. Sitting in my car, I waited, hoping for someone to come along. 3

Just when it seemed hopeless, I saw a lantern. Curiously I stepped out of the car to see where the lantern had come from. Approaching closer to it, I saw that it was a swarm of fireflies gathered. They started moving away, but not very fast. It was if they wanted me to follow them.4

Unsure of what else to do, I decided to follow them. They led me down what seemed to be a hidden path. Finally, after walking for about 20 minutes or so, I could start to see a clearing. From where I was, I could also see the outlines of a house.5

Stepping into the actual clearing, my mouth dropped. It was an old Victorian house which looked to be at least 100 years old. Shutters were falling off the house, and there were wooden boards going across some of the windows. Vines were growing along the sides, almost reaching to the roof.6

On the second story, it looked like there was a balcony. Once I saw the balcony, I was dying to check out what the view was like from there. I quickly walked up the front steps and stopped in front of the door.7

With one last look behind me, I took a deep breath and opened the door. It creaked as it swung back on its hinges. Looking around, I saw that everything was covered in layers of dust. Now the only thing to do was to find the stairs. Luckily as I went into an adjoining room on the right, I saw the stairs on the left. 8

As I slowly started up the stairs, I looked back at the ground below. I just couldn’t believe that this house was here in the middle of nowhere. I wonder why no one else knew of this place. Continuing on, the wooden stairs creaking underneath my every step, I finally reached the top. 9

There was a hallway leading to the right, and another that led off to the left. I took the one leading to the left. Stumbling with no light, I tried to find any kind of door handle. I found one, but I found out that this was the bathroom. I laughed to myself as I backed out and closed the door and trudged on further down the hallway. I found another door on the left side.10

I turned the handle and then the door slowly swung open on its own accord. I slowly peeked into the room and saw a four-poster canopy bed standing in the middle of the room. A streak of moonlight was softly splayed across the bed, and the blue canopy was swaying from the wind. Just as I was about to flop down onto the bed, I remembered why I originally came into the house. I walked briskly over to the balcony since the door leading out was off its hinges, and stood by the railing peering out. Looking out, there were tree-tops as far as the eye could see. But then something caught my eye. That is when I first saw him.11

At a first glance, it was nothing but a silhouette. The figure was white as a ghost, and was walking towards the house. Disbelievingly, I blinked and rubbed my eyes and looked once again. This time it had more color and looked more solid, but he was still pale. He kept walking until he was five feet away from the front steps.12

My heart started banging in my chest. Just his presence made my heart beat faster. It was if he could hear it because he glanced up at the balcony at where I was standing. We locked eyes, and I thought I saw a faint smile. With a nod of his head he walked up the steps and into the house.13

I still stood on the balcony just staring at the spot where he had just been standing. Not even a moment later I felt slight tap on my back. I whirled around and was standing face to face with him. Well, it was actually face to chest as he was a good foot taller than me. Looking up into his eyes, I became lost in them. They held such pain and sadness; I just wanted to make it all go away.14

He was wearing a navy blue overcoat from back in the late 1800's with a white shirt under it. He also wore black pants and black shoes which were shined to perfection. Looking at his face I saw that he was looking at me intensely which caused me to blush.15

“May I ask why such a lovely lady is at a house like this?” he asked in a deep voice as he raised an eyebrow, gesturing around him.16

“My car broke down. I saw something that looked like a lantern so I decided to follow it and it led me here.”17

“I see. I’m sorry, but I wasn’t expecting company, or else I would have had the house tidier. I am pleased to have your company, Miss...”18

“Oh, I’m sorry. I am Katherine Tiegel.”19

“It is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Tiegel. I am Calvin Gremler,” he said as he took my hand and kissed it. “Would you care to join me downstairs for tea?”20

“Tea would be wonderful, thank you,” I said as I took his arm that he held out.21

We walked back in through the door, and it shut behind us. I was a bit perplexed because when I originally went out there the door was off its hinges. But now it was not broken and shut with ease.22

I shook my head as we entered the now-lit hallway and headed for the staircase. As we reached the top of the staircase, I couldn’t help but let out a gasp. Everything had changed. It was no longer all dusty and broken. The room was beautifully lit by candles and a large chandelier hanging on the ceiling. It was like I was standing in an entirely different house than the one that I had entered.23

Beside me Calvin let out a chuckle as he escorted me down the stairs. I was so transfixed looking about the room that I didn’t notice the stairs didn’t creak at all under our weight. There was something about this man and the house, and I intended to find out what it was.24

He dropped his arm as we reached the bottom of the stairs. “Please make yourself comfortable while I go ready the tea.” He gave a slight bow and then headed off.25

I sat down on a leather couch, which looked to be quite worn, but was still in good condition. As I sat back, I almost sank into the cushion. I gripped onto the side to keep myself from sinking back again. The couch was so comfortable that I let go and slipped once again into the back. I heard laughter as I tried to sit back up normally.26

