Joy and Sorrow Ghost

Everett made his way to the podium. A majority of city leaders craned stocky necks to gawk at the chrome - domed gentleman  in the seersucker suit due to speak any moment.

Celeste , as Joel's widow,took up the entire first row with her entourage.Dressed in high - waisted coral slacks and and zebra - print shell. She was fanning herself in vain. Celeste was shrouded in sweat, as if someone  doused her in water from a balcony.A bulk of the crowd appeared to be just as miserable.

''The speech is good enough for Joel,good enough for me, and good enough for the crowd,'' Everett mentally recited this mantra more than necessary.

He followed two former Supreme Court nominees  and the helmet - haired State representative of Mississippi.Everett attempted to follow the advice of those positive enforcement tapes Kera had given him over the holidays.Initially, he 'd found them corny.The narrators' voice was identical to a certain red, furry puppet on Sesame street.Everett had to admit feeling more than a tad  better about the world after he gave them a chance.

Last Sunday, he'd stopped mid - run (something he never did) and stared up at God's Skyscape.The night was black and starless.The full moon looked as if the great ball of gas was supported by a hand, that  in reality was a skinny cloud.

Everett scanned homemade notes, but something  completely different came tumbling out of his lips.

'' I knew Senator Joel Harrington a space close to twenty years.We met putting a Golf Benefit  together.I was the numbers guy, and Joel was the dreamer and salesperson of our little outfit.He was a snazzy dresser.I never met another man quite so fond of shopping.Joel would have gotten a kick out of this,'' Everett winked,pointing at his stylish get-up.

The crowd chuckled softly.

'' Joel leaving this world left a hole in my heart.It's obvious from looking at all of you that Joel has pieces of your hearts captive as well.''

There were scores of other instances he could have recalled,but Everett vowed to keep his tribute brief.

'' Better to end a stage performance with the crowd begging for more then wishing you gone,'' his late mother had once told him.

As Everett wrapped up the remaining words of his speech, an overwhelming outbreak of applause infected the audience.All able bodied persons gave him a standing ovation.He grinned outwardly and blushed within.

In that moment, Everett pondered what his mother and Joel were doing in the wild blue yonder, if there was such a place.What an odd time to wax philosophical about such matters,but it was something that clouded his thoughts with regularity.He wondered if those two were buddies.Both liked to chat and chow down a great deal.Maybe they had potluck  dinners together.Everett hoped his mom had a nice pad; She went without the necessities on earth far too long.

A sudden volatile wind picked up and everyone began rounding up loved ones to head for houses full of bbq and air conditioning. The overzealous breeze ushers in a silhouette of a blonde female in a raspberry,floral ,patterned sundress and floppy hat.She slinked around aimlessly, like a background character in a video game. Everett couldn't make out her face,but from the back,her profile eerily resembles Karen, his ex - wife. The specter paced back and forth like Karen once did, bony,colorless shoulders slumped over like a hunchback.

Everett moved to inspect Karen's 'twin' more fervently.But the figure was swallowed up the Louisiana landscape before Everett took two paces forward.Maybe it was a mirage,but the whole scene is too bizarre to be make believe.

'' At any rate , I need a nap,'' Everett yawned and jogged sluggishly toward home.