My boyfriend is cheating on me.
Because I’m hiding in a closet…
Watching Clint through a crack in the door…
Frozen with heartbreak as he gets busy with a blonde on OUR couch.
I sob once, then stifle it.
The other woman has already pulled away from him.
Woman
But it sounded like someone crying!
Clint
It was probably just the old pipes in the walls.
They fall into another kiss.
I’m supposed to be out of town on a business trip…
But I cut it short to come home and show off the saucy angel costume I’m wearing.
I’d planned such a fun Halloween for Clint and me—
But HE’S obviously the one who’s full of surprises tonight.
As their kiss heats up, I can’t stand it anymore.
A furious whisper escapes me.
Nicole
Clint, you CHEATER!!
The woman tears herself away from him and stands up.
Woman
Okay…this time I DEFINITELY heard something.
Woman
And it wasn’t the plumbing!
Clint
I don’t know what else it could be.
Woman
Well, it sounded like a voice.
Woman
Do you have a roommate or something?
I’ve been living with this jerk for 3 years.
The woman is watching Clint with a narrowed gaze.
Woman
Okay…if it’s not a roommate—
Woman
Then who just called you a cheater?
Woman
This had better not be some dumb Halloween prank.
Woman
Because it’s not funny — it’s creepy.
Clint
It’s not a prank. Maybe my Echo device is just malfunctioning…
He moves toward the smart speaker.
Clint
I’ve heard that can happen, so I’ll just turn it off—
Woman
I just want to know if there’s something you’re not telling me.
Clint
Are you asking if I have a girlfriend?
Clint
Because the answer is no.
And I can’t do anything but stare as Clint walks back to the woman.
Clint
I mean…there used to be someone.
This time my whisper is louder, edgier.
They both look toward the closet.
The other woman starts backing toward the front door.
Woman
That’s it. I’m out of here.
She slams the door on her way out.
Clint is still facing the door.
His shoulders are heaving with every breath he takes.
I think he’s afraid to confront me.
So I finally creep out of the closet.
Sparks of outrage sizzle through me.
Nicole
I HATE you for doing this.
Nicole
Turn around and FACE me, you cheater!
His gaze is filled with terror.
Yeah, I’d be afraid of me right now, too…
Even if I AM dressed like an angel.
Clint
I don’t understand.
Clint
You’re supposed to be…
Nicole
What? Out of town?
Nicole
Clueless about how unfaithful you are?
Nicole
Well, I was watching the whole time you were kissing that girl.
Nicole
How many times have you done this to me?
He backs away until he hits the wall.
I feel like electric wires are disconnecting inside of me…
An explosion waiting to happen.
Nicole
Did you EVER love me?
Tears are rushing down his face.
He’s trying to play ME now!
Fury explodes, and I scream in pain and betrayal.
He raises his arms against the blast of my anger…
My scream immediately dies in my chest.
The lights stutter back on.
Jeez. Like *I* did that to the lights—
And like my scream was forceful enough to rock the room.
Yet, as Clint falls to his knees, I start to get a weird feeling.
Clint
I’ve been trying to tell you, Nic…
Clint
You’re supposed to be DEAD.
As I flinch, the lights flicker again.
Nicole
What are you talking about?
Clint
Nic…you died 1 year ago tonight!
It feels like I’m floating off the ground now, detached from reality.
I’m hovering above Clint like a ghost as he stumbles over his words.
Clint
Last Halloween, you were driving back here from a business trip.
Clint
It was really foggy.
Clint
But you told your coworkers that you wanted to get home.
Clint
They said you’d put on a costume that you thought I would like—
Clint
And you were going to surprise me with it.
Memory comes out of the mist of my mind…
The feel of my car going off the road…
Nicole
No. That can’t be true.
Nicole
I’m here NOW, Clint!
Nicole
Can’t you see that?
He shakes his head, sobbing now.
Clint
I’ve never believed this, but they say that sometimes the dead come back on this night.
Clint
And…God, Nic — you came back!
He hunches over, his shoulders shaking.
My body feels weighed down by his sorrow.
I float down to him as he speaks through his tears.
Clint
I’ve been trying so hard to move on.
Clint
For the longest time, I couldn’t eat.
Clint
And tonight’s the anniversary of your death.
Clint
I was only trying to forget about it in the worst way possible—
Clint
By being with someone else.
Clint
And that’s because she wasn’t you.
Something twists inside of me.
I still love him so much…
And I think my love is so powerful that it brought me back here.
But the devastation on his face is killing me all over again.
I can even feel myself starting to fall apart as I continue to hover.
Wracked by agony, I reach out to him…
Trying to touch his cheek to dry his tears…
But my hand passes through him.
He shudders, just like I’m made of ice.
Clint looks at me through an anguished gaze.
Clint
Just so you know, I NEVER cheated on you.
Clint
And there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t remember you.
Clint
I know that I HAVE to move on…
Clint
But there’re so many things that keep me from going anywhere.
Clint
We didn’t even get to say goodbye.
I feel myself being ripped apart even more…
My energy disappearing as something pulls me toward another place.
I cry out…resisting…reaching for him.
Clint desperately reaches for me, too.
And, somehow, some way, we connect.
Then sweetly brushes his lips over mine.
For an ecstatic moment, I’m complete again.
Nicole
Maybe this is why I was allowed to come back tonight…
Nicole
Because we never got to have that moment.
Nicole
And because I never got to tell you how much I’ll always love you.
As my form begins to disintegrate, I try to keep ahold of Clint’s hand.
Clint
And I’ll love you forever, too, Nic…
And that’s all I need to hear.
As I disappear into nothingness, I smile at the love of my life…