“I guess I should have warned you about that sofa,” he said as he entered the room carrying a tray with cups and a kettle. He set the tray down on the table in front of the couch and helped me out of the cushions.27

“Thank you. I think sitting in a chair would be safer,” I said as I stood up and went over to sit on a chair opposite of the couch. He took a seat in the chair next to mine and then poured us tea.28

“So, this is your house?” I asked as he handed me a cup.29

“It is. This house has been in my family for generations. Sadly, after me, this house will no longer belong to my family as I am the last one.”30

His pain nearly broke my heart. “But can’t you fix that? What if you found a wife to produce an heir or something?”31

“I can’t, it’s not so simple. I don’t wish to explain either. All I ask is for your company tonight. It has been so long since I have had someone to talk to.”32

We sat and laughed over countless stories while getting to know one another better. There were times when he would glance nervously at the clock, like it was his enemy. I wanted the time to pass slowly, not wanting the night to end.33

I was in the middle of telling him a story about a drunken night in college when he glanced at the clock and then abruptly stood up. I looked over at the clock and saw that it was five minutes until midnight.34

“I hope I won’t seem rude, but I must ask you to leave. I had a wonderful time with you, Ms. Tiegel.”35

I was sad, as I didn’t want to ever leave. “I had a wonderful time too. And please, you can call me Katherine.”36

“Katherine, if it is not too much trouble, I would like you to return to this house on the same exact day next year. If would mean so much to me.”37

I was confused as to why come back only on this same day the next year, but there was something so mysterious about him that I just couldn't say no. “I will try my best to return here. I hope to see you again Calvin.” With a quick nod of the head, I walked out of the house and looked back at it one more time. It looked so alive, so unlike how it was when I first arrived. I saw Calvin looking out the window at me, sadness on his face. I could have sworn the he was growing paler. 38

I turned back around and walked down the path to where my car was. With a glance at my watch, I saw that it was now past midnight. Something in my heart felt wrong, so I took one more glance back towards the house, only to find it once again in shambles. It was not the lively house that it had been only a mere minutes ago. 39

I then walked to my car and it actually started. I don’t know how, but it was no longer broken. Sitting in my car, tapping on the steering wheel, I tried to figure out how I could remember where this place was in order to return next year. I took one of my sweatshirts that I had lying around and tied it around a tree. When I saw that next time, I would know that this was the place.40

That whole year, I felt miserable. I wasn’t able to concentrate on anything, and all of my thoughts drifted to Calvin. There was just something special about him.41

So, here I am, standing at the front of the steps of the house. The house is still broken down, but only now it looks worse than it did last year. I could feel my heart breaking just standing here, seeing the house this way. With a deep breath, I entered the house once more. It was nearly midnight right now, so I quickly explored the house for any sign of Calvin. There was none.42

I decided to go and check out the balcony one last time. I made my way up the stairs and into the room. I opened the door and it swung open. I rushed over to the balcony and stood peering out once again. I smacked myself on the head when I realized that I was scanning the woods for any sign of him. With one last look, I decided to head inside and go to bed. Tomorrow would be a year, and that’s when he said to return. Maybe I would see him tomorrow. I could have sworn that I felt something touch my cheek, but when I looked, there was nothing there.43

In the morning, I awoke as the sun sprawled across my face. Today would be special, I just had that feeling. I stretched while sitting up, anxious of what the day would bring. After I got out of bed, I changed into a different pair of clothes. This time I was prepared and brought a change of clothes with me, along with other things.44

After eating a breakfast bar that I had brought with me, I headed downstairs to check out the house in daylight. For some strange reason, it felt as if this was my house. The house looked better today than it had last night. It was as if it was somehow healing itself. There weren’t as many cracks, and the dust layers weren’t that heavy.45

With nothing else to do, I just pattered around the house, cleaning and trying to repair some of the things in the house. It was close to dusk as I finally finished cleaning up the house, so I went upstairs to delve in my bag to find something to eat. I grabbed a package of crackers and went back downstairs to sit and eat.46

I decided to sit on the leather couch again. Surprisingly, I didn’t fall backwards into the cushions like I did last time. After I finished the crackers, I lied down on the couch for a small nap. It seemed like I was barely asleep before I felt something cool go across my cheek. I immediately woke up and looked around, but nothing was there. I sat up as I heard someone whisper my name.47

I looked outside, and saw that the sun had just set. There was a soft breeze against my skin, giving me goosebumps. Just as I stood to go upstairs to get a sweater, one of the candles flickered on. Then there was another, and another until the whole room was lit. I looked around the room in wonder, until something caught my eye. My breath was caught in my throat.48

“I am glad that you have returned, Katherine,” he said as he came towards me.49

“This might sound ridiculous, but I’ve missed you.” I threw my arms around him, almost crying tears of joy.50

