Four years after I died, my grandmother rummaged through my old things, found my dead cell phone, and somehow managed to call Julian. "Sarah, it’s been four whole years, and you finally remember to call me?" Julian’s voice was dripping with venom. "What? Did your sugar daddy run out of money? If you’re broke, go sell yourself on the street. Don’t come crying to me." He didn't stop there. "Let me make this clear. I don't want to see you for a single second. I’d rather be dead." On this end of the line, Grandma froze. Her hunched back looked incredibly lonely in the empty living room. She held the phone with trembling hands and asked carefully, "Julian? Did you and Sarah have a fight? I... I can’t find Sarah." After she spoke, her cloudy eyes stared blankly into the empty room. Then, as if a memory briefly flickered, she murmured to herself, "Oh, that’s right. Sarah died. She’s gone. How did I forget again..." Chapter 1 maybe it was because I couldn't let go of Grandma, but after I died, my soul stayed by her side. Unfortunately, Grandma had Alzheimer's. She often forgot that I was dead. Today, she had another episode. She wandered out to the park alone and forgot the way home. The stubborn little old lady sat on a bench, muttering to herself, "It doesn't matter if I’m lost. When Sarah sees I’m not home, she’ll definitely come find me." My ghost was hovering right next to her. She wasn’t even far from our apartment, but because she couldn't hear me, I couldn't guide her. As the sun began to set, I started panicking, floating around frantically. She was nearly eighty; if she spent the night in the park, she wouldn't make it. Luckily, Grandma seemed to realize this too. Seeing the park empty out, she finally stood up. She grabbed the first person she saw. "Have you seen my granddaughter, Sarah?" I knew the drill. Usually, people would chat with her, realize she was confused, and call the police. Once the cops came, she’d be safe. Unfortunately, she grabbed the wrong person. She grabbed Julian. Julian looked down at Grandma, his tone laced with impatience. "Where is Sarah? Why are you out here alone? It’s late. If she’s leaving an old woman alone in a park, she’s probably out with..." Chapter 2 He didn't finish the sentence, probably out of respect for Grandma. But I knew what he wanted to say. She’s probably out sleeping with some random guy. See? Even though I’d been dead for four years, this man’s hatred for me hadn't faded a bit. Grandma didn't catch his drift. Seeing Julian made her face light up. "Julian! You haven't come over for dinner in ages. You love my pot roast, don't you? Tomorrow is your birthday. Come over. I’ll make it for you." She patted his arm. "You young people need to work through things. Sarah is a good girl, she just bottles things up. When she left today, she said she was going to buy you a birthday gift. She wants to surprise you tomorrow." My heart ached. Grandma’s memory was stuck on that day. Four years ago. Back when we were still in love. Back when we were inseparable, before she showed up. Julian sneered. "Grandma, this isn't funny. Sarah and I broke up. If she’s buying a gift, it’s probably for some other guy." Grandma froze. "Broke up? But... Sarah never told me. Julian, don't be mad. When Sarah comes back, I’ll scold her!" The little old lady looked so fiercely protective. I wanted to hug her, to tell her not to be angry, but my arms passed right through her body. Four years, and I still wasn't used to being a ghost. Chapter 3 Julian laughed, a cold, harsh sound. He clearly didn't believe a word she said. "I told you, we are done. If this is some trick Sarah told you to play, I’ll let it slide this once. But please, do not mention her name in front of me again." Just then, two neighborhood ladies walked by and spotted Grandma. "Mrs. Miller! Why are you still out here? Did you forget where you live again?" one asked. Then she whispered loudly to her friend, "Poor thing. It’s just her and her granddaughter, and then the granddaughter died four years ago. She’s all alone." Right. I died four years ago. I remembered that birthday. I had gone to the mall, bursting with excitement to buy his gift, only to see him walking arm-in-arm with another woman. I walked out in a daze. Then, my phone buzzed. A DM from a stranger. It was a selfie. A girl wearing a men’s white dress shirt, lying on messy hotel sheets. The caption read: They say high school sweethearts are hard to beat, but what about a childhood friend? I recognized the shirt. I had sewn the top button on myself. I had even stitched a tiny, unique flower pattern on the cuff—something I learned from YouTube. Julian wore it to every major meeting. He called it our love token. And now, it was on her. That was the moment I learned how cheap love could be. Chapter 4 Hearing the neighbors, Julian went rigid. Disbelief washed over his face. "What did you say? Sarah is dead?" He grabbed the woman’s arm. "You’re lying, right? Sarah paid you to say that. That woman is an expert liar." The neighbors looked at him like he was insane. "Who is this guy? Is he crazy? Who jokes about death? That’s bad luck." Grandma seemed to drift back to reality. Her lips trembled. "That’s right... Sarah... Sarah isn't here anymore..." Julian stood there, frozen, looking ridiculous. My spirit followed Grandma and the neighbors back home. I was relieved Julian didn't follow us immediately. Back in the apartment, Grandma sat on the sofa, stroking a framed photo of me, wiping away tears. "Oh, Sarah. You were so young. Why did you have to go before me?" I tried to wipe her tears, but I couldn't. I could only cry with her. "Grandma, I didn't leave. I'm right here." But she couldn't hear me. Then, the doorbell rang. "Grandma, open up. It's me, Julian." I panicked. No. He couldn't come in. If he saw my things... Chapter 5 Grandma was slow to react. She turned her head toward the door. Outside, Julian shouted, "Grandma, let me in! I thought about it—Sarah can't be dead. She’s just trying to trick me into coming over. Well, I’m here! Stop pretending! Open the door!" He started pounding on the door. I was furious. He was going to scare her. The old Julian would never have done this; he used to speak softly to her. Now, he was practically breaking the door down. I rushed to the door, swinging my ghostly fists at him, screaming, "Yes! I lied! I tricked you! Now leave! Get out!" But my fists passed through him. I cried in frustration. Inside, a loud crash made me rush back. Grandma was fine. She had just dropped the picture frame. She picked it up, wiping the glass. "It got dirty. Sarah loves this photo. Thank goodness it didn't break." It was the photo Julian took of me. I wanted to tell her: I don't like that one anymore, Grandma. I like the one of us together.
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