Edy Partridge couldn't sleep. She was tired beyond exhaustion but sleep still eluded her. She never slept well in new places and even though her family home was familiar; she hadn't been back in nearly fifteen years and felt unsettled in the big bed that had once belonged to her great-grandparents.

Edith and Marshal Partidge had built the lake house as an investment for family reunions and get-togethers as their family grew, but after their deaths, Edy's father and his siblings frequented the house less and less. Edy, to her knowledge, was the only visitor the home had had in nearly five years, and the home smelled closed in. So, when she knew sleep wouldn't come; she got up and started setting the house to rights. She pulled all the furniture covers and threw them in the wash. She dusted, vacuumed and scrubbed until her arms were weeping. Then she put on a pot of coffee, threw some breakfast burritos in a skillet to warm and sat down in the newly cleaned kitchen.

The first rays of dawn were sifting through the widows above the sink and as they filtered through, I could see the dust motes in the air. What I didn't expect was for those dust motes to settle across from me in the crude shape of a person. Shock swept through me and I nearly toppled my chair in my hurry to get away from the table. "Jesus."

I didn't waste time hurrying to a different room, all the while convincing myself that what I'd seen was just a trick of the light. I moved to the wrap-a-round porch and shook rugs, swept off more dust, wiped down the porch swing, and enjoyed the light breeze that kissed the air.

"Edy," I dropped the rag and cleaner in my hands. I knew I was alone and the echo of my name still rang in my ears.

A soft chuckle had the hair on my neck and arms standing on end. "Who's there?" I called, gripping the broom as if it would actually protect me.

"Don't you see me?"

I whirled around, frantic to recognize a person in the empty air.

"This is stupid," I huffed. Turning, I stepped back toward the doorway and froze as I felt a light pressure on my arm.

"Please wait," the voice was softer now, but still had that same familiar quality.

"Leave me alone!" I said, trying not to let my fear soak the command.

"Edy, please."

"I don't know you!" I yelled, turning to encompass my entire field of view. "So, please-just leave me alone."

When no answering plea met my ears, I stepped into the house and shut the door firmly behind me.

Taking in deep breaths, I closed my eyes and counted to ten. You're just tired, that's all. Ghosts aren't real!

Opening the door again, I peeked inside, observing my surroundings and obviously, it was empty. I stepped back inside, grabbing the broom by the entrance, and gripping it tightly with my hands. Why am I still on edge?

I started to sweep away the mixture of fluff and other stuff I didn't want to know into a corner to pick up later. A shiver ran down my spine. The room became submerged in a still coolness. Goosebumps trickled across my arms, as my breathing became shallow and foggy.

"Edy." I could faintly hear it. Like a whisper lost in the wind. Pacing over to the open window, I shut it with force.

Turning back to wield the broom I dropped abruptly on the floor, the window flew open again.

"I'm not scared of you!" My tone weak and shaky gave way to my lie.

A slight poke in the back of my head made me instinctively turn around. There standing before me was the faint silhouette of a figure, milky white. "Now why would you be scared of me?" The familiar laugh echoed across the room. The figure grew opaque, revealing a face I thought I'd never see again.

"Marshal?"

"In the flesh." He waved his arms about, a faint glow staying for a moment after he dropped his arms to his side. "Welcome home, Edy."