Revisiting Ghosts: A Graveyard Memoir

The graveyard book - Epilogue

"Do you think they'll like me?" Ruby asked restless. Bod gripped her hand tightly they walked through the streets that Bod used to watch the other children play on. "They'll love you." She smiled widely like when you give a little kid a piece of candy. It wasn't easy for Bod to tell her about his childhood, he had to be very selective about the people he told. Every step closer they got closer to the graveyard Bod got feel his heart bounding in his chest get louder and faster. His legs felt like jelly. He wasn't having second thoughts just nervous about what he would see. After all it had been ten years, would there even be a graveyard standing? What if had been turned into a school? What if she thinks I've been lying the whole time? These were all thoughts running through his head, he had battled ghouls and corrupt business men and even defeated The Jacks surely he can show off his soon to be wife, beautiful

fiancée Ruby to his family.

As Bod arrived to the graveyard old rusty gates which beginning to be covered with thick green ivy leaves prevented any entrance. A black Raven landed on the gate looking down at the two, this was the first time the Raven had ever seen a human at the graveyard. The gate groan when he pushed it open. He looked around and sighed happily, to his luck the graveyard looks as if nothing had changed, other than a couple of new plots and without a caretaker the grass has grown to well past his ankles almost up to his knees. He to if anyone living was there he almost thought it was empty if it weren't for six pairs of eyes staring back at him. One by one they came crawling out of the shadows they all wearing matching red coats and black socks. Their mother watches them with cation but Bod believes that this fox still remembers him from his time in the graveyard. He didn't even think foxes lived that long. "Ladies first." He gestures Ruby towards she walks in a looks around. She is amaze that Bod could have grown up her among ghosts things like these only happen in books or movies.

Bod and Ruby spend a good hour walking around the graveyard with Bod proudly showing Ruby every inch of the graveyard. They sit on a newly made bench with a verse from a poem engraved on the back of it;

Let his baleful breath shed blight and death
On herb and flower and tree;
And brooks and ponds in crystal bonds
Bind fast, but what care we?

Bod wasn't really sure what that meant or why they chose to put it on a bench but was he guessed it must have been important to whoever wrote it.

"Bod, this may sound silly, but how exactly am I going to meet your family.. If I can't exactly see them." Ruby asked nervously. Bod could tell she wanted to make a good impression on them. Bod thoughtfully looked at his fiancée. He looked after at her remembering why he fell in love with her. She had a heart of gold. He used to stress that she would think he was crazy for telling her that he could see ghosts. "It's okay, you don't need to be able to see them all." From behind the church an old man walked at a slow pace towards them. Concerned at who this could be, Ruby looked over at Bod's face who's face remained unchanged. "Long time no see, Silas." Bod stood up and shook Silas hand. They didn't hug or exchange any words. "Silas I'd like you to meet someone special." I stand up slowly and shake his hand. "I'm Ruby, Bods fiancée." The slightest smile spend across Silas's

face.

"It's a honour to meet you, Ruby. I presume Bod has told you all about me, and this graveyard. "I'm sure there was more to this visit than just introducing your bride to be me? Am I correct?"

"Well, i- we would like your blessing from you and everyone in this graveyard."

"Nobody Owens, speaking on behalf of the graveyard, you have our blessing for marriage, you always have. We couldn't care less who you brought home, as long as your happy we are happy." Silas gave Ruby a small wink, reassuring her. As of now everything in Bod's life had been pieced together at this exact moment." Bod did something he has never done before. He gave Silas a hug. At first Silas was taken back but he to put his arms around Bod. "Thankyou Silas, for everything."

"Take care, Nobody Owens." And with that Bod and Ruby left, to explore the rest of the world. Together.

Naomi Blackmore