This is one of the most heartbreaking encounters I have ever had. This poor girl couldnât have been more than twelve, with soft, gentle curls and the biggest brown eyes you had ever seen. Her skin was the color of ebony and her voice was like a tiny bell twinkling. The dress she wore was old and covered in a variety of mismatched patches and her shoes were scuffed and well worn. I wanted nothing more than to help this lost child find her way to the next life. But first, she needed closure. A chance to say goodbye to those that she loved and that had loved her.
I offered her the friendliest smile I could muster, knowing full well that she had to see how saddened I was at her plight, and held out my hand to her. Her touch was light but left a not so unpleasant tingle against my skin. She hadnât passed very long ago. Her touch wouldâve been like ice if sheâd been dead for more than a year. This gave me hope of finding her family and friends. I only needed to know where to look.
âWhatâs your name? Mineâs Moth.â
âWell, Gabby, letâs go and find your family. Can you show me where you lived?â I asked her as I guided her to the gate of the cemetery, which was only a few feet from the grave.
It had taken a few moments for her to remember the way to her home. She had never been to the graveyard before, so didnât recognize the way. It wasnât until we came up to the church that I saw her expression change from that of a sad, lost child to one full of hope and happiness. Her grip on my hand tightened as she picked up speed and began to run to a rickety house covered in ivy with a tire hanging from an old oak by a weathered rope.
I had been unable to hold back my own smile as I watched her break away from me to run and swing on that tire, shrieking gleefully in laughter. I watched her from the gate, not wishing to interrupt her moment of fun while I thought of a way to approach her parents.
My thoughts were interrupted by an excited cry of âMommy!â It made me turn my gaze over to the back door to see a wide eyed woman with dark skin and the same gentle curls and eyes, staring wide-eyed at the moving tire swing. No doubt, she was wondering how it could possibly be moving when there was not so much as a gentle breeze that warm summer day.
âExcuse me, Maâam.â I called over, getting her attention. She was a younger woman, but with a lock of silver at her temple. The whites of her puffy eyes were also red, no doubt from crying. I saw her surprise change to an expression of unease, something Iâve become quite accustomed to when normal humans met me.
âActually, I was hoping I might be able to help you.â As I spoke to the woman, Gabby leaped from the swing and rushed over to hug her mother. I had to watch as the poor child went right through the woman and fell to her knees on the grassy earth.
âIâm not so sure you can,â The woman replied, looking away to watch the swing as it slowed to a stop.
âIâd like to try, if youâll let me.â I watched as the woman sighed and turned back to me.
âI donât have any money. If thatâs-â
I cut the grieving mother off by raising my hand and then turned to Gabby, helping her to her feet. âI think I understand now, the lack of inscription on the headstone and why no one came to tell her goodbye.â As I spoke, I cast a spell that would allow mother and child to interact.
âGabby?â The woman gasped, covering her mouth as her eyes welled with fresh tears, my magic allowing the girl to be visible to the living.
âMommy!â Gabby ran to her mother, the two embracing one another in a tight, tearful hug.
âIâm so sorry, baby. Iâm so sorry.â
Gabby shook her head, burying her face against her motherâs chest. âI didnât mean to leave. I tried to stay.â
Mrs. Williams looked up at me, her expression clearly wondering how this was possible.
I simply smiled at the woman. âI saw Gabby while passing the cemetery and she explained her situation. I just want to help give the two of you the chance you both need to say goodbye.â I didnât need the details behind Gabbyâs death. I only needed to reunite parent and child.
The woman mouthed her thanks and tightly held her daughter while I excused myself and kept my distance and gave them their privacy.
It was a few hours later when Gabbyâs mother approached me, alone. The girl had clearly gotten her closure and was able to move on to whatever afterlife awaited her.
âThank you. You have no idea how much this meant to me. How much it wouldâve meant to her father.â
All I could do was smile and say âIâm glad I was able to help. If youâll let me, Iâd also like to pay for a proper headstone for Gabby.â