ghosts

let's talk about how much i love my roommates.
yesterday was my last day at CAIL.
it was sad. i liked that job a lot. it was an interesting job. it was a cool building.
when i went home after teaching, i told my roommates that i had always wanted to go in the cellar and up the back stairs but i had never done it. and now i was no longer an employee and i had to turn in my keys today.
the shows were over and we were halfway through the news. i assumed my roommates would laugh, express condolances and say goodnight (they go to bed early). instead, ashley said, "let's go." i asked if she was serious and she replied, "yeah. i mean, what else are we gonna do?" valerie was in instantly, lindsey took some coaxing. (for some reason "fort douglas is haunted" has become a theme in our house. lindsey doesn't like ghosts or scary things. i don't either, but i pull out my practical skepticism. ) finally we convince her and we head out.
i know it's ok, we're not doing anything bad, but i still feel nervous. i rush them through the office. we go upstairs, look around and head into the cellar. i'm the most freaked out of anyone. quick peek and back outside. suddenly linds is running, looking over and over her shoulder. "it's like the lady in white!" still, i felt good. i felt complete and at peace with my short stint at CAIL.
i've never had anyone in my car on my late night drives before. i figured i should probably head straight home, but i took the long way around campus first anyway. valerie starts talking about her old house. linds from the back says "let's go. i'm loving this area and i'm liking the music." i was surprised and pleased. we went up into the avenues and around the city creek loop to valerie's old house, through the marmalade district and home through the city.
it was, as valerie said, a beginning of a new era for me. i still got to drive and listen and think and be enchanted, but there wasn't the bittersweet wish that i had someone to share it with. they were all there. it was lovely.
i had school today so we did head home. then i had hot chocolate and we chatted for a minute before they headed upstairs. lindsey walked away saying, "i loved that. we'll have to go ghost hunting again. next time the cemetery." i laughed.
i love my roommates.