Epilog
We spent most of the night rehashing our story to the police. The janitor and the clerk would not admit what they had seen, but there was no denying what was in that trunk. The next day Amber was released from the hospital, we said goodbye to Bill and Natasha and we checked out of The Stanley Hotel.
I drove Amber back to Texas. During the drive, I told her about what happened that night. “You really think it was the ghost of Katherine McSwain?” She asked.
“I wish I could say it wasn’t.” I told her, pausing for a moment, “I am convinced it was her.” Then I added, “My whole way of thinking has been turned upside down, and I will tell you this, I am no longer a skeptic.”
I dropped Amber off at home. She told me that she would contact me as soon as she finished making the arrangements for Bryan. “I’ve got a lot to think about.” She said, as she kissed me on the cheek, “Don’t be surprised if I show up on your front steps in a few months.”
It took a couple of days to get back to Birmingham. I thought long and hard on the drive and had made a promise to myself to get some help. I had decided it was not a bad thing to admit you needed some extra attention. I called Heather and Jasmine on the drive and told them what I had decided and they were both happy with my decision.
Soon after I got home, I made an appointment to see a new doctor. I was diagnosed with mild depression and he gave me a low dose antidepressant. A few weeks after I started taking the medicine, I started writing. I didn’t know why, but it felt like the right thing for me to do. It took several weeks to finish my story. On a lark, I submitted the story to a bi-monthly horror magazine. A few weeks later I got a check in the mail for five hundred dollars and an offer to expand the story into a screenplay. I’m working on that screenplay now.
Bill and Natasha have settled in Las Vegas. It seemed Bill had regained his gift and was now hooked on Texas Hold ‘em. I hear from them often and plan to visit on my next long drive.
It has been five months since my trip to The Stanley Hotel. I have not taken a Vicodin since the incident. I don’t even keep them in the apartment. A month ago my old doctor was sued for wrongful death and charged with overprescribing opioid medication.
Everything was quiet until last night. I was doing some research when I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door and Amber walked right in the apartment. I was shocked to see her, but even more shocked at her small baby bump. Before I could speak, she said, “This little miracle is yours Kenneth.” She set her small bags down and patted her stomach. “Looks you got a few good swimmers left.” She smiled, “Old man.”
“Oh yes, I have a really big bag out in the car.” She said with a smirk, “Do you mind?”
When I got back to the apartment with the bag, Amber was sitting at the table staring at a photograph. Next to the photograph was a printed copy of her family tree.
“I did an ancestry search when I got back to Texas.” She said, “I think you will be surprised at the results.”
“Ok?” I said curiously.
“This is a picture of my Great, Great Grandmother.” She said, pointing at the photograph.
“Go on.” I encouraged her.
She pointed at a leaf on the tree. “This is her, right here.” She said.
I picked up the paper to get a better look. The name on the leaf was Ellen Braxton.
The End.
Note from the Author,
If you’ve made it to the end, I want to say thank you for keeping with it. Let me know what you think. I am thinking about adding some more information, such as a backstory on Amber and Bill.
One reader asked that I include more of Ellen Braxton’s story. I’m all ears, and thanks again.
Billy J Barnard
Opioid Addiction Statistics
This story is in no way meant to preach about the abuse of prescription opioid use, or to encourage THC use. However, it would be a disservice to the reader if I did not include some basic information regarding Opioid Addiction and Overdose. Besides these basic facts, I would encourage each reader to do their own research.
One last thing I would add is this; If your doctor is prescribing opioids without first trying non-opioid-medication, then it’s time for you to seek a second opinion
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