Tales of the Queer: I’ll See You Again

Sebastian stepped through the turnstiles toward the subway platform. His pale hands attempted to smooth out his wrinkled suit while holding a bouquet of white lilacs and forget-me-nots in his right hand. He looked left and right and sighed, dragging his hands down his face. People filled the subway platform in every direction. As the subway pulled up, he whispered a quiet prayer, “Please don’t let the car be packed; I need space. Please, please, please.”

The subway car door slid open, and Sebastian stepped aboard. He looked around and found no one else in the car. He took a seat opposite to the door. The door shut without anyone else boarding. As soon as the subway sped forward, the lights flickered, and a person slowly appeared in front of him. First, he saw green, shaggy hair, then brown eyes and a button nose. The body appeared next, skinny and wearing a blue-and-green floral shirt.

Tears immediately came to his eyes. “Clover, is that you, baby?”

Check out this spooky story from last Halloween! 

“Yeah Seb, it’s me.”

“I never thought I’d see you again. I’m on my way to your funeral reception now.” Sebastian stood up and carefully walked over to Clover. He reached out and tried to touch their cheek with the back of his hand, but his fingers went right through.

“Sorry my love, this doesn’t work that way.”

Tears rolled down Sebastian’s cheeks as he sat next to the image of Clover. “It’s still hard to believe you’re here,” Sebastian whispered.

“Seb, are you getting any sleep?”

“It’s so hard to sleep without you next to me, Clo. I stay up tossing and turning, imagining you scared and alone, and those monsters who took you from me in a moment of hatred. You were only 22!” Sebastain gasped, wiping at his eyes.

“I’m safe now, love. I’m OK.”

A small smile appeared on Sebastian’s face, “I’m glad, baby; I just wish you were safe in bed with me, and I wasn’t on my way to your funeral reception.” Tears were falling onto his ripped jeans.

“Those flowers are beautiful,” Clover whispered.

“I used flower language just like you taught me.” Sebastian looked at his watch, “I should be getting close to my stop soon.” He began to sob.

“There’s something I need to tell you about how this works. If you ever want to get to my funeral reception, you have to leave me and walk to the next car.”

“So, I could stay here with you forever?” Sebastian asked with hope.

“You could, but do you want to? What about Alex and Carrie? What about your school? You’re so close to getting your degree.”

“I just don’t want to lose you again.”

“I’ll still be with you. My spirit will be with you at night when you cook dinner, just like we used to. I’ll be with you when you go out to karaoke and sing our songs. I’ll be with you when you read our battered old copy of The Hobbit and when you play our Hot Space vinyl. You can scream along to “Under Pressure” like we used to together and feel my presence. You won’t lose me. Please, for me, go live your life. Join me again when you’re old and gray,” Clover pleaded.

“I will for you, baby. I’ll be brave and live a great life, for you,” Sebastian declared, standing up. He slowly walked toward the door to the next car.

“I’m so proud of you, Seb.”

“Goodbye Clover. I miss you more than anything, but I’ll see you again, baby.”

“Goodbye Sebastian, you can go. Live a fantastic life. Fight to make the world better for people like us. I love you.” Tears were rolling down their ghostly cheeks.

“I will baby. I’ll fight in your name. I love you so much.” He lingered with his hand on the door.

“Please go and live your life,” Clover sobbed.

“OK, baby. I’ll always love you,” Sebastian cried. With that, he took a heaving breath and stepped through the door. He balanced on the bar between the two cars. Before he opened the next door, he looked back through the small square window to see Clover’s image fading away.

When Clover was completely gone, he choked out a sob and stepped through the next door. There he saw a large crowd; people filled every bench and were standing at most of the handles. They looked at him, confused. He took quick, gasping breaths as he adjusted to his new environment; large tears kept rolling down his cheeks.

“Are you OK?” An old woman sitting to his right asked.

Sebastian took a deep breath, held the flowers against his chest, and said, “I will be.”