“I have missed you too, my dear Katherine. Thank you for cleaning the house, although it really wasn’t necessary. The house is capable of taking care of itself.”51

“But how is it able to do that? It has me baffled.”52

He gave a light chuckle. “This house, my dear, is magical. At night it comes alive, like you just saw.”53

“But I was here yesterday, and it didn’t do that.”54

“I don’t know how else to explain it,” he said while rubbing the back of his head. All of a sudden, music filled the room. I believe it was a waltz. “Would you care to dance?” he asked, holding out his hand to me.55

“I would, but I don’t know how to dance,” I said, looking down at the floor.56

“Just follow my lead, and I’ll teach you. Trust me.” He flashed me a dazzling smile.57

I took his hand as he led me to another part of the house which had a grand ballroom. I don’t know how I missed this room. As promised, he taught me how to dance. I loved the feeling of being in his arms. I felt regal, almost as if I was a Queen. The way that he looked at me made me feel it too.58

We practically danced the night away, one dance after another. We kept going until I became tired, almost collapsing. We went back to the living room, where I collapsed on the couch, and sank into the cushions. Calvin laughed as he sat by me and pulled me out of the cushions.59

“Calvin? Could you tell me a story about the house? I really want to hear some of its history,” I said sleepily.60

“So, it’s a story you want to hear, eh?” I nodded. 61

“I have a real good one. It all began over a hundred years ago. There was a young man, one of my relatives, who lived in this house. Now he had an arranged marriage to one of the neighbor’s daughters. But it was said that the daughter had fallen in love with a man from across town. The girl tried to break off the wedding, but their parents insisted that they went through with it.” He paused to take a deep breath before continuing. “Then it came to be the day of the wedding. Everyone was at the church waiting for the ceremony to start, but there was no news of the bride, as she wasn’t there. After waiting for an hour, it was said that she ran away with the man from across town and eloped with him the night before. The next few days were hard on everyone, especially the groom. It was said that he was so in love with her, that he was deeply heartbroken. One day I guess he just couldn’t stand it anymore and he killed himself.” Subconsciously, I took a hold of his hand to comfort him, as I heard the pain in his voice as he spoke. “It is said that he now haunts this house, coming back every year on the day of his wedding, searching for his lost bride.”62

“I’m sorry about your relative,” I said while I tried to stifle a yawn. “To love someone so much, and then lose them to someone else. I hope that he finds her someday.”63

“I hope he does too,” Calvin said, stroking my head as I fell asleep.64

The next thing I knew I was being gently shaken awake. “Is it morning already?” I joked as I sat up.65

“Not quite,” he said sadly. “It is actually nearing midnight. I would like to have more time with you awake before you have to leave.”66

“But I don’t want to leave you again,” I said, staring him down.67

He looked away from me, almost as if he was unable to meet my eyes. “But you must leave. It is in your best interest.”68

“How so? I want to know the truth,” I said as I made him look at me.69

“You really want to know the truth? I am a ghost of over 100 years old, and I am only alive on this night once a year. I was the one I told you about in the story, doomed to forever roam in this house until it is torn down. When it turns to midnight, I turn back into a ghost and roam the world alone.”70

“But what does that have to do with me leaving the house?” I said angrily.71

“If you are in this house when the day ends, who knows what will happen? You could end up being trapped here forever, never seeing your family or friends again, or you could have an even worse fate,” he said with concern. “I don’t wish that for you. I care too much for you to let that happen.”72

“Shouldn’t you let me decide that for myself? I have no friends and family. I was an orphan growing up, so no one will miss me. I know it’s been only a short time, but I love you, and I want to chance it.” 73

“I can’t let you do that! I am too in love with you, but you don’t want to be a ghost, trust me,” he said grabbing my shoulders. “You only have a few minutes, now please go.”74

“Just shut up,” I said. I grabbed his shoulders and I crashed my lips onto his. I felt electricity run from my head down to my toes. I broke away panting, looking into his eyes.75

“Oh, what the hell,” he said as he grabbed me and crashed his lips onto mine. The kiss was urgent and fiery, like he needed to feel loved. 76

In the distance I heard chimes striking, signaling that it was midnight. I half expected to feel him fade away, but instead, I felt a rush of air surround us. It felt as if this were a fairy tale, because we were lifted off the ground, and were slowly spinning around. As soon as the clock stopped chiming, we were put back on the ground. I looked at him in shock, his face holding the same expression.77

“I’m still here,” he said with awe. “The curse is broken. Thank you!” He lifted me off the floor and twirled me around. After setting me down, he kneeled in front of me.78

“Katherine Tiegel, we haven’t known each other for that long, but I can’t help but feel love for you. You freed me of my curse and I am forever thankful. Will you do me one more favor and be my bride?”79

“Yes, I will!” I cried happily as he stood up and kissed me once more. “We get to live in this house, right?”80

“Yes, until forever,” he said smiling.81