The Day I Saw the Ghost

by Mary Alice Foster
(Groesbeck, TX, USA)

I don't usually see things...well, the only time I did was when I saw the ghost. See, I was walking home from Mrs. O'Malley's yard where I'd mowed, trimmed, and watered her grass for the third time this summer. She was mighty particular about what she expected in a gardener.

"Now, young man, if you can't do a good job, then don't come and ask me for work!"

"Yes, ma'am," I'd dutifully replied. "I don't expect to get something for nothing."

Well, I had spent my whole afternoon over there making sure there weren't any bald spots, dry places, or anything else that would cause her to fuss at me. I had my $25 in my pocket, and I wanted to go home and see if my mom would take me to the local comic book store to get the latest graphic novel.

You see, I'm a pretty normal boy; Joe Jones, age 13, likes to read graphic novels and play zombie killing video games. Just a pretty normal person really. But, my life changed the day I cut through the local cemetery.

It was a dark afternoon; the sky had a lot of puffy clouds that were starting to darken, making me think that I would be getting wet pretty soon if I didn't hurry on home. I think that's why I cut through there to get home quicker.

I pride myself on not being superstitious, but it was just plain creepy in there. There were big mausoleums in there, with moss hanging off of them, and smaller untended grave sites that looked as though no one had done anything to them in a while. I felt kind of bad that people didn't care enough to at least come and put some flowers out on the grave or pull the weeds. I even stopped for a second and pulled some out in one particularly heavily weeded spot.

I was just about to turn around and leave when I felt something cold right behind me. I knew it was summer, and this was a most unexpected surprise. When I did get turned around, it was such a shock. There was a white, wispy cloud of something...a ghost? Could it be that such things really existed? I usually don't believe in such things, but there was no explanation I could think of.

Well, you know, I was scared, so I stopped and stared for a second and then I yelled, "Hey, what do you want from me?" "Are you real?" Like it was going to answer me. I'm not sure what I would have done had it answered me. Probably had a heart attack on the spot!

I finally got my self moving and turning back, I saw the wispy figure moving slowly to a dilapidated grave site. I decided to investigate as my curiosity got the better of me. I walked up to it slowly and read the caption on the old mossy headstone. Here lies Angelica O'Malley, beloved mother and wife.

What? That was the name of Mrs. O'Malley whom I'd been working for all summer. No one ever came to visit the old woman that I could tell; her house was very disheveled looking if you know what I mean. Kind of shabby and unkempt looking even though she always wore long, old fashioned looking dresses and aprons.

I ran out of the cemetery and ran back toward Mrs. O'Malley's house down the street from my own. I went up and knocked on the door and it slowly creaked open. I went in calling her name, "Mrs. O'Malley, are you home?"
"It's Joe;I just wanted to check on you."

I walked around the small room and looked at a newspaper article lying on the desk in the small office. It was yellowed with age, and contained among other things, the local obituaries. Imagine my shock when I saw the obituary with Mrs. O'Malley's name and picture staring out at me! What could this mean?

So what did I do? The only thing I could do; I went home and ate some chocolate chip cookies that Mom had made while I was at work. I asked her if she could take me to the comic book store later. And I thought long and hard about how much I was going to miss working for Mrs. O'Malley.

Comments for The Day I Saw the Ghost

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 14, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
the day i saw the ghost
by: catareena

i think the story day of the ghost is really scary
and really catchy i like the part when it finishes without the solution and leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next. check this story out :]

Feb 21, 2016
Rating
starstarstar
maya
by: what?

what the heck that was so confusing it did not make sence

Jul 07, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
The Ghosts Story
by: Anonymous

Great story

Mar 06, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
awesome!!
by: ethan Riley

great story!!

Mar 05, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
awesome!!
by: Bajan

it was scary and funny at the end.

Dec 22, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Strange
by: Tha wolfy

I read this And feel like someone is watching me thought I'm alone O_O¬_¬Darn you Cynthia (My DEAD cousin )

Nov 13, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
awsmm
by: Anonymous

awsm story.....

Aug 03, 2012
Rating
starstarstar
the day i saw the ghost
by: Anonymous

not so scary>.......................:)

Apr 07, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Pretty Scary!!
by: Anonymous

The minute when I read the part about the lady being a ghost it gave me the shreaks like a chill run down my spine ! Awsome work u ROCK !!

Dec 22, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstar

by: m.shaw15

that was a great story and i loved the description about the story. The moment the ghost came into the story, the house creaked and the wind was howling! It made my heart pump louder than ever!

Jun 08, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
To Little Miss AJ
by: Mamamary79

Hi AJ,
Thanks for that great comment; I really appreciate that. Do not think you are too young to make your dreams come true. I have wanted to be a writer for a long time, and I am now writing a movie script for a friend who stars in movies. I simply think of an idea and then come up with more ideas to go with that one. I use my imagination a lot! I think I try to stay young at heart in my writing. Thanks again for your lovely comments. Mamamary79

Apr 25, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Smart at birth
by: little miss aj

Yeah i thought this was very good i love all of the ghost mystery killing stuff.Ms. or Mrs. Mary as you can probly tell im young im 11 years and at my school its nothing but smartness. I'm in the 6th grade and i am in a honors reading class and i would real love to see how you get your inspration for this.

Sep 11, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Well done!
by: Russ

This is a great short story, I love the point of view. Kids are very resilient, the ending is very realistic. Well done, Mary!

Sep 11, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Thank you!
by: Author

Thanks! I am glad you enjoyed my story!

Sep 10, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Renee's Review
by: Anonymous

Loved it. You are very talented. I liked the use of words and description. Lovely story. Keep up the good work!

Sep 10, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
The Day I Saw the Ghost
by: Anonymous

Cool story!

Sep 08, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by: Emma Hail

That story was worth 10 stars it was pure AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Short Story Writing Contest.